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Christine Kling
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Surface Tension: A Seychelle Sullivan Novel (South Florida Adventure Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Christine Kling (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,722 ratings

A $5M superyacht adrift. A trail of blood. A blonde with a knife in her back.

Florida salvage captain Seychelle Sullivan and her black lab Abaco find their routine day turns into a nightmare when they respond to a frantic distress call and discover a drifting super yacht, her decks soaked in blood.

To make matters worse, the missing skipper is Neal Garrett, Seychelle’s ex-lover.

After docking the yacht at the Coast Guard station, Seychelle gets hit with a barrage of questions from a suspicious detective. With her business on the line and the stakes higher than ever, she must navigate through a sea of danger and deceit.

Who is the dead woman? Where is Neal? And how to find the yacht’s owner for her salvage claim?

As Seychelle navigates the treacherous waters of both the Atlantic and her past, she must untangle a web of secrets that link the glamorous world of megayachts with a dark undercurrent of deceit.

Dive into a thrilling maritime mystery packed with suspense, Florida's hidden dangers, and heart-pounding chase scenes through the Everglades. If you love gripping sea stories and fearless heroines, you'll be hooked on Surface Tension and Seychelle Sullivan.

*Get your copy now and embark on a high-stakes adventure!*



Books in the South Florida Adventure Series:
Surface Tension
Cross Current
Bitter End
Wreckers’ Key
Mourning Tide
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  1. Book 1 of 8
    South Florida Adventure Series
  2. Print length
    342 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    26 Nov. 2013
  6. File size
    3.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 8 books in this series.

Product description

From the Inside Flap

In a stunning debut novel featuring a resourceful female amateur P.I., Christine Kling establishes herself as a major voice in suspense fiction. Surface Tension depicts a world as deceptive as a Florida land deal, as electrifying as the hottest Miami nightclub, and as dangerous as the tug of an invisible riptide. . . .

SURFACE TENSION

Years ago Seychelle Sullivan had the chance to save a person s life. But on that summer night in Florida, lost in a world of teenage resentment and loneliness, Sychelle was not able to feel any pain but her own. Today Seychelle captains her father s forty-six-foot salvage boat out of Fort Lauderdale s New River. She s seen change sweep through South Florida, and witnessed friends and lovers come and go. But she s never escaped that one moment when she could have made a difference and didn t. Now each time she rescues a ship in distress, a little hope is born in her again.

On a steamy Florida morning Seychelle is answering a Mayday call launched from the five-million-dollar Broward yacht called Top Ten. Racing her fiercest competitor for salvage rights, Seychelle has a personal stake in this rescue: Her former lover, Neal Garrett, is the yacht s hired skipper. But being the first to reach Top Ten will lead Seychelle to a bloody payday. A beautiful woman has been stabbed to death onboard. And Garrett is nowhere to be found.

Even on shore, the pressures are mounting Seychelle owes money on her boat, and her love life is in shambles. Within twenty-four hours of finding the dead woman and towing Top Ten out of the surf, Sychelle realizes that she has stepped into a lethal business involving some of South Florida s sleaziest criminals.

While the police treat her as the prime suspect, Seychelle begins to unravel a tangled plot centered on a strip club where all the girls are tens on top. Discovering the sordid secrets of the owner of the yacht she rescued and the fate of the man she had once loved, Seychelle is connecting human predators with innocent victims, and a mystery on land with a mystery buried deep beneath the sea. Now, to find out what really happened to Neal Garrett, Seychelle must retrace his last steps, through two murders and a horrific crime wave, to a final confrontation with someone who may want to kill her . . . or be her salvation.


From the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Christine Kling spent more than twenty years on and around boats and has cruised the waters of the North and South Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Caribbean. She received her M.F.A. in creative writing from Florida International University in Miami. She lives in South Florida with her teenaged son.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007UJPULS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tell-Tale Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 26 Nov. 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 342 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 8 ‏ : ‎ South Florida Adventure Series
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 2,722 ratings

About the author

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Christine Kling

Christine Kling

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I love sailing, books, travel, and adventure! So, I think I have the greatest job in the world - I get to write stories full time.

I've been sailing most of my life and that led me to set my first nautical suspense novels on the waterfront in Fort Lauderdale. Featuring Florida female tug and salvage captain, Seychelle Sullivan, there are now five books in the series, SURFACE TENSION, CROSS CURRENT, BITTER END, WRECKERS' KEY, and MOURNING TIDE. The last book in the series is my most current release.

My other series began as something new and different for me, as I shifted to writing international thrillers. In book #1 of the Shipwreck Adventures series, CIRCLE OF BONES: a Caribbean thriller, a female solo sailor, Maggie Riley, and a maritime archeologist (and conspiracy nut) Cole Thatcher are searching for the wreck of a World War II submarine. The second book, DRAGON'S TRIANGLE, finds Riley in Thailand trying (unsuccessfully) to forget about Cole while being drawn into a search for a missing WWII treasure.

In DRAGON'S TRIANGLE, I have Riley sail her boat 1800 miles through the South China Sea. She travels from Thailand to the Philippines and at the end of her voyage, Riley discovers true love.

In November 2013, a gentleman commented on my blog and asked a question about some software I had used. I responded and we started to correspond. One month later, I flew to Fiji to meet him, and for our “first date” we sailed 2200 miles through the Pacific on his 52-foot sailboat. Now, six months later, we have traveled together through Europe doing research on the Knights of Malta for book #3 in the series. In a field of flowers overlooking a little fishing village in Malta, he proposed - and I said yes! My new home is now that sailboat out in the Pacific Ocean, and like Riley, I have found true love.

The third book in the Shipwreck Adventures series, KNIGHT'S CROSS, was written while we were traveling through the Marshall Islands and Fiji aboard my new home. In that novel, Riley and Cole are aboard their new expedition yacht in the Mediterranean searching for an ancient document.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be certain whether it’s my adventures that shape the tale or the tale that shapes me. But I do know this: I’m going to keep on living these adventures on the high seas and writing the stories that come out of it all.

Connect with me at

http://www.christinekling.com

https://www.facebook.com/ChristineKlingAuthor

http://sailingwriter.com

@christinekling

Hope to see you out on the water.

Fair winds!

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
2,722 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a gripping and easy read with lots of suspense and action-packed adventure. They appreciate the excellent character development, with one review highlighting the fantastic tough girl protagonist Seychelle. The pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how the Floridian setting is vividly drawn.

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ReadabilitySuspensefulCharacter developmentPacingTension
36 customers mention ‘Readability’36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a gripping and great easy read.

"...is unsure who to trust. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it and read more by this author." Read more

"This book is well written. Easy to put down and pick up when relaxing...." Read more

"...It's one of those well-written, action-packed, thrilling books that you can't put down...." Read more

"I got this book because it was a freebie and i have found some great books in the freebie section and i would class this as one of them...." Read more

21 customers mention ‘Suspenseful’21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, describing it as an action-packed adventure with a fast-paced thriller feel. One customer notes it's a crime/thriller set in paradise with a mystery to be solved, while another mentions the plot twists and turns uncovering many surprises.

"...Had losts of twists to keep me interested." Read more

"...not so much nautical info. to be boring for me. The story moved along at a good pace without..." Read more

"...bit unbelievable . I carried on reading though and the ending was satisfactory." Read more

"...It's one of those well-written, action-packed, thrilling books that you can't put down...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Character development’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one highlighting the fantastic tough girl protagonist Seychelle.

"...finding her own way and trying to do the right thing, Sey is a likeable character and this action packed book is a great relaxing read...." Read more

"...Interesting characters and well written." Read more

"An unusual, fast paced adventure full of action with strong characters and a good plot. A real page turner. Loved it!" Read more

"...Tension builds from start to finish with excellent character development!" Read more

5 customers mention ‘Pacing’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as well put together and tenacious, with one customer noting how vividly the Floridian setting is drawn.

"...I also loved the fact that she is as equally drawn to a pretty, or in this case, handsome face as a man would be and, on occasion, equally fooled...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book and I am glad I came across it by chance. Tough girl, strong moral compass, finding her own way and trying to do the..." Read more

"...It's a good solid book. The hunt is on and the plot twists and turns uncovering many surprises." Read more

"...the islands and who would murder a beautiful girl in such a beautiful place, and why. The suspense builds and very real dangers are faced...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Tension’5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the tension in the book.

"...thrillers in an exciting, exotic setting, then you'll really love Surface Tension...." Read more

"Brilliant Read! Tension builds from start to finish with excellent character development!" Read more

"Kept me in tension! Just wh a t i like." Read more

"full of tension, a great read!" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It was not my normal choice of book but I really enjoyed it. Had losts of twists to keep me interested.
    Helpful
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  • Mrs. Bruce
    4.0 out of 5 stars An action packed adventure
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I don't know anything about boats, but that didn't stop me enjoying this book. There was
    not so much nautical info. to be boring for me. The story moved along at a good pace without
    any padding and there was plenty of action.

    Seychelle is a 30 year old tug boat owner, struggling to make a living and pay her 2 brothers
    their share of the boat, Gorda, left to the 3 of them when her father died.
    When she answers a Mayday call to an expensive yacht skippered by her ex-lover, Neil, she finds
    Neil missing and Neil's new girlfriend stabbed to death.

    Det. Collazo is determined that Seychelle is guilty of murdering Neil and the girl, though Seychelle
    believes Neil might still be alive and in hiding. Seychelle wants to stay out of the hands of the Police while
    trying to gain salvage money from the elusive owners of the yacht and attempting to unearth the truth about
    the girl's death and Neil's disappearance.

    Her probing upsets a lot of people, who want her stopped - or dead. She gets into a lot of bad scrapes and
    is unsure who to trust. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it and read more by this author.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Sady
    3.0 out of 5 stars Easy read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book is well written.
    Easy to put down and pick up when relaxing. But I was finding it a all bit unbelievable .
    I carried on reading though and the ending was satisfactory.
    Helpful
     Report
  • DevonGillie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I got this book as a Kindle freebie, and I'm so glad I took a chance on an author I'd never read before.
    It's one of those well-written, action-packed, thrilling books that you can't put down. It kept me up far past my bed time three nights running, until I literally couldn't keep my eyes open.
    I'm unfamiliar with the Florida coastal marine environment setting, but I could visualise events very clearly from the vivid descriptions of both characters and locations.
    I'm going now to pay Real Money for the next one in the series, and believe me, that doesn't happen unless I am truly impressed.
    Try it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
    One person found this helpful
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  • missd24
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great suspense book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 February 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I got this book because it was a freebie and i have found some great books in the freebie section and i would class this as one of them. The story is really interesting with it being about a salvage boat business and the fact that its a crime/thriller book makes it better. Only 2 things niggled me about this book, the first is that the Author goes into too much detail in my opinion on what everything on a boat is called, I have never been on a boat in my life so half of the time i didn't understand what she was talking about but it wasn't so bad to stop me enjoying the plot, the second thing is in the description the characters past is made into a big deal about how she could of saved a life but didn't, the book didn't need this part at all, i have no idea what made her think to put this in, i think the story is better without it to be honest, it just made it confusing when it didn't need to be but apart from these little niggles it was a great book with a great plot that keep you reading.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Perkins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced, exciting thriller with brilliantly drawn characters and a fantastic tough girl protagonist in Seychelle Sullivan
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 May 2018
    Verified Purchase
    If you love fast-paced action thrillers in an exciting, exotic setting, then you'll really love Surface Tension. What I loved most about Seychelle Sullivan is that she is every bit as tough and tenacious as her male counterpart would be. I also loved the fact that she is as equally drawn to a pretty, or in this case, handsome face as a man would be and, on occasion, equally fooled. A highly skilled salvage captain, working hard literally to keep her business afloat, she suddenly finds herself the prime suspect in a murder case. Along the way to getting herself out of trouble and solving the mystery, she has to face the fact that as a woman in a man's world, her fellow boatmen are not that eager to spring to her defence. Nevertheless, despite some of the awful things the male characters do, this book is in no way anti-men. It's much more about innocent victims, prejudice of all kinds and the fact that some people, male or female, are just plain evil whilst others are thoroughly good, and others can be all the shades in between. The Floridian setting is vividly drawn and Seychelle's love of nature and the natural world she inhabits through her life and work just shine through. Loved it from start to the very satisfying finish.
    One person found this helpful
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  • madforbooks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sea adventure
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book and I am glad I came across it by chance. Tough girl, strong moral compass, finding her own way and trying to do the right thing, Sey is a likeable character and this action packed book is a great relaxing read. I am looking forward to more the this author.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Florida boats
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Ahoy me hearties, there's trouble on the starboard bow. Enjoyable nautical adventure set on the Florida coast, starring Seychelle Sullivan, owner of a tug boat and equal to any man on the high seas.

    It's good fun - if a little Girl's Own in places. l wasn't convinced by the bad guys, but the sailing bits are clearly written from first hand experience. Christine King knows her way around a boat and you're in safe hands with her at the helm. A light and enjoyable read.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Carmen Garant
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
    Reviewed in Canada on 12 May 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. Great mystery read with lots of twists & turns. Captures you on the very first page & keeps you quickly turning those pages until the very end. Great storyline. Great characters. Will definately be reading more from this author.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Australia on 10 May 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I Loved the characters and the story line. I Couldnt wait to finish it.Will look for more from Christine Kling.
    Report
  • Cliente Kindle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Não consigo interromper leitura. É como maratona uma boa série.
    Reviewed in Brazil on 31 August 2022
    Verified Purchase
    É como maratonar uma série. Para ler de um fôlego.
    Report
  • Joyce Yarnell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read. Looking forward to Klings other books
    Reviewed in the United States on 22 March 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Kling creates a great story without being verbose with details. The main character is believable. The story was engrossing. Well told!
    Report
  • M. Kremer
    4.0 out of 5 stars spannend
    Reviewed in Germany on 22 April 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Gut geschrieben, spannend und kurzweilig. Ein Punkt Abzug, weil die Protagonistin ein wenig uebertrieben zu agieren scheint. Gute Unterhaltung und schoene Beschreibungen der Karibik.
    Report

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