Wow. I was not expecting or prepared for this book. This book is deep and dark, with a sweeping romance that I hadn't read in a long time. Don't choose it if you want a quick and easy feel-good read because this is not it. Rafe and Juliet both enter their second-chance romance with scars. The intrigue and suspense was a page-turner, but I think the author missed the mark with the secondary characters. I couldn't get into their stories, and I was annoyed when their plots starts to take over. A great book to sink your teeth into, but don't be surprised if you find yourself skipping over some parts.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook/Casablanca for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. I believe this is the first in a series. Wow just wow! This is the most convoluted, confusing book I have read in quite a while. Sooo many characters people who aren't who you think they are. This is a dark mayhem and intrigue book more than a romance. Not my cup of tea, as I actually really dislike the whole Shakespearean thing. Just throw in more confusion by speaking read languages and archaic languages. I know there are many who will enjoy this but it was just too much for me. No one could catch a break and no one was really who you thought- to many secrets for me! I rate this a 3 , it was a struggle for me to finish.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This is a second chance at love romance and also a bit of suspense. There was a lot going on with this story. In the beginning it was hard for me to keep track of the characters but once I figured them out it made it a bit easier.

There was just enough interest in the story that it kept me reading it but I can’t say that I cared about the romances much and the suspense was just ok as well.

I believe this is my first book by Wray and I have to say it seemed like she through everything including the kitchen sink into the story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Every Deep Desire is the first in a new series, Deadly Force, from Sharon Wray. I think the story suffered from being combined with the complicated set up/back story of the series. The story itself was good, engaging characters, a second chance at love, the baggage of a dishonorable discharge, and the over arcing mystery made it entertaining. My sense of confusion was because there was just too much in this book. I was thinking there could have been a prequel novella that set up the back story and characters, or perhaps we didnt need so much character info on the people secondary to Every Deep Desire's couple. Whatever, it is what it is, and I was entertained enough by this story and interested enough by ancillary characters to anticipate the next one,

What can I say about this read but it was excellent. I loved everything about it there was action, suspense and passion between the main characters. There was a lot to take in and a lot to understand what was happening. There were so many twists and turns and multiple storylines that were happening but everything came together in the very end. Juliet and Rafe had not seen each other in 8 years and now that he is back he needs to gain her trust and that is going to be a little difficult to do. Their journey is going to take them through some tough terrain and people are going to get hurt and lives are going to change forever. But Rafe is going to have to make a decision in the very end is he ready to leave the woman he loves.

I totally recommend this read and can't wait to read the next installment in this series to figure out who is behind the A-Team's dishonorable discharge and imprisonment.

Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review

I really enjoyed Every Deep Desire. It was a very imaginative love story. I always appreciate it when an author creates new worlds that are rife with ancient folklore and traditions that you have to take the time to understand. In this scenario, the folklore involves ancient warriors that still exist in the current world. It’s hard to say if they are good or bad, but they are tasked with exacting justice and protecting certain secrets at all costs.

Rafe Montfort went off to become a Green Beret while leaving his wife Juliet Capel to take care of the homefront. Although their love was that of fairytales, Rafe ultimately breaks Juliet’s heart and ends up being labeled a traitor. He also goes to prison. We later find out that for the past 8 years, he has been some sort of Fianna warrior, and he has killed hundreds of men. Somehow, his past has come to find Juliet and Rafe has come to protect her. The title of the book doesn’t really go with the book though. Everything centers around a flower that is Juliet’s namesake and has grown on Capel family land for centuries. The mystery surrounding the flower and bowing men really catapults the intrigue. I truly had no idea what was going on but there were enough bread crumbs that I had to find out how everything fits together.

In addition to the mystery of the flower and the Fianna warriors, there is plenty of family drama, local politics, and a love that will not die. Rafe whose code name is Romeo is very much meant to be with Juliet. Just like that other love story, they risk their lives to be together. When it all ends, you still may not truly understand what happened but you will be glad that you went along for the ride. There is a large supporting cast and the book is actually fairly long so it requires an investment if you really want to enjoy every detail. I would be curious to see if the author doesn’t write a sequel to develop some of the other characters in the book.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking out for more in the future what a great read I was pulled right into the story and was completely hooked only putting it down when I absolutely had to.With plenty of action and lots of twists and turn this is a really well-written book that will have you reading late into the night if you get the chance to read it I would recommend it.

Wray’s debut novel delivers a bold and fast-paced modern retelling of Romeo and Juliette. An absolute page turner.

Every Deep Desire is technically well-written in terms of word choice, phrasing, and command of the English language; however, the plotting seems rather over-wrought. I enjoy a good suspense novel and have read everything Daniel Silva has ever written; however, Every Deep Desire disappointed me. The novel purports to be romantic suspense—a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet blended with Dan Brown-esque conspiracies.

There is so much going on plot-wise that it is often over-whelming. Choppy shifts of points of view add to the confusion. A sampling of plot threads running around this book: (1) Rafe and Juliet’s romance, (2) Pete and Samantha’s romance, (3) the ambush of two Green Beret teams, (4) the trials and future imprisonment of two—no, three—Green Beret teams, (5) the attacks on Juliet’s business, (6) her financial difficulties, (7) her exotic dancing career, (8) her interrogation after Rafe deserts her, (9) Nate’s seizures and illicit drug use to deal with them, (10) a secret society of assassins who bow before they execute their victims and speak in iambic pentameter—the Prince and his Fianna warriors, (9) a secret vial filled with something, (11) Rafe is a Green Beret who went AWOL and is also part of #8, (12) a relative of Juliet’s, a 17th century witch, who apparently murdered children and is somehow tied to #9, (13) a drug epidemic, (14) pirates, (15) global arms dealers, (16) a mysterious lily, (17) an exotic dance club, and on and on--enough to make a reader's head spin.

While this is supposed to be a series, and there are certainly enough plot elements to fill a series, all of them didn’t necessarily need to be introduced in the first book. A simplified cast of characters and a thinned-out forest of plot threads would greatly improve this book. Also, setting each POV shift in its own chapter would clarify the work. It brings to mind ODTAA, the 1926 novel by John Masefield. The letters in its title stand for "One Damn Thing After Another".

Could not keep up with the story. The context wasn’t what I expected.

Rafe and Juliet fight to gain back what they had lost while overcoming immense odds. Definitely keeps with pages turning to find the answers at the end. Looking forward to more in this series.

Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

Wow his book has enough suspense to keep your head spinning and please don't discount the plots and subplots that link the cast of characters in multiple ways. This is a book with a high body count and a modern Romeo and Juliet type theme complete with poison.

There's the gentlemen who quote Shakespeare and speak in old poetry that are a militia club that rule with an iron fist. Once inducted only death can get you out. What is their true agenda? Then there's the special forces team that Rafe was a part of who believe he betrayed and abandoned them even as other sinister plots are being hinted at the highest level of the military and government that might actually be responsible for the betrayals and abandonment.

I enjoy hard hitting romantic thrillers but somehow this book just did not do it for me. There was too much going on and the price innocent people are paying did not sit right with me.

That cover grabbed my eye and when I read the blurb, this sounded like a wonderful book. Romance, betrayal, mystery, the military, I couldn't resist.
Rafe went AWOL from the military eight years ago, betraying his country and his wife Juliet. She gets a divorce and moves on with her life though she's never forgotten him, her first love and also her last. She got her college degree and started a business. Meanwhile Rafe, after joining a mysterious mercenary band, ended up being caught by the US and thrown in jail, but now he's been released and he's back, trying to clear some matters and spend time with Juliet.

There was a lot going on in this story and it was a jumbled mess at times. Wray tried to do too much. There was Rafe and Juliet's romance, Pete and Samantha's romance, Nate's seizures and headaches, the ambush of two Green Beret teams, the imprisonment and pending trial of the survivors of those teams, a secret vial, attacks on Juliet's business, financial difficulties for Juliet, a secret society that was way over the top, and so on and so on. I needed a cheat sheet and a diagram to keep track of everyone and everything. I don't mind complicated or complex but this was just overstuffed. In all of that, Rafe and Juliet's romance got lost. It also wasn't terribly believable. In a matter of days they reconnect and fall back in love and get a doozy of an HEA. Given how things ended between them and everything happening now, their romance and reconciliation happened too quickly. While the romance didn't work for me, most of the mysteries and suspense did. I found myself skimming a lot of the romance portion and focusing on the mysteries, intrigue, politics, and betrayals. There were also a lot of characters and development suffered at times but they were interesting. I'm curious to see who the next romantic couple is, and which characters will return in book two.

In the end, though Rafe and Juliet's romance was a bust, I enjoyed the rest of the story. The secret society, which it sounds like we'll see more of, was both fascinating and difficult to believe. I did like all of its links to history, and after a while I got used to their habit of speaking in Shakespearean language and texts. The story had numerous mysteries big and small, and the overarching series mystery concerning the ambushes and the consequences intrigued me, enough so that I'll be back for book two. If I approach it as a mystery with a romance subplot, I think I'll be a more satisfied reader.

Sometimes you finish reading a book and your only thought is “what the hell did I just read?!?!” It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but whoa...I’m not exactly sure how I feel Every Deep Desire.

"Rafe wanted to pray that his deal with the devil hadn’t followed him home. Except he no longer believed in prayers, and the churning in his gut told him the devil hadn’t just hitched a ride. The devil was driving."

And that drive was wild and crazy, and often left me breathless. But also frequently confused.

Rafe Montfort sent his wife a Dear Jane letter eight years ago, shortly before the Green Beret deserted his A-Team, went AWOL and was convicted of treason. But after spending time in a Russian prison and being transferred to a military prison in the US, he’s mysteriously released and told to go home and wait for instructions (from whom and about what???). When he gets home, he discovers his wife, Juliet - who he never stopped loving - is in danger, he’s in danger, basically everyone he knows is in danger. And he has to stop the bad guys to keep everyone safe again.

I was so excited to begin reading this book by a brand new author. From the first page it drew me in, and the author’s excellent prose impressed me. Her word play is excellent and kept me intrigued.

However, it wasn’t very long until I got a little lost. Or hero was part of some secret group headed by “the Prince” and his men, Fianna warriors, but there wasn’t any explanation about who they are or what their purpose is (and what’s with them speaking in Shakespearean prose?). I’m not a reader who appreciates that kind of mystery in her books. Please just tell me who everyone is and leave the suspense for the actual plot of the story. And EVERYTHING was a mystery. What do Rafe’s tattoos mean? What happened when Juliet was interrogated? Who are the bad guys really working for? Good grief, not a single part of the story was given quickly or easily, and it didn’t make we want to keep reading, it just made me frustrated.

Also, maybe it’s just me, but I tend to visualize things in my head while I’m reading (kinda like I’m watching the movie in my head). The fight scenes in this book were descriptive and extensive - which would be good if you like reading them. But this is supposed to be a romance, and while I can appreciate a certain amount of action, too much description about punches and kicks bogs the story down for me. Same with the amount of violence - lots of blood and gore, which may appeal to some audiences, but there was a bit too much for me.

This book is first a mystery story - full of conspiracies, double crossers, lots of bad guys. There was so much going on with this story, it was sometimes hard to keep track of everyone, and who was doing what. It was also really long - over 500 pages. If you go in expecting a great love story about a man who was forced to leave his wife to keep her safe, you’re going to be disappointed. Yes, that part of the story is there - and it’s actually really good. But the main focus of this book is Rafe, the Fianna warriors, and the mystery of who framed two military teams for crimes they didn’t commit, and why. And by the way...still don’t know the answer to that question, which I’m sure means there’s another book or two coming. I’ll probably want to read it, just because after all the time I’ve invested into this story, I want to know if they’re able to get everything all straightened out!

Bottom line: this was an extremely well written book, but there was a lot going on, much of which was initially confusing. I’m not a huge fan of hinting at things and not revealing information for the purpose of drawing out suspense, and that was pretty much how the whole book was written. But I liked the characters, and despite being in the dark about what happened in the past and who people were, the plot moved at a quick pace and kept me engaged - it just didn’t have me so engrossed in the story that I either couldn’t put it down or was clamoring to get back to it (it's rare for me to take five days to read a book - even if it's long). Hopefully the next book in the series will be an easier read since the framework has been laid and all the major players introduced. Because this book was kind of a beating to read. With it being a loosely-based retelling of Romeo and Juliet, thank goodness it didn’t end the way Shakespeare’s story did! I might have had to throw my Kindle out the window otherwise...

He's taking it all back
His honor, his freedom, and the woman he loves

Rafe Montfort was a decorated Green Beret, the best of the best, until a disastrous mission and an unforgivable betrayal destroyed his life. Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his brothers, and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he's done...or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.

It took Juliet Capel eight long years to put her life back together after her husband was taken from her. Now Rafe is back, determined to protect her at any cost, and it's not just her heart that's in danger. The swamps hold a secret long buried and far deadlier than either of them could have imagined...

Review:

There is a lot more to this story than what the blurb says.

Its kind of a cross between any military intrigue and an action adventure story. It is very full of action, adventure and intrigue. There is some going on and so much detail that you need to read everything and not skip around. There were a lot of characters to keep track of too, but the Author did a good job of keeping everything straight. I also, was never sure who to really trust when reading this since so many had their own agendas. I enjoyed reading about all the characters in the book and think any would make great stories when it is their turn. I felt so bad for Rafe and Juliet and all the crap they had to go through to get their happy ending.

Interesting and intriguing start to this new series. I am very curious to see where this series heads.

3.5Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

With lines like "He had more Q's that needed A's" and "'More than okay. You're beautiful.' Fuuuuuuck. Could he be more lame?" and "He refused to hide his strength or his erection." I rolled my eyes more throughout this book than I have cumulatively in 2018. The thinly veiled allusions to a poor man's version of a Romeo and Juliet story, an over the top suspense storyline involving Army Green Berets and Russian arms dealers, and a hero who kept referring to the heroine as his wife- despite their divorce (which reeked of a chauvinism that I personally am just not interested in)- I could barely finish this book. But I did. Perhaps it's somebody's catnip, but it was a solid 1 star for me.

4.5 stars--EVERY DEEP DESIRE is the first instalment in Sharon Wray’s contemporary, adult DEADLY FORCE romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former Green Beret’s betrayed by someone in charge. This is Rafe Montfort, and Juliet Capel’s second chance story line.

NOTE: EVERY DEEP DESIRE contains scenes of graphic violence that may not be suitable for some readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Rafe and Juliet VERY DEEP DESIRE is a complex and multi-layered story line that focuses on the rekindling romance between former and dishonourably discharged Green Beret Rafe Montfort, and the woman he loves, landscape architect Juliet Capel. Eight years earlier Rafe Montfort went AWOL leaving the woman he loves struggling to survive. Fast forward to present day wherein a changed Rafe returns seeking revenge against people who destroyed his life-a life he no longer controls as his own. With continuing threats against Juliet, and the return of two of the men he once called friend, Rafe’s mission becomes more complicated as the ‘Brotherhood’, a secret organization known as the Fianna, seeks payment and retribution for sins of the past. What ensues is the second chance romance between Rafe and Juliet, and the potential fall-out as one-time friends become enemies, and enemies become future friends, and the Brotherhood refuses to let go of one of their own.

Sharon Wray has loosely adapted Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliette with the release of EVERY DEEP DESIRE wherein brother is pitted against brother, family against friendship in a war not of their making. From betrayal to secrets, poison to promises, EVERY DEEP DESIRE is a complicated mosaic of double cross and treachery, heartbreak and confession, power and control. The ‘Brotherhood’ speaks in Shakespearean prose referencing life and death with every message and note. There are heroes and anti-heroes, villains and sinners, black sheep and rogues such that the line between good and evil is constantly blurred. With the introduction of Rafe’s former Green Beret Team, I am hoping the author has plans for future story lines.

EVERY DEEP DESIRE is not an easy read due to the numerous intersecting and complex plotlines; the introduction of a diverse cast of secondary and supporting characters; and the mysterious Fianna-a group of ‘mythological’ Irish warriors dating back hundreds of years. The overload of information is, at times, confusing and chaotic, but I recommend reading EVERY DEEP DESIRE until the end. The premise is unique, intriguing and cleverly written; the characters are passionate and tragic; the romance is palpable and intense. EVERY DEEP DESIRE is a thrilling and fascinating take on Romeo and Juliet- the hidden ‘Easter Eggs’ are only the beginning.

Copy supplied by Netgalley through the publisher

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I very much enjoyed the characters and found the story was fantastic. I just couldn't put it down.

This was all over the place. The plot twisted and turned with no telling where it was heading. Instead of anticipating answers to all my questions and leaving on the edge of my seat with suspense, it left me unbelievably annoyed.

For starters, her business sense is terrible. That's not how landscape or construction contracts work, or at least that's not how smart people do things. As a former property manager who worked with landscapers and contractors on a daily basis, this drove me crazy.

The jumping back and forth was mind-numbing. The information was doled out in tiny bits, with details that made no sense being thrown around in a haphazard manner. For me, the plot felt overworked, like it was trying too hard to be mysterious and ended up being a convoluted mess.

The absolute clincher for me and what caused me to DNF so early on was the crazy way that Escalus insisted on talking and texting. It was like he was a character out of a Shakespearean nightmare. It was whacked. I was giving myself a headache from all the eye-rolling I was doing.

I really wanted to like this, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

A reunion romance and a thriller quality suspense seemed just the right thing when a disgraced ex-Green Beret finds his way home and finds everyone he knows in danger as powerful forces converge on Savannah all hunting one thing- a historical artifact.
Review

Every Deep Desire began with a swirl of shifting images and scenes that left me dizzy and confused for quite some time. It was purposeful, I believe, so the reader feels the weight of deep and conplex intrigue going on around them.

But no, I was not even moderately appreciative of this technique especially when it was nearly at the half-way point and I was still feeling the merry-go-round sensation. There was a lot of activity, but it was people moving in circles around each other rather than a nice, crisp linear plot. Yep, it was a crazy amount of plot threads all tangled together and enough characters to fill out a James A. Michener novel. Though, while I’m on the subject of comparisons to other novels, I felt a little like I was reading a Dan Brown thriller especially with that whole secret brotherhood of assassins and, my eyes doth role, their fondness for Shakespeare and the overall tie of the story to Romeo and Juliet.

I was frustrated most of all because there are some really good elements in this book, but there was enough of them to fill four books. I don’t think it helped that I was barely tolerating most of the characters including the main pair. Juliet has this ‘I am woman hear me roar’ thing that kicks in at the most inopportune moments and turns her into a damsel in distress because she over-estimates her abilities and under-estimates her opponents while ignoring the good advice from trained operatives because she’s in a mood. And, then there’s Rafe… bleeding heart Rafe who really does go big when he decides to screw up or wallow and do nothing when action is called for. One of the side characters is even worse for a drug addicted ex officer who seems to be only capable of letting the bad guys have their merry way and turning his back on duty while hypocritically calling Rafe a traitor and a screw up.

I skimmed this book from the half-way point onward. While the plot started making a little better since (I mean just a little), the characters got more aggravating by the page. I was ready to throw my poor Kindle across the room at the 85% point. People made dumb moves, but the excitement and crisis point was there so I went ahead and finished. I will not be recommending this one though I am going to rate is as okay because it had some good pieces when it came to several of the suspense elements and how the romance side was set up.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.