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Roll Back the Clouds
Sailing on the Lusitania is a dream-come-true for Rosaleen and Geoff Bonnard, but their journey turns into a nightmare. Will they ever find their joy again?
Geoff and Rosaleen Bonnard embark on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to England aboard the fabled Lusitania in 1915. Europe is embroiled in war, but that shouldn’t affect a passenger liner. As they approach Ireland, a German submarine hurtles a torpedo into the grand ship.
Rosaleen makes it into a lifeboat, but where is her husband? She searches the morgues in Queenstown, heartsick at recognizing so many people. Geoff is finally located in a Cork hospital, alive but suffering a back injury.
While waiting for him to recover, Rosaleen sinks into depression. Her once happy life seems out of reach.
Geoff and Rosaleen Bonnard embark on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to England aboard the fabled Lusitania in 1915. Europe is embroiled in war, but that shouldn’t affect a passenger liner. As they approach Ireland, a German submarine hurtles a torpedo into the grand ship.
Rosaleen makes it into a lifeboat, but where is her husband? She searches the morgues in Queenstown, heartsick at recognizing so many people. Geoff is finally located in a Cork hospital, alive but suffering a back injury.
While waiting for him to recover, Rosaleen sinks into depression. Her once happy life seems out of reach.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
315 pages, Paperback
Published March 17, 2020
About the author
Terri Wangard
14 books164 followersTerri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 17, 2020
Roll Back The Clouds by Terri Wangard is a marvellous Christian historical epic surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 off the coast of Ireland. Terri Wangard has taken the facts and woven a powerful tale around them.
The hand of God is visible throughout the novel, even though at times, His presence is questioned. “Where was God?... God was right there with the passengers and crew.” God never leaves us. If we do not feel Him, the fault is ours. “You’re never alone. God hears you before you call.” God knows the desires of our hearts and our prayers.
The novel shows the importance of church. We need to find a church that functions as Jesus intended. A church where relationships are built vertically (with God) and horizontally (with each other). The church was never meant to be a social club but a place where we get to discover the heart of God, and to care for each other.
Following the sinking, we see the effects on the characters in the form of nightmares and PTSD, as people are haunted by events experienced.
War is futile. Each side blames the others. All nations lose loved ones, and not just soldiers but the innocents. “If the men in London and Berlin could see this, maybe they would think again about their foolish war. The dead aren’t soldiers, but lots of women and children.”
Tragedy has a way of focusing the mind on what is really important. When life is going well, we often ignore God. “I wouldn’t be surprised if He’s (God) a little too busy for me.” God is never too busy for us. He longs to hear from each and every one of us.
Terri Wangard has produced another excellent epic novel showing the horrors of war on civilians, and the faithfulness of God through it all. I love all Terri Wangard’s novels, they educate whilst entertaining.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The hand of God is visible throughout the novel, even though at times, His presence is questioned. “Where was God?... God was right there with the passengers and crew.” God never leaves us. If we do not feel Him, the fault is ours. “You’re never alone. God hears you before you call.” God knows the desires of our hearts and our prayers.
The novel shows the importance of church. We need to find a church that functions as Jesus intended. A church where relationships are built vertically (with God) and horizontally (with each other). The church was never meant to be a social club but a place where we get to discover the heart of God, and to care for each other.
Following the sinking, we see the effects on the characters in the form of nightmares and PTSD, as people are haunted by events experienced.
War is futile. Each side blames the others. All nations lose loved ones, and not just soldiers but the innocents. “If the men in London and Berlin could see this, maybe they would think again about their foolish war. The dead aren’t soldiers, but lots of women and children.”
Tragedy has a way of focusing the mind on what is really important. When life is going well, we often ignore God. “I wouldn’t be surprised if He’s (God) a little too busy for me.” God is never too busy for us. He longs to hear from each and every one of us.
Terri Wangard has produced another excellent epic novel showing the horrors of war on civilians, and the faithfulness of God through it all. I love all Terri Wangard’s novels, they educate whilst entertaining.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
March 17, 2020
Terri Wangard brings history to our hearts in this story of a young couple living their dream. Rosaleen and Geoff Bonnard set sail on the Lusitania hoping to connect with family in Ireland, but when a well-placed torpedo hits the Lusitania, their voyage turns into a nightmare. Wangard reveals the intrigue and politics surrounding the notorious sinking of a wartime passenger ship. I was cheering for the Bonnards to overcome their nightmare and grab hold of life again. Wangard didn't let me down. I didn't know much about the Lusitania before reading this book. Now I feel I have a good understanding of the conflict and politics surrounding this sinking.
April 24, 2020
Roll Back the Clouds takes historical fiction lovers to an era teeming with questions and few answers. Terri Wangard's ability to bring her characters to life through thoughtful soul-searching dialogue and life-threatening action invites the reader into the experience, for better or worse.
I will admit I didn't know much about the Lusitania, just a paragraph from a history book. What a trying time to be traveling and not knowing who the enemy is and when it is going to rear its head. Death is not supposed to be a part of the journey to England, especially the deaths of children. Depression is a natural response. The characters have choices to make, to bring them to a place of acceptance, if at all possible.
Thank you Terri for another wartime adventure.
I will admit I didn't know much about the Lusitania, just a paragraph from a history book. What a trying time to be traveling and not knowing who the enemy is and when it is going to rear its head. Death is not supposed to be a part of the journey to England, especially the deaths of children. Depression is a natural response. The characters have choices to make, to bring them to a place of acceptance, if at all possible.
Thank you Terri for another wartime adventure.
March 14, 2020
"Roll Back the Clouds" delivers an incredible, heart wrenching account of the sinking of Lusitania and the aftermath for the main characters. The story begins with the early days aboard the ill-fated ship, where the author skillfully draws us into the lives of these characters. By the time the ship is torpedoed, I felt like they were close friends and was heartbroken as they dealt with the tragedy. The actual scenes of the sinking are incredibly vivid and well written. In the aftermath of the main character’s survival, the author writes authentic and poignant scenes about her journey back to her faith in God.
May 10, 2026
A novel based on the sinking of the "unsinkable" British passenger ship Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915. A heart-breaking yet hopeful story. When bad things happen, does God really care? Another book by Terri Wangard for readers of historical fiction, this one taking place during WW1.
March 15, 2020
When I seen that Just Reads had this book offered for a Takeover tour I knew I just had to read it! I love anything that has or uses an ocean liner as a backdrop for a story.
Wangard does a fabulous job with the story of the Lusitania! The ship that brought America into war.
From beginning to end you will at once be pulled on board the Lusitania and find yourself making friends with Roseleen and Geoff.
It was interesting to see how they coped in the aftermath of the sinking.
I could never imagine that if I was a survivor how I could live when so many others didn't.
In my opinion, that would be terrible to live with.
I found myself rooting for my friends especially Roseleen. She's such a sweetheart.
I love how she describes the many scenes that will make you cry, root, and yes even find joy with the characters.
This is a heartwarming, emotional and filled with so many messages of Faith throughout the book.
It is Well With my Soul is a hymn and one of my favorites.
I think that in many cases like this one, it is a test to see how you will react with your Faith when certain things happen in life.
Will you stray from God or will you draw closer to Him?
I like to think that I would draw closer to Him. Just this weekend I had to pray for strength and peace bc of something that happened to me.
God is always there. He will never leave us nor forsake us. For that, I'm so very glad!!
I really enjoyed this book!! It's a hard to put down book and it left me thinking about some what if's. Do you ever find yourself doing that with certain things in history?
I do.
My thanks for a complimentary copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Wangard does a fabulous job with the story of the Lusitania! The ship that brought America into war.
From beginning to end you will at once be pulled on board the Lusitania and find yourself making friends with Roseleen and Geoff.
It was interesting to see how they coped in the aftermath of the sinking.
I could never imagine that if I was a survivor how I could live when so many others didn't.
In my opinion, that would be terrible to live with.
I found myself rooting for my friends especially Roseleen. She's such a sweetheart.
I love how she describes the many scenes that will make you cry, root, and yes even find joy with the characters.
This is a heartwarming, emotional and filled with so many messages of Faith throughout the book.
It is Well With my Soul is a hymn and one of my favorites.
I think that in many cases like this one, it is a test to see how you will react with your Faith when certain things happen in life.
Will you stray from God or will you draw closer to Him?
I like to think that I would draw closer to Him. Just this weekend I had to pray for strength and peace bc of something that happened to me.
God is always there. He will never leave us nor forsake us. For that, I'm so very glad!!
I really enjoyed this book!! It's a hard to put down book and it left me thinking about some what if's. Do you ever find yourself doing that with certain things in history?
I do.
My thanks for a complimentary copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
March 18, 2020
This is a very well written book that will grab you on the first page. The author brings the book to life with her words, you can see the scenery and feel all of the emotions. This was an absolute wonderful read! I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 30, 2020
Wangard draws the reader into the story of the last voyage of the Lusitania with her realistic descriptions. Be swept up in the grandeur of the great ship until the German torpedo breaks through the hull. Feel the ship tilt away as it starts to sink, spilling the passengers into the Atlantic Ocean. A fantastic read for lovers of historical fiction!
June 25, 2020
Terri Wangard interweaves a tale of heart-wrenching sadness, devastating disclosures and earth-shattering secrets masterfully blended in unexpected ways. As the Lusitania passengers embark on journeys of friendship, each person’s life becomes interwoven with the other, in unforeseen and helpful manners.
Historical fiction has always been my choice in fiction books because I love history, but sometimes it is just the cut and dried bare facts and dates, leaving me wanting to know more about the people and the era.
As I read the story, I felt dread because I knew the fateful ending (same reason I am the only person in the world that has not watched the movie Titanic). However, even though I knew about the history surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania, I knew very few details.
Wangard writes about the stunning beauty of the ocean liner, in diagrammatic detail, leaving the reader in breathless awe, and in raw, poignant sadness knowing the future of the fated liner.
Geoff and Rosaleen, along with a multitude of others board the Lusitania, looked forward to enjoying its beauty along with scheduled fun activities and relaxation. But such was not to be.
As a survivor, Rosaleen relives the horrific circumstances repeatedly, and her husband’s injuries add to her distress. Wangard’s details leave the reader feeling Rosaleen’s anguish, suffering and torment, too. I can not even begin to imagine.
Historical fiction fans will want to read Terri Wangard’s newest book, Roll Back the Clouds.
Some scenes are very intense and may be difficult for a few readers; for this reason, I would suggest the book be read by older teens-14+ and adults.
I received this book from the author through Interviews & Reviews.
Historical fiction has always been my choice in fiction books because I love history, but sometimes it is just the cut and dried bare facts and dates, leaving me wanting to know more about the people and the era.
As I read the story, I felt dread because I knew the fateful ending (same reason I am the only person in the world that has not watched the movie Titanic). However, even though I knew about the history surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania, I knew very few details.
Wangard writes about the stunning beauty of the ocean liner, in diagrammatic detail, leaving the reader in breathless awe, and in raw, poignant sadness knowing the future of the fated liner.
Geoff and Rosaleen, along with a multitude of others board the Lusitania, looked forward to enjoying its beauty along with scheduled fun activities and relaxation. But such was not to be.
As a survivor, Rosaleen relives the horrific circumstances repeatedly, and her husband’s injuries add to her distress. Wangard’s details leave the reader feeling Rosaleen’s anguish, suffering and torment, too. I can not even begin to imagine.
Historical fiction fans will want to read Terri Wangard’s newest book, Roll Back the Clouds.
Some scenes are very intense and may be difficult for a few readers; for this reason, I would suggest the book be read by older teens-14+ and adults.
I received this book from the author through Interviews & Reviews.
October 23, 2024
Oh, if all Christian fiction authors would openly portray Christian love into their books, I would be a happy camper. Author Wangard uses Faith as a cornerstone for this story, with the setting being the Lusitania and its being torpedoed during WWII. I hope that Wangard will bring back the characters in this book to another as they were so alive and easy to picture. Unfortunately, I have nearly read all her books, so I’m hoping that more will soon be published.
April 24, 2025
Front Row Seat
When I read Terri's books I feel like I have a front row seat to history. She makes the time frame and events come to life. Then she adds in lessons for the Christian walk for her characters but it never feels forced. I never knew anything more about the sinking of the Lusitania except the sinking of it brought the US into the war. Now I have a much better understanding of those events.
When I read Terri's books I feel like I have a front row seat to history. She makes the time frame and events come to life. Then she adds in lessons for the Christian walk for her characters but it never feels forced. I never knew anything more about the sinking of the Lusitania except the sinking of it brought the US into the war. Now I have a much better understanding of those events.
Read
May 12, 2020RTC maybe ... Not sure yet.
December 31, 2022
I appreciated the historic detail and the growth of the characters throughout the book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews