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Cape Cod Shore #3

Dangerous Water

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She may not be who she thinks she is…

Following her parents’ deaths, Elle Devereaux’s world crumbles. With their company bankrupt and under Federal investigation, Elle is forced to pack up a few personal mementos from her happy childhood home and discovers something that triggers a disturbing memory. Research leads her to a Facebook plea from a woman looking for her long ago abducted sister, and Elle’s door to the past cracks open. She needs answers, but will the strong, serious and far too sexy PI who takes her case lead her to her sister or to heartbreak?

Police detective turned private investigator Gabe Sandoval is skeptical when a woman claiming to possibly be his partner’s abducted sister arrives at their firm. He’s protective of his partner, who’s about to be married, and has run interference with imposters too many times to count. His years as a big city cop bathed him in cynicism, but Elle is filled with a light that he lost long ago. As they search for answers, Gabe worries he may lose more than he finds. And the case takes a dangerous turn.

Can they find the answers before the past steals their happily ever after?

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2020

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Charlee James

13 books116 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Elaine.
3,363 reviews103 followers
August 11, 2020
This is a great addition to this series and is great for anyone who enjoys heartwarming family dramas and romantic suspense.

Elle Devereaux is devastated when both her parents are killed in an aeroplane crash. However, everything gets worse when the company they own is placed under Federal Investigation and  declared bankrupt. Add in the supposition that they may have committed suicide and there's no wonder she's feeling so unsettled. When she is clearing out her old family home she makes an unexpected discovery which triggers strange memories that have her finding a plea from someone called Alex who is searching for her sister who was kidnapped as a child. Could she be that child? Is everything she knows of life a lie? When she travels to find out she first has to get by Gabe Sandoval, who is the best friend of Alex. He's a disillusioned police detective who is Alex's business partner . . . . and though the attraction between them is instant both are wary of succumbing for very different reasons. When the startling revelations start, little do they realise how much danger they are in! Get ready for plenty of surprises before these two can find their HEA!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for a family drama mystery, where secrets, suspense and love are key to uncovering the truth.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Profile Image for Ann.
5,202 reviews60 followers
August 13, 2020
This is book 3 in the Cape Cod Shore series but it can be read as a stand alone book. The characters from the previous stories are present and have their lives updated. Elle's parents die in a plane crash and while getting the house ready to sell comes across a trunk in the attic that has a dress and a bear. It triggers some violent flashbacks and she discovers she was abducted from a family and "adopted" by her parents. A good story with a scary plot line that this could even happen. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Shari.
1,623 reviews16 followers
August 13, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Elle's life is in turmoil, her parents suspected suicide in a small plane crash and she is going through things in the attic and finds a blood stained stuffed elephant. This starts triggering her memory and discovers a girl looking for her missing sister. Gabe, an ex police detective now PI, who is working for Elle's sister, is skeptical of Elle until the DNA test comes back. Gabe has had his heart breaks in life and is a recovering alcoholic. As Elle and Gabe work together and try to stay out of harms way to figure out this illegal adoption ring, they can't resist the feeling that develop between them.

This is more than a romance, you have plenty of mystery and suspense that will keep you turning the pages. Loved the characters. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. The perfect weekend read.
Profile Image for Becky.
3,009 reviews122 followers
June 20, 2020
Just okay. My first from this author--I can see how fans of the series would want to read this one, as Alex, the heroine from book 2 ( Caught in the Current ), plays a rather significant role (especially in the major event that happens toward the end!) but on its own it's rather....meh. More telling than showing, characters who spend more time in their heads than out, and a mystery that essentially gets solved behind the scenes. The writing was a bit on the clunky side; initially I'd wondered if this was a first novel until I looked her up and realized it is her 4th.

Rating: 2 1/2 stars / C
1,297 reviews7 followers
August 11, 2020
Dangerous Water by Charlee James
She may not be who she thinks she is…
Following her parents’ deaths, Elle Devereaux’s world crumbles. With their company bankrupt and under Federal investigation, Elle is forced to pack up a few personal mementos from her happy childhood home and discovers something that triggers a disturbing memory. Research leads her to a Facebook plea from a woman looking for her long ago abducted sister, and Elle’s door to the past cracks open. She needs answers, but will the strong, serious and far too sexy PI who takes her case lead her to her sister or to heartbreak?
Police detective turned private investigator Gabe Sandoval is skeptical when a woman claiming to possibly be his partner’s abducted sister arrives at their firm. He’s protective of his partner, who’s about to be married, and has run interference with imposters too many times to count. His years as a big city cop bathed him in cynicism, but Elle is filled with a light that he lost long ago. As they search for answers, Gabe worries he may lose more than he finds. And the case takes a dangerous turn.
Can they find the answers before the past steals their happily ever after?
This is Elle Devereaux and Gabe Sandoval's story.
The next day, Elle feared she was having a psychotic break brought on by the trauma of losing her parents. She was sitting at the empty dining room table, laptop open, scrolling through missing and exploited children. How she mustered the strength to go back up to the attic after her extraordinary panic attack, she’d never know. Even though she hated the sight of them, she brought the elephant and the dress downstairs along with every photo album she could find. There were no baby pictures of her. She’d been adopted, so it made sense, yet something about the forlorn, terrified-looking child in the earlier images jarred her.
What was she even looking for? She should book an appointment with a therapist. Physical and emotional exhaustion from the panic attack made all her muscles limp, drained. One more internet search and she’d shut down the computer, load the final boxes in her car, and drive back to her apartment. She looked at the tag on the elephant, trying to ignore the rusty stain that had dried over its middle, and typed it into the search bar along with a few other keywords, like Stephanie and White Van. Had she somehow had a nightmare while awake, or was she remembering a horrifying clip from her past?
Results popped up on the computer, including a news interview. Something about the redhead frozen midsentence made her stop and inhale a long breath. She opened the video clip, pressed play, and couldn’t help but feel as though something was terribly, terribly wrong. Her stomach clenched as the camera panned to a woman in a Prologue
This isn’t real. This can’t be real. Elle Devereaux clenched her teeth so hard her jaw hurt. Her life as she knew it was unrecognizable. Three weeks ago, two police officers had knocked on her apartment door and delivered news that had suctioned every bit of oxygen from her lungs. Her parents, her vibrant, caring parents—dead in their early sixties. Their private plane, one her father had flown hundreds of times, had crashed, killing both the pilot and the passenger instantly. In the days that followed, the nightmare spiraled as words like suspected suicide, crumbled business empire, and mounting debt circulated in whispers through their wealthy community of friends and neighbors.
The muscles in his neck seemed to cord, and his jaw clenched. “No.” His voice was all grit, and there was a flutter in her belly at the low vibration of his tone as it resonated across the office. He opened the door in one quick jerk and disappeared into the hallway. The framed glass shut with a hard smack, and suddenly the office seemed empty without his overwhelming presence. She glanced down at the cream-colored card in her hand, printed with bold gray lettering.
Gabe Sandoval
Private Investigator, Partner.
Fantastic. This man wasn’t only one of Alex’s bridesmaids but a stakeholder in her business.
Dangerous Water by Charlee James is a 4 star book.
Charlee's Books with Tule:
In With the Tide
Cape Cod Shore
Caught in the Current
Cape Cod Shore
Dangerous Water
Cape Cod Shore
Home Sweet Christmas
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,285 reviews70 followers
August 14, 2020
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

‘Dangerous Water‘ is the third title in the ‘Cape Cod Shores‘ series, and what an emotional roller coaster ride it turned out to be. It’s been about two years since the previous book was released, long enough that I did a quick, skim reread of ‘Caught In The Current‘ to bring myself up to speed on the series. I don’t often do that, yet the subject of Gabe and Elle’s romance ties in so closely with Alex and Jay’s lives that I really wanted to refresh my memory. There are readers who feel you could read this one as a standalone, I don’t agree for the background of the previous stories really makes this one more intense – but it’s not always possible to go back to the beginning. I would suggest reading in order, yet that’s my opinion – you do what works for you.

Elle’s life was simply crumbling to pieces before her eyes. Her loving parents killed in a plane crash that is strongly suspected to be suicide, her family business is now under Federal investigation for things it’s hard to believe her father would have done… but most devastating of all are the memories that going through her parent’s belongings have brought back to the surface. A suspicion that she hadn’t really been adopted but kidnapped is growing stronger each day – to the point where Elle has to know the truth and sets out in search of a woman who could be her sister, and the life she never got to live because of another’s actions.

If you looked up the word ‘cynical’ in the dictionary you’d probably find Gabe Sandoval’s picture in the description. A former cop, now a private investigator, Gabe believes in little and trusts even less. He has his close circle of friends, one of which is his partner and best friend, Alex who has been searching for her kidnapped sister for years. Gabe’s diverted so many fakes, disproven claims that were paper-thin with ease, but there’s something about Elle that even though he doesn’t want to believe in her… he’s starting to. He’ll do anything to protect his friend, but one intelligent, vulnerable, and desperate woman is about to change his world forever.

There is danger ahead for Elle and Gabe before their happy ending can begin. The journey to get to that place is full of secrets, discoveries, danger, and finding love in the most unexpected place. ‘Dangerous Water‘ kept me flipping pages throughout and I was completely satisfied with the answers I found and the couple who discover their own future happiness. If you enjoy a really good Romantic Suspense element in your Romances then you’ll want to pick up not only this story but the entire series. I was easily caught up in the mystery and the danger, as well as falling for two people who fit together so well… eventually.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Profile Image for Sue.
1,124 reviews13 followers
August 15, 2020
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is a terrific series. I hadn’t read the first 2 books so I got them and read them first. I loved all the characters in the series. They made themselves into a family of friends. The suspense in each book was a great touch and added to the appeal of the storyline. In Dangerous Water, we finally meet Alex’s long lost sister, Elle. We watch as she and Gabe meet and experience a range of emotions during the book.

Elle was Alex’s little sister who was snatched off their porch under Alex’s watch when she was 5 and Alex 8. Their grandmother and parents made Alex’s life miserable while growing up. They blamed her and it ruined her relationships. Ella fka Stephanie knew she was adopted and grew up in a very affluent home across the country in Nevada. A couple months prior, her parents died in a plane crash and it was discovered they were being investigated and all their assets were seized. When cleaning out the house she found some items that brought out some partial memories, a stuffed elephant and a checkered dress. She searches on line and discovers that a PI, Alex, made a recent plea about her missing sister using a portrait that had been painted of the two sisters. After thinking about it she decides to head to Boston to see if she’s the missing sister.

Elle goes to Alex’s office to find out she’s not there. Instead, she meets her partner Gabe. He is very protective of Alex and doesn’t let Elle see her immediately as he is suspicious of her story. Elle gives him the stuffed elephant and the dress to run tests on. Initially he is gruff with her but both later realize there is some chemistry between them. Gabe sets up a meeting with Alex. She shares her story as best as she knows and her sister does the same. A DNA test is taken. Both women believe they are sisters already. Then the results are confirmed.

The group of friends are busy with Alex’s wedding plans. Elle becomes a bridesmaid and she and Gabe spend time together at his apartment. He travels to Nevada with her to pack up moments from her parents home. They find a flash drive and her birth certificate. Someone had tossed the contents of her parents room, damaging the mementos she planned to keep. They return to Boston and danger seemed to follow them. The romance continues to grow between Gabe and Elle and he shares his story with her.There is a lot of suspense and angst. It is a 5 star read I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Shelagh.
1,392 reviews12 followers
August 8, 2020
Dangerous Water is the third book in Charlee James’ Cape Cod Shore series and is a slow-burn romantic suspense. Although I’ve read the first two books in the series I don’t think it’s necessary—you’ll enjoy this book just nicely as a stand-alone.
Elle Devereux certainly has her world upturned. With the suspected suicide of her parents in a plane crash, the discovery of a bloodstained elephant in their attic while clearing personal effects before the house is sold and the sense that she is being followed keeping her on edge. Despite all this, Elle is a strong heroine. She’s a medical writer having obtained a PhD, and aside from her career she is a bright, sunny, caring and positive woman no matter what she is forced to face. I also liked that her voluptuous and curvy body is celebrated throughout this book.
Gabe Sandoval is a hardened but competent private investigator. He’s a recovered alcoholic, but he’s got his demons. At first glance he’s a man to fear, but Gabe has his sensitive side, which shone during his sightseeing tour in Boston with Elle.
While these two are discovering their love for each other events out other control are ramping up the danger for Elle, and it is that which keeps the pages turning. The story is well told and compelling with a lovely sweet ending that made this a perfect weekend read.
4 reviews
July 9, 2020
Dangerous Waters

Riveting, Superb, Awesome, Fantastic!! Charlee you are amazing! This being the last book of the Cape Cod Series, she really did save the best for last. All of her books are very well written and you can see the progression of characters, story lines, plot twists, etc. with each book she writes. The captivating way she introduces the characters and draws you into their lives. Charlee also includes very well -known places & landmarks in her stories so it just makes everything come that much more to life.
As with the case of Elle & Gabe there are twists and turns between and about each of them that you don’t see coming and find yourself reading and turning each page faster than the next just to know what happens next. Charlee has also found a way to tie several characters from “ Caught in the current “ into this story. I was especially pleased with the way Alex & Elle were reintroduced and how each of their stories both blossomed and were explained in detail throughout the book.
I will be eagerly waiting for the next book(s) that Charlee writes. If you have not read any of her books yet, trust me get yours today on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble and start reading you will be hooked and a forever fan the second you do.

Rita C.
2,759 reviews19 followers
August 6, 2020
Once again, this author delivers an entertaining, touching, at times heartbreaking but also heartwarming story.
Elle Devereaux’s life has been turned upside down. She grew up in luxury and now after her parents died in an airplane accident (or was it?), she discovers their business was in bankrupt, the Feds are investigating, and it appears she was not adopted but kidnapped.
But in the midst of this devastation, she believes she has a sister in Boston and goes there to find out.
Her sister’s PI partner, Gabe Sandoval, is a man who is very protective of his best friend Alex as well as a man who had a tough time years ago, and those circumstances have changed him to be a hardened man. That is , until he gets to really know Elle, a woman who has brought sunshine to his life.
But someone wants to harm Elle, and as the investigation of her adoption/kidnap escalates, so does the danger.
Will Elle and Gabe survive the danger and find their HEA or will they succumb to it?
That said, if you have not read the previous stories, I highly recommend you do. This one follows the lives of the previous characters , especially Alex, Elle’s sister.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
3,191 reviews11 followers
August 10, 2020
Dangerous Water by Charlee James is the third book in the Cape Cod Shore Series. It has been two years since book two was released so I had to refresh my memory of the supporting characters. Not because I could enjoy or follow this story without confusion because it reads well on its own. Mostly it was because I knew I should know the supporting characters. The two couples were the focus of the first two books.

This story centers around Elle Devereaux who fears she was kidnapped as a child and Gabe Sandoval who is skeptical of her claim. In his defense, he is cynical about most things having been a police detective before becoming a PI since he has seen some bad things in this world. After the cynicism is dealt with in the story I appreciate that their relationship was based on mutual attraction and respect. There is just enough suspense and danger in the story to keep it interesting along with the romance.

Recommend this story to all those who enjoy a romance with some suspense and danger along the way to a Happily-ever-after.

An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
1,244 reviews4 followers
August 9, 2020
What a great ending to this series. I loved the characters and the story line was very entertaining. It was a very mysterious read at times. From the moment I picked up the book I had a hard time putting it down. The plot took so many twists and turns it kept me guessing chapter to the chapter. I really look forward to reading more by this author. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
807 reviews
August 11, 2020
This is book three of Cape Cod Shore, and I was given an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Loved Elle and Gabe’s story and really liked how the author gave you his side and her side it just gave the characters their own personal souls that you were given a peek into.
The story line of a young girl being kidnapped had so many twists and things I never guessed were coming . And there was some danger that had me scared, but oh how the book came to an end was just so heartwarming and so well written, it’s getting my recommendation.
Profile Image for Sara.
231 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2020
I started reading and couldn’t put the book down until it finished. I loved Elle and Gabe and was rooting for them and I was fully invested in the mystery of Elle’s kidnapping
1,036 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2020
A great read, the third book in this series.

Elle meets Gabe when she goes looking for the woman she thinks might be her sister.
As shie finds out more about her past, she also finds that someone is out to get her in the present. Gabe wants to protect her, but will he let his past hold him back from anything more?

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review
1,299 reviews5 followers
August 20, 2020
Mystery and sweet love story as well . A tough guy investigator, divorced, recovered alcoholic, who helps in reuniting two sisters and falls in love with one .
Profile Image for Mia.
500 reviews5 followers
August 25, 2020
Discovering that you are not who you think you are is bad enough but to discover it after your parents' tragic deaths is even worse.

Elle Devereaux grew up always thinking she knew who she was and where she belonged in the world. But that changed after her parents death. She found papers that said she was adopted. And she started to have nightmares. Unexplained dreams that scare her. Elle sees a video that leads her to contact someone who is looking for her long lost missing sister. This leads Elle to meeting Gabe Sandoval who is a retired police detective who works with the detective agency. Gabe is very much a skeptic and tends to not trust nor believe people. Yet something about Elle tugs at Gabe and he wants to believe her.

This story is one that will pull at your heart strings and pull you in. It is a wonderful love story with a twist of mystery. The characters are wonderful and believable which is key for me to enjoying a story. I do like most of what this author writes so it is always fine to read her new stuff.

I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Paula Pugh.
1,667 reviews6 followers
July 16, 2020
Dangerous Water is a thoroughly entertaining novel. It contains twists and turns that make the plot better and better as you go deeper into the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Louise Bird.
517 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2020
Awesome book. I am so thankful that I got to read an ARC of this book. It was a pleasure to read, you get a cold case, mystery and romance all in one book!
6,157 reviews20 followers
August 12, 2020
While i enjoyed this book I feel I would have had a better grasp of it if I had of read earlier books in this series as sometimes IO was left a little confused While the book flowed well I wouldn't say it was one of the best reads I have had this year

Elle Devereaux has questions first her parents appear to commit suicide in a plane accident then the comapny they built is under investigation Then when clearing the attic she finds a blood stained elephant all leading to memories she has submerged for years Soon she is beginning to believe that she could be the missing sister of a woman searching for her abducted sister Her quest leads her to Gabe Sandoval the PI who is searching for the missing woman and running blockage for his partner as many try to scam, her. He is concerned that Elle may bring a more than change to their lives. Soon he and Ella are placed in danger by their enquiries and he will need to step up to protect the women he is beginning to have feelings for.
Profile Image for Cathy.
756 reviews
July 10, 2020
DANGEROUS WATER by Charlee James. This was my first venture into this author's works, and even though it was book 3 of a series, that only had a slight impact on the understanding of the story - there are several friends from previous books so they were unfamiliar, but, again, they did not have a huge impact. Overall, the story was ok. It had great promise but it dragged just a bit for me. I was hoping for more action and more involvement in the unraveling of the mystery. The main characters - Gabe and Elle - fell hard and fast and their connection and devotion came across as true for me. I did feel Gabe's emotions and enjoyed how Elle helped him with some demons he was living with. There is some danger and that was well written and a couple of hold your breath moments when it did. Overall, an ok read. (received ARC for honest review)
Profile Image for Terri.
1,782 reviews21 followers
August 1, 2020
I struggled to get into this book. It had a Harlequin tone to it that I wasn't expecting. I think the heroine could have used a little more backbone to come off as a more substantial character. I liked Gabe, but Elle seemed almost like a wilting lily.
I wish the mystery had taken up a bigger part of the book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Jacki.
1,044 reviews4 followers
August 15, 2020
2.5☆

What I liked:
The writing style
Part of a series: Cape Cod Shores
Standalone
HEA

The story started strong, but then I had a hard time staying interested in it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
1,322 reviews18 followers
November 15, 2020
I really thought this was a well written book. Charlee has such good plot ideas and I love the characters. Charlee hit this one over the fence!
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