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SEALs of Fortune #1
Under the Surface
Lusting after the enemy Former SEAL Jackson Duchane has spent almost a decade hunting down the wreck of the Chimera, a Civil War-era ship rumored to be filled with gold. Now he's agonizingly close to the biggest discovery of his life. With a rival diving team hot on his tail, Jackson is determined to get there first, but he didn't bargain on a sexy distraction... Heading up a diving team is Loralei Lancaster's nautical nightmare. Fortunately, nothing distracts a girl from her water phobia like a gloriously ripped surf god. And Jackson is hot enough to make Loralei forget everything-including the fact that he's an arrogant jerk! And when heated words lead to steamy nights, Loralei finds herself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea!
- GenresHarlequin Blaze
Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
5 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Kira Sinclair
139 books105 followersDouble winner of the National Readers Choice Award, Kira Sinclair writes passionate contemporary romances. Her first foray into writing fiction was for a high school English assignment, and not even being forced to ready the love story aloud could dampen her enthusiasm...although it did make her blush. She lives in North Alabama with her two amazing daughter, their pet chinchilla and hedgehog. She loves to hear from readers at Kira@Kirasinclair.com or visit her website at www.KiraSinclair.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 25, 2020
Jackson is looking for a sunken treasure. Lorali is also looking for it. She has taken over her father's quest. Unfortunately, there is an attraction between them. He blames her father with stealing his research. They have a heated argument. After Jackson is rescued from the ship's wreckage, they admit their feelings.
July 10, 2022
Overall, it was a good book. There is redemption for some characters who acted poorly. My knock is the heroine has pretty fluid ethics. She steals the heroes research not just once, but twice. The second time while she is sleeping with him. And she sends it to someone else.
March 17, 2015
I don't normally read a whole lot of erotic fiction, but wanted something light and airy to read instead of the massive series I've been reading over the past year. It was exactly that. Light, airy, and a quick read.
Jackson and Lorelei both have their own reasons for wanting to find the Chimera, and the major conflict is that they both work for opposite crews who are working against time and each other to find it. They fall in lust for no real reason in a bar, which sparks some sexual chemistry that continues straight through this first in a series.
I give this three stars because I've been stylizing my writing a bit and found a lot of common issues with this authors writing style. That isn't to put Kira Sinclair down - she did a great job with the story. The writing was at times awkward for me, and made me feel like the writer just didn't trust that the reader could pick up on certain basic facts.
For example, when she first got a small island before their first tryst, she hits us over the head that it is dark out: "Dark of night", "Grabbing a flashlight", the island was silent and she was listening for sounds, the stars being so bright, talking about a friend she looked at stars with on an apartment building and how they were on a dimmer compared to the view of them she had this particular night, training her light on the ground, "The beam was bright, but not bright enough to illuminate everything around her", "The further she moved from the beach, the more the night seemed to press in", stumbling over something, kicking at the roots of what she thought was a tree.
This wouldn't be so bad, but this is in the first 2 pages of a single chapter. That's a lot of references to it being dark. This kind of writing made things a bit clumsy for me to read at times.
That said, this book was not meant to be a lesson in writing, and the story itself was entertaining and kept me reading. I read the whole thing in two sittings.
Jackson and Lorelei both have their own reasons for wanting to find the Chimera, and the major conflict is that they both work for opposite crews who are working against time and each other to find it. They fall in lust for no real reason in a bar, which sparks some sexual chemistry that continues straight through this first in a series.
I give this three stars because I've been stylizing my writing a bit and found a lot of common issues with this authors writing style. That isn't to put Kira Sinclair down - she did a great job with the story. The writing was at times awkward for me, and made me feel like the writer just didn't trust that the reader could pick up on certain basic facts.
For example, when she first got a small island before their first tryst, she hits us over the head that it is dark out: "Dark of night", "Grabbing a flashlight", the island was silent and she was listening for sounds, the stars being so bright, talking about a friend she looked at stars with on an apartment building and how they were on a dimmer compared to the view of them she had this particular night, training her light on the ground, "The beam was bright, but not bright enough to illuminate everything around her", "The further she moved from the beach, the more the night seemed to press in", stumbling over something, kicking at the roots of what she thought was a tree.
This wouldn't be so bad, but this is in the first 2 pages of a single chapter. That's a lot of references to it being dark. This kind of writing made things a bit clumsy for me to read at times.
That said, this book was not meant to be a lesson in writing, and the story itself was entertaining and kept me reading. I read the whole thing in two sittings.
April 6, 2015
Contemporary Romance
Jackson Duchane is a former SEAL that has spent a decade hunting down the wreck of a Civil War-era ship, the Chimera that is rumored to be filled with gold. He is agonizingly close to the biggest discovery of his life. Jackson is determined to be first to find it especially with a rival diving team hot on his tail. What he didn’t bargain for is a sexy distraction.
Loralei Lancaster’s nautical nightmare is heading up a diving team. Lucky for her nothing distracts a girl from her water phobia like a man that is ripped like a surf god. With as hot as Jackson is he manages to make Loralei forget everything even the fact that he is an arrogant jerk. Loralie soon finds herself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when heated words turn into steamy nights.
This is a story that has action and is a lot of fun to read. The characters are well written and complex enough that readers will lose themselves in a story that is hard to leave once it is started. It is also the start of a series that will have readers wanting more and more. With the story of the ship as a back drop the story has a little bit of a mystery as to what might have happened and makes for an amazing story that will have readers wondering about real life ship wrecks and the stories behind them.
Received a review copy
Jackson Duchane is a former SEAL that has spent a decade hunting down the wreck of a Civil War-era ship, the Chimera that is rumored to be filled with gold. He is agonizingly close to the biggest discovery of his life. Jackson is determined to be first to find it especially with a rival diving team hot on his tail. What he didn’t bargain for is a sexy distraction.
Loralei Lancaster’s nautical nightmare is heading up a diving team. Lucky for her nothing distracts a girl from her water phobia like a man that is ripped like a surf god. With as hot as Jackson is he manages to make Loralei forget everything even the fact that he is an arrogant jerk. Loralie soon finds herself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when heated words turn into steamy nights.
This is a story that has action and is a lot of fun to read. The characters are well written and complex enough that readers will lose themselves in a story that is hard to leave once it is started. It is also the start of a series that will have readers wanting more and more. With the story of the ship as a back drop the story has a little bit of a mystery as to what might have happened and makes for an amazing story that will have readers wondering about real life ship wrecks and the stories behind them.
Received a review copy
January 12, 2015
The short and sweet of it is that this story was pretty good. It was definitely a lust at first sight romance, however, it had a decent storyline.
The story started with an intriguing beginning, went into a slight dry spot, but then it picked up and kept up a steady pace all the way to the end.
The chemistry between the two main characters was intense. They were drawn to each other. In fact, it was like they could not stay away from each other. They radiated so much heat that it could barely be contained.
I loved that these two characters were both strong and accomplished. They were intelligent, mindful of others, and very driven. Although they shared a history of loss, they were not defined by those losses.
I loved that the author dealt with the topic of fear. And while, I understood the creative liberty taken to address Loralei's fear, I cannot believe that a romp in the water, no matter how "therapeutic" an attempt, could calm a fear.
Still, I really liked this book overall.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama:Yes
HEA: Yes
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: NetGalley
Purpose: Complimentary e-book in exchange for an honest critique
The story started with an intriguing beginning, went into a slight dry spot, but then it picked up and kept up a steady pace all the way to the end.
The chemistry between the two main characters was intense. They were drawn to each other. In fact, it was like they could not stay away from each other. They radiated so much heat that it could barely be contained.
I loved that these two characters were both strong and accomplished. They were intelligent, mindful of others, and very driven. Although they shared a history of loss, they were not defined by those losses.
I loved that the author dealt with the topic of fear. And while, I understood the creative liberty taken to address Loralei's fear, I cannot believe that a romp in the water, no matter how "therapeutic" an attempt, could calm a fear.
Still, I really liked this book overall.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama:Yes
HEA: Yes
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: NetGalley
Purpose: Complimentary e-book in exchange for an honest critique
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2015
Stephanie Powell's review Jan 30, 15
4 of 5 stars
Read from January 28 to 30, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It took a little while to get the way it was wrote you had each pov but it also had third party read. Which has that narrator feel. But the story line it's self drew me in I live in Jacksonville, FL which I was fan girling when it was mentioned. But back to the description of the story I found that it had two great main characters. She was really trying to do the right thing but she always didn't. She felt guilty for what she did but it didn't stop her from doing it. He also was guilty of doing things he shouldn't have but the chemistry between these two was amazing. I loved every moment. The sex scenes were on fire I am not sure how these two tried to deny what they felt. The author did an amazing job with details in this book. I can't wait to read the next book. Thanks for letting me review netgally and the author also publisher. I will post my review on my blog when release date comes.
http://ndbbr2014.blogspot.com
4 of 5 stars
Read from January 28 to 30, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It took a little while to get the way it was wrote you had each pov but it also had third party read. Which has that narrator feel. But the story line it's self drew me in I live in Jacksonville, FL which I was fan girling when it was mentioned. But back to the description of the story I found that it had two great main characters. She was really trying to do the right thing but she always didn't. She felt guilty for what she did but it didn't stop her from doing it. He also was guilty of doing things he shouldn't have but the chemistry between these two was amazing. I loved every moment. The sex scenes were on fire I am not sure how these two tried to deny what they felt. The author did an amazing job with details in this book. I can't wait to read the next book. Thanks for letting me review netgally and the author also publisher. I will post my review on my blog when release date comes.
http://ndbbr2014.blogspot.com
February 16, 2015
See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.
My Thoughts:
Another winner! I don't think any of the authors from the Blaze line could ever be anything but awesome. Kira Sinclair is going to be a favorite, I just know it.
In this lovely story, we're introduced to two ambitious individuals determined to get the same thing. Jackson and Lorelei are standing in each other's way in getting what they want and, of course, neither one is willing to back down, and highly reluctant to help the other. Unluckily for them both, their attraction is strong... causing them to cave into temptation, despite the fact that it will cause a rift between both teams if they're caught.
Under the Surface is a wonderful enemies to lovers tale. The banter is a delight, and the steam is mighty steamy. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jackson and Lorelei interact--not just the in-your-face-anger kind of moments, but also the sweeter moments, like the swimming lessons. Definitely a worthwhile read!
My Rating: Very Good
My Thoughts:
Another winner! I don't think any of the authors from the Blaze line could ever be anything but awesome. Kira Sinclair is going to be a favorite, I just know it.
In this lovely story, we're introduced to two ambitious individuals determined to get the same thing. Jackson and Lorelei are standing in each other's way in getting what they want and, of course, neither one is willing to back down, and highly reluctant to help the other. Unluckily for them both, their attraction is strong... causing them to cave into temptation, despite the fact that it will cause a rift between both teams if they're caught.
Under the Surface is a wonderful enemies to lovers tale. The banter is a delight, and the steam is mighty steamy. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jackson and Lorelei interact--not just the in-your-face-anger kind of moments, but also the sweeter moments, like the swimming lessons. Definitely a worthwhile read!
My Rating: Very Good
January 30, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It took a little while to get the way it was wrote you had each pov but it also had third party read. Which has that narrator feel. But the story line it's self drew me in I live in Jacksonville, FL which I was fan girling when it was mentioned. But back to the description of the story I found that it had two great main characters. She was really trying to do the right thing but she always didn't. She felt guilty for what she did but it didn't stop her from doing it. He also was guilty of doing things he shouldn't have but the chemistry between these two was amazing. I loved every moment. The sex scenes were on fire I am not sure how these two tried to deny what they felt. The author did an amazing job with details in this book. I can't wait to read the next book. Thanks for letting me review netgally and the author also publisher. I will post my review on my blog when release date comes.
http://ndbbr2014.blogspot.com
http://ndbbr2014.blogspot.com
July 27, 2015
*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review*
This book was just, ok. It was romantic, and nice, but it didn't overly excite me. I couldn't connect very well with Loralei. Jackson was a good hero. I did like him. He was persistant, strong and a good man. I rather enjoyed the salvaging part of the story. I like finding treasure, and it's always a fun story line. I liked the fact that they were competeing with each other. That feeds into the flames of romance for them, and builds to an overwhelming passion. It was a decent romance. It just wasn't one of my favorites.
This book was just, ok. It was romantic, and nice, but it didn't overly excite me. I couldn't connect very well with Loralei. Jackson was a good hero. I did like him. He was persistant, strong and a good man. I rather enjoyed the salvaging part of the story. I like finding treasure, and it's always a fun story line. I liked the fact that they were competeing with each other. That feeds into the flames of romance for them, and builds to an overwhelming passion. It was a decent romance. It just wasn't one of my favorites.
February 13, 2015
Under the Surface by Kira Sinclair
Received a copy of Under the Surface for an honest review. The main characters of this story were both determined individuals. For this reason they managed to clash repeatedly throughout the story. They each felt like they had something to prove. Without giving too much away this book can be describe as an entertaining and sexy read. LOVED THIS STORY!!
Read
August 14, 2017"..., the enjoyable pairing of these should-be rivals provides an upbeat vacation. Kicking off the SEALs of Fortune series, a Caribbean treasure-hunting adventure provides a nice change in scenery" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: SEALs of Fortune
Miniseries: SEALs of Fortune
April 14, 2015
I was given an ARC of this book for my honest opinion and have to admit that I really enjoyed this book. Then again who wouldn't when you are served with a hot ex-seal, steamy nights and treasure hunt. It may take awhile to get into it, but once you do, you won't want to put it down.
November 18, 2015
Great chemistry between characters, looking forward to more in this series although excellent as a stand alone
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews