In Too Deep

Tybee Island Shifters #1

by Christy Gissendaner

He’ll risk everything for the love of one human.

Agreeing to be her good friend’s bridesmaid, Emma Anderson jets off to Tybee Island for the wedding. Her dress is perfect and her shoes are adorable, but her friend’s elegant beachside home hides an ancient secret…one that threatens to expose a secret society of werewolves.

Drake Randolph has watched his sister’s friend grow into a ravishing woman, but he’s always kept his distance. As the heir to the Randolph fortune and the alpha of the Secret Society of Savannah Lycanthropes, Drake cannot afford to draw the innocent little brunette into the dangerous lycan world.

Passion between them soon blazes hotter than the Georgia summer. But when the wrong woman is kidnapped to prevent the wedding of a lycan to a mortal, Drake must risk everything to save Emma from the ones who will see the downfall of all he holds dear.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Werewolves

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2014

About the author

Christy Gissendaner is a paranormal and contemporary romance author and believes that laughter and love should go hand in hand.

She lives in Alabama with her husband and three sons and is always hard at work on her next novel, but in her spare time she loves blackjack, karaoke, and anything resembling a vacation!

Reviews

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a riveting paranormal romance with some intriguing elements. Emma Anderson has always loved her best friend’s brother from afar and he’s always kept his distance. Drake Randolph is the heir to the Randolph fortune and the alpha of the Secret Society of Savannah Lycanthropes and he can’t afford to draw the little innocent brunette into the dangerous lycan world. But their passion blazes hotter than the Georgia sun and Drake must risk everything to save Emma from the ones who will the downfall of all he holds dear.

This steady paced and smooth flowing plot keeps the reader in suspense with lots of intrigue, drama, and romance. The author brings her paranormal world to life with vivid descriptions and details that captures the imagination and tension building suspense that draws the reader deeper into the story. The characters are strong, compelling, easily related to and grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning.

The attraction between Emma and Drake radiates heat from every page and the sex scenes sets the pages on fire. The relationship however takes some work as the Randolph family has a very big secret, one that puts a strain on Emma as well as Drake. Emma captures the heart with her love for a man that she can’t have and Drake who loves her but has a duty to family and pack and the readers can’t help but get caught up in the anticipation of finding out how things will work out for them.

This is a very entertaining read with some surprises that I certainly didn’t see coming that really spices things up a bit and a couple of refreshingly different elements that adds interest to the story and the captivating characters. I don’t know if the author plans on writing any more books connected to Emma and Drake, but I hope so as there are several intriguing characters that aroused my curiosity.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot werewolf shifter anyone? Add in that he is a millionaire, and alpha of the pack, and you have the basis of this book. Throw in a twist or two, some suspense and romance, and you have a pretty good read.

Emma has traveled to Tybee Island for ten days of festivities surrounding her best friend, Alyssa’s wedding. She adores her best friend, but even Alyssa doesn’t know that Emma is secretly in love with her oldest brother, Drake. She is expecting things to be really difficult around him, but what she doesn’t know is that he has a thing for her too, and has had for a long time. As he is the alpha of his pack, he can never be with a human, so he avoids her. Of course being in this close proximity with him for these events is bound to bring them into each others orbit a lot, and that’s what happens. Behind the scenes his pack is in turmoil due to Alyssa marrying a human, because it goes against every law of the pack. When Drake stands up to the pack, some members are really not happy. As in scary not happy!

Emma is a beauty, but she was raised in the middle class so she isn’t exactly in her element at this huge family beach front mansion. Alyssa is wearing designer outfits, and Emma is buying her clothes off the sales rack at Target. To make matters really weird, whenever she goes near the ocean, she feels drawn to it, or the waves seem to move at her will. This has never happened before now. Drake is aware of the ocean’s strange behavior around her also. I enjoyed both of their characters, and was rooting for them to finally get together, even though it’s supposedly not possible. There are also twin brothers in Drake’s family, and they are country singers located in Nashville. From what I understand, the next book is going to be about one of them. I am always up for a famous musician romance, throw in a werewolf, and I am so there!

This ended up being a bit more then just a lighthearted romantic read. An angry pack, a few scary incidents, and Emma’s new abilities made it a more satisfying, and at times suspenseful read. So I did have a good time with the characters,the premise, the island setting, and of course the romance. I should mention that it has some really hot sexy scenes as well, although I didn’t consider it true erotica.

I would recommend this to adult paranormal romance fans, and I have every intention of reading the next one- you know, because of the hot werewolf country singer romance!(RabidReads.com)

[The BookChick · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: ★★★★

VERY GOOD: The characteristics of a 4 star book include: a great story; I loved the characters; and there was an interesting plot and unique story elements; there may have been a few odd things kept the story from being amazing. I would read it again and I would recommend it to a friend.

Christy Gissendaner brings us another great story with the start of a sexy and exciting new series. In Too Deep is the story of the powerful Randolph family -- specifically Drake Randolph who is the pack alpha. Drake's sister Alyssa is getting married at his home on Tybee Island, and her best friend Emma will be her maid of honor for the event. Emma and Drake have an odd relationship. She loves him from afar and he just runs afar from her whenever she is around :). But a sequence of unplanned events place them on the same plane with each other, as seat mates. Drake is miserable...absolutely miserable...being that close to Emma. Thinking that Drake's abysmal interaction with her is a result of his dislike for her, Emma has no clue that Drake is actually VERY attracted to her. Like...he wants to throw her up against a wall and have hot monkey sex with her. *LOL* But, he cannot! As pack alpha, Drake has to keep the Randolph bloodlines strong so he knows that nothing can ever come of his strong attraction for Emma. But a small island, some skimpy bathing suits, and a nefarious plot forces Drake to see what has always been there. He not only wants Emma but he loves her. Unfortunately, he and Emma have to fight an uphill battle because a secret society makes it painfully clear that wolves and humans cannot mate. And Emma is only human...right?

I really enjoyed this story because it was well paced so watching Emma and Drake's attraction and love strengthen and grow felt very natural in the story. I love how Drake tried to fight his feelings for Emma. He really did. But the heart wants what it wants and he ended up giving into his passion for her. Drake was so strong and so stoic but he was felled by a little pixie woman. And, I adored Emma. She was so sweet and the kind of best friend that any girl would want. Even after she found out the truth about the Randolph's she declared that she would still be there for Alyssa. The drama was also well placed and added a wonderful level of depth to the story. I hated the Society and Peter Owens. Bah! But, through everything, the Randolph's stuck together.

The person I felt the sorriest for in the story was Celeste. Her feelings for Drake were stronger than his feelings for her, but she still had his back during a difficult time. I hope she gets her happily ever after. She was holding hands with Micah, one of Drake's younger brother's, at a critical point in the story so I'm hoping something will come from that *fingers crossed*. She seemed like really good people. But, I will confess that, at a certain point in the story, I thought she was the likely suspect behind of the suspenseful action. I'm happy to see that I was wrong about that.

I definitely look forward to seeing what Gissendaner does with this series. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a story about a strong alpha male and a woman who is strong enough to finally tame him.

Ratings Detail:
Rating for male protagonist: 4★
Rating for female protagonist: 4★
Rating for secondary characters: 4★
Plot Viability: 4★
General Storyline: 4★
Story Ending: 4★
Ease of Reading: 4★
Cliffhanger: No
Continue the Series: Yes

Overall rating: 4★

For more of my reviews visit The BookChick Blog

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book that Ice had the pleasure of reading by this author. I can honestly say Ill be looking to reading more of her work.
Its kind of funny, when you have a best friend that has basically grew up with you and your brothers. That best friends winds up having a super crush on one of your brothers. Emma was always part of Alyssa's family, the girls were near bout inseparable. Now Emma is the maid of honor and is back around her heart throb, of course he will always see her a child or his sisters bestie.
With the wedding coming along, it will put Alyssa and Drake in each others company, Drake of course being a Lycan and a alpha, (Emma doesn’t have a clue). When you have shifters you have gag orders and rules on top of rules. Drakes family already broke one rule, Alyssa is marrying for love, and to a human. That will cause Drake some issues with in the Society of Savannah Lycanthropes. Well too bad, he is the Alpha.
Well when you put two people together, male and female sparks are bound to happen. It is no different with Drake and Emma. But all kinds of weird things has been happening and Emma isn’t sure she really wants to know. For Emma and Drake to make it work, they will have to run the gauntlet and hopefully come out on top.
Story line flowed well, and the characters fit together nicely. Some pretty hot scenes, along with varied emotions played out. I recommend it as a great story, I enjoyed it. In sure you will as well.

[t'irla ~The Bookslayer~ aka Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off...love the cover! He is HAWT and I had no problem picturing him as Drake while reading.

This is the story of Drake and Emma. Drake is Emma's best friend's big brother and Emma has been crushing on him for a decade. The setting is Emma's best friend's wedding and all is not as it seems to be.

This was a fun and enjoyable read and from Emma's perspective it was very much a coming of age story in that she finds out who/what she truly is and has her long term crush fulfilled. Drake has been hung up on Emma for a long time but because of family obligations he could never do anything about it. His coming of age event is to step around his responsibilities to make himself happy.

I really dug Drake and Emma and found them easy to connect with and care about. Like with other Christy Gissendaner books her characters come to life before your eyes. I really liked the whole Randolph family and can't wait to read more about them in upcoming books. The plot was creative and moved at a great pace, I didn't fall out of my reading "zone" once I was captured by what was happening. I liked the darkness that seemed to permeate the Society meetings and am looking forward to having this given more light in future books.

Overall a great read and I give it 4 stars and am going to seek out more of Christy's novels, the few I have read I have really enjoyed. I recommend you pick this one up and meet the Werewolves of the Randolph Family.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and hope it turns into a series! I loved Drake and his family and Emma and her mom as well! One of the bad guys I expected as he'd been hinted at early in the story when Emma was warned to be careful around him and Drake referred to him in his thoughts as the black sheep of the family but the main baddie pulling the strings was unexpected till he was revealed! I fully expected it to be someone else!
I loved the revelation about Emma's mom and I wonder if her father knew, it was never said, her mom said that Emma's father was human but I don't think she really said if Emma's father knew what her mother was! I'd really like this to become at least a trilogy as I'd love to see Micah and Max get books as well! I kind off have a sneaking suspicion that there's something between Micah and Celeste (Drake's beta) and I'd love for it to be explored! I was really happy for Emma and Drake cause they really had great chemistry together and I was routing for them throughout the book!

[Ann Gimpel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a Christy Gissendaner fan for a while now, and I believe this is one of her best books. Emma has been a friend of the Randolph family for years. Alyssa is her closest friend, and Emma has yearned for Drake, Alyssa's oldest brother forever. Alyssa is on the verge of marriage and Emma is to be her maid of honor. Because the Randophs are uber-wealthy, the bridal party gathers at Tybee Island, an upscale resort, to celebrate a week before the wedding. In betwixt and between parties and rehearsal activities, Emma discovers perhaps Drake isn't as uninterested as he'd always appeared. Truths surface about both of them, truths that threaten their developing relationship. This book was a good, quick read. It definitely kept me turning pages.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed this morning. Quick, cute, sexy and a little action thrown in.

[MELODY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy Gissendaner brings us the beginning of what looks to be a wonderful series! It has it all - hot shifters, which brings hot sexy stuff and romance, as well as intrigue and adventure. In Too Deep introduces us the the Randolph family. This book is mostly about Drake the Alpha of the Savannah Pack. Alyssa, his younger sister is getting married and that bring the family together at their Tybee Island compound. Her best friend Emma is her Maid of Honor, she has been around the family for years. She has this strained relationship with Drake and has loved him for years. Drake ignores her for the most part. Seems Drake has been hiding his feelings as well. Alyssa is having trouble for wanting to marry a human and in the midst of this struggle - Drake can't fight his feelings for Emma. How will the Pack react to their Alpha, wanting a human as well or well or is their more to Emma then even she knows?

There is a sinister plot twists that keep you interested along the way, I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with the Randolph's and their extended and growing family. I look forward to the next installment and hope to see the remaining family find their forever love.

I highly recommend this book if you like Paranormal Romance, with steamy sex and a great plot!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma is going to attend her BFF's wedding. At the last minute, Alyssa (the to be bride) and Chase (the to be husband) change plans and drive to the place by car which leaves Emma and Alyssa's brother Drake to fly together to the island where the wedding will take place.

Emma has had a crush on Drake since years but Drake comes over cold, distant and silent. Emma feels uncomfortable to be left alone with him and at the same time longs to be alone with him and be recognized by him.

It's made clear that Drake and his family are stinking rich and there is a lot of info dumping about the family, the place, the past etc. The high society bla bla did not interest me that much but I did not skip anything.

The really good part for me came when they finally made a step towards each other and have sex on the beach. For me the plot would have worked as well without the paranormal angle of him being a werewolf. There was no new twist on the shapeshifting werewolf side. However, Emma is another topic. She is half-mermaid I've never read a book before with a mermaid and werewolf.

I enjoyed it enough to try another book of Mrs Gissendaner.

[Jennifer Fisch-ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a contest :)

This was really well written with a great pace and believable characters. I really did enjoy the interactions between Emma and Drake were fun.
The family surprise at the end (no I will not spoil)- was a bit over the top in an otherwise good story!

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow had never read any of her books before and really like this series, loved Drake and Emma together

[Nicole Naranjo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I would more to this story