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Passengers
During the Great Irish Famine the Ewing family made their way from their rural cottage to the village of Highland Way. Annie, the oldest daughter was left to care for her mother and younger sister after her father left to find work in Dublin.
A mysterious letter arrives from America forcing Annie, Lily, and Katy into a harrowing journey. The hand written note not only will expose deep secrets, it will also challenge the strength and fortitude of the Ewing women, leading each member into their own soul searching voyage.
Follow this extraordinary passage that begins in Ireland and leads each woman to uncover their own courage and truths in this new world.
A mysterious letter arrives from America forcing Annie, Lily, and Katy into a harrowing journey. The hand written note not only will expose deep secrets, it will also challenge the strength and fortitude of the Ewing women, leading each member into their own soul searching voyage.
Follow this extraordinary passage that begins in Ireland and leads each woman to uncover their own courage and truths in this new world.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2018
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 11, 2019
Review Copies Available: PASSENGERS by Elizabeth Collums
If you'd like to host please send a DM or email Amy at hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com
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If you'd like to host please send a DM or email Amy at hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com
http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/passeng...
December 3, 2018
I just finished Passengers by Elizabeth Collums and I give it 4 stars. I would consider this to be a Christian historical fiction. I enjoyed the fact that it wasn’t completely predictable, and that it wasn’t saccharine and fake but that there was some gritty stuff, but didn’t go too far into the ugly details. I cared about the characters and was rooting for them all.
March 13, 2021
Passengers by Elizabeth Collums is an interesting and adventurous novel that begins in Ireland and brings us to New York City during the years of the potato famine. A time when many Irish immigrants were forced to carve out a new life for themselves in the early days of a busy and bustling New York.
Jonathon Ewing has left his farm in search of a way to make a living to support his family, Katy (his wife) and his two daughters, Annie and Lily. He leaves for Dublin and hasn’t been heard from since. Annie’s worry sets herself, her mother and sister on a journey to find him. Taking them to Katy’s ancestral beginnings in Ireland and eventually across the ocean. They meet people along the way that help them along on their path in search of their father and husband.
The book spans many years and all three women grow and change. The book touches on many subjects such as immigrants to a new land, poverty, family and following your heart and what we now know today as depression.
I found the book interesting from a historical point of view. There were many adventures and situations along the way that kept me interested in wanting to know what would happen next. All in all, it was a engaging story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an advanced copy of this enjoyable book in exchange for an honest review.
Jonathon Ewing has left his farm in search of a way to make a living to support his family, Katy (his wife) and his two daughters, Annie and Lily. He leaves for Dublin and hasn’t been heard from since. Annie’s worry sets herself, her mother and sister on a journey to find him. Taking them to Katy’s ancestral beginnings in Ireland and eventually across the ocean. They meet people along the way that help them along on their path in search of their father and husband.
The book spans many years and all three women grow and change. The book touches on many subjects such as immigrants to a new land, poverty, family and following your heart and what we now know today as depression.
I found the book interesting from a historical point of view. There were many adventures and situations along the way that kept me interested in wanting to know what would happen next. All in all, it was a engaging story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an advanced copy of this enjoyable book in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2019
Katy Ewing and her daughters Annie and Lily live in a rural Irish village in the midst of the famine. Katy's husband has gone to New York in hopes of providing for his family, but Katy has not heard from him in a while. On top of this, Katy has not felt the same since the birth of Lily and has left Annie with a lot of responsibility. When Katy receives a letter from the United States, a new world opens up to her as she learns of her family origins and finds courage to track down her husband and family in New York. With this new found determination Katy packs up the girls and starts on a journey that will open up their lives to new opportunity, family and healing.
Passengers in an epic family saga that covers decades in time and many issues. I was drawn into Annie's character right off the bat, she was the driving force behind change in the story as Katie was lost and forlorn from the start. I was intrigued by Katie's family and the mystery of her mother. I enjoyed the history of the famine and the immigration to New York. The conditions on the boat and the living conditions in New York were very accurate and heart wrenching to read. All of the characters do grow and change throughout the story, though it seems like a lot of it comes from pure luck and God's will as the story swayed towards Christian Fiction. I was impressed with all of the work that the Ewing family was able to do in New York and loved how it changed each of them individually. Since this story covered such a large span of time, some important events seemed almost glossed over, such as deaths and marriages just happen in a sentence or two. Overall, a heartwarming and sweeping historical family tale.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Passengers in an epic family saga that covers decades in time and many issues. I was drawn into Annie's character right off the bat, she was the driving force behind change in the story as Katie was lost and forlorn from the start. I was intrigued by Katie's family and the mystery of her mother. I enjoyed the history of the famine and the immigration to New York. The conditions on the boat and the living conditions in New York were very accurate and heart wrenching to read. All of the characters do grow and change throughout the story, though it seems like a lot of it comes from pure luck and God's will as the story swayed towards Christian Fiction. I was impressed with all of the work that the Ewing family was able to do in New York and loved how it changed each of them individually. Since this story covered such a large span of time, some important events seemed almost glossed over, such as deaths and marriages just happen in a sentence or two. Overall, a heartwarming and sweeping historical family tale.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
April 23, 2019
"How ironic that it took a plant malady for her to see the abundant life she had all along right in front of her."
When the Great Famine hits Ireland, Jonathan Ewing sets off for Dublin to find work so his family can survive. His wife, Katy, has hated living life on a farm and had always thought she deserved more. The Ewing girls, Annie and Lily, begin to worry when he doesn't return and decide to find him. Katy slowly but surely discovers that she needs to be there mentally and emotionally for her daughters and tries to pull herself out of the slump so they can find a better life. During their expedition, secrets are uncovered and faith is discovered. Their trip subsequently takes the Ewings to America where their lives change forever in ways good and bad.
This story started out rather slow and uninteresting for me, but by the second chapter, I was invested. Of course, there were some things surrounding the topic of mental health that I really did not like, but then I had to remember it took place in the 1850s. Depression wasn't a diagnosis. Over all, though, the story was very hopeful with the exception of one of the characters' suicide. The Ewings' journey to build a new life was absolutely heart-wrenching, and I found myself rooting for them for the remainder of the novel.
I would recommend, but warn those sensitive to themes of mental illness and suicide to tread lightly. The scene where one character is found shortly after taking their life is near the end of the book in Chapter 20 if you would like to skip it like I did.
Trigger Warnings: mental illness throughout and one suicide
When the Great Famine hits Ireland, Jonathan Ewing sets off for Dublin to find work so his family can survive. His wife, Katy, has hated living life on a farm and had always thought she deserved more. The Ewing girls, Annie and Lily, begin to worry when he doesn't return and decide to find him. Katy slowly but surely discovers that she needs to be there mentally and emotionally for her daughters and tries to pull herself out of the slump so they can find a better life. During their expedition, secrets are uncovered and faith is discovered. Their trip subsequently takes the Ewings to America where their lives change forever in ways good and bad.
This story started out rather slow and uninteresting for me, but by the second chapter, I was invested. Of course, there were some things surrounding the topic of mental health that I really did not like, but then I had to remember it took place in the 1850s. Depression wasn't a diagnosis. Over all, though, the story was very hopeful with the exception of one of the characters' suicide. The Ewings' journey to build a new life was absolutely heart-wrenching, and I found myself rooting for them for the remainder of the novel.
I would recommend, but warn those sensitive to themes of mental illness and suicide to tread lightly. The scene where one character is found shortly after taking their life is near the end of the book in Chapter 20 if you would like to skip it like I did.
Trigger Warnings: mental illness throughout and one suicide
December 17, 2018
Annie Ewing is growing up during the Great Irish Famine,
on a tenant farm with her family in Ireland. Her mother Katy is in the throes of depression and her little sister Lily is clingy and needy. When her father Jonathan goes off to Dublin to find work, it is left to her to take care of them.
Katy receives a letter from the brother she never knew about, giving her information that her real mother is still alive. She takes the girls on a journey to meet her mother, Lizzie. The experience makes her realize all that she has taken for granted during her marriage to Jonathan. She decides to find him and let him know how much she appreciates him.
In Dublin, she finds out that Jonathan signed up as a deckhand on the passenger ship, The Rosewood, bound for America. The Captain remembered what a hard worker he was, and how he talked about saving money to take care of his family.
After the the ship arrived in New York City, Jonathan mysteriously disappeared, and did not join the return trip back to Ireland.
Katy hocks her jewelry and buys tickets for them to go on the ship to America.
She and the girls have many adventures on the boat, and more once they reach New York.
They find happiness and heartbreak and discover the true meaning of family.
An historical fiction novel, with a touch of spirituality. The characters were likable and the times were very interesting, but I felt the book was overflowing with events and it was difficult to do them all justice.
Thank you to Amite River Press and NetGalley for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
on a tenant farm with her family in Ireland. Her mother Katy is in the throes of depression and her little sister Lily is clingy and needy. When her father Jonathan goes off to Dublin to find work, it is left to her to take care of them.
Katy receives a letter from the brother she never knew about, giving her information that her real mother is still alive. She takes the girls on a journey to meet her mother, Lizzie. The experience makes her realize all that she has taken for granted during her marriage to Jonathan. She decides to find him and let him know how much she appreciates him.
In Dublin, she finds out that Jonathan signed up as a deckhand on the passenger ship, The Rosewood, bound for America. The Captain remembered what a hard worker he was, and how he talked about saving money to take care of his family.
After the the ship arrived in New York City, Jonathan mysteriously disappeared, and did not join the return trip back to Ireland.
Katy hocks her jewelry and buys tickets for them to go on the ship to America.
She and the girls have many adventures on the boat, and more once they reach New York.
They find happiness and heartbreak and discover the true meaning of family.
An historical fiction novel, with a touch of spirituality. The characters were likable and the times were very interesting, but I felt the book was overflowing with events and it was difficult to do them all justice.
Thank you to Amite River Press and NetGalley for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2019
In this heartwarming, poignant, and well-written debut novel, Elizabeth Collums takes the readers along an emotional journey, where the characters will learn to appreciate the value of life and family, despite how quickly things change.
Passengers was an excellent opportunity to enjoy a new author and observe how the fragilities of the human being can also reveal an extraordinary strength when actions are made in the name of pure love.
This novel is so full of twist and turns, that make me love every page of the story and its relatable characters.
As the story begins Katy, Annie, and Lily’s bond looks so fragile as their personalities. The departure of Jonathan has left such a big hole, especially in Annie’s heart, but nothing seems to matter to her mother, Katy. At least until the woman discovers important secrets about her past, and everything will take a new turn and she will finally start to take care of her girls instead of letting Annie be the adult. The Ewing women will show great courage and hope while facing all the adversities (emotional and not) of this long journey that will take them from Ireland to America. Along the way, they will be surrounded by generosity and compassion, those same values that will represent the cornerstones of their future choices.
Thanks to the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
Passengers was an excellent opportunity to enjoy a new author and observe how the fragilities of the human being can also reveal an extraordinary strength when actions are made in the name of pure love.
This novel is so full of twist and turns, that make me love every page of the story and its relatable characters.
As the story begins Katy, Annie, and Lily’s bond looks so fragile as their personalities. The departure of Jonathan has left such a big hole, especially in Annie’s heart, but nothing seems to matter to her mother, Katy. At least until the woman discovers important secrets about her past, and everything will take a new turn and she will finally start to take care of her girls instead of letting Annie be the adult. The Ewing women will show great courage and hope while facing all the adversities (emotional and not) of this long journey that will take them from Ireland to America. Along the way, they will be surrounded by generosity and compassion, those same values that will represent the cornerstones of their future choices.
Thanks to the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 18, 2021
Annie and Lily must leave their home with their mother, Katy. Their father, Jonathan, has already set sail to America in hope of securing them a better life. Katy is a disinterested mother and Annie is determined that they will be a reunited family again. The arrival of a letter puts into motion a story of love, loss and overcoming hardships.
This book started very well and I was immediately drawn into the narrative. However, as it continued I felt that there was too much detail given to non essential aspects and yet enormous plot points were covered in paragraphs rather than pages. It left me rather frustrated. I enjoyed the journey, especially of Katy and I admired the way her character developed. The Captain was another good, solid character who behaved with integrity throughout.
I liked the story itself but would have preferred more detail and back story in some places. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.
This book started very well and I was immediately drawn into the narrative. However, as it continued I felt that there was too much detail given to non essential aspects and yet enormous plot points were covered in paragraphs rather than pages. It left me rather frustrated. I enjoyed the journey, especially of Katy and I admired the way her character developed. The Captain was another good, solid character who behaved with integrity throughout.
I liked the story itself but would have preferred more detail and back story in some places. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.
December 12, 2018
This was a great read! The storyline kept me invested in the characters and what would happen to them next.
March 6, 2019
Loved it!
October 16, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good mystery/drama. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews