Galveston 1900: Swept Away

On September 7-8, 1900, the island of Galveston, Texas, was destroyed by a hurricane, or tropical cyclone, as it was called in those days.  This story is a fictional account of Mattie and Rachel, two women who lived there, and their lives during the time of the great storm.

Forced to flee from her family at a young age, Rachel Travis finds a home and livelihood on the island of Galveston.  Independent, friendly, and yet often lonely, only one other person knows the dark secret that haunts her.  Madeline “Mattie” Crockett is trapped in a loveless marriage, convinced that her fate is sealed.  She never dares to dream of true happiness, until Rachel Travis comes walking into her life.

As emotions come to light, the storm of Mattie’s marriage converges with the very real hurricane.  Can they survive, and build the life they both dream of?

This second edition of one of Linda Crist’s best-loved novels maintains the original story, while incorporating some reader-pleasing passages that were cut from the first edition.  As an added bonus, the short story “Something to Celebrate” is included at the end of the novel, detailing further adventures of Rachel and Mattie.