The Eighth Sea - 2012 ABNA Entry

by Nancy Sprowell Geise

In the cold, black hold of a sailing ship, a young woman lies dying, tormented that her death will mean nothing. Only the will to find a purpose for her life keeps breath in her tired body.Far away, a mother peers into the night sky, agonizing over the loss of her infant daughter nineteen years before. A haunting vision will not leave her—whispers of a living tie, still unbroken, to that baby long ago. Worlds apart and unaware of one another, the mother and daughter fight their lonely battles for survival. Between them—a man rising to greatness with the new America will bring them together.In 1769, on the shores of St. Christopher in the West Indies, Weston and Emily Emerson are devastated by the sight of their infant daughter's blanket floating among the splintered remains of a lifeboat. The voyage that began with promise of a new beginning in America ends in tragedy when a violent storm separates them from their child. Believing their daughter has perished, the heartbroken Emersons continue their voyage to the Colonies, not knowing Brenna was rescued. Nineteen years later, Brenna, unaware of her true identity, begins an odyssey that will take her far from her dismal existence on St. Christopher. A chance encounter with a stranger will forever change the course of her life. In the old Roman city of Bath, England that man begins an unrelenting search for Brenna that sweeps across England, involving romance, murder and intrigue.The Eighth Sea is a passionate love story involving two unforgettable characters—Brenna and Nathan. Their story is our story, its theme, universal—finding the meaning of our lives, our way home.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction

12 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

In 2007, Holocaust survivor Joe Rubinstein told author Nancy Sprowell Geise that he would never publicly share his experiences at Auschwitz and several other of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps. Five years later, he changed his mind. When Nancy began writing Joe’s story, she had no idea the impact it would have on her life as she immersed herself in Joe’s world and his remarkable journey of survival and triumph.

Shortly after its release in 2015, Auschwitz 34207 – The Joe Rubinstein Story, became a Bestseller ranked #1 in Holocaust Memoirs (Kindle). In November 2015, Nancy presented Joe's story at the United States Library of Congress and gave a book signing at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. where she was presented with their Coin of Excellence Award. Author Geise has been invited to speak around the world to museums, veterans groups, civic organizations, churches, synagogues, bookclubs, senior communities, and the Kansas State Capitol. In May 2016, Nancy will gave the Keynote presentation at the State of Kansas Holocaust Commemoration Service. Nancy was asked to share Joe's story in his hometown of Radom, Poland for the 75th commemoration of the liquidation of the ghettos which resulted in the death of all of Joe's family. In 2018, Nancy was invited to speak at the Auschwitz Holocaust Memorial and Museum in Oswiecim, Poland as part of the staff and guides annual training.

Auschwitz #34207 is garnishing high praise from leading holocaust scholars, national reviewers and readers alike.

“A riveting, well-documented account of survival that’s harrowing, inspiring and unforgettable.” —Kirkus Reviews

“In sharing his story – with Nancy Sprowell Geise’s help – Rubinstein has made an invaluable contribution to the literature of the Holocaust.”
—BlueInk Review (Starred Review)

“Author Geise has done an important job in presenting Joe’s story to the world, and does justice to a generation whose voices deserve to be heard. A great read...”
—Myles Friedman, Finelines Pubslush Review Blog

“Auschwitz #34207 will join work by Primo Levi on a shelf of classic Holocaust narratives.”—Foreword Reviews

Author Nancy Sprowell Geise’s debut novel, The Eighth Sea, became a bestseller, ranked #1 Historical Genre Literature & Fiction; #1 Religion and Spirituality Fiction (Kindle) and was a Quarter Finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Awards.

Nancy Sprowell Geise was raised in Ames, Iowa, and is a graduate of Iowa State University. She and her husband have three grown daughters. Nancy and Doran have lived in Austin, Texas; Fort Collins, Colorado; and currently reside in Topeka, Kansas. In her free time, Nancy enjoys playing pickleball, hiking and camping.

Nancy hilarious and moving life experiences provide great fodder for her
writing and storytelling endeavors.

Reviews

[Donna Mazzitelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Eighth Sea is such a profoundly beautiful story. It is filled with universal themes of love, loss, grief, faith and hope, as well as every person's quest to find our own eighth sea--our life's purpose and meaning. This historic fiction novel carries us between the West Indies, England and the American colonies in the midst of the late 1700s. It is filled with historical and geographical facts presented in the context of a story filled with continual twists and turns and unforgettable characters. Brenna and Nathan will stay with you for a long time to come.

From the moment we meet a mother and daughter separated by an ocean of longing and despair, we’re hooked. Nancy Sprowell Geise weaves an epic tale of love, loss, hope, and determination. Through her unforgettable characters, we discover that no matter what happens in life, we can find our way to our Eighth Sea. With belief, perseverance, and trust, life can show us our way home. —Donna Mazzitelli, Writing With Donna

[Cherry Moran · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not one of my favorites. Actually, I believe that it deserves a spot on the list of the worst fiction of all time! I found myself muttering, constantly, while reading this book. I found Brenna positively annoying, immature, childish...I could go on. The "plot" was centered around a series of misunderstandings by the love interests in the story. If they had actually sat and talked with each other, like grown ups, 85% of the book would have been eliminated.

I had hope for Brenna in the first few chapters after seeing her dogged determination to get her cart out of the mud and not accept help from the regal stranger on the horse. Unfortunately, she proved she was a few sandwiches short of a picnic shortly after this.

Thank goodness the book was free or I'd be really ticked off!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The invisible draw between mother and daughter is definitely a thing. The characters were great, but more attention need to be given to the setting. Being on the hold of a ship can become wearisome to the reader.

I loved Brenna as a character, but she almost seemed stupid at times. She had very little deductive reasoning, which doesn't lend to her being the kind of woman that the captain would truly want.

Not a bad read, but not my favorite either.

[Bookends · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one you won't forget! Characters go through
Tremendous challenges .There is suspense and a true love
Story, it's one of the best books I've ever read!

[HK Reitan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Historical Romance

Loved the way the author used historical sites and customs. Anyone loving historical novels, will love this book. The book is suitable for a teenager.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eighth Sea by Nancy Sprowell Geise was a historical romance that I downloaded as one of my monthly picks for March. I was impressed by a series of embedded flashbacks the author used to quickly show the past of the main character. Nineteen year old Brenna's abusive and drunken father harshly reveals that she is not his real daughter after his wife passes. The first flashback shows the reader Brenna's real parents, Emily and Weston, with their infant daughter in Emily's arms as they discuss the baby's blanket. The second flashback unfolds a scene of a pregnant Emily making a quilt for the baby. She proudly shows her husband the squares she has made for the quilt. The first square depicts Weston's parents. The story proceeds to a third flashback of Weston as a boy, speaking to his own father. Suddenly the boy brings us to our fourth flashback as he reminisces of a previous home they had moved from. At first, I was crying whiplash from all of the flashbacks, but after further consideration this is an ingenious way to reveal a lot of information in a relatively short frame of time. As I have often said, I'm not a real big fan of romances, but this one had definitely captured my curiosity.

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blog Post #391 for this book that I got as a free Kindle download - July 2013

Unfortunately, I am sad to say that I have had to put this down as a D.N.F. (Did Not Finish).

All was well reasonably well and good until our Leading Lady reached the shores of England ... and then the writing rapidly went down hill.

It seemed all the time the Author was writing about the West Indies, she was perhaps on home turf, or somewhere close to it, and could write with a fair amount of authority and interest. However, travelling across the Ocean Blue was where her knowledge badly let her down.

In fact, I would say that it was so bad, it was actually Laugh out Loud funny in places ... but, my reading time is precious - I finally called time at 43%.

My best advice for this author is to stick to what you know, or do an awful lot of research to enable an authentic historical novel which is set in England. The odd brush up on grammar and spelling wouldn't go amiss either .... sorry!

So for this Author, who was way above her head writing an English Historical Romance ..... 1 star is the best that I can do as there is no DNF button on Amazon or Good Reads.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite some poor reviews, I actually enjoyed this book. It's an intriguing read about love, loss, grief, & healing. It takes place in the England during the 1700s. I initially chose this book because of the title, I knew it would be a search for something, whatever that "something" might be. Brenna & Nathan initially meet while Brenna is trying to sell her produce goods. The two cross paths yet again after she sneaks on to Nathan's vessel ("The Grace") & is later found near death. Nathan is intrigued by this young woman & has his crew take care if her while she is I'll. However, once The Grace docks, Nathan & Brenna become seperated. It is then that Brenna realizes Nathan will stop at nothing to be reunited with her.

I enjoyed how the plot unfolded before the reader. If you want a sweet, enduring read, this is a good choice. However, if you're looking for something quick, fast-paced & intense, this is not it.

[Susan Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in the process of reading this book and I must say I try to rush through my work to be able to catch a moment to escape back into this story! I would recommend this book to anyone... as it's message is one that truly represents a life journey we are all on and must go through.
You will be blessed in reading this and I give it 5 stars!!! I can't wait to get back into it and into Brenna's world!!

[Judy Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story. A little different from what I usually read. However I am sure that I have read it before as it all seemed familiar just couldn't remember how it ended. Baby lost at sea and is found and how she lived her life. The good and the bad of course since it would be dull if it was all good.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read. A traditional romance in many ways, you close the book with a happy sigh that everything worked out well in the end, in spite of the turbulence to reach that point. The book has a Christian message that is subtle until the end, when it is put into words so that it can't be missed. Overall well written and enjoyable.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is a little religious in nature. It tells the poor life of a girl who turns out to be the lost child of a loving family. As readers we endure hardship with her at the beginning, feel the love from her adoptive mother, frustration and anger with her adoptive father. And then the good stuff. But I find some details a bit awkward, such her her continuing resistance towards the captain.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this book. There were times when the main characters made choices that irritated me but I think the separations & mishaps made the ending sweeter. I also liked how although this is a Christian novel, you didn't feel like a sermon was hitting you in the face, it just felt like faith was actually woven right into the story line & it wouldn't make sense without it.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the writing was ok I found this book extremely irritating. A five minute conversation between the main characters would have eliminated 90% of this book. It was full of pointless misunderstandings that can't possibly be considered a plot.

[Frankiejohnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good story, but it was way too long for my taste. So much misunderstanding that it was frustrating to read. I actually skipped the middle 6 chapters and started up again around chapter 11. Christian Romance

[Laura Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story and the first one that brought me to tears in quite a long time. The only thing I would change is have it end after Chapter 14 and then wrap up the last 3 chapters as a prologue.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As of right now, one of my all time favorite books. I actually sent my mother a copy of this book so she could read it too, and she finished it in one day. She called me and told me how wonderful Nancy Geise is as an author. We both love this book, and continue to recommend it to others!

[Cindy Ternes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Eighth Sea

Love conquers all with this amazing story of love, adventure, frustration, fatigue and family. Above all, this story is about the endless love and devotion of our almighty God who watches over his children.

[Trina King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this story with the combination of historic and contemporary voices. Highly recommend.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is as predictable as any other love story but everything else i loved.

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet love story that I was sad had to end.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could not put down.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Kinda anti-climatic to me. I wouldn't read it again.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Normally wouldn't read something labled as "religious historical fiction",but the description was enticing. And it was a Kindle freebie.

[Judy Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book!! A very interesting turn of events. Drama, suspense, action, love - yep! this book has all of that! I recommend it.

[Brittani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy book to read. Slightly predictable, but still entertaining.

[Jennifer Cuddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book. I can't even describe how many emotions you will feel while reading this novel. beautifully written and researched. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and found myself sucked into the plight of the characters.

[Paula Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about love that endures agaist all odds with some unexpected twists in the plot & characters that are unforgettable.

[Rebecca Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good