In 1872, Elise Wright works aboard her father’s Great Lakes transport ship, the Mary Elise. She is the cook, as her mother was until her death. While there is money enough to make Elise a refined lady, her heart is with the ship. WAITING ON LOVE eventually succeeds as Nicodemus or Nick Clark hires on as first mate.

I previously read The Icecutter’s Daughter by Tracie Peterson, and I enjoyed that one so much. Swap heavy horses for ships, and you have a similar historical romance with setting detail, larger-than-life characters, and commerce of the day. The author is not only talented, but she also researches thoroughly. This story is part of a series called Ladies of the Lake. 

Nick is not the only new sailor on Mary Elise. Booker Duran is taken on by Captain Bill Wright, but the uncouth deckhand manages to get on the wrong side of everyone. I thought more than once that with safety uppermost in everyone’s minds, the miserable lout should have been put ashore at the first port. Captain Wright is being rather too charitable in giving him second and third chances.

Caroline is Elise’s sister, who makes a fine marriage to Nelson Worthington from her uncle James’s Oswego home. All does not go well. Captain Wright's family is just one of the upcoming middle class, with textile factories, merchant shipping, banking, and timber yards all booming. We learn about Oswego, NY, and Duluth, MI, in this way as the ship sails across the lakes and locks. 

With a gradual suspense story, ever-present danger of storms, and interpersonal friction, WAITING ON LOVE is never dull. I think the title could reflect the shipboard life better. Certainly, reading this inspirational romance livened up my day. Elise shows how she works, dresses, and handles the attention of the crew. Women did all kinds of jobs and generally were respected for it. I admire Tracie Peterson for representing all kinds of realities concerning women’s lives.