Silent Shadows

After putting my copy of Silent Shadows in my closet, eh, I mean library, I told my mom I was off to write my most disappointing review of Natalie Walters' newest release. Let me step back a minute… before this I was walking by Mom on the way up the stairs I yelled triumphantly, "I was right! It's Natalie's best book." I hurried upstairs and *groans* tossed my bag on my bed, so no, my book isn't in the proper place it should be but I'll fix that ... After I finish my review. You see it is the best of the series and yet it is disappointing since I can't read another of her books FOREVER. Like so long. And I want to cry because her books are SO GOOD AND SO REAL. All right, all right, on to my real review. This book has been on my to be read list since the day I read the first book in the series, Living Lies, that was even before I knew what Silent Shadows was about, or even knew the title of the then unknown book. It's funny really, I nearly didn't request the first book for review because I thought the cover looked haunting, and the author was a new author, her debut book was about to release, Living Lies, which ended up to be a top five favorite in 2019, but back to the subject at hand … Silent Shadows! I loved the different name that the heroine had, Pecca. It is definitely not one you hear every day! And I saw the author's reason for using it and I liked it even more. (Ask Natalie Walters about it on Facebook/Goodreads/social media etc. because I would butcher it. ;)) Before I get to Colton I want to talk about the veteran side of the story, which was so awesome, I knew that Silent Shadows would have some military/Vet themes in it but, oh, goodness, it was even better than I expected. The men in the book were hilarious, and I loved the jabs they gave each other about being in different branches of the military. (I'M ALL FOR AIR FORCE OF COURSE…), and the love that Pecca had for the wounded warriors she cared for made her character so real. Then there were the cute little boys who are quite daring at times (they remind me of my middle brother, honestly.) and Maceo, I absolutely loved his story. #saynomoreforspoilers Now, Colton, after loving both of Mrs. Walters' first two heroes, Charlie, and Ryan I wasn't sure if I'd like Colton as much as I did them but now? After reading all three books I have to say they are tied, I can't pick a favorite! The suspense, oooh, I can nearly always predict what happens in a suspense. It's not so with the Harboured Secrets series! I got until the last quarter of the book and I had a guess as to why the bad guys were after Pecca (I was right, but I was also unable to figure out why.) and I am so happy that each of Natalie Walters’ books were truly suspenseful! I was am so happy that I found a suspense that was suspenseful. I still haven't gotten to say anything about Colton, have I? Well, he was not quite what I was expecting, I've read many books with soldiers suffering from PTSD and yet they don't always feel real or they are cliche stories, it's not so in Silent Shadows. I understand some of PTSD (my dad's had PTSD half of my eighteen years.) and it's tiring to see it done over the top, or badly which was one of the reasons I'm glad that Colton didn't have PTSD. And I loved, loved, loved, loved Colton and Maceo's relationship; it was so well written! (Go grab a copy and come back and we can talk about it!) I loved the rubbing Colton got for "Hot Tamale" and all of that part of the book. The guys were all developed even though they were side characters, as I've seen in each of the Harboured Secrets books Natalie Walters is good at writing all of her characters, and giving them character, all of them. Even the character that only shows up in a book once, they still seem like real people in the book. Now, let's talk about that ending, shall we? It was good, so good. But it was not where I wanted it to end. I wanted to know more about a certain character that came into the story,

WOW! What a finish to a magnificent series! If you read the last book, Deadly Deceit, then you were probably on the Pecca train with me before this book even came out. I was super excited to see how Pecca's story would play out and I was not disappointed. Natalie Walter's bring us back to Walton, Georgia to wrap up The Harbored Secrets trilogy where we find out that Pecca has a past that comes back to haunt her. Thankfully she has the wonderful community of Walton, who has her back and will do anything to protect her and her son, Maceo. My soft spot for war veterans made me love this book even more since Pecca is a nurse at Home for Heroes, which is a rehabilitation home for war veterans, also where she meets Captain Colton Crawford(all the heart eyes). The banter and humor between the vets and Pecca made my heart so full. Never did I think that I was going to laugh as much as I did while reading this suspense novel. All I can say is that Natalie has her character development down pat. Although you will laugh while reading Silent Shadows, you will equally spend the entire time reading, wondering who is threatening Pecca. I really didn't see it coming, I was on the edge of my seat! I will not give away the ending but I can tell you that you will feel like you had a heart attack only to have you feel like your heart is soaring. Does that make sense? If you haven't read the first two books, Living Lies and Deadly Deceit, you need to go get yourself a copy of each. Preorder your copy of Silent Shadows. And binge read the first two that way you will be ready to go when your copy of Silent Shadows comes in. With coronavirus having us all social distancing now is the perfect time to read them! I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

The conclusion to the Harbored Secrets series definitely ends on a high note. It’s my favorite book of the three, and I liked them all. Walters does a great job of portraying a wounded warrior with the character of Colton Crawford. And the perky, lovable Pecca Gallegos is just what the doctor would order for Colton. The romance between them is tender, and the mystery/suspense is satisfying. The secondary characters add a depth that will have you laughing one moment and feeling all kinds of emotions the next. The good news for those of you who haven’t read the first two books is you can read this as a standalone. That isn’t to say, it isn’t a richer experience if you read the first two first, but you won’t feel like you’re in the middle of some story if this is the first book you read. It has an element of Christian faith interwoven, but is not overbearing.

Silent Shadows by Natalie Walters is the third book in her Harbored Secrets series. Nurse Pecca Gallegos moved to Walton, Georgia so that her son would not be influenced by the gang that his father belonged to. Working as a nurse in a home for wounded veterans she meets Army Captain Colton Crawford. When Pecca is targeted Colton becomes her protector. I loved the way all the vets joked with each other. This book was awesome, with just the right amount of humor, suspense and romance. The author was able to reach thru the pages, grab you by the collar and pull you into the story from the start to the finish! Can’t wait for more by Ms. Walters!! I received this book from LibraryThing for my honest review.