Flight of the Red-winged Blackbird

by Susan R. Lawrence

In 1932, Ruth Russo flees the farm where she arrived as an orphaned teenager and seeks refuge at Sisters of Mercy Home for unwed mothers. When the haven she hopes for becomes a place of tragedy, she flees again, and attempts to support herself in a culture of discrimination and a country burdened by the Great Depression.

Her days brighten when she reconnects with Jack, a friend from high school. But Jack is a budding lawyer, and she is a maid in his cousin’s house. Will Ruth be able to lay down her burden of shame and accept love, not only from Jack, but also from God?

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2022

About the author

Susan Lawrence has been writing stories since she could first hold a pencil. After 27 years of teaching elementary school, she retired and dove into writing novels.
Her fiction includes contemporary and historical faith-based drama. She has four books for middle grade readers including two books in the Hank, the Rescue Dog series, a humorous tale narrated by the dog.
She also has four devotionals and a picture book.
Susan lives in Iowa with her husband of over fifty years and her own rescue dog, Maggie.

Reviews

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The star of this story is Ruth, a courageous young woman who came to Iowa as an orphan and lived with a couple with escalating problems, and even evil. She ends up in a home for unwed mothers, even the Salvation Army shelter for a time. She is forced to deal with discrimination, but also finds kindness and redemption.

This historical novel includes details about the Great Depression years in Des Moines, which made them more fun for this Iowan. Ruth and her beau even ride Ye Olde Mill at the Iowa State Fair!

[Kathryn Smith]

What a page turner. A story of one who was lost but found that God does forgive. Having it set in my home town made it more special because I knew the places they went to

[Tyler Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel and I highly recommend this book because of how much it kept me engaged. It was a real page turner that any book lover would enjoy.

[Cat Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my typical book but I read for book club and found that I really enjoyed it. It’s well written and grabs you emotionally.