Kathryn's Reviews > Surrender the Dawn

Loved this book based on the war of 1812 between the British and America. A boy turned man at a young age, Luke Heaton, is desperate to provide for his infant brother after his missionary parents are killed blames himself for everything bad that comes his way, including his parents death. He turns from God and tries to muddle his way through life when he gets his one break on a gambling win...a rundown ship. He needs money. Cassandra also needs money to provide for her mother and two younger sister when her father is killed in the war and her older brothers are missing from the war as well. She invests her last $1000 to Luke when no other respectable pirateer will let a woman owe shares in a shipping arrangement.

Cassandra is also being pursued by a "respectable gentlemen" who wants to court her and help with the family financial situation, but she wants a choice in the man she marries. As she comes to trust Luke and his ability to provide for her, her heart is opened to him. Luke tries to avoid Cassandra even though his heart leads him to her because he believes he isn't worthy of her.

War brings about some unexpected risks as John, is taken prisoner of a British war ship and Luke is forced to be a traitor to his country by bringing supplies in exchange for his brother's life. When Cassandra wants to prove that Luke is worthy of her trust she hides on his ship and finds him bringing goods to the British. She confronts him and then finds herself a prisoner as well. She meets John and learns of the why behind Luke's treasonous acts.

Luke is really blaming himself now with both people he loves in danger. He then finds himself outed by one of his crewmen and is thrown in prison. this is when the British attack Baltimore. He gets a miracle and a change of heart toward God and helps defend the Fort.