A "white knight" comes to her rescue. Although he's mean, gruff, and dirty, Ella can tell he's a good man. She offers to buy him a meal at the pub and he reluctantly accepts. While there, Ella senses he's in need of help but is too proud to ask for it. Before leaving, she hands Griffin a business card offering the assistance of Deep Six--if he should need it.
Upon arriving back to tent city, Griffin realizes his teenage charge has taken off with a gang member. Not sure where to search, he starts with the least deadly, menacing gang and works his way up. Realizing he needs assistance, he calls on Lou Ellen and Deep Six. The guys of Deep Six Security are back in action!!! The end had me on the edge of my seat, almost fearful to read the next page. While I think it's sad that so many of our veterans return home to find themselves homeless, I liked that the storyline didn't follow the typical route.
Griffin actually chose to be homeless in fear of retaliation. He wouldn't allow another person he loved to be killed in revenge. Even though we don't want to think that our own government wouldn't alert a former operative that their cover had been blown and fail to offer protection to their family, I can "see" it actually happening. The added twist was unexpected. I received a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own. Jan 10, Megan rated it really liked it Shelves: I love a strong woman who doesn't need a man or to be rescued by one. Lou Ellen is that woman. She cares for the men of Deep Six Security as if they were her own and provides love, support, and camaraderie for all their women and families.
She's the heart and soul of the office. She also has a spine made of steel. To be worthy of being her partner, the guy has a lot that he needs to bring to the table. Lou Ellen is a kind and giving woman and we see her here giving of her time and good nature fir I love a strong woman who doesn't need a man or to be rescued by one. Lou Ellen is a kind and giving woman and we see her here giving of her time and good nature first at a church and then to the veterans in the community. Her annual ritual brings her face to scruff with a man that is much more than he appears to be.
Not in the physical sense, but in the direction of his life beyond protecting someone who needs him. He finds purpose but has no faith in himself beyond doing his best for the teenage girl who needs a protector. And then he watches the elegant Lou Ellen being assaulted and steps in. By giving in to the urge to protect he puts himself on the path to being found. They both have pasts that led them to this point and while Griff is doing everything in his power to run away, Lou Ellen is doing everything in her power to give him a safe place to stay. We get to watch their struggle for desire and dominance throughout this story and find healing, companionship, fierce protectiveness, passion, and making a home.
I liked that Lou Ellen didn't make it easy for Griff, that she made him work for her forgiveness. That she was willing to be a mother to the teens without the man that introduced them even though her heart yearned for him. Her dedication and devotion to opening and sharing her heart was truly touching. Griff's groveling was pretty good and I liked that he met the challenges and rose to her high expectations.
- La Ronde des mensonges (SANG D ENCRE) (French Edition)?
- System Reset.
- Pretty Pastels - Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern!
- 40 Birthday Celebration Ideas.
- Future maman : Une surprise pour Kelly - Un bonheur inestimable - La chance dêtre père (Edition Spéciale) (French Edition).
They became the partnership both of them deserved. Read and willingly reviewed this ARC from the author. Nov 14, Yvonne Cruz rated it it was amazing. Griff is a man who has had many losses, not only in his life in the military, and CIA but most importantly, in his personal life. HIs world came tumbling down and so did he.
His devastation drove him to homelessness. But his values have not deserted him. He protects a young girl who is living under the bridge with him and other homeless individuals. Lou Ellen manages the office of Deep Six Security. A strong , independent, giving woman, who has had her share of losses. Her father and first husband served and died protecting our country. These two meet when Lou Ellen is attacked and Griff comes to her rescue.
She offers him a meal and gives him her business card. Life is full of surprises and when in need , Griff contacts her and she in turn calls in the troupes in the form of the Deep Six men, who spring into action for her. The storyline is not only engaging from page one but also heartbreaking, heartwarming and enlightening.
The characters are complex and endearing, and at times you will want to just walk into the pages of the book so you can give them a hug. Be prepared to shed a tear or two. Lastly, I appreciate the fact that the author highlights the need to do more for the men and women who have served our country. Upon their return, many come back with not only physical scars, but emotional and psychological ones as well. We , as a nation, need to do more for these brave men and women who are willing to give up their lives for our freedom. Thank you , Ms McGraw for that reminder.
I was gifted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own. Dec 12, Marie rated it it was amazing. We have met Lou Ellen numerous times, along with 'Bruno' her trusty sidekick, and we know it is going to take someone very special to get past her defences. She is surrounded by hardened, x-forces, alpha males every day and rules them and the office with an iron fist and a look that can silence all of them instantly - and we love her for it, because under this spine of steel is a heart of gold, we have had plenty of glimpses of it over the series.
Griff is broken and living on the streets, not totally unheard of for a vet, but it is not the trauma's of war that broke him- betrayal and loss have crippled him. His protective instincts are alive and well, but his trust and motivation for life are dead and buried. The only thing keeping him fighting each day is protecting Layla, until he comes across Lou Ellen and has to come to her rescue.
They both need each other but is Lou Ellen strong enough to show Griff there are people he can trust, people who will not only have his back without question, but also welcome him to the family and love him - is he strong enough to trust his heart and his life to Lou Ellen? Can Lou Ellen finally get everything she wants? The guy, the family, the job, everything, all at the same time? Or will her heart pay the price again? As with all the Deep Six books this one sucks you straight in and the real world fades, fortunately this is a novella and so is easily read in an evening, allowing you to let yourself be fully absorbed in all things Deep Six for a few glorious hours.
Cannot wait for book 6 on 26th December! Nov 21, Jennie Fortna rated it it was amazing. Not caring about himself any longer he becomes homeless and under the radar until he finds and helps a young runaway in the homeless community. Until one night he sees a woman att ARC for honest review with no compensation Silent Knight is book 7 in the Deep Six Security series by Becky McGraw and is another suspenseful, page turner and well written book.
Until one night he sees a woman attacked in the bad part of town at Thanksgiving and comes to her rescue and saves her life which starts him on a journey he never expected. Lou Ellen Wells works for the Deep Six Security and for a number of years has gone to the Dallas Veterans Service Center to help serve Thanksgiving dinner and to pay it forward for all services these men and women did for their country.
When she leaves the center she is attacked but a homeless man comes to her rescue and deep in her mind she knows he is a former military man. She gives him her card and offers to help him but he wants nothing to do with her or her help. Until a few weeks later, he calls asking for her and the company she works for to help find the teen he is helping who is now missing and believed to have gone into gang territory to help her brother. Can these two find the missing teen and her brother and still stay alive when the gang makes them all a mark??
Will Lou Ellen find out why her Silent Knight chooses to be homeless?? Will they also find that the attraction between them is so strong that secrets need to come out before they can find their HEA?? Jan 09, Dawn Herrera rated it it was amazing Shelves: I absolutely loved this book Becky McGraw has given us one wonderful holiday story.
Deep Six Kidnapped By The Billionaire
Her characters are strong and fearless and caring. There is action a bit of mystery and suspense with some love. Lou Ellen Wells the office manager for Deep Six Security is doing her volunteering at the local homeless veteran center after she heads over to the church to light candles for her loved ones like her father and first husband both veterans. On her way to a bar she is attacked but luckily she has a knigh I absolutely loved this book Becky McGraw has given us one wonderful holiday story.
On her way to a bar she is attacked but luckily she has a knight show up to help. Lou Ellen is one tough and caring woman so she wants to pay this stranger back for saving her. Thomas Griffin, Griff to his friends is living a life on the streets after a horrible situation that takes his wife and daughter he flees to the streets because he believes that is the only way to stay safe and don't get close to anyone.
But sometimes when you least expect it someone crawls up into your heart. Griff befriends a teanage runaway Layla and promises he will protect her. During one of his trips away from the tent camp that they live in he is distracted by the lovely Lou Ellen Wells. When he returns to the tent camp Layla is missing, he is told she went off with a gang member, Griff just feels Layla is danger. He checks two local gangs for any sign of her. When he comes up empty handed he decides to ask for help.
Lou Ellen is ready to help, but tells him that he is going to share who he is and why he is on the streets. I highly recommend this great book. Nov 23, Sandy Kelly rated it it was amazing. This is the 7th book in the Deep Six Security series. I highly recommend that you read the previous books so you know the characters and the relationships between them.
This one is about Lou Ellen, who is the office manager now, and Thomas Griffin, who is vet who lost everything and is now homeless and prefers it that way for his own reasons. He saves Lou when she is attacked and she tries to help him, but he doesn't want her help. Until the teen girl he was trying to protect on the streets disa This is the 7th book in the Deep Six Security series. Until the teen girl he was trying to protect on the streets disappears.
Then he calls and asks for help for her. He only does it to try to continue to help this teen girl. That right there should tell you the type of man he is. I absolutely loved this book! Now don't get me wrong, I love the books previously but this book is about older people who can still find love together. No matter the circumstances surrounding it. Griff is a sweet man who lost everything when the government left him hanging. And I mean everything.
It was heartbreaking to read his back story. I have always liked Lou, since the very first time she showed up in the series. She is a no nonsense woman who is not afraid to tell you how it is. But her tough exterior hides a heart of gold! This book had everything for me! Action, laughter, and most of all? I was engrossed from start to finish and truly love this author! So glad I found her books! Nov 21, Debbie Collins rated it it was amazing.
Silent Knight is the seventh book in the Deep Six Security series, and you don't have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but you will probably want to after reading this one. This is the story of Thomas Griffin, a homeless, handsome yet hardheaded vet who has very good reasons for being homeless. The heroine in this book is Lou Ellen Wells, the office manager for Deep Six Security, whom I have fell in love with from the other books in the series.
She is tough, takes no crap, and keeps Br Silent Knight is the seventh book in the Deep Six Security series, and you don't have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but you will probably want to after reading this one. She is tough, takes no crap, and keeps Bruno close, yeah you will have to read it to find out who Bruno is. Lou Ellen volunteers at the Veteran's Services center and gets into a little bit of trouble while there, Griff comes to her rescue, her silent knight.
Later she is shocked when Griff comes to her needing help finding a young girl, but as always Lou Ellen steps forward and brings the whole team in. This is a romantic suspense, told in dual POV, it is loaded with romance, suspense, laughter and tears. I loved the fact that Griff and Lou Ellen were older, I also loved that he called her Queenie, and she actually let him. This book quickly became my favorite of the series, when two stubborn, set in their ways people, found themselves drawn to one another. Nov 25, Maura rated it it was amazing.
Silent Knight is the latest book in the Deep Six Security series. It might be helpful to have read the previous stories to add to the richness of the Deep Six experience but not necessary. This is a very quick and enjoyable read that has some light-hearted moments as well as some emotional tugs of the heart. Lou Ellen is 55 years old and has great respect for the veterans of our country. She is tough as nails "Go find someone else to judge who gives a sh! Griff is a veteran and former operative who lives off the grid. He has chosen this way of life and while it's not easy, he's willing to continue to be unapologetic for who he is.
Griff and Queenie meet under less than stellar circumstances and quickly succumb to the heat they create. The quick connection these two had was undeniable. The fact that each has lived and loved and knows what loss is and what they are willing to go through to stay true to themselves is refreshing. It was fun to see the guys and gals we've previously met interact with Griff and for each of the guys to acknowledge how important Lou is to each of them. I absolutely recommend this book and the whole series. Nov 21, Janet Rodman rated it it was amazing.
She wants to give back. She gets mugged on the way back to her car afterwards and is rescued by another homeless man. Thomas Griffin, her rescuer is homeless by choice. He lives in a tent city along with fifteen year old runaway, Layla whom he has promised to protect and who was being abused at home. Griff has many secrets. As the story continues, we find out what they are.
Lou Ellen feels something for this homeless man and enlists the aid of Deep Six to help her find Layla before it is too late. This story takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas and is sure to tug at your heartstrings. As the story progresses, we feel for Griff and the events that have led to him becoming homeless. So much had happened to make Griff lead the life he has. Lou has a big heart and so do the other members of Deep Six who help her rescue Layla and help to give Griff back his life.
I read this story in one night. I will admit, a tissue or two was used during the reading. Once again, Becky McGraw has written a wonderful story. One of the issues I thought that was brought to light was the plight of homeless Vets. I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more of Lou Ellen, Griff and their new family in future books. For a homeless vet, he was sexy, protective, caring and so loyal to a fault.
The way he was so determined to protect and care for Lou and the girl he took care of while he was homeless had in tears. Both Lou and Griffen are unbelievably amazing characters. They are both older, wiser, and know what they want. And the fact that this romance had a different twist, with Griffen being in need of help and Lou doing all she can to give it to him really made me melt. I can't wait to re read this again Nov 24, BP34 rated it it was amazing. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
We met her in earlier books and she is one tough cookie. Giving back she volunteers at the Veterans Center in a bad part of town. She was attacked as she left the center and Griff came to her aid. He was a former sniper in the service and chose to be homeless and anonymous in fear of more retaliatio I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
He was a former sniper in the service and chose to be homeless and anonymous in fear of more retaliation from terror groups. They had already killed his wife and child. He swore never to love again.
Lou Ellen left him her card and said to call if he ever needed help. He called her when he needed help finding a teenage runaway who had been taken by a gang. An emotional roller coaster that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. No spoiler here but this book will have you page turning and wanting more. A great read with a strong, fast paced storyline with lots of suspense, danger and action. Great, complex characters that will draw you in. Nov 14, Michelle Eriksen rated it it was amazing.
If you have been reading the Deep Six Security Series then you know who Lou Ellen is, she has been one of my favorite people in this series. Lou Ellen is the office manager for the company and lets just say that her sassy attitude helps her keep these supermen in order and she kind of acts as a "mother figure" to the guys. I don't care what anyone says women get better with age and they know how to handle their men and themselves, but when Lou Ellen gets herself into a situatio Oh My Goodness I don't care what anyone says women get better with age and they know how to handle their men and themselves, but when Lou Ellen gets herself into a situation that is out of her control and scaring the holy heck out of her, the man who comes to her rescue is not exactly what he appears to be.
I loved Griff and Lou Ellen together, and this story pulled at those heartstrings and brought all of the feelings to the surface. I laughed, got angry, wanted to hug the characters and then wanted to smack them in the back of the head Nov 21, Janna rated it it was amazing Shelves: McGraw has given her readers a novella that will not soon be forgotten. She is a no nonsense, take no prisoners, tough as nails office manager that has the biggest heart you will ever meet. As the description states, Lou Ellen pays it forward in every way possible, including volunteering in the kitchen at the Dallas Veterans Service Center at Thanksgiving.
After she was through with the TG Dinner, she was attacked on her way to her car. Lou Ellen of course carries a gun but unable to get to it, she was in big trouble. That is until Thomas Griffin rescued her. She wanted to repay him, but he would have none of that. Instead, she tells him that if he ever needs anything to call the number on her business card. As the story unwinds, we find out that Thomas had been in special ops and then the CIA. However, now he had to reside off the grid.
This story is perfect for the holidays because we all want to pay it forward and to help those that need it. You will love this story and perhaps get angry with the government that abandoned Thomas resulting in unimaginable consequences. However, it was an uneven and rocky ride until the last few chapters, where it solidified nicely, but was almost too little, too late. So, even though the adventure is over, they are still emailing each other, keeping the chemistry alive, but Maddie is hoping for another searing kiss from Bran, so she devises a plan to lure him in for a visit, only it backfires terribly when they find themselves under attack with lives in danger.
Bran is addicted to the email communication he shares with Maddie. But, when he sees Maddie again, face to face, he finds it harder than ever to keep his hands off her.
See a Problem?
But, the tone is just a little too light in contrast to some of the heavier issues addressed in the book and the dire circumstances the couple finds themselves in. With teenage girls in grave danger, the humorous banter and sexual innuendo seemed inappropriate and implausible. They always came home to roost. Not only that, it seemed like an excuse to rationalize his promiscuity, which is what I found disconcerting. But, his story is indeed horrifying and my heart did break on his behalf.
But, Bran and Maddie are not the only couple featured in this story, as Alex and Mason are battling their own attraction to each other, with Alex in hot pursuit while Mason is playing hard to get. Alex is a hoot and I liked her honesty and non-stop prattling which held a few gems of wisdom for us all. However, this thread did take up a little too much space this this installment, especially since their full story is still waiting in the wings. The suspense element was a bit uneven as the action was intense early on, but then fell to the wayside, only to pick back up in the final few chapters, where it really did get pretty intense and emotional.
The suspense level was unbalanced and did not build throughout the story, with the finale being its only saving grace. View all 4 comments. May 20, XxTainaxX rated it it was ok. I'm sad to rate so low but I can't bring myself to rate higher. I found myself very annoyed by Maddy. She had so much meaningless talk. The metaphors were overused to the point I was cringing every few minutes.
Bran had the sexy former military protector thing going but I didn't find he was developed. His continued denial of what he felt made him just meh for me. There's a lot of action going on but the pacing had me getting whiplash. The worst parts f I'm sad to rate so low but I can't bring myself to rate higher. The worst parts for me were the things that were happening while girls were being held hostage or had just been recovered and people around them were dead.
For example is it important to talk about crushes after rescuing some girls who saw men die and were held at gunpoint and who knows if they had anything done to them? Why don't you know? Because you didn't ask. You were too busy talking about crushes. I am pretty sure I won't be reading the rest of this series despite having liked the first one.
It's not for me. ARC received in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Maddy first met Bran when he rescued her and ever since then they have been emailing and calling each other. Their relationship started off as friendly but their connection has grown deeper. With a chance to meet up in person, Maddy is excited but Bran fears getting too close. A kidnapping attempt though might just force Bran's hand.
It's life and death 1. It's life and death and while Bran has the physical courage, he's going to have to decide if he has the emotional as well. Second in the Deep Six series about a group of veteran Navy Seals searching for sunken treasure, this could be read as a standalone as the only part you would be missing information on is the continuing tale of the Spanish captain and his treasure in the s. The first in the series had amazing action scenes, an area I think this author excels in, but this one, unfortunately, fell short in that regard.
Our villains seem very inept and besides two of them, come off feeling very paper thin. The two that were given more background, well, their motivation and explanation for why they wanted to kidnap Maddy was a bit murky; we don't get the full explanation until the very end. The action plot was severely lacking in credibility, understanding, and excitement. With the action plot failing me, I tried to focus more on our main couple and romance. While Maddy and Bran met, briefly, in the book before this one, the meat of their relationship should have been here in their own book.
Again, unfortunately, this fell short for me too. There was talk of how they grew close over their emails and phone conversations; we aren't shown any of them, just told about them. What we do get shown is how much they have the hots for each other, physically wise, although any bedroom payoffs are left to the very end, during extremely awkward life and death situations. There wasn't much depth to this couple and this awkward lusting during fight and evade scenes gave a pretty corny feel overall.
The over exaggerated speech stereotypes of the characters, southernisms, and very prevalent pop culture add-ins added to the hokey feel. Oh, for heaven's sake. This, of course, being said during a bullets are flying action scene; a bit eye-rolling. I never felt like I knew our heroine Maddy as her background consisted of rich girl, has brothers, and a short blonde haircut. The first book fascinated me with its descriptions of a new fun locale and intense action scenes. Sadly, this one fell way short with no building of the main couple's relationship, paper doll secondary characters, lacking action plot, and awkward dialogue.
Like I said, this author can write amazing action scenes, but she needs to leave home the gimmicks and awkwardly placed lusting next time. May 17, Dianne rated it liked it Shelves: When Maddy takes three deserving girls on a trip to a remote island, her mission is two-fold, to show the girls things they would never see and to be closer to Bran, after all, he would only be a boat ride away. Little did she know that there are men gunning for her, and that a campout on a beautiful island is about to become a deadly nightmare of hellish proportions.
When Bran discovers Maddy is in trouble, he is on the move, going all uber military ops in an effort to save her. While he will give his all as a soldier, he is still unwilling to give her his heart. Can she cajole him to admit what he feels? Will their journey through the depths of hell at the hands of murderous mercenaries looking to hold Maddy hostage finally break through the wall that keeps them apart? Julie Ann Walker is back with Devil and the Deep a romantic suspense with a lot of heat, a lot of bloodshed and a cast that fits perfectly into the role they play.
The rest of the main cast? Second couple entering the arena of romance, Mason and Alex were a dynamic duo of comedy, but where will their attraction go? For me, this was like taking my Corvette over the potholes of my home state…bumpy, dangerous and never a smooth ride to the finish. There was almost a feeling of two stories, one romantic comedy and one erotica.
Still, this is good, fast read with lots of sizzle and pop. Deep Six - Book 2 Publication Date: July 5, Publisher: May 18, Marta Cox rated it really liked it Shelves: Well the Deep Six crew are back and you just know that there's trouble to be found! These hard commitment phobic guys might be enjoying ther lives searching for treasure but so far all they seem to do is get involved with kidnappers and terrorists and what do you know the woman Bran helped rescue previously is about to need his help yet again! Maddy might be an heiress but she doesn't seem to get everything she wants.
No the one thing that is out of reach is Bran. Sure he has been supportive and Well the Deep Six crew are back and you just know that there's trouble to be found! Sure he has been supportive and there's many a night they've exchanged emails that have helped her get over her recent traumatic experience but he is firmly putting her in the friend category. Yet here is Maddy yet again taken hostage , trapped on an island and what do you know? Yes Bran and his friend Mason are the only ones around who just might be able to help. I do like these books but they are well perhaps just a little cheesy so my advice is go with the flow and just enjoy these ex military characters and the mayhem that seems to follow them.
I particularly liked the way the story seems to unfold in real time. I thought Maddy had a lot of spunk when it came to dealing with the bad guys but when faced with Mother Nature acted like well dare I say a girl? Yes I just wanted a bit more from her at times I guess. Bran has had a traumatic childhood and I know a lot of readers enjoy a tortured hero but the thought of losing Maddy kind of hits him hard and then of course there's Maddy's idea of 'benefits'!
Bran may be in salvage but he's definitely going down hard when it comes to Maddy! If you enjoy reading about rugged action heroes then this author should be on your reading list. I do find this series to be over the top at times but hey that's not always a bad thing. I love the way she starts these stories as we are teased about the treasure that might be buried but I do want more of that if honest. Plus in this book we see Mason shall I say interacting?
Oh yes there's a book calling that guy and if you want fun alongside your action these Deep Six men are set to deliver I was gifted a copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review Apr 12, Beth rated it really liked it Shelves: Heiress, Maddy, takes three young girls to an small island in the Caribbean where they quickly become targets in a much grander scheme for power. When he hears Maddy is coming close to his dive recovering site, he heads off to see her, where he quickly becomes involved with a rescue mission once again.
But this time it is Maddy, her three charges and a park ranger Heiress, Maddy, takes three young girls to an small island in the Caribbean where they quickly become targets in a much grander scheme for power. But this time it is Maddy, her three charges and a park ranger that have gotten caught in the cross fire. Betrayal runs deep in this mystery, romance, thriller. Maddy and Bran must uncover the plot before desperation leads to death.
This book is set for publication July 5, My Rating: Julie Ann Walker Series: Deep Six Sequence in Series: Sourcebooks Casablanca Publication Date: July 5, ASIN: OK, I'll get right out in front and say this book pushed some buttons and in a very negative way. If I had to summarize my reaction to this book in three words it would be Death by Dialogue.
The plot is good, for the most part the characters are good, but the dialogue was so over the top slapstick, downhome colloquialisms, quotes from books and movies in lieu of talking, absolute ridiculous conversations that it killed the book for me. One of the negatives about Ms. Walker's writing style would OK, I'll get right out in front and say this book pushed some buttons and in a very negative way.
Walker's writing style would be that all conversations are followed by internal one-liners or mega sexual angst. The first pages would have been a great deal tighter if we didn't have to read the characters' mental reviews of every word out of their mouths. It did get to be a bit much. I feel the author was trying way too hard to make her sound like a down home heiress but she came off like Elly Mae of the Beverly Hillbillies. If they hadn't been sprinkled so often it would have been OK, but sometimes it felt more like a downpour than a sprinkle and that's just too much.
If you got rid of the ridiculous dialogue, the cheesy dialogue and the repetitive mental angst you would have a really good novella. Yeah to get rid of the ridiculous parts you would probably reduce the page book down to a 70 page novella. And this is the really sad part, the story had so much potential and Ms. Walker can write really well. There were sections that I truly enjoyed. The backstory of Bran's youth was done really well, it was just his current development that was lacking. I never got a feel for Maddy, but I think it's because all of her talking became too much and I was just seeing Ellie Mae Clampett and cringing.
The bad guys felt really flat and undeveloped. I was really starting to like Mason and Alex but sometimes their dialogue had issues as well. Some of the action scenes were done really well and you could tell Ms. Walker has a flair for them. The other issue I have is when the heroine has to be involved in something they aren't trained for.
Mason and Bran took Maddy on the rescue because she knew the island and the fort. Although it seems to me like she could have just told them at the get go about the location of the water tunnel into the fort and she wouldn't have been needed. It always amazes me how on one hand we build up the superiority of SEALS and other special forces, but then we throw in a heroine who says I want to come and I can too. So my reaction is either the author is writing the heroine as TSTL and don't worry if you're not vested in her or the author has just downplayed the training and skill of a SEAL.
How can I support that? The final nail on the coffin for me was the timing and location of the sex scenes. The first sex scene had almost a Saturday Night parody of a romance novel feel to it. Hey the kidnappers could come back at any time with more guns and people at this point we are presuming they were professional mercenaries , but an ex-SEAL and a chaperone to three girls are OK with leaving the safety look-out to three 17 year old girls who should be slightly traumatized by the death and gunfire already exchanged and a wet behind the ears park ranger.
And they announce they are going to take care of their mutual itch and head to the dark, deserted lighthouse which in real life would be probably have some little critters scurrying around in it. Maddy is the chaperone to these girls. This would be like if a high school went in to lock down mode due to a shooting and two teachers with the hots for each other decide to get down and dirty in the supply closet while there were kids outside in the classroom cheering them on. It was like saying "Hey, we don't know where the bad guys are and we know you just saw someone get shot and die, but we really need to get our rocks off.
Romance novels are known for having their characters jump into sex thoughts, talk and scenes at ridiculous times but this really takes the cake for the most stupidest, ludicrous and disgusting timing ever. So do they have better timing for the second sex scene? They are on the coast guard ship with coast guard personnel around and at I don't remember reading anything about them changing the sheets for the captain to come back to and this is just too much.
So unfortunately this was my first exposure to Julie Ann Walker. I was looking for some awesome romantic suspense and instead feel like I need to vent my frustrations and a breath of fresh air. View all 5 comments. As a southerner, nothing is more irksome to me that an over abundance of "southernisms" It borders on condescending. But that's just me and my opinion. I just couldn't form a connection with these characters. Maybe I just need to try another series?
View all 3 comments. I really wanted to love this book. It is one of my favorite genres and yet I just could not get past some of the crazy talk the author had to put into this story. I seriously wanted to stop reading because it was so annoying. As it was, I skipped through a ton of pages in this book.
Devil and the Deep
Making goo-goo eyes and having day dreams about a women in the middle of a kidnapping and during a shoot out That stuff gets people killed in real life. I honestly did not care for Maddy's character at all I really wanted to love this book. I honestly did not care for Maddy's character at all.
She talked way to much. Pushed her way into serious situations that could get people killed. Had sex on the brain in the middle of fire fights and rescue situations and a host of other irritants. Plus she had a quirky saying for everything that made me nuts. Alex was another odd ball that I found annoying in many ways In between the lines, the author has a great talent for writing great scenes that will heat up the night, but placing Maddy's constant chatter and those scenes in weird places in the book, I just could not deal with. It seriously took away all of the potential this book had for me.
Take away some of the issues, and the author will have a winner on her hands. I would give this a 2 star but I think the author was trying to be humorous and her writing skills are there. It just didn't work for me. Jun 09, Laura rated it really liked it. I enjoyed this book as much as I was hoping to…which is always nice. I like Julie Ann Walker, she can be counted on for a book that mixes suspense with characters you believe.
Their chemistry was amazing, his reasons for not thinking he could have more with her were understandable, and it was such fun to watch him let her break down his walls and let her in. The suspense portion is believable, the reasons that Maddy is involved, yet again, in a hostage situation make sense. I appreciate that Walker writes her heroines as capable.
I like that Walker writes heroes who respect this, while still wanting to protect their women. She lets them be the Alpha-male hero, which you want in a novel like this, while still being a character you can like and relate to, which is a miss in some romantic suspense stories. Walker is so consistent in this that she has become a go-to author for me. The scene at the end with the coffee cup was so perfect…I am not going to spoil it, but let me say that it was perfect, it was so him, and it was so them…you just had to be thrilled.
That one is going to be fun. I definitely recommend this book. I also recommend the first in the series and the novella as while this is a standalone, knowing the previous events add a lot of depth to the story. I love the way that this author balances suspense with romance, chemistry with history, and friends with moments that will never be forgotten. All the while, she develops an intricate story that kept me on my toes and set it in such a manner that I could picture all of it.
I love the way that the Santa Christina was integral to the lives of these characters. The way that it actually served to increase the suspense of the tale, adding a second storyline for readers to become enmeshed in. It also I love the way that this author balances suspense with romance, chemistry with history, and friends with moments that will never be forgotten.
It also ties the series together through more than simply the characters that Walker creates. The characters in this novel were larger than life, but at the same time very real. They were hard to look away from and easy to love, while always being less than perfect. This humanity made them so endearing. The dynamic between Bran and Maddie had me in stitches, followed in a close second by Mason and Alex. Walker has created a fantastic second instalment in this series. She seamlessly draws everything together while keeping me on my toes. Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
DNF by Chapter 5 This book wasn't bad; but there was no way I was going to make it through with all the over done southern twang and Boston sayings. By chapter 5, it was kind of feeling like a satire of a Southern girl and a Boston guy. I rolled my eyes so hard I got a headache. The story was pretty good up to that point-the kidnapping and all, but I just couldn't keep going.
Oct 06, Susan rated it really liked it Shelves: There were obvious sparks between them previously, ending with a toe-curling kiss, but Bran doesn't follow up the way Maddy expects. Instead, there are three months of friendly email exchanges as Bran helps her through the aftermath of the previous events but ignores the signals she sends. Maddy decides to be a little more proactive and, using a field trip for Good book. Maddy decides to be a little more proactive and, using a field trip for some interns as an excuse, shows up on an island close to the team's dive site.
She then invites Bran to talk to the girls about their treasure hunt. Bran is in a quandary. There is nothing he'd like more than to spend more time with Maddy. But he also has some very personal reasons for avoiding the closeness he knows that she wants. Bran grew up with an abusive father and is convinced that he carries the same darkness in him.
He refuses to put himself in a position where he could hurt someone he cares about. He's just about made up his mind to ignore her invitation when Mason and Alex get involved. As it turns out, Bran, Mason, and Alex arrive at the island at just the right time.
Maddy is at the center of a kidnapping plot, and she and her charges are held at gunpoint. I had to chuckle a bit at Maddy's reaction as it is happening again. Things get pretty intense as Bran and Mason come to the rescue, but it doesn't go quite as planned, with the three interns still in the hands of the kidnappers. What follows is a good mix of action and romance.
Bran, Maddy, and Mason must find a way to free the girls from the men holding them. Bran has his ideas, and none of them include Maddy, but she refuses to be left behind. There is a terrific scene of Maddy standing up to his protectiveness, with information that will give them a better chance of success and the need to help those she feels responsible for. As they whittle down the number of bad guys and regain possession of the girls, there are some moments of down time.
Bran and Maddie take advantage of these times as their movie-quote-laced banter is interlaced with some serious conversation. Bran is determined to make it clear to Maddy that he isn't relationship material and she is just as determined to show him that he is.
I ached for them both as Bran opens up about his past and Maddy sees just how deep his fears go. Maddy proposes the idea of friends with benefits as a way to get at least some of the closeness she wants with Bran. And though the scene was intense, I thought the timing was illogical, with them not knowing if there were more bad guys out there. There are still a few more twists and turns before Maddy, and the others are truly safe. The final confrontation was not unexpected in how it happened.
Even Bran and Mason can see the writing on the wall as the setup reminds them of what happened in the previous book. However expected, the fight is intense and deadly. I ached for Maddy when she found out who was behind the kidnapping attempts. When it's all over, Bran does his usual escape and deny, but something has changed. I rather enjoyed his misery as he fully deserved it. It takes his friend Leo to snap him out of his self-pity by pointing out some things about all of them that Bran hadn't considered.
I loved his "aha" moment as he realized the truth. His reunion with Maddy was sweet and romantic and exactly what you'd expect from them. There was also a secondary story going on between Mason and Alex. The two of them have been antagonistic from the moment that Alex arrived on their island. It was fun to see the extremely untalkative Mason deal with the motormouth Alex.
Under the antagonism are sparks of attraction that start to burn hotter the more time they spend together. Mason isn't happy about what he is starting to feel, while Alex wants to explore it. I'm looking forward to their story, which should be another good one. We don't get much about the treasure hunt. The first and last chapters are flashbacks by the captain of the ship, and we learn a little more about the wreck and the treasure.
In the present day, Alex continues to search the records for more information, while the others find the occasional artifact. Jun 28, Christina rated it really liked it. I'm even going to admit that I liked it more than the first. I mean, we pretty much get a "two-for" with this one This installment picks up roughly 3 months after Maddie and Bran shared that incredible kiss at the end of the Hell or High Water.
During those 3 months, they have been emailing each other constantly, forming a friendship and "relationship" with each other that, quite honestly, has Bran scared to put 4 Stars - 3 Flames I've got to admit that I REALLY liked this installment. During those 3 months, they have been emailing each other constantly, forming a friendship and "relationship" with each other that, quite honestly, has Bran scared to put a label on it.
But when Maddie emails him, inviting him to the neighboring island, while she chaperones, he's even more conflicted in his feelings and how to move foreword. Good thing the historian Alex and Bran's other Deep Six brother Mason decide to "join the fun", because this chaperone trip becomes a mission.