The River Queen launches the River Romances series in a big way as it takes us on an exciting chase down the Mississippi! This touching, entertaining story is a perfect blend of adventure, mystery, romance, and faith. I was immersed in this unique story from beginning to end. The authentic 1920s Mississippi riverboat setting is captivating. The wonderfully diverse cast of characters includes a lovable, quirky heroine who stole my heart from the get-go! The fast moving plot with its twists and turns kept me reading expectantly. I appreciate the faith thread that is so naturally woven into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
6 s Crystal CaudillAuthor 8 books472

River pirates, gangsters, smugglers, and an unforgettable, vivacious heroine all set in the roaring twenties--this story has it all. McGee pens a unique and swashbuckling tale that submerses readers into the showboat world of a strong family of faith and the fish-out-of-water hero who brings trouble aboard. Readers looking for mystery, intrigue, adventure, and romance will not want to miss this entertaining read. 5 s Paula Shreckhise1,244 107

What a delightful trip down the Mississippi on a showboat-The River Queen!
I was transported back to the 1920s, a time when entertainment came to the towns along the river. From the stunning cover to the beautiful ending, it was a story that captured my imagination. The plot was informative and interesting, telling about a unique life on a riverboat.
The Flynn family was quirky, full of faith and endearing as they welcome Emmett Carter aboard after pirates steal his vessel. When Emmett joins the crew, he is fascinated by Anola Flynn and her gypsy costumes and independent demeanor. Anola is fiercely loyal to her family and she, in turn, is interested in Emmett.
Lots of mysteries to solve and Emmett needs to prove himself to the Flynns while relying on God to guide him.
Heartwarming and suspenseful, this story will keep you on your toes and satisfy your love of history.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *1920s american-history e-books ...more4 s Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee)359 126

River pirates and showboats, what else could you want? Oh romance? Well don't worry this book has all three. Showboats have always fascinated me, so I love how this story was set on one. Emmett Carter has run into some bad luck with river pirates stealing his steamboat. He then finds himself on a showboat and meets Anola Flynn who is a singer on the showboat. Anola and Emmett are such fun characters. I especially loved Anola, she's got spunk and is so brave. I loved how much trust she has in God. I loved the entire family dynamic of the Flynns. This is a fast-paced story full of romance, mystery, adventure, and Christian message, I definitely recommend
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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.4 s Carrie SchmidtAuthor 1 book420

“God’s timing puts us in the places He intended us to be.”

As a young teenager, I spent a few days on a houseboat with nine other members of my family and quickly decided that life on a boat was not for me. BUT… that feeling doesn’t carry over to reading about river boats and/or showboats and the people who call them home. On the contrary, I find it fascinating to follow their stories and the adventures they encounter. Something about the magic of a showboat beckons me to hang out for a while … just so long as my real-life feet stay grounded firmly on land haha!

“Welcome, welcome,
To The River Queen,
Where every moment is but a dream.”

I was enchanted by Anola and her delightfully eccentric family from the moment she stepped to the railing and began her welcome song. For The River Queen truly is a family affair. She lives and works there with her quirky grandparents (an endearing captain who isn’t really a captain and a dramatic Lady who really isn’t of the peerage) and her parents who are only slightly less unconventional. I adored this foursome – and Anola – and I know I was grinning anytime they were on the page. They are people you’d want to befriend, people you’d trust with your life, and people you’d shake your head about fondly. And Anola is all of their best personality facets rolled into a fabulous mix of drama and sunshine and a big heart. I’m smiling just thinking about her and their family banter.

“What’s not to love about this lot?”

Emmett Carter is more of a conventional sort, an accountant, a person who rarely takes risks. Yet he finds himself thrown into the Mississippi River where he emerges, dripping wet, onto The River Queen where in a whirlwind of unexpected events he’s shoved firmly out of his comfort zone. I loved watching his ‘fish-in-the-water’ adjustments to life on a showboat, and I especially loved watching him fall in love with Anola. This sentence in particular had me all kinds of grinning and swooning:

"And just that, he knew he’d be spending the rest of his life on a boat."

Ahhhhh!!! I’m always absolutely besotted when the hero falls in love to his own surprise, quickly and completely, no looking back. Emmett and Anola may at first glance seem an unly pair but the more time you spend with them the more you easily see how perfect they are for one another. He keeps her grounded (sort-of lol) and she keeps his eyes on God. I adored this exchange between them:

"Emmett peeked at her from the corner of his eye, finding her peaceful face smiling again. “Do you have a Bible verse for everything?” Apparently even thoughts he hadn’t voiced?

She beamed, either not noticing or not caring about his disgruntled tone. “I hope so. That’s what they are there for, after all.”"

The suspense plot involving Emmett’s brother and all manner of nefarious people kicked the tension up a notch, yes, but also gave us more insight into Emmett’s character that we might not have known otherwise. It took some intriguing turns, and while the main thread is wrapped up in this book, the door still feels open for some of the loose threads to be revisited in future stories.

Bottom Line: River pirates. Smuggling. Showboats. The Roaring 20s. Romance. All of these adventures and more await you on board The River Queen by Stephenia H. McGee! The delightful characters leave your heart lighter for time spent with them, and Anola is going on my list of ‘adorable heroines’ post haste! Emmett is a man of integrity with a brother who unfortunately is not, and these layered nuances to his story made me embrace him as Anola’s perfect match even more. Their romance is sweet and swoony, and the two of them together made me smile! Loved the epilogue and the promise of what’s to come. Another fabulous and engaging read by this author!

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I purchased for my own collection.)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower1920s 20th-century-historical best-of-2023 ...more1 Brenda349 14

This author has done it again! What a great book! I loved that the River Boat was on the Mighty Mississippi. I have been over the Mississippi River many times. The characters were amazing and you would think that the heroine would be all fluff because she sings on a show boat but she wasn’t. I loved Emmett and Anola’s story. So many adventures. A little mystery, intrigue, romance and pirates too? It certainly was not boring. As always this author doesn’t forget to put some inspiration into the book. I loved that Anola and her family had faith in God and that’s what always sees them through the hard times. This author is one of my very favorites and as usual I couldn’t wait to read her new book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher but was not required to write a positive review. 1 Phyllis R199 24

Showboats and adventure-No spoilers…

The River Queen is a great beginning to a new series! Stephenia McGee always hits the ground running as her story grabs the reader’s attention from page one. In her easy-to-read writing style, she builds a believable 1920s setting amidst a backdrop of mystery and bad guys.

I absolutely loved these characters! The Flynn family is a close knit river family of three generations who enjoy being together and working together. Each member plays their part in what makes life work on The River Queen.

A flamboyant heroine, Anola is a third generation adventurer that doesn’t bow to the limitations of being a woman. Enter Emmet Carter, an accountant leading a life of checks and balances- trying to figure out what his brother has done while realizing he is enjoying the adventure and the Flynn’s sense of family. Anola has enough spunk for both of them…She pushes him out of his comfort zone and encourages him to be a better man.

I can’t wait for book 2!

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.1 AbbyAuthor 48 books8

This book has it all: intrigue, action and love. The River Queen has become my favorite Stephenia McGee book, it was so good that I couldn’t put it down. Loved every word and every chapter. And of course I loved Anola
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