The Crushing Depths By Dani Pettrey

The Crushing Depths
by Dani Pettrey
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 9780764230851

I was very excited to join the launch team for Dani Pettrey's newest release in her Coastal Guardians series. We read book 1 for the book club I run in May. I couldn't wait for book 2 which I received from Bethany House for review!

Summary:

They know the power and peril of the ocean.
But as they get closer to the deadly truth . . .
An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.
When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker, Coast Guard Investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are flown to the scene thirty-eight miles from shore. Tensions aboard the rig are high, and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the "plague on the environment" from continuing its work. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating on board about an ancient curse lurking in the depths below. 

Mounting evidence shows the death might not have been an accident. Was the man killed by one of the activists or, more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only numerous suspects, but also their own haunted pasts and their attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems about to break open, worse news arrives: a tropical storm has turned their way. Now they're cut off from any rescue--right where the killer wants them.

My Review:

At the end of The Killing Tide I was champing at the bit to read Mason and Rissi's story! The author does a great job of teasing us with it as we get to know Rissi and then with Mason showing up at the end...

Along comes The Crushing Depths and I was all in for the story. Dani certainly knows how to reel in her readers! Chapter 1, all 1 page of it, sets the stage for the rest of the story! I had mentioned at one point on Instagram that I was so involved in the story that I kept forgetting to keep track of any quotes that stuck out to me.

While the history between Mason and Rissi is a difficult one because of where they came from, it sets the reader up to be able to accept and understand their draw towards each other. I love stories where both characters have a deep strength inside of them, but enough vulnerability to be able to rely on another person.

Then, there was the side story with Brooke, who works as a medic for the Coast Guard. I liked how the author brought her into the story as Mason & Rissi's was just getting off the ground. It was seamless to create that extra story, and one that gave us the opportunity to get to know Noah a little better. Can I just say I adore how protective the characters are in this series? Whether it's for their own or the people they're protecting, I've become an even bigger fan of the Coast Guard through the fictional writing!

What I appreciated most about the story is that the author must've done a ton of research to help propel the believability of the oil rig! I've seen the shows of protestors out on the ocean, and while it's good that they're protective of marine life, I think they can easily go too far. The angle of the "curse" was helpful to the story because you could understand the crews' concern about what's going on in their work environment when so many "accidents" were happening.

Once again it was high adventure, with some pretty good romance, in Dani Pettrey's latest novel. Can I say that my fingers are crossed for 3 possible romances in the next novel? Yes, three!! A gal can hope!

About the Author:

Praised by New York Times bestselling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their "wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters" (Publishers Weekly), "gripping storyline[s]" (RT Book Reviews), and "sizzling undercurrent of romance" (USA Today).

Her Alaskan Courage series and Chesapeake Valor series have received praise from readers and critics alike and spent multiple months topping the CBA bestseller lists. Dani has also been honored with multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing's Best Award.

Dani considers herself blessed to be able to write the kind of stories she loves--full of plot twists, peril, love, and a longing for hope and redemption. Her greatest joy as an author is sharing the stories God lays on her heart. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com.