Title: When Hope Sank
Author: Denise Weimer
Series: A Day to Remember, book 3
Major Themes: Arkansas, Fires, Shipwreck, US Civil War
Synopsis: After helping to save Cade from the Mississippi River when the steamship he was on sank, Lily had to figure out how to tell him the truth about what she knew.
I decided to read When Hope Sank because I love historical fiction—I love reading about little-known events in the past and watching them come to life on the pages. Although I knew there would likely be more romance in this book than I like, I read an earlier book in this series (When the Waters Came)and really enjoyed it.
Publisher’s description:
The Civil War has taken everything from Lily Livingston—her parents, her twin brother, her home. Now she works at her uncle’s inn and keeps her head down. Speaking up for her beliefs proved too costly in a part of Arkansas split by conflicting loyalties and overrun by spies and bushwhackers.
Emaciated in body but resilient in spirit, Lieutenant Cade Palmer is crowded onto the Sultana with other paroled Andersonville and Cahaba POWs for the journey north. But a fiery explosion on April 27, 1886, rends the steamer and empties two thousand men into the frigid Mississippi River.
Recovering from wounds that might end his career as a surgeon but clinging to his faith, Cade threatens both Lily’s defenses and her heart. How can she tell him she might’ve prevented the tragedy if only she’d reported a suspected saboteur’s claims? And when the man returns to town and encoded messages pass through the hotel, will Lily follow her convictions to prevent another tragedy?
My thoughts:
I was right. There was a strong romantic thread throughout When Hope Sank. I was also right that I would enjoy this book. I’m not sure I ever remember hearing of the disaster of the Sultana before. I’ll never forget it now! I also didn’t realize how the Confederate sympathizers continued to try to sabotage the Union after the Civil War was over. I was frustrated with Lily and how she beat herself up for not preventing the tragedy, and a bit upset with Cade for being so angry with her about that, but I could understand his anger.
I really liked Cade’s thought processes as he worked through his anger from past unwise decisions and came to the conclusions he did by the end of the book. The scene that talks about good and evil is especially thought-provoking, as is the scene where a close friend died thinking that “his optimism and good works would get him into heaven.” There is a lot more Christian content in this book than in many I have read. On the other hand, there are too many passionate kisses for my liking. So, I enjoyed the book, but it won’t make it to my top ten for the year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Chapter 1: Man threatens another with his knife, gropes a girl. Chapter 20: Kissing. Chapter 22: Attempted rape, kidnapping, man injured badly, “dang.” Chapter 23: Man killed. Chapter 24: Men killed, kissing. Epilogue: kissing.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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