Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book

DANGER ON THE HIGH SEAS 

Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is used to modern-day pirates chasing after his boat and the buried treasure he salvages. But when he unknowingly leads a dangerous criminal to the waters off Stepping Stones Island, he puts a beautiful fisherwoman in grave danger. Rachelle Thibodaux has spent the past year hiding on her boat to avoid the town's censure for her father's crimes. But when she comes face-to-face with a gun-wielding pirate, she becomes a new kind of target. To save her own life, she'll have to work with Gage to find the treasure before the pirates do.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

31 people are currently reading
382 people want to read

About the author

Katy Lee

103 books194 followers
Best-selling and award-winning author Katy Lee has written over thirty novels, filled with romance, suspense, and inspiration. She lives in the rugged beauty of the Utah mountains where she is also a special education teacher at a school for international students. Katy loves to knit warm wooly things while plotting her next suspense story. Keep up with Katy at KatyLeeBooks.com.


Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
104 (56%)
4 stars
43 (23%)
3 stars
29 (15%)
2 stars
6 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra.
746 reviews6 followers
March 19, 2021
While on her uncle’s boat, heroine Rachelle Thibodaux is shot at while trying to stop a poacher from stealing her lobsters. She does get a picture of the culprit. Also, a man in the water (hero Gage Fontaine) is suffering from the bends and Rachelle rescues him. She discovers the poacher stole Gabe’s boat and is a modern-day pirate…

This was a very entertaining, lively, and exciting read. I liked Rachelle and Gage. They both had secrets and pain in their pasts. Both were very suspicious of each other at first. But the closer they got, the more they trusted each other. I liked Gage’s profession. He was a shipwreck diver who salvaged buried treasure. (He was tracking a ship that went down years ago called Maria’s Joy.) I loved the atmosphere of this book, with its secret tunnels, coves, the sea, and the cliffs.

A captivating and enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,946 reviews1,438 followers
October 22, 2019
A fun suspense of treasure hunters gone wild and modern-day pirates. Rachelle gets caught in the crossfire when she tries to stop a poacher from emptying her lobster traps and instead gets a picture of a woman pirate. No small surprise that the photographed pirate and her boss come for blood after that coup! But Rachelle’s got the treasure-hunter whose boat was stolen by the pirate, and he’s no mean ally in a fight like the one ahead of them...

I always enjoy Katy Lee’s writing and end each one glad to put another on my TBR.
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,804 followers
Read
January 12, 2016
"The use of a female pirate is a nice twist on the movie-fantasized life of pirates and treasure hunters. Bible verses are nicely tied to the storyline. The analogy of God seeing us as lost coins is encouraging" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Profile Image for Caitlyn Santi.
Author 4 books104 followers
June 5, 2017
This series was my first time reading any of Katy Lee's books, and I am left with a desire to read more of her work as soon as I possibly can! I have adored this series, it has seemed that I have liked each book more than the next, but I have to say that I think Sunken Treasure is my favorite! I have wanted to read Sunken Treasure since it first released, but it kept getting pushed down further on my TBR pile, I am so happy that I finally got to it! This was one incredible book, I can't even begin to express how much I loved it! I just finished and I already want to start it over again, it's that good!
I don't want to risk spoiling anything so I will just say that I loved every single moment of this book and highly recommend it though I think you may want to read the first book in the series, Warning Signs first as it could spoil some things in Warning Signs for you if you read Sunken Treasure first. I cannot wait to read more of Katy Lee's books, she is fast becoming one of my favorite authors!
Profile Image for Donna.
855 reviews44 followers
August 10, 2014
Sunken Treasure by Katy Lee is part of the series we started with Miriam. For those of us following the series, it's exciting to hear Miriam mentioned and have her play a small part in the novel. Owen, her husband and chief of police, plays a major role. He was not a fan of Gage and I was surprised that he came across so strong in their first few interactions.
Although part of a series, each book can read alone. In Sunken Treasure, Rachelle is working at sea to avoid the townspeople after her father’s crimes have been exposed. This makes for an interesting connection to the first book that I did not anticipate.
The action starts from the very first scene and keeps your attention throughout. Gage Fontaine is a treasure hunter and has been running from his past for 15 years both literally and figuratively. Will it all come to an end here on Stepping Stones Island?
I typically read a book purely for pleasure. However I found myself analyzing Rachelle and how she must feel dealing with the after effects of her father’s crime. I was contemplating her actions and thought process and how it must have been impacted. The scenes with her mom were heartbreaking.
The plot of real pirates and treasure hunters was interesting and very well done. You don't see that in many contemporary novels mostly just historicals.
Katy was also able to throw in some plot twists and surprises that I didn’t see coming. I just love it when an author can surprise me!


You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,044 reviews60 followers
September 2, 2014
Katy Lee is a creative author. She writes twisting suspense that I really don't see coming. This is the third book by her that I have read and I really enjoyed it! This book takes on buried treasure and pirates and Rachelle and Gage go on quite the adventure. While suspense looms, the characters grow throughout the book and in typical Katy Lee fashion, they don't always see eye to eye. I really liked the characters and their stories. The overall suspense took many twists (I don't want to give it away!). If you enjoy romance and suspense this book is for you!

If you haven't heard of Katy Lee I suggest you look her up and read her books. Grave Danger, is my favorite!

Buy the book.


"Thanks to the author who sent me this book for free in exchange for an honest review."
3,962 reviews1,764 followers
September 3, 2014

Read at your own risk -- pirates have invaded Love Inspired Suspense! And not only is there danger on the high seas, but there are hidden underground tunnels and caves that house docks and no end of intrigue and mayhem. Not to mention peril of the ruthless pirate variety. There's more than one kind of buried treasure in this story and Gage is determined to discover them both. He sees past the barriers Rachelle has erected to protect herself from the past. He knows priceless when he's looking at it. Now he just has to convince Rachelle of her worth. A poignant love story complicated by treachery and murder.
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,242 reviews79 followers
January 2, 2016
Really good book! Hidden treasure, danger and pirates! Can't beat that!
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,215 reviews599 followers
May 7, 2015
Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/ROSXOLO0...
Review on my blog (to be posted 9/2): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...

I really enjoyed Sunken Treasure. It's a fun, piratey story with suspense and a nice love story. I liked the buried treasure aspect and it was interesting to see where that storyline went.



I thought the main characters, Gage and Rachelle, were great. The one character I didn't really care for at the beginning was Owen, which is surprising because I liked him in his book, Warning Signs. He was just a little too harsh towards Gage right away and that didn't sit well with me.



All in all, a good LIS book that I had a fun time reading. I recommend it to fans of this genre -- especially if you also like pirate stories!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Profile Image for Belle Calhoune.
Author 95 books434 followers
August 4, 2014

Sunken Treasure by Katy Lee is a fabulous, thrilling read that continues the adventures of the characters on Stepping Stones Island. The heroine, Rachelle Thibodaux, is a fisherwoman who is estranged from her family and the community after her father is imprisoned. When she finds herself the object of a female pirate's vengeance due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, she winds up tied to shipwreck diver, Gage Fontaine. Gabe has been embroiled in danger for fifteen years due to his treasure hunting ways and the dangerous outfit that wants his treasure. Guilt ridden because he's exposed Rachelle to danger, he vows to keep her safe from harm and find the treasure before the bad guys can get to it. I loved the nuances of Rachelle's character. She doesn't feel worthy of happiness or acceptance due to the sins of the father. She fears that deep inside her is a beast bent on destruction, just like her father. Gage is a very loving hero, who seeks a more peaceful existence after years of running. I really enjoyed the way he cares for the heroine and builds her up to believe that she is worthy of love and acceptance. His desire to protect her was endearing. Another winner for Katy Lee!
1,093 reviews10 followers
September 9, 2014
“Sunken Treasure” is the third novel in Katy Lee’s Love Inspired Suspense series set on Stepping Stones Island. A modern-day pirate tale, the plot is fast paced and filled with danger, suspense, and adventure as well as the requisite romance. The setting of Stepping Stones Island is perfect with its rich and mysterious history.

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Rachelle Thibodaux found herself right in the middle of a high-stakes race to find a sunken ship that also involved revenge. Plenty of action, drama, and a few surprises kept me reading the entire book in one sitting. Realistically portrayed circumstances in Rachelle’s life made her character well-rounded and believable. I loved seeing how she slowly broke out of her self-imposed isolation and realized that her friends and neighbors did not blame her for the sins of her father. I really liked the characters and their connections to the previous books in the series.

“Sunken Treasure” is another riveting tale from Katy Lee and I highly recommend it and all her novels.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Haley.
30 reviews
November 5, 2014
This book was pretty good! The only thing that I didn't like was the main male character. Okay, I didn't hate him, but the author made him say things that no guy would ever say. EVER. Instead of making the characters come alive, it just made them seem a little unrealistic. I don't think I ever really got into the book that much. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book, but not one I would want to read again. :)
211 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2018
Initially fast-paced, slowing in the middle with sprints toward the end. Sugary sweet with decent theology. Modern pirates, lobsters, sharks, redtailed hawks, murderous tunnels and decompression sickness all played pollinate roles.
The cast was small but fidelity charming - except for Billy. He should have been a villain.

I loved the concept of vengeance being the ability for self to survive and overcome as oppressed to destroying others.

Comparable to Lisa Bergren's Treasure.
Profile Image for Jolene.
Author 75 books100 followers
February 2, 2015
The title says it all. Right from the first chapter you know how strong the hero's faith is and how it drives his life. The heroine has struggled with her faith and has to find it again. Throw in a bad pirate girl named Jolene and you have a fun read.
Profile Image for Gail.
Author 8 books479 followers
August 2, 2014
I’m a big fan of Katy Lee’s writing. Loved the idea of the female pirate, and though she was a little elusive sometimes, I loved this unexpected slant. Katy’s first two books were fabulous; this one is a bit different, but still solidly written.
1,481 reviews38 followers
September 19, 2014
Interesting Romantic Suspense story. It involves a shipwreck diver who unknowingly leads pirates to a fisher woman, putting her in grave danger. The woman has been censured by the town due to her fathers crimes. Good story.
Profile Image for Crystal.
524 reviews25 followers
January 21, 2020
This is a book everyone can read. Very good reading. Hated to put it down. If you're looking for a book to discuss for a book club or something for the family to read and discuss then I suggest this book. Great conversation maker. I recommend it.
Profile Image for John Hanscom.
1,169 reviews18 followers
September 16, 2014
Maybe even more. One of the best of these "love inspired romances" I have read. Two very strong characters, and, for a welcome change, it is the male who brings danger.
Profile Image for Danielle Cress.
Author 4 books23 followers
March 14, 2018
I just finished reading this great novel by Katy Lee, Sunken Treasure. I give it 5-stars!!! Katy Lee's books have a great emotional depth as well as the element of faith standing out above all other aspects of the story. This one has made it to the number 2 spot of my favorite fiction novels list. (Warning Signs, also by Katy Lee, is my top favorite.)Warning Signs

Sunken Treasure is a suspense covering the story of an emerald-eyed beauty(Rachelle) who fears she's just like her father, and a man(Gage) who was raised without a home. Both believe they're unlovable because of their past. But they discover the truth when modern-day pirates force them together. Not to mention the best part, finding redemption and realizing they're treasured by Jesus Christ.

Check out my full review on my blog here: https://trulyinspiredbooks.wordpress....
Profile Image for Paul Goble.
232 reviews6 followers
November 14, 2024
This is the kind of story where a hero rushes in empty-handed to vanquish a machine gun wielding foe. Where characters burst into flowery soliloquies. Where a villain carries around snakes just in case they need to scare the victim of an impromptu kidnapping. Where momentary mutual attraction forms the basis for lifetime commitment. Where everyone is prepared to deliver a trite sermon on Christian living.

All of those things have their place, but they did not serve this story well. The story begins with gritty realism and action, but the characters turn out to be caricatures, and the book ends with soliloquies and sighing.

I read by an excerpt in Christy Barritt's Desperate Measures and thought I'd give the book a try.
Profile Image for Ali.
723 reviews17 followers
December 1, 2019
I loved, loved, loved the cover of this book. The sunken galleon, the circling shark, the moody blue colors...perfect.

This story was so fast paced, and the action never stopped. I really enjoyed it, but it did feel more like an adventure story than a romance. Rachelle’s feelings didn’t make a lot of sense to me. I get that she was embarrassed and saddened by her father’s crimes and crushed by her mother’s depression, but why does she think she has a monster inside herself? Why did she turn away from her friends and neighbors so completely, and why did they let her? These questions kept me from feeling like I really understood Rachelle or why she would want to stay on that island.
Profile Image for Judine Brey.
787 reviews2 followers
October 2, 2022
I found the whole plot surrounding lost at sea treasures intriguing, and the build-up of Rachelle and Gage's relationship felt well paced. That said, I found Rachelle's unwillingness to attempt diving while being confident on a lobster boat a bit of a stretch. Also, the fact that neither she nor Gage considered splitting their time between her home and his was far-fetched.
Profile Image for Linda C.
2,507 reviews
July 5, 2021
Interesting set up, reasonable angst and lots of action. However, several situations just seemed improbable concerning the villains, particularly during the climatic action at the end on the island and under the sea. OK read.
Profile Image for Shirley Rose.
4 reviews
August 24, 2025
sunken treasure

Good book lots of action loved the characters liked Rachelle and Gage the restaurant owner and the waitress were great
Profile Image for Jade.
44 reviews3 followers
November 3, 2025
This was a such an action packed read that I was instantly sucked into Stepping Stones Island right alongside Rachelle,Gage and the dangerous pirates that are out to get them. Highly recommend!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.