Tuesday, April 7, 2020

#GIVEAWAY and #INTERVIEW: SILENT SHADOWS by Natalie Walters, Reviewed by Paula and Kim

Author Natalie Walters
Autographed copy for giveaway!

Recently, Paula chatted with Author Natalie Walters about her new release!

Paula: Was it easier to write Silent Shadows than the first two books?

 


Natalie: In a way yes, because I had been thinking about these characters and their story line for a couple of years so I was really excited to get it written. However, because I had spent so much time dreaming about this story when it came to actually write it I was so overwhelmed with all of the details playing in my mind I worried I wasn't going to be able to get it on paper the way I wanted to. Thankfully, it all came together the right way...after lots of tears and prayers, lol.

Paula: The dishwasher scene was hilarious! Were you writing from experience?

Natalie: I was! My siblings and I had chores at a young age and we were probably in elementary school and had one of those portable dishwashers. We didn't know you couldn't use dish soap in it. The next thing you know, a growing blanket of white suds was covering everything in our kitchen and we freaked out. It was right out of the movies with us slipping all over the place to clean it up.

Paula: How much of you comes out in Pecca? When she speaks, I hear your voice!

Natalie: I think Pecca might be the closest to me, personality-wise but she also has a lot of my oldest daughter in her too. Some of Pecca's backstory was written from my own personal background but her cheerful, positive attitude, caring personality, is my daughter all the way. I might be the feisty in Pecca, though!
 

Paula: Do you pick a Bible verse or a theme before or after you start writing the book?

Natalie: Usually as I'm plotting a story or character, a theme will show up and as I write I watch for how to develop it. I want it to be natural and not forced so if I feel like I'm changing anything to fit the theme, I stop. Sometimes a Bible verse or theme won't show up until after I have written the first couple of drafts.
 

Paula: If you have had time to read, what is your favorite book so far this year!

Natalie: I always try to make time to read! So far my favorite books of this year are: Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel; The Kremlin Conspiracy by Joel C. Rosenberg; Take A Chance On Me by Becky Wade; and I'm cheating a little here with this next one because it hasn't released yet but I got to read an early copy and LOVED it, Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson.

Paula: How has the virus outbreak impacted your family and travel plans? 



Natalie: Like everyone else I'm sure. The biggest impact we're currently on edge about is for my son who is a senior in high school this year and expected to have commencement at the end of May. My extended family made travel plans that are all on hold until we get word whether the ceremony will happen or if the travel restrictions will even be lifted for them to come visit. It's really hard to live in the uncertainty but I'm grateful we have all that we need and are safe, healthy, and can connect through technology with our loved ones. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CHATTING WITH US, NATALIE!
now for our reviews...
PAULA'S REVIEW:
This book deserves more than 5 stars.

Wow! This book is the whole package. Great characters, a suspenseful plot, family dynamics and some humor to break the tension, not to mention the romance that heats up the pages— in a good way, after all this is a Christian Romantic Suspense novel. I couldn’t be more pleased with this third book of the Harbored Secrets series. Natalie Walters is a superb author. She ramps up the excitement in a totally believable story.

Pecca has a past that she is not proud of but is now a Christian. She tries hard to protect her son, Maceo, by moving away from trouble to a small town in Georgia. She takes a job as a nurse at Home for Heroes, working with wounded veterans. “My grandmother told me life is a series of choices. We should always strive to make the right ones, but sometimes we don’t. She said that when we face hardships, whether by our own making or through circumstances beyond our control, that’s when we have to turn everything over to God because only he has enough grace to turn our messes into blessings.”

The meeting with Colton Crawford is epic. She bowls him over. Colton has a disorder that I was not familiar with. Nurse Pecca helps with his rehab and finds a caring but hurting soul.

Familiar faces from books one and two and a few new ones round out the characters from Walton, Georgia. Maceo is one brave little boy, having a challenge of his own. There is wise counsel from Chaplain Kelly.

Ms. Walters doesn’t skimp on laughs in this suspenseful tale. The wisecracks of the elderly veterans are priceless. She must have been channeling her inner Lucy Ricardo for a scene with an overflowing dishwasher. Could she be speaking from experience?

Don’t miss this whole Harbored Secrets series.

I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*


KIM'S REVIEW:
I really loved everything about Silent Shadows. It is the perfect mix of romance and suspense with some really lovable main and secondary characters. The humor is spot on and the writing style makes you want to keep reading. I’m really sad that this series is over!

I really liked both main characters. I felt so bad for what Colton was going through physically, and how it made him question himself. I wanted to cry for him on more than one occasion. My favorite thing about him was his drive to help people, especially Maceo! And speaking of Maceo, one of my favorite things in this story is the relationship between him and Colton. I loved that kid. Pecca was perfect for Colton. Her sense of humor totally won me over. Finally, the suspense was so well done. It started out slowly and ramped up to a heart pounding climax at the end.

With each story, Natalie Walters just keeps getting better! I hated to see this series end. So looking forward to whatever Ms. Walters brings us next!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book.


Back Cover Blurb:
They're running from their pasts into an unknown future.
But first, they'll have to survive the present.

Nurse Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her. When a series of strange circumstances evolves into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally--her stubborn patient.

Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton's involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer--and more deadly--than they realized.

Welcome back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.


Available in digital ebook, paperback, and hardcover:
Buy Silent Shadows at Amazon
Buy Silent Shadows at Christianbook.com

Now for that GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

11 comments:

  1. About 25% of my TBR and read-pile. Love suspense!

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  2. Perhaps a third? I read a lot of genres but suspense is a favorite.

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  3. Very little of my TBR pile is contemporary/romantic suspense. It's not my normal go to genre, but I am reading a contemporary suspense right now and enjoying it. Maybe I just hadn't found the right author before.

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  4. I would say almost half of what I read is romantic suspense. The other half is historical romance :-)

    Thanks for the reviews, author interview and giveaway chance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I already subscribe to Natalie's newsletter and Inkwell 😊

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  5. About 90% of what I read is romantic suspense. Mystery/suspense is my go to genre.

    I already subscribe to Inkwell and Natalie's newsletters.

    Thank you for the interview and wonderful reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Probably 30%. I like a variety! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  7. I would say about 70% - this is my favorite genre :)

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  8. I like a variety of genres & like the suspense in several of them, so about 25%.

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  9. I would say about 40% of what I read is romantic suspense. It's one of my favorite genres.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would say about 75%. It is definitely my favorite genre!

    ReplyDelete

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