Improbable Connections: A Mayflower Story

by Ron W. Germaine

This historical novel, set in the early 1600s describes events that impacted young Mayflower passenger, Elisabeth Tilley, who early in life became wise beyond her years. The story also follows two Native Americans: the enigmatic Squanto, who was kidnapped from the Plymouth area, lived in England, returned to his homeland, and helped the Pilgrims survive in the New World; and the fictional Hurit, a daring and beautiful young girl who became best friends with Elisabeth in Plymouth.
The story is based on actual events that occurred in the early 1600s through 1623. Friendships and romances are woven together with politics, international trade, and religious differences of the time to form a fabric of historical fact and fiction.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2019

Reviews

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1607, Elisabeth Tilley is born to John and Joan Tilley at Henlow in the county of Bedfordshire, England. In 1614, when Elisabeth is seven, the Tilleys join other Separatists in Leiden, Holland. Then six years later, in 1620, they all sail as “Pilgrims” on the Mayflower to New England and help to found the new colony of Plymouth. There, after both parents die in the horrible winter of 1620-1621 and Elisabeth goes to live with John and Katherine Carver, she meets a Native American girl her own age named Hurit, the daughter of Samoset, an Abenaki sachem, and his wife Wawestseka. How will the relationship between Elisabeth and Hurit develop? Does Elisabeth survive the second hard winter? And if so, what awaits her in the future?
Improbable Connections is historical fiction—good historical fiction, with emphasis on the “historical.” It is based on actual events that occurred in the early 1600s through 1623. While certain characters are fictional, like Hurit and her mother, as are many specific details about the day to day life of the settlers, the vast majority of people mentioned were real, and the exciting description of the Mayflower crossing and the hardships that the newcomers endured in the settlement at Plymouth are accurate. Friendships and romances and lots of adventure are woven together with politics, trade, and religious differences of the time, blending fact and fiction to tell an uplifting story of improbable connections.

[Linda L Dinoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thru my Mayflower group on Facebook I was offered the opportunity to listen to the audio version of a Mayflower book written by Ron Germaine titled “Improbable Connections: A Mayflower Story“. It follows the life of a young Elizabeth Tilley who came on the Mayflower with her parents at the age of 13 and follows through her marriage to John Howland, another Mayflower immigrant.

It was a very enjoyable and easy flowing listen. It held my interest and at times I couldn’t put it down. I did feel it was intended for a little younger audience ( middle school, early high school) so, therefore, your younger readers may get a dose of history mixed in with a little love story and lots of adventure! Give it a try. Would make a great Christmas gift. Look it up on Amazon!

[Janette Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

A fascinating, gripping, heartwarming story...and appropriate that I read it during my flight from the eastern United States to Amsterdam

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed this book