Publisher: Summerside
ISBN-13: 978-1609366865
Synopsis:
When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family
gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much
anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor
corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a
ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel.
But there’s a catch:
she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life,
Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines
with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest
in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling
for him.
When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are
forever changed.
My thoughts:
The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.
2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.
'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.
Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.
She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.
Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!
Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.
Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.
In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:
"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
Fitting wouldn't you say?
A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!
Note to readers:
For additional information regarding this tragic moment in History please see Titanic facts (here) and the Discovery of the Titanic by Dr.Ballard (here)!
'American Tapestry' Blog tours additional reviews can be found (here)
About the Author:
Award-winning author
Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has
published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing
genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historical fiction, romances,
nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.
She
formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network
and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian
Fiction Writers.
Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four
grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with
her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds!
Visit her website (
here).
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION FOR THOSE INTERESTED BELOW!
Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!
One fortunate winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
- Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!
So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!
I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.
I am disclosing this in accordance with
the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements
and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive
review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
