INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Review of Beneath the Surface, by Joya Fields

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Beneath the Surface

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Beneath the Surface

Joya Fields

Paperback, 252 pages

The Wild Rose Press

January 18, 2012

Genres:

Contemporary Romance,

Suspense

Goodreads Synopsis

Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the-art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda’s boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

Police officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancée’s death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.

Reviewer's Note

I received a review copy of this book from the author.

When I first saw the cover of this novel, I just had to investigate.  That gorgeous blue color, the couple about to kiss, the solitary diver so strategically placed -- the entire cover design was incredible eye candy!   The synopsis definitely intrigued me, and, when I started reading, I was instantly hooked!

The author paints vivid word pictures, as is evident from the exciting opening paragraph of Chapter 1, in which Brooke is suddenly thrown to the deck when her friends' boat explodes.

The novel continues to propel the reader along with nearly nonstop action and edge-of-the-seat suspense, as well as a very sweet romance between Brooke Richards, underwater archaeologist, and Garrett Ciavello, police detective.   Brooke feels the need to be as independent as possible, while Garrett feels the need to protect her, although he does realize her own need to feel that she can take care of herself, in spite of her handicap. 

Brooke's friends, Linda and Jeff, who are graduate students, were specifically targeted in the explosion described at the beginning of the book.  They had been attempting to recover a mysterious box from the ocean floor.  When Detective Ciavello hears about this, he fears that this box could very well contain the remains of his cousin, Tessa, who has been missing for several months.  The main suspect in her disappearance is Rico, Tessa's boyfriend, who has a criminal past. 

Brooke finds herself agreeing to something she thought she'd never do again -- diving.   She simply couldn't bear the thought of doing her favorite activity without her parents along with her, but now Garrett needs her help, and she knows that her underwater expertise will certainly be of use in his investigation.

Garrett finds himself getting into a new relationship, in spite of his own traumatic loss.  He simply can't resist falling in love with Brooke.  He not only feels attracted to her as a woman, but also as a gutsy individual who has bravely resumed her life, having become a teacher in order to inspire students in her field. 

Together, they begina magical romance that will be tested not only by their own inner battles, but also by the threat now looming over Brooke's life, as she becomes involved in the search for Garrett's cousin.

In the middle of all the action, Fields never forgets such things as character development.  Brooke and Garrett are very believable people.   From the initial attraction, we see their relationship cautiously begin to bloom.  We follow them all the way, through the suspenseful events, as they open up to each other.

The secondary characters are also very believable.  I really like Linda and Jeff.  They, too, are well matched, and very much in love with each other. 

Stephanie Cooper, known as "Coop", is another likable character, whom I think will eventually hook up with Garrett's partner, Diego.  She's fhe female deputy who is initially sent to ask Brooke questions about the explosion, and ends up befriending Brooke.

We also briefly meet Garrett's mother, Katie, who is a total delight.  She and Brooke warm up to each other right away.

The villain is very well done, too; there are some genuinely scary moments toward the end of the novel, because the villain is obviously a megalomaniac.  Fields also does a great job of keeping the readers guessing about this person's identity.  There are several unexpected twists and turns before the reader finally finds out who has been trying to kill Brooke and her friends in order to thwart the investigation.

The setting of this novel is very much "in my backyard", so to speak, since I live in South Florida, USA.   Everything I love about Florida -- the ocean, the tropical breezes and lovely scenery, which were part of the setting of this novel -- made me feel right at home!

To sum up, Joya Fields has given us a truly enjoyable read that skillfully blends romance, action, and suspense, with memorable characters and a beautiful setting.  I zipped right through it, and am now thinking of going back for a more leisurely reading, because I'd like to really savor it this time.  I'd like to feel those tropical breezes again, as well as immerse myself in the sweetness of a beautiful romance. 

MY RATING:

Joya Fields

About the Author

     Joya Fields has had over 100 stories and articles published in local and national magazines, and her debut novel, BENEATH THE SURFACE, a romantic suspense, released in January, 2012. LOVE DELIVERED, a contemporary romance, is also now available.

When she’s not busy writing articles, short stories, and novels, Joya loves spending time with her romantic hero/high school sweetheart/husband of over twenty years, two very supportive teenaged children, and a pug who follows her everywhere she goes.

Joya Fields Online:

Website http://www.joyafields.com/

Blog http://joyafieldswriting.blogspot.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/joya.fields

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/JoyaFields

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5395700.Joya_Fields

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