Keeping Lucy by T Greenwood

After giving birth to her second child, Lucy, Funny is dismayed to find out that she has Down's syndrome. The doctors convince her and her husband, Ab, that the baby suffers from a heart condition that, combined with her disability, would be impossible for them to manage at home. The baby would be better off in a "school". Ab tells Ginny that it would be better for their family to treat it like a death and take time to grieve properly. Two years later, Ginny finds out the horrible truth of the institution where her daughter is imprisoned and neglected. A weekend visit with Lucy turns into a kidnapping across state lines when Ginny is determined not to return her child to her abusers.
I started out really disliking Ginny's character in this book. She is so intimidated by her husband and his parents. I can understand being convinced into thinking you're doing the best for your child when you don't know anything about her medical conditions, but she let her husband convince her not to even visit for two years! But by the end, she found her strength to do anything for her children.

Have You Seen Luis Velez by Catherine Ryan Hyde

A feel good story about an unlikely friendship between a young seventeen year old boy and his elderly blind neighbor. About prejudices we all have and don't always realize. About doing more to bring someone happiness.
I absolutely loved the character of Raymond. He just wants a place to belong and doesn't seem to fit in anywhere, even in his own family. Then he finds friendship with this old lady who teaches him he can make his own family, his own place to belong. Such a beautiful heartwarming story.

Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

I remember when I read an ARC of Martha Hall Kelly's debut novel Lilac Girls. Her well researched engaging narrative style continues with this prequel that tells the story of Caroline's mother Eliza and her work to help Russian immigrant women during WWI.
Even though this is a prequel, it's not necessary to read either book first as they are separate stories and time periods. But I highly recommend both books and I look forward to reading the next book by this wonderful historical fiction writer!

Blackberry and Wild Rose

Esther Thorel is the wife of a silk weaver who has dreams of converting her artwork into silks of her own. When her husband refuses to accept her patterns in the male dominated profession, she requests the help of his journeyman in secret.
Sara Kemp is a young woman tricked into the life of a prostitute by a spiteful madam. After a chance meeting, Esther decides it's her Christian duty to save Sara by offering her a position as her lady's maid. In the end, when a crime is committed, Sara must choose between telling a lie to save herself or the truth that will end life as she knows it.
I really enjoyed learning about silk weaving and I was rooting for Esther to finish her beautiful silk and be accepted by the silk weavers. This book was well researched and beautifully written and I was surprised that it was her debut novel. I look forward to reading more historical fiction by this author.