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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Another great romantic suspense novel from Dani Pettrey. She never fails to create thoroughly researched, multi-layered, relatable characters.—Lisa Carter, author of Under a Turquoise Sky
This short book was packed with action and suspense! I enjoyed the characters and the pace. If you’re looking for a fast-paced pulse-racer, grab this one!
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
I love a good suspense/thriller, and this was a really good one to read! Gabby has threats on her life so her brother brings her home to stay with a neighbor friend, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker. Who was involved in searching for the killer of two good friends. The thriller judt keeps getting better.
I have read many book by Dani Pettrey so I knew this one was going to be a good one. The realistic characters were easy to fall in love with. Well, Gabby did get on my nerves a bit because she couldn’t seem to listen to anyone. But she was still likeable, for me. There are several murders going on here, drug dealers, things that are usually involved in thrillers, and the author handled these things well. A few things were a little graphic and I had to skim through those parts, but again, things that happen in suspense/thrillers! Just want you to beware! And the story will sure keep you on the edge of your seat! I read this one in less than two days. I hated having to put it down in order to do other things but I had to!
Dani Pettrey is an awesome writer, one of the best when it comes to this genre! And I appreciate that she does weave faith in the lives of her characters. If you enjoy a good thriller, this one is for you. I highly recommend The Killing Tide to anyone who loves this genre.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I have read Dani Pettrey several times now. She is one of those authors who can have amazingly complex suspense stories with a good, solid Christian message. The one thing that she sometimes has too much of for my taste is the romance aspect, so I’m always curious to see what each individual book holds in that field.
I enjoyed riding the waves with the characters. I absolutely love the family circles that Dani Pettrey has in her books, and this one was no different. Noah was very much Gabby’s big brother; it was really cute. I found Gabby to be a little on the annoying side, with her thoughtless actions and just chasing a story regardless of the repercussions. But I guess that is what made her Gabby. Finn didn’t really stand out to me. He had a good back story, though. And there’s enough of Rissi to make you want her story ASAP!
I appreciated being able to solve this mystery with the characters. Or, at least being introduced to the antagonist before the reveal in the end (mentioning this only because in some of the Alaskan Courage books, you weren’t even introduced to the antagonist so you couldn’t solve anything).
In this book, the romance did not take you “to the bedroom, door“ so in that aspect it was better than some of her Alaskan Courage books. Overall, there is the continual attraction between the two, some passionate kisses, and each character thinking about the other and battling their desires for each other. I wouldn’t personally hand it to my 17-year-old sister to read for this reason.
I appreciate how these characters had God in their thoughts often. They prayed to Him when in trouble, yes, but more than that, they just had more of a God-awareness that was refreshing. I enjoyed how little spiritual lessons kept popping up throughout the character’s lives.
There is a bit of blood mentioned in this, coupled with cruelty and sheer evil. More sensitive readers probably won’t appreciate the depth she goes into the details with murder and gunpoint moments.
One more word on Rissi… her book is coming next!! While at times her story seemed too planned and primarily in this book to set the scene for book two, it was successful in hooking me and making me want more of her story.
*I received this book from the publisher and happily provided my honest review*
A fast-paced tale of crime and Coast Guard investigations, this compelling novel weaves an intricate web of intrigue and danger. If you like an intense thriller, this should fit the bill. All the threads, short scenes that quickly jump to another situation, and numerous characters (including two men whose names start with the letter F) make it complicated and sometimes hard to follow. This is a book where I wish a cast of characters was included at the front to help keep everyone straight. I felt like I couldn’t get to know so many characters well so didn’t sense the depth or connection that offers a more powerful emotional reading experience. They have lots of back story, but this is the first book in a new series. This mystery does stand alone, but the Coast Guard Investigative Service continues in the sequels. It is the first book I have read by this author, and if I read another I want a paper copy and not an ebook so it’s easier to flip back and forth. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. all opinions are my own.
Dani Pettrey writes tightly-plotted, complex stories. They are always interesting, with surprises and plot twists that feel plausible. Because The Killing Tide is the first book in a new series (Coastal Guardians), there was a lot of information and many characters to introduce. It was just a little confusing at the start, but it straightened out quickly. It’s fun to start the first book in a new series, knowing that you will be with that cast of characters for several books and each of them will get their own story.
The hero of The Killing Tide, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker, is a solid, charming character. He’s steady. The heroine… not so much. If we’re going to have a character grow and change over the course of the story, she has to start out flawed. I get that. Gabby does improve, Her spiritual growth and personal change are handled beautifully. But I just didn’t like Gabby. An ambitious reporter, her willful and reckless behavior put other people in danger and upset her family. She even exploited a new widow, dragging her along into danger, just to get her news story. By the time she had her “epiphany,” I’d lost interest in her and was wondering why Finn didn’t find himself a nicer girl.
That doesn’t mean I didn’t like the book. I DO like the book. The setting and Coast Guard situation were interesting. The plot was great. I look forward to reading all the other books in the series. As usual, I will probably listen to them on audio. The narrator, Nina Alvamar, handled male and female voices nicely. Her reading was smooth and pleasant, neither dull nor overly dramatic.
My favorite thing about Dani Pettrey’s writing is that she’s not afraid to write books with real Christian characters. They talk, think, and act like real Christians. They interact with other Christians and non-believers in a realistic way. She’s not preaching; she’s portraying life. I love that.
The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey is the first book in her Coastal Guardians series. Investigative reporter, Gabby Rowley’s life is in danger from the drug lord that she helped send to prison. Her brother, a Coast Guard Investigative Service agent, enlists his team to help keep an eye on Gabby and keep her safe until the threat on life is over. Gabby gets involved in the Coast Guards newest case where her life is even more in danger. To me, Gabby was a little irresponsible. Always endangering others without thinking about the consequences. There were a lot of heated kisses and attraction in this story. But, there was a lot of danger and suspense with several plot twists and an ending you never saw coming!
I received this book from Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.
In classic Pettrey form, The Killing Tide hooked me from the opening with high stakes. Both heroes of the story, Gabby and Finn, have a backstory they’d rather forget but that keeps them from living life fully. Gabby won’t let herself trust another man because of an investigative relationship gone south, and Finn can’t shake feelings of guilt for two accidents in his past. I enjoyed watching both of them learn to face their pasts, forgive themselves, and move forward.
Meanwhile, Pettrey also introduces a lovable secondary cast that I’m guessing will take center stage in the sequel, which I can’t wait to read.
Somehow, I never got around to reading this book when it released and boy that was a mistake. I have been a Dani Pettrey fan since the beginning and this book reminded me why. She has such an ability to make all kinds of readers happy. For plot-driven fans like me, she is a master of edge of your seat page turning suspense. I literally dropped everything I was doing to finish this book because I just had to know what happened. However, she also writes books with such fabulous characters and incredible settings. Whether she is describing a wood floor made of driftwood, the coast of NC, or a wrecked ship, her descriptions are beautiful and she allows the reader to see the pictures in their mind.
I am so thankful that I read this one first because it introduces you to the characters in the series. I am really looking forward to reading The Crushing Depths releasing June 30th.
This was an awesome book. If you like a page turner with wonderful characters to get attached to, as well as some romance then this is the book for you. I highly recommend this book.
As I began reading this book, I quickly found myself caught up in the story. Gabby Rowley is a strong and determined reporter. However, she has siblings and a boss who want to keep her safe. Finn Walker is a Coast Guard Investigative Services Special Agent whose boss happens to be Gabby’s brother.
Mystery, murder, and more fill the pages of this book. I definitely wanted to keep reading in order to find out the truth about what had happened and how things would turn out.
Another reason I probably enjoyed this book may have to do with me calling North Carolina home. So cities and towns mentioned in this book, I am familiar with already.
The pace of this book kept it interesting. The descriptions and scenes kept me reading. I have to say this is definitely a book worth reading, especially if you enjoy reading books that involve branches of the military.
So check out this book for yourself. I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
This is a wonderful author who is a favorite of mine. In fact, I have to admit that I’ve already read this book twice now! It’s that good. I could stop right there and just say I’ve read it twice and you should grab a copy and read it but maybe I should tell you why.
Finn and Gabby are characters who will grab your heart and not let it go. Finn has a lot on his plate trying to figure out who killed his friend and coworker. And then Gabby comes back. He loves her. He has for a while. She’s also the sister of another coworker. But she left before and he’s worried she’ll leave again. That is if he can keep her from getting killed now.
Gabby is being stalked by someone she put in jail. But he’s in jail so how can he be reaching her. After she’s shot at and chased her boss and her brother make the executive decision that she go into hiding. She can’t say she’s pleased and she definitely doesn’t want to put her family in danger. And then there is Finn. She’s not sure how she can face him and leave him again.
Wonderful read! Lots of suspense and action plus some romance and fun. You’ve got multiple characters that try to steal the show and I’m pleased to know that their own books are coming soon. In fact, I might have already read book two in this series and it’s just as good or better!!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I hope you are ready for an adrenaline rush because this story blasts off with intense heat and never stops til the end. My oh my has the author delivered a very tasty bit of intrigue mixed with drug smugglers, Coast Guard, an inquisitive reporter and murder. I loved reading about the Coast Guard. I don’t hear much about them, but they patrol the waters keeping us safe from people trying to sneak in with merchandise that is illegal. The author shows her homework with how much detail she shares about the Coast Guard.
I can’t imagine the danger they face everyday having to board vessels not knowing what they will find. When one of their own is found dead on a boat, Finn goes into action to start the investigation. Finn has his hands full trying to keep The Coast Guard name from getting slandered by accusations. He also has to deal with Gabby. They don’t have a nice past together but here they are working together. Gabby was not my favorite because she seemed to not be able to do what she is told. Her life is in danger, yet she wants to get in the middle of Finn’s investigation. I thought it was a bit selfish of her to push her way around and having Finn constantly watch out for her.
The mystery is quite good and I liked how the twists keep readers guessing who is guilty. If only Gabby would stay out of the way, or maybe she has a vested interest in solving the death of a Coast Guard. The deeper Finn digs into what happened on the boat where someone died, the more danger comes his way. It is a story that captures the thrills of chasing the bad guys while trying to unravel all the people involved. Get ready for a bumpy ride as we travel on sea and land to catch the killers before they destroy more lives.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This is a good suspense romance. The suspense part is not so glaring that you lose sleep reading into the night, but you do want to return to the book to see what happens. Since I am a follower of Jesus Christ, the “Christian” aspect of the book did not bother me. There are a lot of characters, and that can be confusing at times. Chapter 64 was most confusing to me. I don’t recall the characters or the incident in the chapter. The characters’ names are so similar to others that it really confused me.
Dani Pettrey’s explosive writing leaps from the page of this debut of the Coastal Guardians series. Readers are never disappointed with her high octane suspense. In fact, I have the second book loaded and ready to read.
If this was a movie, I would be on the edge of my seat.
I hang my head in shame at the knowledge that I have never taken the time to read a Dani Pettrey book. And I kick myself for missing out on this amazing storyteller’s talents until now. Do you forgive me? Good. Thank you.
The Killing Tide started with intensity and only kept pushing me to the edge, wanting more with every turn of the page. I didn’t even want to turn on the television because this was more entertaining. If it wasn’t the “who-done-it” suspense it was the growing romantic tension. Even though there were various POV’s, once I found the rhythm it was easy to get lost in the unfolding story.
I love it when I can tell that the author spent time researching her facts. It was very clear that she has extensive knowledge of The Coast Guard and various branches of the investigative teams. She painted a vivid picture of the lay of the land so that I could see in my mind where the characters were.
Now, I will say, I wish I saw more of the building romance (because that’s what I enjoy) because Gabby and Finn had an obvious attraction and I wanted to feel it too. I like to see the chemistry bubbling over between a couple. The author gave me a peek of it but not much.
Overall, I would say The Killing Tide is a fantastic read and worthy of any Back Porch with a glass of ice-cold tea or lemonade.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through CelebrateLit. The views expressed are entirely my own and a favorable review was not required (but freely given).
I have enjoyed Dani Pettrey’s books since I read the first one. Her development of a plot is inspired and I love how realistic her characters are portrayed – flaws and all.
Speaking of flaws, heroine Gabby was a bit difficult to like but that may have been the author’s intention. Having returned home for safety’s sake after an attempt on her life, instead of keeping her head down and allowing others to help protect her, Gabby was constantly going off on her own to investigate a crime, sometimes taking others with her. Hard-headed for certain, Gabby often seemed a bit selfish as she ignored advice from others. And how she tortured poor Finn – knowing she loved him but so determined to follow her career instead of love.
If one wants a book filled with action, mystery, and suspense, The Killing Tide would be a good choice with its details about the Coast Guard investigative team. I enjoyed the scenes where I felt like I was observing the team at work. It is a fun to read book with more than enough murder and mayhem for even the most picky suspense fan.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
This is the first book in a new series by Dani Pettrey. Being from landlocked Nebraska, pretty much I know very little about the Coast Guard. This was enlightening to me to learn about what all this military service branch might be involved with. The Christian element of this book involved learning how to move on from mistakes and to learn how to trust people. As for the suspense aspect, I predicted very little as to who was involved and how with the situation that was being investigated. (I feel like mentioning any details would definitely be a spoiler). The parts of the crew members becoming family to each other seemed like it could happen. Tragedy was a part of the storyline, but I liked how they all gathered together to support each other. The only drawback – because this is a new series, there are so many characters introduced. They were a bit hard to keep track of in the chapters. But I am not sure how the author could change that fact. I will definitely read the remaining books in this series.
Okay, I’ll admit, the cover is what grabbed my attention first. After that, the blurb. But then, from the first page, Dani Pettrey swept me away on a wild adventure.
This book came at the perfect time. Through The Killing Tide I found an escape from everyday existence and tumbled down a rabbit hole of action, romance, and beautiful dialogue. I’m a sucker for the dialogue, and this one ticks all the boxes for my perfect read.
No joke, I binge read the book in one sitting then started looking for book two. I love the characters and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Finn and Gabby have a past romance to overcome if there’s to be any hope for their future, and although a happily ever after is the name of the game, the journey is the best part.
I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
An incredible beginning to a new series
Wow! Be prepared to read until you reach the last page and then wonder how you missed figuring it out. This thriller had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what on earth could happen next. Gabby Rowley is a well-known journalist that has put herself in dangerous positions to get all the facts. In fact, she nearly died for one of those stories. In this situation she should be safe…after all the perp is in jail, right?
Noah, her brother, and his team work with the CGIS or Coast Guard Investigative Service. Sent to stay with the team as a precaution, Gabby finds herself involved in an investigation that has so many twists and turns, never mind the danger, that one has to wonder if she will be any safer. I found myself wishing I could take Gabby and shake her, hoping to dislodge her fixation on figuring everything out by herself, no caring about her safety. As she learns more about herself, will she begin to rely on God to lead her? The author has introduced us to a wonderful set of characters that I look forward to getting to know better.
What a fabulous beginning to the Coastal Guardians series. This digital copy was received through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. All impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.