Book Review: Tide and Tempest

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to trek to Ireland. I quickly fell in love with the scenery, the culture, and that deep Irish brogue that my great-great grandparents were said to have possessed. Reading Elizabeth Ludwig's newest novel, Tide and Tempest, I was brought back to my memories of Ireland, and my inner voice sought to read with an Irish accent throughout the book. 

Tide and Tempest is the third book in the Edge of Freedom series, and takes place in early 20th century New York City. Tillie McGrath, a young woman, lives in a local boardinghouse after having lost her fiance, Braedon, two years prior due to an illness on the ship that brought them from Dublin to the States. Captain Keondric Morgan is said ship's captain, and two years later makes the effort to contact Tillie after hearing a deathbed confession from one of his crewmen that Braedon's death was no accident--it was murder. Cass, Keondric's younger brother, accompanies Keondric on his quest to share the truth with Tillie. 

What none of them realize, however, is that Braedon's killer gets word that the crewman made the deathbed confession, which created some loose ends for the killer. This puts Tillie, Keondric, and Cass in danger. The book basically trails how they fight for their lives, seek the truth behind Braedon's murder, and explore their feelings for one another.

The beginning of the book doesn't have much action. It's mostly talking, and a little difficult to get into. The love triangle between Tillie and the brothers is a little distracting--especially the "he loves me, he loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not" wishy-washiness about the characters. I enjoyed the story, overall though, and I think the plot tied up nicely at the end. While Tide and Tempest was a Christian Romance novel, the romance and action themes were much more prevalent than the Christian theme, and God was only mentioned a handful of times. I would have liked to have seen more of the spiritual development of the characters as they endured their trials.

Bottom Line--6.5/10*

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and have not been swayed in any way.