Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic by Yvonne Lehman

Apr 18, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-literature, christian-action-adventure, christian-fiction, christian-historical-fiction, christian-suspense-fiction, christian-teen-fiction, historical-fiction, romance-fiction

Lydia Beaumont is about to set out on an adventure of a lifetime that will change her future forever. Being one of the first class passengers embarking on the maiden voyage of the Titanic along with her friend Caroline Chadwick she is faced with a dilemma of the heart. Also along for the voyage are Craven Dowd, president of Beaumont Railroad Company and John Ancell, a toy train maker, whose latest designs are the main interest to the Beaumont Railroad Company. The problem, both men have confesse...more Lydia Beaumont is about to set out on an adventure of a lifetime that will change her future forever. Being one of the first class passengers embarking on the maiden voyage of the Titanic along with her friend Caroline Chadwick she is faced with a dilemma of the heart. Also along for the voyage are Craven Dowd, president of Beaumont Railroad Company and John Ancell, a toy train maker, whose latest designs are the main interest to the Beaumont Railroad Company. The problem, both men have confessed their undying love and proposed marriage to Lydia.

Craven is 35 to her 21 years of age, is wise, wealthy, and very handsome; while John has a creative flair for not only designing trains but for poetry as well. It's this innocent heart that appears to have captured Lydia's heart. When Craven learns of her desire to marry John, he vows that her decision is childish and impulsive. In time, she will learn that and see in the long run a better fit would be to marry him instead. Her father will never accept the fact that Lydia would chose to marry John, as he would believe she deserves much better and she is lowering her standards.

Nevertheless, Lydia and John pursue their new found love and begin planning a wedding aboard the grandest ship in the world. Lydia wishes to marry on the grand staircase if only the captain would be willing. Not that she's in too much of a hurry, but when she learns that an unexpected night of passion between her and John earlier in their relationship, has resulted in her being with a child. Now if she can only find a way to tell John and hope that he will still want to marry her or will that fateful night rob them of the only love that they will ever know before it's too late?

In the latest novel by Yvonne Lehman, Heart That Survive, brings the readers on board the Titanic once more for a new romance story. This one of a railroad heiress and a toy train maker whose love seems to go behind the barriers of what is acceptable in the rich and famous. Bring back those favorite characters alongside this love story are the John Jacob Astor and Molly Brown, along with the new villain Craven Dowd. Much like the Titanic movie, this one involves a love story between two ill-fated people whose future rests in the hands of God on the night she will sink. Will true love prevail or will this be another love story lost at sea?

I received this novel compliments of Pump Up Your Books for my honest review and LOVED it! Being a huge Titanic fan, this one won me over initially with the setting taking place aboard the Titanic. Always curious to see where writers will go with a new fictional take on the fated ship, I was so caught up between the love stories of Lydia and John but also that of Caroline and her husband William. This one goes beyond the night of the sinking and shows how the lives of those that survived that night were forever changed. The reader is taken on a journey to see how each of them dealt with the losses incurred that night and how they manage to try to put their lives back on track. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and a MUST READ for any Titanic fan or those that love a hopeful romance!(less)

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Apr 15, 2012 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have read a few books that revolve around the Titanic, but "Hearts that Survive" easily is my favorite. The author provides the reader with very realistic characters and scenes that make you feel as if your right on board the ship. Even though I knew ultimately what would happen with the ship this story took a few twists I didn't expect.
Lydia Beaumont knew her father had hoped that she would marry thirty-five year old Craven Dowd the man who ran his railroad company, but she has other ideas. H...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 Ti...more 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.

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Apr 03, 2012 Christine Rebbert rated it 2 of 5 stars

There was a great story in here, but it got lost among too many characters and too many references to God/Jesus. I didn't realize going in that we were going to be preached to (continually, it seemed), and almost put the book down totally at the first instance of that. At one point, when Lydia tells John that she's carrying her child, his response is to be silent except to tell her to read some Psalm? If I were Lydia, pregnant out of wedlock in 1912, I probably would have thrown myself overboard...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Iola rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, 2012, kindle, netgalley

Lydia Beaumont is travelling from London to New York on the Titanic, accompanied by her fiance, John Ancell, and Craven Dowd, an employee of her father - and the man her father wants her to marry. But Lydia is hiding a secret. She is pregnant with John’s child, the result of one night that went too far, despite them both having a Christian faith. Together with her friend, Caroline Chadwick, she plans a historic wedding on the unsinkable ship.

So, less than one chapter in, I had a feeling I could...more Lydia Beaumont is travelling from London to New York on the Titanic, accompanied by her fiance, John Ancell, and Craven Dowd, an employee of her father - and the man her father wants her to marry. But Lydia is hiding a secret. She is pregnant with John’s child, the result of one night that went too far, despite them both having a Christian faith. Together with her friend, Caroline Chadwick, she plans a historic wedding on the unsinkable ship.

So, less than one chapter in, I had a feeling I could see where this plot was going (well, they are on the Titanic!). I was partly right, and partly wrong. Yes, the ship sank, and John Astor has died three times this week in three different books. But in the end, the story didn't go anything like how I expected. I was expecting a standard Christian romance story that covered a few months in time or a year at most. Instead I got a much deeper story that covered decades. I admit I overlooked the Amazon product description that used words like ‘epic’ and 'decades later’, indicating a longer timeframe. My excuse is that I didn’t want to come into the book with any preconceived ideas, and I feel justified now I do look at the Amazon listing, because the two aspects of the plot summary occur fifty years apart, which is one of my pet hates as it could be considered a bit of a spoiler…

Lehman has a unique ability to capture the nuances of emotion in her writing, to change her style and tone to reflect the emotions of her characters. This made for difficult reading at times, particularly in the passages after the sinking, when both women were coping with their grief in their own way. The scene inside the ship as she went down was beautifully and sensitively written, with a sad nobility that reminded me of the scene where the Towers come down in Kingsbury's 9/11 novel, One Tuesday Morning. The sinking scenes themselves were confusing, with too many people, too many points of view. But even this gave it a sense of realism, particularly as some scenes showed men and women at their most noble, and others behaving in quite the opposite manner.

After the tragedy, the tone of the writing changes, with subtle differences between Lydia and Caroline's points of view highlighting the differences between them. Frankly, I found the portions from Lydia’s point of view to be depressing. Craven was controlling and manipulative at a time when Lydia did not have the strength to stand up to him, and I didn’t like that, either. So, overall, this was not a novel I particularly enjoyed. The story dragged too much in places, some of the word choices felt out of place, the story changed focus from Lydia to Caroline, and parts of it were confusing with too many characters. But underneath all that there was some brilliant writing with some profound spiritual insights, which I appreciated.

For example, at one point, Caroline is thinking, “Out there, she’d seen hundreds and hundreds and hundreds calling on God and Jesus to save them. He didn’t.” This made me think, because it seems so out of character for a Christian novel. I decided Caroline was wrong. God did save them. But we, as humans, often confuse the physical with the eternal. He has promised to save all who believe and call upon Him, just as He has promised us healing. But not all of these promises are fulfilled in this mortal life. God may not have saved the bodies of those crying out to Him, but he did save them, just as He saves those who cry out to Him today.

Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
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Mar 22, 2012 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Publisher'synopsis: On April 15, 1912, Lydia Beaumont is on her way to a new life with a boundless hope in love and faith. Her new friendship with Caroline Chadwick is bonded even more as they plan Lydia’s wedding on board the “grandest ship ever built.” Then both women suffer tragic losses when the “unsinkable” Titanic goes down. Can each survive the scars the disaster left on their lives?
Decades later, Alan Morris feels like a failure until he discovers he is the descendant of an acclaimed, su...more Publisher'synopsis: On April 15, 1912, Lydia Beaumont is on her way to a new life with a boundless hope in love and faith. Her new friendship with Caroline Chadwick is bonded even more as they plan Lydia’s wedding on board the “grandest ship ever built.” Then both women suffer tragic losses when the “unsinkable” Titanic goes down. Can each survive the scars the disaster left on their lives?
Decades later, Alan Morris feels like a failure until he discovers he is the descendant of an acclaimed, successful, heroic novelist who went down with the Titanic. Will he find his identity with the past, or will he listen to Joanna Bettencourt, Caroline’s granddaughter, who says inner peace and success come only with a personal relationship with the Lord?

Will those who survived and their descendants be able to find a love more powerful than their pain?

My thoughts: Have I told you lately that I really love an old fashioned "saga"? NO? Well I do! Especially when the saga is as well done as Yvonne Lehman's Hearts that Survive. The story starts with the first and last wedding on the ill-fated Titanic. The story spans the lived of Lydia and Caroline along with their friends and family over the years. It ends a lifetime later, as we learn that love never ends and friendships survive.

Hearts that Survive is a fast paced, well written and plotted story. The characters were believable and you were given the information that you wanted so you would care about these people. While I wouldn't categorize this as a "Christian" story, Christian beliefs are there and you read about the love that binds from a Christian view point. It's refreshing to read about love, family and friendship among people who live their faith in their daily lives and loves.

Yvonne Lehman describes the sinking of the Titanic beautifully and respectfully. She skillfully weaves the threads of the mass confusion and panic of the people struggling to accept that the ship is going to sink and they could die. The reader feels the horrors. Then just as deftly, Lehman moves the story along, following the survivors as they make their way in their new world.

Hearts that Survive is the third book based on the Titanic that I've had the pleasure to read, and I think, all in all, it's my favorite. Crisp, clearly told and full of people who are a pleasure to read about.

5 out of 5 stars!

This book was provided to me at my request by the publisher through NetGalley and that, in no way, affected my honest review. (less)

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Jan 23, 2012 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

The year is 1812 and Lydia Beaumont is very much in love. Her beloved John Ancell and [one could call him her guardian] Craven Dowd are on the Maiden voyage of the Titanic. Lydia and John are expecting and decide the right thing to do is to marry immediately. You will read a description of how one of the most glamorous and beautiful and magical wedding ends up being.
The wedding takes place, at 1030pm on the 14th of April 1912. We all know what happened, almost to horrible to even say. Lydia and...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

What was supposed to be the maiden voyage to America for "the greatest ship ever built," The RMS Titanic, turned into a horrific tragedy that forever changed the course of the lives of so many people. The "ship of dreams" was thought to be unsinkable, but on that cold and icy night of April 14, 1912, the gaiety and liveliness of the passengers turned to horror, when the ship collided with an iceberg and began to take on water, slowly sinking into the North Atlantic. From 2207 passengers only 675...more What was supposed to be the maiden voyage to America for "the greatest ship ever built," The RMS Titanic, turned into a horrific tragedy that forever changed the course of the lives of so many people. The "ship of dreams" was thought to be unsinkable, but on that cold and icy night of April 14, 1912, the gaiety and liveliness of the passengers turned to horror, when the ship collided with an iceberg and began to take on water, slowly sinking into the North Atlantic. From 2207 passengers only 675 survived the tragedy ... Hearts That Survive is the fictional story of some of those survivors, the story of how through their painful loss they learned to survive.

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic is a profoundly inspirational novel of the amazing spirit of people who learn to survive from a tragedy. The storyline is powerfully compelling, the author takes the reader through three segments: Before the sinking which details the final two days of the Titanic's journey, the gripping detail is breathtakingly beautiful yet haunting, you can't help but have the tissues nearby; During the sinking of the Titanic, where the reader is transported to the icy waters of the North Atlantic, and the slow descent of the grand ship into the ocean and the horror that befell its passengers; and After the rescue, where the reader follows the stories of some of the survivors. The attention to detail throughout the story was phenomenal, the reader is easily transported back to that tragic era in history. The storyline also had a wonderful yet tragic love story that leaves the reader emotionally spent, and also a heartwarming story of friendship that comes out of the tragedy that lasts throughout the years. There are so many characters in this story, I had to keep a list so I could keep them all straight. The characters are realistic, their complex personalities and intertwining lives are fascinating, and the reader is drawn into the inspirational story of their lives. The author does a wonderful job of telling a story that spans the generations, she engages the reader to become invested in all of the character's lives.

The inspiring message of the amazing spirit and heart of people who survive devastation and tragedy is one that will stay with the reader long past the end of the story. Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic is a powerful novel that has been released in time for the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I would encourage that everyone should read this novel: for a piece of history; for a great story of love, friendship, heartbreak and redemption; and finally for the inspirational message that hearts do survive.

Disclaimer: At the request of the author, publisher and Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, a Paperback edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Monday, April 23, 2012, in association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, author Yvonne Lehman participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

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Mar 12, 2012 Dani Moore rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hearts that Survive: A Novel of the Titanic By Yvonne Lehman
We follow the youthful enthusiasm of Lydia, so in love with her John, as the Titanic sales towards history. A hidden pregnancy, The first ,and last Titanic wedding, and how fate and choices will effect all those who sailed on her maiden voyage.
Caroline is not as young, married, childless and comfortable in her niche in life. She yearns for something more, some higher purpose, someone who really needs her.
Each has a life shattering exper...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-netgalley

I really loved Hearts That Survive! Creative and captivating storyline, well developed characters and realistic scenery captured my heart and kept me reading and reflecting until the last word was read. I found it was very hard to put down.

Lydia Beaumont haunted by past regrets, John Ancell who spun words into magic, and Craven Dowd the realist along with a host of other interesting characters that I met while reading, were original and refreshing. The travelers also included actual people who w...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Kathleen Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have always been fascinated with the Titanic and with the 100th anniversary of the sinking coming up soon I have been reading my share of books and articles regarding this tragic story. Hearts that Survive is not only a story of the Titanic, but a fictional account of the survivors. The first half of the book tells the story of Lydia Beaumont and her plans to marry the love of her life, the secret that she is keeping from everyone except the groom, the wedding, and the sinking of the great shi...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Cheeyee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, 2012, romance

Review At: I Read, I Think, I Share

Review Date: 15 Feb 2012

Review URL: http://littlemermybooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/hearts-that-survive-novel-of-titanic-by.html

Summary:

This is the second book about Titanic that I read this year. Needless to say, another touching story. It's not only about love, it's about friendship too. I like to read about the love between Lydia and John Ancell. And the friendship between Lydia, Caroline and Bess. I admire Lydia for making the decision to protect her and her b...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Tally rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: titanic, historical-novels

I've been fascinated with all-things-Titanic ever since my teens. Ever since the film came out in 1997, I always wanted to know everything I could about the grand ship that sank on her maiden voyage. Now, with the rerelease of the film, my passion towards the subject has reignited, and as part of my hunt for new material about the Titanic, I came across this book. Sadly, it didn’t live up to my expectations, and it really pains me to rate it so low.

Having had my share with romance novels by Dani...more I've been fascinated with all-things-Titanic ever since my teens. Ever since the film came out in 1997, I always wanted to know everything I could about the grand ship that sank on her maiden voyage. Now, with the rerelease of the film, my passion towards the subject has reignited, and as part of my hunt for new material about the Titanic, I came across this book. Sadly, it didn’t live up to my expectations, and it really pains me to rate it so low.

Having had my share with romance novels by Danielle Steel throughout my teens, I found this book to be quite similar. I guessed most of the plot twists before they presented themselves. While the novel has a strong head start in terms of plot and characterization, the final 100 pages or so feel seriously rushed. Years go by in a flash, paragraphs become shorter and conflicts are solved in a matter of a few lines. It's almost as though the author was doing everything in her power to kick her readers out of the realm she has created so she could finally wrap up the book. To me it felt as though she was forcing the structure of an epic tale on her work when the truth is that she was only scraping the surface. Whereas at the beginning she is describing everything in great detail, as the story progresses the descriptions get thinner and the writing becomes sloppier.

While I quite liked the way everything came together towards the end of the novel, its ending is far too neat for my taste. It’s just not natural that every aspect of the novel – characters, past events, items mentioned throughout – all come together eventually to create a neat closure. It looks far too perfect. If a novel aims to be realistic, which I assume this novel does, its resolution shouldn’t resemble a fairytale.

Another thing that bothered me was the lack of an actual villain in this book. Everyone seems to be good and moral. No one seems to have some unforgivable flaw. Even characters which start off as potential villains turn out to be heroes. This, again, makes this book a bit too perfect. In my opinion, a good, realistic book can't be all sunshine and positivity. It just doesn't seem right. Even fairytales have dark aspects.

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Apr 21, 2012 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Yvonne Lehman in her new book, “Hearts That Survive” published by Abingdon Press takes us back to 1912, the sinking of the Titanic and its aftermath.

From the back cover: Is love more powerful than the pain of loss?

Lydia Beaumont and her new friend Caroline Chadwick, plan Lydia’s wedding aboard the “grandest ship ever built.” Yet their lives take a tragic turn when the “unsinkable” Titanic goes down.

This epic tale of faith and perseverance follows the their lives and the lives of their descendent...more Yvonne Lehman in her new book, “Hearts That Survive” published by Abingdon Press takes us back to 1912, the sinking of the Titanic and its aftermath.

From the back cover: Is love more powerful than the pain of loss?

Lydia Beaumont and her new friend Caroline Chadwick, plan Lydia’s wedding aboard the “grandest ship ever built.” Yet their lives take a tragic turn when the “unsinkable” Titanic goes down.

This epic tale of faith and perseverance follows the their lives and the lives of their descendents as they struggle with all that was lost on that fateful night and what the future holds for those brave enough to face it.

Any story about the Titanic’s maiden voyage is going to be highly emotional due to the tragedy involved. This great ship is going to sink and most of the passengers and crew will be lost. That is history. Now Ms. Lehman has given us a story that belongs up there with the terrific movies that have come before including the version from James Cameron. These are wonderful characters that live and breathe on the pages and you don’t want to see anyone die. You want to get to the end but you don’t want to really find out who is going to make and who won’t. Be forewarned this book will tear at your heartstrings but it will be all worth it. Danger, thrills and romance “Hearts That Survive” has it all. This book does not disappoint in any area. I enjoyed it and I am sure you will also.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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May 02, 2012 Ana T. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: american-hist, titanic, read-in-2012, canadian-hist

I have to start by saying that Christian fiction is not usually a genre I read. Still, I was looking for Titanic themed books and decided to give it a try. I don't think the blurb above correctly describes what the book is all about. It covers the beginning and the end but there are a lot more things happening in between.

The story starts on the Titanic. Lydia Beaumont is aboard with the man she loves, John Ancell, and the man her father wants her to marry, Craven Dowd. She is a rail road heires...more I have to start by saying that Christian fiction is not usually a genre I read. Still, I was looking for Titanic themed books and decided to give it a try. I don't think the blurb above correctly describes what the book is all about. It covers the beginning and the end but there are a lot more things happening in between.

The story starts on the Titanic. Lydia Beaumont is aboard with the man she loves, John Ancell, and the man her father wants her to marry, Craven Dowd. She is a rail road heiress and Ancell has a more modest living but when she discovers she is expecting his child, they decide to marry on board. They do it and a few hours later the Titanic hits the iceberg and tragedy follows. Caroline Chadwick is Lydia's friend. She is also aboard with her husband and her maid.

When both their husbands die that night Lydia and Caroline form a bond. They remain friends despite leading very different lives. Lydia ends up marrying Craven Dowd and Caroline goes to Halifax, first to recognise her husband's body and then because that is where she finds a purpose for her life and love. The sinking of the Titanic, and their actions after the tragedy, will influence their lives and those of their children. And that was the most interesting thing for me. The lives of the several generations and what happened to all of them.

The scenes on the Titanic end up being just a small part of the story. I did like how the sinking was described, although there were several points of view, I think that added an urgency and confusion to those scenes that probably were very close to the real thing. I also liked the final moments of several of the characters very much, they were emotional and sensitive.

However I didn't like John Ancell and Lydia at all. He was too preachy; finding out you are going to be a father and, as a response, tell the future mother to go read a psalm sounded really odd. Lydia seemed to me a spoiled young girl. What she does with Craven after they reach New York and marry was totally wrong morally speaking. After all that talk of God it seemed wrong to have her act that way. I also didn't understand the author's intention with Craven. At first he is portrayed as a bit of a villain and then he ends up as the wronged husband who still behaves honourably and does not punish the innocent.

I much preferred Caroline! Her problems with her husband, her relationship with the Stanton-Jones children and with her maid... How things happened slower with her, how she also found a purpose in life after the tragedy and someone to share it with. The importance of God in one's life is also very much present but in a more fluid way. Through her and her story we are also treated to a part of Canadian history.

But this is just half of it as the book then follows the next generation and the influence that the tragedy had in them. I thought some of them were a bit exaggerated (one character too rich and successful, another too discouraged and beaten by his circumstances) but there was definitely a good story here. With the above mentioned flaws but an interesting story.

Grade: 4/5

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Jul 01, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: would-recommend

At first, this book seemed like it mirrored the movie. Poor little rich girl. Guy she loves, rich guy who is kind of a jerk. But where the movie more or less ends with the sinking, this book kind of begins. Then comes the part where you can't put it down. How Lydia changes, how Caroline kind of changes, but she was never really snooty and more introspective anyway. But I suppose if you live through a tragedy like that, it would change you. I just thought they all "got over it" rather quickly. It...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books

Link to blog: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...

Hearts That Survive was such a great book. Yes, there was a lot of sadness (that can be expected from a book about the Titanic), but the characters and their journeys were so gripping.

I immediately loved John and Lydia's love story... it was so sweet and just overall wonderful. I cried when certain things happened and especially towards the end with the poem.

It was very interesting how Hearts That Survive covered generations (not just one per...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Deanna Sletten rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This novel was an interesting read and it was obvious that plenty of research had gone into it since it pertains to the sinking of the Titanic and its effect on the characters who survived. And most important of all - the book did hold my interest enough to keep me reading. But I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the story was interesting and well-thought-out. It did have the potential of being a great novel. On the other hand, I felt the story was rushed, that the author skipped...more

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May 10, 2012 RivkaBelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, historical-fiction, for-review

Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
Book provided by publisher for review.

Lydia Beaumont had it all: wealth, status, the company of a handsome and successful gentleman, the not-so-secret-love of an up-and-coming and kind young man, and a suite on the greatest of all ships' maiden voyage. With both gentlemen. And a secret that would change her life forever. This secret prompts Lydia and John Ancell - the young visionary behind Ancell (Toy) Trains - to plan a quick wedd...more Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
Book provided by publisher for review.

Lydia Beaumont had it all: wealth, status, the company of a handsome and successful gentleman, the not-so-secret-love of an up-and-coming and kind young man, and a suite on the greatest of all ships' maiden voyage. With both gentlemen. And a secret that would change her life forever. This secret prompts Lydia and John Ancell - the young visionary behind Ancell (Toy) Trains - to plan a quick wedding aboard the Titanic. It's a perfect plan: a wealthy railroad heiress, wearing a brand new wedding dress from a renowned fashion designer, on the maiden voyage of the Ship of Dreams. And it is a perfect, beautiful wedding - the night of April 14th. But things take a shocking turn in the night hours following the reception, and history of a very different kind is made. Lydia escapes, as does her new friend Catherine, and Craven Dowd - the manager of her father's business, and her 'second suitor.' John stays on the Titanic.

What follows is a story that is poignant and very human. As they struggle to orient themselves in their new reality, Lydia and her friends must come to terms with who they are and what life means. And love - the thread that connects all the mismatched pieces of life is love. Always love. Even in the face of such wrenching tragedy, life goes on. Lydia marries Craven and finds herself in a fulfilling and, eventually, happy life. Catherine and her maid Bess travel north, to Nova Scotia, finding a place to call home, hearts to love, and the peace that passes all understanding. The survivors keep living, and have children who have children. And all the stories, from the ship and beyond, slowly come circling back together in a way that creates a beautiful story - and also reflects the intricate weave of life. When all the secrets are revealed at last, and lives are rattled on their foundations, the Love present in those foundations is strong enough to let life continue.

I don't want to give out too many details, while some of the secrets are revealed right away, others are a little more layered. Maybe less secrets and more tiny details that click into place. Hearts that Survive is an excellent exercise in creating a story that involves many separate stories gathered in one neat arc. With so many separate stories, there are a lot of perspective/point of view changes -- though most of them occur at chapter breaks, and it's normally easy to pick up and bounce between to the two main stories of Lydia and Catherine.(less)

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Apr 10, 2012 Naomi rated it 1 of 5 stars

I must say that I read this book a bit back for the publisher through Netgalley and have really wanted to think out my review. Because the publisher asked for lead time and I wanted to really give the book a chance to "gain hold" this was easy to do.

I enjoyed the base story to Hearts that Survive and felt the messages the author was trying to convey were excellent. However, her methods in doing it were not. In my opinion, authors who are inmature in their writing experience or just mediocre/poor...more

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May 01, 2012 Ane Mulligan rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this sweeping epic of love, heartbreak, and secrets that will leave you wanting more, Lehman engages all your emotions in Hearts that Survive. The story covers three generations and touches on two major historical events that bring their significance to life. Yvonne Lehman had dug deep to bring us a story worthy of the Titanic's 100th anniversary.

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Apr 15, 2012 Bonnie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Timely story about the sinking of the Titantic. Main character is a young woman who takes the maiden voyage to be with her lover. The two decide to marry on the ship and meet well-known passengers like Molly Brown, Captain Smith, Lady Stanton-Jones. As soon as the wedding is over, the boat strikes the iceberg and the conflict is set in motion.

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Jun 17, 2012 Holly rated it 2 of 5 stars

I like this book for the historical aspect -- I love books that can make a time period come alive. So it was interesting for me to read about these people that could have been on the Titanic and how the sinking impacted their lives forever.

However, the book itself was not that great. The writing was boring and dragged in places.

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Apr 16, 2012 Shannon Brown rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved the first half of the book. The story kept me captivated and so into the story that I truly felt as though I was on the ship. However towards the end of the book the writer introduced so many new characters that I could not find any connection to, so the story started to grow tiresome. Overall it was good and worth the tome to read it....

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Aug 15, 2012 Heather added it

Shelves: kindle, historical-fiction

This book had a lot of potential and there was a great story hidden in it. I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been. I realize a lot of time was passing but the last quarter of the book seemed rushed and jumpy. I did not realize going in that this was a kind of "Christian Fiction.". I didn't mind it but in a way, it seemed inconsistent. Honestly, I felt some of the "christiany" bit was either on the wrong places or just came out of nowhere. Some of the themes in the book also...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Betty rated it 2 of 5 stars

I had great hopes for this book, as the story of the Titanic seems to capture attention every
time a movie or article comes out. This story has too many characters and story lines and lost site of the main story

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Aug 15, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a great book! I love Titanic romance anyway, but it went further into their lives after surviving and it was fun reading about them and future generations! It was hard to put down!

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Jul 08, 2012 Donnetta rated it 2 of 5 stars

Book had a slow start, then was interesting and finally started to drag again at the end. I wound up skipping some to the end because I just could not stay with the story.

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Jul 15, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another Titanic book. What I liked about this book is that it followed the descendants of the original characters in the story. Good book.

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May 30, 2012 Ann Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hmm, this book was so engaging and powerful, I was taken away on a literary adventure. Five stars for captivating my attention.

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title link	preview: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic
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Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic

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