January's Group Buddy Read - Undercurrent of Secrets

[Beth]

January's Group Buddy Read is Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel! Here is the GR Summary:

Two women, a century apart, are bound by a haunting secret aboard a legendary steamboat.

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.

A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin.

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Chime in if you think you might join!

[Beth]

This will be my first book by this author. I've had my copy since last year, so I'm happy to start off the year reading another book off of my physical TBR.

Any readers already a fan of RSM?

[Missy]

I will be joining in. I started it awhile back and then got into something else, so will be picking it back up. What I had read was good.

[Jenn]

I have this on my shelf, so I'm hoping to read it this month.

[Sarita]

This will also be my first book by this author.

[Katrina]

I just have a question about the Doors to the Past series. I am assuming the books are all stand alone, or do you need to read them in order or do they connect in some way?

[Beth]

They are stand-alone books, yes!

[Richelle]

Yes I have just started today :)

[Beth]

Awesome! I've read the first five chapters so far. Not quite hooked, but I like the characters.

[Rachel]

I just finished this. It took me awhile to get into the story but once I got it all figured out it was really good.

[KC]

I loved this book, thank you so much for recommending it. It was my first book by this author and also first book of this series. I love historical fiction, but rarely enjoy the contemporary romance of dual timeline books. This modern timeline was one I really enjoyed! It was written well and the audiobook I listened to had a really good narrator. I enjoy the story told and the faith displayed by the characters. It was a 5 star read for me :)

[Beth]

KC, I'm so glad you loved it! It was my first book by this author as well.

I have to say, it was my first read where the setting is largely and partially on a steamboat. I really enjoyed that piece of history.

I did take a good while to warm up to the story - maybe one of her other books will do it for me a bit more.

Has anyone read the author prior to this book?

[Hannah Beth]

starting this on audiobook today! think I can finish it by tomorrow?

[Hannah Beth]

I did it! I finished this wonderful book today. It was great, very much enjoyed it.

[Carole]

This is the first of McDaniel's books that I've read and I really enjoyed it. It was so much more than the average contemporary romance that I thought it would be at first. The dual timelines were laid out well and held my interest. And maybe I'm just a nostalgic person, but I absolutely loved the riverboat! Learning details about the boat and its river journey were fun.

This descriptive quote stood out to me: "The river wore starlight like a jeweled gown, an ancient garment that never grew old."

[Sarita]

It was also the first book I have read by this author and really enjoyed the dual time connection.