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Aloha Reef #3
Dangerous Depths by Colleen Coble
Sometimes life's most precious treasure lies at Dangerous Depths.
Leia ditched a promising medical career to settle on a secluded island of Hawaii. She ditched Bane, too, and he's come to the island to find out why. He's also in search of a fortune rumored to lie offshore. But an act of sabotage that pushes Bane closer to Leia plunges them both into a tangle of emotion--just as a series of threatening events grip the island.
Theft, a friend's death, a bizarre intruder, hints of a second treasure...and even murder--how can they sort it all out when everyone on the island has something to hide?
The novels in Colleen Coble's popular Aloha Reef Series combine mystery and suspense with tender romance in an irresistible island setting.
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First published May 30, 2006
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About the author
Colleen Coble
147 books6,382 followersUSAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Arizona. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 6 million books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 8, 2024
“Remember, God is in this, even when you can’t see his hand.”
With only two years left on her residency to become a doctor, Leia Kahale leaves San Francisco and returns to the islands. Instead of moving back home, Leia chooses to live in Kalaupapa, Molokai with those who suffer with leprosy. She devotes her time to caring for her grandmother, making paper cloth, and treating the residents with natural medicine to keep her mind off her broken engagement and the difficult relationship with her mother.
Bane Oana, oceanographer and the oldest Oana brother from book one, is featured in this book when his plane crashes and Leia pulls him from the wreckage. He needs to get answers, both to past disappointments and as to why his plane crashed.
Author Colleen Coble spotlights Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, acoustic neuroma, Hansen’s disease (leprosy), dementia, and surgery for a cleft lip. Into her sweet story of second chances and reconciliation, she mixes a plane crash, sabotage, murder, the discovery of a Spanish galleon and a treasure hunt. She examines what we do next when our plans for the future are in disarray when those we love are incapable of showing us love or returning it in the way we need it, and how we break the cycle of clinging to the past.
I’ve studied Molokai, Father Damien and the leper colony at Kalaupapa with my students so I was very interested in learning more and reading a story set on this historic island.
With only two years left on her residency to become a doctor, Leia Kahale leaves San Francisco and returns to the islands. Instead of moving back home, Leia chooses to live in Kalaupapa, Molokai with those who suffer with leprosy. She devotes her time to caring for her grandmother, making paper cloth, and treating the residents with natural medicine to keep her mind off her broken engagement and the difficult relationship with her mother.
Bane Oana, oceanographer and the oldest Oana brother from book one, is featured in this book when his plane crashes and Leia pulls him from the wreckage. He needs to get answers, both to past disappointments and as to why his plane crashed.
Author Colleen Coble spotlights Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, acoustic neuroma, Hansen’s disease (leprosy), dementia, and surgery for a cleft lip. Into her sweet story of second chances and reconciliation, she mixes a plane crash, sabotage, murder, the discovery of a Spanish galleon and a treasure hunt. She examines what we do next when our plans for the future are in disarray when those we love are incapable of showing us love or returning it in the way we need it, and how we break the cycle of clinging to the past.
I’ve studied Molokai, Father Damien and the leper colony at Kalaupapa with my students so I was very interested in learning more and reading a story set on this historic island.
June 10, 2017
Coble knows how to stir the pot to create tension and intrigue at every turn. There's a complicated mystery at the heart of this story and it will take all of your reader's wiles to keep up with this author's devious imagination.
Bane's eased his way back into Leia's life with the hope of rekindling their romance. She's determined to hold him at arms length to keep her secret safe. But an epic treasure hunt makes them wary allies as they attempt to stay ahead of the bad guys. It leaves very little time for romance...but when it does happen it's delectable! Be. Still. My. Heart. I don't know how Leia manages to resist Bane! I was a goner a few chapters in.
A strong cast of secondary characters (including a very opinionated cat) keep the story moving at a break-neck speed. Another Colleen Coble page-turner.
Bane's eased his way back into Leia's life with the hope of rekindling their romance. She's determined to hold him at arms length to keep her secret safe. But an epic treasure hunt makes them wary allies as they attempt to stay ahead of the bad guys. It leaves very little time for romance...but when it does happen it's delectable! Be. Still. My. Heart. I don't know how Leia manages to resist Bane! I was a goner a few chapters in.
A strong cast of secondary characters (including a very opinionated cat) keep the story moving at a break-neck speed. Another Colleen Coble page-turner.
March 14, 2016
This book is the third novel in a Christian suspense and romance series called The Aloha Reef series, as it is set in Hawaii, and, in addition to that, the books all have at least some connection to the sea, shown either through diving, normal swimming, or boating. The main character in this book is Leia who is actually Bane Oana's ex-fiance, and throughout the novel, we learn more about her and why she had broken her engagement to Bane. In any event, in the first scene of the novel, we learn that she still loves him, which is obvious from the day that his sabotaged plane lands in the sea in front of her eyes and she rescues him, not knowing that it had been he piloting the plane until she got her boat close enough to see him. So, a good deal of the plot focuses on the chemistry brewing between Leia and Bane as they deal with the negative events thrown their way by various saboteurs and villains. Anyhow, I thought the book was well-written and entertaining, and the twists and turns of the plot due to the element of suspense/mystery were quite fun, and I also loved the characters in the book and thought they were portrayed well. It has certainly earned its place on my favorites' list.
November 14, 2023
Wow! This book is well-written. OI love most of the characters and plot. Highly recommended.
July 28, 2025
This story was almost excellent. There was excessive focus on false gods, and it took nearly the entire story for the leading lady to confront someone about their belief in false gods and lack of faith in the One True God.
However, the mystery, suspense, and plot twists were fantastic. I was thoroughly hooked on these aspects. It was beautiful to see Down’s syndrome and cleft lip each featured. Those charming aspects were written well.
The romance was wonderful. Both Leia and Bane had personal demons to face, and despite their objections, they worked together rather well. I especially enjoyed their underwater work.
Content: false gods, tobacco
However, the mystery, suspense, and plot twists were fantastic. I was thoroughly hooked on these aspects. It was beautiful to see Down’s syndrome and cleft lip each featured. Those charming aspects were written well.
The romance was wonderful. Both Leia and Bane had personal demons to face, and despite their objections, they worked together rather well. I especially enjoyed their underwater work.
Content: false gods, tobacco
March 19, 2017
Did not finish. Storyline too fantastical to get into. I went out for the day and realized when I came home that I didn't really care what happened to the characters and I was already halfway through the book- one would think enough time to be invested. I decided life is too short to push through, and there are too many other books in my pile.
July 6, 2016
I have struggled like nothing else trying to get through this book. I've read most of Coble's books and have enjoyed them. But I was bored this whole book and quickly guessed several plot twists. She has written better books and series. This one was a no go for me.
October 14, 2014
Another great book by Colleen Coble! View my full review here.
April 3, 2018
Place: island of Moloka’i; Kaunakakai/Kaunakakai Harbor; Aloha Dive Shop; Pomaik’I (research ship); her small cabin in jungle where she makes kapa (paper cloth) ; her grandmother’s house (with pet goose); the dry fishpond; parent’s home;
Theme: God is in control – all works together to fulfill God’s plans; be yourself; trust;
Leia Kahale: born with cleft lip, had many surgeries before age of 5 and has a small scar which she touches when upset; bad memories of hospital, and her mother is distant, not accepting a deformed child; genetically she may pass it on to her own children, so she has decided she does not want children; broke engagement a year earlier, because fiancé wanted children and she wanted him to be happy; educated to be a doctor, and with mother’s pushing and help she tried internship in San Francisco, but she wants to practice holistic medicine, so left.. and now helps at island clinic, practices making kapa;
Bane Oana: Hawaiian; ex-Coast Guard; mother walked out on them, he took care o his brother; likes control, hides his softer self from all; ukulele player / hula dancer; working with treasure hunter, and is back to find out what really spooked Leia – he loves her and wants her back;
Ajax: Bane’s dog – spoiled; with his own diving suit;
Eva Kahale: her younger, Down’s Syndrome sister; she finds wonder in nature (especially sea turtles) and is loving; has dreams that see trouble – and she warns;
Kaia and dolphin Nani: from previous book, Bane’s sister; she and dolphin come to help out;
Ipo Kahale aka Tutu: her grandmother, fingers/toes/lips damaged by leprosy; maker of beautiful kapa; knows secret of the treasure (shared with her by Komo); dementia setting in and she says cruel things to Leia;
Komo Hamai: Hawaiian, 90 years old, damaged by leprosy, lives in cabin in jungle, has viewing platform in tree in back where he has hidden bones from museum of their ancestors;
Ron Pimental: research/salvage company; on track of a sunken galleon and its treasure;
Tony Romero: owns dive shop; friend of Bane; hires Ron to find the treasure (has a gold coin); married a young, beautiful woman;
Candace: Tony’s wife; says she’s pregnant and needs treasure, or she doesn’t know what she’ll do; ends up she is the mastermind (with rich Mr. Westerfield) to get the galleon treasure, as well as the bones that Leia’s father took;
Ingrid and Akoni: Leia’s parents; she is Scandinavian, he is Hawaiian; she’s a doctor, he does a little of this and that – right now makes lava sleds; she is cold, he is warm and accepting; he stole artifacts from museum where he was the guard – artifacts from a burial site – so that they would not be sold to Westerfield and scattered around the world;
Leia and Bane work together to put the disparate pieces together (Tutu’s house broken into, Tony murdered, Komo shot, Bane threatened by another diver coming out of an underwater cave, Eva has a secret male friend for whom she stole one of her father’s lava sleds… while Leia struggles with her feelings for Bane, and Bane tries to be a friend, to find out the truth, and to win her back;
Ends up Westerfield and Candace are behind it all (3 others on their ‘team’)… they want the bones more than the galleon treasure;
Leia finally confides the truth about children… Bane takes time to consider… he knows he wants her in his life after she is threatened… and he points out to her that her damaged grandmother and sister fill her heart… and that God has a plan, she needs to trust… in the end, he recovers a kapa cloth made by her grandmother when she was young… it is beautiful, but has some holes – so it should be tossed!?! Of course not;
And he invites her to the ukulele contest that evening (along with their familes)… and sings a song of love he wrote for her… and he proposes… and she says yes…
Theme: God is in control – all works together to fulfill God’s plans; be yourself; trust;
Leia Kahale: born with cleft lip, had many surgeries before age of 5 and has a small scar which she touches when upset; bad memories of hospital, and her mother is distant, not accepting a deformed child; genetically she may pass it on to her own children, so she has decided she does not want children; broke engagement a year earlier, because fiancé wanted children and she wanted him to be happy; educated to be a doctor, and with mother’s pushing and help she tried internship in San Francisco, but she wants to practice holistic medicine, so left.. and now helps at island clinic, practices making kapa;
Bane Oana: Hawaiian; ex-Coast Guard; mother walked out on them, he took care o his brother; likes control, hides his softer self from all; ukulele player / hula dancer; working with treasure hunter, and is back to find out what really spooked Leia – he loves her and wants her back;
Ajax: Bane’s dog – spoiled; with his own diving suit;
Eva Kahale: her younger, Down’s Syndrome sister; she finds wonder in nature (especially sea turtles) and is loving; has dreams that see trouble – and she warns;
Kaia and dolphin Nani: from previous book, Bane’s sister; she and dolphin come to help out;
Ipo Kahale aka Tutu: her grandmother, fingers/toes/lips damaged by leprosy; maker of beautiful kapa; knows secret of the treasure (shared with her by Komo); dementia setting in and she says cruel things to Leia;
Komo Hamai: Hawaiian, 90 years old, damaged by leprosy, lives in cabin in jungle, has viewing platform in tree in back where he has hidden bones from museum of their ancestors;
Ron Pimental: research/salvage company; on track of a sunken galleon and its treasure;
Tony Romero: owns dive shop; friend of Bane; hires Ron to find the treasure (has a gold coin); married a young, beautiful woman;
Candace: Tony’s wife; says she’s pregnant and needs treasure, or she doesn’t know what she’ll do; ends up she is the mastermind (with rich Mr. Westerfield) to get the galleon treasure, as well as the bones that Leia’s father took;
Ingrid and Akoni: Leia’s parents; she is Scandinavian, he is Hawaiian; she’s a doctor, he does a little of this and that – right now makes lava sleds; she is cold, he is warm and accepting; he stole artifacts from museum where he was the guard – artifacts from a burial site – so that they would not be sold to Westerfield and scattered around the world;
Leia and Bane work together to put the disparate pieces together (Tutu’s house broken into, Tony murdered, Komo shot, Bane threatened by another diver coming out of an underwater cave, Eva has a secret male friend for whom she stole one of her father’s lava sleds… while Leia struggles with her feelings for Bane, and Bane tries to be a friend, to find out the truth, and to win her back;
Ends up Westerfield and Candace are behind it all (3 others on their ‘team’)… they want the bones more than the galleon treasure;
Leia finally confides the truth about children… Bane takes time to consider… he knows he wants her in his life after she is threatened… and he points out to her that her damaged grandmother and sister fill her heart… and that God has a plan, she needs to trust… in the end, he recovers a kapa cloth made by her grandmother when she was young… it is beautiful, but has some holes – so it should be tossed!?! Of course not;
And he invites her to the ukulele contest that evening (along with their familes)… and sings a song of love he wrote for her… and he proposes… and she says yes…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2022
After ending her engagement and leaving residency, Leia decides to move back to her home and practice naturopathic remedies, especially with the people who have Hansons disease (leprosy) like her grandma. She is quite content to live out the rest of her days there, single and only her family to lean on. One day when she and her little sister Eva are watching the turtles they see a plane going down in the ocean, and jump on their boat to save the pilot. Leia is shocked to discover the pilot is none other than her ex-fiancee Bane, who she dumped because she didn't want to ever have kids. When they end up working together to find a buried treasure, Leia and Bane start finding bodies everywhere they go, and need to find out who is doing it. Leia hopes she can keep her feelings as hidden as the treasure they're searching for.
This book was the third in the series, but once again could be a stand alone. It was well written, although the last chapter was a little predictable. However, as a fan of hallmark channel I like predictable endings and so I didn't mind
This book was the third in the series, but once again could be a stand alone. It was well written, although the last chapter was a little predictable. However, as a fan of hallmark channel I like predictable endings and so I didn't mind
June 21, 2020
BOOK REVIEW📚📚📚
In this 3rd installment of the Aloha Reef series Bane (oldest brother from book #1) is reunited with his former love. The book revolves around the sunken treasure of a Spanish galleon and possible treasure. It takes place on the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i, which has an interesting history and I encourage readers to google the island and its past. This book relates that history in a more personal fiction way. This book continues including characters from book 1 &2. Using their profession to help in this mystery. From sunken treasure to murder and kidnapping, the reader won’t know the whole story till the end. I am loving this series without worrying about extra un-needed words or scenes. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In this 3rd installment of the Aloha Reef series Bane (oldest brother from book #1) is reunited with his former love. The book revolves around the sunken treasure of a Spanish galleon and possible treasure. It takes place on the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i, which has an interesting history and I encourage readers to google the island and its past. This book relates that history in a more personal fiction way. This book continues including characters from book 1 &2. Using their profession to help in this mystery. From sunken treasure to murder and kidnapping, the reader won’t know the whole story till the end. I am loving this series without worrying about extra un-needed words or scenes. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 27, 2017
Dangerous Depths by Colleen Coble is a fascinating story of suspense and romance. Amidst lots of Hawaiian traditions, readers find out interesting things about scuba diving and underwater caves and volcanoes. The author does a great job of infusing the story with mystery, drama and emotional tension and threaded throughout is a message of a God who loves to give second chances. The story is action packed with treasure hunts, murder, and kidnapping. The characters are strong and realistic and the plot moves quickly to a satisfactory ending. I loved the scuba-diving dog, Ajax, and the life-saving dolphin, Nani. A good book and I look forward to reading more by this talented author.
August 10, 2018
This is not one of my favorites of Coble's or the Aloha Reef series, but it was an enjoyable read. I had trouble getting into it and it wasn't until I was about 60% in that I felt absorbed. Generally her books don't take me long to get into, but this one did.
I was glad to see the Oana family and all their friends back, this time exploring a different beautiful island teaming with ancient Hawaiian culture. I loved the character interaction, and I especially loved that the cast of the book was so diverse!
It's a good book, not near the quality of some of her others, but still enjoyable.
3 stars.
I was glad to see the Oana family and all their friends back, this time exploring a different beautiful island teaming with ancient Hawaiian culture. I loved the character interaction, and I especially loved that the cast of the book was so diverse!
It's a good book, not near the quality of some of her others, but still enjoyable.
3 stars.
May 28, 2019
Well written and with obvious lots of love for the islands and their rich culture, Coble tells an interesting tale of treasures, difficult innermost feelings, and a daring villain. I was slightly surprised by the reveal at the end. It wasn't a huge shock but it was nice. I loved the culture weaved throughout this book, and the story of the main character's heart. The journey between the two main characters was lovely. The pets in this series are incredible! I love them! Also, how Coble weaves the last book's main characters into the storyline and gives you an update is terrific! Really makes you feel like you know the family.
March 20, 2023
I love Colleen Coble's books. At the start of this series I struggled with the setting in Hawaii, as everything including the names and much of the wording was so unfamiliar to me. By the end of the series, I didn't want to leave the islands and wanted to continue with these characters. I only give it a four star because I notice that once the mystery is solved, the author tends to drag out wrapping up the book with the romance portion of the stories. I love it all, just wanted to see it wrapped up a little sooner once the mystery has been solved.
July 3, 2023
An oceananographer falls back in love with his old flame.
Loved being back in Hawaii with this author. Leia and Bane story was exciting. Both of them looking for treasure. Always with bad men looking to get it. Both had things to let go so love would prevail. Eva was a real sweetie she loved everyone. So happy that Kaia and Jesse and also Mano and Annie were part of this story too. Looking forward to the last one in this series.
Loved being back in Hawaii with this author. Leia and Bane story was exciting. Both of them looking for treasure. Always with bad men looking to get it. Both had things to let go so love would prevail. Eva was a real sweetie she loved everyone. So happy that Kaia and Jesse and also Mano and Annie were part of this story too. Looking forward to the last one in this series.
April 12, 2024
identity Crisis
I just couldn’t identify with this book. The plot was not realistic and at no time could i identify with this book. I tried to read it but found myself just skimming over the story. My favorite part was the last chapter. I was completely surprised it was Candace as the murderer. I have enjoyed all Colleen Coble novels but I did not like this one. I would not recommend it.
I just couldn’t identify with this book. The plot was not realistic and at no time could i identify with this book. I tried to read it but found myself just skimming over the story. My favorite part was the last chapter. I was completely surprised it was Candace as the murderer. I have enjoyed all Colleen Coble novels but I did not like this one. I would not recommend it.
July 15, 2024
Looking for a sunken galleon gives this an interesting plot and also a mystery. I loved trying to figure out who the villains were, but there is a twist that has an unexpected resolution.
This is the third book in the Aloha Reef series, and I would advise you to read the other two books first so that you can see the family and friends dynamics. I have really enjoyed reading the series and spending time in Hawaii via the book.
This is the third book in the Aloha Reef series, and I would advise you to read the other two books first so that you can see the family and friends dynamics. I have really enjoyed reading the series and spending time in Hawaii via the book.
November 1, 2017
Exciting
Reading this was a delight ? If you love reading and hearing about Hawaii mixed in a wonderful story about Leia, Bane, both of their famalies, the dolphin with intrige, mystery , suspence and danger this is the book for you. It is based with Christian values.
You won't be disappointed .
Reading this was a delight ? If you love reading and hearing about Hawaii mixed in a wonderful story about Leia, Bane, both of their famalies, the dolphin with intrige, mystery , suspence and danger this is the book for you. It is based with Christian values.
You won't be disappointed .
October 2, 2024
This was an entertaining read about a treasure hunt for some stollen Hawaiian artifacts. The novel starts with the death of Tony, a treasure hunter and dive shop owner. Who wanted Tomy dead and did someone sabotage Bane's airplane. But things are looking up when he runs into Leia, the one who got away.
July 9, 2025
The book was great!
It could be read as a stand-alone because the returning characters were mentioned and minor, but the main storyline was new. The only character that has been important/in every book is the dolphin, Nani.
There was clean romance, suspense, and twists, and as in the other books in the series, there was great information about the Hawaiin culture!
It could be read as a stand-alone because the returning characters were mentioned and minor, but the main storyline was new. The only character that has been important/in every book is the dolphin, Nani.
There was clean romance, suspense, and twists, and as in the other books in the series, there was great information about the Hawaiin culture!
September 27, 2017
Although I really enjoyed the first two book in the series, I had a hard time getting into this one. I will say that Ms. Coble does an excellent job of keeping me guessing as I try to to determine who committed the crime(s).
March 26, 2019
When topics and conversation seem to be forced into the narrative it has the elements of un-likability. It also stops a chunk of readers from not picking up this book. If I had known the direction the author was going I would have thought twice about reading.
April 8, 2022
Again did not figure out who the culprit was. Looking forward to the fourth book as it features a blind character. As a blind person myself i will be interested to see how the author portrays this character. This series is amazing and i have found an author who i am going to become a big fan of.
May 18, 2022
Coble’s best work in the series (so far). The plot wasn’t as intense as the first, but it ended with a bang! The character arcs made this book as good as it is and the spiritual lessons learned by these characters were some of her best work all around.
March 15, 2024
3 1/2 stars. A satisfying read, like the other books in the series. This author is reliable in delivering a good Christian message along with an interesting story line. I have loved the characters in this series and their struggles and journeys in faith.
April 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. We got to know our main characters better while interesting new characters were in this book. I like how her books have a mystery to solve, but also include clean Christian romance.
May 28, 2017
Well done! Another good one, though I figured out who the bad guys were pretty quickly.
March 6, 2018
OH!MY! What a heart-pounding story. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages. This book is a must read.
September 6, 2018
Another winner from colleen coble. I don't have the rest of this series so now I'm moving from book to book enjoying her stories
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews