Deep Blue

Pathway #1

by Kristy McCaffrey

A Contemporary Adventure Romance

Dr. Grace Mann knows great white sharks. As the daughter of an obsessed shark researcher, Grace spent her childhood in the company of these elegant and massive creatures. Now, finally, she’s testing a prototype shark array that may lead to a reliable alert system for swimmers and sharks to coexist. All that stands in her way are two men—her ex, Brad Michaels, fellow shark researcher and the man trying to steal her work, and Alec Galloway, an underwater filmmaker hired to produce a documentary about Grace’s project. Grace mixed her work and love life before and it was a disaster. No matter how sexy Galloway is, she won’t make that mistake again …

Alec Galloway prides himself on being the best in the business, so he’s baffled when Dr. Mann rejects his application to capture her work on film. When her boss overrules her decision and gives Alec the job, he learns that winning over Grace won’t come easy. But Alec is accustomed to dealing with unpredictable creatures, and Grace’s passionate focus on great whites puts her in a class of danger all her own. As his fan-boy crush on the woman quickly turns into something more, his greatest competition turns out to be the sharks themselves.

“This book has it all … danger, intrigue, romance, scientific fact and a fast-paced plot …” ~ Allison Brady, Love Books Group

“… Grace is a brilliant character … five stars …” ~ donnasbookblog

“… like shark week in a book …” ~ Rachel H., reader

2019 Write Touch Readers’ Award – Second Place in Long Contemporary
2019 Carolyn Readers’ Choice Award – Finalist in Contemporary Romance
2019 I Heart Indie Contest – Finalist

Each Pathway novel can be read as a stand-alone, but don’t miss the other books.

Book 1: Deep Blue (Dr. Grace Mann and Alec Galloway)
Book 2: Cold Horizon (Lindsey Coulson and Tyler Galloway)
Book 3: Ancient Winds (Dr. Tristan Magee and Brynn Galloway)

After reading the novels, enjoy these short stories in The Pathway Short Adventure Series:
Short 1: Deep Blue Australia
Short 2: Deep Blue Réunion Island
Short 3: Deep Blue Cocos Island
Short 4: Cold Horizon Telluride

Related novella:
Blue Sage (Dr. Audrey Driggs and Braden Delaney)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Fiction, Adventure, Romantic Suspense

316 pages, ebook

Published February 26, 2018

About the author

Kristy McCaffrey writes historical western romances brimming with grit and emotion, as well as romantic contemporary adventures. Her work is filled with smoldering romance, compelling heroes, determined heroines, and her trademark mysticism.

Although she holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering, she shifted to being a stay-at-home mom and part-time writer until her four children were grown. Now she runs her writing business full-time while enjoying the perks of being the boss, which mostly entails playing with her grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises.

Her first novel, The Wren, was a CAPA winner for Best New Author Traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for Best First Book. The Sparrow was a 2012 Winter Rose Winner. The Blackbird won the 2015 Laramie award for Best in Western Romance. Her contemporary adventure, Cold Horizon, was a 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction winner, and Ancient Winds was a 2022 HOLT Medallion finalist.

An Arizona native, Kristy resides in the desert north of Phoenix with her husband and rescue mutt - an American Bulldog named Jeb. Sign up for her newsletter at http://kmccaffrey.com/subscribe/ to receive her latest book news as well as subscriber-only content.

Kristy is a member of Novelists Inc.

Reviews

[Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4/4.5 stars to Deep Blue! ★ ★ ★ ★

To open this review, I believe it's fitting and worth recycling a humbling quotation that the author shares regarding animal life - and likely informed her own approach to this story - to precede the introduction to Deep Blue:
“We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals… For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.”
~ Naturalist Henry Beston, The Outermost House

'She settled back and was transported to the place where she had always felt the most alive and connected. The sharks brought her close to the pulse of one of the wildest places on earth—the ocean, with all its inky depths and scary inhabitants. Amazingly she felt the same when she was with Alec. He knew the wild places, he knew the call, he knew the obsession. And he was willing to stand beside her. She’d never expected to find anyone who could.'

“My father always said we yearn for the ocean, because it’s our one true home. Dr. Eddie Mann, a dedicated shark researcher, devoted his life to the great white shark. These extraordinary creatures aren’t what we think they are, and perhaps they might be more than we ever thought possible. I’m Dr. Grace Mann. Come along as I take you on a journey into the deep blue.

➜ Sharks
➜ Marine Biologist
➜ Women in academia
➜ Underwater Filmmaker
➜ Third person, dual POV
➜ Documentary Expedition
➜ Guadalupe Island, Baja California
➜ A heroine comittmed to her cause
➜ A hero determined to doing what he
does best to make that cause look good

Where to start with this wonderful, high-adventure shark-ish contemporary romance that became an unexpected tribute to one of our most ancient predatory forms of sealife? My many compliments to the author for the creative undertaking. Let's begin with the fact that I harbour a singular love for adventure-centric stories that perform the dual duty of underscoring women in academia with intriguing areas of educative inquiry combined with romantic fiction. When adventure meets romance, I effectively become a reading glutton and the open waters of Deep Blue set me awash in my own expedition. I thoroughly enjoy reading about characters who share a resolute and staunch passion for their walk in life, and as this story's STEM professional, marine biologist Grace Mann was one such heroine entirely committed to her life as a shark researcher. Researching sharks is more than just a day job and more than a professional pursuit for Grace. It's her calling in life. Employed by the California Marine Institute (CMI), Dr. Mann has a reputation, not just for being the daughter of an esteemed shark researcher but for her seemingly audacious and unconventional relationship with the subjects of her study. Not all of her contemporaries share her deeper experiential beliefs. The great white and the study of these sublime underwater apex predators has been a part of Grace's life and observation since the tender age of being anointed through her father's work. Grace is work-oriented, the consummate hard-nosed professional, and her manner, mode and conduct has garnered a reputation as a cool, impersonal but daringly disposed researcher. Grace is a forefront figure in her field, most notably known for a bold and striking image that depicts her freediving in close proximity to one of the ocean's most fearsome aquatic predators.

Not all marine life researchers share an unmatched passion for the underwater creatures they study, as is the case with Grace's former boyfriend and co-worker Brad Michaels, but Dr. Grace Mann is one of them. A passionate advocate for these ancient predators who feel more like lifelong familiar kindred than they do fodder for monotonous research, Grace's cognisance can only be matched by that of her late father's. In her field, she's a leading lady that is in a league of her own. At least, Alec Galloway seems to think so, and has garnered attention beyond the individuals within her own community. One such individual is a rather fascinated filmmaker who's about to join her ranks. With a fresh documentary expedition soon to launch, Grace is excited to test the progressive underwater technology in development - coined as the shark array - that she and her team have been producing as much as she is to be back in her favourite place; on the sea, within its hold and within familiar distance to her favourite species. Having once been burned romantically and professionally by the same person, when Grace finds out that Alec Galloway, a reliable name in the field of underwater filmmaking, has been selected by CMI to join the cause and the expedition without her approval, she's more than a smidge averse to having him aboard as part of the team alongside her ex-boyfriend. Alec, on the other hand, has been a quiet follower and admirer of Dr. Mann's work and is more than a little put out that he's instantly on the receiving end of her unexplained disapproval.

I can't claim, with any certainty, that the writer of this book is an animal lover or a great supporter of marine wildlife but this story's research is so well-integrated, depicted and shark-informed that I have to believe that McCaffrey is a writer who effectively understood her great white subject. The events of this book may have been fictional but its convincing nature could have had me easily believe I was following the events on any number of real-life academic voyage as we follow this group of professionals as they ride the Mercado through calm, open and shark-infested seas. Either way, the author's approach and well-balanced perspective is believable, interesting and convincing. From freediving strategies to marine life discourse to underwater descriptions of an entirely different ecosystem, the story was vivid, edifying and well-imagined. Additionally, the story does its due work in portraying a realistic and inclusive perspective of the shark species' by demystifying the often fear-driven and fear-based inaccuracies that older media often perpetuates. Philosophical debates and intuitive perspectives (courtesy of Grace) are brilliantly balanced with the science and research-based approach, and as someone who's deeply drawn to existentialism, mysticism and the esoteric, it's a personal draw (for me) to read fictional narratives that aren't afraid to play with the established by dipping some fingers into epistemic deliberations by broadening the scope of the known conversation.

From Grace's professional and personal occurrences with these unmatched underwater entities, the anecdotal accounts of cast members, we have quite a nuanced approach to sharks. The author performs an impeccable job, through various characters, of providing a balanced perspective of the shark species and their place in our larger ecosystem. Unlike older media interpretations, the author depicts her subject realistically by setting the very real-life dangers of these apex predators next to their whole-some existence in our environmental biosphere. We are reminded that we simply co-exist with the various materialisations of nature and lifeform, of the ecology of the natural world. As such, we have a story that evolves, respects and authenticates the conversation of shark life. And let me tell, you'll more likely come away from this escapist read with a sense of revived admiration for shark life than you will securely burrowed in the recesses of your reptilian brain. As we move into the space of narrative devices, the commentary surrounding integrity within the industry, ethical practice and the many agendas that devise discord provide the story with its angle of mystery and intrigue.

The angle of suspense was just as much a point of intrigue, and delved into the space of interpersonal suspicion and mistrust as well as industry hostility, illustrated through the relationships on board the Mercado. Group tensions by favour of bad blood, previous projects gone wrong and tense histories between collaborators heightened the interest and keeps a reader curious about the existing relationships. Moreover, a few characters portrayed in the gray area did harbour some ambiguous motivations, so I would have welcomed further clarity in understanding why certain characters such as Grace's ex boyfriend behaved as he did. Additionally, the dangers of swimming with sharks elevates the risk level every time an intrepid Grace takes to the expanse to freedive with her favourite forms of sealife. The storyline revolves around our crew's research trip and the central expedition, and although the central romance accompanies the adventure-based storyline, I will say that the relationship between Grace and Alec was on the lighter side of development. I enjoyed the instant-interest, slow-burning chemistry and attractive tension - including Alec's surreptitious admiration for Grace and her work - that materialises between the two but the plot is aptly preoccupied by the expedition. Although I both enjoyed and looked forward to the romance, I did find myself desiring some stronger development regarding the phases of the romance and the relational intimacy between our two love interests. That being said, It's very fair to say that I was not immune to the effect of one Alec Galloway.

Grace's thorough esteem and kinship for her favourite oceanic creatures was more than admirable, and the author depicts her efforts for conservation and the longevity of the shark species in conformity to a leading lady we can always trust to bear allegiance to her purpose. An experimental documentary expedition sets into motion the shifting currents of a venture into the deep blue, one that moves from the personal and professional intrigue above ground aboard the Mercado to the underwater exploits of an oceanic ecosystem that connects an impressive underwater predator with intense human interest. And a determined Grace Mann is the perfectly positioned conduit as we join her In her element with shark-life while cautiously broadening her life to the charms of an equally driven man who fights for a place that her favourite species, for once, can't claim. Sharks are brought to life with interest, intrigue and appreciation. The sharp, information-hoarding intellect in me ate up the well-integrated detailing, sea-life facts and research entailing shark facts, shark life and behaviouralism. I do love it when escapism meets the criterion of entertaining as well as informing and, above ground or underwater, Deep Blue serves its audience with a smart and enterprising offering of romantic fiction combined with STEMinist content where danger, risk and romance meets academia, impassioned pursuit and some interpersonal tension. With well-developed and determined characters, a romance on open water, stories of the sea and a scene-stealing subject, shark lovers will enjoy what McCaffrey has created, as will readers of the contemporary fiction division who enjoy that special place where adventure meets romance. A contemporary fiction original, and I really can't wait to read more!


Extra Thoughts:

1) I appreciate and wholly encourage insight and experience that challenges what's commonly acceptable through mainstream avenues, and Grace's personal experience with her favourite species did lean into that space that veers into scientific taboo and intuitive entelechy by expanding the perception beyond the limitations of science's tendency to invalidate what cannot be measured or quantified based on its principles. Even as she is an academic through and through, it was gratifying to dig deeper into those special places that can't be quantified. Consciousness is a fascinating and expansive area of inquiry (one of my personal areas of exploration) and if no one else, I bear no hardship in validating what Grace feels to be true to her regarding her relationship with sharks.

2) McCaffrey's research really is transferred with great form.


Content Warning/Listing : past death of a parent who passed from cancer. Describes previous incidents involving sharks and underwater ambushes. References the violent death of a friend who died by of a shark attack. Some swearing. Mentions PTSD. Grief of a parent. Open door sex scenes. On-page incidents involving sharks.

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because this was exactly what my shark fascination (with a healthy dose of fearful respect), shark week-lovin self needed

Deep Blue is lighter on the romance and steam than I’d prefer but it's also chockfull of scientific details and beautiful imagery of sharks, as well as descriptions of diving with them. This made for a unique read that I was immersed in. Additionally, I loved that Grace (h) was a shark researcher who also had skills in computer programming, adding a great women in STEM element. Grace is hyper-focused on her work to bring awareness to and protection for sharks so while she's an admirable and interesting main character, she wasn't the easiest to relate to for me. Alec (H) specializes in underwater filmography and is hired to do a documentary on Grace's latest research trip. He made for a nice foil for Grace because he felt the fear and concern for some of the dangerous situations she put herself in with the sharks that she lacked. He was caring, protective, and truly admired Grace. I wish there had been more sweet alone moments between them. The story focuses on the research trip, interactions with the sharks, a side of professional angst over the research and documentary, and the romance. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (there are a couple of side characters who show interest in the H, but he's only focused on the h; one of the h's coworkers is an ex who causes drama but not because he wants her back) and neither were virgins (H wasn't a manwhore and h didn't date much).

This is forced proximity and since Grace and Alec are working together on a project, both are hesitant to give in to their mutual attraction at first. Many of their interactions occur around other people, which is why I wished there were more solo times. I did like them as a couple, but the book also lacks regular life moments between them (although after I finished, I saw that there are a few novella stories featuring them that may fill in some of these gaps I felt they book had). There are multiple steamy moments that are open door, but they're not long scenes or super explicit.

I really enjoyed the side characters of Grace's friend Missy, Alec's friend Double D, and others on the ship. I did feel that the "bad guys" were somewhat muddied in why they were given the opportunities to attempt to mess up the research or documentary. For example, Grace has made concerns about her ex and coworker apparent to the group they work for, but nothing was being done potentially until after the trip, I didn't understand why. And there's a shady documentary producer introduced who acted like he had leeway that he didn't necessarily have. Some of their interactions just confused me.

The sharks deserve their own mentions, because Grace has a special connection with them (there is a bit of a hint of a possible paranormal aspect but it's tiny). I loved the scenes with the sharks, even the heart pounding moments where the crew or the shark were in danger. The author also clearly did her research and shares notes about this at the end of the book. I also thought it was great that there were anecdotes in the book of Grace's love of sharks since she was a child, thanks to her father also being a shark researcher. It was his life's work and her passion as well so that connection was a great one.

The ending is HFN but also abrupt. There's a transition from their research trip to the next thing Grace is doing that was jarring for me. Then a reunion with Alec that was sweet, until something happens that breaks up that sweet moment, but then the sweetness is back. The epilogue is several months later focusing on a showing of the completed documentary and some wrap-up details. There are mentions of both of them meeting each other's families but nothing on page except for a brief intro of Alec's brother because he was at the film showing, and that felt more like a lead-in moment because apparently he has a book with someone who's also introduced at the same time. I truly enjoyed this story, but I don't know if I would have as much without my love of sharks. As I said before, the novellas probably give more of those romantic moments and how their relationship works outside of shark research, but I wanted more of that in this book. But if you love sharks like I do and appreciate a determined woman pursuing science, you may also want to take a bite out of this story (pun intended).

[Katy McCaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

my mom is the author but my 5 stars is unbiased ❤️

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

Two people fall in love while trying to film Great White Sharks.

All the information you'll ever need about sharks.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

As soon as I read the blurb for this book I knew it was going to be one for me - it has a great plot and I love sharks to so it was definitely a winner!

The storyline is great, I really enjoyed how it progressed and it was a mix of romance, thriller and sharks - so what's not to love if you are a nature lover like me!

Grace is a brilliant character and I would love to read more about her. The pace and writing style were spot on and I settled down and read the book in one sitting - it is really, really good - five stars from me!

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Blue by Kristy McCaffrey is the first book in her new Pathway series. This romantic suspense novel is a departure for the author, who is widely known for her western romance. Her debut in the suspense genre is a success.

Dr. Grace Mann, researcher and computer programmer at the California Marine Institute is the central character. She is the daughter of famed shark researcher, Eddie Mann. Grace is determined to honor her father’s memory by completing a computer program he started developing before his death. Eddie Mann first made Grace a part of his study of Carcharodon Carcharias, the great white shark, when she was six years old, and she now feels a great affinity for and a kinship with these majestic creatures. A photo of Grace freediving with a great white has brought her notoriety in the scientific arena. She is now the star of a documentary about the great white shark, which is being filmed by Alec Galloway. Grace was initially wary of the filmmaker, but now finds herself drawn to him.

Alec Galloway, underwater photographer and filmmaker, made it his mission to win the job on the documentary after seeing Grace pictured with the great white. He once witnessed a horrific accident, and is acutely aware of the danger that sharks can pose to humans. He feels that Grace sometimes places herself in unnecessary danger when diving with her beloved white sharks. Alec has developed an attraction to the beautiful scientist and tries his best to protect her from both the sharks and herself.

The level of detail in this novel is stunning. The depiction of the oceanic backdrop is awe-inspiring. You are transported to the deep blue. The ocean and it’s creatures are brought to life.

The characterization is also brilliant. There are great interpersonal relationships between the characters. Each character is fully-developed, relatable and has a complete backstory. I want to see these characters again. Some are old friends and some need their comeuppance.

The author has done her research and every aspect of this novel is fully-rendered. It started and ended perfectly. If you love sharks this is a must-read, but Deep Blue has something for everyone: romance, danger, excitement, intrigue, adventure, jealousy, desire, sabotage and betrayal. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

[AG Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for anyone even mildly interested in marine and shark research and ocean diving. The author does a nice job of balancing highly detailed information on great whites with the growing romance between the couple.

The Hero is an underwater documentary filmmaker who has been fascinated with the heroine since the release of a sensational photo months before. The h is a great white shark researcher and daughter of a famous researcher who helped pioneer the field. The H is hired to film a documentary of her as she and a colleague test experimental equipment while she plans to freedive with great whites.

The action is fast paced but well done. The romance follows a natural progression and at no time felt forced or contrived in the midst of the adventure plot. Overall, this was a well written and edited book.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series about the H's brother, who is a mountain climber.

[Romancing the Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect mood read for Shark Week…

You guys might not know this, but I’m a huge shark nut. I have a collection of all things shark that takes over my living room cabinet. And I have been watching Shark Week since I was old enough to use a remote.

It’s only fitting that when I found this romance on Stuff Your Kindle Day, I jumped at the chance. And right now, only a few days before Shark Week 2023 begins… it was the absolute perfect mood read.

📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: Deep Blue by Kristy McCaffrey, the first book in The Pathway Series.

📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Adventure romance, vacation vibes, women in STEM, romantic suspense, forced proximity.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Grace is a shark researcher heading on an expedition to deploy groundbreaking technology. Alec is the lead of the camera crew hired to film it. As they work with some of the biggest sharks in the world, the pair can’t help but find peace in each other.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: If I’ve learned anything being a small influencer, it’s this: there’s ALWAYS people who share your interests. So here I am assuming some of you like sharks!

If you don’t, this is still a great romance. It’s a fun read and Grace is a complete boss, swimming with sharks and doing the science stuff and owning her feelings and falling in love.

If you are a nut like me, let me geek out for a minute. This is every Shark Week lover’s dream. You’ll read breakthroughs you’re familiar with. Alec gives a huge Andy Casagrande vibe (iykyk). And it takes place at Guadalupe Island.

All around super cool.

📝 𝗔 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲… This is part of a series of really cool adventure books. I’m definitely hitting the second book, which focuses on K2.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay…okay…I said yes to reading Deep Blue solely because of the sharks on the cover. I might have an obsession with all things sharks, and as soon as I saw this book, I needed to read it. The good news is that the book turned out to be great! I had a ton of fun reading it.

It’s sexy and thrilling, and bonus points for the sharks. Deep Blue is a well-written, fast-paced romantic suspense. I love the research that was clearly done about sharks. There was a lot of facts here that made this feel authentic. I love when an author takes the time to get the information accurate rather than making everything up. Sometimes I want a little reality in my fiction, and Kristy McCaffrey succeeded in this!

I definitely recommend checking Deep Blue out. It’s the first in the series and I’m really looking forward to book 2!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Love Books Group. All opinions are my own.*

Find this review and more on my blog: https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/

[Helene Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, what a shame. I really thought this one was going to be a winner. It’s not totally bad, but it’s just too slow. The plot is very thinly stretched, which means there are no stakes and no action. I don’t like character-driven books anyway, so I’m probably rating this lower than I should. If you love sharks 🦈 and think the premise could be for you, I’d still give this book a try.

[Ann Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sexy adventure packed with spine-tingling suspense...and sharks! If you enjoy reading stores filled with action and excitement that also teach you about interesting topics (like the ocean and sharks, in this case) while entertaining you, then you don’t want to miss McCaffrey’s Deep Blue. I look forward to diving into more books in this series!

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Robin
Book provided by the author

There is just so much about this book that I just don’t know where to start…so I guess I will let you know that I simply enjoyed everything. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. Ms. McCaffrey had me drawn into the world of sharks from the very beginning. She started with Dr. Grace Mann talking about sharks. With an opening speech prior to a fundraiser the passion was emanated in that speech I was hooked. I would have donated.

From the start everything was so vivid and realistic that it felt as if I was reading non-fiction instead of fiction.  Grace as a researcher free swims with the sharks which to me may seem a bit scary but also fascinating. Now personally that is not something I would even think to do with sharks especially the great whites, dolphins sure, manatees sure but sharks…And yet Grace does this. I could feel her heart rate change with the unknown I had to catch myself a few times to slow my breathing down as I found my heart start to race. The research that Ms. McCaffrey did was outstanding. Everything was just so…real. I learned more about sharks than watching shark week on t.v. …

There was a time that another group of researcher had trouble with their cage and Graces team went to help it was scary and showed that even though she free swims with the sharks you still have to be aware that they are dangerous. They are like anyone when their territory is invaded they become scared just like we do.

I actually felt what the shark was feeling it was written that well. I saw things through not only the eyes of the characters but through the eyes of the sharks.  The way that the sharks were named made them more real, it gave them a soul. I found that it made a bigger impact on the plight that we as humans put them and all creatures in for that matter. It makes stop and think.

As a bonus of sorts Ms. McCaffrey added a bit of romance. Well, the romance gets supercharged. There is sex and steam. Alec is an underwater film maker. He along with his crew is going to film Dr. Grace Mann along with her crew while they are on their expedition.  He has a crush since her photo of her free dive with a great white went virial. Things between them start off nonexistent because of his friendship with her ex but once that is cleared they or rather she decides an expedition fling wouldn’t be so bad. Let’s just say things go fast after that.

I enjoyed the family aspect of the story also…not only with Grace and Alec but also with the sharks.

Let me just say that I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next in the series. So grab a drink or two, find your comfy spot and be prepared to fall in love with Bonnie.

[Anoeska Nossol · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the summary was quiet appealing to me, the story itself; did not. It has been a while since I had so much trouble finishing a book. Not only did nothing really happen (as in: the plot was completely flat), this 'romance' did not even contain anything romantic.
Around 2/3 of the book, there was intimacy. Oh, and at the end. Yet, nothing romantic happend and there was absolutely no chemistry between both characters. There was more chemistry between the sharks. I also felt like the tropes used, were not suiting for the story itself.
There were, instead, lots of sharks. I know nothing about these creatures, but I learned lots about them while reading this book. Not my intention when first picking this one up. It was interesting, but if readers expect a romance: a romance it should be. Besides, the diving scenes made the book very repetitive and that made it boring sometimes.
I was looking forward to read the full series, but unfortunately; it will end at book one.

[eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was GOOD! sharks and romance, sign! me! up! i loved the sexual tension between the MC’s, especially in the tiny ass boat! but just the love for sharks and everyone shared and how kristy writes sharks so truthfully made me 🥺🥺

[Rachel Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. If you like romance with a thrilling plot and you LOVE sharks then you have to read this book! I am a huge shark lover and this was right up my alley. Great job!

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is a shark researcher and truly loves what she does. She’s about to test a prototype shark array that may lead to a reliable alert system for swimmers and sharks to coexist but there are to people that stand in her way - her ex Brad Michaels, a fellow shark researcher that tries to steal her work and Alec Galloway, an underwater filmmaker hired to produce a documentary about her project.

I looove love love this book. I hadn’t heard anything it before I started but I knew it was about sharks and I was sold. I just saw it was free in the kindle store one day and bought it and I’m glad I did. I love sharks, I’ve seen A LOT of shark movies and documentaries and I would honestly love to watch the one they made in this book but obviously that’s not possible. I feel like you can tell the author Did a lot of shark research before writing this, I’m not a shark expert of course but it feels very well done. Overall it had fun characters with a plot full of risks and adventure. I didn’t really care that much about the side characters but overall this was really good.

I look forward to keep reading this series

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-3.75 Stars
There's no doubt the author did her research on sharks. If you're not a shark/marine biology enthusiast you'll probably won't enjoy this novel fully. The novel is brimming with marine and shark info/jargon. I have to admit, it got a bit over whelming at times. I ended up skimming over those parts. The main plot/storyline itself is good, it had me at the edge of my seat multiple times. The romance on the other hand, is a bit of a slow burn, things didn't get going until the 60% mark-ish.

Overall, a bit slow paced but a good read.

***I would like to thank Goodreads for hosting the giveaway and Kristy McCaffrey (the author) for graciously giving me a free copy of the novel to review.***

[jas ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

I enjoyed this book so much, it was just what I needed — unputdownable and surprisingly wholesome!
I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of the series and anything else Kristy has written because her writing style was so easy to follow.
The flirting between our main characters, Grace and Alec, had me GIDDY! Even though most of the spicy scenes were fade to black, I didn’t mind and don’t think it took anything away from the romance factor.

[jordan εїз · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars 🌟 what a short and sweet book on sharks!! i learned a lot about great whites and as a scuba diver, it was cool to learn about how intelligent they are 🦈🛟🤿 gracealec were cute but definitely a little rushed for me. they had chemistry but it was poorly executed and the feelings didn’t seem that intense to me 🙃 it was a little difficult reading graces pov sometimes, with her risking her life and making dumb decisions for research but overall i understand why she did it!

[Coco.V]

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[Taylor Fieux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun, easy read. The marine biology girly in me loved this book. But sometimes there was too much shark talk and I wanted more in depth character development.

[Mary Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a good romantic adventure worth Five Stars

I had just about given up on a romantic adventure worth reading. I truly enjoyed this read. The author.provided a stretch of the mind and brought the read into the story. I highly recommend this book.

[Anneka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️ book. The romance was cute but tbh i felt like there needed to be more of a build up. It was more sharks with a side of romance than romance with a side of sharks. Honestly would zone out just a bit when it was talking only about shark behaviors but would recommend to anyone who wanted a quick easy read

[Bruce Houck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting ending

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deep Blue by Kristy McCaffrey is the 1st book in her Pathway series. It is a slow moving story of a marine biologist, Dr. Grace Mann, who is on an expedition to Guadalupe Island (located near the coast of Baja California Sur). After hearing Grace present about her research in great white sharks at a conference documentary filmmaker, Alec Galloway becomes enchanted by Grace. Luckily he is able to get a job filming her next expedition as a documentary.

Throughout the book there is quite a bit about Grace and her team members either using submersible cages to view the sharks or freediving, so I can tell that the author did research the subject. Unfortunately, I did not feel that interested in the characters although I was glad that the book ended with a happy ending. There is the set up for the next book in the series and the paperback edition has a sneak peak of Cold Horizon, book 2 in the Pathway series.

[Judy Esposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Blue ( The Pathway Series Book 1)

Wow! What a powerful book! I looked forward to this book by a favorite author. I have read all of her historical western books and loved and enjoyed each one. This one took me out of my comfort zone from the western prairies and mountains of old, into the modern day of the deep mysterious blue ocean and the creatures who live there and I loved it. I found the first part of this book just a tiny slow, but as I continued to read, I found myself being pulled into the story, hating to put it aside when interrupted. You can tell there was a lot of research in writing this book and it was worth it to bring it all to life. A beautiful romance and wonderful characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and you can sign me up for the next one. There are a few words that may offend you, I just ignored and moved on. Sexual content. JudyE

[Allie McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only bought this because I was desperate for something new to read (it was late at night) and it was on Bookbub's list of sales. I have a fear amounting to phobia about sharks of any kinds (and that was from LONG before Jaws) so honestly, I really thought this would scare me too much to be able to read... but like I said, I was desperate. And I am SO GLAD that I took the plunge! Not only was I not scared, I found I was totally intrigued by the sharks and Grace's interactions with them. Not enough that I'll be going in the water but definitely I'm now very interested in sharks, particularly the great whites, and have been looking up documentaries on them, just out of curiosity.

The book was really well-written, with fabulous characterization, and the plot kept me turning pages til the very end, at 5:30 am! Really a delightful surprise!!!

[DianeG · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new adventure/romance book--the first in a new series. Dr. Grace Mann is a well-known shark researcher who's recent claim to fame is a photo of her freediving with a great white. Grace is out to create an early warning shark system for beaches around the world. Alec is an underwater photographer that's out to tell her story. Grace and Alec have a sizzling connection that leaps off the page. It's really nice to see a strong, intelligent female protagonist take lead in a scientific career that is not highly populated with females. I really enjoyed this book. It was not only a great read, but I learned a lot about sharks that I didn't know beforehand.

[Dixie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEEP BLUE is an amazing book! I am so in awe of this author's ability to research her subject matter so thoroughly that she convinces me she's 'been there-done that,' while developing a whole cast of characters at the same time! The result is a jaw-dropping adventure/romance that I couldn't put down. Coming face to face with a great white shark is not something I ever want to do, but this book made me consider what this natural predator has to do in order to survive and the possibility he is far more intelligent than we give him credit for. Kudos to Ms. Kristy McCaffrey for checking all the boxes with this one!

[Nicole Geddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author. I loved it. I’m a major adrenaline junkie, so I was very into this!!! The suspense was great, the romance was very good, although I tend to like a bit more steam (ok, explicit sex scenes) with my romantic suspense. It was a bit glossed over in that way, but not totally absent. Swimming with sharks is high on my list of must do’s, so reading this book re-ignited that desire!