a timeless love story — beneath the waves by shannon carse
For fans of historical fiction laced with fantasy, Beneath the Waves by Shannon Carse is a debut novel that will captivate and leave a lasting impression. Released on December 13th, 2024, it expertly blends the tragic history of the Titanic with time travel, romance, and heartache. After receiving an advanced copy, I’m excited to share my thoughts on this unforgettable read.
A Journey Through Time and Tragedy
Beneath the Waves follows Alice Murphy, a historian at Chisholm University, who’s granted a rare opportunity to travel back in time after scientists at the university unlock the secrets of time travel. Eager to uncover the truth behind the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage, Alice embarks on the journey with her best friend Ben. However, once aboard, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Charlie Hughes, a steward whose tragic fate is sealed; he is destined to die.
Why Beneath the Waves Is an Unforgettable Read
Beneath the Waves is a true delight! One of its most unique features is the inclusion of a playlist for each chapter. As a fan of books with music, I was thrilled to see a song paired with chapters. But this wasn’t just a fun bonus: it perfectly sets the tone for the emotional beats of the story. The inclusion of Taylor Swift songs was spot-on, bringing an additional layer of connection and emotion to Alice and Charlie’s journey.
As someone who is captivated by the Titanic, this book hit all the right notes. The historical aspect was incredibly well done, seamlessly blending factual events with Alice’s time-travelling adventure. The author deftly captured the heartbreak and the warmth of the characters, making the doomed fate of the passengers feel even more poignant. I found myself emotionally invested in Alice’s journey from start to finish.
The relationship between Alice and her best friend Ben was another highlight. Their deep friendship felt authentic, and I found Ben’s character especially compelling. When it came to the romance, Alice and Charlie’s connection was touching and sweet, but it was also heartbreaking as the stakes grew higher and the tragedy of the Titanic loomed large. The twists in the story kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was constantly surprised by the direction the plot took.
Shannon Carse on Writing Beneath the Waves
I had the pleasure of speaking with Shannon Carse, the author of Beneath the Waves, to gain insight into her creative process. Here’s what she shared about the journey of writing this book.
Can you explain the process of choosing/designing the cover?
The cover design for Beneath the Waves is a true family project crafted by Shannon’s uncle, Scott Martin, who specialises in watercolour art. Shannon initially envisioned a pocket watch sinking beneath the waves, representing time and the book’s time travel theme. However, after considering the similarity to Titanic’s iconic “Heart of the Ocean”, she decided on a simpler design with blue watercolour waves.
With only the prompt of “blue waves” in mind, Scott brought his creative touch to life. The final cover’s wave design features subtle yet impactful details, including the waterline placed exactly where most readers grip the page. The texture of the waves, achieved with salt, adds depth to the watercolour painting.
For Shannon, the cover is more than just a visual; it represents a bond with Scott and a piece of art she’ll always treasure. The original painting hangs in her office, a reminder of the family’s collaborative effort. “His talent and support have meant everything to me,” Shannon reflects.
Who was your favourite character to write?
Shannon’s favourite character to write in Beneath the Waves is Alice. She feels deeply connected to Alice, whose personality, love for history, and even her coping mechanisms mirror Shannon’s own. Alice’s tendency to avoid asking for help and her sharp wit are qualities Shannon identifies with, making her a cathartic character to write.
While Alice is the standout, other characters also reflect aspects of Shannon’s life. For example, Ben shares Shannon’s view on not wanting children, and Charlie was inspired by Shannon’s husband. Many of Charlie’s traits, such as his favourite football team and the pub Alice visits, were drawn from Shannon’s personal experiences, including her love for visiting her husband’s hometown in the UK.
Ultimately, writing Alice felt like an escape for Shannon, a way to process her own struggles by giving Alice her issues and watching her character grow stronger. As Shannon has often said, “If you don’t like Alice, you don’t like me.”
Did you have any other book ideas before this one, or did you always know Beneath the Waves would be your debut?
Shannon never planned to be an author, despite her love for writing since childhood. Her debut novel, Beneath the Waves, came about in a rather unexpected way. It all started with the disappearance of the Titanic submersible in June 2023, which reignited Shannon’s love for Titanic. A few weeks later, Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) dropped, particularly the song Timeless, which struck a chord with her for being a pure, hopelessly romantic love song.
One night, Titanic and Timeless merged in Shannon’s mind during a dream, in which she envisioned the entire plot, characters, and even the title of Beneath the Waves. The next day, she shared the dream with her friend and fellow author Emily Tudor, who encouraged her to write it down. What started as a dream quickly turned into a book, with the support of beta readers and Emily, who convinced Shannon to publish it.
Shannon admits that she never expected Beneath the Waves to be her debut and credits Emily for believing in her before she believed in herself.
What first sparked your love for writing?
Shannon’s love for writing began at a young age. As a child, she was a constant daydreamer, often too absorbed in her imagination. At 7 or 8 years old, she was placed in a special group called “Yellow Bag” during English class, where the books were a few levels below her age group. Initially, her teachers assumed she was struggling, but they soon realized she was simply bored. Once they let her read beyond her age level, she dove into books, sparking her passion for storytelling. Eventually, her mind shifted from reading to creating her own stories.
How did you approach blending real historical events with fiction? Were there any challenges?
Shannon’s background in history played a significant role in blending real events with fiction in Beneath the Waves. She has always been fascinated by the Titanic and used her extensive knowledge of the ship and its voyage to ground the story in reality. Her experience as a Civil War Re-Enactor also helped her understand historical decorum and societal etiquette. Which is not the same era in history, but much of the decorum and etiquette were similar. The main challenge, however, was weaving Alice’s story into the Titanic’s real events without altering history. Shannon made a conscious decision to have Alice see historical figures like Ismay, Astor, and Officer Murdoch but never interact with them, preserving the integrity of the real people involved in the tragedy. The key was finding ways for Alice to be a part of history without changing its course.
The playlist aspect of the book was such a fun touch! How did you decide which songs fit each chapter?
Shannon’s love for music is evident in the playlist aspect of Beneath the Waves. For her, each song is a soundtrack that sets the vibe for a scene and conveys the characters’ inner feelings. Often, the music expresses emotions the characters haven’t yet put into words. Shannon has a passion for including lesser-known tracks, particularly from indie artists, to introduce readers to new music. One of her proudest moments was when a younger reader discovered Billy Joel’s And So It Goes through the book, and it became a song they adored. Shannon also includes songs like Flesh and Bone by CJ Starnes, an indie artist she’s passionate about, with plans to feature more of his music in future books. For Shannon, selecting the perfect songs a natural process; she curates a Spotify playlist that grows as she writes, with songs sparking ideas for new scenes and dialogues.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone trying to write their first novel?
Shannon’s advice for new writers is simple: just start writing! She emphasizes that putting words on paper is the most important step, no matter how intimidating it may seem. She also reminds aspiring authors that there’s space for everyone’s story, and if an idea is in your head, it deserves to be shared. Along with starting, Shannon advises being kind to yourself during the process. There will be days when the words come easily and others when progress feels slow, but it’s essential to be patient and allow yourself grace throughout the journey.
The Perfect Blend of History, Emotion, and Intrigue
The writing in Beneath the Waves is fast-paced and immersive, making it hard to put the book down. There are moments that will make you laugh, moments that will bring tears, and moments that will leave you reflecting on the power of love and loss. Carse has masterfully blended history, emotion, and intrigue into a seamless narrative. This novel also offers a perfect dose of romance, creating a multi-layered story that is impossible to forget. It’s a definite five-star read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with time travel and strong character connections.
Although Shannon initially felt like Alice’s story was complete, she’s now finding herself missing the character as she writes books 3 and 4. Music or world news stories often remind her of Alice, leading to the decision to revisit the couple’s future. Shannon plans to include a few extra epilogues exploring Alice and Charlie’s enduring love and the humour in Charlie’sadjustment to the modern world. Readers can expect fun moments as Charlie navigates new technology.
A common question from readers of Beneath the Waves was about Charlie’s perspective during the ship’s journey. Fans were curious about whether he was grappling with his feelings for Alice and what he was doing in the gap between their farewell and reunion. Shannon hints that readers will finally get answers to what Charlie was thinking during those pivotal moments, teasing that the upcoming epilogues will reveal it all.
A Debut to Remember
Shannon Carse’s debut novel is a true testament to her incredible storytelling. The warmth and sincerity of her writing shine through on every page. After reading Beneath the Waves, I’m excited to see what she has in store for readers in the future.
If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of time travel, a rich emotional core, and a heart-stirring romance, Beneath the Waves is a must-read. Just make sure to have tissues on hand, it’s an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to miss!
This article was written by Ash, who you can follow on Instagram for more bookish content — https://www.instagram.com/ashinbetweenpages