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 … 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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Warning: Once you begin this book, it’s going to be hard for you to put it down. Every time I came to a place that I thought I could put the book down for awhile, something else would happen to keep me reading “just one more chapter”. I’m going to be careful in this review to not give anything away with the plot, because it’s the surprises along the way that give this book its spark.
The eye-catching cover gives you a clue about the suspenseful feel all throughout the story. Dani Pettrey’s books never disappoint me. I love books that have complicated, twisting plot lines and she’s certainly given us that in this book. There is also quite a bit happening in this book with several different characters. It took me a couple of chapters to get everyone in their proper place in my mind, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this story. Although there is a romantic storyline, I most enjoyed the “NCIS” type of investigative feel to the book. The Coast Guard investigative team gives this story a fresh feel, and the scenes involving the Coast Guard were riveting. Everything comes together in an ending that I did not see coming. And that’s why I’ll keep reading anything that Dani Pettrey writes.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Dani Pettrey’s latest novel is a trifecta of reading pleasure. There’s suspense, intrigue, and romance. Who doesn’t like that combination? Add in some really bad guys, two engaging and likable characters (Finn and Gabby), and you have the recipe for a “can’t put it down until it’s finished” novel. There is a faith element in the book, which if you’ve read any of Pettrey’s other books is always present. I like the Christian element, but I don’t think it’s preachy. You never have to worry about anything foul or gratuitous in her books. The mystery is tight, and if you’re like me you won’t know the true bad guy until the end. Definitely worth your time to read.
Danger comes straight at the reader, right away! Finn and Gabby both are placed in different dangers before they even get back in each other’s presence again.
Gabby might be scared but she is one tenacious lady. She does care about the people around her so that is a plus. But when she gets her teeth into a story? She just doesn’t give up when digging to the truth. More than once I just wanted to shake her though. She takes such dangerous chances and more than once. She made such bonehead decisions that I just groaned. And when she ropes another woman into her stupid choices? Especially a very pregnant woman. It doesn’t even cross her mind that she could get her hurt or killed. A hit-man is after her and she does this? Yes, I know she thinks she’s hidden so well but still. Nope, I wasn’t liking her so much in those moments.
The conversation about Tess having an ominous feeling about something bad happening to her husband Will was good. BUT…it felt like it was replayed just a bit too much. Still it also does play a part in the story so it is important.
If you are looking for a story with a lot of action, this book definitely qualifies! There is so much going on and the bodies just keep seem to pile up. Is anyone really safe? Just be prepared for a fairly large cast of people. I found that a bit overwhelming at first. I had to go back and re-check who people were and how they fit in the story more than a couple times.
The book keeps the tension pretty high throughout with some breath-taking twists leading up to the end.
Faith will and does play a good part of this story. I liked how it showed many of the people using their faith in their everyday life. That added without overpowering the story.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
SUSPENSE OVERLOAD!
Dani Pettrey has started off her new Coastal Guardians series with a BANG! Be ready to block off some time because this plot is extremely compelling and once you start reading it, you will want to stay with it. Her characters are complex yet come across as very believable. Her descriptive imagery will have you feeling as though you are right where the action is taking place. Her villains and the evil they plan and inflict are totally realistic. THE KILLING TIDE is based on an incident involving the Coast Guard Investigative Service. One of their officers has been killed and another is missing. Special Agent Finn Walker gets his most difficult the assignment to date – Solve the murder and see if any of his fellow CGIS Special Agents are involved! All he needs is the “help” of Investigative Reporter Gabby Rowland (his boss’s sister). He quickly finds out that Gabby is a very “Independent Thinker” and thinks nothing of putting herself in dangerous situations in order to find out what she wants to know. How can he protect her and work his case when someone/or more than one wants them both dead? Do they go their separate ways and hope that that by separating, they will have a better chance of survival? Or, do they decide on a truce and decide to join forces and take out whomever is following them? Also, what will they choose to do about the growing attraction between them?? A truly spectacular book that will keep you awake reading all night! I was provided an ARC of this book by Bethany House and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
The Killing Tide was packed with action right from the first page. Gabby Rowley was a very strong willed character whose actions sometimes frustrated me, mostly toward the first half of the book. I felt that she grew a lot within the pages of this novel, and by the end of the story, she had sorted out her priorities.
Finn Walker was a character that I really liked in The Killing Tide. We find that he and Gabby had a past relationship, which Gabby threw away for a job opportunity. The fact that Finn still cared for Gabby and willingly took on the responsibility for her protection, even after she broke his heart, made him stand out to me as a special person in this story.
I liked the way the team ran their investigation into the deaths that occurred toward the beginning of the novel. There were many team members to meet in this first book of the series, and hints of possible romantic interests for future stories. I loved the way this book concluded and am excited to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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.
Oh my stars! I am speechless in the best way, how do I even begin to find the words to say how much I loved this book?! This was my most anticipated read of 2019 and I am absolutely delighted to say that it exceeded all my expectations!
In my opinion Dani Pettrey just blasted her own already sky-high bar somewhere into outer space!
I loved Gabby and Finn instantly, as well as the rest of the CGIS team, and I can’t wait to hang out with them all again! As I have come to expect from Dani’s books the suspense in The Killing Tide was top notch, and more times than I can count it got my adrenaline pumping like mad as I breathlessly perched on the edge of my seat!
The Killing Tide totally and completely sucked me into its vortex of spellbinding amazingness on page one and would not let go, which delighted me to no end!
I loved, loved, LOVED this book and read it in about 24 hours because I could not stop turning pages!
I could seriously go on gushing for days about how amazing this book is and how much I loved it!
My only complaint is having to wait for the next book in the Coastal Guardians series, but I can be patient because I know it will be well worth the wait!
The Killing Tide is an absolute must read for fans of Christian romantic suspense! Seriously, go buy it RIGHT NOW! You can thank me later! 😉
This book without question has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf, and it is in my top 5 favorite reads of the year!
I wish I could give The Killing Tide more than five stars, because if I could I’d give it as many stars as there are drops of water in the ocean or grains of sand on the beach, that’s right: innumerable, and it truly deserves each and every one!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
Oh. My. Word! In The Killing Tide, Dani Pettrey introduces a new cast of characters, a new setting, and her personal brand of high octane, cannot-put-it-down, lose-sleep-over-it romantic suspense.
There is so much I loved about this book: a team of investigators that are a team and a family you want to be a part of, excellent information and insight into the Coast Guard Investigation Services, twists and turns that leave you white-knuckled, and swoon-worthy romance between at least two (with hints of more to come) characters. And y’all, there is nothing more attractive than a man with a strong faith and a protective streak like Finn Walker.
As if all of that wasn’t enough: THAT ENDING! The one that had me immediately online and adding the next book to my TBR. Books like The Killing Tide are proof that Pettrey deserves a place at the top of my must-read romantic suspense authors list.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I love when a book’s villain is not who I expect it to be. The ending of this book took me by complete surprise! With this being the first in a new series, there’s a lot of new characters to meet and get to know but the action starts right with chapter 1 and doesn’t stop until you’ve reached the end! You may even recognize one of the characters from the Chesapeake Valor series. It’s always so much fun when a character spins off into a new series! I’m looking forward to the next in this series for sure!
3.5 stars
“Blood pooled like a cloud in the heightening tide of the super moon – the killing tide.”
Gabby Rowley’s life has just been threatened once again, and she thinks she knows why. As an investigative reporter, her instinctive abilities to uncover crimes has recently put a powerful drug lord behind bars; and someone is out for revenge. Suddenly being shuffled from Raleigh, North Carolina to the coastal town of Wilmington, Gabby’s family has placed her directly in the cross hairs of another dangerous person; a man who is no threat whatsoever to her life, but certainly has the strength to break her heart in two. . . . . for a second time.
Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker has to steel himself against the waves of emotion that coincide with seeing Gabby Rowley; she has returned to Wilmington for her own safety, nothing else; seeing him again had nothing to do with her decision. . . . .besides, she was the one who walked out of his life without a backward glance. Sure, Gabby can stay in his loft apartment, and sure, he will help the Coast Guard community keep her free from harm, but so many things become unsure, especially when a string of lethal crimes ignite Gabby’s thirst for truth.
Admittedly, the first half of this book was a bit confusing; numerous characters and a steady stream of violent events; coupled with the sense that there was a missing back story or two, but by the time the story was fully underway it was quite engaging; and its ending staged a clever beginning to more than one story about these brave coastal guardians.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher; the opinions stated above are entirely my own.
What is intriguing, to me at least, is this Christian fiction story centers on a small CGIS team. They are close-knit like a family. You can see it in their interactions and how they feel comfortable praying with one another. For the most part, violence is off-scene. This is also a Romantic Suspense so the heat level is kept respectable. It is thanks to NetGalley and their provision of an advanced copy of this book that I can share this with you today. If this sounds like your kind of book then be on the lookout for it on August 6, 2019.
* I received a complimentary Advanced Reader e-copy of this book from Dani Pettrey and Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
I’m excited to be sharing with you as part of author Dani Pettrey’s Suspense Squad, a team of readers who got a first look into her newest novel, The Killing Tide, available for pre-order now and debuting on August 5, 2019.
I’ve been a long time fan of Dani’s, thoroughly enjoying her Alaskan Courage series from years ago. Now, she’s back with another highly anticipated novel that delivers exactly what readers want… Mystery, murder, suspense, romance, and a team of friends who are fiercely equipped and devoted to protecting those they love. Also, can we just take a moment to swoon over the gorgeous cover?
Without giving too much of the story away, I’ll say that I loved Finn and Gabby, and their unique dynamic together. It was interesting learning about these two characters who had a history together and watching them reconnect on a new level.
Pettrey keeps readers on the edge of their seats from the dramatic opening chapters to the nail biting ending with exciting events taking place throughout The Killing Tide. She kept me guessing until close to the end when process of elimination really helped me determine the villain and even then, I was still surprised with how the story played out.
One of my favorite parts of Pettrey’s series is how the books interlock, following the lives of friends, who in this case also happen to be teammates on the CGIS team. Readers will meet the entire team in this novel and as they dive into Finn and Gabby’s story, they’ll get a peek into the lives of the characters from the next novel she has planned. I always enjoy the strong friendship and fierce determination Pettrey’s characters have. Their faith, their loyalty, and their morals are always honorable. I also really enjoyed the coastal setting, for obvious reasons!
The only tiny drawback for me was the part of The Killing Tide that Pettrey penned from the villian’s point of view. I found myself rushing through those parts, not really caring what the villain was up to or thinking because I was enjoying Finn, Gabby and CGIS team more! I preferred to be surprised with the next turn of events just as the character’s were, always wanting to side with them and cheer on their defeat of whatever bad circumstances came their way.
I highly recommend The Killing Tide to those who enjoy romantic suspense, mysteries and even popular, fictional investigative television shows.
I received an ARC of this book, and I am so glad I did! I love this new series set around The Coast Guard, and as always, I love the writing style of Dani Pettrey. Her characters bring you into the story, and her suspenseful writing truly does keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who did what! Be prepared for lots of emotional highs and lows throughout the story, and dive into The Killing Tide as soon as it comes out!
Knowing that Dani Pettrey was going to write a new series was like a real gift to me since I love all of her books. This one, like the other books in her other series, is a clean read with romance, suspense and not a few thrilling scenes. Finn Walker is a member of CGIS and is busily engaged investigating the death of another member of the Guard. Then he is tasked with keeping investigative reporter Gabby Rowley safe since she is being targeted by a drug kingpin. There is a lot of action in this tale and many new characters for the series are introduced. I enjoyed getting to know Gabby and about her trauma in Sudan and Finn and his feeling of hopelessness since he has not been able to save everyone in danger. The stories of Rissi, Noah, Mason and Emmalynne all promise to keep the series alive and burning in the readers’ hearts for several years to come. As the quintessential hero, Finn will long live in the hearts and dreams of those who read this book and see him for the Godly man that he is. I highly recommend this book to fans of Dani Pettrey and to anyone who loves a good romance without all of the bad language and graphic sexual scenes!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
“He was drawn to her like the tides were to the moon.”
“He’d done exactly what he vowed not to do. He’d fallen in love with her all over again.”
The Killing Tide, the first installment in Dani Pettrey’s new Coastal Guardians series, is an action-packed romantic suspense novel that takes readers on an extremely dangerous and thrilling ride and keeps them highly invested in the storyline until the very last page. Dani Pettrey is a favorite author of many romantic suspense readers because of her thrilling storylines, her swoon-worthy heroes, and her ability to weave the characters’ faith seamlessly into her novels.
Gabby Rowley finds herself in extreme danger after her work as an investigative reporter leads to $30 million in cocaine being seized by the DEA and a major drug dealer being sent to prison. After Gabby faces an attempt on her life, her brother Noah, a special agent in the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and other members of his team are enlisted to provide protection for her. As Noah, Finn, and the rest of the CGIS team investigate the suspicious death of a Coast Guard officer, the case becomes more complex and dangerous than they ever anticipated. Sparks continue to fly between Finn and Gabby, as unresolved feelings from the past resurface. The chemistry between Finn and Gabby is off the charts, and the romantic storyline will have readers swooning.
Readers will become familiar with the entire Coast Guard Investigative Service team in the novel, and it is heartwarming how this team of special agents has a family-like dynamic and supports each other during the good times and the bad. There are many new characters introduced at the beginning of the novel, which is typical in the first book of a new series, but readers will quickly fall in love with the entire CGIS team. These characters will undoubtedly be featured in future installments of the Coastal Guardians series. Gabby and Finn’s faith helps them face the difficult situations they encounter in their daily lives, and even in their deepest struggles and moments of doubt, God is always with them.
The Killing Tide is highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Rachel Dylan, Natalie Walters, and Elizabeth Goddard, and fans of TV shows such as NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Hawaii Five-0. Readers will be eagerly anticipating the second book in the series, The Crushing Depths, to discover more about their favorite members of the Coast Guard Investigative Service team.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Additional Quotes:
“The ocean settled her soul like nothing else. Being near God’s creation reminded her of His sovereignty and majesty. Setting the moon in the sky to control the tides . . . it awed her. Jesus walking on water, calming the storm . . . Knowing He tamed something so wild and free settled her soul in a way nothing else did.”
“God had most definitely made a masterpiece with Finn Walker. Combining his stellar physique with green eyes, a strong jaw, and chiseled cheekbones made it hard not to sigh when he walked in a room.”
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?
Another great book by Dani Pettrey. Gabby is running for her life from a mob hit. Finn has the perfect place for her. His guest house. The only problem is that he is still in love with her from when she stayed there several months ago. Gabby’s brother is Finn’s boss. They work for the Coast Guard Investigative Services. The team rotate watching Gabby while trying to solve a double murder of their Coast Guard team mates. The only problem is Gabby keeps trying to snick out and try to solve the crime herself.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a great mystery.
I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Dani Pettrey starts off a new series with The Killing Tide, about a group of Coast Guard Investigative Service special agents. This one centers around Finn Walker, who is facing a very dangerous crime with little to no evidence, while at the same time dealing with the woman who broke his heart coming back into his life again. Gabby Rowley, sister of one of the Coast Guard special agents, and investigative reporter, is supposed to be in hiding because of a threat to her life. But Gabby has a mind of her own and doesn’t want to stay hidden and keep her nose out of the crime that’s taken place. The crime that the Coast Guard needs to solve, not her.
Pettrey once again gives her readers a book full of suspense and great characters. We get a brief glimpse of all the special agents, and know that they each will most likely have a book dedicated to them. Fans of Pettrey will delight in this kick off to her new series,
*My thanks the Bethany House for a complimentary preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.