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Liked It “IN DEEP WATERS by Melissa McClone is the second book in the A Tale of the Sea series. Kayla (born Kai) Waterton is the twin of Phoebe Cartwright of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Carla Cassidy. Though both books stand well alone, they fit together as seamlessly as the two pieces of the Pacifica seal...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Passionate romance full of desires!”
Orchid of India wrote this review Saturday, December 8 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“IN DEEP WATERS by Melissa McClone is the second book in the A Tale of the Sea series. Kayla (born Kai) Waterton is the twin of Phoebe Cartwright of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Carla Cassidy. Though both books stand well alone, they fit together as seamlessly as the two pieces of the Pacifica seal which the twins wear around their necks. Unlike Phoebe's, Kayla's appointed guardian survived until her teens. Ianu, known to her as Jason Waterton, had raised her to believe that she was his daughter. He'd died before he could reveal the truth to her. Though he had given her love and security, Kayla hadn't fit in any better than her twin had. She'd always been whimsical, different. Although, she had no idea just how different.
PNRGroupManager wrote this review Thursday, November 1 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Kayla is a maritime historian and the founder of Portland's (Oregon) Maritime History Museum which is sponsoring Ben Mendoza's latest salvaging endeavor. It had been her father's life-long dream to recover the wreckage of the Isabella, a pirate ship that had gone down in the Pacific three centuries ago. That dream would become a reality, even if Kayla had to join the crew of the Xmarks Explorer herself.
That is exactly what Kayla decided to do when she realized that the salvor was searching in wrong location, and would continue to do so. Once she shared her research with the captain, she was certain that he would move the search to the correct coordinates. Her only anxiety had to do with the ocean itself. Her father had always kept her away from the sea. She'd lost her mother to it, or so she'd been told. She'd been too young to remember her.
The saltwater made her legs tingle and ache, but it was Captain Mendoza himself who made her tingle all over. The man could have been a pirate himself, handsome, rugged, determined. Determined to get rid of her that is.
Ben Mendoza didn't have time for distractions, nor was there any room in his life for another dreamer. Kayla Waterton appeared to be both. He was a practical man. His father and ex-wife had been the dreamers in the family. His marriage had been a mistake he wasn't about to repeat. Dreams didn't put food on the table, or raise a child. Ben was his own boss, in charge of his own fate. He would be responsible for their success or failure. His crew and his three year old daughter were depending on him. He wasn't about to take orders from a wet-behind-the-ears museum historian, get sucked into her dreams, or succumb to her considerable charms. He hasn't a clue that she's holding all the cards, and she's determined to keep it that way if she can help it. Though she's frustrated by Ben's refusal to see reason and consider her new coordinates, she loves being part of the crew. She knows she could and should pull rank, but would rather find another way to persuade him to cooperate. She wants to stay, to be part of the discovery, part of Ben's life.
While he's thinking up ways to get rid of her, Kayla is winning over the hearts of his crew and little girl by just being herself. Ben definitely isn't immune, which makes it even more vital that she leave as soon as possible. He couldn't let her break little Madison's heart, let alone his own. When his scheme backfires, giving her the opportunity to get her way without rocking the boat, Kayla thinks she's home free. But no sooner have they declared a truce, does Kayla discovers a secret about herself that could dash all of her dreams. Ben could never believe...could never accept the truth about her. Could he?
This tale was quite a bit different from the first, but every bit as enjoyable. There was less suspense, but more depth. The villain was ominously absent, which makes one wonder if he's just a step behind, or has found other fish to fry (shudder). The search continues for the last two mer siblings still at large. Will Joran or Loucan get to them first? Look for the twins' brother Saegar in CAUGHT BY SURPRISE by Sandra Paul in September 2002.
Reviewed for PNR Reviews”
“Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
shewolf0316 wrote this review Tuesday, October 30 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Kayla Waterton has always loved the sea at the same time she was terrified of the secrets it held. She indulged her love for it by becoming a maritime historian, the best in the field. Her greatest desire was to complete her father's life-long dream of finding the sunken ship, Isabella, a three-century old pirate ship, believed to hold the greatest treasure of its time. She finally gets her chance to go on a search expedition for the ship when the salvage operation her museum hired to find the ship goes off on its search in the wrong area. Kayla decides to join the expedition in hopes of leading them correctly to finding the lost ship.
Captain Ben Mendoza is the owner of Xmarks Explorer, the operation hired by Kayla to find the Isabella. He is one of the best in his field, so is none too pleased when required to take Kayla along on his hunt. He is convinced his research is correct and the ship is right where he thinks and refuses to listen to Kayla when she tells him otherwise. He makes it his personal mission to prove Kayla can't handle the job and to make her want to leave. When his entire crew becomes smitten with her, including his three year old daughter Madison, he is all the more determined to get her to leave.
Kayla and Ben are at odds from the moment they meet, the only thing they have in common being their mutual desire to find the Isabella. She is a dreamer and he is a realist, convinced it was his ex-wife's following her dreams that led to the dissolution of their marriage. All he cares about now, besides his career, is his daughter, and making her as happy as can be. His is furious with Kayla for filling Madison's head with nonsense, believing it will only hurt her in the long run. And when Madison starts talking about the merman she saw in the sea, Ben is all the more convinced Kayla will do nothing but wreak havoc on his ship.
But Kayla also has a hidden agenda in her desire to find the lost ship. She believes it holds the secrets to her heritage, which her father never got a chance to tell her about before he died. For her only link to her past is a necklace she wears, with unusual markings on it, some of which were found in documents her father had tracked down before his death, pertaining to the Isabella. So imagine Kayla's surprise when, while playing with Madison in her wading pool, she sprouts a tail! It is the likes of which she only fantasized about as a child, when dreaming of mermaids and Atlantis. She has to keep this secret from Ben, as he would only scoff at her and turn away, just as they are beginning to draw closer to their ship...and each other. Madison is fascinated as well, convinced she wants a tail of her own, which leads to an accident. Will Kayla be able to reveal her secret to Ben? And will he be able to lover her in spite of it? Will they find the Isabella and the key to Kayla's heritage?
This second book in the Tale of the Sea miniseries is a worthy continuation of the legend begun in Carla Cassidy's book. This story is more family-oriented and character driven then the previous book, but makes for a wonderful tale. Ben and Kayla's mutual attraction is obvious from the first moment they meet, though both try hard to deny their attraction. Kayla the dreamer makes a good balance for Ben the pragmatist, showing there is room for both views in life. When Kayla discovers her secret, just as she and Ben are beginning to admit their feelings for each other, she is afraid of what that will do to their blossoming relationship. The only other person who knows her secret is Madison, who accepts it without question. Ah, the joys of childhood, before reality sets in and alters their perception of life.
This is a delightful story penned by Ms. McClone, with will draw the reader in and make one believe in dreams again. A dose of fantasy is always good for the soul, when taken in the right doses. Pick up this story today for a chance to venture into that realm again for a time...where anything is possible, including Happy-Ever-After.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, September 2002. All rights reserved.”
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