Deeper Than the Ocean (Deep Six 4) by Julie Ann Walker-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 31, 2021

The former Navy SEALs of Deep Six Salvage thought they could retire to the sea and hunt for treasures of the deep, but when trouble comes to visit, there’ll be hell to pay.

Ray “Wolf” Roanhorse took one look at Chrissy and knew she was the woman of his dreams. There’s a hitch, however. He screwed things up with her. Big time. Now all she wants is to be friends. He’ll have to be his most charismatic and charming self if he has any hope of changing her mind. And winning her heart.

Christina Szarek knows all about sexy, brooding men like Wolf. She grew up watching her mother fall for – and be broken by – plenty of them. If she had her way, she’d avoid Wolf altogether. But they’re partners in the hunt for the Santa Cristina’s legendary treasure. Avoidance is impossible. And the longer she’s near him, the more he chips away at the walls she’s erected against him.

The danger to Chrissy doesn’t only come from her burgeoning feelings, however. There are mysterious players who would see her silenced – for good. And Wolf, with his wicked grin and spec-ops training, is all that stands between her and a date with death in the deep.

•••••

REVIEW:DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN is the fourth instalment in Julie Ann Walker’s contemporary, adult DEEP SIX romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Navy SEALs who own and operate a Marine salvage business. This is thirty-four year old, former Navy SEAL Ray ‘Wolf’ Roanhorse, and dive shop owner Christina Szarek’s story line. DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The DEEP SIX series is a spinoff from Julie Ann’s BLACK KNIGHTS INC series. Wolf and Christina’s story line started in book three RIDE THE TIDE.

SOME BACKGROUND: The DEEP SIX series follows six former military or special ops agents who, upon retirement, set up their own business running secret missions behind the scenes. Searching for the wreck of the Santa Cristina near Wayfarer Island, the Deep Six team continues to encounter terrorists, pirates and drug runners on their hunt for sunken treasure.

Told from several third person perspectives including Wolf and Christina DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN follows the building relationship between thirty-four year old, former US Navy SEAL Ray ‘Wolf’ Roanhorse, and dive shop owner Christina Szarek. Months earlier Christina Szarek reluctantly agreed to a date with story line hero but found the man of the hour in a potentially compromising position with another woman. Fast forward to present day, Christina has agreed to an evening of drinks with our story line hero but a short cut with her best friend Winston finds the couple witnessing potential criminal activity and both are about to pay the price. Finding the woman he loves fighting for her life, Wolf Roanhorse becomes guardian and protector as Christina continues to be the target of a criminal mind. What ensues is the building relationship between Christina and Wolf, and the potential fall-out as Christina’s mother’s sins continue to control our heroine’s present.

Meanwhile salvage partner Spiro ‘Romeo’ Delgado, and Marine archeologist Mia Ennis continue to dance around their attraction to one another but Romeo’s past refuses to let go.

The relationship between Christina and Wolf is one of mutual attraction but Christina struggles with issues of trust having watched her mother’s love life slowly implode. Offering a friends with benefits relationship only, Christina finds herself falling for a man she believes wants something different going forward. The $ex scenes are seductive and passionate.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and dynamic secondary and supporting characters including: Spiro ‘Romeo’ Delgado and Mia Ennis; Mason McCarthy and Alexandra Merriweather; LT Anderson and Olivia; and Bran Pallidino. We are introduced to Christina’s best friend Winston, and his girlfriend Rosa. The requisite evil has many faces.

DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN is a story of betrayal, vengeance, power and control. A tale of one woman’s issues with trust, and one man’s need to prove he is worthy of her love. The character driven premise is intriguing and fascinating; the romance is edgy and intense; the characters are energetic, determine and courageous. DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN is a wonderful addition to the Deep Six series.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Hell or High Water
Devil and the Deep
Ride the Tide

Copy supplied by Netalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Hey all you romantic suspense readers out there! Julie Ann Walker here, celebrating the release of the fourth book in my bestselling Deep Six series, DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN, by sharing with you who I would cast to co-star in the movie based on my book. This is always so much fun for a writer, because we get to indulge in dreams of Hollywood. Ha!

So without further ado…

For the part of the hero, Ray “Wolf” Roanhorse, I would cast Martin Sensmeier. The aquiline nose, the flashing dark eyes, the jaw hewn from granite? Oh, yes. Martin would make an excellent Wolf. What do you think?

For the part of Christina “Chrissy” Szarek, I would cast Blake Lively. Everything about Blake screams island girl, which is perfect for Chrissy’s character since she was born and raised on Key West, runs a dive shop, and is more comfortable in swim fins and goggles than she is in Dior and high heels.

 

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Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning romantic suspense. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award. Her latest release was named a Top Ten Romance of 2014 by Booklist. Her books have been described as “alpha, edgy, and downright hot.” Most days you can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.

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Julie Ann Walker is graciously offering an ebook copy of DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from May 31 to June 4, 2021