What do you think?
Rate this book
Deep Waters #1
Into Deep Waters
For Jacob and Daniel, two young gay men aboard a Navy ship in WWII, the risks were high. Not just the risks of injury and death from Japanese planes and submarines, but the risk of discovery, of discharge, imprisonment or worse. Only a special kind of love was worth taking that chance. But from the moment Daniel met Jacob's eyes across a battle-scarred deck, he knew he had to try.Being together required figuring out what it meant to be gay and in love with another man, in an era when they could be jailed or committed for admitting the desires of their hearts. On a ship at war, their relationship was measured in stolen moments and rare days of precious leave, with no guarantees there would be a tomorrow. And if they survived the war, they would need even more luck to keep their love alive through all the years to come.This story was written for a photo and story request letter as part of the Goodreads M/M Romance Love is Always Write event. Any author royalties will be donated to Lambda Legal, for their continued legal support of the rights of LGBT individuals.
176 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2012
137 people are currently reading
2103 people want to read
About the author
Kaje Harper
89 books2,709 followersI get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 450 reviews
June 1, 2019
LOVED IT.
All the stars for this amazing story.
Starting in 1941 and ending in 2011, this is how you write a story spanning over years.
This story took me completely by surprise.I got it years ago and I think the cover stopped me from reading it.Just goes to show you should never judge a book by the cover.
This is such a beautiful,emotional story-I've still got tears in my eyes even after finishing it.I've never had such a vivid picture of two men's lives as I had here.I loved every word and I'm so happy I've experienced this book.
Daniel + Jacob will forever hold a place in my heart.
Highly Recommended.....and I think it's still free....
All the stars for this amazing story.
We met onboard, both of us so very young - still in our teens - but we were old enough to serve our country. And against all odds, and the many risks involved, we fell in love and have managed to stay together for the last 60 years. Now, as our time together inevitably gets shorter and shorter, I can’t wait any longer for the right to finally marry the man I’ve loved all these years.
“Where you are is home,” Daniel said urgently in his ear. “(...)
Starting in 1941 and ending in 2011, this is how you write a story spanning over years.
This story took me completely by surprise.I got it years ago and I think the cover stopped me from reading it.Just goes to show you should never judge a book by the cover.
This is such a beautiful,emotional story-I've still got tears in my eyes even after finishing it.I've never had such a vivid picture of two men's lives as I had here.I loved every word and I'm so happy I've experienced this book.
“I’m not proposing. And I don’t see any need to have a fake wedding. But someday, someday, it’s going to be legal for us to do the real thing. And on the day that New Jersey allows us to be married in the eyes of the state and the whole world, that day I will propose to you.”
Daniel + Jacob will forever hold a place in my heart.
Highly Recommended.....and I think it's still free....
September 23, 2014
AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, INTENSE AND EMOTIONAL!
I know now WHY I was waiting too long with reading this book.
I name you just some reasons:
- I'm not a big fan of a mainstream mm-romance.
- I'm not a big fan of an instalove story.
- I'm not a big fan of an epic love book.
- I like Kaje Harper.
Please, if you have not read it yet BECAUSE you have the same doubts I listed above, just do it.
Jacob and Daniel.
When they met. 1941.
And when they got married. 2011.
I have no idea if I can classify it as a mainstream MM-Romance, but it is for sure one of the best MM-Romance books, one of the best epic love stories I've ever read, and I couldn't stop crying reading the last pages even if WAS supposed to be a HEA.
WAS IT?
When two men had to hide their feeling almost all their life long, can we talk about a HEA? Even if they were happy together?
What's for a ridiculously strange and brutal world we are living in?
I was searching for pics for my updates and then I came across this picture.
It's not the same war, but hell, how horrible is THAT?!
It made me furious and sad, all at once.
And political.
I really think, that if more people read books like this, our world could be much much much better and much more human.
I love this story.
I love Daniel and Jacob. I admire them both.
I love the writing.
I love the MESSAGE the book gave us.
I love Kaje Harper.
I love this book.
Thank you, Kaje, for your wonderful words.
Thank you,Sofia,for reading it with me.
August 6, 2012
Oh my, what a beautiful story. Baba is bawling her eyes out right now. Into Deep Waters is such an emotionally-charged story that will leave you smiling and crying all at the same time. It's one of the best freebies that I've ever read.
5 very emotional stars!
Daniel Acardi, Seaman Second Class, met Jacob Segal, pharmacist's mate, onboard in April 1942. It's the beginning of a deep, inspiring and beautiful love story.
STORY LETTER
Dear Author,
We met onboard, both of us so very young - still in our teens - but we were old enough to serve our country. And against all odds, and the many risks involved, we fell in love and have managed to stay together for the last 60 years. Now, as our time together inevitably gets shorter and shorter, I can’t wait any longer for the right to finally marry the man I’ve loved all these years.
Daniel and Jacob stayed true to one another over a very long time. What they shared together is so very special, touching and heart-warming, you just have to treasure that. Something that feels so right and real can't be wrong.
He's here. He's alive and in my arms. The rest can wait.
The story was inspired by this pic:
--don't let me lose him.
Into Deep Waters features two wonderful, endearing and well-drawn characters. The plot is very good and I loved every moment of this book. It's a story about war, death, friendship, persistence, hope, and love. This story really shines thanks to Daniel and Jacob. Simply brilliant. Kaje is a seriously talented author and I'm so glad I gave this book a go.
They've come full circle.
Slowly the ring of their entwined hair slipped below the surface. Another moment and it was gone from sight, heading downwards, carrying his love and Jacob's down safely this time, into deep waters.
This is a little gem and it's for free. You can download it here:
http://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/downl...
5 very emotional stars!
Daniel Acardi, Seaman Second Class, met Jacob Segal, pharmacist's mate, onboard in April 1942. It's the beginning of a deep, inspiring and beautiful love story.
STORY LETTER
Dear Author,
We met onboard, both of us so very young - still in our teens - but we were old enough to serve our country. And against all odds, and the many risks involved, we fell in love and have managed to stay together for the last 60 years. Now, as our time together inevitably gets shorter and shorter, I can’t wait any longer for the right to finally marry the man I’ve loved all these years.
Daniel and Jacob stayed true to one another over a very long time. What they shared together is so very special, touching and heart-warming, you just have to treasure that. Something that feels so right and real can't be wrong.
He's here. He's alive and in my arms. The rest can wait.
The story was inspired by this pic:
--don't let me lose him.
Into Deep Waters features two wonderful, endearing and well-drawn characters. The plot is very good and I loved every moment of this book. It's a story about war, death, friendship, persistence, hope, and love. This story really shines thanks to Daniel and Jacob. Simply brilliant. Kaje is a seriously talented author and I'm so glad I gave this book a go.
They've come full circle.
Slowly the ring of their entwined hair slipped below the surface. Another moment and it was gone from sight, heading downwards, carrying his love and Jacob's down safely this time, into deep waters.
This is a little gem and it's for free. You can download it here:
http://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/downl...
June 30, 2019
Audio – 5+++ stars!! Kaleo Griffith wowed me!! What a voice and performance! As the characters aged, so did his voice. Like I said…Wow!!
Story – 5+++ stars!!
What a stunning story!! I had this shelved away for years. Thanks to the recent and wonderful reviews by several GR friends, I was reminded of this treasure. And a treasure is exactly what this story is.
It says a lot about an author who can write a LOVE story that involves a lot of time jumps that span over 60 years in under 200 pages without compromising the feels!! And this story was packed with feels! Kaje Harper you are gifted!!
Story – 5+++ stars!!
What a stunning story!! I had this shelved away for years. Thanks to the recent and wonderful reviews by several GR friends, I was reminded of this treasure. And a treasure is exactly what this story is.
It says a lot about an author who can write a LOVE story that involves a lot of time jumps that span over 60 years in under 200 pages without compromising the feels!! And this story was packed with feels! Kaje Harper you are gifted!!
January 21, 2015
4.5 STARS
Oh my gawd! What a beautiful, heartwarming, emotional story. This was my first book by Kaje Harper and most definitely won’t be my last. Very well written, “Into Deep Waters” is a wonderful story about life, true love and so much more. It’s a story about two men who start a relationship in a time of war, in a time when being gay was practically forbidden. Despite many obstacles and everything life throw at them, they are still together, loving each other after 69 years.
Daniel and Jacob met in April, 1942 on board the USS Gageway. They become very fast friends. Time passes and their attraction grows each and every day, soon they becoming more than friends. They know they have to be very careful. Being different, being queer back in the ’40 was not accepted by many. When their ship is sunk, Jacob is injured and he’s send back home. They met again after the war and even if both of them have fears, their love is strong. They still want and need each other. After this, the story fallows their life and relationship through the next 69 years.
I loved everything about this story and I also loved the message – love is love and true love conquers all.
The story is fast paced, but it felt so real. The events, the characters, all seemed real to me. Both Daniel and Jack are such endearing characters. I loved how their relationship developed. I felt so much reading their story. Even if the story it’s not so long, I felt their inner turmoil, I understand them, I felt for them. But more than that I felt their love, their connection. So much love! They were there for each other for more than 60 years. They are caring, loving, understanding, compassionate with each other. They warmed my heart. Even if it wasn’t a very long story, their characterization is so well done. I liked how different Daniel and Jacob are from each other. They really complete each other. The ending was fantastic - sweet and emotional, just perfect!
All in all, “Into Deep Waters” was a wonderful story that for sure will move you and warm your heart. I highly recommend it!
Oh my gawd! What a beautiful, heartwarming, emotional story. This was my first book by Kaje Harper and most definitely won’t be my last. Very well written, “Into Deep Waters” is a wonderful story about life, true love and so much more. It’s a story about two men who start a relationship in a time of war, in a time when being gay was practically forbidden. Despite many obstacles and everything life throw at them, they are still together, loving each other after 69 years.
“You're better than family, Daniel. You know that. You're the other half of me.”
Daniel and Jacob met in April, 1942 on board the USS Gageway. They become very fast friends. Time passes and their attraction grows each and every day, soon they becoming more than friends. They know they have to be very careful. Being different, being queer back in the ’40 was not accepted by many. When their ship is sunk, Jacob is injured and he’s send back home. They met again after the war and even if both of them have fears, their love is strong. They still want and need each other. After this, the story fallows their life and relationship through the next 69 years.
“This was right and real and where he belonged, here in Daniel’s hands. Any doubts that might have crept up on him in the years apart vanished with the touch of Daniel’s mouth on his.”
I loved everything about this story and I also loved the message – love is love and true love conquers all.
The story is fast paced, but it felt so real. The events, the characters, all seemed real to me. Both Daniel and Jack are such endearing characters. I loved how their relationship developed. I felt so much reading their story. Even if the story it’s not so long, I felt their inner turmoil, I understand them, I felt for them. But more than that I felt their love, their connection. So much love! They were there for each other for more than 60 years. They are caring, loving, understanding, compassionate with each other. They warmed my heart. Even if it wasn’t a very long story, their characterization is so well done. I liked how different Daniel and Jacob are from each other. They really complete each other. The ending was fantastic - sweet and emotional, just perfect!
“He put a hand on Daniel’s cheek, and just held it there. An old man’s hand with gnarled knuckles and prominent veins, resting against the soft wrinkled face of another old man. Well, they had lived through enough to deserve their old age. Then Daniel turned towards him to lean into his hand, and Daniel’s eyes hadn’t changed at all. “I’ve been ready for sixty-nine years,” Jacob said quietly.”
All in all, “Into Deep Waters” was a wonderful story that for sure will move you and warm your heart. I highly recommend it!
December 23, 2015
Into Deep Waters is incredibly intense, breathtaking and heartwarming.
It's an epic love story and it will show you what unconditional love really means.
I won't write a long review for this one! Into Deep Waters left me speechless with its powerful emotions and I can truely recommend it to everyone out there interested in reading about strong and passionate couples.
Thank you Kaje Harper for this beautiful story!
Take the journey!
It's an epic love story and it will show you what unconditional love really means.
I won't write a long review for this one! Into Deep Waters left me speechless with its powerful emotions and I can truely recommend it to everyone out there interested in reading about strong and passionate couples.
Slowly the ring of their entwined hair slipped below the surface. Another moment and it was gone from sight, heading downwards, carrying his love and Jacob's down safely this time, into deep waters
Thank you Kaje Harper for this beautiful story!
Take the journey!
October 17, 2023
A true love story.
I still have tears in my eyes as I write this after finishing this incredible love story. It was beautifully real, honest, moving, heart wrenching, sexy, and, above all, inspiring.
A love story that spans wars and decades.
Read it.
I still have tears in my eyes as I write this after finishing this incredible love story. It was beautifully real, honest, moving, heart wrenching, sexy, and, above all, inspiring.
A love story that spans wars and decades.
Read it.
July 15, 2015
5+++ You Are My Home Stars!
WOW! Who knew a not so sexy cover would end up being such a great book that will stick with me for a long time. Of course I buddy read this with Kirsten. We kept saying...ok let's read the old man book next. Roflmao! Defiantly don't judge a book by its cover. lol There are no words to describe how much I loved this book. It gave me all the feels. Soooo many feels!!
After the attack on Pearl Harbor Daniel 19 yrs old and Jacob 18 yrs old meet on the Navy ship Gageway in 1942. They catch each other's eyes fairly quick and become friends. Daniel stronger since he survived Pearl Harbor. Jacob shy and not as strong. After a while they both can't fight their attraction and they become more.
Jacob looked up then and found Daniel’s attention on him. And for a moment, Jacob’s eyes just lit up. Daniel had always thought that was just a figure of speech, something the writers of dime novels put in to sound fancy. But the way Jacob’s face went from dull fatigue to just bright and shining... holy God.
Life on the Gateway is very hard and even though they are both exhausted at the end of their shifts they often try to sneak in alone time together. I loved how they both were new to everything. I often found myself needing a cold drink just from one of their kisses. lol
When the ship comes under attack it sinks. I found myself thinking about the Titanic when Daniel finds a old crate to hold onto. lol It was hard to read about Daniel searching the waters for Jacob. All the death he came upon. How instead of giving up hope he still collected life jackets from the dead to give to others that were in need. He kept searching not knowing if Jacob was alive or not. I got choked up when they finally come together. The love just poured through the pages. How Daniel wouldn't let Jacob give up. When they are finally rescued Jacob is sent home with injuries and Daniel is left to face the war alone.
They write letters to each other. I was so happy that we got to read them. They were devastating and also full of hope and love.
When the war is over Daniel finally comes home to Jacob. He always said where ever you are Jacob that's where I will be.
It wasn't easy at first. Daniel seemed broken. Often up in the middle of the night terrified by his nightmares.
I loved that Jacob stayed strong and pulled Daniel out of his funk by getting him to draw again.
As years go on we get to follow their lives. How even though things were different back in 1942 they never gave up on each other. After 70 years Jacob and Daniel are still deeply in love. I'm always saying that I didn't feel the love. I felt the love between these two. It was powerful. It was sexy. It was funny. It was sad. It was over all a very heartwarming journey. The ending was perfect. I had tears pouring down my face while these two were finally getting to say their vows to one another.
I've never read anything by Kaje Harper before but you bet your sweet ass I will be looking for more books by this author. I can't say it enough! I absolutely loved everything about this book!
Everyone should read this book! It's amazing! Go on and add it! It's free on Amazon. You will not be disappointed!!
WOW! Who knew a not so sexy cover would end up being such a great book that will stick with me for a long time. Of course I buddy read this with Kirsten. We kept saying...ok let's read the old man book next. Roflmao! Defiantly don't judge a book by its cover. lol There are no words to describe how much I loved this book. It gave me all the feels. Soooo many feels!!
After the attack on Pearl Harbor Daniel 19 yrs old and Jacob 18 yrs old meet on the Navy ship Gageway in 1942. They catch each other's eyes fairly quick and become friends. Daniel stronger since he survived Pearl Harbor. Jacob shy and not as strong. After a while they both can't fight their attraction and they become more.
Jacob looked up then and found Daniel’s attention on him. And for a moment, Jacob’s eyes just lit up. Daniel had always thought that was just a figure of speech, something the writers of dime novels put in to sound fancy. But the way Jacob’s face went from dull fatigue to just bright and shining... holy God.
Life on the Gateway is very hard and even though they are both exhausted at the end of their shifts they often try to sneak in alone time together. I loved how they both were new to everything. I often found myself needing a cold drink just from one of their kisses. lol
When the ship comes under attack it sinks. I found myself thinking about the Titanic when Daniel finds a old crate to hold onto. lol It was hard to read about Daniel searching the waters for Jacob. All the death he came upon. How instead of giving up hope he still collected life jackets from the dead to give to others that were in need. He kept searching not knowing if Jacob was alive or not. I got choked up when they finally come together. The love just poured through the pages. How Daniel wouldn't let Jacob give up. When they are finally rescued Jacob is sent home with injuries and Daniel is left to face the war alone.
They write letters to each other. I was so happy that we got to read them. They were devastating and also full of hope and love.
When the war is over Daniel finally comes home to Jacob. He always said where ever you are Jacob that's where I will be.
It wasn't easy at first. Daniel seemed broken. Often up in the middle of the night terrified by his nightmares.
I loved that Jacob stayed strong and pulled Daniel out of his funk by getting him to draw again.
As years go on we get to follow their lives. How even though things were different back in 1942 they never gave up on each other. After 70 years Jacob and Daniel are still deeply in love. I'm always saying that I didn't feel the love. I felt the love between these two. It was powerful. It was sexy. It was funny. It was sad. It was over all a very heartwarming journey. The ending was perfect. I had tears pouring down my face while these two were finally getting to say their vows to one another.
I've never read anything by Kaje Harper before but you bet your sweet ass I will be looking for more books by this author. I can't say it enough! I absolutely loved everything about this book!
Everyone should read this book! It's amazing! Go on and add it! It's free on Amazon. You will not be disappointed!!
September 9, 2019
I haven’t validated this, but I feel sure that the word “poignant” has been used often to describe this book. And that’s accurate but the story is much more than that, too. It’s beguiling and heartwarming.
I am rapidly falling in love with Kaje Harper’s writing. This one was much different than the first I read by her, but in both she demonstrated such a skillful way of using only a few words to evoke enormous emotions. As you’d expect from a gay relationship that began during WWII, Into Deep Waters covered a lot of ups and downs in our history of queer-friendliness (and lack thereof) — but most importantly, it explored the sanctuary that Daniel and Jacob found within each other despite all of that.
It isn’t a terribly long book (about 60K words), but the development was heavily placed on the genesis of their relationship, and this felt as it should be. Throughout the decades that followed, it had unpredictable parts and predictable parts, and I loved them both because they were depicted beautifully.
(Aside: I don’t ever knock off anything rating-wise for bad covers, but… if I did… 🤦♀️)
Much love and a wedge of my heart to Daniel and Jacob, as well as all the non-fictional people who lived through this time in similar circumstances.
I am rapidly falling in love with Kaje Harper’s writing. This one was much different than the first I read by her, but in both she demonstrated such a skillful way of using only a few words to evoke enormous emotions. As you’d expect from a gay relationship that began during WWII, Into Deep Waters covered a lot of ups and downs in our history of queer-friendliness (and lack thereof) — but most importantly, it explored the sanctuary that Daniel and Jacob found within each other despite all of that.
It isn’t a terribly long book (about 60K words), but the development was heavily placed on the genesis of their relationship, and this felt as it should be. Throughout the decades that followed, it had unpredictable parts and predictable parts, and I loved them both because they were depicted beautifully.
(Aside: I don’t ever knock off anything rating-wise for bad covers, but… if I did… 🤦♀️)
Much love and a wedge of my heart to Daniel and Jacob, as well as all the non-fictional people who lived through this time in similar circumstances.
June 6, 2019
5 Love of a Lifetime Stars!
OMG, what a lovely love story!
Spanning 69 years, surviving a World War and a time when their choices were not understood. Nothing was going to stop Jacob and Daniels love.
Simply a wonderful story. I am so glad I picked this one up!
OMG, what a lovely love story!
Spanning 69 years, surviving a World War and a time when their choices were not understood. Nothing was going to stop Jacob and Daniels love.
Simply a wonderful story. I am so glad I picked this one up!
August 12, 2016
I just finished the Audio book. 5+ stars!
It was superbly narrated with separate accents and manners of speaking for all characters including aging their voices for the men in the 80's. By sheer coincidence I was listening to the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima on the actual anniversary of that day. The narration brought out all kinds of subtly that in my rush of reading the first time I guess I glossed over. So many great things are in this book. So much emotion is brought out with the narration. Another instance of fiction and life intersecting, my husband and I are in the process of moving his 88 & 89 year old parents into an assisted living facility. Their physical condition closely mirrors that of Daniel and Jacob. Kaje is uncanny in getting all the details so perfect.
This is a remarkable book by a remarkable author.
Incredible!
I am writing this review just days after the President of the United States of America said he believes two men or two women who love each other should have the right to marry. Not sure I even dared believe this would happen in my lifetime.
I'm loving this story. But I knew I would--It's Kaje so of course I would love it, plus it's a romance over 60 years. Thats just off the charts for me.
I loved the innocence and uncharted physicality of their coming together. On a ship at sea even! The way it is written makes it so believable. The sinking of the ship was so painful as was their separation for the duration of the war. Just as reading about Jacob reading Daniel's letters from the war and how the drawings became fewer and fewer and then stopped.
I love how Kaje wove so much GLBT history into the story. Stonewall, what a watershed monument in history. Even though this started with these guys in the 1940's, the thoughts and sensibilities reflect my husband's and my experience starting in the very late 70's. We too went thru dealing with forcing our families to decide that they had to include both of us nor neither of us. We both work too long and take each other for granted. We both struggle with how close to be in public to friends who are a little too "nelly" for our taste or sensibilities.
It's like she is writing personally for me. I just love this story. My husband and I are in our mid 50's and I know we have many years ahead. But I do fear what age will do to us. I fear falling and Alzheimer's and stokes. I want him to be with me always. Life is full of changes and humans are frail. The one thing that is constant just like Daniel and Jacob is our love for each other.
Now I am crying with joy at the beauty of the ending.
This is going on my favorites shelf and I am going to lobby her to make this a full blown novel!
Addendum:
In light of DADT and DOMA going down in defeat, all kinds of fantastic things are happening. Here is a couple older that Kaje's guys (70's and 90's) getting married in real life!
WWII Vet, John Banvard, Marries Vietnam Vet, Gerard Nadeau, His Boyfriend Of 20 Years In V.A. Home's First Gay Wedding (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09...
It was superbly narrated with separate accents and manners of speaking for all characters including aging their voices for the men in the 80's. By sheer coincidence I was listening to the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima on the actual anniversary of that day. The narration brought out all kinds of subtly that in my rush of reading the first time I guess I glossed over. So many great things are in this book. So much emotion is brought out with the narration. Another instance of fiction and life intersecting, my husband and I are in the process of moving his 88 & 89 year old parents into an assisted living facility. Their physical condition closely mirrors that of Daniel and Jacob. Kaje is uncanny in getting all the details so perfect.
This is a remarkable book by a remarkable author.
Incredible!
I am writing this review just days after the President of the United States of America said he believes two men or two women who love each other should have the right to marry. Not sure I even dared believe this would happen in my lifetime.
I'm loving this story. But I knew I would--It's Kaje so of course I would love it, plus it's a romance over 60 years. Thats just off the charts for me.
I loved the innocence and uncharted physicality of their coming together. On a ship at sea even! The way it is written makes it so believable. The sinking of the ship was so painful as was their separation for the duration of the war. Just as reading about Jacob reading Daniel's letters from the war and how the drawings became fewer and fewer and then stopped.
I love how Kaje wove so much GLBT history into the story. Stonewall, what a watershed monument in history. Even though this started with these guys in the 1940's, the thoughts and sensibilities reflect my husband's and my experience starting in the very late 70's. We too went thru dealing with forcing our families to decide that they had to include both of us nor neither of us. We both work too long and take each other for granted. We both struggle with how close to be in public to friends who are a little too "nelly" for our taste or sensibilities.
It's like she is writing personally for me. I just love this story. My husband and I are in our mid 50's and I know we have many years ahead. But I do fear what age will do to us. I fear falling and Alzheimer's and stokes. I want him to be with me always. Life is full of changes and humans are frail. The one thing that is constant just like Daniel and Jacob is our love for each other.
Now I am crying with joy at the beauty of the ending.
This is going on my favorites shelf and I am going to lobby her to make this a full blown novel!
Addendum:
In light of DADT and DOMA going down in defeat, all kinds of fantastic things are happening. Here is a couple older that Kaje's guys (70's and 90's) getting married in real life!
WWII Vet, John Banvard, Marries Vietnam Vet, Gerard Nadeau, His Boyfriend Of 20 Years In V.A. Home's First Gay Wedding (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2017
4.5 Stars
Into Deep Waters is a beautiful and affecting love story, spanning decades and continents, through times of war, adversity and personal hardships.
This was a wildly romantic story, following two young sailors (Jacob and Daniel) who meet and fall in love in 1943 while serving in WWII.
Their story is one of loyalty, love and friendship, chronicling a lifetime of highs and lows and everything in between, which ultimately makes up a life well-lived.
The fact that this story is FREE just blows my mind. A truly fantastic read from Kaje Harper - one I happily recommend.
Into Deep Waters is a beautiful and affecting love story, spanning decades and continents, through times of war, adversity and personal hardships.
This was a wildly romantic story, following two young sailors (Jacob and Daniel) who meet and fall in love in 1943 while serving in WWII.
Their story is one of loyalty, love and friendship, chronicling a lifetime of highs and lows and everything in between, which ultimately makes up a life well-lived.
The fact that this story is FREE just blows my mind. A truly fantastic read from Kaje Harper - one I happily recommend.
February 25, 2023
Timeless. Powerful. Remarkable.
I will never forget this story.
I feel grateful for having the chance to know them and don't burst my bubble and tell me it's not real. It's real to me.
We travel a lifetime with Daniel and Jacob.
They fight battle after battle after battle.
It's not just the war. It's the world. It's so unfair I want to scream.
I held on, white-knuckled as they ventured through the decades together.
Their love buckled under the pressure but never broke.
And the final pages blurred as I blinked away streaming tears.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the stars!!
I will never forget this story.
I feel grateful for having the chance to know them and don't burst my bubble and tell me it's not real. It's real to me.
We travel a lifetime with Daniel and Jacob.
They fight battle after battle after battle.
It's not just the war. It's the world. It's so unfair I want to scream.
I held on, white-knuckled as they ventured through the decades together.
Their love buckled under the pressure but never broke.
And the final pages blurred as I blinked away streaming tears.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the stars!!
August 11, 2018
WOW!
What an amazing love story! It made me all kinds of happy and sad and it made me cry. So yeah, lots of feelings and beautifully written!
What an amazing love story! It made me all kinds of happy and sad and it made me cry. So yeah, lots of feelings and beautifully written!
May 9, 2012
Daniel Arcadi and Jacob Segal first met on their late teens, back in 1942, when both were part of the crews of USS Gageway, during World War 2. Daniel was Second Seaman and Jacob was pharmacist's mate. The two souls stroke a chord of friendship that soon turned into deeper relationship, when both men realized they had feeling for each other. A feeling that is so strong, that spans more than six decades ...
Oh, wow, Kaje Harper, you've DONE it again. This is what EPIC love story should be done.
About 2/3 part of the book happens in the 1940's, that earlier part of Daniel and Jacob's relationship. We get to read about their connecting as two young men, serving their country. How they stumble on how to do sex for the first time, how they must keep their relationship under wrap, since situation is not really on their side. I love the tentativeness when they approach sex, both never have done it with men before, so they learn their way together. It's so sweet and wonderful.
The last 1/3 part of the book tells chunk of chapters in their life, like when Jacob helps Daniel to overcome his post-war trauma, or during Stonewall, or when they finally get a cat .. each and every one of them important. It does feel slightly rushed though, because we only get one or two scenes in the 1950's, 1960's, 1980's, 1990's, and 2012. BUT, I also think it's impossible to capture ALL of the days in the sixty-nine years of their life together.
It's perfectly well-written -- Kaje Harper also pens the horror of war, amidst of the love story. Chapter 7, for example, that captures the night when USS Gageway was attacked, and forced Daniel and Jacob to fight for their life in the sea -- it feels like a screenplay out of the "Titanic" movie. It's just so bloody good.
Then, the ending, such sweet ending. This story brings tears to my eyes several time over. I can't believe that we can get this for free, since it is part of the "Love Is Always Write" event. I think this is worth published too.
And as a reader, I can only say thank you for story ...
Oh, wow, Kaje Harper, you've DONE it again. This is what EPIC love story should be done.
About 2/3 part of the book happens in the 1940's, that earlier part of Daniel and Jacob's relationship. We get to read about their connecting as two young men, serving their country. How they stumble on how to do sex for the first time, how they must keep their relationship under wrap, since situation is not really on their side. I love the tentativeness when they approach sex, both never have done it with men before, so they learn their way together. It's so sweet and wonderful.
The last 1/3 part of the book tells chunk of chapters in their life, like when Jacob helps Daniel to overcome his post-war trauma, or during Stonewall, or when they finally get a cat .. each and every one of them important. It does feel slightly rushed though, because we only get one or two scenes in the 1950's, 1960's, 1980's, 1990's, and 2012. BUT, I also think it's impossible to capture ALL of the days in the sixty-nine years of their life together.
It's perfectly well-written -- Kaje Harper also pens the horror of war, amidst of the love story. Chapter 7, for example, that captures the night when USS Gageway was attacked, and forced Daniel and Jacob to fight for their life in the sea -- it feels like a screenplay out of the "Titanic" movie. It's just so bloody good.
Then, the ending, such sweet ending. This story brings tears to my eyes several time over. I can't believe that we can get this for free, since it is part of the "Love Is Always Write" event. I think this is worth published too.
And as a reader, I can only say thank you for story ...
March 3, 2017
4 Stars
Simply an emotional, heartfelt tale about how Jacob and Daniel meet and fall in love during the turmoil of WWII, as this chronicles their relationship through that harrowing time, as well as what comes after.
Overall, a feel good, smexy, realistic look at two people living and loving through terrible and ordinary times, and doing it well over the entirety of their lives.
Simply an emotional, heartfelt tale about how Jacob and Daniel meet and fall in love during the turmoil of WWII, as this chronicles their relationship through that harrowing time, as well as what comes after.
Overall, a feel good, smexy, realistic look at two people living and loving through terrible and ordinary times, and doing it well over the entirety of their lives.
August 11, 2018
Beautiful story! Review later.
July 16, 2015
4+ stars!
Into Deep Waters was a beautiful tale about two men finding one another during awful times. The two struggle to not only to survive the war, but their feelings for one another in a time when being gay is not accepted.
During WW II, on the ship the Gageway, Daniel and Jacob meet. They become friends, and soon the underlying passion that they have for one another surfaces. They must keep everything hidden, as the repercussions of their feelings and acts could mean serious implications.
When tragedy strikes the Gageway, the two are separated. Later, when the two are reunited, they face not only keeping their lifestyle a secret, but other issues as well.
Spanning 70 years, you learn about the love and hardships of two men who are determined to be together. Through the ups and downs, you fall for this wonderful couple.
I think Kaje Harper did an amazing job in giving this book some major feels. It's hard to capture that deep love, and I think writing about very real struggles gave this an extra punch. This dealt with some very tough issues that were broken up by some funny and steamy moments. I loved looking into the life of Daniel and Jacob.
As much of a great book this was, I'm kind of a detail whore. I'm sure it's tough to write a book that spans so many decades, but I felt like I was missing so many things. It's probably not fair to not give the full 5 stars due to needing/wanting more, but that's how I felt.
Overall this was an incredible read that encompassed deep feelings from me. I was choked up, giggled, and sighed a lot. The fact that this book was free, should be a good incentive to give it a try. I hope you fall for these two very brave men.
"Where you are is home."
Into Deep Waters was a beautiful tale about two men finding one another during awful times. The two struggle to not only to survive the war, but their feelings for one another in a time when being gay is not accepted.
During WW II, on the ship the Gageway, Daniel and Jacob meet. They become friends, and soon the underlying passion that they have for one another surfaces. They must keep everything hidden, as the repercussions of their feelings and acts could mean serious implications.
When tragedy strikes the Gageway, the two are separated. Later, when the two are reunited, they face not only keeping their lifestyle a secret, but other issues as well.
Spanning 70 years, you learn about the love and hardships of two men who are determined to be together. Through the ups and downs, you fall for this wonderful couple.
I think Kaje Harper did an amazing job in giving this book some major feels. It's hard to capture that deep love, and I think writing about very real struggles gave this an extra punch. This dealt with some very tough issues that were broken up by some funny and steamy moments. I loved looking into the life of Daniel and Jacob.
As much of a great book this was, I'm kind of a detail whore. I'm sure it's tough to write a book that spans so many decades, but I felt like I was missing so many things. It's probably not fair to not give the full 5 stars due to needing/wanting more, but that's how I felt.
Overall this was an incredible read that encompassed deep feelings from me. I was choked up, giggled, and sighed a lot. The fact that this book was free, should be a good incentive to give it a try. I hope you fall for these two very brave men.
May 21, 2017
I almost made a enormous mistake. Because when I was offered a chance to read this story I almost said no because it's a little outside my usual preferred romance genre era. And that would have been an mistake of gigantic proportion because this book slayed me in all the best ways.
Covering sixty-nine years of friendship, loyalty, and love this story uplifted me, broke my heart a little, then mended it, then filled it up. I love these characters so much.
I don't know if it was Kaje Harper's beautiful writing or Kaleo Griffith's truly phenomenal narration or a combination of the two, but I loved this from start to finish. I was engrossed, enraptured and riveted throughout the entire story.
I haven't listened to Kaleo Griffith before this audio, but I can assure you I will be grabbing something else of his after this. He takes these characters across their sixty-nine year relationship and ages their voices brilliantly. Do you know how hard that is to do? Believe me, I've heard a lot of narrators screw it up, but Griffith does it seamlessly. His performance was pure brilliance.
I cannot recommend this highly enough.
NOTE: Right now, as of May 2016, this story is available FOR FREE on Amazon.com and is Whispersync for Voice-enabled for $3.47. I cannot tell you what a fantastic deal this is! GO BUY THIS NOW!!
Audio copy of Into Deep Waters provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
February 15, 2015
Holy shit. I cried so hard I was a little ashamed of myself.
Here's to all the Jacobs and Daniels in the world who found love and fought to hold onto it. We love you guys.
Here's to all the Jacobs and Daniels in the world who found love and fought to hold onto it. We love you guys.
January 25, 2014
Wow. Simply gorgeous love story.
Some things are just meant to be, and Daniel and Jacob's love is one of them. Flickering into being during dark times, they do what they can to see each other through the Pacific Theater during World War II. More than illicit, they dodge suspicion to be together. More intriguing is how they succeed after the war and return to "normal" civilian life.
Harper does a great job weaving a story, setting a realistic scene without being macabre and allows the characters to evolve--to let us grow to understand them. I was impressed at the aptitude in which Harper successfully tells an entire lifetime without dragging us into minutiae or ignoring some key time markers.
it was a beautiful, heartfelt story of devotion and love.
Some things are just meant to be, and Daniel and Jacob's love is one of them. Flickering into being during dark times, they do what they can to see each other through the Pacific Theater during World War II. More than illicit, they dodge suspicion to be together. More intriguing is how they succeed after the war and return to "normal" civilian life.
Harper does a great job weaving a story, setting a realistic scene without being macabre and allows the characters to evolve--to let us grow to understand them. I was impressed at the aptitude in which Harper successfully tells an entire lifetime without dragging us into minutiae or ignoring some key time markers.
it was a beautiful, heartfelt story of devotion and love.
June 10, 2016
3,5 refrescante cambio de aires.
No me convence en exceso el planteamiento inicial, pero me ha gustado ver desarrollarse esta relación durante tantos años.
No me convence en exceso el planteamiento inicial, pero me ha gustado ver desarrollarse esta relación durante tantos años.
September 11, 2022
This was great! 4.5 rounded up. Finally a winner, you can always rely on Kaje Harper to deliver! This story spans from 1942 to 2011 and it transitions smoothly through the major evolutions of their lives as a couple and individuals. I really loved those 2 MCs, who are very different but really complement and help each other navigate life. My only niggle was the war time portion of the story. I wish we had seen the relationships between the recruits more. That is a really small niggle because the rest was wonderful. Their struggles felt very, very real and it felt like a warm hug without being cheesy or OTP. Highly recommend!
August 14, 2014
Celebration of US, LIFE, and LOVE
Loved their story with an emphasis onTHEIR. It is heartwarming to read in these days of ME. The daily together is as tough as the big events in our lives and if not taken care of can easily steal away precious treasures. Treasures which we envy in others and read about in our beloved books but which we can blindly discard in moments of doubts.
Their creating and living a life together, in spite of all the challenges big and small, gives me hope that yes it can be done. It is also a slap on the face on all the eye candy that we continually see in the media, where everything is beautiful, young and perfect. Life is not perfect and that is what Ms Harper gives us, a slice of life and she still gives us beauty and perfection. Beauty in them and in their story and perfection in how it was written, in their story and in their every day triumph and yes in not shirking away from themes like ill health, getting old and dying. In a world continuously struggling to hide these away, it is refreshing, touching and beautiful.
BR with Lena
February 25, 2023
Millions of truly outstanding stars. The story was brilliant (and still free), the characters, the pacing, the LOVE....just EVERYTHING was amazing, and at one point I had tears rolling down my face AND was chuckling at the same time [get towards the end of the story, you'll know which part I mean]. I know I would've have been thrilled to bits with this story if I was a gay guy...Kaje absolutely wrote it from the heart.
How CAN it be right that a couple can be in a relationship for 26 years (at that time 1940's to 1960's), and one half of that relationship, Jacob, has to keep everything under wraps from his family and his workmates and go through life as though his other half Daniel, his HEART...his FAMILY doesn't exist?? Stonewall was mentioned at length...and THAT was the catalyst for Jacob to finally find the courage to stick his middle finger up at his father and live his life as he chose. Thank God he had a sister Lily who loved him to bits and dragged both of them into her family, where they became uncles to her children.
As for Kaleo Griffith's narration, well... as he doesn't seem to have done a lot of M/M, I was completely gobsmacked at how fantastic he was!! As Daniel and Jacob got older, Kaleo's voice became more gruff and got deeper...his characterisation was wonderful, and I can't recommend this audio book highly enough. It's on a par with The Tin Box for me...highs and lows in emotion, loads of tears, an incredible story and superb storytelling from the narrator. Congrats all round, and thank you so much Kaje for your interpretation of the prompt. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AUDIO
January 24, 2021
Wow, it's a long time since I read or listened to a book that touched me like this one did!
Daniel and Jacob, two young men, not even twenty years old, meet on a Navy ship during WWII.
They fall in love and the author Kaje Harper tells us the story of their life in an incredible way. The main part of the book is the forties and early fifties, but as the time gaps grow, we get to follow them until 2011.
This is such a beautiful and emotional love story. I cried a lot of sad and happy tears for Daniel and Jacob, and also for all the others out there, who just want to live in peace and to love the one who caught their heart without hiding!
I listened to the audio version and the narrator Kaleo Griffith did an amazing job!
Definitely more than 5 stars for me! :)
Daniel and Jacob, two young men, not even twenty years old, meet on a Navy ship during WWII.
They fall in love and the author Kaje Harper tells us the story of their life in an incredible way. The main part of the book is the forties and early fifties, but as the time gaps grow, we get to follow them until 2011.
This is such a beautiful and emotional love story. I cried a lot of sad and happy tears for Daniel and Jacob, and also for all the others out there, who just want to live in peace and to love the one who caught their heart without hiding!
I listened to the audio version and the narrator Kaleo Griffith did an amazing job!
Definitely more than 5 stars for me! :)
August 4, 2012
This is a fairytale in black and white. It reminded me of those old '40s movies, where a single kiss meant everything, where what mattered most were the emotions and the commitment to one another.
The book is not without flaw. But it's so beautiful and touching and well-delivered, it was easy for me to leave its weaker aspects (especially in the second half) behind as minor bumps in the road to a great story.
The book is not without flaw. But it's so beautiful and touching and well-delivered, it was easy for me to leave its weaker aspects (especially in the second half) behind as minor bumps in the road to a great story.
March 7, 2016
What a beautiful story. Couldn't see through the tears for the last part of the book. Kaje Harper did a great job telling the story of Jacob and Daniel from the day they met in 1942 on a Navy Ship and following them through the next 70 years. The majority of the story covers their wartime romance, while the rest plays out in snippets of their lives throughout the years. A great book and I can't believe it is free! Loved it.
February 25, 2013
What a little gem of a story.
Spanning over some 70 years, this book is all about love that endures. A fight for respect and recogniton of a relationship that at the beginning would never be accepted until the teary HEA end where Daniel and Jacob come full circle and can marry under today's laws. I liked the fact that Stonewall was mentioned and the controversey it caused even among the gay community, but it was also an historical turning point. Due to gay men and women like this we can now enjoy the relative acceptance that we have today. The story is relatively short, but I feel this is fitting too because when you are 80+ years, I guess life must also seem incredibly short when you look back. My grandmother once said, "I never expected to reach 90, it sort of crept up on me without me knowing."
This book has definitely earnt a place on my ab-fab shelf.
Spanning over some 70 years, this book is all about love that endures. A fight for respect and recogniton of a relationship that at the beginning would never be accepted until the teary HEA end where Daniel and Jacob come full circle and can marry under today's laws. I liked the fact that Stonewall was mentioned and the controversey it caused even among the gay community, but it was also an historical turning point. Due to gay men and women like this we can now enjoy the relative acceptance that we have today. The story is relatively short, but I feel this is fitting too because when you are 80+ years, I guess life must also seem incredibly short when you look back. My grandmother once said, "I never expected to reach 90, it sort of crept up on me without me knowing."
This book has definitely earnt a place on my ab-fab shelf.
November 8, 2017
This story blew me away--a touchingly beautiful story of an enduring love. Spanning from WWII through sixty years of our heroes lives, touching briefly on important events like Stonewall--we see these men deal with not only war, but post-war trauma, family acceptance, workplace concerns, coming out, births, adopting a cat, and all the small and large changes that personal and physical relationships goes through as we age. An amazingly real, believable, and relatable story. Bravo.
I’d been meaning to read this for a while but hadn’t gotten to it, so I snapped the audio up when it came out. If you enjoy audiobooks, don’t hesitate on this one. It’s one of the most worthwhile audible credits I’ve used lately. Kaleo Griffith did an excellent job with the narration, most notably in bringing to life the emotion that this story so richly deserved. While the two men’s voices are not as vastly different as on some audios, I enjoyed the Jersey accent he used for Jacob very much. It fit and wasn’t at all overdone. And he did an outstanding job of aging the voices as the main characters matured and grew old.
Some of the scenes in this book are still stuck in my mind’s eyes weeks after reading, especially the scene in the ocean after the USS Gageway sinks. The author’s use of description read so incredibly vivid, I’d say it was like watching a movie except it really was more because not only did we see and hear, but I could taste and feel as well. Rarely have I felt so immersed in a scene whether in print or on the big screen.
Despite being set in wartime, the story didn’t go overboard on angst nor hype up the gore for the shock/thrill factor... yet it still felt very realistic to me. Overall, a heartwarming tale that spoke to me of destiny, of finding that one person and going through all the good and bad times, of nearing the end and looking back with joy on a life well-lived and well-loved. This story is a gem.
I’d been meaning to read this for a while but hadn’t gotten to it, so I snapped the audio up when it came out. If you enjoy audiobooks, don’t hesitate on this one. It’s one of the most worthwhile audible credits I’ve used lately. Kaleo Griffith did an excellent job with the narration, most notably in bringing to life the emotion that this story so richly deserved. While the two men’s voices are not as vastly different as on some audios, I enjoyed the Jersey accent he used for Jacob very much. It fit and wasn’t at all overdone. And he did an outstanding job of aging the voices as the main characters matured and grew old.
Some of the scenes in this book are still stuck in my mind’s eyes weeks after reading, especially the scene in the ocean after the USS Gageway sinks. The author’s use of description read so incredibly vivid, I’d say it was like watching a movie except it really was more because not only did we see and hear, but I could taste and feel as well. Rarely have I felt so immersed in a scene whether in print or on the big screen.
Despite being set in wartime, the story didn’t go overboard on angst nor hype up the gore for the shock/thrill factor... yet it still felt very realistic to me. Overall, a heartwarming tale that spoke to me of destiny, of finding that one person and going through all the good and bad times, of nearing the end and looking back with joy on a life well-lived and well-loved. This story is a gem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 450 reviews