I read the second book in Barbour Publishing's A Day to Remember series, and was so touched by it that I had to go back and read the first book in the series, When the Waters Came. Like the second book, When the Waters Came had me searching online for the details of the disaster, this one a flood that struck Johnstown, Pennsylvania on May 31, 1889. The story includes several historical characters including Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross and Doctor Hamilton, Surgeon General of the United States along with Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie, members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. Many blamed the club and its members for the collapse of its dam that caused the flood. The two central fictional characters are Annamae Worthington, A Red Cross nurse, and Pastor Monty Childs. The themes of struggling with why God allows such devastation, the harm in holding grudges and seeking vengeance, and forgiveness of those deemed responsible are key to this disaster story as well as to current disasters and the daily misfortunes of life.

I highly recommend With the Waters Came, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. This is a well-researched novel with authentic sounding dialogue, and writing that evokes vivid mental images. ( )

What I think you should know:
When the Waters Came by Candice Sue Patterson is the first book in The Series, A Day to Remember. The series by various authors includes standalone books about tragic events in American History. This book is about the Johnstown flood which happened on May 30, 1889 when a dam collapsed and washed away the town below the dam leaving behind unimaginable destruction.

What you might need to know:
This book gives a fictional account of a true tragedy, it does not sugarcoat the death and destruction that occurred. I would not recommend this book to young or immature readers.

What I think about this book:
This was a gipping account of the Johnstown flood. I appreciate the research that the author put into creating a compelling story. Monty Childs left behind a world of privilege to become a pastor in a mill town. When tragedy strikes he grapples with his faith and need for justice for those who lost so much. Annamae Worthington arrives in Johnstown with her mentor Clara Barton. I love how the author wove Clara into the story, and appreciate the spunk, like when she told Annamae’ Oh this is nothing, my dear… So long as we have no bullets flying around us”. It is wonderful that in spite of all of the tragedy and grief to “most Importantly, remember who holds the entire world in His hands” I look forward to reading more by the author and in the series.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Barbour kicks off a new series, A Day to Remember, with When the Waters Came by Candice Sue Patterson. Each historic American tragedy steals many lives and effects great changes in those left behind.

When the Waters Came recounts the chilling details of the 1889 Johnstown flood. This is a rough read, emotionally. Fortunately, I could keep reading because I knew that Patterson’s second goal, besides giving life to a horrific disaster, is to give hope.

The first sentence is forbidding and had the hackles on the back of my neck standing straight up. I was ready for the deluge of words that would describe this horrible tragedy. But, no, just as the people of Johnstown are caught unprepared, I was unprepared for the raw, gritty picture Patterson presents.

We meet Pastor Monty, who struggles to help his fellow survivors in town. Monty wants desperately to help his neighbors, but his faith is wavering amidst all the death and destruction. Plus Monty is hiding a secret that could destroy everything he has worked so hard to build.

We also meet Annamae, a nurse who accompanies Clara Barton to set up a Red Cross hospital camp and temporary residences for survivors. Annamae’s own past causes her to become very self-righteous as she seeks vengeance for those who lost their lives.

The burden of reading this story is twofold: first, I found the tragedies hard to work through, while knowing the value of understanding them. Secondly, Patterson forces the reader into both Monty and Annamae’s shoes. How would you handle their experiences that made more complex by the good they want to do and the answers they seek, plus the secrets they keep so carefully guarded? Don’t miss this chilling, but hopeful start to Barbour’s new series!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley, plus won a copy through GoodReads Giveaways. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“If every member of Johnstown, no matter their station, lined up and told their stories, the horrific tales would last for months. One thing the newspaper headlines had correct: the disaster was something ‘no pen could describe.’”

“Never take your eyes off the cross. No matter what happens in your life, you’ll always find healing at the cross.”

“My father taught me how to navigate the stars so I could always find my way home. Keep your gaze fixed upon the One who created those stars, Monty. He’ll guide you home.”

“The Lord’s words were powerful, His promises true, but one had to open their soul and allow it to soak in, to nourish, to heal. Circumstances such as these made trusting anything difficult.” ( )

This has been a powerful story of an historical event I didn’t know much about. The flood that destroyed Johnstown is devastating. I appreciate the historical facts in the story that help readers understand more about this epic event. Can you imagine clinging to a roof as rushing water flows down Main Street? I could hear the screams of people as they begged for someone to save them. The picture I have in my mind is horrifying when I think of how these people suffered.

Monty has been the pastor of the town for several years. He has gotten to know everyone and they have become family to him. Of course there are those in town who may fall by the wayside but Monty wants to reach out to everyone and let them know who Jesus is. When he finds himself holding on for dear life atop a roof, he can’t believe his town is being destroyed. Why would God let this happen?

Annamae has come to help the people during this time and meets up with Clara Barton. What a lesson in history we receive as the author gives us background on The Red Cross and Clara Barton. She takes charge getting food, housing and medical supplies quickly. Working beside her gives Annamae inspiration. There are so many needs that it becomes overwhelming. I like how this team worked tirelessly day after day to help the needs of others. The threat of disease is a big issue as the water supply is contaminated. How tragic it was to survive the flood and then come down with typhoid fever.

When questions start to arise of who is responsible for the dam breaking a mystery starts to unravel. Danger lurks as Monty and Annamae work together to help other as well as try to figure out who was at fault. Secrets start to bridge gaps between friends and cause doubt to surface. Monty tries to keep hope alive but his faith starts to waver. As Monty and Annamae start to grow closer, Clara reminds her to not get close to patients and be professional. But Annamae has grown very fond of Monty and finds herself having feeling for him.

With devastation throughout the story there is also hope. People working together to rebuild, forming new relationships and faith being restored, the author brings a book that captures the human spirit.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

3.5 Stars

When the Waters Came by Candice Sue Patterson is the first in a new series by Barbour Publishing. Each book (written by a different author) will focus on a tragic day in history.

Patterson’s story opens with the breaking of a dam and the horrible flooding in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1889. Readers are immediately immersed in the horrors of the townspeople trying to survive the rushing waters sweeping away homes and loved ones.

After the eventful opening, the book slows down with the Red Cross volunteers coming in to help (including nurse Annamae).

While this novel gave me a good look at this moment in history, I didn’t ever really connect with either Monty or Annamae. Their instant attraction and subsequent romance were fast and not fully developed (at least for me), and the issues that rose between them were the lack of communication type that frustrate me. A simple conversation and the conflict between them would be gone. There was much more conflict between Monty and his uncle.

Overall, When the Waters Came is a story that will give you some good history and a strong romance thread. I’m interested to see what day the next book shares about.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own. ( )