Denise Weimer

5 stars, Heartbreaking Sinking

WHEN HOPE SANK (A Day to Remember Book 3)
by Denise Weimer

This is the dramatic story of a traumatic event at the end of the Civil War. Steamship Sultana was carrying two thousand men who had been released from prisons and were trying to make their way home at the end of the war, the Sultana exploded and the men's hope sank.

Lily Livingston works at her uncle's boarding house, a victim of the Civil War, it has taken everything she's ever loved, except for her younger brother. They are at the mercy of their uncle and desperate to have something better.

Lieutenant Cade Palmer was onboard the Sultana when everything exploded. He doesn't know how he'll survive, nor does he know how he'll be able to return home.

I was at first drawn to this book, because of visiting the #SteamboatArabia, another Steamer that floundered in the mighty Mississippi River. The sinking of the Sultana pulled more at the heartstrings because of the poor veterans of the Civil War who were trying to make their way home.

Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of #WhenHopeSank from #BarbourFiction #BarbourBooks I was not obligated to post a review.

#SultanaSteamship #ADayToRememberSeries #ChristianFiction #historicalfiction #womensfiction #mississippiriver #civilwar #americanhistory #InspyFic #Inspirational #AndersonvillePrison #1886… (más)

I am truly enjoying Barbour Publishing's A Day to Remember series, and hope that it will include many titles. When Hope Sank is the third book in the series and is built around the true historical event of the sinking of the steamboat Sultana in 1865. The steamboat was carrying 2,130 souls of which 1,169 did not survive, many Union prisoners of war just paroled from Andersonville and Cahaba, heading home to relish their freedom. Weimer writes an intriguing tale of saboteurs, spies, and betrayal along with stories of hope, love, and restoration. As was the case with many families during the Civil War, Lily's family is one of divided allegiances, forcing her to make compromises in order to keep a roof over her and her younger brother's heads. Cade Palmer, one of the Sultana's survivors, is a conflicted man, made more so because his injuries make it impossible for him to provide the medical care so needed by his fellow survivors recuperating at Lily's uncle's inn. Forced together by circumstances far beyond their control, the two discover a growing bond in their collective efforts to discover the truth behind the sinking of the Sultana. Readers will enjoy collecting clues and making inferences along with Lily and Cade.

I enjoyed this book very much and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.… (más)

Cade Palmer has been released from Andersonville at the close of the Civil War and has joined over 2000 passengers on the Sultana, bound for the North in order to muster out of the Army. A sudden disaster has all scrambling for their lives into the Mighty Mississippi. Helping with rescue efforts, Lily and her brother Jacob come upon Cade and his friend James and bravely bring them to safety.
The catastrophic explosion was dramatically portrayed. The realism was relatable. The subsequent story of Caleb’s recovery and the interesting facts woven in about spies, ciphers and machinations of the Confederacy even after the South surrendered, made for an enjoyable, thought provoking read.
Lily and Cade grow closer as she nurses him. “Pain is pain. It just hurts. But it hurts a little less if you share it.” And through it all they cling to God and His promises: “There is a perfect God waiting at the end of this. He will see justice done.”
I enjoyed this imagining of the real event of the Sultana disaster at the end of the Civil War.
*I read a copy of this book provided by Barbour via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*… (más)

When Hope Sank is the third book in Barbour’s fantastic multi-author A Day to Remember series. This compelling fictional historical romance story recounts the April 27, 1865, sinking of the Sultana, a commercial steamboat transporting over two thousand former Union prisoners back home after the Civil War, and the aftermath for one of its survivors Cade Palmer and Lily Livingston, a resident of a small Arkansas town, who helped rescued him. I love the way their unlikely romantic relationship develops. The well-structured plot flows smoothly at a fitting pace. The characters are engaging and true-to-life. Intriguing suspense, authentic history, a hope-filled faith thread, and a bit of romance combine to make a poignant, satisfying read. I highly recommend this book and the series! Note: Each book in the series is a standalone and can be read in any order.
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (más)