Deep Water

by Ronald Paxton

Salem Matthews IV has come home to Shenandoah County, Virginia because he has nowhere else to go. A twenty year career in the U.S. Army Special Forces has provided him with a pension, healthcare benefits, and a severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Salem has lost the ability and inclination to interact with people and is only interested in locking himself away from the world.

The peace and seclusion that Salem seeks is quickly shattered by converging forces that demand his attention. Travis Watson, a local realtor, has his eye on the magnificent lakefront home that Salem has inherited and is prepared to do whatever it takes to gain possession of it. Meanwhile, William Toms is trying to convince Salem to donate his property to the environmental group he represents.

When Salem makes it clear he has no intention of giving up his land he becomes the target of open hostility. As he begins to realize his life is in danger Salem sends out a call for reinforcements.

While he waits for help to arrive Salem draws on his military background to protect himself and the ones he loves. Time is running out and the person who wants to kill him remains a mystery. One man is already dead and Salem knows that he is next on the killer’s list.

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2013

About the author

Ronald Paxton was born in Richmond, VA and grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He published his first short story in 2008 and has since published approximately forty short stories on various Internet sites. His work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net award.His first novel, Winter Songs, was released in November 2012. His second novel, Haven, has been accepted for publication and should be released in 2013.

Reviews

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drowning in Deep Water

Salem Matthews fights against the maelstrom of his past. His military service has left him struggling to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. Salem suffers from nightmares and panic attacks, with loud noises exacerbating the issues.

Salem returns to his home town. While he wants and needs seclusion, various factions vie for his property. As the situation escalates, Salem finds himself in Deep Water.

Ronald Paxton continues to evolve as a writer. With Deep Water, Mr. Paxton demonstrates unexpected versatility in his work. His previous novel Winter Songs is a sweet romance with the spice of mystery and the dark shadow of racism. Deep Water is rather darker, and explores difficult issues like PTSD.

[Stefan Vucak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retired from the Army after a twenty-year career, having inherited a house and a large tract of land by a lake, Salem Matthews had everything to make his life complete, except he was all alone. To help overcome troubling nightmares, his doctor told him he needed to get a girlfriend, but there weren’t that many eligible women in Shenandoah County and the prospect of actually talking to one made his mouth go dry. He couldn’t believe his luck when Krista Karson expressed interest in him. Others also expressed interest, or more exactly, his property, and they wouldn’t take no for an answer. With the help of a Special Forces buddy, Matthews sought to sort things out.

‘Deep Water’ is a delightful step into a bachelor’s life, allowing the reader to picture himself in a similar situation, relishing how various setbacks resolve themselves. Although the book revolves around a typical scenario where bad guys wish to procure something they want regardless of cost or impact on lives, and Matthews must extricate himself and Karson from the predicament, Ronald Paxton handles the topic with skill, managing to retain the reader’s interest. I would have enjoyed more emotional interaction between Matthews and Karson, but that did not diminish my appreciation of what Ronald Paxton provided. I look forward to sampling some of his other novels.