Sandy S.
RIDE THE TIDE is the third full-length instalment in Julie Ann Walker’s contemporary, adult DEEP SIX romantic, suspense series focusing on a group of former Navy SEALs who currently own and operate a civilian marine salvage business. The DEEP SIX series is a spinoff from Julie Ann’s BLACK KNIGHTS INC series. This is thirty-five year old, former Navy SEAL Mason McCarthy, and twenty-seven year old, historian Alexandra ‘Alex’ Merriweather’s story line. Alexandra was first introduced in HELL OR HIGH WATER. RIDE THE TIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. There is an introductory novella HOT AS HELL that can be found in the May 2015 multi-authored anthology-WAY OF THE WARRIOR. NOTE: The DEEP SIX series follows six former military or special ops agents who, upon retirement, set up their own business running secret missions behind the scenes. Searching for the wreck of the Santa Cristina near Wayfarer Island, the Deep Six team continues to encounter terrorists and pirates on their hunt for sunken treasure. Told from several third person perspectives RIDE THE TIDE follows the Deep Six crew on their continued search for the Spanish galleon, the Santa Cristina, believed to have sunk in 1624 near Wayfarer Island in Florida Keys, but on this particular mission, the crew, along with feisty and talkative historian Alexandra Merriweather would find themselves, having been chased down and shot while searching at sea, the target of another unknown assailant. Rescued by the Coast Guard, leaving three dead men in their wake, Mason, Alexandra, Romeo, Wolf, Chrissy, Doc and Uncle John would find no more security on land when, once again, their whereabouts and safety leaves much to be desired. As the story line progresses, we are up close and personal with the yin and yang of the relationship between Ray ‘Wolf’ Roanhorse and dive shop owner Christina ‘Chrissy’ Szareck. The sexual tension is palpable but Chrissy refuses to give in to temptation, at least, for now. Meanwhile, Alexandra Merriweather is focusing on our hero Mason McCarthy, a focus that reveals Alex’s attraction to Mason does not go unnoticed but Mason refuses to accept that he is worthy of love or a permanent relationship. Having loved and lost in the past, Mason struggles with his perception of Alex’s version of a happily ever after but it will be Mason who is unable to forget about the feisty woman who calls to his heart. Mason offers Alexandra one night together but the heart wants something more than he is willing to give. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. We are reintroduced to several members of Deep Six Salvage, most of whom are former military or Navy SEALs: Ray ‘Wolf’ Roanhorse, Spiro ‘Romeo’ Delgado, dive shop owner Christina ‘Chrissy’ Szareck, Uncle John Anderson (a cross between a ‘crusty sea dog and slack –ass hippie), and Deep Six Salvage co-owner Doc. The requisite evil has many faces. RIDE THE TIDE is a story of betrayal, vengeance and retribution; relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is provocative and tender; the characters are edgy, dynamic and flirty.
1 person found this review helpful
Alison Robinson
DNF at 39%. OMG, how can I have read nearly half a book and all I can remember is angst about some woman trying to lose her virginity to a special forces operative with more angst than a teenage girl. There's a fine line to tread with spec-ops romances. The men have to be tough and sexy and maybe a bit mysterious, the women have to be 'special': clever, feisty, talented, or something else. There has to be danger, high octane action, tension and crackling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Maybe it's me, maybe its because I started reading this book four months ago but honestly I didn't get any of the above. As a personal aside, as a 50-something year old woman, the idea that a woman worries about losing her virginity and makes a big deal of it seems (frankly) pathetic. You either care or you don't. I honestly don't think anyone else is the slightest bit bothered or would even notice. Overall, if I'm 39% into a book and I have no clue as to the plot, the bad guys, and I don't have the feels for the hero and heroine then I'm going to pass. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Cheryl Sanders
4.5 Stars This is book 3 in the Deep Six series and it features Mason and Alex. She’s 27 years old and her main goal at this point in her life is to lose her V card. She wants to give it to Mason. He wants her so bad but thinks he can’t be what she wants or needs. This story is full of sexy, alpha, retired Navy SEALs, fantastic action, fun banter amongst the group and some intense introspection. The story line was awesome and the characters were people I’d love to have as friends. I can’t wait for more from this amazing author.
