Deeper Than the Ocean

Happy Memorial Day to everyone who is celebrating. It’s always fun to find a new-to-me author and an exciting new series to follow. Today I want to introduce you to New York Times Bestselling author Julie Ann Walker. She has just released DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN, the fourth installment in her Deep Six series.

DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN

by Julie Ann Walker

Book Four in the Deep Six series

Release date: May 31, 2021

Ray “Wolf” Roanhorse took one look at Chrissy and knew she was the woman of his dreams. There’s a hitch, however. He screwed things up with her. Big time. Now all she wants is to be friends. He’ll have to be his most charismatic and charming self if he has any hope of changing her mind. And winning her heart.  

Christina Szarek knows all about sexy, brooding men like Wolf. She grew up watching her mother fall for – and be broken by – plenty of them. If she had her way, she’d avoid Wolf altogether. But they’re partners in the hunt for the Santa Cristina’s legendary treasure. Avoidance is impossible. And the longer she’s near him, the more he chips away at the walls she’s erected against him. 

The danger to Chrissy doesn’t only come from her burgeoning feelings, however. There are mysterious players who would see her silenced – for good. And Wolf, with his wicked grin and spec-ops training, is all that stands between her and a date with death in the deep.

Now please join me in giving Julie Ann a warm welcome to Thoughts in Progress as she answers some questions about her book and writing. Julie Ann, welcome.

What drew you to write this story?

Julie Ann:

I spent two months living and working in Key West, and I fell in love with the place. With the slowness of life, the wild chickens that roam the island, and the locals tooling around on their scooters, their open Hawaiian shirts flapping in the sea air. Key West is a character in and of itself, and I knew I needed to set a book there. While Deeper Than the Ocean is filled with good dialogue, likable characters, a satisfying romance, and a thrilling suspense plot, I think it’s the setting on Key West that really makes this story shine.

What was your writing schedule like? Did Covid play any part in your writing schedule or habits?

Julie Ann:

I’m fairly steadfast when it comes to writing. As the incomparable Nora Roberts likes to say, I “put my butt in the chair and do the work.” So, you would think that would be doubly true during a global pandemic, right? When there’s nothing else to do but work? Alas, I discovered the isolation from, and fear for, family and friends wasn’t great for my creativity. I struggled for the first six months. The cure came when I started hiking every day. Something about getting out in nature, just me and my trusty mutt, refilled the writing well and I was able to get back on track.

What was the most fun about writing this story?

Julia Ann:

Both the hero and heroine in this book are incredibly witty and quick with a quip. I had an absolute blast writing their dialogue. Also, the hero is known for mishearing song lyrics, and yet he loves to sing. As you can imagine, that made for some hilarious scenes.

What is something about this story and/or your writing you wish readers would ask, but never have?

Julia Ann:

It’s more what they do ask that I wish they wouldn’t. Ha! I’m forever getting asked what the characters of previous books are up to now. Like, “Did they ever get married?” “Have they had a baby?” “Did she ever finish school?” “Did he go back to his family’s ranch in Texas?” I know in the heads of readers these characters live on. But in my head, their story is over once I write “the end.” And then I’m on to the next book and the next group of characters. Does that make me fickle? I feel like that makes me fickle. *winces*

Julia Ann, thanks so much for joining us today and sharing this insight into your story and writing. I don’t think moving on to your next set of characters makes you fickle, but as a reader I find myself wishing there were follow ups to stories that have long since ended.

Meet the Author: Julie Ann Walker

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Julie loves to travel the world looking for views to compete with her deadlines. And if those views happen to come with a blue sky and sunshine? All the better! When she's not writing, Julie enjoys camping, hiking, cycling, fishing, cooking, petting every dog that walks by her, and... reading, of course!
Be sure to sign up for Julie's occasional newsletter at: www.julieannwalker.com

To learn more about Julie, visit her at www.julieannwalker.com or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/julieannwalkerauthor and/or on Instagram at @julieannwalker_author.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. Hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday! How you do you think Wolf can win back Chrissy’s love? Do you wonder what characters are doing long after you finish a book?