The workers step back, their tools finally silent, and gaze upon their creation. They have built not just a ship, but a dream made manifest in steel and steam. As Titanic prepares for her sea trials, the men of Harland and Wolff know they have created something unprecedented—a vessel that will surely secure their shipyard's place in history, though not in the way any of them could have predicted.

The Titanic has captivated hearts and minds for over a century, a story of grandeur, tragedy, and enduring mystery. But beyond the well-known narratives of icebergs and lifeboats, there were people, lovers, dreamers, the hopeful and the heartbroken, whose stories remain largely untold. Titanic Tales of Love and Loss is my attempt to breathe life into those forgotten romances, to weave historical truths with imagined emotions, and to honour the people who lived, loved, and lost on that fateful voyage. Each book in this series brings a different story to light, some based on real passengers, others inspired by the whispers of history. The first instalment, Cracks Beneath the Surface, follows the iconic Colonel John Jacob Astor IV and his young wife, Madeleine (nee Force), as they embark on a journey that would change their lives forever. My fascination with the Titanic is not merely about the ship itself but about the people aboard, those who were caught in the tides of fate, their lives forever altered in a single cold April night. Through meticulous research and creative storytelling, I strive to balance historical accuracy with deep human emotion, offering readers a glimpse into the past through the lens of love, loss, and hope. I must give thanks to my late father-in-law, whose collection of books and newspapers gave me the resources that spurred me to put “pen to paper”. I invite you to step aboard and immerse yourself in these tales. Some are tragic, others bittersweet, but all are rooted in the undeniable truth of the Titanic: that even in the darkest moments, love endures.