Description
Chicago, October 1929—Kellan O’Roark is running on borrowed time. Having handed over his cousin’s incriminating bootlegging ledger to the police, Kellan must vanish before the mobster exacts revenge. Kellan secures work aboard the SS Wisconsin, a steamer headed for Milwaukee despite his fear of the water.
Desperate to return to her family’s Wisconsin farm and ailing father, Sadie Dawning attempts to travel alone, only to be nearly kidnapped. Kellan steps in and offers to smuggle her aboard the Wisconsin. A decision which turns nearly fatal when an autumn storm capsizes the ship.
Washed ashore and presuming Kellan dead to evade his cousin, the pair arrive at Sadie’s family farm, only to find the new storms brewing on land. Caught between duty, a dangerous past, and a budding love, Kellan and Sadie must rely on their newfound faith in each other and renewed faith in God to weather the growing storm.
ageelettie –
I know it’s a cliche, but this one really was a page turner. There I was, sitting in bed, telling myself “just one more chapter.” The only problem? Every time I finished a chapter I thought “Well, I just have to see what happens next!” Needless to say, this one kept me up way past my bedtime. Kellan and Sadie had such an interesting dynamic, a bond formed through a near-death experience that had them questioning their own connection to each other. That bond made for complex feelings and motivations that gave the story a unique framing. I really enjoyed the focus on redemption and regret, as well as sacrifice and happiness. Both dichotomies were written with a deft hand from the writer. Over all, 4 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the launch team. All opinions are my own.
bloomingwithbooks –
Shipwrecked Faith
Dawning Sisters #1
By Danielle Grandinetti
Sadie Dawning left home to escape, though she justified as a means to help save the family farm. But when she receives word that her father is unwell, she drops everything to return to her Wisconsin home, leaving Chicago behind. But things don’t go quite right, starting with having to escape Chicago by being rescued by a perfect stranger and then being smuggled out of the city!
Kellan O’Roark is desperate to escape Chicago and his older cousin’s nefarious deeds. He has one chance to make good his escape and help bring Tiernan to justice, but when he sees Sadie in danger, he does what no one else will; he steps in to help.
This book is the first in a new series by the author, and I totally loved it and can’t wait for book two to be released. I loved how the author brought the characters to life and made them relatable, people I was rooting for to succeed. I loved how Sadie’s faith meant so much to her being, though incidents from the past had shaken her. And Kellan, my heart ached for him and the childhood he had after losing his parents. His feelings of worthlessness and the guilt he felt over what he had done for and now to his cousin so defined him.
My favorite part of this book was how it brought actual historical events to life in a way that history books and class never did. And living in Wisconsin, this added an extra touch in my opinion. Highly recommend to teens and up.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.