Undetected

5 Stars
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. 
Proverbs 3:5-6


Book Description:

When asked what he does for a living, Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: "I'm in the navy."

But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping its crew trained and focused during 90-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and carries it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating in the Pacific Rim, the navy is glad to have him.

Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, pretty, and very smart. She's a civilian, but she understands life in the navy. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him.

Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. But a breakup she didn't see coming has her focusing all her attention on what she does best--ocean science research. She's on the cusp of a breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop's perspective and help. Because what she's told the navy she's figured out is only the beginning. If she's right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter...

My Review:

Dee Henderson brings us a wonderful romance that centers around the Navy, in particular the submariners.  The story was slow for me at first because of all the background give about submarines, but as the story progresses you quickly see the necessity.  I learned many things about submarines that I never imagined.
This story also shows us that at all times we need to trust in the Lord and seek his guidance in all things.
  We are introduced to two incredibly strong, well developed characters.  Commander Mark Bishop commands the USS Nevada, a ballistic missile submarine, which goes out on 90 day submerged patrols.  There were two constants in his life, the Navy and God.  Mark is a widower and after many years now yearns for someone to come home to.  Looking for a wife was easy, but finding one to fit into the navy culture would be the difficult part. 
To say Gina Gray is an exceptional woman would be an understatement to say the least.  She is one scary smart lady, but has always had difficulty fitting in socially.  She has always dreamed of finding a normal life.  She started college at the age of 14 and a normal life always seemed to be just out of her grasp.  She has always had an interest in ocean science research and while in college developed the cross sonar technique for submarines.  Recently she has been working on sea bed mapping using satellite data, but after an unexpected breakup with her boyfriend of 2 years she feels a change in environment is necessary.  She leaves Colorado for the Bangor area in the northwest part of Washington State.  Her brother, Jeff, a commander of the USS Seawolf lives there and she really likes the area.  While there waiting for Jeff to return from his 90 day patrol she borrowed a lab so she can work on some ideas. 
Mark exhibits characteristics anyone can appreciate and love.  He is always trying to do the right thing, protective, honest to a fault and his faith is unshakeable.  Gina on the other hand appears very insecure about many things, but as you get to know this character her gentle strength comes to light. 
The plot of this story is very intriguing.  It has some mild suspense, but is mostly about the gradual build of a relationship between two people.  The imagery the author uses brings the ocean alive to the reader.  Her true to life dialogue will pull the reader in. 
One scene of the story pulled at me more than any others.  Gina is telling Mark she doesn't understand military life and how with his faith he could on command from the president release nuclear weapons knowing he would be killing so many people.  His explanation was long and involved, but he tells her....

(pg. 141)
"God made a world that was all good, but because He also gave people free will, the potential for evil was there from the beginning.  God didn't make evil, but He allowed for the possibility. 
To me that passage says a lot and answers the questions of why God allows evil to happen in the world. 

I would recommend this book to anyone, because not only is it an enjoyable read, but it will also spiritually touch the reader. 

This book was given to me by Bethany House for a honest and unbiased review without any outside prejudice.

Meet the Author




Award-winning novelist Dee Henderson excels at creating believable, challenging characters. Dee is the author of two series: the Uncommon Heroes series and the O'Malley series of romantic suspense novels. Her books have won a host of awards, including the prestigious RITA Award, Bookseller's Best Award, and National Reader's Choice Award. True Honor is a finalist for the 2003 ECPA Gold Medallion Award for Fiction, The Truth Seeker and The Protector were finalists for the 2002 ECPA Gold Medallion Award for Fiction, The Guardian won the 2002 Christy Award, Romance category.
http://www.deehenderson.com/