Shining Star (Caribbean Series Book 1)
Contents:
But this is no travelogue. Sullivan has done his research and knows his stuff. Readers will learn about the processes of diving, how sound travels, and how size is distorted in water; about submarines and sub-machine guns; about drug trafficking and drug lords. These details move the story forward, making it reminiscent of The Deep by Peter Benchley including a wicked moray eel. There are layers to Deep Shadow , which make the story more interesting.
There are different bad guys with different motivations and plans for getting what they want — violently and without remorse. All the while, there is this team of happy-go-lucky divers including main character Boone Fischer who just want a good day in the water, but who step-up when those waters are muddied by blood and greed. A lot of the story is spent building to the certain collision of the good with the bad. This format, along with the relationship blooming between Boone and Emily, provide a respite from the tension and terror brought through the international field of bad guys.
Author Nick Sullivan is also the audio book narrator of Deep Shadow. His pacing is even, and he is consistent in voicing the numerous characters so that listeners can tell them apart. The voicing of Emily is also consistent, but I am not a fan. Every time she speaks, it feels Monty Python-ish to me — an exaggerated accent that sounds like a man trying to sound like a woman. And though the word choices are correct and delightfully British, the accent is off. Since I read with my ears, I cannot speak to the editing, but the writing is engaging. Dialogue is natural, place and characters are vibrant, tension is high.
There are a few sequencing issues that create a little confusion in the story, and some scenes could use more development, but these are not deal breakers. Overall, Deep Shadow is an action-packed boat ride with a plot and setting that transports you to another place. Thank you to the author and Audiobookworm Promotions for providing me a audio download in exchange for my honest opinion — the only kind I give.
This full review and other features on Hall Ways Blog. Aug 04, Nicole R rated it liked it Shelves: This was a wildly entertaining book in one of my favorite genres that I have not visited in way too long: The requirement for this very specific genre, you may ask? Well, it is typically some kind of thriller, set in the Caribbean or other tropical locale, and involves scuba diving or in-the-water investigations.
Bonus if it is one of those that is only published in inexpensive paperback form. Boone is a divemaster at a shop on Bonaire, just off the coast from the drug This was a wildly entertaining book in one of my favorite genres that I have not visited in way too long: Boone is a divemaster at a shop on Bonaire, just off the coast from the drug cartel-dominated Venezuela.
Primo and Epico
But, not just any sub. It seems to be slapped together from mismatched parts. Perhaps a drug sub? But there is more to it than meets the eye. Look, this was not brilliant literature. It is not intended to be. But, what it is is pure fun. You have to completely suspend disbelieve and assume that two something divers would fling themselves into a multijurisdictional fray peppered with violent cartels and terrorists.
You have to just roll with the crazy coincidences that allow for the random crossing of paths in an ocean. You have the forgive the thriller author for a pretty cheesy attempt at romance. And perhaps I connect with these books more than the average reader. I used to live in the Bahamas, working at a tourist resort and spending my days diving and living in a small, remote community much like the one described on Bonaire.
The author describes diving and I have gone through each and every one of those steps. The authors names fish and marine life and I vividly picture them because I have seen them in real life. The nostalgia factor in these books is high for me. And I love it. I read the whole things in a single sitting and enjoyed every page. It hit the summertime reading spot and will have me reaching for more of Sullivan's Caribbean Dive Adventures in the future. Jun 14, Carolyn Walker rated it it was amazing. From the first line in the novel, I was interested!
By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked! There was an excellent pace throughout the novel that kept me interested. From the snappy and distinct dialogue, to the light humor, to the action and driving adventure, it was a story that was hard to stop! I really loved the characters Boone and Emily! I thought they made a very endearing co From the first line in the novel, I was interested! I thought they made a very endearing couple and even the villains were interesting! The story was well developed and it made for a great adventure read.
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The details were rich and so very enjoyable! I was literally able to see each detail with perfect clarity, which really kept me in the story! I am excited to read the next installment in this series! I thought it was a special treat that Nick Sullivan was both the author and narrator. He was very close to the story and its characters, and it shows! He read each of the characters with excellent clarity and there was no question who was who. Each character had their own distinct voice, and Sullivan did an award-winning performance! Overall, I give this experience five stars and I highly recommend Deep Shadow for anyone seeking a high-stakes island adventure with endearing characters!
May 04, Gabra Zackman rated it it was amazing.
Deep Shadow by Nick Sullivan is a sexy, espionage filled romp through the waters of the Caribbean and the islands upon it. Like the fishing vessels that become the travel of our heroes, this book will hook you and keep you hooked throughout.
I was immediately drawn into the Clancy-esque storyline, but was equally turned on by the romance at the center. Props to this writer for giving us both a male and female heroine, and a romance that works within and amplifies the storyline. A delicious, sexy Deep Shadow by Nick Sullivan is a sexy, espionage filled romp through the waters of the Caribbean and the islands upon it.
A delicious, sexy, action packed maritime adventure that will keep you turning the pages well into the night! Clear the writer knows this territory well, and loves it-- you will find yourself infused with the passion of his writing. I only wish I had been on the beach reading it, but he transported me there in spirit! May 02, Angela Crawford rated it it was amazing. Deep Shadow is a swashbuckling action adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Boone and Emily are fantastic characters, realistic and funny as they race to stop the bad guys with a little help from some very memorable characters along the way. A highly recommended 5 star read. Great diving mystery that takes place in the Caribbean Islands. Loads of suspense and action with a little romance. Boone is a divemaster. While out on a dive he spotted something he never expected to see, a narco sub! Narco subs are used by the cartel to move narcotics. This sub however, was taken from the cartel by terrorists! Instead of moving drugs, the sub is filled with explosives!
Boone is just a divemaster but he seems to keep getting caught in the middle of this mystery! Excellent story Great diving mystery that takes place in the Caribbean Islands. Excellent story and narration by Nick Sullivan! I am truly looking forward to the rest of this series! May 01, J. Thompson III rated it it was amazing. What a great book - all the adventure, from nowhere to somewhere romance, explosions yet a smooth novel to read.
Highly recommended for everyone. Nick Sullivan has woven a suspenseful and thrilling tale in Deep Shadow. Sullivan must be very knowledgeable of both because his story came off flawlessly. If you are a fan of crime novels you will love Deep Shadows. Who better to narrated your story than well, yourself.
Since Sullivan wrote the book, he knew exactly what he wanted to convey in the narration. I felt that this made the story ev Nick Sullivan has woven a suspenseful and thrilling tale in Deep Shadow. I felt that this made the story even more compelling. Nick Sullivan was fantastic on both sides! If you are someone who enjoys a good Tom Clancy story, 24 the TV series, or deep-water adventure like that found in both The Sphere or The Abyss movies, I really think you will be able to sink your teeth deep into this book.
The story takes the listener on a journey not only to many of the most beautiful Caribbean islands, but also into the depths of the ocean which are a very different and unforgiving environment. If you are looking for an exceptionally well written and narrated book of adventure, pirates, terrorists, corrupt governments and drug runners, you will be happy when you dive pun intended into Deep Shadow. I enjoyed that the author not only took me to one of the most stunning places in the North Western hemisphere, but he also added a level of action and intrigue reminiscent of an Indiana Jones story.
What happens when an out of work Russian sub designer is approached by a successful drug cartel to build them a mini-sub needed to aide them in their distribution? This alone would make for a great story, but Deep Shadow is so much more. Add to this the people hunting the drug runners and a terrorist plot to bring fear and death to a large number of people; something needs to be done to stop them both.
Here is where our band of explorers gets intertwined in all the events, and this is where the book really begins to shine. The author paints this exciting world with big broad colorful strokes, yet one can also see the subtle and fine detail left by his inclusion of tidbits of information filling in and outlining the full painting. Not only are we given this detail of the world topside, but we are also privy to the undersea world and even to the harsh realities of riding in a mini-sub. The author uses chapter breaks to switch between the various groups of people, so the listener is able to see the activities of the searchers, drug dealers, and terrorists.
I enjoy when book provide such well-defined story breaks. The main characters in the book all had depth, breadth, and unique personalities. There were characters I loved, some I liked, and others I hated which means the author brought them to life vividly. Even though the book is mainly action-based, the author includes elements that make it feel real.
We are given views into some quite scary and emotional scenes and even a few glimpses of romance. Even with all the very serious and powerfully emotional aspects, the author is able to weave in bits and pieces of humor along the way. Similar to the scene from Michael Keaton in Mr. As with Zombie Bigfoot, I think Mr. Sullivan did a wonderful job in both strong writing and professional narration. I also thought the afterward chapter, found at the end of the book, to be informative and welcomed once the story was finished. For me, I find the reasoning and understanding of why a book was placed in a given location or based on actual people quite fascinating.
We learn about regulators, air mixes, active and passive sonar, sub steering controls, along with so much more, and at no time did I feel the author used technical terms to simply sound technical. I almost feel like wanting to go and get my diving certificate after listening. Not only was he able to voice female characters quite well, but he was able to also give one a believable UK accent.
It was fun to hear words common to a UK speaker also used by this character. The recording quality, I was provided with a pre-release copy, was better than many of the audio book I have reviewed in the past. The recording was clean of any audio artifacts and the narration flowed at a good rate. One can tell the years of experience Mr. Sullivan bring to his narration. There was one innuendo I can recall and a few references to more indirect sexual topics. The book contains some profanity; however, the author does not use it in excessively nor was it a surprise when I heard some based on the books plot.
Lastly, the book involves kidnapping and some quite graphic scenes of violence. In summary, Deep Shadow is a fulfilling action-packed thriller with depth and dimension. It was quite an exciting ride and I look forward to future work from Mr. If you enjoy action movies or TV shows, I recommend you put them down and instead pick up Deep Shadow and give it a listen. May 02, Ray Johnson rated it it was amazing. I received an advance audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review Deep Shadow: Caribbean Dive Adventure by Nick Sullivan is a pulse pounding adventure with a divemaster even though most of the action takes place on land.
That isn't to intimate that there is no action in the ocean's water, there is but we do get a lot of the story on dry land. One thing that most impressed me was Sullivan's knowledge required to make this story believable. It really makes me wonder if he has been divi I received an advance audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review Deep Shadow: It really makes me wonder if he has been diving for a while or is just one hell of a researcher.
His descriptions of the Caribbean Islands is so detailed that I am assuming that he spent a serious amount of time there probably while diving. Just to be exact, his descriptions only enhance the story.
The technical details are there or the smell of the vendors is described accurately, but not in a way that it bogs down or slows the story. It serves more like a great spice, and is meant to flavor the tale not overwhelm your meal. His ability to write in such detail actually isn't so shocking, because he has written one of my favorite books, Zombie Bigfoot, which is a homage to those old B-Movies, and he makes it feel like he spent some time with bigfoot, and had fought zombies hand to hand somewhere in his storied past.
So, making a realistic and plausible story that revolves around a drug cartel and terrorists is probably child's play for him. You have to love the way he gives it to the Venezuelan cartel, too. Bad guys on bad guys is always fun to watch.
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A stolen sub is the impetus for this story. Not to give things away, but if the thieves have their way, a lot of people are going to die. Boone Fischer I see what he did there is our intrepid hero who is really the best hope for stopping the commandeered submarine.
Along the way he finds a lot of action and a little love sorry Nick, did we need a romance on top of everything else? Boone is treat to hang out with; he is one salty dog, and if he were real I'd buy him a round and let him regale me with some sea stories, but I wouldn't join in on any shanties. Emily is well rounded, and I can see Boone's interest in her OK, making up for the romance quip right here.
She was just as fun as Boone, and you realize that there is more to her than you realize as the story goes on. Sullivan has the ability to create some very deep characters, and you can see them grow and change as the story progresses.
You very quickly become attached to them, and when it is all over you will miss them. I have to admit, I am more of a Monster mangling magic kinda mook, but I can enjoy a great action and suspense tale as well as anyone else. I could easily see this becoming a film, but then I feel the same way about Zombie Bigfoot. That's because Sullivan's writing is so cinematic. His descriptions bubble and burst with vibrancy, and you can see the pictures so clearly in your head that it makes me think of that lyric from Miss Saigon, the Movie in My Mind.
The writing spools off like line from a fishing reel, or a projector's reel, flying at breakneck speed always moving the story forward. This is one of those, "I can't put it down until it's over" type of books. You are always biting your lip in anticipation of what is coming next. By the way, I have to commend Sullivan for not giving us the typical diver in trouble, there is treasure to be salvaged, or sharks are all over the place that I was expecting since that is what we typically get.
To me that is what most sea stories with divers entails. So Kudos for coming up with a new concept in the genre.
Deep Shadow (Caribbean Dive Adventures Book 1)
Finally, did I mention that Nick Sullivan narrates his own book? Oh, yeah, this is the best part because you know when he was writing this that he created characters whose accents he could do without breaking a sweat, and this makes the dialogue all the more realistic and believable. I can really appreciate it when a man narrates his own work because, who, better than he knows the emotion that is on the page, or when to kick into action mode?
Sullivan is a serious veteran narrator, he has over books to his credit, and so it is pretty obvious the guy knows how to tell a story. So sit back, and let him wow you with his writing and his narration, you will be so very glad you did. Oh, and while I am impressed with this book, I do hope he goes back that B-movie monster series he started with Zombie Bigfoot!!!! Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest.
In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review. If this review helped, please press the YES below. The setting was lush and very well done. Drug cartels using submarines to traffic drugs was a great central plot point that hooked my attention right away. Then Sullivan takes it a step further by tossing in some terrorists who have different plans for that submarine. The banter between dive masters Emily and Boone provided a little levity to what would otherwise be a pretty serious action flick.
I also enjoyed the sexual tension between the two as they spend the entire book figuring out if they are interested in one another. Emily is a well-rounded character with her own background, skills, and life goals. Rather he has a lean build, only knows a little about guns, and chose to learn a martial art that suits his frame. Both these ladies are well written and have their own distinct personalities.
There are plenty of male characters with names, lines, and goals. So I would liked things to be a bit more balanced in this regard. It was never a dull moment with this book.
I also liked that Nick Sullivan provided a personal note at the end of the book about his motivations for this story. Nick Sullivan did a fine job of narrating his own story. He provided plenty of accents and his female character voices were feminine. He also reflected the mood of the moment in his narration: Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest. Your Amazon Music account is currently associated with a different marketplace. Additional taxes may apply.
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