Faithful Tides

by Sarah L. McConkie

Ann Fowles Jr. always envisioned a quiet life in her English village—until the Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived with a message of faith more powerful than anything she'd ever known. Risking everything to reach Zion, she and her family set sail aboard the Windermere alongside a group of Saints.

But doubts about the journey linger, and when unprecedented storms threaten the ship from the moment it leaves harbor, Ann wonders if God has abandoned them. Eager to help her family and strengthen her faith, she has no time for the handsome sailor who vexes her whenever they meet.

Will Boyd, first mate of the Windermere, is a man of reason rather than faith. He has no interest in a romantic entanglement with a religious zealot—no matter how beautiful. Will and Ann's early exchanges are filled with mutual he's exasperated by her insufferable idealism, and she finds him far too gruff. But when looming challenges at sea reveal new depths to their characters, unexpected feelings begin to blossom. Amid the dangers, miracles, and trials of faith Ann faces on the voyage, she must decide whether she is prepared to trust in God's plan—even if it means leaving the man she is growing to love.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Clean Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Adventure, Christian

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2026

About the author

Sarah L. McConkie started her writing career in the second grade witha thirteen-page magnum opus about dinosaurs. Although the plotline and
penmanship lacked polish, Sarah learned she loved retiring to bed thinking of stories. On a good night, she still does the same thing. She took up the pen several years later after tucking her own little dreamer into bed and now combines modern-life experiences, a robust knowledge of historical hallmarks, and a passion for all things old-fashioned and proper to craft
her historical romances. She co-stars with her own Mr. Right in the real-life romantic comedy she calls life as they raise their five darling children. Sarah believes creating thought-provoking and moral stories promotes literacy in a world that needs more readers. Sarah is a best-selling author and her work has earned both the Swoony Award and the LDSPMA Praiseworthy Award.

Learn more about Sarah at sarahlmcconkie.com, and follow her on social
media.

Facebook: Sarah L McConkie
Instagram: @sarahlmcconkie

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages)]

Sarah L. McConkie pens a poignant and tender story of a woman who sails in the 1850s from England to America for religious reasons. Along with the others on board the Windmere, Ann encounters storms, disease, threats of starvation, and an intriguing love interest in the form of the first mate, Will.

Beautifully written, McConkie delivers all the emotions that were probably felt by people at this time in history, leaving behind one life for the start of something new. This story made me wonder about my own ancestors–I know many of them crossed the ocean and I thought about what their experiences might have been like.

This Christian fiction is based on actual people and events, is full of faith-filled situations, and provides the character growth one would expect in such a harrowing ordeal.

⚠️Mild romance; death; perilous situations; moderate religion

[Rochelle]

A well written account of a group of saints sailing from England to America. The storms, illnesses, accidents, and the faith that saw them through it. Great descriptions of what life was like on the ships that sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in the 1850’s.

[Cathy]

I flew through this one by Sarah McConkie. It's just so great!

This story is about Ann. She's leaving England on a ship with her family and other members of her religion. But...things do not go the way they were planned to go. I loved that Ann needed to examine her mind and her heart and make sure she was doing things for the proper reason. But she determines that she's where she should be and is all the stronger for the question.

Will is the first mate on the ship that Ann is on. It's forbidden for a crew member to spend time with the passengers, but somehow he and Ann keep finding themselves in the right place at the right time to help each other. I love the way he is a good man. He works hard at everything he does.

There were times in this book that I laughed a bit. But there were also times that I cried. The passengers on this ship dealt with some hard things due to weather and illness. I loved that the author explains at the end that most of it is based on things that actually happened.

The narrator did such a great job with this book. I loved hearing the different accents of the characters. She really made the book come alive for me.

[Luci Jamison]

This is a historical fiction based on actual historical events and people with a fictional dialogue. The story is about the crossing of the faithful converts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from England to America. The hero and heroine experience the same dangers while at sea.
The author recreated actual events and crafted it as if it was happening in front of the reader. The author did a good job of recreating their strong sense of conviction, of finding faith and the power that faith can have. The story portrays how life is full of struggles and challenges, but how faith can help bear them.
The author portrays how people of faith vs people of superstition can misunderstand each other.
I enjoyed the interaction between the hero and heroine and how they grow. It is especially satisfying knowing they were real people who drawn together.

[Kass Rob]

I loved experiencing this chapter of the Saints' journey, and seeing things through the eyes of those leaving everything behind in England, crossing the Atlantic in search of a new life and a new home. The hardships, the hope, and the quiet moments of faith made this story so easy to become immersed in!
One of my favorite things about this book was how Sarah L. McConkie wove so many true stories and historical details into the novel. Those family history connections made the story feel even more meaningful and personal. Add in a sweet forbidden romance, plenty of emotional moments, and characters you can't help but care for, and this was such a beautiful reminder of the incredible faith and sacrifice of those who came before us!

[M. K. Jacobs]

4.75 stars: McConkie has brought church history, family history, and romance together in a sweet and powerful story. This book is impeccably researched with easily accessible tone and prose. It literally felt like I was with the Saints on the ship. The author's note at the end was especially fascinating! I wished we got to see an epilogue of the main couple after their marriage, and I also wanted to see more of Ann's family; I thought it would've been fascinating to see the future brother-in-laws interact more, for example, or how a mother advised her daughter or a sister to a sister about such a big life decision.

[Julie]

Excellent book. The history that inspired this book is fascinating to me. The fact that the author is related to people in this book makes it even better. Many of my relatives came to the United States from England after joining the church there. I admire their courage and fortitude. They got off of a perilous sea voyage only to undertake another perilous voyage across the plains. I listened to the book and enjoyed the narrator singing Come, Come Ye Saints, a song that is always so meaningful. Just beautiful.

[Kristen LC]

LOVED this book!! I read it in 2 1/2 days! There were beautiful moments I couldn’t hold back a few tears.. There were great characters, witty banter, romance, and great lines I want to remember. The themes of faith, doubt and finding the path that God has for you were my favorite. I also loved knowing that so much of what happened on the ship was based on actual events. I’m excited for my teenage daughter to read it next!

[Jen]

This is a clean LDS romance about a young girl,Ann, who travels on the ship from England to America with the LDS saints. She wonders at times if it was a wise choice to leave everything she knows to make this voyage. Sickness, storms and even death plague their voyage. Ann develops feelings for one of the head crewman who doesn’t believe in God at all. Will this relationship work out? It was a good story and nice romance.

[Ranee]

A perilous journey and a budding romance. Storms, disease, conniving adversaries, bravery, loss, faith, miracles, prejudice, sailing, integrity. LDS Pioneers. I thought it interesting that one of the characters had the name of one of my gguncles but I don’t think it was based on him since he was already married when he came to the US 😊. A little sap sapped a star off but a good read.

[Martha]

A very realistic account of some early members of The Church of Jesus Christ if Latter-day Saints making their way the Americas.

[M Summ]

Cute historical fiction of pioneer crossing from England

[Tracy Smith]

Inspiring reminder of the hardships and strength the early saints demonstrated.

[Sharon the Librarian]

Great LDS historical fiction. A slow burn love story, peril, danger, haters on religion, and faithful people through it all.

[Heidi]

Faithful Tides was an incredible story! I loved the faithful perseverance of the main character, Ann. I loved the love story weaved into the harrowing sea voyage - I’m hoping that there’s a sequel!