Better Watch Out by Natalie Walters

If you would like to read a wonderful book set in New York City, during Christmas then Better Watch Out by Natalie Walters is a book you need to pick up.

Frannie had made a bucket list to complete with her boyfriend Calvin in New York only she found out Calvin found someone new leaving her broken-hearted.  Her brother enlists his friend Andrew to act as her companion while she completes her bucket list.

This story was sweet, cute, romantic, tense, and at times suspenseful. Ms. Walters created another character in New York City itself. The smells, the sounds, the atmosphere were almost palpable. Well done Ms. Walters.

There were quite a few moments where I giggled out loud, especially during Frannie and Andrew's "meet cute". 

This is a book to be a treasured keepsake to be read each Christmas. I would highly recommend it if you like romantic suspense stories set during Christmas, this is a must read.

On a 5-Star Scale - I give it 5-Stars!

I would like to thank the author, Natalie Walters, for my e-book copy of Better Watch Out. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

 

Targeted by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters

I love reading novellas so when three are combined into one book by authors that I love, I jump at the chance to get a copy. Targeted by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn and Natalie Walters is a book in which all three novellas will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The first novella, On the Run, by Lynette Eason, is the story of FBI agent Daria Nevsky. Daria is an IT Specialist who can hack into any computer, and Dr. Ryker Donahue who is an ER doctor. Daria is attacked within the first few pages and she ends up driving her attacker's car from Quantico, VA down to Asheville, NC, and ends up in Dr. Donahue's ER. When Daria goes in search of answers, Ryker decides he can't let her go alone. This was an awesome addition to this book.

The second novella, Deadly Objective by Lynn H. Blackburn was the story of Emily Dixon, a physical therapist, and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper. Emily is tasked to give physical therapy to the Vice President's son, Mason and it is Liam's job to keep Mason in line. When someone tries to kidnap Mason, Emily and Liam find themselves working together to keep him safe. I loved that the story began with a relationship already beginning between Emily and Liam and I loved their playful teasing. Another excellent addition to the book.

The third and final novella, Caught in the Crosshairs by Natalie Walters was the story of CIA officer Claudia Gallegos and Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman. When Claudia walks in on the murder of a Saudi Prince she finds herself being implicated in his murder. Ari is assigned to help her but Claudia doesn't trust anyone, especially Ari as he is known as being a "player" and she can't help but notice how handsome he is. But as time progresses and Ari saves her more than once Claudia begins to realize he is more than just a 'pretty boy'. 

All three novellas are fast-paced and give the reader a roller coaster ride to the finish. I loved all six of the main characters. All three authors are great at creating believable characters and that is something that is very important to me. So, if you love fast-past romantic suspense I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Targeted.

I give each novella 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of Targeted. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

Fatal Code by Natalie Walters

When I had the opportunity to read and review Natalie Walters's new book I jumped at the chance. Her newest book, Fatal Code is the second book in "The SNAP Agency" series and I can only say this book is just as good, if not better, than the first book in the series, Lights Out (read my review here)!

Elinor Mitchell is an aerospace engineer working for Lepley Dynamics. Her grandfather was part of a group of scientists who came close to finishing a nuclear energy project but never completed it. When her grandfather dies she takes it quite hard. He left notebooks behind that gave her comfort knowing they were his. What she doesn't realize is there are codes within them that can lead her to the cipher that is needed to complete the 'fatal code'. 

The owner of Lepley Dynamics has hired the SNAP Agency (Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency) because there is a leak in his organization causing important information to get to their competitors. Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is a member of the SNAP Agency and was given the task of monitoring Elinor as she is suspected of leaking the information.  This soon leads to Kekoa having to protect her as well. Other countries are trying to secure the information from Elinor in any way possible. 

All the characters in this series are well crafted and seem to come to life on the written page. I will say that Kekoa is my favorite character overall at this point. I loved the way he showed his soft vulnerable side when he was with his family and Elinor. I also loved Elinor's quirkiness when she wore t-shirts with scientific equations on them and also when she would tell her quirky jokes. 

There were also moments that brought tears to my eyes such as the line on page 121 where, speaking about her grandfather, Elinor tells Kekoa, "It's like I can run my fingers over his writing and feel closer to him, read his words and hear his voice speaking to me." Or on page 222, "Kekoa's knees buckled, and his father ran to him, strong arms wrapping around him as he collapsed into them, releasing the sorrow, anguish, pain, and regret he'd been holding on to for fourteen years."

There are two things that interfered with me having a 100% enjoyable read. The first was located on page 50 when the author states Kekoa was living his own version of Grey's Anatomy without the medical part and also on the same page she referenced Mad Men. I have never seen either show and so the references fell flat for me. Also, with Kekoa being of Hawaiian descent, in the first quarter of the book there are a lot of Hawaiian words that in order for me to fully understand, I had to look the words up on the internet. This slowed down my reading pace. I will say that the pace picked back up once I got past all the Hawaiian words. I wish Ms. Walters could have included a glossary in the front or back of the book that contained all the words.

I would highly suggest this book to anyone who loves a good fast-paced, suspenseful romance novel.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of Fatal Code. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

Lights Out by Natalie Walters

When I learned Natalie Walters had a new book out I jumped at the chance to review it. Her newest book, Lights Out, is the first book in "The SNAP Agency" series and I can only say this book has started the series off with a bang!

The heroine is CIA Analyst Brynn Taylor, who has developed a new program to combat terrorism. The hero is Jach Hudson who works for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency. The story begins with Brynn inviting members of foreign intelligence agencies to come to America to try to get them to cooperate between countries. Unfortunately, one of them is missing and he is an Egyptian spy. Jack is called in to take the lead in hunting down the missing spy. When he learns Brynn is involved, Jack is none too happy. It seems he had been betrayed by her in the past.

Ms. Walters has created great characters with real depth in their personalities. She brings a story that is believable in today's culture.

This story is filled with twists and turns taking the reader on a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat journey from beginning to end.

I would highly recommend Lights Out to anyone who enjoys a romantic suspense novel.

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of Lights Out. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,