Under Currents

by Elaine Meece, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

Recently paroled from prison, Caleb McGregor returns to Faith, Missouri, hoping to remember the boating accident that killed two girls and stole ten years of his life. Disowned by his brother and ostracized by the small town, Caleb has no one in his life until five year old Ally Ross wanders into his yard. Her mother, Julie Ross, a young widow with two kids, has been in every fantasy his sex-starved mind can think of. She’s also the timid girl he ignored in high school. Regardless of the fact that Caleb McGregor caused her cousin’s death, Julie Ross befriends him and finds she’s still attracted to him. Is it because of the crush she had on the high school hottie years ago? After someone threatens her and vandalizes her boat rental business, Caleb insists she take the threats seriously. Even though it could send him back to the slammer, he assumes the role of her protector. A position he plans to keep, if someone doesn’t kill him first. Despite their growing attraction to each other, Caleb and Julie fight their desires. Too many obstacles stand in their way. While dealing with her own problems, Julie becomes driven to clear Caleb’s name. But as secrets from the past begin to surface, someone who has a lot to lose wants to bury them along with the truth.

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Thriller, Adult

Audible Audio

First published August 23, 2012

About the author

Elaine Meece is an active member of RWA and belongs to the River City Romance Writers and the Music City Romance Writers.

She has been a finalist and won many contests sponsored by RWA chapters for best romantic suspense.

She resides in Bartlett, Tennessee with her husband, Geoffrey. She has three daughters-Valencia, Alicia, and Francesca. She also has three granddaughters-Alyssa, Sophia, and Amelia.

Elaine is a former school teacher. Besides writing, she loves to sing, hike, and go inner tubing on the Current River in Missouri. Life can't get any better than floating down a scenic river. Last year, she hiked to the bottom of Bryce Canyon and back up. Her favorite hiking place is Petite Jean Mt. in Arkansas.

She is a member of the Memphis Scottish Society. She belongs to Clan Wallace. She has sung at several Celtic festivals around the South. She does programs for the group such as Haunted Scotland and Loch Ness Monster.

She is a member of Bartlett Methodist Church and sings in the choir.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an extremely slow building romance. The first half of this book was really quite good but then it seemed to change...the best way for me to say it is stall and sputter. I wanted to finish it to find out what happened but I lost a connection that I had with the characters in the first 1/2 of the book.

[Hbeebti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. There were so many mysteries going on and was fast paced. I loved the slow build to romance as well. This really pulled at my heart. I Hated, Hated the way that Caleb was treated. Ugh it made me sick. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this for free on Amazon a while back, and I randomly picked it to read from my book stash. Well...this little freebie surprised me with its awesomeness! I felt like I was watching a movie while reading. The characters, plot, side storylines, and steam factor were done perfectly, in my opinion. I loved how everything tied together to create a great ending, and a lovely epilogue too! I love hidden gems!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/3/2021)! 🎁

[Teresa R.Fieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good Book !!

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat . Intrigue suspense and a romance . I couldn’t put this book down.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars! This was a very long book but it did keep me entertained. It is about Caleb, an ex-convict, who was just released from prison. He moves back to his hometown, where he is ostracized for murdering two young girls; although he cannot remember committing the crime at all. Caleb has absolutely no one, until one day his neighbor's daughter, Ally, goes into his yard and befriends him. Ally's mother, Julie, soon befriends him as well; even though in high school he ignored her. Julie and Caleb soon fall in love with each other but they are tormented by the town, especially Officer Frank Grear (he want's Julie all to himself). Caleb wants to prove he's good enough for Julie and the only way he can do that is to clear his name of the crime he did not commit. I felt so bad for Caleb, especially when even his own brother disowned him. It broke my heart that he was all alone and he thought he was a low-life. However, I did think it was so cute when Ally befriended him. Throughout the book I kept thinking, I just want Julie and Caleb to get together already! This was a long book but it didn't feel like a long read to me because I just kept hoping they would be a family soon. I do have to say though, some parts of the book were a bit slow but I thought the ending was worth it. If you're looking for a nice read about second chances this may be the book for you!

[Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book!, hadn't realised till around halfway through that I had read the authors first book "eye of the abductor", (which was also brilliant)!, this author can write!!, her stories are compelling, have wonderfully descriptive characters you actually care about and keep you hooked from the beginning!, this is the story of Caleb returning to his home town after 10 years away in prison for manslaughter, but he doesn't remember what happened....cut to him meeting his new neighbour, Julie, they went to high school together, she still remembers the crush she had on him back then, but a lot has changed in that time. Julie is now a widow with two small kids, the town is not pleased he's back and someone is sabotaging Julie's business, there story starts slowly with their hesitant friendship but builds steadily has the truth unfolds about the past and how things can be put right, this is a must read. Can't wait for the next book "dark side of the mirror.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this a perfect read? No. it had a few editing issues (name switches and at the end there was a "nathan" throwed in that was out of nowhere being that I don't remember a character named nathan) and sometimes I really wanted to smack both characters (especially the heroine) for their denials and stupidity. But I did read this story in one sitting and was so engrossed in all of the angsty goodness and wondering just how the H and h could have their HEA (or shaking my head at just how much could happen to this couple) that I scored it a little higher.
This author is a new one for me but I'll definitely be looking for more..

[Angela Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good romance suspense book. It deals with the stigma of someone that has been in prison and that it has far reaching consequences even after they have served time, and the strength and determination seen in the main characters.
The story goes through plot twists and turns as the two lead characters face the scrutiny of the sleepy village.
Kept me reading as you want to know how they got on.
As each character shows their true colours, you get further pulled into the story and cannot put it down.
I can't wait for more books from this author.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review from amazon.com dated 3/30/2013

Title: Great Romance Mystery

I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.

I usually have a high end sense of where a story is going to end up. I enjoy predictable stories too but this wasn't predictable at all- Yay. Either that or I just wasn't paying attention to the details leading up to the end.

Loved the ending, didn't leave you hanging, I didn't get the title of the book until the last page though.

[Deirdre · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half if this book was pretty good. But then it changed like someone else was writing it. The dialogue became stilted with no character distinction. And the plot totally fell apart. Timelines were ignored. I only finished reading it to see what happened...if what I thought would be the outcome was ~ it was.

[Alyssa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

So suspenseful, I couldn't put it down. Written very well and reads smoothly. I love the end; it's action packed. Elaine Meece writes foolproof plots. Caleb and Julie are a couple you really root for. All of the characters are so believable including the dark villains. For anyone who truly loves romantic suspense, this is a must read!

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. There were times that this book was fantastic, full of suspense and was fast paced, then something insanely corny would happen and it's like the book would come to a stop. It was just kind of all over the place. Had a great plot and great action, but the character dialog just didn't flow.

[MC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a night owl, but I stayed up until 1:30am because I couldn't put the book down. I got this as a free download for Kindle. It was a very good legal drama/romance book set in the South. I went to read about the author and found out she was a former teacher from just a few miles away in Bartlett, Tennessee. I'm anxious to read another one of her books.

[N. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The suspense and drama was well thought out. The story line flowed really well. The characters were well developed and enjoyable. Except Frank. I didn't like him, but no spoilers!

This storyline will keep your heart pounding and your fingers turning the pages until the very end! The romance is sweet yet sexy. I think this was a really good book!

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. The right amount of suspense, love and reality. I couldn't put this down. I can highly recommend this to all romantic suspense lovers. I usually don't enjoy a lot of suspense but this I could handle. ;)

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book free on Amazon and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It kept my attention, was unpredictable and a page turner. It was a nice change from the type of romance books I've been reading lately.

[Tessamari ♥Many Waters...♥ ~ Sweet Spot Book Blog]

Free on Amazon 09.28.12

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oddly enough, as the story gained momentum it became more convoluted and the rating went down. This one was a solid 4 up until the middle and then it slowly dropped to a 3.

[Lindsay]

Amazon Freebie 11/20/2012
___________________________

Amazon Freebie 11/9/2012

[Lucy Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect read and kept you on the edge of your seat

[Lindsey]

Amazon (ebook) freebie 2/16/13

[Spgmt *Paula* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book free from Amazon and I was really amazed by how much I enjoyed it.

I will definitely like to read more of this author.

[Wendi Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Liked the characters and the plot. Definitely didn't anticipate all the different twists.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic suspense indeed! Great read, loved it!

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending seemed a little rushed but all in all it was a great read! Will look for more from this author.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read bit of romance and suspense

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance, Murder, and Suspense...All three things to make a book good. I literally could not put it down. It took a day to read it

[Jamie Samolewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book!! It had a little of everything...romance, suspense. Great story!

[Heather May · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a free kindle book that I downloaded (one of a ton) and I was very surprised. the description could've done a better job. it was a great book.