Want a NOOK? Explore Now
One single clue.
Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.
Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart...but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind.
Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.
"Pettrey is a new author to watch. Recommended for fans of Dee Henderson." --Library Journal
"A spell binding mystery, full of suspense and a great story that will pull you in." --The Suspense Zone
"[A] steadily paced thriller...Pettrey's debut novel is a thoughtful attempt to capture both love and suspense in this intricately plotted mystery."
--Publishers Weekly
"Combining romance, danger, and a dose of Russian history, the novel proves a rapid and entertaining read."--Booklist
I picked this book to review because of the description, and because it was the first book in a series. This was a plus for me because I keep choosing books that are middle or end books in series, which usually ends up costing me money. :-)
When I got the book, I saw the endorsement from Dee Henderson on the front cover and was intrigued.
After I read the book I was hooked.
For most people, when you read this book, I think you will see a little similarity to Dee's style of writing. Maybe it's just the same type of genre, mystery, action, fiction, and solid Christian faith. It could also be because Dani Pettrey has been mentored by Dee Henderson. (She is mentioned in the acknowledgements at the end.)
There were some parts of this book that were a little predictable, but I think that is something she will work out in time. There were also quite a few times that I actually got a little caught up in the secondary characters and wondering where their stories would go. I have ideas in my mind, and I can't wait to see if Ms. Pettrey will go in the same direction.
The book had a solid plot and good detail. I loved the historical story woven throughout. I felt for the character as she dealt with the past and her the after-effects of her choices. The underlying theme of God's grace and redemption woven throughout the story show how it's not God who can't forgive, it's we as people who can't forgive ourselves.
All in all, I think this is a good solid book and definitely recommend that you put it on your TBR list.
This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Book Reviews.
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.UnderthePink
Posted August 2, 2012
I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot better if, say, I was about....oh....15. It does have mystery and romance, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. First off, the main character always seemed like she was ready to burst out into tears. I wanted her drink a big cup of happiness, and found myself rolling my eyes at her after a while. Please, get a grip! It did have a great message and really good values woven into it. I just think that this is more for YA readers who do not yet have a lot of experience with love and are looking for a book to get lost in that isn't filled with sex and violence. Like I said, good book, just not for the stage I am in my life.
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.gjo50
Posted January 1, 2013
After her mother left her in Yancy, Alaska to finish high school, Bailey Craig made one mistake after another while trying to survive. Years later, she is living a totally different life as a Christian with a PHD. When her aunt dies in a plane wreck, she must return to Yancy and suffer the humiliation of her earlier mistakes. When strange things begin to happen, she is surprised that many of the people of the town still support her, and help her to discover who murdered her aunt.
Many adults look back on their high school years and realize that they made embarrassing mistakes. Through Pettrey’s words, the reader lives Bailey’s humiliation until she realizes that with her acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice, she is a new creation, and no longer has to live under her old sin. The suspense is tense and interesting, while the romance is beautiful. The setting is awesome. If you like romantic suspense, pick up a copy today.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Wendyreads
Posted June 26, 2012
I found this book boring--only because I just finished a book by Steven James a day before reading this one. I'm not into romance. I rather have the suspense and keep the romance at bay. If you like Karen Kingsbury, you'll like this book. Very predictable plot--nothing new under the sun.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2013
Just a heads up, this is a Christian themed book, which you wouldnt guess from the sample.
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2013
The title sounded interesting but continued reading of the overview and reader's reviews left me feeling luke warm as I've always wondered what qualifies as a "Christian" writing in the minds of those writing. Is it right-wing fundamentalism or far-left extremism? Usually it just means shallow writing with black and white views. As a minister, I usually refrain from reading these works as I find they do not reflect the true challenges confronted in the every day life of any person choosing to live a faithful life. Thanks for the heads-up!
2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GodBlessAmericaJB
Posted December 21, 2012
Go buy this series!! I have read Submerged (book #1) in the Alaskan Courage Series by Dani Pettrey and was super excited to be able to review a copy of Shattered (book #2). Both books are amazing and Dani Pettrey is a new author whom the Christian book market will be watching in the future.
I loved how you meet the characters in the previous books and then they each have there own love story in the preceding books. Submerged and Shattered have everything I could want in a book; a love story, mystery, murder and adventure. I'll be waiting for the next books in the series, as I am sure they will just just as much fun as the first two.
This book gets a 5+ of of 5. Way to go, Dani!! Keep them coming!
I received this book from Bethany House Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review.
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Yiya
Posted July 23, 2012
Bailey Craig and Cole McKenna have a history together... He has always been in love with her, but the fact that she decided to leave their hometown has made it easier for him to move on. But Bailey comes back to Yancey, after Agnes, the aunt that raised her, dies in a plane crash. Both of them have to deal with what could probably be the most difficult thing of their lives - they are still in love with each other, but their lives do not longer include each other. The main issue is their radically different life, and the reputation they created; Bailey is the party girl that broke Cole's heart, and Cole is the responsible, big brother that became the head of the family after their parents passed away.
Besides making arrangements for her aunt's funeral, Bailey must focus on her inheritance, a little Russian shop that has become a historical landmark of Yancey, while facing people's comments about the mistakes she made. The ground-centered Cole finds himself still attracted to Bailey and fights between trying to win her heart again and focus on his call as a youth pastor. The years of separation have brought them closer to God; they both experience forgiveness and find comfort and guidance in Him. However, none of them is aware of their change when they meet again.
Because of her past, Bailey decides to leave Yancey as soon as possible, but as the investigation on the plane crash continues, a fragment of a Russian picture, sent via cell phone before the accident, makes her expertise in Russian Culture essential for what seems to be turning into a sabotage and more murders. Cole is the experienced diver that often assists detectives with investigations. They both need to focus on who needs them more, working together to solve a case that threatens the peace of this beautiful Alaskan town.
A wonderful example of a close, Christian family, the McKennas are an inspiration for godly living in a modern world. Bailey is a witness of God's forgiveness and a change life that glorifies Him. As a story, someone might say there's nothing new - two people that struggle with their feelings and their moral principles, both good looking and in an ideal situation to fall in love all over again does not appear to be that new. However, the suspense in the story is gripping, making "Submerged" a thrilling, romantic, page-turner a wonderful read.
This novel could be easily used as a teaching tool for teenagers and young adults class. Highly recommendable!
The beautiful, detailed descriptions of the Alaskan landscape make a delightful frame for the story, making it much more enjoyable. I am amazed at the fact that this is Dani Pettrey's first novel. She is a gifted writer, and I can't wait to read more from her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this biased my opinion on the book or the author.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Strong new Christian mystery writer
A prologue opens the novel Submerged and thrusts readers right into a mystery - who sabotaged the plane ending in crash that causes several deaths and why? Frequent Christian fiction readers will find a style similar to Dee Henderson. Book one in the Alaskan Courage series features Bailey who returns to the Alaskan village of her teen years to attend her aunt's funeral, fearful that residents will remember her as a wild, reckless girl and will not be able to see the stable, grounded woman she has become. Her plan is to take care of family business and quickly leave town. When a stolen old Russian diary, two more dead bodies, and rumors of an island village that sank years ago in an earthquake seem to be all connected, Bailey's expertise in Russian history is needed. Resuce diver Cole and his family are also thrust into solving the mystery. Despite the danger, Cole is thankful for each day Bailey must spend in Alaska. How can he convince her that he's long ago forgiven her for the mistakes she made ten years ago? And if she decides to leave, how will his heart mend a second time?
This romantic mystery illustrates that when given new chances and new lives, we too often continue to punish ourselves and refuse to truly accept that the past is over. For Bailey, returning to Yancey means facing once again a past she thought she had left behind. Author Pettrey excels in creating exciting beginnings. Both the prologue and the first chapters demanded that I continue reading. At times I felt Bailey fears about her past were a little heavy handed, but then Pettrey included a very realistic scene in which some of the girl's "past so-called partying friends" treated her as they had ten years earlier, making her fears seem plausible.
The violence and crime is not "whitewashed' as it sometimes is in "quiet mysteries," but it is not raw and horrific like many contemporary thrillers. Balanced with the romance and the story's positive lesson about second chances through the Lord, Submerged is a title I could recommend for readers age 13 and up. Older readers like myself, who have read hundreds upon hundreds of books, the style and story will not stand out as unique, but it is still an enjoyable read. Like Dee Henderson's mystery series, this book provides plenty of opportunity for further books set in Yancey, Alaska and featuring more members of the extended McKenna. Check out Dani Pettrey's website to read about her, listen to an interview about Submerged, her first book, and get a preview of her next book Shattered.
I received this title from Bethany House for review purposes. I am not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2013
Great story plot! I loved the secondary character lines and the history woven throughout. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 8, 2013
Great Romantic suspense. This book has it all. A wonderful introduction to a new family in beautiful Alaska. Strong characters with a different twist. In this story it's our female lead that needs to find her own redemption.
The suspense is great. We get to find the mystery along with our author. It doesn't get better than this. I'm off to buy myself book two in the series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SweetPea_3
Posted April 3, 2013
I read the second book, Shattered, before this one and I although I still enjoyed it I would recommend starting with Submerged first. There was a lot of history with the characters that I had previously missed out on. This is Dani's first book, I believe, and what a start to her career! She is right up there in my opinion with well known suspense authors such as Irene Hannon and Lynette Eason. And she's extra cool because she's a fellow homeschooling mom.
I was immediately sucked into the story and didn't want to come up for air until I was done, but of course I had to a couple of times. I loved that it was set in Alaska, and that the McKenna's owned a dive shop - not something you would expect in Alaska! They use dry suits but even so that water must be awfully cold.
I saw today that the next book in the series, Stranded, is coming out this fall and I can't wait to read it. I like it when a series follows different people each book, but the characters are somehow known or related in some way to the ones you've already read about in previous books. This series follows the McKenna siblings.
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 7, 2013
I am so excited to be reviewing this book, because I know in a few days I'll have book #2 in the series! This was an excellent book, and I read it in 2 days! Submerged by Dani Pettrey is the first book in the Alaskan Courage series. It takes us to a small town Yancey Alaska (I know, who would have thought!) :p and introduces us to a range of characters, but focuses on 2 main characters: Bailey Craig and Cole McKenna.
Cole McKenna is a search and rescue diver. He also owns an adventure tourist post in Yancey. So, when the plane carrying his friend Henry and the town's most beloved "Lady Agnes" he was immediately ready to help in the search and rescue mission. As events unfold and it becomes clear that Agnes is not going to make it, his thoughts turn to Bailey. Bailey and Cole have a past. He hasn't seen her in almost 12 years, not since she broke his heart and went on a downward spiral that absolutely killed him to watch. However, 12 years have past and he's a different man. He's determined to befriend her again.
Bailey Craig is the niece and only family of Agnes. She is devastated at the news of her aunt's passing. She doesn't, however, want to go back to Yancey. She'd spent years after all, trying to forget her life there. She returns, with the intention of only staying a week, TOPS. She doesn't want to deal with her past, and she definitely doesn't want to see Cole, the one man she ever truly loved.
This book is filled with suspense, mystery, and a sweet love story. As both characters struggle to come to terms with the past and all that happened between them, we see the underlying message of the book come to life. God loves us, and when we accept Him into our lives, we become NEW CREATURES! (Let me take a minute to shout right there, HALLELUJAH!) Old things are passed away, and we become like new. It also reminds us that when we hurt, we need to run TO God, not away from Him. He's the only one who can heal the hurt.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next one!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.iblog4books
Posted March 6, 2013
I'm not sure why I put off reading this book for so long. I suppose I just didn't make the time for it. Shame on me, because it was simply fantastic! It's nearly impossible to believe that this is Dani Pettrey's debut novel. The plot was so tight and the suspense was incredibly well-written! I was intrigued from the very beginning and enjoyed the roller coaster to the end.
I love, love, LOVED Bailey and Cole and thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Plus, Cole's family (clan may be more appropriate) was a lot of fun too. I look forward to getting to know them in future books. My only complaint was that things wrapped up a little quickly at the end. Minor complaint, though!
I wholeheartedly recommend Submerged and can't wait to see where Dani takes readers from here! [4.5 stars]
I was not asked to review this book. I offer my review freely. All opinions expressed are my own.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2013
Didn't want to put it down until the end. Great book that provided a different view on Christian Fiction.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2013
An exciting and interesrong book. So refreshing to rrad a book with love and romance without all the sex of most romantic novels. And a most interesting plot along witj some history. Well worth the time to read. M. Rose.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2013
I guess this would have been a very interesting story to buy,however, there is no need to purchase it. Just read a couple mini stories called reviews and no more suspense. So anyone complaining about these "reviewers" thank them for saving you money.
1 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2013
Great book,keeps you at the edge of your seat!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 18, 2013
Having a hard time getting into this book. Hopefully the story will pick up soon.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2013
A warning in the description would have been appreciated that is a Christan Novel. Book is very boring and pollyana.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
One single clue.
Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.
Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can ...