Join Yvonne Lehman, author of the Christian fiction novel,
Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic (Abingdon Press)
Hearts that Survive – A Novel of the Titanic is Yvonne Lehman’s 50th novel. She is a best-selling, award winning author who founded and directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for 25 years and now directs the Blue Ridge “Autumn in the Mountains” Novelist Retreat held annually in October (www.lifeway.com/novelretreat). She lives in Black Mountain, amid the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge. She mentors students for the Christian Writers Guild. She earned her Master’s Degree in English at Western Carolina University and has taught English and Creative Writing on the college level.
You can visit Yvonne Lehman’s website at www.yvonnelehman.com.
ABOUT HEARTS THAT SURVIVE: A NOVEL OF THE TITANIC
In April 1912, Lydia Beaumont is on her way to a new life with a boundless hope, against all that Craven Dowd desires for her and himself. Her friendship with Caroline Chadwick deepens as they plan Lydia’s wedding on board the “grandest ship ever built.” Then both women suffer tragic losses when the “unsinkable” Titanic collides with an iceberg and there are only 20 lifeboats for 2207 passengers. They struggle to keep their families and dreams together.
Decades later, Caroline’s granddaughter, working at the museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, plans for the 50th memorial for the sinking and contacts survivors and descendants of survivors. Alan Morris feels like a failure until he discovers he is the descendant of an acclaimed novelist who lost his life when the Titanic sank. He becomes caught up in finding his identity in the past and must come to terms with his present and the meaning of true success.
Characters struggle to answer whether love is more powerful than the pain of loss and learn what it means for a heart to survive.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!
Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic by Yvonne Lehman
The Titanic! Everyone wants to be aboard on the first trip across the ocean on this wonderful, powerful, unsinkable ‘city’ it is called because of the size of this marvelous ship. The worlds richest of the rich is traveling aboard the most beautiful and high-class way of travel in the world in this era.
Lydia Beaumont is no different that all of the other wealthy class, traveling from London to New York on the Titanic. She is accompanied by her fiancé, John Ancell and long time employee of her father and wanna be husband of Lydia, Craven Dowd.
Lydia was thrilled to say yes to John’s proposal of marriage, and his wanting to have the wedding on this magnificent ship with all of the first class wealthy travelers invited. And so the plans begin, with help from some of the most famous wives in history. This was to be the wedding of all weddings, the first of many on the Titanic, and a party afterwards that exceeds anything anyone could ever imagine. And this is just the way it happens. Lydia is so very happy, John has made her the happiest woman in the world on this night of their wedding. But it was Craven Dowd that was not the happy one, but to Lydia’s surprise Craven did not object to the wedding, instead he actually agreed to be John’s best man. Against his will that is, but because he knew it was what he should do. Everything was beautiful, actually it all went down just perfect. Then it was over, the guest begin to head to their rooms. That was when Lydia felt something, but not sure what. And since John didn’t seem to feel the same thing, she thought it was just the jitters from the wedding. That’s all it could be, right?
Being the first book I’ve read by Yvonne Lehman, I was sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised at the awesomeness of this book. Ms. Lehman pens an unforgettable story that will be on the minds of its readers for a good while. The outstanding characters finds their way into the hearts of its readers, grasping and never letting go. From the Breath-taking wedding in the beginning of the book until the lives of its survivors decades later, readers will be mesmerized by the shocking details and the unique emotions of each of the characters as we place ourselves in this story right along with them. The author has an awesome way of describing each scene to give a feeling of realism throughout the book. The scenes after the ship started sinking were unbelievably and awesomely written. From the emotions between husband and wife and family members to the cruel trick men tried to get aboard the survival boats shows emotions so realistic it gives a feeling that these things really happened the way the author writes them. I will however say I didn’t care for Craven Dowd and his attitude. He could in no way replace John and the love he and Lydia shares. The way Craven survived and made himself out to be he hero, well just didn’t set well with me, but then you gotta have Craven’s kind in every book, don’t you!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I appreciate the way the author stresses that God is always with us in our difficulties even though we can’t see or feel him, or understand why tragedies such as this happens. We can always trust in Him, and depend on Him in our lives. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book and will be looking for more books from this author. I highly recommend this book for anyone to read. In this year 2012, the 100th year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, this is one book you do not want to miss out on.
I rec’d this book from Abingdon Press through PUYB blog tours. I was not expected to give a positive review, only an honest one. The opinions in this review are mine only.
splashesofjoy 