Into the Deep

by Virginia Smith

When Ben Dearinger got hold of a flash drive carrying deadly secrets, the scuba diver did the only thing he could. He buried it--fathoms deep. Now a drug cartel wants the evidence back, and they're willing to threaten Ben's ex-girlfriend Nikki Hoffman to get it. Although Nikki caused him no end of heartache, forgetting her has been impossible, and Ben would risk anything to protect her. But what will he do when he discovers her secret--that he's the father of her child?

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2010

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Virginia Smith has written over fifty books with sales exceeding 1 million copies worldwide. Her book, Guilty Secrets, was recently produced as a movie now streaming on Lifetime. She lives in Kentucky with her husband, 27 chickens, a barn kitty, and a barky Maltese named Max. Learn more about Ginny and her books at www.virginiasmith.org

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read and characters.

[Janeandjerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book and was brought home to me by my husband on New year's eve. This book is one of both inspiration and suspense. They had a love that tore them apart and then years later they bumped into each other when life was against them in so many ways. This is not a romance novel but it is a story that one should take many things from...

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot and characters were realistic, interesting and held my attention but the Spanish was awful. Excellent reading if you don't know Spanish.

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romantic Suspense

I don't usually read this genre but the reviews interested me enough to want to check it out. Fortunate for me, I was able to obtain a copy.

This author has written a well thought out storyline with interesting and well developed characters. The romance side of this was more of a side note then what I usually find with romance novels. This is truly a suspense and mystery with the main characters who have a romantic past. Together they are involved in a race against time to prevent a tragedy.

As the story develops you learn a lot about the main characters and feel part of their story and want everything to work out for them and a child who needs to be saved.

Worth reading for all you romance readers out there.

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for some romantic suspense without any sex and picked this book off the shelf at the library. It turned out to be a winner - good plot with plenty of twists and turns, likable characters and an interesting setting. I've never been diving but DH was a diver and the details sounded right to me. (The author is a diver.) The story moved quite well and I enjoyed it. I'd read another by this author.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searching for Answers and Love

Virginia Smith's "Into the Deep" is a fast-paced novel about an estranged couple who are lured into life-threatening web of criminal activity involving a dangerous Mexican drug cartel and American government officials. And there are secrets between the protagonists, Ben and Nikki, that can provide answers in getting to the bottom of the corruption. Smith has written a suspenseful thriller that will engage readers on multiple levels.

[Sue Stinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A former couple are surprised when they find each other on an island. Both have secrets from each other and someone is willing to kill for one of the secrets! Heart pounding suspense.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts right off with a murder and doesn't quit. Scuba diver finds flash drive hidden in his apartment by by the dead man an old friend. He goes on the run and unintendedly picks up old girlfriend, Nikki that has a little boy that belong to Ben. Ben doesn't know about him. Good read.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I liked the set-up of the suspense between Ben and Nikki, I was a bit troubled by their original relationship. I enjoyed Ben's conversion process, though.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I'd give this more than 5 stars if I could! An excellent book filled with intrigue, mystery and danger! It's action packed from beginning to end! A definite must read!!

[Laura]

Title: INTO THE DEEP
Author: Virginia Smith
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
October 2010
ISBN: 978-0-373-44413-7
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Ben Dearinger accidentally comes across a flash drive hidden in the back of his toilet tank. Not knowing what to do with it, and afraid to take it to the police, Ben buries it fathoms deep. But it isn’t safe even there. Someone wants that flash drive back, and they are willing to bring Ben’s ex-girlfriend, Nikki Hoffman into the picture to get it.

Nikki is in Florida for a birthday vacation. Her mom has taken her two year old son for a week, and she planned to enjoy her time by the ocean. But she wasn’t prepared to see her ex-boyfriend, Ben, at the first dive shop she entered. She thought she’d left him safely in Mexico.

Nikki causes Ben no end of heartbreak, but he’s never been able to forget her. Still in love with Nikki even after all the years apart, he would do anything to protect her. But what will he do when he discovers her secret?

INTO THE DEEP is the most recent suspense by author Virginia Smith. The book starts out with a hook that will draw you instantly into the story, and it doesn’t let go. The pages turn with non-stop action until the end.

I couldn’t help but feel for Nikki, forced to grow up from her care-free ways early, and be responsible, and care for Ben, struggling to follow in his father’s footsteps and do a job he loves. Ben is responsible, but Nikki does misunderstand his wording often, making her believe he is less responsible than he really is.

If you are looking for a good suspense, then you won’t want to miss INTO THE DEEP. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.50. 218 pages.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Dearinger had no idea the decision to bury the evidence that would implicate some high political people would bring. But when the bad guys go after his ex-girlfriend, he regrets the decision. Now the only thing he can do is to work on getting them the information they want. But this story goes so much deeper than that - and I'm so happy.

I love it when the author writes a story that has twists and turns in it. It makes the story more interesting. I also liked that I couldn't figure out who all was/wasn't involved. I was a bit surprised - and pleased - at the way the story went.

Ben and Nikki had lived together for about six months. But they suddenly split up after Nikki started attending church. Ben blamed the church, but Nikki had a totally different reason. Ben is still in love with Nikki, who think they could never have a relationship. The author did great bringing these two back together and I loved how the news was dropped on Ben.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Into the Deep takes a "standard" miscommunication/misunderstanding romance plot and turns it into something much more. Ben and Nikki had been in love but he wasn't interested in having more committment than his next dive and Nikki didn't believe there was a future for them, not once she found herself pregnant. It turns out not to be a coincidence that they run into each other again in Key West. Only now the stakes are much higher. As a suspense novel, there are plenty of conspiracies, guns and sharks. As a love story, I initially liked neither Nikki nor Ben but both grew on me as they reached beyond themselves. The religious angle was woven into the story naturally, something Smith does with aplomb. You couldn't help but like the Pastor and his wife. They are the type of people who inspire others to believe, regardless of the religion.

[Ausjenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Virginia Smith. The story is set in Florida and Mexico where Ben is a dive instructor. Its been a couple of years since Ben and Nikki have seen each other and it starts a series of events which get quite dangerous. I have never been scuba diving and during the book this is featured and rather than just being a bystander I felt like I left with a new understanding of some issues to deal with scuba diving I didn't know before. The story is fast passed with alot of excitement. I love the extra attention to detail Virginia provides like the information about scuba diving so even someone like me who knew nothing about the sport is aware of some of the issues with rising to quickly and even other tidbits. Another great read.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this book, Virginia brings her readers a suspenseful, romantic tale they can dive right into (yes, pun intended) from the very first page. She has a way with description that has you escaping along with her main characters. For instance, take the first sentence of Chapter One, "Double rows of razor-sharp teeth gleamed wickedly beneath a dead black eye." Great for raising the hairs on the arms. The story moves quickly with a lot of action and romantic tension.

[Suzanne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book had a familiar storyline, the fast-paced plot really held my interest and kept me guessing. I didn't see the ending coming, though I had figured it'd turn out okay. I liked the twist on the romance, that the couple knew each other before. The Christian content was well integrated and not overpowering. It was a great quick read for an evening.

[Judine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit troubled by Ben and Nikki's past, but the set-up of the suspense between the two of them is well-drawn. This is also one of the few books where we get to watch one of the characters go through a conversion process and Ben's is thoughtfully described (if a bit abrupt).

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly my favorite (so far) of Virginia Smith's thrillers! I'm mortally afraid of sharks, and diving, and drowning, so the tension here is extra high!

[LaFae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never been scuba diving,
If I was younger I might like to try it
sounds like fun

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are very realistic and I cried with them and felt pure raw emotion flow through me with each word I read.

[Jocelyn Montalvo Cullum]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138329