Easter is only a few days away and my to-do list is long. I was only going to read a few chapters of If the Tide Turns: A Thrilling Historical Novel of Piracy and Life After the Salem Witch Trials by Rachel Rueckert while I ate a quick lunch. Can you guess what happened? Any reader can…I looked up and suddenly it was 2:30 pm and I was reading the last page! 

I love a good pirate story and this debut (!!!) is not one to be missed. There’s adventure, of course, and romance–forbidden romance between Samuel Bellamy, an orphaned sailor searching for work and Maria Brown, daughter of a wealthy family in 1715 Eastham, Massachusetts. This story also gives readers a look at the lives of women and honors the strength that Maria displays in the face of tragedy and hardship. Readers can also see what political life was like at this time. Alternating chapters are told from  Maria’s point of view and Sam’s and was inspired by a real-life pirate Sam Bellamy. (Author’s note is a must read.) The pages fly by as readers wonder if true love will prevail in this historical saga. Rueckert is a wonderful storyteller. @kensingtonbooks

432 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2024 by Kensington

Author Website: https://rachelrueckert.com/

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