Submerged (Alaskan Courage)

by Dani Pettrey

Paperback, 2012

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Publication

Bethany House Publishers (2012), Edition: Original, 320 pages

Description

Yancey, Alaska, was a quiet town-- until the truth of what was hidden in the depths off the coast began to appear. A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. Cole is helping the police recover evidence... but dealing with Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. He let her down, but he's not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

User reviews

LibraryThing member CarmenMilligan
A milquetoast Christian fiction, the first in the Alaskan Courage series. The characters are irritating, the story is character-heavy, and the plot is predictable. The good news is that the Christian-part of this book is not overdone, as so many are. The characters who are Christians live their
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daily lives praying, seeking guidance from God, and going to church. There is no preaching here, just a glimpse at life for an evangelical believer.

However, that does not save this mystery. My cry to authors of Christian fiction is this: Can we get a meaty story, that is clean? One does not have to sacrifice for the other.
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LibraryThing member ReviewsFromTheHeart
I can completely understand why Bailey Craig wouldn't want to go to Yancey, Alaska especially now. Leaving behind a colorful past, she is called home to face her Aunt's funeral when she dies in an unexpected plane crash. Now faced with the funeral, she also has to deal with selling her Aunt's
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Russian/American Trading Post that is left to her and coming face to face with the man whose heart she left broken.

Only Bailey isn't sure how quickly she can find someone willing to buy the store and keep it running just like her Aunt had in the past. Meanwhile she finds herself constantly crossing paths with Cole McKenna, owner of Last Frontier Adventures who she still finds she has feelings for. But with Bailey, she believes that her soiled reputation for being an easy girl in high school is still part of the present with every person she comes in contact with. She wonders just what are they thinking? But Cole has changed from the boy she fell in love with in school, now more seasoned as a certified diver, he was the one that recovered her Aunt's body from the depths of the plane crash.

Only will there be a connection between the recent theft of a diary of a Russian Princess that was taken from the local historical society's display at the library and the reason behind her Aunt's mysterious plane crash? Perhaps the answers lie buried in piles of paperwork awaiting Bailey to be sorted through at shop, if only she can find the time to sort through it all.

In the novel, Submerged by Dani Pettrey, we are introduced into the first book in the Alaskan Courage Series and brought into a bit of suspense and romance as Bailey and Cole fight the tension that has kept them apart but will need to work together if they are to remain alive and solve the mystery surrounding her Aunt's deep dark secret. But there are others that are watching them and the closer they get to finding out answers, the more danger they will both be in.

I received Submerged by Dani Pettrey compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and love the immediate immersion into the storyline. Characters are introduced along the way to pull you along and to allow you to get to know them just like you would a friend you are meeting for the first time. This is one characteristic I love about this writers style is that it's not a lot of information overload in character development all at once. You learn about these characters along the way through the book, what motivates them, their internal weaknesses, and in the end creates a likability that makes them more real than imagined. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and look forward to the continuing novels to follow in this series.
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LibraryThing member skstiles612
This sucked me in right from the beginning. We get a good look at how things we do in our teens can scar us. It doesn’t matter if we come to the Lord and he takes away our sins, we have a tendency to hold on to things because we thing we don’t deserve forgiveness. This is how Bailey feels. When
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she has to return to the home of her teen years she believes EVERYONE will remember her the way she was and not see her for the person she has become. I loved how Cole could see the difference and instead of pushing Bailey to recognize and accept the change in herself he prayed that God would open her eyes.

The suspense was awesome. I know this is only the first book in the series. I can’t wait to find out more about Landon and Jake, and the mysterious missing brother Reef. We were left with just a small look at their character. There is so much more to be learned. If you are looking for a book that will hold you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, this is it. If you are looking for a book that has a Godly message but doesn’t preach at you, then this is definitely the book for you. You will fall in love with Piper who is one of the kindest, most loving people. She would do anything for you. Cole is the very protective brother who runs the business with his siblings. Gage is the bottomless pit who always has Coles back as long as he is well fed. Kayden comes off as tough. It is almost as if she THINKS she must prove herself to be equal in a man’s world.
Landon the cop, and Jake the mysterious man who drifted into Yancey and works for Cole leave us wanting to know more of their life.

I must mention one other thing about this book. I would never have thought I would become interested in Russian History. This book not only teaches you a lot of Russian History, but if you are like me, you feel you must do more reading on the subject. I love books that make me want to learn more. I will definitely recommend this author and look forward to reading more of her books. Shattered, the second book in her series should be out in February of 2013.
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LibraryThing member love2readnovels
Bailey Craig swore she'd never return to Yancey, Alaska ever again. She knew the town's folks would always remember the reputation she had. She's returned now only to bury her aunt, who died in a plane crash, and sell the shop she owned in town. But evidence turns up that leads the police to
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believe the crash might not have been an accident at all. Bailey might be the only one who can help solve the puzzle. Cole McKenna is an experienced diver who worked on the rescue effort of the downed plane. Knowing Bailey's aunt was on it, he's sure he would see her again and he's not sure how he would handle it. She had once ripped his heart out. But he finds she's not the same girl who left Yancey. In fact, both of them had changed, a lot. As Bailey and Cole work together through the mystery of the crash and several mysterious murders, will they discover the truth of what really happened and will they also discover their long buried feelings beginning to surface once again?

I thoroughly enjoyed Submerged, with it's romance, mystery, and suspense but I also enjoyed getting to know Bailey and the McKenna family. Though fictitious, I liked visiting Yancy, Alaska and learning about the town and it's people. I appreciated the way the author dealt with Bailey and her past. It reminded me that becoming a believer doesn't erase your past but it doesn't define your future either. You shouldn't let your past hold you hostage. I also found the whole Russian history aspect to the story very interesting as well as entertaining! There is also a hint of something happening between Piper McKenna and Deputy Landon Grainger (Cole's best friend), which makes me look forward to reading Shattered, (Book Two in the Alaskan Courage Series). Great start to a new series by a new author.

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0764209833
ISBN-13: 978-0764209833
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LibraryThing member MandaT
Submerged is Dani Pettrey's debut novel in her new Alaskan Courage Series. The story dives right in opening in the first chapter with a several key people from the community going in down in a sabotaged plane crash. Of course, the residence of Yancey, Alaska have no idea that the plane was
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sabotaged. The story centers around a girl named Bailey Craig, who has to return to Alaska (inspite of vowing never to return there) to attend the funeral of her Aunt who was in the plane crash. Bailey still has strong feelings for a guy named Cole McKenna, but because of past mistakes is convinced that they could never be together. At the same time of the funeral, more gruesome discoveries are made as divers are found dead. This is a lot of death for one small town. Bailey ends up staying longer in Yancey than expected adding her expertise to help solve the murder mystery in Yancey.

LOVED this book! It was REALLY hard to put this book down and didn't take long to read at all. Dani Pettrey has done a fabulous job with her plot. The line of logic in the story is easy to follow and the characters have backgrounds that are just as mysterious that add even more to the story. This story includes some Russian history and I loved that since my parents were missionaries in Russia. It was great how she intertwined that into her story. I would highly recommend this book. If you like murder mystery novels, make sure to pick this one up!

**I picked this book up at my local library!
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LibraryThing member msh09
The first book of Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series is about Bailey Craig and her return to Yancey, Alaska upon the death of her beloved aunt. Bailey inherits her aunts Russian-Alaskan store. Due to Bailey's poor choices in high school that developed quite a reputation for her, she is reluctant to
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return to town and ready to get her aunt's things squared away so she can leave quickly. Then the news comes that her aunt's death was not an accident and strange things are occurring in Yancey. Are they related? Bailey begins to investigate things with her old friend, Cole McKenna. Despite how much she hurt him in high school, he has nothing but compassion and forgiveness for her. This introduction to the McKenna family that is the core of the Alaska Courage series is so much fun to read.
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LibraryThing member Glenajo
After her mother left her in Yancy, Alaska to finish high school, Bailey Craig made one mistake after another while trying to survive. Years later, she is living a totally different life as a Christian with a PHD. When her aunt dies in a plane wreck, she must return to Yancy and suffer the
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humiliation of her earlier mistakes. When strange things begin to happen, she is surprised that many of the people of the town still support her, and help her to discover who murdered her aunt.

Many adults look back on their high school years and realize that they made embarrassing mistakes. Through Pettrey’s words, the reader lives Bailey’s humiliation until she realizes that with her acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice, she is a new creation, and no longer has to live under her old sin. The suspense is tense and interesting, while the romance is beautiful. The setting is awesome. If you like romantic suspense, pick up a copy today.
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LibraryThing member judyg54
Dani Pettrey is a new author for me but I must say she ranks herself right up there with the best of the best with this Alaskan Courage Series. Submerged takes you under the water in the first few pages and throughout the book keeps you holding your breath to see what will happen next; both under
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the water and on land. This is an inspirational, romantic, suspense and hits all three descriptions dead on. The characters in this story have a deep and abiding faith which gets them through some tough times. The romance is definately there and the adventures and suspense keep you turning the pages. I put this story down and immediately picked up book two, "Shattered", to start reading it.

The story begins with a plane crash into the waters off the Tariuk Island in Alaska. Cole McKenna is an underwater rescue person and he finds himself diving soon after to see if there is any chance of finding someone alive. Cole and his family own "Last Frontier Adventures" in the samll town of Yancy, Alaska. You get to meet his siblings and will be eager to read more about them in hopefully many more stories in this series. What Cole finds is one lady still alive; Agnes Grey. But by the time she reaches the hospital, she has died. Agnes has a neice, Baily Craig, who lived in Yancy during her teenage years and made some wrong decisions and led a life she regrests and is ashamed of, so she has never returned to the town. Now she must go back and take care of her aunt's holdings in Alaska, which is the Russian-American Trading Post.

The suspense and intrigue is throughout this story. Why did the plane go down? Who has been sneaking into the Trading Post? Other divers are showing up dead. Is it all related? And who might be next? Then there is the obvious attraction that Cole and Bailey still have for one another. But can Cole really forgive and forget Bailey's past? And can Bailey truly realize that she is a new creation in Christ and her past has been forgiven. A great story of love and forgiveness. Great job Dani Pettrey!
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0764209833
ISBN-13: 978-0764209833
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LibraryThing member Holly_Combs
Submerged is Dani Pettrey’s debut novel–an entertaining tale of romance and suspense. Upon receiving this book in the mail, I was pleasantly surprised to find an endorsement on the front cover by one of my favorite Christian fiction authors–Dee Henderson. She is quoted as saying, “Submerged
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is romantic suspense that will keep you up at night!”

You know what? She’s right.

I stayed up long past my bedtime engrossed in the story and turning each page with enthusiasm and anticipation.

Submerged is the story of a young woman’s return “home” after more than a decade of running away from her past. In the midst of her personal turmoil, Bailey Craig becomes entwined in a series of events–a plane crash, a murder (or maybe two…), the stolen diary of a Russian princess and the possibility of sunken treasure.

Pettrey’s characters were complex and surprisingly real, although I would have enjoyed seeing more growth in the hero, Cole Mackenna. Main character Bailey Craig was easy to identify with and cheer on as she worked through her struggles and raced against time to solve the mystery. Even more, the cast of supporting roles was far from disappointing as Pettrey managed to realistically develop numerous characters on the periphery without stealing the spotlight from our heroine.

The book’s beginning and climax are both action packed, although a good portion of the middle is more sedate–more sleuthing, research and clue gathering than real action. But in the end, I believe the mix made for an adventurous and entertaining plot while still putting the emphasis on character development and the theme of forgiveness. On top of that, I’m a sucker for a new or unusual setting where I learn a little more about our world, culture and history. I had no idea what a rich Russian history was present in Alaska and I can thank Pettrey for educating me on that front!

I would absolutely recommend Submerged as a great beach read this summer. I look forward to following Pettrey’s writing career and reading the next book in the Alaskan Courage series!

I received a complimentary copy of Submerged from Bethany House Publishers, but I was not otherwise compensated for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.
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LibraryThing member beckybeanne
If you enjoyed Dee Henderson's O'Malley series, you'll like Submerged, book one in Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series. While the plot is entirely Pettrey's own, the family dynamics are similar to those in the O'Malley series.

While I enjoyed Bailey and Cole's relationship, the mystery behind the
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murders (which was incredibly well developed and quite fascinating), and the suspense, by far my favorite aspect of the book was the attraction between Cole's sister Piper and his best friend Landon. My hope is that they will be featured in the next book!

My only criticism is that it was hard to figure out all the family/friend connections at the beginning. Once I got everyone straight, I flew through the book. (Hint: Landon is both a search-and-rescue diver and a sheriff's deputy, and Gage is Cole's brother.) Overall, this was a fun, fascinating read, and I can't wait for book two! 4-1/2 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through their book reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
This novel combines elements of history, suspense, romance, mystery, and adventure into an inspirational tale. With something that will appeal to a wide variety of tastes, there is much to enjoy in this story. A professor in Russian history with a checkered past, Bailey finds herself back in her
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home town, with all the ghosts of her past life. Can she resolve the issues that still haunt her and move forward to a life of happiness and fulfillment? Or will seeing Cole – the man she ran from ten years ago but still loves – be her undoing? As they try to unravel the reason behind her aunt’s death, more deaths occur. Bailey and Cole are thrown together in a race against time and for their very lives. A page turner in every respect.
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LibraryThing member mattidw
I loved everything about this book. The minute I started the book I couldn't put it down and read it all in one day. The characters instantly came alive to me. The author did a great job of grabbing my attention right away and held it through out the entire book. They made all the places and
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characters come alive. It had great suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
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LibraryThing member lubazuck
Baileys visit to Yancey, Alaska was not a trip she looked forward to. Her aunt was killed in a plane crash but we have to wonder if it was an accident. Her name was "well-known" and would she be accepted there. Her old beau met her and together they tried to solve this age old mystery.
This ebook
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had mystery, love, and suspense on just about every page. Was certainly a good read
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LibraryThing member alekee
Submerged will pull you in with all the mystery and intrique! Because of the tragic and untimely death of her beloved Aunt Agnes, Bailey Craig goes to Yancy Alaska. She has all she could do to go there, she left in shame, and vowed never to return.
Since she left she has a she has become a
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Christian, she also has received her Doctorate in Russian History. Bay needs to clean things up for her Aunt, and find a buyer for the Trading Post.
What Bailey didn't plan on was renewing her friendship with Cole McKenna. She had let him down years ago when she left Yancy for good, or so she thought.
While she is in Alaska, there are a few murders, break ins, sabotage, and maybe some romance. This book has something for you on every page, you won't want to put it down.
I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I received this book from the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
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Awards

Christy Awards (Nominee — Suspense — 2013)
Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense (Finalist - Published Division — 2013)

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

320 p.; 8.5 inches

ISBN

0764209825 / 9780764209826

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