Silent Shadows - A Review

Silent Shadows

By

Natalie Walters

Silent Shadows is a well-written faith-based romantic suspense that should be enjoyed by all who follow this genre of fiction.

A series of twists make it unclear who is the villain and who is the victim. Pecca Gallegos, her family, and friends from Walton GA, along with her new client, Colton Crawford, will spend weeks working toward understanding the danger facing the community. It may be just a bunch of misdirected kids, but that seems too simple a solution. And the most likely answer does not fit the evidence that has been found. Making the solution more complex is that a good number of the players are disabled veterans who have served their country and now needed healing themselves.

The book is the conclusion of a series of three books begun a little less than a year ago - but I had no idea of this until I read the “Acknowledgments” found at the end of the book. This, of course, means that Silent Shadows can be read as a standalone story without having read the two previous books in the series. There were times that the romance slowed down the suspense, but not by much and this reader stilled greatly enjoyed the book.

This book will easily find a home in the church or public library. _____________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Deadly Deceit - A Review

Deadly Deceit 

by

Natalie Walters

The Watcher is there - watching. Though discovered in small-town Walton, GA, he had a reach across the country as he tried to destroy people’s lives. It would take the coordinated work of Vivian DeMarco, writer for Walton’s local newspaper, and Deputy Ryan Frost, recently returned from a training course offered by the FBI, to gather the clues and piece together the evidence that would point to the man or woman responsible for the blackmail and murder which was becoming all too regular for this Georgian village.

Vivian had to learn forgiveness, a lesson she missed during her youth after discovering her father deserted his family and was a fraud as well. Her friend Lane would remind her

The right kind of love isn’t earned, Vivian. I can’t tell you how many years I’ve spent being someone else’s idea of perfect, trying to earn their love and affection only to be reminded—painfully—how imperfect I am. That’s the beauty of godly love. The kind that is forgiving, unwarranted, undeserving, and unconditional. (3314/5101)

It would not be a lesson easily learned, but one she would need to grapple with if she were to discover real peace.

Written for those who enjoy Christian or romantic suspense, there are lessons that most believers need to hear repeatedly. The book will find a welcome spot in the public or church library. It might also find a welcoming spot under someone’s Christmas tree. The plot might make a great story for a Lifetime movie, though it would be a bit dark for a Hallmark feature.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Body In The Landscape - A Review

The Body In The Landscape

by

Larissa Reinhart

A Review

I found the body.

Actually, if you want to get technical, I found his hat, then the body.

I had escaped the guests at Big Rack Lodge to do a spot of plein air painting,

when my peaceful Monet-inspired afternoon took a nasty turn toward disturbing.

Landscapes aren’t even my usual genre.

I’m a portrait painter.

But how often do I get a free weekend getaway

in the countryside that included a portrait commission?

I’ll tell you how often. A big fat never

The first seven sentences of the book are perfect – they set the mood, the setting, and introduce the main character. What more could you wish for from a fun romp in rural Georgia on a late fall weekend. Oh, did I mention it is a cozy mystery as well.

Unless you happen to be Cherry Tucker, the unlucky artist who found the first body. Or unless you happened to be Abel Spencer – the unlucky owner of the first body. Or a member of the hunting party who were individually being considered as a suspect. Or …. maybe it was not such a perfect afternoon after all.

Cherry Tucker and her entourage (which included a friendly, but odd, Russian, two boyfriends, one a barely available Mr. McDreamy, the other nice and considerate and very available, and her ex-sheriff dad that taught her everything she knew and more than she ought to know) would be present to keep track of each possible suspect and finally locate the guilty party.

The story was a fun read – though some day's events seemed to take more than the normal 24 hours to accomplish. Max, the friendly Russian, had valuable advice – both about the crime and Cherry's love live. Todd, the considerate and available boyfriend, would take off with nary a goodbye. And Luke, the barely available Mr. McDreamy, was available by phone, though he could not get away for the week's events or murders.

I enjoyed the historical discussion surrounding the existence of hogzilla, both in Georgia and throughout history. One sign of an interesting read is that I am forced to visit the web to fill in my knowledge at some level; hogzilla did exactly that. As the reader picks up the book, be prepared to be educated, entertained, and excited as you, too, discover The Body in the Landscape.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Imposters of Patriotism - A Review

Imposters of Patriotism

by

Ted Richardson

A Review

Historical fiction is really two different genres.  There are those books which are set in a former time period but which are purely fiction and have no connection to truly historical events.  Historical fiction also includes a group of books that are woven from one or more significant events in history - those events not only form the backdrop for the story, but become an integral part of the story.  "Imposters of Patriotism" is a part of this second sub-genre.

The year is 1778.  George Washington and much of the Continental Army is stranded at Valley Forge waiting out a devastating winter.  Watching his men suffer and die with inadequate provisions, deadly illnesses, and increasingly more difficult odds of defeating the British forces being led by General William Howe.  General Washington, seeking what is best for his men and for the country, writes a letter to General Howe offering to negotiate a surrender.  Due to circumstances beyond his control, General Washington's letter is never delivered.  As unlikely as it seemed at the time, the Americans proceed to win the war and gain the independence they desired.  The letter is all but forgotten.

Moving between the past and the present time, we follow the letter and its discovery, as well as collaborating documents, by an antiques dealer living in Savannah, GA.  In the weeks following the letter's discovery, the lives of Matt Hawkins, the antiques dealer, and his friends are threatened by a number of individuals who have put their own interests above those of their country.  "Imposters of    Patriotism" follows the letter, through flashbacks, to its discovery and disclosure to the American public.  In the process, it weaves a great deal of well-known history that adds considerable credibility to this exciting story.

The weaving of fiction and history works well - except for one small flaw.  One major character is described as "the most direct descendant of George Washington."  The problem is that George Washington had no known children of his own. He raised two of Martha's (a widow) children from her previous marriage and two of Martha's grandchildren, but with no children of his own, he had no "direct descendants".  The author may have been better off describing this man as Washington's "closest living relative" and the problem would be solved.

The book was an exciting read - whether the history from the 18th century, glimpses of known events from the early 19th century, or following the lives of Matt Hawkins and his friends as they follow the evidence and their hearts. The book forced me to examine history that I had not previously known, I was introduced to places and people that gave me a deeper appreciation for the men and women who sacrificed for the freedom we still enjoy today. Along with a good mystery, this book should hold many a reader's attention.  And get started soon, as the author has another volume arriving later this year.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.