Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

From the publisher:
It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

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Having only read one book by Sarah Sundin before (and it was in the middle of a series) I wanted to try reading one of her books from the beginning.  I am so glad that I did.  What a fantastic story!  There were many great elements about this so I will touch on a few of them.

This is a perfectly paced story.  Some stories drag.  Others rush.  This one was perfect.  It moved through time and just when it needed to pick up, it did.  The romance wasn't rushed.  It was real and deep.  Jim may be one of the best historical romance characters I've read because he was real.  He didn't know what to do all the time. His blunders almost cost him what he really wanted.  He wasn't driven or a super macho man.  He was human.  And I liked that.  Mary was a wonderful character to read as well.  I really am interested in many of the supporting characters and am anxious to see which ones will be developed in future stories.

Rich in historical detail but in no way bogs you down.  You are interested in the lives of Mary and Jim and Sarah Sundin weaves in historical information without making you feel like you are reading a history book.  The mystery of the sabotages and tension leading up to WWII  will leave you wondering what will happen next.

I highly recommend this book to others.

I received this book free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.