A young widower, Morgan Masterson, struggles to make a better life for his daughter, Maddie. When he almost runs over Bonnie Blakley, the new activities director for the Elmvale Nursing Home, he has no idea she’ll become so important to his little girl.

Bonnie has been brought up through the foster care system. She longs for independence from the existence of abuse and punishment she has come from, but yet, she longs to belong to a real family.

When Bonnie’s foster mother, Mrs. Grimes, shows up at the nursing home, Bonnie is threatened and all those horrible memories come flooding back. Morgan wants her to baby-sit for Maddie, but Bonnie fights against it. When she finally agrees, her worst fears are realized.

Morgan and Maddie want Bonnie in their lives but it takes an old woman who claims she knows Bonnie to set things right.

This uplifting story about the bonds of family and love gives the reader a true sense of understanding that a hurtful past can be left behind. Ms. Sellwood paints believable characters in everyday situations. Nice job, Georgina. ( )

Haunted by a past in foster care where she was unloved and mistreated, Bonnie believes she can be happy living alone and free of any family ties, but she realizes something is missing. Then she meets Morgan and his daughter, Maddie. They need her and she grows to care for them, but the horrible memories of her unhappy childhood threaten to ruin her chance at a future of love.

I was touched by this poignant tale of the strength it took for Bonnie to make a leap of faith and gain her emotional freedom. ( )