Hurricane

Deep in the Heart of Texas #1

by Janice A. Thompson

It's 1900 and Brent Murphy, a prodigal son, is disillusioned with New York and his life as a newspaperman. Drawn home to Galveston Island, Brent knows it is likely he will face rejection from his father.

On Saturday September 8, 1900, without warning, the citizens of Galveston Island are in for the fight of their lives when the hurricane of the century hits. In a single night of horror, more than 6,000 islanders lose their lives and countless others are left in devastation.

Through the experience, Brent finally faces the truth of his own childhood and the stormy relationship he has with his parents. He finds the courage to write the story of his past and discovers a loving God.

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Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Adventure

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2004

About the author

See also:
Janice Hanna
Janice Thompson
Janice Hanna Thompson

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful fiction book covering the 1900 hurricane that hit Galveston Texas and nearly obliterated the island killing over 6000 men, women, and children. Thompson uses a wonderful format in that it is written in the format of an hour by hour journal from the perspective of several people who played important roles during the hurricane: Brent, a newspaper reporter who has just returned to the Island; Emma, a young nurse at John Sealy Hospital who has just graduated from nursing school; Sister Henrietta, a young nun who was assigned to the St. Mary's Orphan's Asylum (which was totally destroyed); Gillian, Brent's Mother and also a Galveston Socialite, and Pearl, her maid; and finally Everett, the editor of the small local paper. The variety of perspectives gave this book a true to life, poignant look at the tragedies and heroics that came out of this horrible devastation. I would recommend it to readers from older elementary through adult who would like to find out more about the natural disasters that have occurred in history. I found it especially interesting having lived north of Galveston for 30 years and visiting the museum that commemorates this tragedy.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:

“It's 1900 and Brent Murphy, a prodigal son, is disillusioned with New York and his life as a newspaperman. Drawn home to Galveston Island, Brent knows it is likely he will face rejection from his father.
On Saturday September 8, 1900, without warning, the citizens of Galveston Island are in for the fight of their lives when the hurricane of the century hits. In a single night of horror, more than 6,000 islanders lose their lives and countless others are left in devastation.
Through the experience, Brent finally faces the truth of his own childhood and the stormy relationship he has with his parents. He finds the courage to write the story of his past and discovers a loving God.”


Series: As of now, it’s not connected to any other book, but is part of the “Deep in the Heart of Texas” series.


Spiritual Content- Isaiah 43:1-2 at the beginning; Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, & remembered; Many Prayers; Many talks about God & praying; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Many mentions of God; Many mentions of prayers, praying, & the Lord’s prayer; Mentions of thanking & praising God; Mentions of a calling; Mentions of churches/chapels, church going, services, sermons, & ministers; Mentions of hymns; Mentions of Christians & faiths; Mentions of different denominations & Catholic beliefs; Mentions of Heaven & angels; Mentions of blessings & being one; A few mentions of those & places in the Bible; A few mentions of Sunday School classes; A couple mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of crossing;
*Note: A few mentions of a wicked & sinful place; A few mentions of someone being with the devil & fire; A mention of a place feeling like Hades because of the weather; A mention of a devil of a time.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘bitty’, a ‘dumb’, an ‘old bag’ (referring to a woman), and a ‘suckers’; Some sarcasm; Pain, injuries/wounds, blood/bleeding, dealing with high waters & fainting (up to semi-detailed); Nearly drowning, being swept away, & seeing others dead or nearly (semi-detailed); All about mentions of hurricanes, deaths, drownings, & disasters (semi-detailed); Many mentions of pain, blood/bleeding, broken glass, & injuries/wounds (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of corpses/bodies everywhere, the smell of death, & burning them (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of seeing people dead or dying (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of fires & deaths; Mentions of illnesses, fevers, & deaths; Mentions of wars & battles; Mentions of Brent’s father’s verbal abuse towards him; Mentions of vandals, looting, & awful stealing; Mentions of nightmares (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of cigars & tobacco; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of nailing someone’s hand to a wall; A couple mentions of bets; A couple mentions of lies; A couple mentions of eating animals.


Sexual Content- two nose kisses (married couples), and three barely-above-not-detailed kisses; Touches, Embraces, & Hand Holding (barely-above-not-detailed); Some noticing; A couple mentions of a man eyeing a young lady; A couple mentions of crushes; Love, falling/being in love, & the emotions (2x);
*Note: Mentions of not being able to produce an heir; A few mentions of labor & helping a new mother deliver; A few mentions of female curves; A few mentions of naked bodies; A mention of a marriage being terribly passionate in their intimacy.

-Brent Murphy, age 26-27
-Gillian Murphy, age 48-49
-(Sister) Henrietta “Henri” Mullins, age 22-23(?)
-Everett Maxwell
-Emma Sanders
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1900 {Epilogue set in 1901}
286 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Add ½ star for those who grew up near coasts or interested in hurricane history}
Growing up in South Texas, it’s kind of a given that you learn or at least know about the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. You’re taught in schools about hurricanes and hurricane patterns from a young age.
Even with that history in my head, this was still such a tough book to read. Especially after seeing my state harmed by Hurricane Harvey a few months ago. I could go on with how much I love seeing Texans rise together again after such a disaster, but let’s talk about this book, shall we?
I loved seeing the character development of all those we met. I found all the reporter parts very interesting, but the romance was such a sweet aspect to this story. “Hurricane” really was a hard book to read, but I still enjoyed it for all the faith content.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when a book brings me to a time in history I know little about. The time was 1900 and the hurricane location was Galveston. And when the description of the hurricane says deadly, it was exactly that. They aren’t sure how many were lost but the figures go upwards of 6000, with many more injured. Few houses survived and most other buildings were demolished or ruined beyond repair.

The three main characters did not know each other, but through this tragedy their lives intersect and a story is born.

Brent Murphy is a journalist, originally from Galveston but he's been working in New York for the past six years, having been estranged from his parents ever since. He stepped off the train in Galveston wondering if he could get the courage to go home. But the storm was upon the city before he could.

Sister Henrietta's vocation was far from her home in Virginia. How she missed it. But God brought her to Galveston to be a part of a Catholic orphanage. When the hurricane hit their walls, even climbing to the upstairs dorms wouldn’t keep them safe.

Emma Sanders worked as a nurse at John Sealy Hospital. For her, this hurricane meant very little sleep as the injuries and deaths climbed.

All three of these characters meet in heartbreaking moments, and are forever influenced by each other.

For the most part it was a good book, but I felt as though it got a bit cheesy toward the end. Well, perhaps tragedies make people say overly sweet things to each other in the aftermath. 🙄

I listened to the audio version of this book. I wouldn’t recommend it. The male narrator had issues with female names as well accurate voice inflections for the context being read. Reading the book would be a wiser choice in my opinion.

[MaritaBeth Caruthers · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the pacing and emotional ups and downs of a good romance novel, Janice A. Thompson weaves her fictional characters through the streets of a very real Galveston, Texas in the throes of the worst storm in history.

In the unsuspecting days leading up to “The Great Storm”—the Hurricane of 1900—we meet a number of archetypical folks whose lives are all brought together as the pages turn. Thompson even manages to include a few historical figures, adding to the realism and emotional involvement I felt as I read. People such as Isaac Cline and Clara Barton meet and interact with her created cast of characters.

The story of this storm is a harsh one. Six thousand Galvestonians lost their lives on September 8, 1900. That many more lost their homes and all of the 30,000 residents remaining had lost a loved one in the ordeal.

As we read Thompson’s version of the sad tale, we meet the “prodigal” son, ironically come home to the island just hours before disaster strikes. We meet the uppity woman he calls mother and the detached father who is helplessly absent from the island when the storm hits. We watch as all their lives are changed—forever transformed by the realization that they are the fortunate ones, and how grateful they are for what God has given them.

We suffer with the real-life nuns of St. Mary’s Orphanage—given fictional names here, and imbued with personalities we can identify with and appreciate. We read of the true story of the nuns tying ropes around their waists and from child to child in an attempt to keep everyone safe, and although we know those attempts were all in vain, through the magic of literary imagination, one of Thompson’s nuns survives to carry hope and help rebuild her home and her city.

I was specifically touched by the story of the young woman who struggles with her decision to become a nurse, becoming disillusioned and almost giving up, just in time to be faced with the onslaught of the storm and the hundreds of patients who need her, including her own younger sister. And, who in the process, loses her parents to the storm, and meets her sister’s rescuer—our prodigal son—falling in love and becoming a part of Galveston’s recovery and rebirth.

As a devotee of Galveston history, and the 1900 storm in particular, I will read anything I can get my hands on dealing with this subject. I did not know when I began this read, that I was reading an inspirational story, and although there is no doubt that the author means to represent her belief that faith in God and in his plan was paramount to her characters’ decisions, I did not feel overwhelmed by it. It was instead, a lovely, uplifting, historically-inspired story of the human spirit and the will to survive and overcome.

*****

Opening sentence: I am going home.

For those who know me, it will come as no surprise that I pounced on a book on this subject. I am predictable on that count. And, in that vein: I love the opening sentence.

[Stacy Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book done a great job of bringing a real tragedy to life. But also the hope and healing that comes in the midst of tragedy with God. A lot of this book is very sad, and very true to life. Made you almost feel like you were living it. Brought it all around with a very good ending. Very well written book about a true hurricane in 1900 in Galvaston, Tx.

[Nikki Omillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the hardest books to read because of the awful subject matter. The 1900 Galveston Hurricane was truly a nightmare. This book really put a face on the hurricane's victims.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book out of my husband's weather history collection of books. It was a fiction book based on non fiction events of the 1900 Hurricane in Texas. A story I have wondered about, this took me day by day, at times, hour or minute by minute. I liked that it gave different views from the island. I want to learn more about the storm and this story gave me a few thoughts on details to look into.
Nice easy read, the end you knew what was coming and it seemed to take a while to get there, but it worked.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this book is based on an actual historical event, it was one of those books where you knew what was coming, and were powerless to stop it.
That being said, I think the author did a good job of bring several varied perspectives of what it might have been like during the hurricane to life. I think my favourite character was Sister Henri. I can understand feeling called to a specific portion of God's work, and then doubting if you're able. The short answer is, we're NOT able! But, God IS and will give us strength to do His work!
3.5 stars

[Kevin Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical fiction and the 1900 Galveston hurricane is a period/event that has captured my interest since I read Erik Larson’s: Isaac’s Storm. This book was a solid 4 until the near endless tears of joy, at the end. It was all too much. I did like the Christian theme. I thought Sister Henri’s character rocked. The character development was good and the author brought me into their misery, fear and at times crushing self doubts.

[Barry A Farnsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching story

We always have natural disasters in one part of the country or another. Instead of whining that the government doesn’t make certain that we are never inconvenienced, what if we had the attitude that we would each do something every day to help and get to work doing whatever we can. Amazing!

[Susan Skarness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this perspective on the 1900 Galveston hurricane.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise! It was so good. The detail she gives lets you feel like your there. I loved this story and will look for other books written by her.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will the island survive?

When I got the chance to listen to a Janice Thompson audiobook I jumped at it, and with my fascination with historic hurricanes all it took was the title to grab my attention.

Now, I've read a number of Janice Thompson's contemporary romantic comedies, and she is one of my favorite authors, but Hurricane just added to my appreciation of her talent. Hurricane isn't a typical Janice Thompson book and is more serious in nature. Talk about nature, wow, this book chronicles the events of the 1900 Galveston hurricane that wrought unimaginable damage and suffering. I had heard of the hurricane before but this book totally opened my eyes to the extent of it. Hurricane takes you through the super-peaceful days leading up to, through the hurricane, and then the aftermath. Through Janice Thompson's excellent prose and the narrator's voice I could almost feel the wind and taste the rising salt waters.

One of my favorite things about the Audible audiobook is that, even though the book follows several characters both male and female, the narrator is a man. While listening I felt that Brent was actually the central character and that made me appreciate the narrator even more.

Hurricane is an exciting, heart-wrenching, tale of love, sacrifice, and finding out what is most important. Whether read or listened to Janice Thompson's story of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane will linger in the mind long after...

(I received an Audible copy of this from the author in exchange for my review. All opinions are entirely my own.)

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. Not because it was especially gripping, but because I gave up reading it. The story is part Christian, part historical fiction about the people who were in Galveston, Texas on the fateful day that a category four hurricane swept through town. This book is heavy on the fiction and lightweight on factual details.

In at least one report, I read that the author claimed to have done substantial research in order to write this novel. Unfortunately, as a fledgling writer myself, I have to say that she did not do nearly enough research. I gave up reading this book because of the glaring factual errors which stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb (listing them here would be spoilers). If one has never experienced a hurricane firsthand, this book might prove entertaining, but as a person who has ridden out a few hurricanes, this book seems a tad heavy-handed on the fiction side of history.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

the author wrote the story in a diary format the day/days leading up/after the storm through the eyes of 5 characters. Everett the Editor of the Courier Newspaper. Sister Henritta Muffins a nun working in St Mary's Orphanage. Gillian Murphy a woman making her way up in high circles of society, her son Brent who came back to the island before the storm from New York where being a journalist is very competitive and disappointing in most part. Emma a nurse at St John's hospital. I thought the writer covered this story very well. You were taken there admits the storm in the high waters and the reality of rotting bodies and carnage from the water/ wind. Seeing human nature at its worse dealing with people from all walks of life.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

She did it again

Janice Thompson knows how to pull every emotion out of you with the stroke of a pen. While most of her books are humorous while poignant this historical shouldn't even be touched without 2 boxes of tissues with lotion, a bible, your journal, several online reference pages and a hefty dose of chocolate at hand.

On the heels of a tumultuous electoral race, the courage of a nation of rebels and mavericks setting aside race, colour, politics and pride amidst its greatest natural disaster to date is both captivating and empowering as it tears deep into your soul to ask who you believe yourself to be and if your current actions will have the sort of eternal consequences that bring healing or division.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Titanic hitting the iceberg may be one of history's best-known maritime disasters, but the movie about it is more concerned with love and loss than a ship crashing. The same is true of Janice A. Thompson's novel Hurricane: The titular storm is in the story, but the book itself is largely about the struggles and triumphs of those affected by it. Mrs. Thompson is among my favorite authors, and this novel doesn't disappoint; the story, characters, writing, etc., were all great. Don't pick this up expecting The Day After Tomorrow or 2012; although it involves a large, devastating storm, it's still a drama, not a disaster flick.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read many of Miss Thompson's books and liked most of them. I read this book in the Kindle version, and I don't know what happened to it. The mistakes were so many that I kept asking myself why I kept on reading. Typos, misplaced sentence parts, and flat out wrong words just jump out at me. The story did hold me for a while. But then I had more than a third to go and just got tired of the distruction and human suffering. I don't know the history of this great hurricane, but many of the scenes were unbelievable even in the name of fiction. Sorry, Janice, I had to quit the book before I finished it. I just couldn't stomach anymore.

[Gail Barger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the big hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900. This work of fiction is written in diary form; entries are by hours and days beginning a couple of days before the storm setting up the characters and their lives. It took me a bit to get used to this diary format but interesting to read about that big storm that I've never known much about. I read this book on my kindle, borrowed from amazon using prime lending and there seemed to be quite a few mistakes. I've found that to be true of other kindle books and it bothers me a little to get books with so many mistakes in them!

[Sandy Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I had no idea. This book may be fictionalized, but it is an amazingly realistic account of the deadly Hurricane that struck Galveston in 1900. This hurricane is the deadliest natural disaster in US History and second most costly hurricane. The fictional romance that blooms in the midst of chaos adds beauty to the otherwise tragic story. The book is well researched, and well written. If you are a history buff or storm chaser you must read this book!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough, this is a very light read. There wasn't a great deal of factual information written into this work of fiction, and the fictional characters lacked depth. The ending was tied up in too neat of a package. Since I had never even heard of the Galveston flood of 1900, I was hoping for a little more meat.

[Teri Heyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting novel set in the midst of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. The author sticks close to historical facts while weaving a sad yet sweet story. This is definitely a book worth reading. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.

[Dawn]

This book combined true facts about the Galviston hurricane with fictional characters to describe what happened leading up to the days before the hurricane. Some of the characters were based on people that were actually there. I enjoyed the book.

[Angelia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! It kept me on the edge of my seat, knowing full well what was to take place. The way the author wrote in timeline fashion just made it more spellbinding. The ending was a little sugary but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a historically accurate account then this book is not for you (Go get a nonfiction one). If you are looking for a fictional book about a historical event, then this is the book for you!

[Gophergirl58 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by Janice Thompson! She, along with Creston Mapes, have quickly endeared themselves as two of my favorite authors'! Anyway, I found this story, compelling, heart breaking, and moving at such a fast pace that it kept me on the edge of my seat. Well, well written, Ms. Thompson!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Kind of hard to read at first. Confusing jumping from one person to the next in order to get their story in, but all in all it turns into a great story. A lot of people find their way back to God and family happiness after a great tragedy

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing fictional story that centers around the true events of a devastating hurricane in 1900 on Galveston Island, TX. The story is very captivating and the characters are wonderful examples of God's grace and love developing and working through them. Really, an intriguing tale.

[Evelyne Bloomer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and historic.

[Margaret Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent novel on the hurricane that hit Texas in 1900.
Very emotional