#TravelingtotheTerminus Review ~ Devil and the Deep ~ Julie Ann Walker

Devil and the Deep by Julie Ann Walker
Deep Six #2
Release Date: July 5, 2016
Genre: Adult, Romantic Suspense
Source: I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #TravelingtoTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
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.

I found this second installment of the Deep Six series to be just as entertaining as the first, if a little less compelling, but for different reasons.

The suspense element wasn't quite as gripping but I think that's because of the baddies behind things and their reasons for it weren't quite as relevant as what went on in Hell or High Water. However, trying to figure out the who and the why as well as how far they're willing to go to accomplish the end game was exciting.

The romance between Maddy and Bran shares page time with the suspense. These two met when Maddy's family yacht was hijacked in the previous installment. They have amazing chemistry and a relationship founded in friendship as they've only communicated via email since they met. Their banter is a lot of give and take and I enjoyed it. Maddy is one tough chick - mentally - and meets things head on. So Bran's insistence they remain only friends because he's not good enough for her was a challenge she had no problems undertaking. And I was so happy Bran was finally able to see in himself what everyone else, including Maddy, did. My only issue was that some of the romantic elements occurred during times when I would have thought a former SEAL would have had his mind on other things.

We're also privy to some fun back and forth between Mason and Alex. These two made me laugh with Alex's incessant talking and Mason's reliance on grunting. *ha* I'm eager to see how their sparks finally ignite.

One more thing - the prologue and epilogue from the Spanish Captain's POV is a touch I truly appreciate. I love the history it incorporates as well as how it plays into the mystery of the treasure the Deep Six gang is hunting. 

Bring on #3!

#OctobeRecFest Review ~ Hell or High Water ~ Julie Ann Walker

Hell or High Water by Julie Ann Walker
Deep Six #1
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: Adult, Romantic Suspense
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher at BEA
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Recommended by: Braine @Talk Supe
Goodreads

Synopsis
In a world on the brink...

Six men. One sunken Spanish galleon. Millions in gold and silver coins lying on the ocean floor. And a past that refuses to let the guys of Deep Six Salvage forget the Navy SEAL motto: the only easy day was yesterday...

There's more than one kind of treasure...

The nation's security has always been CIA agent Oliva Mortier's top priority. But a mission-gone-wrong has begun to make her wonder if there's more to life than risking hers.

And more than one secret at the bottom of the sea...

Only two things could make Leo Anderson abandon his hunt for the legendary lost ship, La Santa Christina, and return to the world of weapons and warfare he swore to leave behind: a capsule of enriched uranium, lost on the ocean floor, and a plea for assistance from the one woman he can't seem to forget...

Hell or High Water was quite a ride! It's romantic suspense that focuses on the suspense. In fact, I think I've talked my Hubs into reading it. :) Thanks, Braine!

Highlights:

• SEALs. I've always been fascinated with these highly skilled and trained warriors. It was interesting to learn a bit more about their training and abilities.
• Sea salvage and history. I so enjoyed the historical element Walker added with the inclusion of scenes from the Spanish galleon's Captain - in 1624 - dealing with a ship full of precious cargo and a hurricane. It added an extra element to hook me. Add to that the SEALs starting a salvage business in order to search of any clues to the Spanish wreckage and I was in deep.
• A kickass female spy! Olivia is a CIA agent and she's a heroine I admired. She knew how to shoot with both her mouth and her gun.
• Relevance. One of the suspense elements was via an operation where our current world political arena is highlighted.
• Humor and camaraderie. There was a lot of humor injected with Leo and Olivia throwing about witty and sexually charged banter. But the camaraderie between Leo and his team, the closeness between them as well as the barbs they threw and timely interruptions were a lot of fun and broke the tension. The internal dialog did get a little irksome by the end though.
• Believable plot and romance.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this introduction to the Deep Six series and I'm eager to move onto the next one.