Janice Thompson's Queen of the Waves ~ Reviewed

QUEEN OF THE WAVES
Janice Thompson 
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Summerside (October 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609366867
ISBN-13: 978-1609366865


Description:

When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

Review:

Queen of the Waves begins in London in 1912.  It revolves around a young woman named Jacqueline Abingdon who is being forced into an arranged marriage by her father.  Her mother and her plan an escape for her by arranging a voyage on the new ship, the Titanic.  However, Jacqueline, or Jackie, as she is called, has other plans.  She has fallen in love with the groundskeeper, Peter.  Jackie and Peter arrange for Peter’s sister, Tessa Bowen, to take Jackie’s place on the Titanic so Jackie will be free to stay and marry Peter.  Thus, Tessa, is transformed from a farm girl into a debutante.  While on the ship, Tessa meets a wealthy American man named Nathan.  As her feelings grow for him, so does her guilt for lying about who she really is. 

 This was a great story line.  It was interesting seeing how both Jackie and Tessa justified their deception in the beginning, yet they were never comfortable with it, and eventually had to face the truth, as well as admitting their wrongdoing to those they loved.  Jackie had to realize how selfish she had been in her decision to deceive her parents and her intended.  Tessa came to realize the forgiveness we have in our heavenly Father.  I really enjoyed this story, and read through it pretty quickly.  It was hard to put down!


Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers