MOONLIGHT ON THE MISSISSIPPI by Stephenia H. McGee
SERIES: River Romances #2
GENRE: Historical Romance (Christian)
PUBLISHER: By the Vine Press
RELEASE DATE: June 11, 2024
PAGES: 325
A lost treasure, a mysterious disappearance, and a deadly family secret—but winning her heart might be the real challenge.
Steamboat Captain Camilla Lockhart discovers a handsome stranger on board with an offer he claims she can’t refuse. If he thinks she will get involved in another hopeless treasure quest, he’s lost his sunbaked mind. Not after what happened to her father. But with her boat falling apart and her crew about to starve, Mr. Gray’s unusual proposal might be her only hope.
Daniel Gray inherited a host of problems, including a clue that could unlock old family secrets and a treasure that’s long since faded to lore. His father left him with only one name—Lockhart. But when he hires the striking, yet unconventional, steamboat captain to help him navigate the treacherous waters of the Mississippi River, he never expects his heart to get tangled in the currents.
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“I think I finally know what women mean when they talk about swooning.”
Bootleggers. Lost treasure. Hidden Rooms. Murder. Romance. And the mighty Mississippi at the heart of it all. With each new layer to the story, Moonlight on the Mississippi and its vibrant characters stole a little more of my heart. While this is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone (though I did love getting a peek at The River Queen and found myself mentally waving to its occupants like seeing long-lost friends in the distance).
Captain Camilla Lockhart loves life onboard her steamboat, carrying on her family legacy up and down the Mississippi with the found family she’s built among her ragtag crew. I really enjoyed her personality, her colloquialisms (Well, catch her sideways and call her a lark), and her heart, and even though she’s definitely bucking society’s standards for a woman (commanding a crew of men, wearing trousers, etc.) I wouldn’t have had her be any other way. And I know that Daniel Gray would wholeheartedly agree. Even though the straitlaced lawyer doesn’t quite know what to do with her at first, he’s clearly captivated and inexplicably drawn to her, soul to soul. I adored watching these two unlikely partners work together to solve the mystery of his family’s lost treasure – a quest that has already personally affected both him and Camilla – and especially enjoyed watching them fall in love. The author wrote them so well together, such a perfect match despite their very different personalities, making it lots of fun for readers to tag along on their adventures.
Bottom Line: Snakes and saltwater, what a delightful book this was! With Moonlight on the Mississippi, Stephenia H. McGee takes readers on a treasure hunt with danger lurking and romance brewing. Fabulously layered characters bring humor and heart to the mix (just wait until you meet the adorably precocious Lucas), and I loved the interactions with each one. I even found myself liking one of the villains, thanks to McGee’s multidimensional approach to his journey. Along those lines… the faith thread, including the reminder that “Although the voyage wasn’t always smooth, God remained steadfast” is presented naturally and honestly, and I appreciated the added depth. Like with The River Queen, while the main plot threads are all wrapped up, the door is open for potentially more stories here – and I’m curious as to whether the first two books will end up being more tied together than we think when book three arrives. Either way, Moonlight on the Mississippiis a grand and entertaining adventure with great characters, meaningful insight, and a warm & witty writing voice!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4.5 stars / loved it!
KissingBook Level: 3+ / will forget to breathe on occasion
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Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.
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