Review: Excellent work
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 9, 2000
In 1857 San Francisco, Della Gilliland had made a living selling perfectly safe patented medicine. However, her situation changes when the husband of one of her patients accuses Della of selling him a poison that killed his  wife. Not only do customers want their money back, but also an apothecary  substantiates the claim that Della murdered a client. Realizing her  business is ruined and she probably will face a charge of murder, Della  flees the city through a ruse.Near a steamer with the police  searching for her, Della introduces herself as the spouse of New York  businessman Kent Bradford, a fellow passenger. Kent remains silent about  her ploy because he is conducting a major deal with an investor and Della's  claim furthers his chance for success. As the couple becomes acquainted on  the long voyage, they fall in love, but neither knows what Mother Nature  has in store for them on the ill-fated Central America journey.SHIP  OF DREAMS is more than an Americana romance. The tale is an excellent work  of historical fiction built around the actual nineteenth century sinking of  a steamer due to a storm. From page one till the finish, the story line  remains exciting. It provides insight into the era through real and make  believe characters and makes that time period feel very real. The lead  couple is an enchanting pair that will garner reader empathy. Brenda Hiatt  provides a wonderful novel that deserves cross genre appeal by fans of  romance and historical fiction.Harriet Klausner