The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh ~ review

                                 Synopsis from Goodreads:

What began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 for John and Laura Foster aboard the steamship SS Vandervere becomes a nightmare when a hurricane causes their ship to sink into the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself with the other women and children aboard a sailing ship while John and a hundred other men drift on the open sea on anything they could grab as the Vandervere went down. Suspecting her John is gone but still daring to hope for a miracle, Laura must face the possibility of life alone--and meeting her new in-laws without their son if she ever reaches New York.

Readers will be holding their breath as they sail through this emotional and honest story of hope, faith, and love in the face of uncertainty. Talented author Dan Walsh skillfully tells an epic story through an intimate focus on two lost lovers. Inspired by real events, this moving novel will capture the hearts of all who dive into its pages.

My take on this book:
A story that takes place in Sept. 1857. Newlyweds John and Laura Foster are enjoying their honeymoon on the steamship SS Vandervere never realizing what is about to take place. When a hurricane strikes the ship starts to sink!Laura is rescued along with the other women and children on the vessel but the men are left on the sinking ship. Laura fears that John may be gone forever, but her heart holds out hope that somehow he will survive, and they might find there way back together.
I must admit, I usually try to steer clear of stories that take place on ships, but when I learned that this story was inspired by real events, my love of historical fiction based on true stories outweighed the fact that there was a sinking ship, and i am so glad that it did. The story that unfolds inside the book easily held my attention. John and Laura are just embarking on their new  life together, and then to be separated when the ship goes down  one is rescued and one is not, was so sad, but the miracles that take place really uplift the heart and spirit. John was a really portrayed a true christian character because of his selfless way in helping others. Because the author allows John and Laura to reflect on their courtship, it allowed the reader to understand their connection. There are plenty of secondary characters that add to the story as well, and the dog Crabby was quiet enjoyable.
I enjoyed the note that the author included at the end of the story,which reveals which parts of the story actually happened.
Dan Walsh is a new to me author, whose writing style really pulled me in.He weaves a tender story of hope, faith, love and miracles, with a few surprises thrown in, that kept me anxious to find out the ending!

rating 5/5

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Available April 2011 from your favorite seller of Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.