Monday, May 5, 2014

Unwrapping a Review of NIGHT DIVER, a novel by Elizabeth Lowell

Being an Avon Addict for Avon Romance definitely has its perks, and this was one of the best. I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Lowell and her romantic suspenses so when I received a surprise gift of a hardcover copy of NIGHT DIVER, Ms. Lowell’s newest release in the mail, I couldn’t have been happier and this one did NOT disappoint.

***Print copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unscripted review

Blurb for NIGHT DIVER:

New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Lowell plunges into the adventurous and deadly world of underwater treasure hunters in a heart-stopping tale that superbly combines atmosphere, action, romance, and suspense.

After a family tragedy, Kate Donnelly left the Caribbean behind forever. But a series of bad management decisions has left her family's diving and marine recovery business drowning in red ink. Now her brother pleads with her to come back to the island nation of St Vincent. Without Kate's financial expertise, the iconic treasure-hunting enterprise started by her grandfather will go under. Unable to say no to the little family she has left, Kate heads back to the beautiful and terrifying ocean that still haunts her nightmares.

Holden Cameron was addicted to the adrenaline rush of active duty -- including narrowly surviving an underwater explosives accident. The last thing the former British military diver wants is to babysit a family of thieves on a tropical island -- even if they are the world-famous Diving Donnellys. But in his new civilian job, Holden must investigate the suspicious activity surrounding a Donnelly dive to recover treasure from the ancient wreck of a pirate ship.

When equipment, treasure, and even divers begin to disappear, Kate and Holden form an uneasy alliance to uncover the truth. But the deeper they plummet into the mystery, the closer they come to each other. Soon they are sharing their deepest fears and darkest secrets -- and a combustible chemistry too hot to ignore.

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Kate Donnelly grew up with a love and respect for the sea but after she had to deal with the deaths of her parents alone while on a dangerous stormy night dive, she left the sea behind forever – or so she thought. When her brother, Larry, begged her to come to St. Vincent to oversee the books because the British government was sending someone to investigate the salvage of what they all hoped was the wreck of the Moon Rose, she goes only because without her expertise the family business, Moon Rose Limited, would go under forever.

Holden Cameron isn’t pleased about the assignment handed to him to investigate suspected theft amidst the activities surrounding the Donnelly’s salvage diving under a British contract, but he has to admit the appeal picks up a lot after meeting the beautiful Kate Donnelly. When things start heating up on the Golden Bough, and in the small house on the beach, Kate and Holden find themselves in the middle of a mystery that might be more dangerous than night diving in a storm.

NIGHT DIVER by Elizabeth Lowell is everything I expected from the suspense queen. Hot steamy nights, and tension-filled days on a ship that’s rumored to be cursed where theft may be the crime of the day but murder isn’t off the table, Ms. Lowell builds the suspense even while journeying us through a steamy romance between Holden and Kate. Her setting of a tropical island and the dangers and expertise of salvage diving makes this one a perfect escape from the every day. My only pet peeve is the head hopping between characters’ points of view because it slows things down, but the action and excitement of the activities on the Golden Bough make up for it in treasure hunting abundance.

I highly recommend NIGHT DIVER by Elizabeth Lowell to anyone who is already a fan or loves a good mystery while mentally escaping to a tropical island and a steamy romance between an ex-British Navy S.E.A.L., who is dreamy sexy, and a smart, tough, and brash heroine you’d love to have as best friend. This is one that should definitely be at the top of your summer beach reading.

Happy Reading Everyone!

NIGHT DIVER by Elizabeth Lowell, William Morrow, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.
***click on links or cover below for purchasing information

   

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