Last Light over Galveston

Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage―and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home―Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she―and those she loves―are to survive.

A stand-alone historical novel about the 1900 Galveston hurricane A gripping read inspired by true events Features themes of resilience, found family, and redemption Includes discussion questions perfect for book clubs

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Prologue
4. Weather Observations
5. Chapter 1
6. Chapter 2
7. Chapter 3
8. Weather Observations
9. Chapter 4
10. Weather Observations
11. Chapter 5
12. Chapter 6
13. Chapter 7
14. Chapter 8
15. Chapter 9
16. Weather Observations
17. Chapter 10
18. Chapter 11
19. Weather Observations
20. Chapter 12
21. Chapter 13
22. Chapter 14
23. Weather Observations
24. Chapter 15
25. Chapter 16
26. Chapter 17
27. Weather Observations
28. Chapter 18
29. Chapter 19
30. Chapter 20
31. Weather Observations
32. Chapter 21
33. Chapter 22
34. Weather Observations
35. Chapter 23
36. Epilogue
37. Author's Note
38. Closing Credits