Hell or High Water

Deep Six #1

by Julie Ann Walker

In a world on the brink...

Six men. One sunken Spanish galleon. Millions in gold and silver coins lying on the ocean floor. And a past that refuses to let the guys of Deep Six Salvage forget the Navy SEAL motto: the only easy day was yesterday...

There's more than one kind of treasure...

The nation's security has always been CIA agent Olivia Mortier's top priority. But a mission-gone-wrong has begun to make her wonder if there's more to life than risking hers.

And more than one secret at the bottom of the sea...

Only two things could make Leo Anderson abandon his hunt for the legendary lost ship, La Santa Christina, and return to the world of weapons and warfare he swore to leave behind: a capsule of enriched uranium, lost on the ocean floor, and a plea for assistance from the one woman he can't seem to forget...

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Military Fiction, Suspense, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance

377 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 7, 2015

About the author

Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award. Julie loves to travel the world looking for views to compete with her deadlines. And if those views happen to come with a blue sky and sunshine? All the better! When she's not writing, Julie enjoys camping, hiking, cycling, fishing, cooking, petting every dog that walks by her, and... reading, of course!

Be sure to sign up for Julie's occasional newsletter at: http://julieannwalker.com

Or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/julieannwalkerauthor and/or Instagram: @julieannwalker_author.

In Moonlight and Memories:
#1 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME ONE
#2 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME TWO
#3 IN MOONLIGHT AND MEMORIES: VOLUME THREE

Black Knights Inc.:
#1 HELL ON WHEELS (Ghost and Ali)
#2 IN RIDES TROUBLE (Boss and Becky)
#3 REV IT UP (Jake and Michelle)
#4 THRILL RIDE (Rock and Vanessa)
#5 BORN WILD (Wild Bill and Eve)
#6 HELL FOR LEATHER (Mac and Delilah)
#7 FULL THROTTLE (Steady and Abby)
#8 TOO HARD TO HANDLE (Dan and Penni)
#9 WILD RIDE (Ozzie and Samantha)
#10 FUEL FOR FIRE (Dagan and Chelsea)
#11 HOT PURSUIT (Christian and Emily)
#12 BUILT TO LAST (Angel and Sonya)

Deep Six:
#0.5 HOT AS HELL (Mad Dog and Harper)
#1 HELL OR HIGH WATER (Leo and Olivia)
#2 DEVIL AND THE DEEP (Bran and Maddy)

Reviews

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell or High Water was a fantastic start to a new series! It was fun, suspenseful, and sexy. The old saying location, location, location definitely was true here. We have the common elements of Navy SEALs and dangerous situations but all in a fresh new location of high seas adventure; the setting was a huge factor in how much I liked this.

I read this along with the other ladies of the blog and you can read and find out more what we liked about this at: Reading Between the Wines book club

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell or High Water by Julie Ann Walker is a 2015 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Most of us know JAW from her mega popular Black Knight series and we've come to expect high octane, fast paced, action packed romantic suspense. This new series gets off to a solid start as we meet Leo and his crew, a group of Navy SEALS who have officially “retired” after a failed mission that took the life of one of their comrades.

Leo was on a operation in Syria working with CIA agent Olivia Mortier, and the two were close to acting on the sizzling chemistry between them when things imploded and Leo found himself out of the SEALS forever. But, now Olivia is in need of a topnotch diving team for a highly secretive, off the record, operation in which innocent lives are at stake. Leo and his team are the best there is, but could Olivia have an ulterior motive in asking for their help? Can she convince Leo to put his plans of locating an old Spanish Galleon and going on a treasure hunt on the back burner for awhile in order to help her?

Who doesn't love a high seas adventure? Leo “the lion” is a perfect hero with a SEAL background, and just the right amount of that military alpha male trait, but not over the top macho. Olivia is also a great character, a woman who has been forced to keep her emotions in check due to her career in the CIA, but who is approaching thirty , and wishing for a little more from life outside of her job. She' s smart, holds her own under pressure, but has a softer, human side too.

“Remaining aloof and unloved would be her decision and – Whoa there, Nelly. Don't go getting all maudlin. Next thing you know, you'll be sporting sweats, eating frozen dinners, and drinking boxed wine. Olivia Mortier: cover girl of Woe is Me magazine.”


Sometimes, the first book in a new series can leave me feeling a little disoriented, and I did suffer from that a little with this one. Setting the stage for the series, introducing us to all the players, setting up the next book, and still coming up with a plot line interesting enough to entice readers to return for the follow up, can make the story a little too busy, and at times I did think there was a little too much going on or too many people involved. However, I enjoyed this one mainly because of it's setting on the high seas, which is kind of different for a change, and I thought it added a little panache to the adventure side of things plus the dialogue between Olivia and Leo was snappy and sharp, and I thought the chemistry between them was palpable, not forced or focused solely on the physical aspect of the relationship.

The secondary characters rounded out the story nicely and added humor and comic relief to this tense thriller.

Overall, I think this is story gives the series a strong lead in and I'm really looking forward to the next installment. 4 stars

[Jonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rush! Walker launches her latest series with suspense, intrigue, action, and unbridled passion. The story comes to life through her vivid narrative, bringing you along for the ride. The intricate and unforgettable plot weaves together in such a manner that you can feel the action of the tale. At the same time, the danger and intrigue kept my heart pounding.

I loved getting to know these characters in such an up-close and personal manner. The camaraderie between the characters really did it for me. These aren’t simply individuals thrown together by circumstances; they are friends who’ve been to hell and back together. The verbal and nonverbal communication between them highlighted just how close they are while also showing who they are as individuals. And let’s not forget the fantastic main characters that Walker introduces us to. They were the type of individuals that I could really root for. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and I couldn’t help but laugh at everything that came between them.

This novel was fast paced, captivating and hauntingly suspenseful from beginning to end. Walker has definitely created a crew that will do this series proud.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this review on Got Fiction? book blog

2.5

***EDIT: about the beard-in certain situations SEALs are allowed relaxed grooming standards, so maybe that's why he had a beard when they met? It doesn't change how I felt or my rating, but I wanted to be accurate; that's why I looked up the rules and regs to begin with.

This book is a case of it's not you, it's me. The voice and tone of the author just did not work for me. The plot is excellent, the characters are developed...yet the sense of humor and the voice just irritated the crap out of me.

Okay, so we have a very recently retired SEAL lieutenant and his team...they now have sunk everything they own into an underwater salvage company. They're relaxing in the Florida Keys when the woman he can't get out of his head, CIA agent Olivia Mortier, walks onto his island with a job for him. The CIA "gave" some terrorists chemicals but had trackers on them, so they could find who was in charge of said terrorists. But the shipment is dead in the water (literally). I've simplified it, really it's a great plot.

Meanwhile, Leo is ready to go hunt down a certain Spanish galleon that is loaded with treasure. But Olivia needs him, and he needs the money. So he and his team are off to intercept and then deep water dive down to fetch the chemicals. But it's not that easy, of course. The terrorists have commandeered a yacht from a good Samaritan passing by, and they are waiting for further instructions.

The Deep Six guys make it to the location, and there's a yacht just hanging out. They hail it, and the captain says it's all okay, but, Leo and his team aren't certain. Then all hell breaks loose. His ship is sunk, he's got Olivia floating in the open ocean, and he can't keep his mind off of her even though his team is ready to go. Pushing her out of his mind for a moment, he and the guys take back the yacht.

Now the part I had issue with-the sense of humor and voice. This author loves her punny similes. But they're awful. Seriously awful. Mind you I have the dorkiest sense of humor and I love puns. This was bad.

"Wound tighter than a suicide bomber..."

"...leaking out like hazardous chemicals."

"Exploded in his brain like an IED."

"He burst through the door like the kool aid pitcher guy burst through walls..."

They really get worse, and they were seriously ever other sentence. These were some of the better ones, although I don't know a single military guy who would make awful similes like those. (I'm married to a former Airman, so I know a few guys from living on-base for years. I even asked a few about the bad jokes they tell...one guy told me he thought the IED and suicide bomber one were in bad taste...I agree).

Another issue that I had with this book is that when Olivia and Leo met, they were both stationed in the Desert, and yet, as an active duty SEAL, he's described as having a bushy beard. NO. Full stop. It's not allowed. His beard continues to feature in his new career as a deep sea diver--well...even his stubble would cause his SCBA apparatus to not seal against his skin. If he'd had a beard on land, and then shaved it before he went in the water, hey that's normal, I get that. But as an active-duty SEAL? It's actually not allowed. I looked it up. The author's note went on about how much she thanked the guys who taught her about deep sea diving, and she lived on a boat in the Keys for a couple of weeks...why put that much effort into getting it right, just to not even get a very simple detail right? Seriously? A full bushy beard? NO.

I am seriously debating whether to try the next book, because on one hand, SUPER interesting characters. On the other...I might get another book full of stupid similes.

***ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Casablanca

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhayne's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Hell or High Water is the first book in Ms. Walker’s new series, Deep Six. If you have read her Black Knights, Inc. series, you will find this new series right up along the same line. The intensity, action, and mix of sexy is the same, it’s just wrapped around a new and exciting plot.

I fell in love with Walker’s writing style after reading the first chapter of her first book, and I have been held hostage in her book worlds. She is a master at writing descriptive scenes that transports you right into the center of the action. Whether it’s a scene of passion, fighting or adventure, you get a front row seat as it all enfolds before your eyes.

This book is told in multiple POV’s. There are three separate situations happening at the same time that all mingle together perfectly into one story. The balance between the different plots is well developed and kept me invested in each one.

In this story we follow along as six retired SEALS are on a quest for adventure and treasure. From the very beginning, nothing goes as planned. Things gradually get worse as their voyage progresses. Leo and Olivia share with us their journey for finding terrorists, finding traitors, finding stolen bombs and finally finding everlasting love.

I love the new characters we get introduced to in this series. As with all of her books, they are very strong , but have a sweet side that melts your heart. The sarcastic banter back and forth provides a great mix of humor even in some very dark and troubling times.

There is no limit to the future of this series. There are so many great introductions that could easily lead off into different novels. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

Where this is the first book in the series be prepared for a lot of back story and character introductions. It took me a few chapters to get completely pulled in, but once it happened there was no stopping until I hit the last page. Ms. Walker will always have a spot of my auto buy list. I am guaranteed a story filled with intense moments, hot alpha men, enough action to make it impossible to put down, and it’s all enfolded around a sexy, passionate, epic love story.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I had read the novella and really liked both the writing and the set up for this series. If you are looking for a more suspense than romance romantic-suspense book, keep looking. I'd say this is about 70% romance, very sexy romance, and 30% suspense, very intense suspense. It checked all my boxes for a great, entertaining read.

Leo Anderson and his SEAL team have retired and entered the treasure hunting business. They pooled their resources and have a project that Leo's father spent his live chasing, the Spanish galleon La Santa Christina, lost in 1624 and rumored to be filled with millions in gold, silver and precious gems. Leo and the boys are all ready to go and scoop up those riches. One little problem: they are running low on operating capital.

Enter the answer to their prayers, or their worst nightmare, depending on your perspective. CIA agent Olivia Mortier has approached the guys with a deal that is to good to be true. For one days work she will hand them a cool one-half million, dollars not doubloons. All the have to do is deep dive for a case of bioweapon chemicals that the CIA misplaced. Easy-peasy. Only one catch, (there is always a catch) the baddies who stole the chemicals may still be hanging around. Another catch, the guys all promised a team member who didn't make it to get out and live their lives to the fullest. But, one-half of a million dollars would fund their salvage operation for quite a while.

So begins Wackass Wednesday. Leo and Olivia have some unresolved business from their time in Syria. What began as an easy, comfortable relationship was heading quickly toward complicated when Leo retired and left. 18 months later Olivia is on his beach asking for his help. Lot of unresolved feelings here. But he and the guys have a mission to fulfill and the Navy SEAL motto: the only easy day was yesterday and Murphy's Law are making it difficult.

[Katie Utterly Unashamed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, this is definitely a case of "It's not you, it's me" for the DNF. It was doing the audio on this one, and I think this style needs to be read and not listened too. I noticed that I was zoning out so much. I read the 3rd in this series as an ARC and really enjoyed it, but was missing some of the treasure hunting stuff, so I thought I would go back and listen to the first and second. That didn't go so well for me. I'm not sure why, I just couldn't get into the story.

I just hit the 30% mark, which is like 4 hrs in the audio and I have absolutely no idea what is happening. I'm pretty sure I wasn't present for most of it.



Maybe it's because at this point, nothing is happening.

In the years I have been reading/listening - there are books that are better read and books that are better audio. This is definitely an author who is better read.



You win some, you lose some. This was sadly a loss for me.

[Angela (Angel's Guilty Pleasures) · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 3 Hell or High Water Stars ~

Hell or High Water is book one in Julie Ann Walker’s new Deep Six series. I have to say I LOVE her Black Knights Inc. series and was expecting something along this line. I was not disappointed per say, just not as into this first book as I hoped to be.

Hell or High Water is told in multiple POV’s. We are given lots of pop culture references throughout. The plot was interesting with flushing out a CIA mole and retrieving chemical weapons. The prologue was confusing until I read the fist chapter, which explains that our retired Navy SEAL’s are now treasure hunters instead of working for the government. JAW does a good jump introducing us to our seven Hot and Sexy retired Navy SEAL’s. I enjoyed getting to see each of these men and learning why they choose not to reenlist, though the reason is a very sad and an emotional one. This story has some very strong emotions and lots of upheaval for our leads and secondary characters. The start of the story is kinda on the slow side for me and it really never picked up. We don’t get as much action/adventure as I am use too from JAW and what action we do get I was not as into. 

I like Leo “The Lion” Anderson our team leader. He is loyal and even after retirement he still feels a responsibility towards his men. I liked that he differed to the others before making a decision and that he put others before himself. As for Olive, she is confident and has courage, but I still went back and forth on liking her or not. I think it had to do with her past and the emotional issues it caused her. Also I was bothered that Olive did not confess what happened in Syria, when it became obvious that this secret would come out. Our secondary characters especially Bran where amazing. Bran added some great humor, which kept the story going for me. I really enjoyed the times he interrupted Olive and Leo’s sexy time. The set up for Bran and Madison was great too and I can’t wait for his story. He really stood out in this one.

Hell or High Water was an enjoyable read and a good start, but it did not wow me as her Black Knights Inc series. I will be picking up the next book in the Deep Six series.  

*Disclaimer: Review copy provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Hell or High Water is the first book in Julie Ann Walker's newest and thrilling series "Deep Six" I honestly had no clue what I was getting into when reading this book but it was fantastic and I have only a few issues and everything else was SUPERB. I love adventure romances and boy this ticked off all my adventure needs and I just love a good treasure hunt. And then we add in six ex SEALs, a second chance romance with a spy for the CIA and some chemical weapons to get out of the hands of some nasty terrorists and boy it draws you in.

There were so many fun times to be had in this book and I really just loved how this book was written. I don't think this narrator was the best for the job, at least not to engage the listener right away. So I do wish it had engaged me a bit more in the beginning, or it could have been the actual story, I am not actually sure which, to be honest. But I almost put this book down because I wasn't sure I would be into the book but after a couple of chapters, I was into it. I really did love seeing this book develop and all the plot twists that we see. This story is pretty sad at times, especially when we learn what happens with their lost team member who was killed in a mission that changed all their lives and where the men made a promise to each other that is fundamental to the storyline. But the romance was delightful and loved seeing these two find their way back to each other and discovering that love is worth fighting for. Simply a delight to listen to from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see what this author does for this series in the near future!!!

[Mandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love my little sister. I love her a lot. I love her enough that when she asks for more romantic suspense recommendations and I’ve already exhausted my limited knowledge of the genre, I start reading more romantic suspense. Do you hear that, Bethany???!!?? I’m taking the bullet for you! GR friends, feel free to send her recommendations.

The premise of this story is just so stupid. An FBI agent sets up a sting to catch a mole. In the process, the FBI agent loses canisters of bioweapons. The ONLY people who can help her retrieve the weapons from the terrorists are a team of recently retired SEALs led by the super hot SEAL dude that she wants. Yeah, it’s like that.

I did enjoy some of the more technical aspects in the story. Finally, in a romance novel featuring SEALs, they’re actually in the water!! Imagine that! I swear in romance books the authors just randomly choose occupations. So, what occupations have hot guys? I know. Firemen, FBI, and military. *eyeroll* I liked the references to BUD/S and the velocity of a bullet traveling underwater. There were some pretty cool killing bad guys under water scenes, too. Stuff blows up. I’m always a fan when stuff blows up.

As always, I do get suckered into good secondary characters. That would be the only reason to read the next book. Even then, I’m not sure it’s worth the effort.

[AH · Rating 3 out of 5]

About 3.5 stars...

After a promising start and a very intriguing prologue, I found that the beginning of the book was a little slow for me. I figured it may have been a mood thing so I put the book down and tried again later on. I'm glad I went back to this book because it did have its entertaining moments.

The romance aspect was nicely done with our hero and heroine pining for each other but being in denial about their feelings. Leo lives in Florida on a private island in the keys while Olivia is a CIA operative. Their paths have crossed 18 months earlier in Syria and now Olivia recommends Leo and his men for a salvage operation. The romance build up slowly and our couple is rudely interrupted many times.

I enjoyed reading Hell or High Water and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a review copy of this book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried, I just could t connect with anyone in this book. It's not a bad book. I personally could t connect with anyone so I will give it 2.5 stars because the idea was awesome, the author is awesome. This book just wasn't for me. From the other reviews I've read it does get better, but if I can't get into a book by 15% it's not for me.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so excited about this series! Hell or High Water is well-researched with great attention to detail. It maintains the feel of the BKI books with great action and sexy times but is still fresh and exciting.

Full review to come.

[Jade Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

Julie Ann Walker is one talented woman. I've enjoyed her Black Knights series. And this one looks to be even better. Plus, we get a sunken treasure ship! Or we will as the rest of the series continues...

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

Former Navy SEAL
CIA babe needs his team
Recover weapons

Suspense, lots of sex
Looking forward to next one
Enjoyable read

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed feelings on this one. The story itself was okay -- I'd say 3 stars, max.

But there were two things that pulled the rating down.

1) Racist remarks/views. Including a (I assume) future heroine who refers to the Native American team member as "Dances with Wolves Extra". While all the white team members get nicknames like "Mr Swoony", "Sir Lifts A Lot", and "Golden God". Fuck that shit.

2) The writing was . . . at times confusing, not great, and OTT. Like "He was so hard a cat couldn't scratch him" [which is apparently also a line in an old Linda Howard . . . AND STILL MAKES ZERO DAMN SENSE IN 2018]. Or her womb "twanging" during sex, like some fucking country music singer. There were a bunch of other phrases and analogies that just didn't work, and if I had been reading this, rather than listening during my walks, I can guarantee I'd have quite the list of WTF examples.


On top of that, I didn't believe the romance by the end. This story takes place over the course of maybe 3 days or so? Yeah, heavy lust, sure. Maybe some like. But love? In between trying to not be killed by terrorists and complete this dangerous, time sensitive mission? Nah.


Oh! And I hated that every chapter/scene told us the day and time. I kinda get why -- so we know that this is a very short time frame to get this mission pulled off -- but it backfired, at least for this reader, because I spent far too much time going "Wait, all this chapter of events happened in this amount of time? IDK, let me over think this time frame because that does not seem right...".


The sex was hot . . . and yet, like I said before, some of those odd phrases and word choices showed up there, too.


Was this book a waste of my time? No. Did I love it? Not by a long shot, especially after the racist shit. Will I try another from JAW (this was my first)? I . . . don't know. I won't say "HARD NO" yet but I'm not dying to grab another one, either.

[MsRomanticReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

*Complimentary ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review.

Man down!
When the Crazy Eight lost one of their own, it changed everything.

An oath sworn
With his dying breath, Rusty Lawrence made his band of brothers promise him they would leave the Navy and live life to the fullest.

After reading the prequel to this new series in the Way of the Warrior anthology (which was fantastic, and author and publisher proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project), I knew I'd want to read the first, full-length novel. If Navy SEALs are your thing, you need this book! Julie Ann Walker did an amazing job of transporting me to the Florida Keys, and she kept me on the edge of my seat with the brilliantly described scenes of deep sea diving and tactical (underwater) SEAL action. The biggest bonus of all was the humor interlaced throughout, courtesy of Bran, the suspense and tough female characters.

Leo “The Lion” Anderson and his former SEAL team had honored their friend’s dying wish and embarked on a new adventure: the quest for high-seas adventure and treasure hunting. Even after “retirement”, Leo still felt a responsibility towards his men; to make sure their venture would be profitable since they’d thrown their lot in with him. On the personal front, he couldn’t get CIA agent Olivia Mortier out of his head since a mission in Syria. What I really liked about him was that he put others before himself, and he always deferred to the others before making big decisions. As Bran put it, that made him an excellent and trustworthy leader. Once in mission mode, he was calm, focused and deadly.

Olivia (30) was a kicka** heroine. I loved her confidence and courage. Despite having grown up in an orphanage and excelling in a job that didn't allow much room for romantic stability, I loved that she didn’t shy away from her growing feelings for Leo. She embraced them and took what she could. I understood the guilt she carried over Rusty’s death, misplaced as it was.

Bran wasn’t off the mark with his jokes about their combustible chemistry. I enjoyed all the times Bran coc…interrupted their sexy time because duty called. The push and pull between them developed at a good, steady pace, so that when they finally came together, it made the wait well worth while. There were several sexy scenes and one very steamy (pun intended) sex scene. I didn't really like that she didn't dare confess to Leo what had happened in Syria, especially when it became predictable that the truth would come out in a way she couldn't control.

The story was paced well, and above all else, a page turner. The romance didn't overshadow the great suspense. Along with the retrieval of chemical weapons plot, there was also the matter of flushing out a CIA mole, and the setup of Bran's story with the feisty Madison Powers. From the interaction between Bran and Madison, I can't wait for their story as they seemed to make quite a good match. Bran really stood out in this story. I loved how protective he was of Leo, and his team mates in general.

The story was told from multiple POVs (Leo, Olivia, Bran, Mason, and the CIA mole). I deducted half a star for the many pop culture references, mostly movies. Don’t get me wrong, they were funny, and I got all of them, especially the Lethal Weapon reference (one of my favorite Murtaugh moments, by the way). It was cute the first few times, but eventually I found it a bit overkill. There was also a brief case of head hopping between Mason and Bran that threw me off a little. But aside from that, this book had EVERYTHING I love in romantic suspense—men of honor, strong female characters, good action and humor. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who shares my taste in books in that genre.

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well having read some of this authors Black Knights inc series I could not resist this the first book in her new Deep Six series. This series features a group of ex Navy seals who are working together as salvage operatives and their dream is to live life to the full and hopefully find the ultimate prize, a wrecked Spanish galleon carrying treasure. Though they may be retired the work they did with the CIA has not been forgotten and when chemical weapons go missing near Key West a blast from the past shows up requesting their help.
Olivia has never forgotten the searing kiss she shared with sexy seal Leo but things are really kind of complicated. Now she needs his help but there's still a lot she is hiding from him. What starts out as a straightforward retrieval quickly escalates into an action packed battle with terrorists and then there's the mystery of a particularly nasty mole to solve. Add in kidnapping, a hi jacked yacht and seriously alpha males and this story just rockets along to bring an adrenaline fuelled high seas adventure . Romance , humour and non stop action seem to be the name of the game here and it's a different style from the author compared to what I'm used to. Multiple points of view add to the very fast pace and it's hard to believe that most of the plot takes place all in one day! It was an odd mixture of funny dialogue (featuring lots of popular culture references), coupled with romance that constantly got interrupted ! Leo is likeable and a great hero but at times I struggled with Olivia as she's an agent who just isn't really that tough . Brave yes, self sacrificing yes but still a little girl in so many ways. If you enjoy a fast paced action fuelled romance that's bouncy and almost jovial at times then the Deep Six will entertain you , just suspend all belief and go with the flow!
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars - 2 Flames

Six men, a badass female CIA agent, a lost treasure/mission gone wrong and one hell of a non-stop suspense and you’ve got yourself a pretty cool summer read.

Leo, ex-SEAL turned civilian, and Olivia, CIA agent, met on a mission over a year ago in Syria. Needless to say, the chemistry was there from the beginning. Unfortunately, the sparks fizzled out and they both have been fantasizing about one another without doing much about it; until the CIA loses something extremely important and needs the help of the ex-SEALs.

Abandoning the original goal of searching for the Santa Christina’s sunken treasure, Leo decided that he needed the money the CIA was willing to pay as well as spending time with Olivia. So Leo and his 5 former SEAL buddy’s join forces to excavate “the package” from the bottom of the ocean.

Here’s where it gets tricky. There’s a mole in the CIA who is actually a member of Al Qaeda. “The package” was actually chemical warheads that the CIA planted in order to squeeze the mole out, but of course, that didn’t go as planned and now the CIA needs Leo and his 5 buddy’s help.

There are lots of twists and turns as well as some pretty cool action scenes where we get to read about hot ass SEALs killing bad guys. Yep, it was cool. Speaking of hot scenes…I wish there were more “scenes” between Leo and Olivia, but lets face it, this story takes place within a 24-36 hour time frame. The face that they were able to sneak anything in was amazing.

I’m looking forward to the next installment. After all…I was introduced to 5 other hot and sassy SEALs….

*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from The JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got an intro into the Deep Six series by way of the short prequel, Hot as Hell. It was a bit of sexy, a bit of suspense leaving me looking forward to reading Hell or High Water the first full-length novel in the series.

Hell or High Water is a solid start to Julie Ann Walker's Deep Six series about a group of ex-military buddies seeking their fortune looking for sunken treasures. After they promised one of their own they would get out of the Navy and live a real-life, the guys have been making the most of their new status as civilians. They may have left the dangerous life of a soldier behind but they find a new danger out on the open seas. Not to mention the sexy and dangerous women they meet along the way.

Olivia Mortier, a CIA agent, and Leo Anderson, an ex-Navy SEAL worked a mission together in Syria and they've not been able to forget about each other. Leo is living in Key West with his buddies when Olivia shows up to convince him and his band of brothers to come out of “retirement” to help her recover the chemical weapons at the bottom of the sea. Leo jumps a the chance to be around Olivia again. Danger ensues, romance happens and witty banter keeps the plot moving along with a healthy dose of action. 

Hell or High Water hit all the right buttons I look for in a romantic suspense novel: danger, sexy and great humor. I'm jumping in with both feet into the next novel, Devil and the Deep.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Julie Ann Walker’s books become available, I get so excited. It’s because I know what a wonderful ride she is about to take me on. There is always action – that beat’em up, blow’em up kind of fun that keeps her books lively. There are always alpha men – these men will do anything to serve and protect their country and women. And I cannot forget about the strong women that she pairs with these men. These three reasons are why I will always read and love JAW’s books.

From the beginning, JAW sets up a wonderful crew of men that I just know that I am going to love. Each one has a wonderful personality so uniquely theirs that it is going to be great getting to read more about them throughout the series - Leo, was just that. His character was strong and fierce – ready to lead his men, ready to fight for his country, and ready to everything for Olivia Mortier. *sigh*

Olivia is the one that Leo thought got away. Leo and his ex-military men are retired, living on an island and hunting for lost treasure (which sounds like so much fun!), when Olivia comes and asks for their help. Once the men agree to assist, the action starts (and we are talking about different kinds of action – if you know what I mean.)

JAW has also set up a budding relationship between Bran and Maddy that I am anxiously waiting for their story. Please say that their book will be out soon.

[Debra Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot. Though I am still up in the air on making a firm decision on this author.
This one seemed a bit on the rambling side. There are a lot of instances where the author over describes thoughts and feelings, using different words in the same paragraph to make her point. In other words, she comes close to beating it to death. Sometimes less is more. Too many words over describing a thought, feeling or action can interrupt the flow of the story for the reader. That is what happens in this book.
On the plus side, the characters are awesome and when the action is flowing it hits the awesome factor.
Other than the rambling tendency, the writing is really good. The world build is great.
So, with all that in consideration, I will be reading both book 2 in this series and the Black Knights, Inc series.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its always disappointing when you've loved a previous series of an author and when they come out with a new one you just cannot connect to it. That is the case for me with Deep Six. The base of the series being about retired Navy Seals switching to underwater treasure hunters just didnt thrill me. And sadly neither did any of the characters.

[Norwyn Schäfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Sterne
Deep Six - Rausch der Gefahr
von Julie Ann Walker
LYX
„Was ist besser als ein heißer Navy SEAL? Sechs heiße Navy SEALS!
Eigentlich hatte sich Ex-Navy SEAL Leo Anderson geschworen, den gefährlichen militärischen Einsätzen für immer den Rücken zu kehren. Doch als CIA Agentin Olivia Mortier ihn und sein altes Team um Hilfe bei einer streng geheimen Mission bittet, bringt er es einfach nicht fertig, sie zu enttäuschen. Denn Olivia ist die einzige Person aus seinem früheren Leben, die er nicht vergessen kann. Und die einzige Frau, die sein Herz seit langem wieder schneller schlagen lässt als jede noch so gefährliche Kampfhandlung.
"Heiße Kerle, heiße Action und heiße Temperaturen sorgen für ein heißes Leseerlebnis!" BOOK PAGE
Auftakt der DEEP-SIX-Reihe von New-York-Times- und USA-Today-Bestseller-Autorin Julie Ann Walker“
Ich bedanke mich bei Netgalley und dem LYX Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar des Buches.
Ich fand den Klappentext sehr spannend und freute mich schon unheimlich auf das Buch. Der Inhalt hat mich nur darin bestätigt, dass es sich um ein sehr gutes Buch handelt. Die Charaktere finde ich alle außerordentlich ansprechend und interessant dargestellt. Besonders gut hat mir der Zusammenhalt zwischen den ehemaligen Seals gefallen. Eine eingeschworene Bruderschaft, die wie eine Familie agiert und mit einander umgeht. Man spürt den gegenseitigen Respekt, die tiefe Freundschaft, die innige Verbundenheit und Zuneigung und das unausgesprochene Vertrauen zwischen ihnen. Das ist einfach wunderbar und wärmt dem Leser das Herz. Ich mag Bücher, wie dieses. Die Protagonisten Leo und Olivia haben mir auch wahnsinnig gut gefallen, denn beide sind in ihrer Art einfach unvergleichlich und ihre gegenseitige Anziehungskraft ist beinahe magisch zu nennen, denn ihre Chemie stimmt einfach. Leo ist ein geborener Anführer, stark, selbstbewusst, lojal und zuverlässig. Aber er ist noch so viel mehr, denn er ist zu tiefen Gefühlen fähig, zur Trauer, zur Angst aber er ist tapfer genug sich seinen schmerzlichen Erinnerungen zu stellen und sie anzunehmen und daran zu wachsen.
Olivia ist stur, dickköpfig, hartnäckig und auch in gewissen Maße manipulativ, was schon durch ihren Beruf bedingt sein kann. Andererseits sehnt sie sich nach einem echten zu Hause, einem Ort nach dem man Heim kommt, einer Familie, Zuneigung, Liebe und Geborgenheit. Sie will sich auch mal fallen lassen können und nicht immer die starke Frau sein müssen.
Die anderen Seals muss man einfach ins Herz schliessen und lieben. Auf sie wird wahrscheinlich in weiteren Romanen näher eingegangen werden. Aber das was man hier bis jetzt zu lesen bekam über sie, hat mich schon vollends überzeugt. Die Hintergründe der Story will ich hier eigentlich nicht so genau anreißen, da man das Buch einfach selbst gelesen haben sollte. Ich kann dieses Buch wirklich wärmstens empfehlen, da nicht nur der Plot, die Personen und die bildhafte Schreibweise dem Leser schmeicheln sondern auch die Art wie die Schriftstellerin mit ihren Protas umgeht und wie detailreich und humorvoll sie schreibt. Daher kann ich diesem Buch nur 5 Sterne geben. Kaufen – Lesen – Genießen!
#liebesroman #newadult #rezension #rezensionsexemplar #roman #bookstagram #julieannwalker #lyx_verlag #lyx #bücher #bücherliebe #booklover #reading #bookadict #deepsix #rauschdergefahr #leseratte #bücherwurm #bookworm #bookaholic #lesen #lesenmachtglücklich #instabooks #booknerd #readingtime #ilovebooks #netgalley #netgalleyde #ichliebelesen #buchnerd #ichliebebücher

[Kathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inhalt: "Deep Six - Rausch der Gefahr" ist der Auftaktband der neuen Reihe von Julie Ann Walker.
In dem ersten Band lernen wir, die Gruppe von ehemaligen Navy-Seals rund um Leo Anderson, kennen. Sie sind aus dem Dienst ausgetreten und haben es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht einen alten Schatz aus einer Legende zu finden. Plötzlich taucht CIA-Agentin Olivia Mortier auf. Sie bittet die Gruppe für einen geheimen Auftrag um Hilfe. Eigentlich hatten die Jungs sich geschworen nie wieder für die Regierung zu arbeiten. Leo sagt trotzdem zu, da er, seitdem er Olivia bei einem Einsatz im Krieg kennengelernt hat, eine starke Anziehung für sie empfindet. Was niemand ahnt ist, dass die Mission nicht so einfach auszuführen ist wie geplant. Draußen auf dem Wasser gibt es Gegner..

Meinung: Bei diesem Cover kann ich mich nicht so genau entscheiden, was ich davon halten soll. Eigentlich mag ich keine Cover mit nackten Oberkörpern. Dieser Oberkörper passt aber ganz gut zur Hauptfigur. Der Hintergrund sehr passend gewählt. Er passt ebenfalls sehr gut zu der Geschichte. Hinzukommt, dass das ganze Cover eine eher düstere Stimmung ausdrückt. Auch das passt gut zu der Situation und Geschichte im Buch und hat auf dem Cover einfach eine gute Ausstrahlung. Es zeigt, dass es kein einfacher kitschiger Liebesroman ist. Das ist es auch definitiv nicht. Es gibt zwar Situationen zum grinsen und schmunzeln und sexy und ein bisschen gefühlvollere Momente, aber keinen Kitsch. Und das ist auch gut so! Alles andere hätte nicht wirklich zu den beiden gepasst. Natürlich gibt es auch spannende Seiten. Die Geschichte wird von einem auktorialen Erzähler erzählt. So erfährt man nicht nur von Leo und Olivia, sondern auch von den anderen Jungs, aber auch von der bösen Seite, alles. Der Schreibstil war für mich gerade am Anfang etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig. Mit der Zeit habe ich ihn aber lieben gelernt. Es wird alles ziemlich ausführlich beschrieben. So kann man sich sehr gut in das ganze Geschehen hineinversetzen. Der Nachteil hierbei ist aber auch, dass es sich, gerade am Anfang, als noch nicht so viel passiert, etwas zieht. Trotzdem möchte man wissen wie es weitergeht und enden wird. Die deutsche Übersetzung von Michael Krug hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Anfangs hatte ich etwas Probleme damit mir die ganzen Namen zu merken, aber das verging auch schnell wieder. Was ich persönlich sehr schade finde, ist dass die Geschichte keine richtige Tiefe hat. Es kratzt nur etwas an der Oberfläche. Wahrscheinlich hatte ich deswegen auch etwas Probleme damit mich richtig in die Charaktere hineinversetzen zu können. Das könnte auch daran liegen, dass das Ganze eher weniger eine normale Liebesgeschichte ist, sondern dass es viel mehr um den Auftrag geht. Trotzdem gab es interessante Backgroundthemen, wie zum Beispiel Olivias Vergangenheit oder was bei einem der damaligen Einsätze passiert ist. Auch das Liebespaar für den zweiten Band konnten wir hier schon etwas kennenlernen. Ich bin gespannt auf ihre eigene Geschichte.

Fazit: Nach einer kurzen Eingewöhnungszeit konnte mich das Buch doch noch von sich überzeugen. Jeder der auf Navy-Seals, CIA-Agentinnen und einen geheimen Auftrag steht ist hier richtig. Allerdings sollte man keine Probleme mit einem ausführlichem Schreibstil haben. Ansonsten hat das Buch von allem etwas zu bieten: Gefühle, Liebe, Humor, gut und böse und einen Auftrag.

[Crystal _ Reading Between the Wines Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come see our full Wine Club Review of this title at Reading Between the Wines Book Club!

Lexi: Julie Ann Walker has a new series! Yes, that same author who bought us the Black Knights Inc. And yes, this series is as good as Black Knights. Want to know why? Alpha heroes. Walker can write alpha heroes and create worlds that are built to last, into the next book then the next then the next. Tell me you loved Hell or High Water as much as the Black Nights series, Crystal!

Crystal: Ohmygosh, yes! In fact, I may have loved it just a bit more and the setting is what gave it that extra appeal. Set off the coast of the Florida Keys; how can you not be drawn in by the steamy romance, hot temperatures, danger and adventure on the high seas? Hell or High Water grabbed me hook, line and sinker! What did you think, Kimberly?

Kimberly: The setting played a big part of my enjoyment, too! When the prologue starts off in the year 1624, I was thrown for a loop but this beginning helped set the tone for the high seas adventure you talked about, Crystal. The sense of danger, intrigue, and adventure starts off strong and never really lets up. The time stamps provided throughout the story also helped to keep the pace speedy and kept me engaged and locked in.


Lexi: I am a sucker for alpha heroes who are currently or were previously serving in our military. I had hit a rut for a while thinking these types of novels were all sounding the same until Hell or High Water. Navy SEALS turned treasure hunters? What a great combination! Walker holds nothing back and writes Leo and his team vividly, fills each page with action, so much for treasure ships when you have terrorists and kidnapping. Did Leo’s team hit a sweet spot for you?

Crystal: Absolutely! Who doesn't love military or ex-military heroes? No one. Anywhere. Ever. ☺ I'm surprised that there aren't more of this type of setting for ex-SEAL characters though, they go hand-in-hand so perfectly. Julia Ann Walker is brilliant for putting the two together and I couldn't get enough of Leo's team. I also liked the fact that Walker didn't cram all of the characters together at one time and overwhelm the main story line. Despite there being six ex-SEALs turned salvage divers, the majority of the story followed only four; Wolf, Bran, Mason, and Leo of course. On a side note; me remembering all of their names without having to look back through the pages, two of which were predominantly side characters, tells you something right there! LOL

Kimberly: Even though this is the first in a new series, like you both talk about, I never felt overwhelmed with all the characters. Each character had their place and played their part perfectly, they weren't there simply for the sake of series baiting. The very relaxed tone of the dialogue made it feel like I was really invited into their circle of friends, everything felt natural and real which I think is important when your story involves terrorists and deadly chemicals, issues the average person probably doesn't have everyday experience with. It was also fantastic how Walker kept business and pleasure separate. Olivia and Leo definitely have the hots for each other but they, realistically and sanely, deal with the whole terrorists are trying to get deadly chemicals before they indulge in some sexy times.


Lexi: Another thing I find irresistible in books is humor and Hell or High Water has the perfect amount for me. I love pop culture references, they typically make me laugh out loud. I love quick witted heroines, Olivia is that and then some. And I love a good romance when the couple has the kind of attraction that burns up the pages. I know you laughed out loud too, fess up Crystal.

Crystal: I love the quick whit that Julie Ann Walker embodies in her characters and Hell or High Water was no exception. I found myself smiling throughout most of the book. Olivia and Leo played off each other perfectly and their chemistry was tangent. I enjoyed the back and forth between Leo and Olivia, whether it was them trying to sort out the other's true feelings, deciding on a game plan, or Leo trying to keep Olivia out of the danger. As you can imagine, that last bit didn't work out too well for Leo. These were both head strong characters that knew which battles to fight and it was an awesome journey for them and this reader, both!

Kimberly: Humor is usually a tough one for me in books but like you both, I think it worked very well here. Remember the terrorists and deadly chemicals Those are some pretty dark topics that bring along darker topics of death and destruction, which Walker did not shy away from. The humor, which falls into gallows and puns territory, helped to give relief from the darker tones and provide some lightness. It also helped to give more depth to our characters relationships, they felt realer. I’m also quite the fan of Meat the bulldog, who adorably helps with the comic relief.


Lexi: I don’t know what else I can say about this book without starting to spill what happens and you won’t get any more than the blurb out of me. It’s too fun a read to spoil it for you dear readers. Hell or High Water is well written, has two great MCs, Leo and Olivia, and has brought us a whole team of SEALs to anxiously wait on their own books. This deserves 5 wines from me. Five glasses is guaranteed to go to my head just as much as this book did. Care to get tipsy with me?

Crystal: Hell or High Water was a potent story written by a talented author; fast-paced with a clever dialogue, captivating characters and vivid world-building. A definite five wine glasses from this reader. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, Devil and the Deep. Readers catch the beginning sparks to what promises to be a sizzling romance in Hell or High Water. However, you have some catching up to do, my friend *sip*... I went back to read the prequel to this series in the anthology, Way of the Warrior already! At the beginning of Hell or High Water, it seemed that I may have been missing something in the team's dynamics. And I loved it. However, you don't need to read Hot as Hell like I did, I am happy to say that they are each fully standalone's despite their entwining characters. Cheers!

Kimberly: I definitely am toasting with you both on this one! I had a great time reading this and am going to be stalking Walker until I get to read about the whole Deep Six team. The adventure (seriously, that underwater battle scene was intense!) and connection all our characters shared provided one heck of a reading ride! If you like high seas adventure, men who get the job done, and a main couple who separately can kick butt and take names but only become stronger (and hotter!) when together, then you'll definitely want to read Hell or High Water.

[Andria Potter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sounded like fun but then the characters just annoyed me. The writing was good the plot had promise but I wound up dnf'ing fifty pages in. I just couldn't do it. I really wanted to like this. But here's a few reasons why I didn't:

Ss'yeahhhhh

So many comparisons in using the word "like this" far too much became annoying

The humor wasn't for me

The characters just annoyed me

I try not to do negative reviews often, but this just wasn't for me. Sorry. 2 ⭐

[Under the Covers Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell or High Water is the first installment in Julie Ann Walker’s new Deep Six series. I got a nice little introduction to this world in The Way of the Warrior anthology that was released earlier this year, and it definitely piqued my interest in this author who (I’ve been under a rock) is new to me. Olivia Mortier is a CIA agent who can’t forget ex Navy SEAL Leo Anderson. The feeling is mutual. After a mission in Syria together that ended in tragedy more than a year ago, they parted ways never having consummated their burning attraction towards one another. Fast forward, and Leo and his SEAL buddies have fulfilled their promise to their dying comrade to retire from the Navy and start living. In a paradise off of Key West, Leo has enlisted them on another type of mission: to find the wreckage of the Spanish galleon, La Santa Christina, and all the treasure that’s said to have been her cargo. Unfortunately, funding is running out and Leo is unsure of how to proceed. Until Olivia makes a timely appearance to convince them to come out of “retirement” to help her recover canisters of chemical weapons that have ended up at the bottom of the sea due to some unfortunate circumstances. They’ll be compensated quite nicely for their efforts. It’s an offer he can’t refuse, but the real challenge is how to handle Olivia’s reappearance in his life.

First off, I have to applaud the cool locale of Key West for a romantic suspense novel. I’d been a bit burnt out on the genre and had become a little tired of locations alternating between the Middle East and Central/South America. This is somewhere I’ve been and can relate to, if only for a short vacation a few years ago. As this is the first book in a series, you know you’re in for a lot of introductions and world building. This was no exception and I did get a bit confused at the beginning learning the names of all the team members and catching up on their backgrounds, but that seems to happen to me in most suspense novels. Leo, or LT as his buddies call him, is your classic strong and steady SEAL who melts you with his loyalty. Olivia is a more complex character, having had a very rough childhood, unused to being cared for. She’s actually very likeable despite the rough exterior. The chemistry between these two is palpable and when they get alone in a room together, you’re just dying for them to get to it already. When they do, it’s explosive. I was not prepared for how hot this is written. Sometimes you’re caught by surprise! I have to say also that Julie Ann Walker writes hilarious dialog, both inner and between the characters. I had a bunch of laugh out loud moments. Who would have known that the opposite of cockblocking is cliterference??!! There’s a good dose of action throughout the middle third of the book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The other ex SEALS are all unique characters that each have their own appeal. I very much enjoyed this one. It’s definitely a feel good book where the good guys win. Sometimes that’s the kind of therapy you need!

*ARC provided by publisher

Reviewed by Guest Reviewer Jennifer

❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell or High Water was a fast-paced, exciting, action-packed page-turner! It was so entertaining with these great characters, fun dialogue, and fantastic wit. Awesome start to a new series!

I loved Leo and Olivia. Olivia was such a tough woman and I loved her strength. Leo was just so sweet. I enjoyed learning their history in the middle of all this crazy chaos that was happening. Seeing their building attraction grow and explode. And oh my! This sucker was hot! There's also a good bit of emotion and drama happening along with all the action.

I could totally picture this story as a movie. The characters were fantastic. They had this great internal dialogue and fun humor happening. The guys involved had an exceptional male bond and camaraderie that I really enjoyed. Each man had such distinct personalities making me want to know more about them. I loved that this was told from several different POVs and getting to see all these different perspectives. I enjoyed the banter between the couple that was introduced for the next book as well.

I loved the suspense element in play. It was lighter than I was expecting but I actually loved that. It wasn't too intense or stressful. It was just a great group of guys and one awesome chick seriously kicking some butt. Terrorist cells, double agents, and kidnappings oh my! It was all thrilling. I loved the whole buried treasure aspect and what the guys wanted for their future as well.

I really liked what was introduced and how the prologue and epilogue were set up talking about a past story that intertwined with the guys today. I was looking for a bit of fun adventure and got just that!

[Shauni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally Reviewed For: Tea and Book

It's always great to know that an author you like has more than one series in her and people, Julie Ann Walker rocks her new series, Deep Six.. If you are like me, and have read her Black Knights Series you know Julie understands Alpha Males. And she writes these smokin hawt stories about men who are not just totally swoonworthy but are committed to serving their country... It's an awesome series so to contemplate topping it has to be very difficult.

But I don't think she thought about "topping" her first series, I think she found a new format, a new group of men that needed taming and then she just started having fun.

In a world on the brink

Six men. One sunken Spanish galleon. Millions in gold and silver coins lying on the ocean floor. And a past that refuses to let the guys of Deep Six Salvage forget the Navy SEAL motto: the only easy day was yesterday...

Intrigued? You should be.. *Grins*

Leo Anderson was raised in the sea. His father a salvager and treasure hunter had chased the dream until he dies. But Leo had committed his life to serve his country and after 15 years as a SEAL, a death bed promise got him out. Only to follow his father's dream.. and to take his team with him. Now it's treasure trails and the deep blue sea. That is until CIA agent Olivia Mortier shows up and asks for a favor.

CIA agent Olivia Mortier fell hard for Leo Anderson when they were on a parallel mission. Only she doesn't really believe in forever and the guilt she feels over the death of his SEAL team member eats at her constantly. But that doesn't stop her from keeping track of him and when they find a traitor in the CIA, and chemicals go missing, a deep sea diver is needed. And really who could do a better job? If she can only get him out of retirement.

*SIGH* I had to just stop and sigh. These two had serious chemistry. Two people that were so hung up on each other and didn't quite understand what they had. It takes a near death experience for them to get it and even then, it was a close call.

Initially I was worried because this book started a little slow, Ms Walker is world building and she makes sure she has a very firm foundation. But once the story got going.. there was no stopping, action and romance on the high seas. Ok in the channel by the Florida Keys but close enough.

As Ms. Walker is building this series, in this book she also introduces us to the rest of the team. A group of men that are battle weary and yet reading to answer the call to serve as needed. Men who don't believe in love but still dream that maybe it could happen. Hard Ass, endearing and totally loyal. Seriously, where can I find one of those men?

This is one of those books that is gonna stay on my TBR list.. so I can read it over and over again. It has all the magic that a good book needs. And plenty of promise of more to come.

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of Hell or High Water, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on July 7, 2015