Book Review: The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

I was glad to get a copy of this book because I knew it would probably be good. I had read Walsh's previous book and reviewed it on this blog last year. I enjoyed The Homecoming, so when I heard about The Deepest Waters, I decided to read and review it.

The Deepest Waters is the story of John and Laura Foster, who become victims of a hurricane when the steamship they are traveling on sinks in the Atlantic. The year is 1857, and the couple is on their honeymoon when the storm strikes.

Laura is rescued along with the other women and children. She mourns the loss of her new husband and wonders how she can go on without him. But with the help of a gentle-hearted slave named Micah and his dog, Crabby, Laura learns of the love of her Heavenly Father and how He will never leave her, even in the midst of life's greatest tragedies. 

This author reminds me of writers such as Richard Paul Evans and Nicholas Sparks. It is the kind of prose that leaves the reader with a sense of the "rightness" (is that a word?) of all that is good in the world. I think we all need books like this at some time or another, especially when our lives seem so out of control.

I like how Mr. Walsh incorporates the gospel in his stories without being "preachy". Here is one especially good portion from The Deepest Waters:

(Micah said) "Jesus say, 'Whoever committeth sin is a slave of sin, and a slave does not abideth in the house forever, but a son do. They'fore, if the Son maketh you free, you be free indeed.' All at once it come to me...no man is free when his heart ain't free. All them massahs I have, and all the bad things they done to me...they may be free the way man see it, but not the way Jesus see it. 'Cause they ain't free in here." He pointed to his heart. "But if Jesus can make my heart free, can't no man make a slave of me. Maybe they can on this earth, the way man judge a thing. But one day, God will set everythin' right. 'Tween then and now, Jesus set my heart free from all the hate and fear and sadness inside. And...if the Son maketh you free, you be free indeed."

I can think of no better way of expressing the way of salvation.

There's lots of adventure as well as romance in this book. I recommend it to all who love a good, heartfelt story.

I give The Deepest Waters 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

“Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, and The Deepest Waters. 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.