In case you missed it, make sure you check out the excerpt and giveaway for DEVIL AND THE DEEP here. 🙂
Devil and the Deep
by Julie Ann Walker
Synopsis:
Cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events are Maddy Powers’ way of life. But the daring man who appropriated her father’s yacht a couple of months ago is still out there, somewhere, and she wants to pay him back for the scorching kiss they shared.
Behind his suave smile and ladykiller eyes, Bran Palladino carries a dark secret that keeps him from pursuing Maddy… even though he can’t get her out of his head. But when Maddy is kidnapped as part of a grand scheme, it’s time to put up or shut up… because Bran can’t live without Maddy now.
Review:
So. Good!
Doing things out of order again–I just realized I read the series prequel (Hot as Hell) and of course I just read this one, book #2, and didn’t even realize that book #1 (Hell or High Water) was sitting in my Audible library, patiently waiting for me to give it a listen! Gah! This is what happens when your iPod and your computer stop talking to each other…am queuing it up on my phone app as I write this…
Anyway.
At the start of Devil and the Deep, our hero and heroine, Bran and Maddy, have already started a relationship of sorts. Bran was part of rescuing Maddy from some seriously bad dudes–I’m assuming in book 1, but if you’ve forgotten you own it and therefore haven’t read it yet you’ll still do just fine starting this one–and shared a single, unforgettable kiss back then. Since they’ve been in contact–email, mostly, and some by phone–and he’s helped her to deal with the repercussions of her ordeal. Maddy’s been hoping their relationship will go further, but Bram’s convinced it never can.
Because he’s hiding something even scarier in his past than those guys who kidnapped Maddy in the last book. Or the ones who’re going to try to do a repeat performance in this one.
So…we’ve got a former Navy SEAL who’s rapidly falling for a woman who’s head over heels for him already, three smart-mouthed teens that that woman just might be kind of using in order to have an excuse to spend more time with the aforementioned ex-SEAL, a park ranger called Ranger Rick (I know! And he didn’t even get the reference–sigh…), and some seriously bad dudes, 2.0 version.
We’ve got some hot-as-heck scenes, tons of awesome relationship-building banter (between our main couple and a future couple whose book better come soon but I have a feeling it’s not next, gosh darn it) and pulse-pounding danger and suspense. And two former SEALs who take off their shirts. And scary-a$$ barracuda. (I made the mistake of looking for a picture on Google. Sleep might not be my friend tonight. And not just because Heart’s “Barracuda” keeps running through my head.)
Oh. And lots and lots of movie quotes. Including The Princess Bride.
Seriously–what more could you want?
A perfect read for summer–or anytime, really. Though maybe not when you’re anywhere near barracuda-infested waters.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
