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The Journey Begins
West Barnstable. 1830.
Based on the true story of a family from West Barnstable, Massachusetts, during the final chapter of the Great Age of Sail and the tumultuous years leading up to and through the Civil War.
Lighthouse keeper Joseph Nickerson and members of the Jenkins and Fish families are tied to the sea through their work. Their voices are those of men and women who braved years-long sailing voyages as the United States split apart at the seams.
Young James Jenkins follows the sailor’s life, rising over a decade to become a merchant ship captain who transports guano, tea and coal around the globe.
He finds his match in Ruth Fish, the daughter of a ship’s captain who bristles with passion to see the world and escape the confines of her small town.
Separated for years from his family, James binds himself to them through letters that span the vastness of oceans and time.
At home, the rumbles of conflict over slavery reverberate into every corner of life.
James and Ruth are united in their vision to sail the world together while their country strains under the tension between North and South.
An uncertain future awaits.
Cynthia Elder is a novelist, poet and nonprofit leader.
Praise for the Tales of the Sea
'A well-developed novel that uses copious historical sources to vividly bring its characters and setting to life.' Kirkus Reviews
'It is rare when a literary talent bursts upon the scene without warning but that is the case with Cynthia Elder, author of Tales of the Sea.' G. Wayne Miller, Journalist, Author, Filmmaker, Co-Host of Story in the Public Square
'Tales of the Sea brings to life the world of nineteenth-century seafaring with depth and humanity. Building upon extensive analysis of recently discovered manuscripts, this eagerly awaited novel offers an insight into life during a period of change and upheaval in both American and Global history. Cynthia Elder’s engaging writing style ensures that the characters in the book become far more than words on a page as the reader is immersed in their personal and political worlds. The book is a must read for historians and lovers of historical fiction alike.' Dr. Charlotte Carrington-Farmer, Professor of History, Roger Williams University, Author of Roger Williams and His World
'This book is spell binding.' Nancy Shoemaker, Historian and publisher of books on Cape Cod history and conservation
Based on the true story of a family from West Barnstable, Massachusetts, during the final chapter of the Great Age of Sail and the tumultuous years leading up to and through the Civil War.
Lighthouse keeper Joseph Nickerson and members of the Jenkins and Fish families are tied to the sea through their work. Their voices are those of men and women who braved years-long sailing voyages as the United States split apart at the seams.
Young James Jenkins follows the sailor’s life, rising over a decade to become a merchant ship captain who transports guano, tea and coal around the globe.
He finds his match in Ruth Fish, the daughter of a ship’s captain who bristles with passion to see the world and escape the confines of her small town.
Separated for years from his family, James binds himself to them through letters that span the vastness of oceans and time.
At home, the rumbles of conflict over slavery reverberate into every corner of life.
James and Ruth are united in their vision to sail the world together while their country strains under the tension between North and South.
An uncertain future awaits.
Cynthia Elder is a novelist, poet and nonprofit leader.
Praise for the Tales of the Sea
'A well-developed novel that uses copious historical sources to vividly bring its characters and setting to life.' Kirkus Reviews
'It is rare when a literary talent bursts upon the scene without warning but that is the case with Cynthia Elder, author of Tales of the Sea.' G. Wayne Miller, Journalist, Author, Filmmaker, Co-Host of Story in the Public Square
'Tales of the Sea brings to life the world of nineteenth-century seafaring with depth and humanity. Building upon extensive analysis of recently discovered manuscripts, this eagerly awaited novel offers an insight into life during a period of change and upheaval in both American and Global history. Cynthia Elder’s engaging writing style ensures that the characters in the book become far more than words on a page as the reader is immersed in their personal and political worlds. The book is a must read for historians and lovers of historical fiction alike.' Dr. Charlotte Carrington-Farmer, Professor of History, Roger Williams University, Author of Roger Williams and His World
'This book is spell binding.' Nancy Shoemaker, Historian and publisher of books on Cape Cod history and conservation
- GenresHistory
293 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2025
18 people are currently reading
2773 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Elder
2 books23 followersCynthia “Cindy” Elder is a novelist, poet and nonprofit leader. Her two-part novel, Tales of the Sea (Holand Press, 2025), tells the true story of a seafaring family from West Barnstable, Massachusetts, during the final chapter of the Great Age of Sail and the tumultuous years of the Civil War.
Kirkus Reviews, one of the publishing industry’s premier book review sources, describes "Tales of the Sea" as “a well-developed novel that uses copious historical sources to vividly bring its characters and setting to life.” Kirkus gave the novel a “Get It” recommendation, a designation achieved by 25% of authors associated with independent publishers.
Cindy’s poetry has appeared in many literary magazines over the last four decades, including recent editions of The Last Stanza Poetry Journal, Frost Meadow Review, Blood & Bourbon, Blue Heron Review and elsewhere. She received the Grand Prize in Notable Works’ 2023 Voices of the Earth anthology.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and career writing from Roger Williams University and a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University. Cindy is working with both universities to research a freedom seeker born in 1816 whose remarkable narrative of flight from slavery and life as a ship’s cook was found in her husband’s family records.
Cindy serves as executive director of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving open space and educating the public about our natural resources. Her long history in nonprofit service includes roles as executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Rhode Island and Coggeshall Farm Museum. She also served as communications director for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Hospice of Central Florida.
Kirkus Reviews, one of the publishing industry’s premier book review sources, describes "Tales of the Sea" as “a well-developed novel that uses copious historical sources to vividly bring its characters and setting to life.” Kirkus gave the novel a “Get It” recommendation, a designation achieved by 25% of authors associated with independent publishers.
Cindy’s poetry has appeared in many literary magazines over the last four decades, including recent editions of The Last Stanza Poetry Journal, Frost Meadow Review, Blood & Bourbon, Blue Heron Review and elsewhere. She received the Grand Prize in Notable Works’ 2023 Voices of the Earth anthology.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and career writing from Roger Williams University and a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University. Cindy is working with both universities to research a freedom seeker born in 1816 whose remarkable narrative of flight from slavery and life as a ship’s cook was found in her husband’s family records.
Cindy serves as executive director of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving open space and educating the public about our natural resources. Her long history in nonprofit service includes roles as executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Rhode Island and Coggeshall Farm Museum. She also served as communications director for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Hospice of Central Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 25, 2025
This is an extraordinary book! I was immediately drawn into the stories about seafarers. I'm not from a sailing or boating family but I love the sea. The stories gave me a front row seat to the joys and trials of life at sea. I look forward to reading more books by this author!!
I won a complimentary copy of the book from LibraryThing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I won a complimentary copy of the book from LibraryThing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 29, 2025
Stories come alive in Tales of the Sea
The characters in this epic tale of sea captains and their adventures on land and sea come alive with the letters they wrote to the ones they love. So many aspects of this time in history are included in a very accessible way, it made me think of the great age of sail in a whole new light. Elder does a fabulous job of using real letters while adding the context and explanations needed to really feel like you’re hearing the words straight from mouths of James and Ruth. A must read for anyone interested in historical fiction, sailing, or women’s stories from the Civil War era.
The characters in this epic tale of sea captains and their adventures on land and sea come alive with the letters they wrote to the ones they love. So many aspects of this time in history are included in a very accessible way, it made me think of the great age of sail in a whole new light. Elder does a fabulous job of using real letters while adding the context and explanations needed to really feel like you’re hearing the words straight from mouths of James and Ruth. A must read for anyone interested in historical fiction, sailing, or women’s stories from the Civil War era.
September 5, 2025
Thanks Goodreads for an advance copy! A vivid historical novel regarding a New England family and their untwined life with the sea. Loved the original minimally altered letters between the family. This book isn’t overly exciting or elaborate due to its historically accurate details.
October 30, 2025
I received an Advance Copy of this book. Thank You.
Wow, what an original and fascinating book. Cynthia Elder brings to life the realities of living in a seafaring town, and those who made their living at sea. The story starts in the 1830's and continues to the start of the Civil War. Sea trade is at its height, and men would travel the world, often being gone for years. This book is told from the point of view of a few people. It is told in the form of sharing letters, diary entries, and daily interactions. Joseph was the lightkeeper and although he lived alone at his post, was key to the town. Later when he retired, he played an important role in the village. James goes to sea at 13, and falls in love with the way of life, yet on one trip home, he falls in love with Ruth, a young woman whose family James has known all his life. The book follows all of these people over the years. James as he's out to sea, beset by all kinds of weather, meeting people from all over the world. Ruth as she longs to see more than just West Barnstable, MA, longs to learn as much as she can, and longs for James to return so that they can finally marry and she can join him on his journey. Joseph as he observes and advises all who come to him.
This book is a true window into the past. Such a good book.
Wow, what an original and fascinating book. Cynthia Elder brings to life the realities of living in a seafaring town, and those who made their living at sea. The story starts in the 1830's and continues to the start of the Civil War. Sea trade is at its height, and men would travel the world, often being gone for years. This book is told from the point of view of a few people. It is told in the form of sharing letters, diary entries, and daily interactions. Joseph was the lightkeeper and although he lived alone at his post, was key to the town. Later when he retired, he played an important role in the village. James goes to sea at 13, and falls in love with the way of life, yet on one trip home, he falls in love with Ruth, a young woman whose family James has known all his life. The book follows all of these people over the years. James as he's out to sea, beset by all kinds of weather, meeting people from all over the world. Ruth as she longs to see more than just West Barnstable, MA, longs to learn as much as she can, and longs for James to return so that they can finally marry and she can join him on his journey. Joseph as he observes and advises all who come to him.
This book is a true window into the past. Such a good book.
December 5, 2025
The Journey Begins is the kind of historical novel that doesn’t just tell a story it pulls you straight onto the deck of a 19th-century ship and refuses to let go. Cynthia Elder nails the atmosphere of the Great Age of Sail with a level of detail that feels lived-in, not textbook. The ocean, the storms, the letters across continents everything feels authentic.
James Jenkins is a standout. His rise from young sailor to merchant captain feels earned, gritty, and deeply human. And Ruth Fish? She’s a spark restless, ambitious, and determined to live a life bigger than the small town around her. Their connection isn’t sappy; it’s driven by shared hunger for the world, which makes it way more compelling.
What really hits hardest is how the book blends family, duty, and the growing tension of pre–Civil War America. You feel the pressure on every character, both at home and at sea. The pacing stays steady, the emotional beats land, and the ending leaves you wanting the next book immediately.
James Jenkins is a standout. His rise from young sailor to merchant captain feels earned, gritty, and deeply human. And Ruth Fish? She’s a spark restless, ambitious, and determined to live a life bigger than the small town around her. Their connection isn’t sappy; it’s driven by shared hunger for the world, which makes it way more compelling.
What really hits hardest is how the book blends family, duty, and the growing tension of pre–Civil War America. You feel the pressure on every character, both at home and at sea. The pacing stays steady, the emotional beats land, and the ending leaves you wanting the next book immediately.
December 7, 2025
The Journey Begins is one of those rare historical novels that feels both intimate and sweeping at the same time. Cynthia Elder writes with such quiet strength that I often forgot I was reading fiction and not living alongside these families on the Cape. What moved me most was the way she captures the steady pulse of duty, both to the sea and to one another during a time when the country itself was coming undone.
James and Ruth lingered with me long after I closed the book. Their longing, their courage, their stubborn hope felt so genuine, and the letters James sends home carry a tenderness that cuts deeper than grand declarations ever could. Elder has a gift for finding the beating heart inside history; every scene feels steeped in truth, shaped by real hands and real losses.
This is a beautiful beginning to a larger story full of salt air, yearning, and the quiet heroism of ordinary lives shaped by extraordinary times. I’m grateful to have read it.
James and Ruth lingered with me long after I closed the book. Their longing, their courage, their stubborn hope felt so genuine, and the letters James sends home carry a tenderness that cuts deeper than grand declarations ever could. Elder has a gift for finding the beating heart inside history; every scene feels steeped in truth, shaped by real hands and real losses.
This is a beautiful beginning to a larger story full of salt air, yearning, and the quiet heroism of ordinary lives shaped by extraordinary times. I’m grateful to have read it.
October 17, 2025
This is a fascinating historical tale based on real letters, journals, and logs of the author's family as well as other historical documents. The story of a eastern Massachusetts community developing and growing into the Industrial Age is as interesting and well-written as it is researched. As a liveaboard sailor I was impressed by the accuracy and feel of the sailing scenes. The author manages to bring the story of several families to life with empathy and understanding. There are no artificially constructed drama vehicles or tropes here, just the entertaining story of people making their way through early-to mid-1800s America. Highly recommended if you enjoy history and good writing.
November 1, 2025
The Journey Begins by Cynthia Elder is a beautifully written and deeply moving historical novel that captures both the spirit of adventure and the emotional heart of family life in the 19th century. Elder’s storytelling vividly brings to life the world of sailors, lighthouse keepers, and those left waiting onshore. Through the love story of James Jenkins and Ruth Fish, readers are transported into a time of courage, separation, and hope amidst national upheaval. Rich in historical detail and human emotion, this novel is a must read for anyone who loves sea voyages, history, and heartfelt storytelling.
December 18, 2025
I was drawn into Tales of the Sea almost immediately by how grounded and authentic it feels. Cynthia Elder doesn’t just tell a historical story she recreates a world shaped by salt air, long voyages, and uncertainty. James Jenkins’ journey from young sailor to ship captain is especially compelling, and the letters he writes home became one of my favorite parts of the book. They quietly carry the emotional weight of separation, ambition, and loyalty. The backdrop of a nation edging toward civil war adds constant tension, making the story feel both intimate and historically significant.
August 25, 2025
A beautifully written historical novel that brings 19th-century seafaring life to vivid detail. James and Ruth’s story blends adventure, love, and the struggles of a nation on the brink of Civil War. Immersive, heartfelt, and a must read for fans of historical fiction.
August 26, 2025
I debated giving this book two or three stars. It has a good overall plot and I enjoyed the characters, but unfortunately it becomes repetitive and boring at times. I honestly think that it could have been written or edited better and became a more interesting shorter novel.
August 11, 2025
Cindy Elder artistically weaves together real-life journals and letters to tell the story of two sailing families in the mid-nineteenth century on Cape Cod. She brings Ruth Fish and James Jenkins to life through her descriptions of travelling the world on a ship (the author obviously knows about sailing!) and life at home in West Barnstable and Salem, MA. Her eloquent descriptions make you feel like you are present in every scene, whether navigating a storm on a ship or having tea with your future in-laws on Cape Cod. She clearly did her research. I enjoyed the lighthouse keeper’s reflections on the news of the day, including the tension in the years leading up to the Civil War. Beautifully written – I can’t wait to read the second book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews