Review: Devil and the Deep (Deep Six #2)

Devil and the Deep (Deep Six #2)

by Julie Ann Walker 

Blurb:

Cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events are Maddy Powers' way of life. But the daring man who appropriated her father's yacht a couple of months ago is still out there, somewhere, and she wants to pay him back for the scorching kiss they shared.

Behind his suave smile and ladykiller eyes, Bran Palladino carries a dark secret that keeps him from pursuing Maddy… even though he can't get her out of his head. But when Maddy is kidnapped as part of a grand scheme, it's time to put up or shut up… because Bran can't live without Maddy now.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

Returning to the small island in the Gulf of Mexico, Walker takes us on a fast paced adventure as one man tries to save the woman he has begun to have feelings for when she once again finds herself in trouble.  Walker’s style of writing is one that might take some getting used to for readers, mainly because the majority of her story happens within a single twenty-four-hour period.  But with the backstory between Maddy and Bran it doesn’t seem forced, their love already simmering in their souls and just waiting for the two of them to admit their feelings for one another. Maddy is one of those girls that could be a total bitch, Daddy’s money always at hand and everything being available for the taking.  Thankfully Maddy has grown into a sweet and kind-hearted woman, always looking out for others and trying to find a way to get Bran to see they are meant for one another.  Bran is tired; he’s tired of all the death and loss he had to suffer as a Navy SEAL and now that he retired to become a treasure hunter, he hates that he keeps finding himself in the role of rescuer.  When Maddy is kidnapped—AGAIN—Bran won't allow anything to happen to this bright and engaging woman that has brought out emotions in him that he’s kept hidden for years.  During the course of the story we see Maddy and Bran confront and deal with their emotional connection as well as the kidnappers that they are working to thwart.  The passion between them is so undeniable that they find themselves giving in to it, even if the time and setting are lousy. I really loved seeing Maddy stand up for what she wanted from Bran and forcing him to see how great they could be together, overcoming his rules and fears about women and loss.  Ms. Walker’s characters are always put through the ringer several times before they ever come to their HEA, but she writes with such skill that you don’t find yourself questioning the oddness of everything that happens in so short a time until it’s over.  Honestly there’s so much happening to her characters in this story that it could have been ridiculous, but once again Julie Ann proves that she is a queen of romance for a reason.  Not to be discounted are the side characters in the story, mainly Bran’s friends Mason and Alex, who I really hope to see get their own story soon.  I am dying to find out what happens next for this crew of sexy SEAL cum treasure hunters as they try to find the missing treasure ship they are seeking.  There’s never a dull moment in a Walker novel and whatever happens next I can guarantee that it will be action packed and full of passion.  If you missed the first story in this series I suggest you get it read too, but in the meantime let Bran and Maddy take you on an adventure with Devil and the Deep.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.