Light suspense, intriguing mystery, and even some exotic animals just to spice things up!
I enjoyed this story, was slightly disappointed in the over the top (imho) romance and PDAs but there’s nothing x rated and it IS after all listed as romantic suspense so it’s to be expected.
Overall a good, fun read
I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book and give my opinion on it.

Dani Pettrey certainly came out of the gate swinging with this new series! Fans of romantic suspense, heavy on the suspense, will want to get their hands on a copy of The Killing Tide immediately.

I have been eagerly waiting for this book since I devoured the Chesapeake Valor series last year. Pettrey writes some of the best suspense out there and she did not disappoint. The pace was breakneck and every time I thought I had finally wrapped my head around what was happening new evidence would surface and I was back to square one. I never in a million years could have expected the final reveal and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

With such an intriguing team of Coast Guard Investigators introduced, I’m not sure who’s story I want next. One thing I know for sure is that I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book in the Coastal Guardians and what an interesting book it is……Gabby Rowley finds herself in extreme danger after her work as an investigative reporter {and a nosy one} leads her to having to run for her life as she knows too much. Her brother Noah, places her with his co-worker, for the drug lords know where her family lives and he wants to keep them safe. The only thing she has stayed with Finn before and they fell for one another, but her job is first and foremost in her life so she leaves and returns to her job. He is reluctant to let her stay but for the sake of Noah, he does, hoping he want regret it. Then we have a corpse and then another death that the Coast Guard is investigating and Gabby cannot restrain from getting involved which adds to the danger she is already in. While sparks are shooting between her and Finn the danger becomes more and more real to the both of them. A book filled with action, suspense and romance. A winning combination that always makes for an interesting read…….. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Losing those you care about isn’t easy, especially when you are an investigator and are tasked with finding out who’s behind their murders. Sometimes there are secrets that get brought to the light, and questions that no one can answer. Reputations become tarnished, and life might never be the same. Finn is one of those investigators, and he wants the criminals brought to justice. Luckily he has an amazing Coast Guard team to back him up, and fight right along side him if the need arises.

Pettrey does it again. In a breath-taking, nail biting story about those who fight for what’s right, and protect those who can’t protect themselves. I loved every moment I spent on the Coast, and am dying to go back and visit the team soon. Even if it seems that every time I catch my breath, Pettrey is trying to take it away again. The chemistry of the Coast Guard team was undeniable and I would love to get to know them all even more. I had no way of guessing where this story was going to go, but just hung on and enjoyed the ride. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Romantic Suspense. I received a complimentary copy of this book and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you like a tight story and fast-paced writing, you'll likely enjoy The Killing Tide.

To the author's credit, there were a lot of characters to introduce in this new series, and I was able to keep them all straight! Their names and personalities were distinct enough to prevent confusion.

Dialogue is snappy and moves the story along through a series of mysterious murders implicating known bad guys and some presumed good guys as well.

There's not a whole lot of room for the romance, but being a second-chance romance, the reader didn't have to see the first bloom of attraction. We get it all in bread crumbs of backstory. And that's enough!

The Killing Tide was packed with action right from the first page. Gabby Rowley was a very strong willed character whose actions sometimes frustrated me, mostly toward the first half of the book. I felt that she grew a lot within the pages of this novel, and by the end of the story, she had sorted out her priorities.

Finn Walker was a character that I really liked in The Killing Tide. We find that he and Gabby had a past relationship, which Gabby threw away for a job opportunity. The fact that Finn still cared for Gabby and willingly took on the responsibility for her protection, even after she broke his heart, made him stand out to me as a special person in this story.

I liked the way the team ran their investigation into the deaths that occurred toward the beginning of the novel. There were many team members to meet in this first book of the series, and hints of possible romantic interests for future stories. I loved the way this book concluded and am excited to read the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

In this fast paced and energetic thriller, Dani Pettrey delivers her best book yet! Readers will not want to miss this one!

Finn Walker, special agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service, has spent years doing the job he loves, trying to save others. But when a member of the Coast guard is found dead and another goes missing, he has his work cut out for him. With very few clues and even less to go on, Finn must stretch the limits of his investigative knowledge to solve the case. When his old flame, investigative reporter Gabby Rowley, comes back into town, it makes things even more complicated. To make matters worse, Gabby is in town because a ruthless crime boss she helped put away has put a price on her head. Gabby came home to wait until things blow over; she doesn’t want to put her family in jeopardy, so she stays in Finn’s guest house. Gabby can’t ignore her investigative instinct and works together with Finn to try to solve the case, stay alive, and keep her feelings for Finn under control.

Dani Pettrey set the bar pretty high with her Alaskan courage series. I was skeptical she could top it. I am pleased to say she blew me out of the water with The Killing Tide. This is a story fans will not want to miss. At first, I was a little unsure how I felt about Gabby but I quickly developed a strong connection with her and couldn’t deny my strong feelings for everything she went through. Her backstory and all that lead up to her becoming the person she is at this moment really made me root for her to succeed in all she attempted. Finn was an easy character for me to connect with. He left his feelings dangling from his sleeves and readers will find it hard to keep from connecting with him. I loved the ending and the way the suspense built up to a maximum at just the right moments. This is a perfect blend of romance and suspense to make an absolutely great story. This book is an exceptionally quick read, the story flows beautifully with short chapters and different point of views giving readers a full scope of how the story plays out. I highly recommend this to fans of Pettrey’s previous works as well as new readers to her, this will be a great place to start and get hooked on a wonderful new author.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This was a fast paced, quick read. I really enjoyed the supporting cast, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I found the ending to be a little over the top, but, overall, it was a fun read. If you enjoy romantic suspense give this one a try.



I received a free copy from the publisher for review.

Guess what is releasing this next week? Good news, right? Dani Pettrey is a talented author and one of my favorites in the romantic suspense genre. I've been anticipating this book for what seems like a long time. Oh and just a shout out to the cover! I love when a book cover represents what is inside so well. It just makes me happy. And I love those colors!!

You better buckle up for this book. Seriously. It is nonstop, petal to the metal, fast paced, forward momentum. I was sucked in from the first few pages and had a hard time putting this one down for "real life". haha. Sometimes with suspense novels, it's more about the plot than the characters. I don't know how Dani Pettrey does it, but there is such a fantastic balance of character building in the midst of a growing mystery and death defying scenes. It makes for such an awesome story.

I love the setting for this new series and also the homage it pays to some largely unsung heroes that protect our waters. I'll admit that some of it creeps me out (think underwater fighting, drowning and sharks!) but it's okay, I'm okay. 😨 It could never be my job but I sure am grateful for those who are our coastal guardians.

This book spotlights Finn and Gabby (I LOVE Finn! Gabby, not so much.) but also introduces us to a team of people who this series will revolve around. The stage has been set for the next novel and once again, I am left anticipating the next book. It cannot get here fast enough.

Content: violence, death, Christian elements, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm a big fan of Dani Pettrey and I was excited to read The Killing Tide as it's a start of a new series. Plus, the cover is gorgeous!!

The opening of The Killing Tide is gripping and immediately pulled me into the story. Finn Walker makes a fantastic CGIS special agent and hero. I connected with him and wanted him to find happiness and of course, the bad guy.

The opening scenes with Harper were definitely intriguing, but I admit, I had a hard time connecting with her. I don't think she deserved Finn and honestly, I sped through her scenes to get back to the others.

I also found a lot of the other scenes from other povs drew me out of the story. I know this book is leading up to others in the series, but still, I would have rathered not read about the other members.

*I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

Gabby Rowley is an investigative reporter who is more than willing to lay down her life for a story. So far her luck has held, but for how long? Memories of the betrayal that threatened her life in Southern Sudan haunt her, and a new threat from drug lord Xavier Fuentes is a real and present danger. Giving in to pressure from her brother, a member of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Gabby accompanies him back to North Carolina to be under the watchful eye of his team, including Finn Walker, the man she walked away from in order to pursue her career.

The Killing Tide is classic Dani Pettrey with her signature style. Those who enjoy action and suspense will find plenty of both in this book. The characters model the integration of faith and prayer into daily life as Christians. I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

From the first to the last page Dani Pettrey kept me on the edge of my seat, and quickly page turning.
You never know what is around the next corner, and it is a good thing, the surprises are very abundant, and most I never saw coming, and don’t won’t get too comfortable in your surroundings.
Past meets present, and facing your life hits you head on, and while there is a bit of romance, you need to hold your loved one’s close as you don’t know whom will be here tomorrow.
When you think all that is bad has finished, be careful!
I love that this is the first in this series and more is to come!

I received this book through Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.

3.5 stars, rounded up
This is the exciting first novel in Pettrey's Coastal Guardians series. It starts with action and doesn't let up until the last page. That's not to say that the book is short on romance, because it delivers a hefty amount of that as well.
I really liked and identified with Gabby's character and appreciated the journey she needed to travel in order to trust again.
One slight shortcoming is the sheer number of characters introduced. I get that it's necessary in the beginning of a series, but I thought that giving back story for so many of them was confusing. I hate to admit that when the ultimate villain was revealed, I had to turn the pages back in my book to figure out who the person was.
Overall, this is the truest definition of a heart-pounding romantic suspense novel--both the action and adventure and the love story make the heart beat in their own ways. I am looking forward to the next books in this thrilling series.

Fantastic read! My first ever Dani Pettrey read and I absolutely loved it. Full review coming soon! A Huge thanks to Ms. Pettrey and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the Killing Tide. Looking forward to more novels from Ms. Pettrey.

The Killing Tide
Coastal Guardians #1
By Dani Pettrey

Gabby Rowley broke his heart when she left 6 months ago but now she is back in Wilmington, North Carolina, and under Finn Walker's watchful eyes thanks to the threat on her life. Investigative reporting is her life and it has once again caused her to be on the wrong side of a gun - a gun from which she barely escaped.

With the expose she did on drug dealer Xavier Fuentes having put her on the top of his list of enemies Gabby has no choice but to return home - her boss has given her no choice in the matter and her big brother Noah is more than happy to help her home. But to further protect Gabby she's being hidden at the guest loft next to Finn's home. Can you say AWKWARD??

Unfortunately for those determined to keep her safe Gabby is very resourceful at evading them when she is on the scent of a story and the case that has just landed in the laps of the Coast Guard Investigative team of which Noah and Finn are a part of has her interest peaked. One member of the Coast Guard has been murdered, another has been attacked, and then there is the ship that just exploded following a potentially suspicious death. How can she ignore a story that demands that the truth be revealed?

The Killing Tide is the first book in the Coastal Guardians series and believe me if this series is like Dani Pettrey's previous series the excitement will just go up. Not to give anything away but the climax is more than a little intense. And you'll never see it coming so don't assume anything...

Overall this is a good read that fans of Dani Pettrey will enjoy - the location has changed with as we are taken to the coastal regions of North Carolina and our heroes are with the Coast Guard. What we learn in this first book is that there are definitely some stories to discover about the officers who call Wilmington home and I for one am most anticipating book 2 which I believe the final few pages hint at what is to come. For those who like to know the genre of their books, this is a contemporary romantic suspense. And if you read it just before bed, well you may not get too much sleep (unless you have very strong will power) as you may fall into the "just one more chapter" trap.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey is book 1 in the Coastal Guardians series. This series starts out with a ton of excitement and action. I loved all the information about the Coast Guard and the sweet history between Harper and the man she’s relying on to keep her alive. What makes this book stand out is the author’s skillful storytelling with suspense that never stops. If you love suspense— this is the book for you. I highly recommend it! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Warning: Once you begin this book, it’s going to be hard for you to put it down. Every time I came to a place that I thought I could put the book down for awhile, something else would happen to keep me reading “just one more chapter”. I’m going to be careful in this review to not give anything away with the plot, because it’s the surprises along the way that give this book its spark.

The eye-catching cover gives you a clue about the suspenseful feel all throughout the story. Dani Pettrey’s books never disappoint me. I love books that have complicated, twisting plot lines and she’s certainly given us that in this book. There is also quite a bit happening in this book with several different characters. It took me a couple of chapters to get everyone in their proper place in my mind, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this story. Although there is a romantic storyline, I most enjoyed the “NCIS” type of investigative feel to the book. The Coast Guard investigative team gives this story a fresh feel, and the scenes involving the Coast Guard were riveting. Everything comes together in an ending that I did not see coming. And that’s why I’ll keep reading anything that Dani Pettrey writes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Dani Pettrey is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. I love her writing style and her stories always keep you flipping the pages while furiously trying to figure out who the bad guy is! I also love how she incorporates the entire team into each of the stories in that particular series. By the last book, you feel like they are old friends!

I liked reading about this new group of characters and their relationships with each other. I also enjoyed that they were members of the Coast Guard, which is a branch of the Armed Forces that isn’t featured a lot.

My biggest issue with this story was Gabby. I felt like she not only needlessly put herself in danger, but others too. I also didn’t feel like it was realistic to have her help with the investigations, since she was not part of the Coast Guard. My other issue with this story was that I felt there was just too much at play, which made it seem a bit improbable.

Even though I didn’t connect with this story as much as I would’ve liked, I will definitely be reading the next story in this series. I think Rissi and Mason have an interesting history and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Dani Pettrey is a talented author, and I won't deny that. While I haven't actually found one of her books that I hands-down love yet, I keep coming back and trying more. This series, in particular, seems to have a lot of promise. Plus, I can't get over that gorgeous cover.

Plot and story wise, Pettrey's books are sound and incredibly unique. I am always sucked in by that aspect and can't stop turning pages! I had no idea who the perpetrator was until it was revealed near the end, and I was quite shocked! Although for a moment, I had to remember who that character was, so maybe a little more interaction with him in the book would have made that clearer for the reader. The ending took a pretty creepy turn that I didn't particularly care for, but the action and suspense throughout was on point. My adrenaline was racing at times!

Character and romance wise are where I feel that Pettrey falls short. For me, at least. The characters seem to be based entirely around each other and the romance, leaving little room for character arcs and development. Characters can make a or break a story for me most times, so that is perhaps why I feel a lack of connection with Pettrey's books. Although I will say that her secondary characters seem to be so much more developed and I honestly found myself more attached to them than our main characters. And as for the romance, it ends up being far too steamy for my tastes. There are many heated scenes throughout including passionate kisses, loads of physical attraction and 'tingles' and 'jitters' at the other's nearness\touch. While of course it never becomes an all-out sex scene in any way, I nonetheless found myself blushing and skimming through these scenes. The romance was based so much on physical attraction and not the characters personality or character qualities, which always gets a thumb-down for me.

All in all, if you are looking for a suspense-y, action-packed story heavy on the romance, definitely check this one out! It wasn't my favorite, but it could be yours. :)


FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Oh my stars! I am speechless in the best way, how do I even begin to find the words to say how much I loved this book?! This was my most anticipated read of 2019 and I am absolutely delighted to say that it exceeded all my expectations!
In my opinion Dani Pettrey just blasted her own already sky-high bar somewhere into outer space!
I loved Gabby and Finn instantly, as well as the rest of the CGIS team, and I can't wait to hang out with them all again! As I have come to expect from Dani's books the suspense in The Killing Tide was top notch, and more times than I can count it got my adrenaline pumping like mad as I breathlessly perched on the edge of my seat!
The Killing Tide totally and completely sucked me into its vortex of spellbinding amazingness on page one and would not let go, which delighted me to no end!
I loved, loved, LOVED this book and read it in about 24 hours because I could not stop turning pages!
I could seriously go on gushing for days about how amazing this book is and how much I loved it!
My only complaint is having to wait for the next book in the Coastal Guardians series, but I can be patient because I know it will be well worth the wait!
The Killing Tide is an absolute must read for fans of Christian romantic suspense! Seriously, go buy it RIGHT NOW! You can thank me later! ;)
This book without question has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf, and it is in my top 5 favorite reads of the year!
I wish I could give The Killing Tide more than five stars, because if I could I'd give it as many stars as there are drops of water in the ocean or grains of sand on the beach, that's right: innumerable, and it truly deserves each and every one!


I received a copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.