In Deep Waters (Silhouette Romance, 1608)

Rating:
Summary: Needs some work.....
Review: "In Deep Waters" is the story of Kayla Waterton, researcher, and her love for Ben Mendoza an ex Navy officer, who now works as a treasure hunter.

Orphaned at an early age, Kayla, wants to realize her foster father's dreams and find the lost ship the Isabella. She is hired by investors to accompany Ben on the voyage, Ben objects to a `female' presence in the crew and the `disruptive' influence she has on his men and his three-year-old daughter Madison. This conflict turns into passion when Ben, unexpectedly finds himself attracted to Kayla, even though, he feels she is `a crackpot' and a liability on the trip. Can Ben overcome his prejudice towards Kayla and learn to love again?

I really think this book could've had potential if the plot hadn't been so formulaic. Melissa McClone's writing, was quite touching at spots (especially in the Prologue), and the parts where Kayla is interacting with the crew. Unfortunately, this novel had several flaws that I feel are worth mentioning.

First, Ben Mendoza, is a rude `alpha.' He is almost unforgivable to Kayla in the beginning and his attitude towards women is almost 16th century. By page thirty I didn't give two figs for Mendoza, or his tragic past, and couldn't fathom why Kayla did either.

Kayla herself is a barely `fleshed out' nice girl, with hardly any backstory, who spends the majority of the time on the ship scolding crewmen for using `bad language' in front of Mendoza's three-year old daughter, painting toenails, and joking around in the mess hall YAWN. Kayla is supposed to be a brilliant research analyst, and we see none of those talents displayed here.

This novel would've been great if the author had managed to emotionally hook us with Ben and Kayla romance. Unfortunately the sheer `formulaic quality' of this novel kept me from suspending my disbelief long enough to enjoy it, and like its predecessor the 'mermaid' subplot was barely touched upon. Disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Needs some work.....
Review: "In Deep Waters" is the story of Kayla Waterton, researcher, and her love for Ben Mendoza an ex Navy officer, who now works as a treasure hunter.

Orphaned at an early age, Kayla, wants to realize her foster father's dreams and find the lost ship the Isabella. She is hired by investors to accompany Ben on the voyage, Ben objects to a 'female' presence in the crew and the 'disruptive' influence she has on his men and his three-year-old daughter Madison. This conflict turns into passion when Ben, unexpectedly finds himself attracted to Kayla, even though, he feels she is 'a crackpot' and a liability on the trip. Can Ben overcome his prejudice towards Kayla and learn to love again?

I really think this book could've had potential if the plot hadn't been so formulaic. Melissa McClone's writing, was quite touching at spots (especially in the Prologue), and the parts where Kayla is interacting with the crew. Unfortunately, this novel had several flaws that I feel are worth mentioning.

First, Ben Mendoza, is a rude 'alpha.' He is almost unforgivable to Kayla in the beginning and his attitude towards women is almost 16th century. By page thirty I didn't give two figs for Mendoza, or his tragic past, and couldn't fathom why Kayla did either.

Kayla herself is a barely 'fleshed out' nice girl, with hardly any backstory, who spends the majority of the time on the ship scolding crewmen for using 'bad language' in front of Mendoza's three-year old daughter, painting toenails, and joking around in the mess hall YAWN. Kayla is supposed to be a brilliant research analyst, and we see none of those talents displayed here.

This novel would've been great if the author had managed to emotionally hook us with Ben and Kayla romance. Unfortunately the sheer 'formulaic quality' of this novel kept me from suspending my disbelief long enough to enjoy it, and like its predecessor the 'mermaid' subplot was barely touched upon. Disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: The second wonderful story in "A Tale of the Sea" miniseries
Review: Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell for Love Romances

Kayla Waterton has always loved the sea at the same time she was terrified of the secrets it held. She indulged her love for it by becoming a maritime historian, the best in the field. Her greatest desire was to complete her father's life-long dream of finding the sunken ship, Isabella, a three-century old pirate ship, believed to hold the greatest treasure of its time. She finally gets her chance to go on a search expedition for the ship when the salvage operation her museum hired to find the ship goes off on its search in the wrong area. Kayla decides to join the expedition in hopes of leading them correctly to finding the lost ship.

Captain Ben Mendoza is the owner of Xmarks Explorer, the operation hired by Kayla to find the Isabella. He is one of the best in his field, so is none too pleased when required to take Kayla along on his hunt. He is convinced his research is correct and the ship is right where he thinks and refuses to listen to Kayla when she tells him otherwise. He makes it his personal mission to prove Kayla can't handle the job and to make her want to leave. When his entire crew becomes smitten with her, including his three year old daughter Madison, he is all the more determined to get her to leave.

Kayla and Ben are at odds from the moment they meet, the only thing they have in common being their mutual desire to find the Isabella. She is a dreamer and he is a realist, convinced it was his ex-wife's following her dreams that led to the dissolution of their marriage. All he cares about now, besides his career, is his daughter, and making her as happy as can be. His is furious with Kayla for filling Madison's head with nonsense, believing it will only hurt her in the long run. And when Madison starts talking about the merman she saw in the sea, Ben is all the more convinced Kayla will do nothing but wreak havoc on his ship.

But Kayla also has a hidden agenda in her desire to find the lost ship. She believes it holds the secrets to her heritage, which her father never got a chance to tell her about before he died. For her only link to her past is a necklace she wears, with unusual markings on it, some of which were found in documents her father had tracked down before his death, pertaining to the Isabella. So imagine Kayla's surprise when, while playing with Madison in her wading pool, she sprouts a tail! It is the likes of which she only fantasized about as a child, when dreaming of mermaids and Atlantis. She has to keep this secret from Ben, as he would only scoff at her and turn away, just as they are beginning to draw closer to their ship...and each other. Madison is fascinated as well, convinced she wants a tail of her own, which leads to an accident. Will Kayla be able to reveal her secret to Ben? And will he be able to lover her in spite of it? Will they find the Isabella and the key to Kayla's heritage?

This second book in the Tale of the Sea miniseries is a worthy continuation of the legend begun in Carla Cassidy's book. This story is more family-oriented and character driven then the previous book, but makes for a wonderful tale. Ben and Kayla's mutual attraction is obvious from the first moment they meet, though both try hard to deny their attraction. Kayla the dreamer makes a good balance for Ben the pragmatist, showing there is room for both views in life. When Kayla discovers her secret, just as she and Ben are beginning to admit their feelings for each other, she is afraid of what that will do to their blossoming relationship. The only other person who knows her secret is Madison, who accepts it without question. Ah, the joys of childhood, before reality sets in and alters their perception of life.

This is a delightful story penned by Ms. McClone, with will draw the reader in and make one believe in dreams again. A dose of fantasy is always good for the soul, when taken in the right doses. Pick up this story today for a chance to venture into that realm again for a time...where anything is possible, including Happy-Ever-After.

Rating:
Summary: A Magical Tale of Love
Review: There's a mystery surrounding Kayla Waterton's past...and she's ready to look for answers aboard Ben Mendoza's ship. But what she finds is more questions. The biggest one is, how did she manage to fall in love with this sea-hardened sailor who doesn't believe in magic and dreams?

In Deep Waters has magic and mystery...and most of all a great love story! Melissa McClone shines.

Rating:
Summary: A Magical Tale of Love
Review: There's a mystery surrounding Kayla Waterton's past...and she's ready to look for answers aboard Ben Mendoza's ship. But what she finds is more questions. The biggest one is, how did she manage to fall in love with this sea-hardened sailor who doesn't believe in magic and dreams?

In Deep Waters has magic and mystery...and most of all a great love story! Melissa McClone shines.