History, Mystery, & Hope. And Happily Ever After.
Use code SHOPANDREAD10 to save 10% on any book purchased from Hearth Spot Shop.
Shipwrecked Faith
A 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery
This page-turning novel offers a sweet, slow-burn romance mixed with cozy suspense. Inspired by the tragic, real-life October 1929 capsizing of the steamer SS Wisconsin, it unfolds against the backdrop of a small Wisconsin port town and a family farm at the dawn of the Great Depression. Perfect for fans of J’nell Ciesielski and Roseanna M. White looking for an inspirational read.
Shipwrecked Faith Tropes
- Forced Proximity
- Small-Town Return / Homecoming
- Partners in (Crime-Solving)
- Family Saga
- Mafia Adjacent
A shipwreck is only the beginning.
Dawning Sisters, book 1
Buy from the Author
Order directly from my author shop and support a female-owned small business. Use code SHOPANDREAD10 to save 10% on any book purchased from Hearth Spot Shop.
Signed Paperback - I personally package your book, then ship directly to your US address.
E-Book - Delivered via BookFunnel email. Read in your browser or follow the instructions to send to your Kindle, Nook, or whatever your favorite reader happens to be.
$18.00
20 in stock (can be backordered)
Buying a Series? Bundle & Save!
Paperback & eBook Series Bundles Available
*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases
More about Shipwrecked Faith
A shipwreck is only the beginning.
Chicago, October 1929—Kellan O’Roark is running on borrowed time. After handing over his cousin’s incriminating bootlegging ledger to the police, he intends to vanish before the mobster exacts revenge. His destination: the SS Wisconsin, a steamer headed for Milwaukee, upon which he’s secured work despite his fear of the water. But despite his pressing need for escape, Kellan faces obstacles while leaving Chicago—including one who may break open his heart.
Sadie Dawning, desperate to return to her family’s Wisconsin farm and ailing father, escapes a kidnapping attempt at Chicago Union Station when Kellan steps in and offers to smuggle her aboard the Wisconsin. His decision turns nearly fatal when an autumn storm capsizes the ship.
Washed ashore, the pair arrive at Sadie’s family farm to find new storms brewing on land. While Kellan hides his past to continue evading his cousin, Sadie fights for her place among her sisters while the farm battles the beginnings of the Great Depression. Caught between duty, a dangerous past, and a budding love, Kellan and Sadie must rely on their newfound faith in each other and renewed faith in God to weather the growing storm.
Read the Dawning Sisters Series
Book One: Shipwrecked Faith
Book Two: Reclaimed Love (December 2026)
Book Three: Anchored Hope (August 2027)
What Readers are Saying
"This book rates in my top five books for 2026." — Cathy D, reader review
"I highly recommend this book for its realistic characters, the historical research behind the story, the element of faith that runs throughout the story, and the romance! It’s a 5 star read for me!" — Christy, reader review
"Sadie is probably one of the best female heroines I’ve seen in a long time." — Sydney, reader review
"Wowza - what a fast paced suspenseful story. I found myself caught up in the story within the first few pages. What is not to love about a story that is set right after the stock market crash, mobsters, bootleggers and so much more." — Connie, reader review
"Her beautiful imagery, rich characters, and visually descriptive writing ... has a way of putting the reader right there with the characters to where you yourself feel part of the story as you’re reading. I love that immersive experience so much." — Christi, reader review
"My favorite part of this book was how it brought actual historical events to life in a way that history books and class never did." — Meagan, reader review
Published by Ashberry Lane, an imprint of WhiteFire Publishing Group
© 2026 Danielle Grandinetti
Read the Opening Scene
Monday, October 28, 1929
Chicago
Ears attuned to any noise, Kellan O’Roark wiggled his fingers before applying his skills to the lock on Cousin Tiernan’s desk. Today, he finally would shed the weight on his conscience and shut down his cousin’s illegal bootlegging operation. Then he would escape Chicago before Tiernan loosed one of his goons on him. Family was complicated, yet family didn’t betray one another.
Except Tiernan betrayed Kellan first.
The picks moved under the pressure of Kellan’s fingers, shifting the tumblers, until the lock clicked. Using his handkerchief, Kellan opened the drawer. His heart hammered against his chest. Eight months of planning came down to this moment.
The smell of wood wafted up from the drawer as Kellan lifted the false bottom. There. The prize in all its plain glory. Tiernan’s ledger. A filled ledger. While Kellan couldn’t read all the words, the numbers were clear and the pages were covered in ink. He lifted it from its snug bed.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs that led to their second-floor apartment.
Kellan slipped the six-by-nine-inch leather volume into the waistband at the small of his back, tucking his shirt around the outside of the bulge. He silently closed the drawer and retreated to the kitchen.
The front door slammed open.
He’d prepared for this possibility and had set out a cabbage, even going as far as starting a couple slices, so it appeared he’d been busy.
“Kitchen work.” Tiernan didn’t hide his disgust as he spoke around his cigarette, passing by the kitchen en route to the corner of the apartment that comprised his study. The man was ten years Kellan’s senior and looked every bit the hard life he’d lived.
Kellan kept his back turned away from his cousin. “Gotta eat, I s’pose.”
“Hmph.” The man crossed to his desk in five smooth strides.
Kellan’s heart rate picked up, sweat dripped down his back. He’d never done something so underhanded before stealing this evidence for Detective Anderson.
Tiernan rifled through a few papers, snatched an envelope, and stuck it into his coat pocket. A former prizefighter, Tiernan was still fit and smart, but not quite savvy enough to rise in Bugs Moran’s ranks. Probably saved him from being gunned down by Capone’s men eight months ago.
Kellan’s stomach turned. Sending Tiernan to jail might cost his cousin’s life all the same, but after that awful day back in February, Kellan couldn’t remain a passive observer any longer. He had to do the right thing to bring about the justice deserved, no matter what it cost.
Dana Barrett –
Loved this book! Shipwrecked Faith is book one of The Dawning Sisters and I loved it so much. The faith elements in this story were beautiful and genuinely inspiring. I think I could read this one over and over. Story of faith, forgiveness and trusting God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.
Paula Shreckhise –
“Nothing for it but to put one foot in front of the other. To trust God to work out the future while being faithful in the here and now.”
Drawing on a real ship that was lost in a storm, the author has penned a wonderfully exciting story of two strangers escaping Chicago and ending up in a shipwreck. The scenes where Sadie and Kellen were fighting for their lives in the midst of a storm were terrifying and realistic. The trouble just keeps coming as they reach her family farm in Wisconsin. Kellen sees this as an opportunity to help Sadie’s family and at the same time hide from thugs he left behind in Chicago.
This was a story of sustaining faith and how God showed the characters a solution to their problems and kept them through all of their difficulties.
I enjoyed the family atmosphere at the farm and the way the sisters each wanted to help rescue the farm from foreclosure. Kellen was the perfect hero when he resolved to help in any way he could. It illustrated how he had grown in his faith.
This engaging story was coupled with some interesting history. Danger and romance is a winning combination. I look forward to reading more in this series.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required ro post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Vickie Watts –
This is a fast-paced book with an urgent story to tell about survival, helping family, being responsible and finding romance in an unlikely place. Sadie Dawning is summoned home to help out because her father is very ill. Traveling alone isn’t her first choice and isn’t a very good idea since she has to be rescued before she is assaulted by strangers. Her rescuer is Kellan, a young man who is fleeing the criminal world established by his cousin Tiernan. This book grabbed my attention right away with the realistic scenes of fleeing, being rescued and ending up on a ship that flounders during a storm. The parallel between the story of Jonah and Kellan’s story is apparent and even pointed out by Kellan himself. Once home on the farm, Sadie faces multiple obstacles and hardships but is determined to tackle the job at hand. Kellan offers to help out since she cannot possibly take care of the harvest alone. I thought the setting was realistically portrayed and that the fact that the stock market was crashing at the same time that Sadie is trying to rescue her family from overwhelming debt lent themselves to my being invested in the story. I enjoyed meeting the characters, especially Sadie’s family who all had differing levels of faith. Kellan, the hero, had a hard life to overcome and does a great job of portraying someone who doesn’t let circumstances defeat him. The realistic characters, the well-researched setting and timing of the story and the plot itself all worked well to make this story captivating as well as fascinating. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series since Sadie’s story is such a compelling and unforgettable one.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
LeAnn –
I found this to be an intriguing and engaging story. It is a Christian historical read with messages of faith and God‘s way. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down till the end. So beware, give yourself plenty of time to read this in one setting. The characters are so well described, you feel as if you’re within their grasp. The story begins with Sadie receiving an urgent telegram to return home as her father is very ill. She had left her family‘s farm in Wisconsin and moved to Chicago to make extra money to send home, but the real reason, that no one else knows, is she was running from untoward advances from a prominent man. On her rush to return home, she was waylaid by two ruffians at the train station. When a strong stranger scared them off and became her protector. Both Kellan and Sadie have been through trials. As their paths cross their trials become one as they fight them together. The story is gripping with family drama, perilous scenes and corruption. On the flipside, it is a tenderhearted, faith building love story. As you read the synopsis of this book you get a feel for the story’s plot, but it is so much deeper and richer in history, life‘s trials and having faith in a higher being. It makes you feel like you can weather life storms. This is a new author to me and I will definitely be picking up more of her books. I am especially looking forward to Margaret story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.