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Starboard Sky: A Historical Inspirational Romance
A FINE LINE EXISTS BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE.
1905 - After receiving glowing letters from her cousin, who had ventured to America three years earlier, Augusta Wernher, her husband, Adolph, and their six-year-old twin daughters, Olga and Clara, depart their privileged lives of comfort and luxury in Germany to pursue their dreams across the ocean in a land supposedly brimming with limitless opportunities. But upon their arrival, a cruel twist of fate leaves the family destitute and forces them to change their plans, which had included Adolph finishing medical school in New York. Rather than return to their homeland in defeat, Adolph's stubborn pride insists they join his wife's cousin in rural southern Minnesota, where they try their hands at farming with the help of a teenage runaway, Nils Eriksen. But will separations, hardship, loss, financial woes, betrayal, her daughter's misplaced affections, and the attention of a handsome widower-pastor cause Augusta's already compromised resolve to crumble entirely? Or will the faith she seeks finally enable her to make peace with her God, her country, her men, and herself?
STARBOARD SKY draws upon the real-life adventures of the author's maternal great-great-grandparents, who immigrated to the United States from Germany around the turn of the 20th century.
1905 - After receiving glowing letters from her cousin, who had ventured to America three years earlier, Augusta Wernher, her husband, Adolph, and their six-year-old twin daughters, Olga and Clara, depart their privileged lives of comfort and luxury in Germany to pursue their dreams across the ocean in a land supposedly brimming with limitless opportunities. But upon their arrival, a cruel twist of fate leaves the family destitute and forces them to change their plans, which had included Adolph finishing medical school in New York. Rather than return to their homeland in defeat, Adolph's stubborn pride insists they join his wife's cousin in rural southern Minnesota, where they try their hands at farming with the help of a teenage runaway, Nils Eriksen. But will separations, hardship, loss, financial woes, betrayal, her daughter's misplaced affections, and the attention of a handsome widower-pastor cause Augusta's already compromised resolve to crumble entirely? Or will the faith she seeks finally enable her to make peace with her God, her country, her men, and herself?
STARBOARD SKY draws upon the real-life adventures of the author's maternal great-great-grandparents, who immigrated to the United States from Germany around the turn of the 20th century.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2025
About the author
Barbara Bressler McKee
18 booksAward-winning self-published inspirational romance author Barbara Bressler McKee brings to life captivating stories of love, redemption, and grace that impart messages of hope and faith to the reader.
A Minnesota native, crayon artist, poet, and homemaker, Barbara has loved books since childhood. After reading thousands, including countless romance novels, she penned her first work of fiction in 2023 at the age of sixty-four. (Barbara also designs her own book covers using her original artwork.)
"I write because I enjoy storytelling and hope to awaken people to their need for God through the adventures and trials of my characters. Nearly everyone wants to know love, and my goal is to use a mode of entertainment to help folks discover the greatest love story of all in Jesus."
A Minnesota native, crayon artist, poet, and homemaker, Barbara has loved books since childhood. After reading thousands, including countless romance novels, she penned her first work of fiction in 2023 at the age of sixty-four. (Barbara also designs her own book covers using her original artwork.)
"I write because I enjoy storytelling and hope to awaken people to their need for God through the adventures and trials of my characters. Nearly everyone wants to know love, and my goal is to use a mode of entertainment to help folks discover the greatest love story of all in Jesus."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 3, 2026
This book was just ok. It did have a huge twist I never expected! I sure wish it would have ended differently with more depth as to what happened at the end.
October 15, 2025
Starboard Sky is an emotionally powerful story that beautifully captures the hope, heartbreak, and resilience of a family chasing the American dream. Augusta’s journey from privilege to hardship, from doubt to faith is deeply moving and relatable. The historical detail brings early 1900s America vividly to life, while the emotional core keeps you turning pages. It’s not just a story about immigration it’s about love, loss, pride, and finding strength in the most unexpected places. A beautifully written and inspiring novel that stays with you long after the final page.
September 14, 2025
Great book. The author's best so far. She brings the characters to life and draws you into the early 1900s setting. Every time I put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it up again to see what happened next. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews