Rebecca Connolly: A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice

The Book

Based on the remarkable true story of the Carpathia—the one ship and her legendary captain who answered the distress call of the sinking Titanic.

Shortly after midnight on April 15, 1912, the captain of the Carpathia, Arthur Rostron, wakes to a distress signal from the Titanic, which has struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage. Though information is scarce, Rostron leaps into action, determined to answer the call for help. But the Carpathia is more than four hours away, and there are more questions than answers: Will his ship hold together if pushed to never-before-tested speeds? What if he also strikes an iceberg? And with the freezing temperatures, will there be any survivors by the time the Carpathia arrives?

Kate Connolly is a third-class passenger on Titanic, and she is among the last to receive instruction and help after it hits an iceberg. Despite the chaos of abandoning ship, Kate is able to board a lifeboat, though after seeing the Titanic sink into the abyss and hearing the cries from hundreds of people still in the water, she wonders if any rescue is even possible.

Told in alternating chapters from both Captain Rostron and Kate Connolly, this novel is a compelling, heart-pounding account of two eyewitnesses to an epic disaster. Rostron’s heroic and compassionate leadership, his methodical preparations for rescue, and his grit and determination to act honorably and selflessly to save lives and care for the survivors, sets the course for this awe-inspiring story.

The Author

REBECCA CONNOLLY is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She’s always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out.

Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master’s degree from West Virginia University.

Learn more about Rebecca and her books at rebeccaconnolly.com.

The Event

Rebecca Connolly will discuss ‘a Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice’ , followed by a short reading and Q&A session. This talk is suitable for all ages. Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase at the talk.

In-person or virtual is available. If you choose the virtual option, a link will be emailed prior to April 16 to watch live during the event.

The event is free, but any donation you choose to make will go towards our literacy programs.

Here’s what your Suggested Donation can do for the Indy Reads community:

$5 – This donation covers the cost of one Reading test for one of our students. These tests are essential for connecting our adult students with the resources they need to succeed.

$10 – This donation offsets the cost of a practice test for one of our High School Equivalency students seeking a second chance at earning their diploma. US residents with a high school diploma make an average of $8,000 more per year than those without.

$25 – This donation offsets the cost of distance education software for one student for two months. As many of our Community Classrooms are virtual to keep courses as accessible as possible, these licenses are essential for helping students get the practice they need to learn and grow.

For more information, please email bookstore@indyreads.org.

Indy Reads is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our mission is to empower adults and their families through literacy, English language skills, and job readiness programming. For more information about Indy Reads and the students we serve, visit our website at indyreads.org.