REVIEW: Island Secrets (+$25 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Island Secrets

Author: R.T. Wolfe

Series: Island Escape #1

Pages: 212

Date Published: 2015

Publisher: ePublishing Works! 

Format: Kindle

Genre: Mystery/Romance

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
Buy Me!

Synopsis:
When Zoe Clearwater learns that the skull she found in an underwater cave is her missing brother, she sells her scuba diving business, Sun Trips Touring, and dedicates herself to unravelling her brother's mysterious death.

Dane Corbin, the new owner of Sun Trips, is determined to prove to Zoe, now his employee, that he is not the womanizer he once was. But it'll take more than profit to turn Zoe's head.

Her investigation at a standstill, Zoe unearths letters from a secret lover among her brother's possessions, along with plane tickets, a promise to run away to safety, and the painful realization that she'll need Dane's help.

As mercurial clues plunge Zoe and Dane into a life-threatening pursuit and the truth burns brighter and brighter, Zoe recognizes she needs Dane as much as her brother's un-named lover needed him. But Dane will have to make it to safety, first.

~My Thoughts~

Island Secrets starts off slowly, but quickly rolls into a mystery that compels you and a romance that lights you up from the inside out! 

Zoe Clearwater is not your average heroine. She's on a mission and driven to find out what happened to her brother. Her scuba business (and ability) is impressive, but  she's willing to give all of that up to pursue her brother's death and find his killer (?) or at least what happened to him before he died. 

Romance-wise, Zoe and Dane are a very cute couple. Wolfe has a lyrical way with words and knows just how to paint the scene so that you feel caught up in the romance and like you're a part of this sweet, sexy romance. While it would be hard to find romance amongst all the grief and angst of losing a brother and the anger of pursuing what happened to him, these two sparked naturally and were an excellent pairing to the mystery of the main plot. 

Island Secrets is the perfect book for these last gasps of summer. Its got intrigue, romance, and a beachy setting that makes us value the hot, toasty days that we've got left before autumn comes sweeping in with it's own chilly romances. 

~Try an Excerpt!~

The muscles in his body reflexively tensed as he recognized the faint shade of dark blue that tinted her fingers and lips.

"Hey." His hair dripped water on her face as he maneuvered over her and gave her a shake. "Zoe. What the hell? Are you okay?"

Her eyes rolled in his direction. She looked as if she'd seen a body. "Don't call me Babe," she croaked.

An unwanted smile spread across his face and, despite himself, he brushed the strands of hair from her smooth cheek. Checking the area, he spotted her pure oxygen tank under the boat dash. As he crawled to it, he noticed the expiration date was months away. At least she followed some rules. Her hand swatted him as he maneuvered the nosepiece under her nostrils.

"I feel fine," she whined.

"You won't soon. You ascended too quickly. I can tell. Breathe this, or you're going to feel it."

Of all things, she lifted her arm like she was checking for her frigging camera. Her lids closed when she spotted it on her arm. He hoped it was a sign of defeat as he slipped the oxygen tube around her head.

He glanced over his shoulder to make sure all was well with his boat, then searched for her cell in her bag. He couldn't leave his divers, and he couldn't leave Zoe. Knowing what he was doing, she grabbed his hand and shook her head. Cats' eyes the color of the green water pleaded with him.

"I've got a boat out, Zoe. How do you think I found you? I have six divers in the water. I can't leave them there with only my assistant."

She let go and her eyes drifted closed again. Life was much easier before she talked him into buying out her business, before she started working for him.

~Meet R.T. Wolfe!~ 

R.T. was born and raised in the beautiful Midwest, the youngest of six ornery children. She married at a young age and began her family short after With three amazing small boys, life was a whirlwind of flipping houses and working two jobs in between swim lessons and Candyland. Now that her boys are nearly grown, R.T. spends much of her time on the road traveling from one sporting event to another serving as mom and cheerleader. She works to assist the several non-profit organizations that have supported her books and promote the work they do for those who cannot help themselves.

R.T. Wolfe will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway