The Deadly Shallows (Coastal Guardians #3) by Dani Pettrey

 

A DEADLY ATTACK.
A STOLEN WEAPON CAPABLE OF IMMENSE DESTRUCTION.
A PAINFUL SECRET THAT THREATENS TO TEAR TWO HEARTS APART.

CGIS Agent Noah Rowley is rocked to the core when several of his valued team members come under fire on his Coast Guard base. He and his remaining team race to the scene and end the attack, but not before innocent lives are lost. Furious and grief-stricken, he vows to do whatever is needed to bring the mastermind behind the attack to justice.

Stunned by the ambush, Coast Guard flight medic Brooke Kesler evacuates in a helicopter carrying the only surviving gunman. The gravely wounded man whispers mysterious information to Brooke that immediately paints a target on her back.

As Brooke and Noah race to uncover answers, emotions between them ignite. Noah struggles to protect Brooke at all costs and to conceal the secret that prevents him from becoming what he longs to be--the right man for her.

Everything is at stake as a horrifying truth emerges. . . .

The attack wasn't the end game. It was only the beginning.

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When you decide to read this book, you should block out a solid chunk of time because you aren't going to want to put this book down.  It's fast paced and full of danger, action and mystery.  I love romantic suspense and this author does it so well.  

This book starts out in the thick of the danger and the plot grows with intensity and scope throughout the book.  The bad guys are obvious to the reader but not the characters, so that gave me anxiety.  haha.  The tension was strong and I was reading so quickly I had to purposefully slow myself down and remind myself to savor and enjoy.  It didn't really work. 

Brooke and Noah are friends.  They both want more but neither of them is laying it on the table in the beginning. Then, all the bad things happen and that sure has a way of changing how you look at relationships and life.  I love the way Noah shifted to protector mode.  He is smart and loyal and good.  The same can be said of Brooke.  They both jump into danger to protect people and they have an awesome team of friends and coworkers around them to assist them in this.

This is the third book in this series and I would recommend reading it in order because I think you will be happier if you do.  Characters from previous books are in this book so it will make those personal connections even better.

Content:  peril, violence, death.  Torture mentioned but not describe in great detail.  Kissing.  Christian elements.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians #2) by Dani Pettrey

They know the power and peril of the ocean.
But as they get closer to the deadly truth . . .
An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker, Coast Guard Investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are flown to the scene thirty-eight miles from shore. Tensions aboard the rig are high, and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the "plague on the environment" from continuing its work. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating on board about an ancient curse lurking in the depths below.

Mounting evidence shows the death might not have been an accident. Was the man killed by one of the activists or, more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only numerous suspects, but also their own haunted pasts and their attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems about to break open, worse news arrives: a tropical storm has turned their way. Now they're cut off from any rescue--right where the killer wants them.

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This story had me all in and invested from the very beginning and didn't let up.  It's that 'hold on tight because you know this will be a fun ride' feeling.  I love when that happens. 

Even though there is a strong forward momentum, the author does a good job of giving me space to know the characters.  Rissi and Mason have history together from when they were children.  It's not a great shared history but I enjoyed how their story unfolded and expanded my understanding of their relationship and their connection.  Rissi and Mason are both excellent characters and I enjoyed them so much.

There is danger, there is intrigue.  The mystery is swirling all over in this book making me anxious with anticipation.  It was good stuff.  There is another developing plot happening between some side characters and I'm hoping they will be in the spotlight for the next book.  It's shaping up to be good!!  Oh!  And as a side note, I never want to be an oil rig worker.  Or even visit an oil rig.  That's some scary stuff and I'm grateful for the people who do the hard jobs for people like me.

This series is about a group of people and they are all present in each book so it would probably help to read this series from the beginning for the best character development, but I honestly think this book can stand on it's own.  This book releases on June 30th.  If you haven't read the first book in the series, The Killing Tide, now is a great time to pick it up on Kindle.  It's just $1.49!  Find it HERE.

Content:  peril, death, mild violence, kissing, mentions of physical abuse.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians #1) by Dani Pettrey

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer's boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

When investigative reporter--and Finn's boss's sister--Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she's back, the tug on Finn's heart is strong, but with the risks she's taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can't ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

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Guess what is releasing this next week?  Good news, right?  Dani Pettrey is a talented author and one of my favorites in the romantic suspense genre.  I've been anticipating this book for what seems like a long time.  Oh and just a shout out to the cover!  I love when a book cover represents what is inside so well.  It just makes me happy.  And I love those colors!!

You better buckle up for this book.  Seriously.  It is nonstop, petal to the metal, fast paced, forward momentum.  I was sucked in from the first few pages and had a hard time putting this one down for "real life".  haha.  Sometimes with suspense novels, it's more about the plot than the characters.  I don't know how Dani Pettrey does it, but there is such a fantastic balance of character building in the midst of a growing mystery and death defying scenes.  It makes for such an awesome story.

I love the setting for this new series and also the homage it pays to some largely unsung heroes that protect our waters.  I'll admit that some of it creeps me out (think underwater fighting, drowning and sharks!) but it's okay, I'm okay.  😨  It could never be my job but I sure am grateful for those who are our coastal guardians.

This book spotlights Finn and Gabby (I LOVE Finn! Gabby, not so much.) but also introduces us to a team of people who this series will revolve around.  The stage has been set for the next novel and once again, I am left anticipating the next book.  It cannot get here fast enough.

Content:  violence, death, Christian elements, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.