Cracks Beneath The Surface: A Titanic Novel
Titanic Tales of Love and Loss, Book 1
By Laura McCrum
Independently Published
Published: May 28, 2025
ISBN: 9781068469602
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction
Love. Scandal. Tragedy.
When Maddy weds the wealthy and influential John Jacob Astor IV, she believes she is stepping into a life of privilege, passion, and promise. But beneath the dazzling façade of high society, whispers of scandal, resentment, and betrayal threaten to pull her under. Shunned by New York’s elite for marrying a man nearly three decades her senior, Madeleine soon realizes that love in the gilded age comes at a price.
As the Astors embark on their homeward voyage aboard the RMS Titanic, fate sets a course neither could have foreseen. Amid the grandeur of the world’s most luxurious ship, tensions rise, secrets unravel, and the ocean stretches endlessly before them—along with the chasm widening in their marriage.
But when disaster strikes, will love, wealth, or power matter in the face of the unthinkable? And when the ice cracks beneath them, will the Astors’ love survive—if they do?
Cracks Beneath the Surface is a sweeping historical romance woven with heartbreak, resilience, and the echoes of a love tested by time, fortune, and fate.
Are you ready to set sail on a journey of passion, peril, and the power of a love that dared to defy the tides of time? Get your copy today and discover the story behind the headlines.
About the Author
Laura McCrum is a Scottish author and former business and education professional whose passion for storytelling has found its voice in both historical fiction and self-help. Cracks Beneath the Surface is her debut historical romance novel and the first in the Titanic: Tales of Love and Loss series—a compelling exploration of human connection, courage, and social class aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Drawing on meticulous research and a love for character-driven narrative, Laura brings real historical figures to life alongside unforgettable fictional characters.
While her Titanic series is published under her real name, Laura also writes empowering self-help books under the pen name Lamont, including Healing the Rift with Your Adult Child and The Blended Family Guide, which support readers through complex personal relationships.
The second book in her Titanic series, The Last Line, follows First Officer William Murdoch and delves deeper into the lives of both crew and passengers during the ship’s final days.
Laura’s writing bridges the emotional power of fiction with the insight and compassion of her self-help work—offering readers both escapism and emotional resonance. Visit Lauran on her website at www.lmcpublications.com
