Series: Coastal Guardians #3
Published by Bethany House on July 5, 2022
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Romance, Suspense
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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.
Bestselling author Dani Pettrey again delivers a fast-paced story in an acclaimed style readers have come to love: full of snappy dialogue, thrilling adventure romance, and unexpected plot twists.
“CGIS.” One acronym, and Dani Pettrey drew me into The Deadly Shallows. I had never read any of her work; to be honest, I had not heard her name. I have read so many books with police officers, firemen, Army veterans, and SEALs. The Deadly Shallows instantly stood out, and I dove into its story with an open mind. While I had a few qualms with the novel, Pettrey secured herself a new fan, and I will be reading more of her books in the future. Probably the very near future, if I had to bet.
A former coworker was in the Coast Guard prior to joining my office. He shared a few stories and mentioned how he was interested in joining CGIS—the Coast Guard Investigative Service. He’s now with NCIS instead, but I learned a few things about CGIS from him. Not enough to critique Pettrey’s novel, but enough to feel a connection to the characters that made me smile. Noah Rowley and his team are dedicated and believable, refusing to stop until they solve the case. Fate throws Brooke Kesler into the situation, and a spark of attraction between Noah and Brooke ignites into a flame.
The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey has everything you’d hope for in a romantic suspense novel. Tension, danger, a complex crime, and a love story that radiates throughout the tale without being overwhelming. It was there, but it did not distract Noah and Brooke from what was most important. The plot had twists and turns that made it hard to predict. Pettrey also pulled in the characters’ faiths, which I also appreciated. But only to a certain extent; it made the novel a little less believable.
Though I obviously cannot speak from experience with the Coast Guard, I can do so from my time with local and federal governments. Christianity lacked prevalence in any situation, though many employees followed Christ. No stopping for group prayers; we would all do it individually. Working for the government, you are expected to maintain professionalism at all times, as you never know who may step into the room. Unfortunate or not, public prayers do not qualify.
Many books, I complain about their short length. The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey was a smidge too long for me. I did not know how long it was when I picked up the book, and I didn’t know how long it would take to finish. Yes, I have read lengthy novels and liked them. But The Deadly Shallows just kept going…and going…and going, and though I enjoyed the novel, I also wanted it to end. The characters kept having meetings and phone calls. Though maybe realistic, many of Pettrey could have skipped some of these to move the story along.
Regardless, The Deadly Shallows is a splendid novel. Though the third book of a series, I never felt lost by not reading the first two. Additionally, Pettrey’s writing style reminds me of Dee Henderson, who first drew me into the Christian romantic suspense genre seven years ago. If you like Henderson or Lynette Eason as much as I do, Dani Pettrey is right up your alley.