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Galveston 1900: Swept Away
On September 7-8, 1900, the island of Galveston, Texas, was destroyed by a hurricane, or "tropical cyclone," as it was called in those days. This story is a fictional account of Mattie and Rachel, two women who lived there, and their lives in the months leading up to and during the time of the "great storm."
Forced to flee from her family at a young age, Rachel Travis finds a home and livelihood on the island of Galveston. Independent, friendly, and yet often lonely, only one other person knows the dark secret that haunts her. That is until she meets Madeline Crockett.
Madeline "Mattie" Crockett is trapped in a loveless marriage, convinced that her fate is sealed. She never dares to dream of true happiness, until Rachel Travis comes walking into her life. As emotions come to light, the storm of Mattie's marriage converges with the very real hurricane. Can they survive, and build the life they both dream of?
Forced to flee from her family at a young age, Rachel Travis finds a home and livelihood on the island of Galveston. Independent, friendly, and yet often lonely, only one other person knows the dark secret that haunts her. That is until she meets Madeline Crockett.
Madeline "Mattie" Crockett is trapped in a loveless marriage, convinced that her fate is sealed. She never dares to dream of true happiness, until Rachel Travis comes walking into her life. As emotions come to light, the storm of Mattie's marriage converges with the very real hurricane. Can they survive, and build the life they both dream of?
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
22 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Linda Crist
6 books25 followers Linda Crist is the author of reader favorite the Kennedy and Carson series (which begins with The Bluest Eyes in Texas), and 2006 Goldie award finalist, Galveston 1900: Swept Away, as well as short stories in two anthologies, and thousands of pages of online fan fiction.
She is the recipient of numerous online writing awards, including the Royal Academy of Bards Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame awards, Xippy awards, Bard's Challenge awards, and Swollen Bud awards. She was also on the Xena Subtext Virtual Season staff, and on the staff of the Orlando BardCon, which ran for four years at Walt Disney World.
A 4th generation Texan, Linda started writing at an early age by composing picture stories on the church bulletin. She holds a Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin, where she interned with the Lady Longhorns Sports Information Office. After college, she worked for two years as a section editor with the Dallas Times Herald, before moving on to other occupational pursuits.
Linda describes herself as a Xenite, Parrothead and general sci-fi/fantasy geek. She is passionate about the environment, animal welfare, and the outdoors in general, and enjoys biking, hiking, beach-combing, kayaking, scuba diving, travel, photography, live music, micro-brews, good conversation over good coffee, and of course, writing.
She is the recipient of numerous online writing awards, including the Royal Academy of Bards Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame awards, Xippy awards, Bard's Challenge awards, and Swollen Bud awards. She was also on the Xena Subtext Virtual Season staff, and on the staff of the Orlando BardCon, which ran for four years at Walt Disney World.
A 4th generation Texan, Linda started writing at an early age by composing picture stories on the church bulletin. She holds a Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin, where she interned with the Lady Longhorns Sports Information Office. After college, she worked for two years as a section editor with the Dallas Times Herald, before moving on to other occupational pursuits.
Linda describes herself as a Xenite, Parrothead and general sci-fi/fantasy geek. She is passionate about the environment, animal welfare, and the outdoors in general, and enjoys biking, hiking, beach-combing, kayaking, scuba diving, travel, photography, live music, micro-brews, good conversation over good coffee, and of course, writing.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 17, 2016
This book is rich in every possible way - characters, plot, emotions, historical facts, ending... It deserves to be read many times over and over. Highly recommended.
January 19, 2018
Fantastic historical lesfic. Rough in spots, Adam... bleh... Overall was great. Rachel and Mattie are awesome. Angel and Betsy were superstars. Of course Billy and Lily, ugh yea there's a bunch of really cool secondaries in this. After reading her The Bluest Eyes in Texas series it was cool to find more of her work. She seems to have slowed down since the early/mid 2000's.
July 18, 2023
PS on racial erasure: I still really like this book. (Scroll down for my original review.) But after reading a true account of the Galveston tragedy I feel compelled to post this note. In her fictional romance, Linda Crist hews very close to the true facts of the storm - even including real people in the narrative. The one notable exception is when it comes to race. At the time of the 1900 storm, Galveston was one of the most important centers of commerce in the USA. It was also a very racially mixed city. The wharf labor was even controlled by the Negro Longshoremen's Association. In the novel, our blue-eyed, trouser-clad protagonist, Rachel, is a dock worker. All the other dock workers are male ... and white. IRL, as described in Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, the city's racial harmony began to erode in the wake of the storm; soldiers rounded up Black men at gunpoint and forced them to to do the horrific work of dumping bodies at sea. In Crist's book, again, this labor is done by white men. Similarly, Galveston had a large Jewish population. Rachel's love interest, Mattie, works at a downtown tailor shop. This could have been another great opportunity to organically add diversity. But, no. The darkest character in the book - both physically and psychically - is Mattie's monstrous husband, who is depicted as an "olive-skinned" man with "shifty dark eyes." In a diverse world, it's really grating how white and blue-eyed this genre remains.
***
Sweet lesfic historical romance. Butch woman rescues damsel in distress. What's not to like? I enjoyed the protagonist, a working-class young woman who wears men’s clothes and works on the docks of Galveston. She’s quite the shining knight, rescuing the beautiful maiden.
There was enough dramatic tension to make the book engrossing and hard to put down, especially when we finally got to the devastating hurricane.
The main flaw was the typecast nature of the characters (pretty much either all good or all bad) and the true-love drumbeat that became repetitive after a while.
But I’d still recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, butch/femme romance, and/or lesfic featuring down-to-earth, realistic characters rather than the femme starlets, corporate ice queens, etc. that are such popular tropes in the WLW genre.
Sidenote: For readers who like this type of lesfic historical romance, I'd also highly recommend Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malindo Lo. Very well-researched and engaging.
And if you know of other similar historical fic you'd care to recommend to me, I'd appreciate hearing about them.
UPDATE: I just re-read this, and my 5-star rating still holds. Sweet story, well rendered. Just a couple of things grated on my nerves upon the re-read; I'm hiding them here via a spoiler alert and I advise not reading further if you haven't yet read the book.
***
Sweet lesfic historical romance. Butch woman rescues damsel in distress. What's not to like? I enjoyed the protagonist, a working-class young woman who wears men’s clothes and works on the docks of Galveston. She’s quite the shining knight, rescuing the beautiful maiden.
There was enough dramatic tension to make the book engrossing and hard to put down, especially when we finally got to the devastating hurricane.
The main flaw was the typecast nature of the characters (pretty much either all good or all bad) and the true-love drumbeat that became repetitive after a while.
But I’d still recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, butch/femme romance, and/or lesfic featuring down-to-earth, realistic characters rather than the femme starlets, corporate ice queens, etc. that are such popular tropes in the WLW genre.
Sidenote: For readers who like this type of lesfic historical romance, I'd also highly recommend Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malindo Lo. Very well-researched and engaging.
And if you know of other similar historical fic you'd care to recommend to me, I'd appreciate hearing about them.
UPDATE: I just re-read this, and my 5-star rating still holds. Sweet story, well rendered. Just a couple of things grated on my nerves upon the re-read; I'm hiding them here via a spoiler alert and I advise not reading further if you haven't yet read the book.
January 21, 2017
Really nice historical fiction. I liked the characters and the story. It wasn't overly exciting but enjoyable.
It was quite slow in spots. I found myself skipping some dialogue just to get moving on.
I would give 3.5 stars but rounded up because it's so hard to find good historical fiction in this genre.
It was quite slow in spots. I found myself skipping some dialogue just to get moving on.
I would give 3.5 stars but rounded up because it's so hard to find good historical fiction in this genre.
August 12, 2022
A beautiful, well-drawn out, opposites-attract love story. The writer took me on a journey that I never wanted to end. At times, I wished I was Mattie wrapped up in Rachel's strong, protective arms. Superb.
August 31, 2016
A pretty thorough, entertaining read. Though not as powerful as maybe it could have been.
The setting was certainly portrayed effectively, and every character was well-imagined, perfect for their role, and likeable, or dislikeable, to suit the needs of the author. This slow, often slightly meandering tale pulled me in to their world, but perhaps didn't fully immerse me. I feel a few scenes were a bit superfluous, while others didn't quite hold enough impact. But on the whole, I felt like I'd read a book the author had invested a lot of time and effort into, and she clearly adored these characters, which is why it was so easy to relate, and just sit back and enjoy the story.
The setting was certainly portrayed effectively, and every character was well-imagined, perfect for their role, and likeable, or dislikeable, to suit the needs of the author. This slow, often slightly meandering tale pulled me in to their world, but perhaps didn't fully immerse me. I feel a few scenes were a bit superfluous, while others didn't quite hold enough impact. But on the whole, I felt like I'd read a book the author had invested a lot of time and effort into, and she clearly adored these characters, which is why it was so easy to relate, and just sit back and enjoy the story.
August 16, 2016
What a gripping story of friendship, caring, compassion, resiliency and unrelenting love. This is also a story of loss, devastation and abuse. Madeline Crockett, what a beautifully written character you want to cheer for and care about. Rachel Travis, knows who she is and understands her fate in life. Rachel is fortunate to have found some sense of self and satisfaction with Lillie. I was "swept away" with the wonderfully written progressive friendship between Madeline and Rachel. This story provides a history lesson and a romance for the ages. The hurricane was so well-written, it was a character of its' own exhibiting a force so powerful that you wonder how anyone survived. The story is an emotional rollercoaster for the different characters of who will or will not, find love, get caught, overcome tragedy, survive, etc. I really enjoyed and appreciated the supporting characters especially Lillie, Billy, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. What oomph they contributed to the story. The characters were well presented and multi-dimensional and that made you really invest and care about their fate. Ultimately, this is a story of hope and survival.
December 9, 2013
Rachel Travis has always known she’s different from other girls. She dresses like a man and is a dockworker at Galveston dockyard. In the evenings, she moonlights as a bartender. Rather than enter a convent or marry, she ran away from her home at fifteen. Rachel knows she is unlikely to have female company other than the prostitute, Lillie who had become her friend and she regularly visits.
Mattie Crockett was married at fourteen to her violent, physically and mentally abusive husband, Adam. Other than working at a tailor shop, she is not allowed out anywhere alone. The only time Mattie gets any respite from the constant verbal abuse and beatings, is when Adam has business to attend to in Houston. Which, fortunately for her, is quite often. There was nothing Mattie enjoyed more than walking along the beach in Adam’s absence. It was during one of these beach visits that Mattie and Rachel first met. They struck up an unlikely friendship. Both women were lonely and starved for company.
It’s not long before Rachel realizes she feels more for Mattie than just friendship. She can never allow herself to dare to hope that Mattie will feel the same. After all, she’s married to Adam, albeit unhappily, so she can’t like women that way, can she?
I first read this story online many years ago. Twice, in fact. I loved the story, but the book, by then, had gone out of print. I am so pleased to see it has now been re-published.
This is a beautifully written historical romance novel. Linda Crist has obviously done extensive research. The scenic descriptions of Galveston and the flood along with the characters, made me feel as though I was actually living the story with the people of Galveston. I could almost smell and taste the great storm.
Each and every character is fully formed and multi-faceted. The story is intricately woven with historical facts and fictional romance. It is a fast paced page turner from beginning to end. It’s multi layered in a colorful way with a depth to it that goes beyond any of the regular historical romance books.
The story of Mattie and the awful abuse she suffered at the hands of her despicable tyrant of a husband, was all too common for those times. Men ruled, women were subservient. Having said this, not every man was like Adam, but they existed and women were definitely the weaker downtrodden sex most of the time.
The love between Rachel and Mattie is a joy to read about. That Mattie should find love and peace is wonderful. But, will she be able to stay safe and away from Adam? Will Rachel get her wish for Mattie to be hers? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
This is without a doubt an epic novel of love, abuse, despair, hard work, intolerance, disaster and above all, hope.
I am hoping that Affinity will release Linda Crist’s other earlier novels too. She is a terrific author and creates wonderful characters in nice scenic settings. It goes without saying that I will definitely read this book again.
Mattie Crockett was married at fourteen to her violent, physically and mentally abusive husband, Adam. Other than working at a tailor shop, she is not allowed out anywhere alone. The only time Mattie gets any respite from the constant verbal abuse and beatings, is when Adam has business to attend to in Houston. Which, fortunately for her, is quite often. There was nothing Mattie enjoyed more than walking along the beach in Adam’s absence. It was during one of these beach visits that Mattie and Rachel first met. They struck up an unlikely friendship. Both women were lonely and starved for company.
It’s not long before Rachel realizes she feels more for Mattie than just friendship. She can never allow herself to dare to hope that Mattie will feel the same. After all, she’s married to Adam, albeit unhappily, so she can’t like women that way, can she?
I first read this story online many years ago. Twice, in fact. I loved the story, but the book, by then, had gone out of print. I am so pleased to see it has now been re-published.
This is a beautifully written historical romance novel. Linda Crist has obviously done extensive research. The scenic descriptions of Galveston and the flood along with the characters, made me feel as though I was actually living the story with the people of Galveston. I could almost smell and taste the great storm.
Each and every character is fully formed and multi-faceted. The story is intricately woven with historical facts and fictional romance. It is a fast paced page turner from beginning to end. It’s multi layered in a colorful way with a depth to it that goes beyond any of the regular historical romance books.
The story of Mattie and the awful abuse she suffered at the hands of her despicable tyrant of a husband, was all too common for those times. Men ruled, women were subservient. Having said this, not every man was like Adam, but they existed and women were definitely the weaker downtrodden sex most of the time.
The love between Rachel and Mattie is a joy to read about. That Mattie should find love and peace is wonderful. But, will she be able to stay safe and away from Adam? Will Rachel get her wish for Mattie to be hers? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
This is without a doubt an epic novel of love, abuse, despair, hard work, intolerance, disaster and above all, hope.
I am hoping that Affinity will release Linda Crist’s other earlier novels too. She is a terrific author and creates wonderful characters in nice scenic settings. It goes without saying that I will definitely read this book again.
July 23, 2024
A very solid, well-researched, absolutely riveting read. Highly, highly recommended.
October 29, 2015
Decent story and the description of what the women went through was good. Just took too long and seemed to drag in too many spots. Was able to keep interested but just took too long to finish.
November 30, 2016
I read the online version a long time ago and still remember how much I liked it!
August 8, 2021
I love a good disaster novel, especially if it is lesfic. I'm thinking K G MacGregor Without Warning or Jae Shaken to the Core. When I read the blurb on the back of this book I was excited - a nice chunky lesfic novel set smack bang in the middle of an horrific disaster. Unfortunately, it took 300 pages to get to the disaster. The novel starts several months before the disaster. We are introduced to Rachel (a tomboy working the docks and at a bar), and Mattie (a young woman in an abusive marriage who has never been able to make her own choices in life). We also come to know a variety of supporting characters.
I appreciate we need to understand what 'normal life' is like for the characters before the 'terrible thing' happens, but this was pretty much three quarters of the book. I won't say the first 300 pages were boring, but things did seem drawn out and I was itching to get to the disaster promised. I think the author must have felt the same because there was a 3 week time jump 15 odd pages before the storm struck. I feel things could have been somewhat condensed. For instance, the whole bit about Federal marshals turning up on Mattie's doorstep wasn't really needed since they fizzled out to nothing aside from a few mentions of 'it won't be long before the marshals come back now'. They didn't add anything much to the story overall. Mattie could have become more suspicious about Adam's business dealings based on the paperwork she found in a locked drawer earlier. The Marshall weren't really needed.
I came across a few typos and some continuity errors like Rachel still having a knife in her boot even though earlier she lost her boots when thrown overboard. I suppose she might not have had the knife in her boot then, but we were told earlier she always carries it on her. Or later, a mention of their money being stashed in carpetbags under the bed when we were told earlier Rachel and Maddie had taken the money out of them to carry with them when they tried to flee over the bridge to the mainland. We never see it go back in the bags and based on the circumstances there wasn't much of an opportunity.
There was also some head hopping. For instance, we'd be in Rachel's head and all of a sudden we'd have Billy's thoughts; or in Mattie's head and Adam's POV would come through. As a reader, it's a little disconcerting and it pulls you from the story.
For me, this was an OK read overall, but I was not as enthralled with it as I thought I was going to be. It could have done with another once over and some tightening up. I enjoyed the last 150 pages the most when we got into the actual storm and the struggle for survival.
If you don't mind a slow build up, enjoy tentative starts to relationships with a fair bit of innocence thrown in, you will probably enjoy.
Things to be aware of - this novel does contain scenes of a physically and psychologically abusive relationship between a man and a woman. There is also a rape in marriage scene (doesn't go into detail), and several discussions of nonconsensual sex.
I appreciate we need to understand what 'normal life' is like for the characters before the 'terrible thing' happens, but this was pretty much three quarters of the book. I won't say the first 300 pages were boring, but things did seem drawn out and I was itching to get to the disaster promised. I think the author must have felt the same because there was a 3 week time jump 15 odd pages before the storm struck. I feel things could have been somewhat condensed. For instance, the whole bit about Federal marshals turning up on Mattie's doorstep wasn't really needed since they fizzled out to nothing aside from a few mentions of 'it won't be long before the marshals come back now'. They didn't add anything much to the story overall. Mattie could have become more suspicious about Adam's business dealings based on the paperwork she found in a locked drawer earlier. The Marshall weren't really needed.
I came across a few typos and some continuity errors like Rachel still having a knife in her boot even though earlier she lost her boots when thrown overboard. I suppose she might not have had the knife in her boot then, but we were told earlier she always carries it on her. Or later, a mention of their money being stashed in carpetbags under the bed when we were told earlier Rachel and Maddie had taken the money out of them to carry with them when they tried to flee over the bridge to the mainland. We never see it go back in the bags and based on the circumstances there wasn't much of an opportunity.
There was also some head hopping. For instance, we'd be in Rachel's head and all of a sudden we'd have Billy's thoughts; or in Mattie's head and Adam's POV would come through. As a reader, it's a little disconcerting and it pulls you from the story.
For me, this was an OK read overall, but I was not as enthralled with it as I thought I was going to be. It could have done with another once over and some tightening up. I enjoyed the last 150 pages the most when we got into the actual storm and the struggle for survival.
If you don't mind a slow build up, enjoy tentative starts to relationships with a fair bit of innocence thrown in, you will probably enjoy.
Things to be aware of - this novel does contain scenes of a physically and psychologically abusive relationship between a man and a woman. There is also a rape in marriage scene (doesn't go into detail), and several discussions of nonconsensual sex.
July 12, 2018
amazing
Since I live in Galveston and know some of the history of the 1900 storm, this book is about as real as you will find for it being a work of fiction. The description the author gives of the devastation to the island is so “on point” that it is uncanny. I read this book a couple of years ago and it was so good that I decided to re-read it, it is that good. Thank you Linda Crist for an amazing story.
Since I live in Galveston and know some of the history of the 1900 storm, this book is about as real as you will find for it being a work of fiction. The description the author gives of the devastation to the island is so “on point” that it is uncanny. I read this book a couple of years ago and it was so good that I decided to re-read it, it is that good. Thank you Linda Crist for an amazing story.
April 9, 2021
As someone who enjoys historical fiction, this book is something I was excited to find and read. It’s incredibly well written, has a detailed plot, and a full story arc for all characters. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between characters and the background of historical events. The book was long enough to be worth paying even more than I did for it. Really high-quality! I would absolutely read more books about this town and the characters introduced.
January 22, 2023
I think this book was okay for a historical lesbian romance. I loved reading a historical recount of the 1900 galveston storm. At times though I felt that the romance was a bit boring and dry. But I usually don't read romance so maybe thats why. The book was well written but to be frank the romance didn't have enough depth for me, the conversation between Mattie and Rachel felt at times unrealistic. I'm glad they had a happy ending.
April 27, 2019
Too long for a simple story. I was looking forward to read more about the disaster but there is only happened after 70% of this book. The personality of the characters are a little flat... I think most people rate this high for this book is because lesbian novels are so rare today......
August 25, 2020
A very sweet love story.
September 11, 2021
Excellent book. Great characters set in tough circumstances. Crist finds a believable path through to hea despite the time and the hurricaine.
December 14, 2025
STARS 5 stars
SPICE (mild) - scenes are there but not too graphic
CHEMISTRY Excellent - The chemistry feels undeniable
ANGST - High
SLOW BURN Medium
CLIFFHANGER NO
CHARACTERS Mattie and Rachel
FAVORITE QUOTE/QUOTES
"But women don't have" - Mattie "Not necessary." - Rachel
"You have my heart, Mattie. Whether I have yours or not doesn't matter."
"If there is even a chance, I'll wait for you forever, Mattie, you hear me? I'd do anything for you."
"He'd come kill us both. We need to talk about this, don't we?" Mattie "Nothing to talk about. You and I pack up our belongings and move from here. End of story." Rachel
"There are a lot of things worth living for, but very few worth dying for. I must go to her, because I'd rather die by her side than live without her." Betsy
"The most respectful thing you can do for me...is live." Mattie
"You're right. No storm can last forever. Mine ended when I met you . You were the sun that came out, for me." Mattie
A LITTLE ABOUT THE BOOK/HOW DID IT MAKE ME FEEL
This book is written so beautifully it makes your heart ache. Mattie and Rachel story is so special and deep. But there were other side characters that stole me heart and in some ways broke it. Linda has such a beautiful way of writing it is almost poetic.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
I loved the contrast between Mattie and Rachel. I loved that Rachel was confident in her feelings and Mattie had no clue. Their love was fierce and strong. Rachel would literally move buildings and worlds to keep Mattie safe. And Mattie would do the exact same. She would give her up to keep her safe.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK
I loved all the community of friends coming together for one purpose. And that was to help the girls. To save Mattie from her abuser. And to help them be able to live the lives they truly deserved. After they were both put through so much pain and hardship
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Not one single thing
TROPES
Found Family, sapphic, survival, natural disaster, escaping an abuser, touch her and d!e
SPICE (mild) - scenes are there but not too graphic
CHEMISTRY Excellent - The chemistry feels undeniable
ANGST - High
SLOW BURN Medium
CLIFFHANGER NO
CHARACTERS Mattie and Rachel
FAVORITE QUOTE/QUOTES
"But women don't have" - Mattie "Not necessary." - Rachel
"You have my heart, Mattie. Whether I have yours or not doesn't matter."
"If there is even a chance, I'll wait for you forever, Mattie, you hear me? I'd do anything for you."
"He'd come kill us both. We need to talk about this, don't we?" Mattie "Nothing to talk about. You and I pack up our belongings and move from here. End of story." Rachel
"There are a lot of things worth living for, but very few worth dying for. I must go to her, because I'd rather die by her side than live without her." Betsy
"The most respectful thing you can do for me...is live." Mattie
"You're right. No storm can last forever. Mine ended when I met you . You were the sun that came out, for me." Mattie
A LITTLE ABOUT THE BOOK/HOW DID IT MAKE ME FEEL
This book is written so beautifully it makes your heart ache. Mattie and Rachel story is so special and deep. But there were other side characters that stole me heart and in some ways broke it. Linda has such a beautiful way of writing it is almost poetic.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
I loved the contrast between Mattie and Rachel. I loved that Rachel was confident in her feelings and Mattie had no clue. Their love was fierce and strong. Rachel would literally move buildings and worlds to keep Mattie safe. And Mattie would do the exact same. She would give her up to keep her safe.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK
I loved all the community of friends coming together for one purpose. And that was to help the girls. To save Mattie from her abuser. And to help them be able to live the lives they truly deserved. After they were both put through so much pain and hardship
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Not one single thing
TROPES
Found Family, sapphic, survival, natural disaster, escaping an abuser, touch her and d!e
October 9, 2023
Nice story, but drawn out, with frequently uninteresting dialog. Would have been much better if more tightly edited.
May 17, 2015
I absolutely loved this book.
I love historical fiction, especially if is about an event or era that is new to me and I have to admit that I knew absolutely nothing about Galveston or its storm of 1900.
Historical fiction with a lesbian romance is even better and I loved Mattie and Rachel and their slowly developing relationship. The secondary characters were all good too and their work and daily lives were well fleshed out and interesting.
Obviously, being set against the backdrop of a hurricane, there is plenty of heartbreak and some beloved, and not so beloved, characters do not make it.
There is information online about the actual storm and looking at the pictures of the devastation, I am surprised that anyone survived at all.
I love historical fiction, especially if is about an event or era that is new to me and I have to admit that I knew absolutely nothing about Galveston or its storm of 1900.
Historical fiction with a lesbian romance is even better and I loved Mattie and Rachel and their slowly developing relationship. The secondary characters were all good too and their work and daily lives were well fleshed out and interesting.
Obviously, being set against the backdrop of a hurricane, there is plenty of heartbreak and some beloved, and not so beloved, characters do not make it.
There is information online about the actual storm and looking at the pictures of the devastation, I am surprised that anyone survived at all.
May 29, 2014
I enjoyed this book which is both a romance novel and historical hurricane novel. Note that the romance is between two women, but it is handled tastefully. It is well written with motivated characters and the hurricane description is riveting. The lovers are a bit much in that they are constantly kissing and the ending is a bit predictable buy it is a good book overall.
October 9, 2010
Intense and Riveting from the first word to the last!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews