About the Book
Author: J.M. Kirkley
Title: A Writing on the Sand
Publisher: Conformed Image Press
Released: August, 2023
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Galveston, Texas, 1900: Twenty-year-old Emily Cleburne seizes the offer to become governess, but chasing her dream places her in the path of the deadliest hurricane in American history.
Emily is desperate to succeed after her father thrusts her from home with no lifeline. With little experience, what she lacks in confidence, she makes up for in grit.
Nathan Chambers, a reporter with a secret, pursues Emily’s affections. Drawn in, Emily agrees to keep what he reveals confidential, thereby threatening her position, and clashing with her integrity. Colin Hensleigh, a young minister, challenges her while proving himself a trusted friend.
Emily’s alarm grows as the catastrophic storm bears down on the island. She cannot foresee what will happen and who will survive.
When the storm reduces Emily’s plans to rubble, adversity tests her character and faith in unimaginable ways. Will the teacher stand firm when all else gives way, or will she fail the test?
About the Author
J.M. Kirkley is the author of the award-winning novel, A Writing Upon the Sand. She received the Artisan Book Reviews Book Excellence Award for this debut novel.
By trade, she’s a story keeper. She’s a faith-based counselor who specializes in grief and trauma recovery. By night, she researches and writes grace-filled Christian historical fiction.
She calls East Texas home. Her favorite pastimes include visiting museums and art festivals, refinishing furniture, touring coastal offices of the National Weather Service with her meteorologist son-in-law, and making memories with family and friends.
My Impressions
“Only fools and those desperate for peace returned to the place that spawned their nightmares.”
Reading till 1:45 am. Had to relieve the tension caused in the story, A Writing Upon the Sand, by J.M. Kirkley. Set in Galveston, Texas, 1900 and 1925.
Several tense themes. Severe flood (hard to read in current locale after experiencing a bit of Helene’s wrath in Oct.).
Romantic tension and integrity of character. Personal guilt. Will governess Emily find the answers she seeks in God, or will she be left with questions and guilt for a lifetime? 5 stars for relatability of inner and outer conflict, history, and emotions evoked.
If you enjoy the Barbour Books Series, A Day to Remember that showcases little-known national natural disasters, I highly recommend A Writing Upon the Sand.
Notable Quotables:
“Beware of the lure of counterfeit treasure, for it can rob you of what is most priceless.”
“Trusting one who remained silent challenged her to the utmost. But was God’s silence a test of whether she would still cling to Him in faith, even if her prayers went unanswered? Would she still follow in His steps even in the worst of times?”
My Rating
Magnificent! Highly recommended!