Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
There's something about a vintage riverboat that evokes romance and a time when life was slower paced, and Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel, the latest novel in the Doors to the Past series, perfectly captures these emotions.
The novel features an actual riverboat, a National Historic Landmark, with a long and unique history. The contemporary story centers around Devyn, Chase, and the ship's current name, the Belle of Louisville, while the historic plot features Hattie, Jack, and the boat with its original identity of The Idlewild.
One-half of a historic photograph brings Devyn and Chase together in the present-day story at a time when Devyn is struggling to rebuild her life after a high-profile breakup. The events behind the photograph are shared in Hattie and Jack's 1920s story. Hattie, raised as an orphan on the Idlewild, meets Jack when he's hired as the new First Mate.
The witty banter, swoony romance, and cliffhanger scenes involving each pair propelled me through this 250-page novel. I appreciated the ship's history and the way the storylines were woven together. Both couples seemed to fall into "insta love" but the book's length required these condensed timelines. I also anticipated some of the twists, but was pleasantly surprised by others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The novel features an actual riverboat, a National Historic Landmark, with a long and unique history. The contemporary story centers around Devyn, Chase, and the ship's current name, the Belle of Louisville, while the historic plot features Hattie, Jack, and the boat with its original identity of The Idlewild.
One-half of a historic photograph brings Devyn and Chase together in the present-day story at a time when Devyn is struggling to rebuild her life after a high-profile breakup. The events behind the photograph are shared in Hattie and Jack's 1920s story. Hattie, raised as an orphan on the Idlewild, meets Jack when he's hired as the new First Mate.
The witty banter, swoony romance, and cliffhanger scenes involving each pair propelled me through this 250-page novel. I appreciated the ship's history and the way the storylines were woven together. Both couples seemed to fall into "insta love" but the book's length required these condensed timelines. I also anticipated some of the twists, but was pleasantly surprised by others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
