Harper Sorenson’s husband died during a security contracting job in Syria more than a year ago. The official report said he was killed in an enemy ambush, but she doesn’t buy it. And until she knows the truth, she can’t move on. When someone tries to silence her, she knows she’s on the right track. Unfortunately, now she has no choice but to rely on the man she blames for everything—her dead husband’s best friend.
And your enemies closer.
Jared Blackmore was there the day Pete died. Gravely wounded himself in the ambush, he still can’t remember everything that happened. His own search for answers results in resistance from every angle, and he begins to fear the worst—that they’re dealing with a cover up. With Harper now in danger, he drops everything to protect her. He might have promised Pete that he would take care of her, but it’s far more personal than that, and he’s worried he won’t be able to hide his attraction any longer. With the bodies piling up and danger closing in, they don’t know who to trust. He must uncover the truth before it’s too late—before they both wind up dead—and before she figures out exactly how much she means to him.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
Kaylea loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to drop me a line and say hello.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.After the intriguing introduction to the mystery surrounding Harper in the previous book, I was eager to learn more. With promises of action, suspense and romance, I eagerly sunk my teeth into Submerged.
Although there moments which called for a suspension of belief, I had a great time with this installment.
Harper, a widow, is seeking information regarding the circumstances of her husband’s death. In doing so, she unwittingly brings danger to her doorstep.
Meanwhile, Jared, her husband’s best friend and partner, also has a vested interest in the same Intel. He almost lost his while on the same mission. The deeper he digs, the more he discovers that all was not as it appears.
Harper blames Jared for her husband’s death. So when he came looking to protect her and to learn what information she had gathered, she wanted nothing to do with him. However, when members of her husband and Jared’s security team started dropping like flies, she had no choice but to join forces with him while benefitting from his protection.
Wow! What a ride. Suspense action mystery served up with a side of sizzling romance. I had fun being reintroduced to Harper and getting to know Jared. I understood her need for closure, but I didn’t like her initial treatment of Jared. She never sought to find out the truth before casting blame. Her reliance on him for protection led to her spending time with him. In doing so, she learnt her feelings of hostility were misplaced. The fact she couldn’t deny her attraction played a huge role in that recognition.
Regarding the romance, I thought Jared’s feelings were more authentic when compared to Harper’s. Jared has been attracted to Harper from the first time he met her and since then his feelings have grown deeper. Harper is in a state of grieving looking to find closure, so where did these feelings suddenly come from? I guess with fiction anything is possible.
The intense action and suspense had me on the edge of my seat while turning the pages. There were several moments when my heart leapt out of fear for the characters. The revelations were shocking. It goes to show one has to be careful of whom they trust.
It was fun catching up with Harper’s brothers, Bowie and Casey. Cross provided a taste of what to expect in the next book featuring Casey.
I didn't like the heroine and her attitude in the beginning was the main reason. I understood her grief, but didn't understand her need to blame the hero for something he had no control over. But, the one thing you can count on in a Kaylea Cross book is the wonderful action scenes and they are worth a star all by themselves.
Harper Sorenson’s husband was a private military contractor in Syria when his unit was attacked and he was killed. It has been a year and Harper still hasn't gotten answers to her questions. Now, someone has broken into her home and is making threats. That isn't going to stop her.
Jared Blackmore was Pete's best friend and responsible for him being in Syria to begin with. He understands Harper's need to blame someone, but he is still going to protect her to the best of his ability. After the attack, he woke up with a concussion and gaps in his memory. Jared wants answers too, but the others that were there aren't talking.
As the threats and attacks escalate, Harper and Jared resolve their differences and are determined to get to the bottom of what really happened and why Pete was killed.
Much better than the first book. I liked Harper, who was a secondary character is the first book, but this was her story and she was terrific with Jared. Good suspense. Nasty bad guy. I enjoyed it.
OMG! This story was intense right from the beginning to the end. This story is about Harper and her quest to find out the truth of her husband's death. His best friend, Jared, also wanted to find out the truth and Harper reluctantly agrees to work with Jared to find the truth. It's devastatingly heartbreaking when they finally got the truth they were looking for to help get closure and move on. These two finally let their feelings evolve - Harper did - when she let the walls start to crumble. Once they found the truth, they were finally able to move on and work on their happily ever after! FANTASTIC job Kaylea! I would recommend this book! Can't wait for the next book!
This was another amazing story from a talented author. I adored the female main character in the previous book, so loved seeing her get her own. Both main characters go through so much in the past and present, will they be able to make it out the otherside alive? This book was non stop action from cover to cover, and you'll find yourself riveted, unable to put it down. The plot will astound you and trying to put all the pieces together will seem impossible at times. Very cleverly done. Look forward to the next book in the series.
Absolutely brilliant addition to this series of KDH😍 Harper is investigating what happened to her husband overseas, but keeps coming up short and now threats are rolling in and everyone she tries to talk to ends up dead ☠️ When the one person she least expects shows up to help….she’s for lack of a better word - resistant😳
Jared knows he needs to keep Harper safe with the threats but she’s not happy when he does show up….she also doesn’t know everything that happened to him while overseas. A wonderful story that kept me glued to the pages and a hint of what’s to come next peaked my intrigue too❤️
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review😁
Well now, betrayal, bodies dropping left and right and a conspiracy that left me gasping for breath... All for family!!! Harper and Jared, she was determined to hate him, to blame him for everything that was wrong in her life, he made a promise to protect her and he would die trying... Well now this story was like a John Grisham movie lol so much intrigue to unravel and finding answers might well make you dead...
4.25 stars-SUBMERGED is the second instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult KILL DEVIL HILLS erotic, romantic suspense series. This is former security contractor Jared Blackmore, and widow Harper Sorenson’s story line. SUBMERGED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Harper is Bowie Davenport’s sister (Undercurrent #1).
Told from several third person perspectives including Harper and Jared SUBMERGED follows eighteen months after a mission to Aleppo, Syria went all to h*ll wherein Jared’s best friend Peter Sorenson was killed, and Jared was gravely injured. Peter’s widow Harper begins an investigation of her own only to discover that nothing is as it seems. As members of the original security team are turning up dead, Jared Blackmore is alive and well, and our heroine blames Jared for everything that went wrong but Jared is struggling to uncover the truth, a truth that places our couple in the direct line of fire. Someone has targeted Jared and Harper, and Jared begins to suspect someone close to his original team. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Harper and Jared, as Jared tries desperately to stay one step ahead of the people trying to take them down.
Harper Sorenson blames Jared Blackmore for the death of her beloved husband but the truth is hidden behind walls of secrets and lies, and in this, Jared battles with demons from his past, and the men he once considered brothers and friends. Jared never expected to fall for his best friend’s widow but a death bed promise meant Jared found himself guardian and protector of the woman with whom he would fall in love.
The relationship between Jared and Harper begins acrimoniously as Jared comes to Kill Devil Hills in an effort to uncover the truth. Harper has been investigating and digging into the mission that went all to h*ll, an investigation that places Harper in the direct line of target. Jared and Harper have but minutes to escape with their lives, and spend the next several days in one another’s company. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of Jared’s former security team. We are reintroduced to Harper’s brother Bowie and his wife Aspen, as well as Bowie and Harper’s sibling and Hollywood stunt double Chase, his friend Ryder, and actress Becca Sandoza. The requisite evil has many faces.
SUBMERGED is a story of betrayal, vengeance and greed; a story of forgiveness and revelations, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is intriguing and imaginative; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are dynamic, spirited and tragic. SUBMERGED is a dramatic and energetic addition to the series.
Submerged is the second book in an all-new series by Kaylea Cross. However, it can be read as a stand-alone title. As a long-time fan of her writing, this book did not disappoint. Kaylea Cross is at the top of my 1-click author list and one of my top go-to romantic suspense authors for a reason: she writes such wonderful characters and does suspense so, so well, no matter what world she’s creating. I’ve read (and re-read) many of her books since I first found her and will continue to do so. You can’t go wrong with any of her books, in my humble opinion. Each series she’s written is more than worth your time and money invested into it. And I always look forward to the next new series she sends our way.
Submerged brings us back to the small town of Kill Devil Hills on the Outerbanks of North Carolina and back into the lives of the Davenport siblings. Harper is now a widow bound and determined to find out the real story behind her husband’s death overseas. And enemy number one, in her book anyway, is Jared Blackmore, her husband’s best friend who nearly lost his own life at the same time. With danger at every turn and Jared’s memory loss, they have no idea who the enemy truly is.
Submerged’s trope is a little harder to pin down because it’s not your typical enemies-to-lovers trope. Harper views Jared as an enemy, but his view of her is vastly different. Regardless, it’s a great romantic suspense story. So, if you’re looking for a fast-paced plot with a lot of questions to be filled in at the story’s arc, you’re going to really enjoy this book.
Undercurrent’s (the first book in the series) plot left me a little dissatisfied compared to previous books by this author. But this one was back up to par, in my opinion. While the ultimate villain is known early in the story, the how, why, and who else dunnit with him was a surprise and not quickly figured out. And the chemistry between Harper and Jared was a slow-build but sizzling and combustible. I found this book much harder to put down than Undercurrents. And now, I’m not so patiently waiting for Chase’s story!
NICUnurse’s Rating: I give Submerged by Kaylea Cross 4.5 out of 5 stars!
My emotions were all over the place reading Harper and Jared’s story. Both Harper and Jared suffered so much after her husband’s death. Pete was Jared’s best friend and the guilt of his death was eating away at him. It did not help that Harper blamed him and refused to even speak to him, but with Harper’s life in danger he was determined to get to her and keep her safe as he had promised. But the promise was not the only reason, she meant so much more to him. My heart hurt so much for Jared, he felt so much guilt and then to see how Harper treated him before learning the truth actually made me feel a bit angry towards her. I can understand how in pain she was in but knowing how much Jared felt for her it was difficult. But when Jared convinces Harper how much in danger she is in and they are forced to be in close proximity with each other, Harper finally realizes there is more to the story. It did not take too long for Harper to let go over her anger towards Jared, and when it did my own negative feelings toward Harper also did. They truly were perfect for each other, watching the two of them help heal one another was so wonderful to see.
Besides the developing feelings between Harper and Jared, the suspense and drama filled storyline is also what kept me turning the pages. I was at the edge of my seat trying to figure out what actually happened during Pete and Jared’s last mission and why. The appearance of Harper’s brothers was also a highlight, I loved their relationship and how protective they are towards their sister. I am definitely looking forward to Chase’s story next.
Overall, Submerged was a fantastic read and even though my feelings towards Harper in the beginning were not all positive, I absolutely loved the two of them together and was ecstatic to see their happily ever after.
Harper lost her hubby just over a year ago and she refuses to accept the story she keeps being pushed towards. The private security firm he was working for keeps telling her it was an ambush but her gut tells her something else is going on. She begins her own investigation, one which brings her to the attention of the wrong people!
Jared was Pete's best friend and Harper levels some of the blame for his death at Jared's feet. He couldn't even come to Pete's funeral -surely that means he was involved? But when she gets ambushed herself - it'sJared that comes to her aid. Can they work together to find out the truth and fill in the blank spots in Jared's memories?
Cover-ups, illegal deals, second chance love and survivor's guilt all mix into an exceptional story. Harper is a feisty female with a mission - always a dangerous combination. Jared is missing memories and his guilt is mixing with his unacknowledged feelings for Harper and the secret he was keeping for Pete.
I really loved this new series - I've missed book 1 but I'm going back to read that now. Great world-building and Harper's brothers are superb characters in themselves - totally Alpha protectors. I'm really looking forward to watching the handsome stunt guy fall!
Harper's husband Pete died while on a security contracting job in Syria. The report she received from the company doesn't add up and she wants the truth. She's been contacting men who worked with Pete and finally one answered her, Tanner. She's about to meet with him alone, with her brother on the phone, when Tanner's shot.
In the ensuing chaos, Jared sneaks into her car. He's been following her to protect her, but she blames him for Pete's death and for encouraging him to take the job to begin with. The problem is Jared was seriously injured on that same mission and no one is talking to him either. He can't remember it, he was in a coma and with a severe TBI he doesn't know if he ever will. That's why he's been looking for the same answers, the report from the company has holes and he needs the truth to find peace.
Jared convinces Harper to accept his help and then things start to heat up in more ways than one. With Harper's brothers helping on the sidelines to keep them out of the line of fire, information is coming but with consequences.
Fast-paced, action-packed with some laughter, tears and a simmer to sizzle romance.
Terror filled plot full of characters but who can be trusted and who betrayed Pete, not all is as Harper was aware and eventually a meeting opens up even more questions. Jared has been trying to get answers just as much as Harper but he also wants to look after her and make sure she's safe from the threat hanging over them. Tear-jerker of a story, not only to lose her husband but so much more and to discover the evidence of what happened is flawed, my heart broke for her in the determination to find out the truth. Jared as well had his own issues and pain, but he was a good guy and his promise meant something. Action, violence, suspense and under that lay a building trust and closeness that turned into romance. Not in any way straight forward and bodies started to .punt, thankfully Harper has a close family and when needed the most they were there. Sweet ending and a surprising race that had me chuckling. This is one of those stories that once you start you are as involved in the outcome as the characters themselves, so I was glad to get answers and retribution as best it could be so the two could move on and be happy.
We are back in Kill Devil Hills and the Davenport siblings. This time the story belongs their sister, widow Harper Sorenson. Harper lost her husband in Syria during an ambush while he was working as a security contractor. She blames his best friend Jared Blackmore for enticing her husband to take this job. Never knowing the real reason Pete wanted the extra money nor that Jared had been badly injured. When Jared discovers that Harper is in danger and that the ambush might have been orchestrated by fellow workers, he is determined to keep her safe. In the midst of the danger, whodunit, other contractors getting killed and dealing with the bad guys, feelings develop between the two. Will they survive long enough to get the answers they need and in the end find their HEA? This is one of those stories that grabs your attention from the first page to the last while keeping you on the edge of your seats. Another winner in this already engaging series with strong likable main characters you’ll come to love. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Harper is still trying to heal from the death of her husband Peter while he was working security overseas. She believes that the only way she can move forward with her life if by finding out what really happened and why as the explanations she has received to date have left her with more questions than answers. Despite the danger she finds herself in she isn’t about to deterred even if it means working with the man she holds responsible.
Jared was not only working with Peter when he passed away, but they were best friend’s as well. The events of that day still haunt him but he is unable to remember what truly happened which places not only him in danger but also the woman he has fallen in love with and ensured his best friend he would protect.
This is a story about healing and new beginnings which has the perfect balance of intrigue and romance. The emotions that both Harper and Jared were feeling are understandable and made their characters that much more relatable.
Although Submerged is the second title in the Kill Devil Hills series featuring Harper and Jared, it can be read as a standalone. Harper is a widow, coming to terms with her husband’s death, but she’s driven and determined to get answers for how it happened. Her pursuit for answers is fraught with danger, intrigue and suspense. Jared was Harper’s husbands’ best friend and security contractor colleague. Although he was present at the time of Peter’s death, he has his own questions and is just as determined to discover who is responsible. He’s incredibly protective of Harper and suffers tremendous guilt over the loss of his friend. Although Harper holds Jared responsible for her husband’s death, they are inexplicably drawn to each other as they endeavor to find answers and the intimate scenes between this pair are passionate, intimate, and steamy. This is a fast paced and action-packed romantic suspense with secrets, lies, betrayal, vengeance, greed, healing, family, and love. I look forward to Chase’s story next.
Wow, what an amazing, intense book! And I loved it from start to finish. This is the second book in the Kill Devil Hills series and is the story of Harper and her mission to find out how her husband died. Someone doesn't like what she's doing, and the threats start coming her way. At the same time, her husband's best friend, Jared, is determined to find out the truth as well. At first, Harper wants nothing to do with him as she blamed him for her husband, Pete's death. In return, Jared feels extreme guilt, which killed me. Both are grieving, and I was right along with them. But there is more to the story, and once Jared convinces Harper of the grave danger she's in, things begin to fall into place. There's so much suspense as Harper and Jared search to figure out who was not only behind Pete's murder but now is targeting Harper!
I give Submerged 5 stars and cannot wait for the next book in the series. Kaylea Cross's work is a masterpiece as usual.
Harper is the next sibling up and her story is an action packed emotional one. She's determined to get to the bottom of her husband's murder and must accept the help of the man she blames for it all. Harper and Jared's road to romance is a difficult one. They both have to overcome their trauma over Pete's death. Surrounded by danger and not knowing where the betrayal is coming from keeps them off balance. There is a lot of suspense and suspects. While the reader knows more than the characters, when the truth is revealed it will still leave you stunned. The chemistry is off the charts. The building romance is steamy, sexy, and sweet. You can't help but root for these two. As an added bonus, things are built up in the background for Chase's book. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites of Kaylea Cross.
Harper’s husband Pete was killed during a security opp in Syria, supposedly in a enemy ambush but Harper doesn’t believe that and she starts to investigate. Now the suspense starts and Harper is in danger. She receives help from Jared, Pete’s best friends who she blames for his death. The plot is very good and I loved Harper and Jared. They went through a lot and it’s great to read how their relationship develops. I really loved the book! Another great addition to this series and I’m looking forward to read the next book ! It’s a stand alone but I highly recommend to read the previous book just because you get to know the characters and because that story is great too. I received this arc from the author and this review is my honest opinion.
We meet Harper in the first book and I really liked her character, although Submerged is part of a series I feel it could be read as a stand-alone.
Harper has suffered a terrible loss, and she’s intent on finding out the truth even though it could put her in danger.
Jared is also on the hunt for the truth, and protecting Harper is a promise he made and is determined to keep.
As they work along side each other, the heat builds & defences are broken down.
I really enjoyed this book, the romance built nicely throughout the story. I felt there was more action than the previous book and the suspense was as expected with this author. Great read! If you love romantic suspense check out this book
I’m loving this series! Kaylea can’t write these books fast enough for me. Jared was in the military and was involved in a mission that went wrong. He can’t remember a lot of what happened but he knows it’s was a bad set up. Harper is a widow of one of the man that died that day and she wants to know what happened. I enjoyed reading this book as much as the first book! Of course it was action packed and layered with enough story lines to keep your mind busy thinking about what will happen next! Harper and Jared had great chemistry and great banter with her other protective bothers adding to the mix. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.
Harpers story is a great continuation of the Kill Devil Hills series. I am not usually a fan of romance novels where a widow falls in love with her deceased husbands friend (in some cases authors will have her fall in love with a brother or something). However, I think in this instance the romance was done well. Just an FYI for any readers that are not a fan of that romance trope. Overall I loved the book, my only critiques are what I mentioned above and that I would have liked to learn a bit more about the villains in the story. Kaylea has a talent for creating truly evil people, but I always want more back story from them. I guess I just want longer books Kaylea!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Submerged, the second in Kaylea Cross' excellent Kill Devil Hills Series begins with a bang, and is a fast-paced read with pockets of action and great characters, who start out with big issues between them, but gradually let them go, and discover they are perfect for each other especially as they both have the trauma of loss in common.
And with plenty of sweet moments, chemistry and the appearance of Bowie, Aspen, Chase and his friend Ryder this really was an engaging and at times thrilling story. That I found hard to put down, especially as it reached its dramatic conclusion.
Kaylea Cross takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride in Submerged! Best friends, Pete Sorensen and Jared Blackmore were killed and critically injured,respectively, during an op overseas. Harper Sorensen, Pete’s wife, has been angry with Jared, believing he was the reason Pete took the job and died. Both of them are determined to find the answers about that job and all of the deaths that follow. This book will take you from grief to anger to fear to dangerously determined to peace and love. It is a roller coaster that you definitely want to ride!
Kaylee Cross does such a fantastic job with Harper and Jared's story! Their is so much pain in their story. The suspense was palpable. There is a unique family bond with Harper and her brother's that just feels right. Jared has been through so much, but he has to keep Pete's wife safe no matter how much she hates him. She is digging deep into dangerous territory.
The only treason I did not give it five stars was because, I felt U was left hanging with Glen's situation, not sure as to what he did when he hung up!
I scooped up book 2 just as soon as I finished book 1. This is sister Harper’s story. Heartbroken over her husband’s mysterious death in Syria (as a contractor), she keeps searching for answers when there are people who clearly do not want her to keep looking. She teams with Jared to try to get answers. Submerged starts as an enemies story as Harper blames Jared for her husband’s death, but that quickly morphs as the two work together. This is much more suspense than romance as the relationship is a slow burn. Interesting story, but when the bad guy finally loses all reason, it feels a little like it jumps the shark. All is resolved well and we are off to Chase’s book!
Redemption and the pursuit of truth, Submerged is the second book in the Kill Devil Hill series. Action packed, intriguing and suspenseful, I couldn’t put this book down. Add in heart, heat and the road to forgiveness and you have the essence of Submerged. I love how Cross weaves her characters throughout each other’s stories making you crave the next book, before your finished reading the current one. I laughed. I cried. I wanted more. I was fully invested in Harper and Jared’s relationship and struggles. Kaylea Cross never disappoints and this book is no exception.
We are back in Kill Devil Hills with book two of the series. This is the story of Harper and Jared. Harper lost her husband in Syria and is trying to find out what happened. Jared was there the day her husband died but being in the blast he was in a coma and can’t remember what happened. Jared will do anything for Harper to keep her safe. Harper’s brothers are worried and will do anything to make sure she’s not hurt by Jared or the people who murdered her husband. It’s a great book.
This is not a rating based on writing. I think Cross is a talented writer. This is the a review for the story. It was ho hum for me. I really didn’t like the heroine and I didn’t really like the hero and I don’t care about the bad guys. So much so I jut skipped over a fair bit of this. I just wasn’t invested at all. I don’t know why. I just didn’t care and maybe the predictability of the outcome was part of the reason. I don’t know.
It was like a Mills and Boon. Great for mindless escapism but not for your next best read.
Submerged is the second book in the Kill Devil Hills series and a great read. Action packed from the start, this is Harper and Jared's story. Harper lost her husband Pete a year ago and she is sure there is more to the story she was given and that details are being covered up. When she starts digging for the truth, Harper finds herself in danger. The connection between Jared and Harper is off the charts and they have quite the journey to their HEA. It had everything I look for in a romantic suspense story and is a great addition to the series.