Tag Archives: Dark Water

Dark Water by Jonas Hagglund-review

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Dark Water by Jonas Hagglund-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 20, 2026

DARK WATER follows the high-stakes intersection of two damaged protagonists in the Northern Territory of Australia.

The story begins with Jess Wilson, a former organized crime investigator struggling with profound suicidality, who witnesses and documents the state-sanctioned destruction of a Chinese freighter. She crosses paths with Rourke Finne, a hardened smuggler who survived the maritime massacre and is now seeking his own brand of justice. Together, they flee through the oppressive heat of the Australian Outback, pursued by diplomatic cleanup crews and corrupt government operatives determined to erase the evidence.

The narrative emphasizes a moral emptiness where survival is a mechanical habit and the truth is the only remaining currency. As the pair navigates deadly pincer formations and digital “sinkholes,” they form a fragile alliance built on tactical necessity rather than hope.

•••••

REVIEW:DARK WATER by Jonas Hagglund is a contemporary, adult, suspense thriller focusing on former Senior Investigator with the Northern Territory police department Jess Wilson, and high-value assets smuggler Rourke Finne.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL be triggers for mores sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives DARK WATER follows in the aftermath of the fire and state sanctioned destruction of a Chinese freighter off the waters of Australia. Former organized crime investigator Jess Wilson has a target on her back, and with the information she uncovered, and witness to the destruction of the Chinese freighter Huang Mei, Jess Wilson is on the run when she runs into smuggler Rourke Finne. Rourke lost members of his crew not only in the fire but the spiralling fallout, and found himself beholden to our story line heroine who had uncovered the truth. As Jess and Rourke. alongside Rourke’s remaining crew of Luce, Song and Davo struggle to stay one step ahead of a black ops-style Ghost team in the outback of Australia, our couple focus on releasing the information of which law enforcement and government officials don’t want anyone to see.

The world building focuses on uncovering the truth, corruption, and organized crime. More of a written narrative using reflection, introspection and contemplation, the action packed story line opens a window into compromised offices at the highest level.

We are introduced to high asset smuggler Rourke Finne, and his crew of Luce, Song and Davo, as well as former Organized Crime investigator Jess Wilson, a young woman who blew the whistle on corruption, taking down anyone who got in her way.

DARK WATER is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, corruption and crime. The multi-layered premise is detailed with some redundancy, and overly descriptive and flowery prose. The characters are determined, desperate and questionable. DARK WATER ends on a happily ever after-for now. Jess and Rourke are on the run, searching for their next adventure.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Tango (Dark Water 4) by JL Drake-review tour

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Tango (Dark Water 4) by JL Drake-review tour

 

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /Apple

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November. 21, 2023

Major Ty Beckett

A ghost returned with one of our own.
A rescue has been made.

Ivy and I fight to stay strong while the team leans on one another and goodbyes are laid to rest.
Missing pieces to an old puzzle form a picture that will send a shockwave through the house.

I return for one last mission on familiar ground to bring justice to light.
Then I focus on one of the biggest fights Blackstone will ever face.

We call in every favor we are owed because it’s time for revenge.

Eric Noah

I am a ghost with a recognizable face racing to cross the border unseen.

Once on home soil, I’m met with confusion and doubt.
There’s a lot to explain.

I gather information and continue to watch those who feared me.
Secrets spill as tempers rise and the truths start to surface.

I can’t change the past, but I can help mend the future.

•••••

REVIEW:TANGO is the fourth instalment in JL Drake’s contemporary, adult DARK WATER romantic suspense series, a spin off series, interconnected with the author’s BLACKSTONE and BROKEN worlds. This is the continuing story of Major Ty Beckett, and psychiatrist Dr. Ivy Knight. TANGO should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of books two and three WHISKEY and ALPHA, referencing numerous past missions and plot lines, as well as focusing on the embattled relationship between Lexi and Keith (ESCAPE: Blackstone series 2), and the appearance of someone long thought dead.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several first person perspectives including Ty, Ivy and Paul, following several paths using present day and memories from the past, TANGO follows in the aftermath of an undercover operation in Mexico where everything spirals out of control. Working undercover in an effort to rescue the most vulnerable from the human trafficking rings in Mexico, several members of Dark Water find themselves struggling in the aftermath of betrayal and vengeance, where one of their own will not survive.

Meanwhile, Major Ty Beckett has proclaimed his love for psychiatrist Dr. Ivy Knight but Ty has unfinished business in Afghanistan, and is desperate to retrieve that which he lost. As the team at Dark Water mourn the loss of one of their own, the reappearance of an another may threaten all sense of trust going forward.

The world building is complex, detailed and therefore, I strongly recommend reading the series in order, as well as the interconnected books. The overarching premise of the Dark Water series is dependant upon knowing about previous events and character involvement in the other series, as well as the building conflict throughout the current timeline.

The relationship between Ty and Ivy continues to grow. Ivy struggles with her attraction to Ty but a proclamation of love and forever pushes our couple together, only to see Ivy struggle with Ty’s need to return to Afghanistan.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and charismatic characters, all of whom we have met, once again, throughout the interconnected series. Some will die, some will return, others will be betrayed by the people they know.

TANGO is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, love and lost, friendships, relationships and family. The premise is heart breaking, emotional and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic, dynamic and determined.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of ALPHA

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

J.L. Drake is a bestselling author with multiple series published in several different countries. The Broken Trilogy is her best seller, and her next series, Quiet Mafia, has the same kind of homey feel sprinkled with some yummy darkness. 

She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to southern California. Though she loves the weather in Cali, she would sell her left kidney for a good rainstorm. Jodi’s love of the seasons back home in Canada definitely put in an appearance in her books.

When she’s not writing, you can often find her sitting somewhere along the coast of Huntington Beach, reading, or at home curled up on a couch with her two children and husband, binge watching Marvel movies.  

SOCIAL MEDIA: Website / Goodreads / Facebook /  Instagram/

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Alpha (Dark Water 3) by JL Drake-review tour

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Alpha (Dark Water 3) by JL Drake-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 15, 2023

Major Ty Beckett

The unthinkable has happened.
We will not stand by while one of our own is in the enemy’s grasp.

Ivy and I are part of the house now, and their family is our family. Together, we will fight to get her back.

This mission nearly brings Blackstone down. We missed our mark, and now it’s
Code Red.

Though our families are prepared for the unthinkable, we will not take this lying down.

Dr. Ivy Knight

Ty and I have a good connection, until he makes a decision that sends me into a tailspin.

Regardless of my personal struggles, I know one thing is true.
The house is in disarray, and it’s up to me to keep everyone on point.

But deep inside, I’m slowly unraveling. I need to find a way to get my life back.

Shadows has a mixture of light and laughter, but there’s a level of danger that comes with living here. I just hope I’m strong enough to endure.

••••

REVIEW:ALPHA is the third instalment in JL Drake’s contemporary, adult DARK WATER romantic suspense series, a spin off series, interconnected with the author’s BLACKSTONE and BROKEN worlds. This is the continuing story of Major Ty Beckett, and psychiatrist Dr. Ivy Knight. ALPHA should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of book two WHISKEY, referencing numerous past missions and plot lines, as well as focusing on the embattled relationship between Lexi and Keith (ESCAPE: Blackstone series 2).

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from three first person perspectives (Ty, Ivy and Eric) ALPHA follows in the aftermath of the abduction of one of their own, and the return of Major Ty Beckett to the team at Blackstone at the Shadows. Dr. Ivy Knight is working temporarily with the Blackstone Special Ops team, at one of their safehouses known as the Shadows but her relationship with Major Ty Beckett is struggling in the face of his inability to let go of the past, a past that wants something more from our story line hero. Meanwhile, a Code Red has been activated, one of their own is missing, and the team is struggling to get information on the who, why or how. The Mexican Cartel is once again taking aim at the Blackstone Operatives, abducting and threatening anyone who gets in the way.

The world building continues to focus on the previous missions, sins of the past, and a need for vengeance against the Blackstone team. I would strongly recommend reading the previous two books in the Dark Water series, and if able, reading ESCAPE (Blackstone 2) and the author’s BROKEN trilogy. Several of the events in the current timelines are as of a direct result from the events in the aforementioned books/series .

The relationship between Ivy and Ty is one of second chances, of a sort. At any given point Ty Beckett is on the run, into danger and precarious situations, often forgetting about the people he has left behind. Ivy continues to struggle with Ty’s need to save everyone else, a need that is a constant pressure to save our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and dynamic characters most of whom were introduced and played a significant role in both the BLACKSTONE series and BROKEN trilogy. The past refuses to let go; vengeance is an obsession; betrayal may come at the cost of someone’s life.

ALPHA is a complex, detailed and dramatic story of secrets and lies, power and control, obsession and vengeance, understanding and love. The premise is edgy and intense; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of mistrust; the characters are desperate and broken. ALPHA ends on a cliff hanger-there is no happily ever after at this point in the series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J.L. Drake is a bestselling author with multiple series published in several different countries. The Broken Trilogy is her best seller, and her next series, Quiet Mafia, has the same kind of homey feel sprinkled with some yummy darkness. 

She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to southern California. Though she loves the weather in Cali, she would sell her left kidney for a good rainstorm. Jodi’s love of the seasons back home in Canada definitely put in an appearance in her books.

When she’s not writing, you can often find her sitting somewhere along the coast of Huntington Beach, reading, or at home curled up on a couch with her two children and husband, binge watching Marvel movies.  

SOCIAL MEDIA: Website / Goodreads / Facebook /  Instagram/

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