Last Light Over Galveston + Giveaway

Amid the 1900 Galveston hurricane, one woman’s perseverance is tested in this captivating story from the author whose work has been called “intelligent and arresting” ( Foreword Reviews ) and “historical fiction as it is meant to be told” ( Library Journal ).

“Old Galveston shines in this beautifully written tale of a woman’s quest to both lose herself and find herself.”
Lisa Wingate, #1New York Times bestselling author ofShelterwood

Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage—and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home—Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive.

A stand-alone historical novel about the 1900 Galveston hurricaneA gripping read inspired by true eventsFeatures themes of resilience, found family, and redemptionIncludes discussion questions perfect for book clubs.

My Review:

I love learning about history through my fiction and this book features two devastating events in American history that I had never even heard of before. Wright’s ability to convey the desperation, terror and sheer will to survive in the midst of uncontrolled chaos was mesmerizing. And inspiring!

We follow Kathleen through two timelines – a kind of ‘before’ and ‘after’ scenario fraught with tragedy. Not really a dual timeline story, more like historical fiction with flashbacks. The author expertly weaves the fractured pieces of Kathleen’s life into a joyous triumph by the end, but what an emotional journey she takes her readers on!

Kathleen doesn’t have to make that journey alone though. A rich cast of secondary characters layer the story with even more tension and emotion. And each one is in Kathleen’s life for a purpose. Wright takes as much care developing their stories as she does Kathleen’s. And that makes for an incredible page-turner of a read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Last Light Over Galveston, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 21 2026.

24 thoughts on “Last Light Over Galveston + Giveaway”

  2. oh my, this sounds like one I would love. I enjoy learning new historical facts woven around an intriguing storyline. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. LAST LIGHT OVER GALVESTON sounds like a fabulous book! I, too, love it when factual events are worked into a story. If done right, it makes for fascinating reading. I think we can all relate to one’s life feeling like a dual timeline. 🙂 It’s good to flash back to remember the good and to learn from the bad. After all, it has all made us who we are. Love a story where the secondary characters are supporting but can also, at times, be just as important as the main character. All in all, it sound like a book I would love having the opportunity to read.

    Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy! While not said often enough, we greatly appreciate all you do to bring all these great books to our attention and your genericity of offering many of them for free to us.

    Have a wonderful Wednesday! Ours is an overcast blustery day making it feel cooler than the thermostat says it is.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  5. Kav, this one has been on my radar. I’d love to read about this historical event – a new one to me too. Glad to hear you loved the book!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  8. Bestselling author Erik Larson wrote a very readable nonfiction about the Galveston hurricane – Isaac’s Storm. If you visit there you can see the massive concrete seawall built (several miles long) after that storm.

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    1. The descriptions of the hurricane are spine chilling — I felt like I was sucked right into the storm! I can’t imagine living in an area prone to that kind of weather. But then there are people who can’t comprehend living with mega blizzards and ice storms which I am totally used to! Good luck, CC!

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  10. I’ve loved visiting Galveston even as a child because my cousins lived nearby.  Not only can you enjoy the beach, but there is a lot of rich historical history that has been maintained.  I always try to tour a historical home when I visit there and grab some incredibly fresh seafood, too.  I was fortunate to never have to ride out a bad hurricane when I lived near the coast south of New Orleans. This one has been on my radar but just got buried with all of the new and shiny titles.

    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

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  11. I always enjoy historical fiction and I don’t recall reading about reading about the Galveston Hurricane. I have never visited Galveston before.

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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