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Deadly
Tide by Sandy Curtis. Pan
Macmillan Australia, Sydney, 2003. RRP: A$18.95. |
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A
trawler isn't what you would ordinarily think of as a
romantic location. There is the cramped living space,
the smell of dead fish and the complete lack of privacy.
However, when skipper Sam and her deckhand Chayse find
themselves living in close proximity on a trawler, it
only adds to the sexual tension generated by being in
so many dangerous situations together.
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1 |
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Sam
is a courageous skipper who is independent and stubborn.
Chayse is a tough but sensitive cop. Their story combines
elements from both romance and detective genres and when
they aren't lusting after each other, Sam and Chayse are
getting themselves into trouble, especially when they
are forced to match wits with cunning criminals who would
not think twice about murdering them.
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2 |
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Sam's
father, Tug, has been charged with the murder of Ewan
McKay, deckhand on the trawler Kladium. Sam convinces
Tug to let her skipper his trawler, Sea Mistress,
while he's stuck on land and she uses the Sea Mistress
to tail the Kladium in the hopes of finding proof
of Tug's innocence. Her deckhand Chayse is an undercover
cop as the police believe the Kladium is being
used to smuggle drugs and want to know if the Sea Mistress
is involved.
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The
story moves along at a good pace and takes some intriguing
turns leading up to the dramatic finale. Deadly Tide
would make a great Hollywood blockbuster with Sandra Bullock
and Hugh Jackman perfect as Sam and Chayse. Bullock would
have to put on an Australian accent, however, because
the story is mainly set in Queensland. Although the characters
visit Great Keppel Island, Pancake Creek and Bundaberg,
most of the action takes place on the Sea Mistress.
This unlikely setting gives the reader an insight into
the art of prawn trawling and into the lonely, sometimes
dangerous life of a trawler's crew. Although the main
story is set in the present, there is a story within that
tells the tale of a girl living in the 1800s, and this
gives readers a glimpse into a dark side of Queensland's
past.
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4 |
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A
theme of confronting the past indeed runs through Deadly
Tide. Sam has been through tough times and these have
made her reluctant to trust anyone enough to be in a relationship
with them. Chayse fell in love on a previous undercover
operation and that ended in disaster. Both are finding
it hard to move on, but they must face their fears if
they want to be together.
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5 |
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I
found both Sam and Chayse likeable leading characters
and their story of romance, crime and adventure is made
all the more interesting because of its unique settings.
Deadly Tide should appeal to anyone looking for
a romance with a strong story and characters to go with
all those passionate kisses and rippling chest muscles.
An enjoyable read indeed. |
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