"submerged" by dani pettrey

About the book: When Bailey Craig left Yancey, Alaska, after high school, she swore she would never return. She found Christ during college, but the shame of her reputation in Yancey as "Easy Lay Bay" kept her away for 10 years ... until her dear aunt was killed in a plane crash and left everything to Bailey.

When two dead bodies turn up in Yancey with a connection to Russian icons, Bailey, now a Russian studies professor, is swept into the investigation—and finds herself working side-by-side with Cole McKenna, her first love.

As Bailey and Cole search for answers, they uncover a plot more sinister than they'd imagined, and they soon find themselves fighting for their lives.

My take: If you enjoyed Dee Henderson's O'Malley series, you'll like Submerged, book one in Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series. While the plot is entirely Pettrey's own, the family dynamics are similar to those in the O'Malley series.

While I enjoyed Bailey and Cole's relationship, the mystery behind the murders (which was incredibly well developed and quite fascinating), and the suspense, by far my favorite aspect of the book was the attraction between Cole's sister Piper and his best friend Landon. My hope is that they will be featured in the next book!

My only criticism is that it was hard to figure out all the family/friend connections at the beginning. Once I got everyone straight, I flew through the book. (Hint: Landon is both a search-and-rescue diver and a sheriff's deputy, and Gage is Cole's brother.) Overall, this was a fun, fascinating read, and I can't wait for book two! 4-1/2 stars.

Read an excerpt below:Submerged

About the author: Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through their book reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have 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 Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."