Much to their mutual surprise, they discover an attraction that’s increasingly difficult to deny, especially when they have to share a cramped stateroom. Della’s desperate, however, and she convinces Kent to continue the act. Reluctantly, he goes along with the deception, fully intending to end it as soon as he can. So when a stunning redheaded woman sidles up to him and acts as if they’re married, the last thing he wants to do is look like a fool in front of a prospective financial backer. Kenton Bradford can’t afford to have anyone suspect him of being anything other than what he is, a respected man of business and wealth.

Her Irish luck holds out – the man doesn’t give her away. With the police hot on her trail, she slips aboard the boat and brazenly presents herself as the new wife of a handsome stranger, deep in conversation with another man. She sells patent medicines, and a rival has accused her of killing one of his patients. Thank goodness Brenda Hiatt created the characters of Kent and Della rather than another Jack and Rose, because Ship of Dreams is neither contrived nor artificial – it’s a fine read.ĭella Gilliland is fleeing a false accusation of murder when she stows away on a steamer out of San Francisco harbor. So when I began this book, a romance set aboard another real life doomed sea voyage, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hope I won’t need my fire extinguisher, but here goes – I found the romance in Titanic to be contrived and artificial.

Ship of Dreams by Brenda Hiatt