Dark Water

Lantern Beach Blackout #1

by Christy Barritt

AN ELITE SECURITY TEAM WITH EVERYTHING ON THE LINE

Blackout, a group of former special ops members who come together to protect the defenseless and guard secrets, has their first assignment.

A FORMER NAVY SEAL WHO’S HAUNTED BY HIS LAST MISSION

Colton Locke can’t forget the black op that went terribly wrong. In an effort to heal and start again, he moves to Lantern Beach, NC. Working with his new team offers him hope for his future, but when the wife of his deceased best friend shows up asking for help, he knows he can’t refuse to revisit his past. 

A WIDOW WHOSE HUSBAND HAD SECRETS

For the past year, Elise Oliver hasn’t been able to shake the feeling that there’s more to her husband’s death than she was told. When she finds a hidden box of his personal possessions, more questions—and suspicions—arise. The only person who can help is his former best friend, Colton Locke.

WITH THE TRUTH COMES A FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

Soon, it becomes clear that someone wants Elise dead. Is it because she knows too much? Or is it to keep her from finding out the truth? The team must uncover secrets best left buried if they want to move forward and save Elise. But someone with deadly intentions is determined to silence them . . . for good.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Christian, Christian Fiction, Suspense, Fiction, Christian Romance

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Dark Water is the first book I read in Barritt’s Lantern Beach universe (several different series all tied to a tourist island off North Carolina) – but it definitely isn’t my first read by the author. I’ve long been a fan of Barritt’s fast paced suspense and swoony romance, and the Lantern Beach Blackout series fits right in.

Right from the first page, we’re gripped by heart-in-your-throat danger as Elise fights for her life in a middle-of-the-night home invasion. We don’t know why she’s been targeted just yet – or even who she is exactly – but there’s time for introductions later. In the heat of the moment, we’re just rooting for her survival. As she flees to the safety of Lantern Beach and her late husband’s SEAL team, we quickly meet Colton – the swoony former SEAL who’s been in love with his best friend’s wife (Elise) for a long time. Both characters are well-layered for this relatively-quick read, and they are both very easy to like. Colton is the leader of the team (with all the yumminess that goes along with that) and he treats Elise with infinite tenderness as he continues to fight his feelings for her and fights to keep her safe. Elise, for her part, carries herself with a quiet strength and has a heart of gold toward other people.

Along with the more immediate danger of someone trying to kill Elise (a danger that continues throughout the story), there is the mystery surrounding the demise of their SEAL team and the death of their then-leader (and Elise’s husband) Daniel. Is this connected to the attempts on Elise’s life? Does she know more than she’s telling them? Do they have a traitor in their midst, or was Daniel the traitor? This is the continuing arc that connects the rest of the books in the Blackout series – and it’s a doozy! Uncertainty has the team questioning everything they thought they knew & the people they thought they could trust. It will keep us on our toes, too, and keeps us gobbling up the Blackout books to find out how it all resolves. (Don’t worry, though, each book has its own storyline & romance too.)

Bottom Line: Fast-paced suspense, excellent characters, and an intriguing setting are just some of the things to love about Dark Water and the whole Lantern Beach Blackout series. Loyalty, faith, and instincts are all tested to their limits as Barritt takes readers along for this intense race toward the truth – with well-paced writing and skilled development. The perfect weekend read!

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I previously purchased for my own collection.)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower

[MJSH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have wanted to read a Christy Barritt book for quite some time now due to the accolades and I was excited to have the opportunity to read this one that starts out a series. Set on a small tourist island of Lantern Beach, NC, the book is fast-paced and filled with adrenaline and suspicious characters. The plot is complex and the author will have you guessing at the villain's identity until the very end. It's a fun romantic suspense that you can read in one sitting.

Elise, a widower of a former SEAL operative, is being hunted down for something that her deceased husband knew and has no one to turn to except Colton, her husband's best friend. Colton is the protective tender warrior who now heads up a security consultant team but can't seem to escape his memories from the last mission gone wrong. From former colleagues to strangers on the street to those in the hierarchy of the Navy, everyone is a suspect as Colton and his team try to figure out who is targeting Elise and what top government secret is being covered up. The romance between Colton and Elise is sweet and I'm looking forward to hearing more about them as the series progresses. I'm sure the next three books will focus on each of Colton's team and I can't wait to read about their journeys.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Confession: I am waaaaay late to jumping onto the Lantern Beach bandwagon. Dark Water is the first book in the fifth series set in Lantern Beach!!!! You don't need to have read the other series in order to enjoy this one but I'm very intrigued by this 'universe' and am happy to back track. The author has provided a helpful lineup of the series and books which you can find here:

https://www.christybarritt.com/lanter...

There's nothing like conspiracy and betrayal to whet an avid suspense reader's appetite and this book has both in spades! Deliciously heart-in-throat, shoulder-checking edge-of-your-seater from the very first page. Lots of action and tension and plenty of angst both in the suspense and the romance make this a gnarled mess of a good read. :-)

Love the way the author has set up the Blackout team. I have a good sense of personalities and dynamics and each man has a bit of intrigue attached to him. Definitely looking forward to learning more in the upcoming books!

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Stacey Glemboski who offers up a solid rendering of these characters while creating the right kind of frenzied ambiance needed in a suspense narration. She kept me spellbound to the very last word.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story full of action and romance! I haven’t read any of the other books set in Lantern Beach, but I definitely want to now. Dark Water is the first book in the Lantern Beach Blackout series and has definitely made me want to return to this community.

Colton captured my heart as a wonderful hero with his years of silently being in love with Elise, who was his best friend’s wife. I appreciated that Elise was fully devoted to her marriage, even during its shaky times, and was unaware of Colton’s feelings. The way Colton would do anything to keep Elise safe and eventually allowed her to get a glimpse of his deeper feelings was just perfect. I hope to see this couple again in future Lantern Beach Blackout books. I was also happy that the author was able to keep me guessing up until the very end about exactly who was behind the threat to Elise’s life.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an exciting introduction to a new series by Christy Barritt! If readers have read the other two Lantern Beach series by Christy Barritt, than they would be familiar with the hero, Colton, from the other books. The mystery is wonderful and page turning, while the romance really takes over the action. In my opinion, there is a little too much romance for a mystery, but I did enjoy spending time with Colton and Elise. I can't wait to read the two next predicted novels in this story. Overall, a delight to spend a couple of hours with.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowza! What a thrill ride! I've read a couple of this author's books in the past and really enjoyed them, but with Dark Water Christy Barritt has earned a spot on my list of favorite authors! I loved this book SOOOO much, it's one of the best romantic suspense books I've read in 2020!
I loved that the action and suspense starts on the first page and is pretty much nonstop from that point on, which is my favorite type of suspense story!
I loved these characters so much! I admired Elise's determination, bravery, and compassionate heart, as well as how smart she is, she's a fabulous heroine, and I'd love to be friends with her if she were real!
Colton, oh my word, swoon with a capital S! I admit I'm a sucker for protective heroes in books, and if they're a Navy SEAL, even better! So I knew I would love him, and love him I did! Colton was such an excellent hero, I loved his protectiveness, loyalty, honor, kindness, and his willingness to drop everything and be there when someone he cared about needed him!
I loved that this book kept me guessing as to who the villain was, there were several possibilities that were entirely plausible and really put my armchair sleuthing skills to the test!
I have not yet read any of the other books set on Lantern Beach, and I had no trouble at all following this one so I would say that Dark Water can definitely be read as a standalone. After having officially 'met' Cassidy and Ty in this book I'm excited to go back and read all of their stories in the Lantern Beach Mysteries and Lantern Beach PD series when I get a chance!
I loved Dark Water so much, it's definitely one for the keeper shelf and I most highly recommend it! I can't wait to read the rest of the Lantern Beach Blackout series!
(5 Stars!)


I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/28/2020)! 🎁

[Sandralena Hanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy to read, Christian suspense.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is the first book in Christy Barritt’s Lantern Beach Blackout Series, it is loosely tied to two other series set in the Lantern Beach universe. You can easily pick up Dark Water and enjoy your reading experience but starting with the other books (especially Cassidy’s story) will kick that experience up to a level or ten.

However, I will admit I’ve not yet read all of the Lantern Beach PD series and still enjoyed this one. I especially liked that Cassidy and Ty have a pretty significant role in Dark Water. In fact, even though she’s not the hero or heroine of this book, we get to peek inside Cassidy’s head for a chapter or two.

This book starts out intense and at first, I felt like I was coming in during the middle of something. Elise grew on me as the story continued. Her strength and compassion shine through when it counts.

Colton, an ex-Navy seal, is protective and in charge. And he has a thing for his best friend’s widow which he’s just not sure what to do about.

In Barritt’s usual style, Dark Water grips readers and pulls them along for the intense, fast-paced ride that definitely keeps you guessing about the culprit. And it introduces you to the rest of the Blackout team, setting the stage for the coming books in the series.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah Grace Grzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not Barritt's best, by any means. Hoping the rest of the series is better!

[Amanda Tero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last summer, I was introduced to the Lantern Beach books and enjoyed the mystery and suspense of them. This one is no different. Christy takes a broken hero and heroine, brings them together, and throws them into a plethora of trouble. Her books are exciting tales. In some ways, they seem to be lighter reads—possibly because she has more of an equal balance between civilian life and the mystery they’re unraveling. But things definitely got more suspenseful in the end.

I would categorize these more as clean reads than Christian reads. I do think in the beginning there was a mention of God and prayer, but there was absolutely none at the climax when the characters were in the throes of trouble.

The romance in this book never went too far, but it was very present. For a non-romantic like me, it was just too frequently mentioned how much they noticed sparks or good looks or such. But, for someone who likes watching romantic chemistry at work, they’d probably enjoy it.

*I received this book from Celebrate Lit and happily provided my honest review*

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been too long since I’ve read a novel by this author, and I’m hooked again! This mystery drew me in from the first page and was very hard to put down. The characters are likable, and the emotions behind trying to understand who is behind the death threats are very well expressed. First in a new Lantern Beach series, it is a must read for those who enjoy Christian suspense that does not preach and a mutual attraction between the two main characters that neither of them will act on.

Elise’s late husband Daniel was a Navy SEAL and died during a training exercise. Colton was his best friend on the team, although several of the team members enjoyed down time at their home. They had been married almost ten years, but Elise had suggested a separation the last time Daniel left. The Navy told her, days after his death, that Daniel was a traitor to his country, that he and another person were selling secrets to a terrorist organization. She refused to believe it, as did his fellow teammates.

A psychologist, Elise got through the first year afterward with her faith in the Lord, helping her patients, and a heavy load of guilt. When planning to remodel Daniel’s former office, she found some things he had hidden that appeared to be some sort of intel he had collected and hidden. She believed those items might prove he was not a traitor. Elise met with his Commander and the Secretary of the Navy, who wanted her to bring the items to them as soon as possible. Something inside her wasn’t ready to let go of the intel yet. Within days, her house had been broken into but nothing taken, then someone broke in while she was there, intent on getting the information and killing her. Only quick thinking got her out of the house and on the road.

Colton is on Lantern Beach, a beautiful island off the coast of North Carolina. With some former fellow SEALs who left after Daniel died, he is starting Blackout, an agency providing security and bodyguard services. The home of close friend Ty and his bride, Cassidy, the police chief, is their temporary office. Colton was stunned to find Elise at the house much less to hear what happened. He will do whatever it takes to help her. He and his team began immediately to figure out who is after her and the intel. Colton long suspected that not just an American with deep pockets, but someone on the inside of military intelligence, was involved with framing Daniel – and now that person is after Elise. She gets threats on the burner phone she purchased on her way to Colton’s, a man was sent to kill her, now she is being framed for a murder and subsequent explosion at her home.

I enjoyed this fast-paced novel with international espionage and close friendships forged on harrowing missions of a US SEAL team as well as the widow of one of the team. The characters are well defined, so much so that it was hard for me to leave them behind when the novel ends. Elise is a believable heroine, one who I enjoyed getting to know, as is Colton. It is hard to know who to trust, and the culprit is hidden so well that I couldn’t figure out whodunit, so I was surprised at the final resolution. Overall, I was satisfied with the novel and ending. I highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates clean suspense/ possible romance with former elite military specialists, breathtaking action, and prayers.

From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Celebrate Lit, and this is my honest review.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great beginning to a new series with Navy SEALs who are friends of Ty, Cassidy's husband! Elise is being attacked when the story starts and for a moment I thought I had missed something as I got to know her, she turns out to be such a great character with a heart for others despite being a widow who has had no closure.

Colton is a true GI JOE hero, the kind who melts your heart but is fierce and protective! He won me over from the start.
"You thought I was the perfect girl?"
He shrugged quickly before staring off in the distance. "Yeah, I did. You fiercely defended him. You stuck with him when the going got tough, you put him in his place when he needed it, and you had his back at other times."

I didn't like Benjamin at all, but I'm hoping he will win me over as the series progresses.

I thought I knew who the culprit was, turned out I wasn't even close, but the story really is captivating and touching as these SEALs work together to protect Elise and their island.

I received a free ecopy, but was not compensated or required to write a positive review. These comments are my own.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brutal terrorist cell called "The Savages" will stop at nothing to get the information Elise Oliver found which would prove her late-husband, Daniel, was not a traitor.

Ex-Navy Seal Colton Locke, Daniel's best friend, was the only person she could run to for protection. A killer wants what she has or wants her dead. A team, including Colton, are also in danger as they all work together to keep her safe and try to figure out if what they know is connected to what Elise is trying to protect.

Who-to-trust suspense and killers around every corner make this quite an interesting read. I wish it had been longer though. There were details that weren’t explained in quite the detail the book needed.

But all in all it was good. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. — Isaiah 43:2a

What an incredible way to spend an afternoon - at the edge of your seat right up till the end! Elsie Oliver, psychologist, has lost her husband Daniel on what she believes was a training mission with his SEAL team. Discovering information while going through his things starts the domino effect of danger, murder, kidnapping and more. Since Daniel’s former teammates are the only people she can trust, she finds herself in Lantern Beach and the action builds even more.

I have not had the chance to read any of the Lantern Beach stories before this one, but that is something I must rectify as these characters are ones you definitely want to get to know better. This well-written mystery has so many twists and turns you won’t figure out who is behind it all until the very end.

This digital copy was received through CelebrateLit. My comments, impressions and rating are in no way solicited.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

DARK WATER is the first book in this new series by Christy Barritt. Fans of military themed (Navy Seals) romantic suspense will want to read this series. The stories all stand alone, but there is one mystery unsolved to the end so you will want to read them in order.

Colton and Elise are both hurting characters, both mourning the death of Elise's husband and trying to prove that the man they loved and respected was not a traitor. But someone has secrets they want to keep and they are willing to kill to protect them.

DARK WATER (and the series) is more intense and not as humorous as Ms. Barritt's other series, but fans of military suspense should love them.

I am a verified buyer. No review was required or expected..

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy Barritt fans expressed the need for more Lantern Beach Island tales. The new LB Blackout series begins with this promising account of Colton Locke, former SEAL, fresh from covert ops assignment to new security team venture.

Elise Oliver, the psychologist widow of his best friend, Daniel, suddenly arrives on his doorstep. She seeks evidence to clear her husband of treason. Elise is the target of those who framed Daniel and they will do anything to steal the information.

Now she brings trouble hot on her heels and straight onto Lantern Beach. Will the Blackout team decode the clues in time to save her?

Lantern Beach favorites make routine appearances while newcomers are introduced. This is a stand alone read that will leave you both satisfied with the ending and ready for more adventures.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this extension of the Lantern Beach story.

Colton Locke is part of the SEAL team that helped clean up Lantern Beach of the cult that took over the island. Now he and his guys are a team called Blackout, a private security force. Things are looking great and going smoothly until Elise comes to town, running for her life.

The people who killed one of their members, Elise's husband Daniel, are now after Elise. She has the information that Daniel compiled to bring them down. Now Colton and his team need to keep her alive and figure out what that information means before the bad guys can find a way around their protection and get to Elise!

This is a fast paced clean read.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Water is the start to a brand new series by Christy Barritt set in the familiar town of Lantern Beach. And what a great start it is! Featuring cameos from favorite characters from previous Lantern Beach stories, it's sure to appeal to new and old fans alike.

With danger lurking around every corner, nonstop action, and a confounding mystery, Dark Water was an unputdownable read.

It was great being back in Lantern Beach. It's one of my favorite fictional places to visit. I really liked the Blackout guys and am excited to get to know the rest of them better in upcoming books.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a visit to Lantern Beach and Dark Water is no exception. It is the first in the new Blackout series. The guys of Blackout are former Navy seals who are now a security team based out of Lantern Beach. Colton Locke, a member of Blackout, gets a very unexpected visitor. Elise, widow of Colton's best friend and fellow Navy Seal, shows up in Lantern Beach desperate for help. She has some information about her late husband and it becomes apparent very quickly that someone doesn't want that info to get out. Like all other books in Lantern Beach, it is action-packed from the beginning and a real page-turner. Oh, and has just the right amount of romance. This one kept me guessing until the end. Although this could be read as a standalone, do yourself a favor and go read the rest of the series first since there are crossover characters.

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Hunter Q Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery by Christy Barritt.

As a e Ted Christy Barritt does it again . I ha e never been disappointed by any of her books.

[AlegnaB † · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0

[Ruth Kyser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner...

Once you start this book, you won't want to put it down until you've read the last page! A clean suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is what I love and expect from this author. This is a read that will have you wondering what can possibly happen next. We are back in Lantern beach with characters we have come to know and love where the action is sure to follow. Trying to clear her deceased husbands name she is now in the cross hairs of some dangerous people. Dodging an attempt on her life she runs to the only person she feels she can trust. Betrayal, moles, danger it all lurks waiting to attack. Great read and more to follow. A clean read with plenty of suspense and chaos that will keep the pages turning to the last word.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and has a very good story line. Keeps one guessing!

[Robyn Seitzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page-turner!

I am SO happy the Lantern Beach saga continues! Blackout is a new security agency manned by former Navy Seals. In this book Colton becomes wrapped up in his best friend’s widow’s fight for her life. Can they find out who is trying to kill her before time runs out? What is this cryptic evidence her husband left behind? And, do the two of them face a future together or apart when a deeply buried secret is revealed? Definitely a great read!

[Juanita J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can hardly wait for #2.

[Mary Hake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A former Navy Seal helps the widow of his teammate as she faces threats and attempts on her life. She has hidden something a radical group wants, but could US military or government be involved in their scheme? Not knowing whom she can trust adds to the danger. As usual, Christy Barritt has created an action-packed novel filled with suspense. I couldn’t figure out who was the guilty party. I’m always glad to read another exciting story from Lantern Beach and see some of the friends from the other series. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. This latest Lantern Beach book is just as good as all the others. Christy does a great job with keeping your interest in her stories and characters. I highly recommend reading this book. It isn’t necessary to have read the other Lantern Beach books as this one stands alone, but the background helps a bit as some of the characters cross over.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gonna be a great series. Can't go wrong with Christy Barritt. Love her books. Read Dark Water in one sitting.