“At times brutal and gut-wrenching, at times miraculous and awe-inspiring . . . this novel is like ‘Lord of the Flies’ with a better ending, a story I will never forget.” – MARK SULLIVAN, author of Amazon #1 best seller BENEATH A SCARLET SKY and five New York Times #1 best sellers with James Patterson.
Based on the incredible true story of an unequaled disaster, Hold Strong is a triumphant tale of love, faith, and courage against all odds.
October 1944. After two and a half years as an American POW in the Philippines, Sam knows how to survive. But when Japanese captors force Sam and eighteen-hundred other prisoners into the hold of a crowded cargo ship, everything changes.
Meanwhile, the head of the U.S. code-breaking unit in Hawaii, Jasper Holmes, intercepts a message about a Japanese convoy and its cargo. Holmes forwards the target details to Commander Ed Blakely aboard the USS Shark II submarine, patrolling the South China Sea.
What happens next is so explosive, so shocking, the truth stayed secret for decades. Caught in a drama of epic scale, Sam battles outer trials and inner demons. Can he get home to his fiancé, Sarah? Will he find freedom and forgiveness?
Anchored in historical facts, HOLD STRONG sweeps along at breakneck speed. Fans of BENEATH A SCARLET SKY, THE NIGHTINGALE, and UNBROKEN will enjoy this soaring testament to the human spirit.