‘The Deepest Waters’ by Dan Walsh – Book Review

It is a rare book that makes you feel warm and fuzzy in the midst of pain. Dan Walsh’s latest book, ‘The Deepest Waters’ did that for me.

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

For John and Laura Foster, what began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 aboard the steamship SS Vandervere soon becomes a nightmare. A terrible hurricane strikes and the grand ship is lost in the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself rescued with the other women and children, but how can she feel anything but despondent without her groom? Suspecting her John is gone but still daring to hope for a miracle, Laura must face the possibility of life alone.

Talented author Dan Walsh skillfully tells an epic story of hope, faith, and love through an intimate lens. Inspired by real events, this emotional and honest story will capture your heart as you sail through its pages.

Here is the biography of this author:

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift and The Homecoming. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel.

I really loved this book! I was captivated by all of the characters. The main characters, John and Laura Foster, were wonderful people; I truly sympathized and empathized with them.

I love how the book gave us a glimpse of how John and Laura’s love developed. As a woman, it made me sigh:

          “I am working at the store all day tomorrow. May I call on you after work?”

          “Yes.”

          “Yes…what?”

          Laura was confused.

          “May I hear you call me by name?”

          “Yes…John,” she said.

From that day on, they were Laura and John. And Laura had known a love more splendid than her best books dared promise, a happiness beyond even girlhood dreams. (p. 14)

I would have to say that my favorite character is Micah, the slave of Captain Meade of the SS Vandervere. He reminded me of the apostle Paul, who was joyful and rejoicing in the worst circumstances. Here is a conversation between Laura and Micah on the ship:

        

          He smiled. “So you want to know my secret?”

          Laura smiled back. “Yes, very much.”

         “Nobody ever asked me that before.”

         “Well, I’m asking.”

“I guess it be this…live in the day, ‘cause that’s all we been given, trust God fo’ the rest.”

“Live in the day,” she repeated.

“And trust God for the rest. Yes’m.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.” He looked out over the water. “See…we got no control over things that happen in life. Not just slaves, white folks got no control neither. Even rich and powerful got no control. Nobody got control. Only God. Rich folks got they money and power, make them think they do. But all they do is worry and fret over what might happen next….tomorrow, next week, next year. Got no joy in what God do for them today. Don’t even see it. Don’t thank him for it. Just run right by it, trying to stop all these things they afraid might happen, things that can’t be stopped. And it gets them no place. No place but angry and sad.” (p. 173)

This book has so many twists and turns; I did not see most of the plots twists coming! I was satisfied with the ending. You will want to read this book; I will NOT be giving away the ending!

This is the first of Dan Walsh’s books that I have had the pleasure to read. Mr. Walsh’s next release is coming in Fall 2011, ‘Unwrapping Christmas.’ As much as I enjoyed this book, I will definitely want to read this one. And I hope I have time soon to read his first two, ‘The Unfinished Gift’ and ‘The Homecoming.’ He’s an incredible writer! His characters are fully developed and he gives just enough details to keep my interest without being bogged down. His Carol Awards (ACFW Book of the Year) for ‘The Unfinished Gift’ is well-deserved.  

You can order this book here.

Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  This book was provided by Revell for review purposes.