The Crushing Depths (2020) — A Celebrate Lit Tour: A Guest Post, My Thoughts, and a Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Crushing Depths

Series: Coastal Guardians #2

Author: Dani Pettrey

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 30, 2020

They know the power and peril of the ocean. But as they get closer to the deadly truth, an even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard Investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.

Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems like it’ll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they’re cut off from any rescue–and right where the killer wants them. It’s a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.

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About the Author

Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com.

More from Dani

Enjoy this special recipe for a Lavender and Honey Latte that makes a special appearance in my book!

My Thoughts

The Crushing Depths is only my second experience with a Dani Pettrey novel, so I feel like I’m still getting used to her unique writing style and structure. I did enjoy a large majority of the storyline in The Crushing Depths, but I must admit that I prefer book 1. I was slightly disappointed in this, but it’s not enough to keep me from future Pettrey novels.

What did I LOVE about The Crushing Depths?

• The suspense and mystery — there are three mysteries happening at one time. It is glorious! I was so kept on the edge of my seat during all of the suspense/mystery portions of this novel that at one point I had to tell myself to breathe. LOL! These three mysteries, and the twists and turns they take, are excellent. It is staggeringly clear that Ms. Pettrey is Queen of Suspense/Mystery storytelling. SO, so good! I would actually re-read the book for these three mystery plots, they were that engaging.
• Rissi and Mason’s romance — you get a tiny glimpse into Rissi’s past in book 1, which made me so excited for The Crushing Depths. Rissi is such a superb character I just had to know more about her! Individually, Rissi and Mason are amazing characters, but together they make an awesome team. It’s clear from the very beginning that they have massive feelings for one another that run incredibly deep. But, I appreciate the pacing of their romance. I feel like it developed realistically over the course of the story.
• A father’s love for his daughter — not going to say much on this topic because I don’t want to spoil anything. Suffice to say, there is a father. He loves his daughter. This father does something out of love. I won’t forget this moment for a very long time! That’s all I can say, but I do think this one topic, more than any other idea discussed in this novel, would make for a stellar book club discussion. If you are in charge of a book club, you may want to suggest this novel to your members.

What did I struggle with in The Crushing Depths?

• The MULTIPLE romance set-ups — maybe it’s just me, but I can’t handle more than two relationship stories in any given novel. One should be the main romance, the second should be subplot. Perhaps it carries into a sequel, perhaps not. The point is when an author adds more than two romances/romance set-ups I get overwhelmed and lost. In The Crushing Depths, there is the main “Rissi and Mason” romance, which is excellently written, but then there are set-ups for three more potential relationships. I’m not against these future relationships — they actually make me excited for future novels in the series — but to have them all starting in this novel took chunks of time away from the actual murder mystery, which then made me forget pertinent details because I was trying to remember all the couplings/future couplings. Four romance lines in a Romantic Suspense is just too many for me. This is actually what took my 5-STAR rating on Goodreads to a 4-STAR.

Even with my one minor struggle, I’m still a fan of the Coastal Guardians series and I very much look forward to the next novel. I’m hoping it’s Brooke’s and Noah’s story! 🤞 I do highly recommend The Crushing Depths, but recommend reading book 1, The Killing Tide, first. I feel you will miss pertinent details if you don’t begin with book 1.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from NetGalley via Celebrate Lit. I also purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on August 9, 2020, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Dani is giving away the grand prize package of a necklace, tumbler and a $50 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

PromoSimple Link

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BLOG STOPS

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