In the third book of Walter's Harbored Secrets series, Pecca is in trouble and Colton comes in to help.
I really liked seeing Colton's relationship with Pecca's son. He looked beyond himself, something he seemed to struggle with, and helped out a kid. I loved how well Walters portrayed Maceo and the other kids in the story. It added an element of realism and also made the characters pop.
The Vets. I think that's the best way to put it. They were a hilarious bunch and never failed to make me laugh. Their antics added a unique element to the story.
All that said, this series had a solid ending and I'm looking forward to reading what Walters writes next.
Rating: 5/5
Crude Language: N/A
Romance: 4/5
Spiritual: 5/5
Violence: 4/5
*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. ( )

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, I need them to have a story! The unexpected person to come into the book was making me need more!

I would love to see that character's backstory, it would make me so happy if it happens.

All right, I've said all this, but I should warn you that this is not a book for the faint of heart. It deals with a lot of tough stuff. Like …

Drugs.
Unmarried pregnancy.
PTSD.
Soldiers who were wounded.
Prison.
Murder.
Crimes.
Beatings.
Being held at gunpoint.
A sniper tries to take someone out.
Threats of killing a kid.
Threats of taking someone out just like the person had killed someone else.
So, lots of things that make this book a read for mature readers and those that like suspense that has hard topics in it.

I can't believe I got to this point in my review without mentioning the cover! You know how I just mentioned (up there somewhere…) that I almost didn't read Living Lies because the cover looked haunting? Well, that would have been a BIG MISTAKE (*chuckles* Read the book, you'll want to read about the "mistakes" and apologies.), I now love the covers since they have the three main colors I love. And they are so pretty in a serious, almost scary way.

While I loved the Harboured Secrets series I am slightly sad that it has ended but look forward to what Natalie Walters publishes next, she is a favorite suspense author as of the first chapter of her first book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

3.5 stars (rating shown may vary depending on site).

I've read this author before but don't think I read the other 2 books in this series.

I liked the main characters and the idea that just because life doesn't turn out like you planned, doesn't mean that God doesn't still have a plan for you.

However, the plot overall is still the same formula that this publisher uses time and again. Man and woman meet and fall in love but one (or both) feel there's some reason they can't be a couple until (usually the woman) ends up in a life threatening situation that makes the other confess how he/she wants to spend the rest of his/her life with her/him. Honestly, it gets a bit old and I wish they'd come up with a different plot outline to use. ( )

The Harbored Secrets series was definitely my favorite romantic suspense series of 2020 and they just kept getting better and better as I read each one. Hands down, Silent Shadows was my favorite of the three. Because of her own life experience as an Army wife, Natalie Walters knows how to capture the heart of our military heroes in her writing and Colton was a perfect example of that. I was also grateful to get to know more of Pecca and Mateo's story in this book as well. The development of Colton and Pecca's relationship was spot on. It felt very natural to the reader. And the suspense...totally kept me guessing until the end. Although this could be read as a standalone, do yourself a favor and read the rest of the series first if you haven't already. You will appreciate the updates on the couples from the first two books. I also have to mention that I fell in love with the guys of the D-wing. They were a hoot!! They truly captured the rivalry and camaraderie of our veterans! I am looking forward to the first book in her new series releasing next year! ( )

Title: Silent Shadows (Harbored Secrets #3)
Author: Natalie Walters
Pages: 336
Year: 2020
Publisher: Revell
My rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Colton Crawford has been transferred to a home for rehabilitation for those in all branches of military service. His condition didn’t improve in the hospital, leaving Colton frustrated, grouchy. He wants his condition to go away quickly, but he will soon learn that isn’t going to happen. Sometimes, things don’t completely go away but must be adapted to in order to learn a new way of living a life. Colton also has a romantic streak toward Pecca and a wonderful, encouraging, generous way with young Maceo.
Pecca Gallegos is a nurse, who I thought acted more in the occupation of physical therapist. She helped with Colton’s exercises and treatment plan. Her past choices have led to a pregnancy at a young age and the father of her son being a criminal. She has moved to Walton, Georgia in an attempt to keep her son out of the clutches of his father, as well as to keep herself away from the lifestyle of her past. She has changed, but her ex-boyfriend is due to be paroled and her life and that of her son are now in danger. Her heart has softened toward Colton. She wonders if he can keep her and Maceo safe and exactly who is out to do her harm.
I wanted more action and suspense in this story and less romance. I loved the crew of veterans and their interactions with Colton and each other. There was teasing of each other, but still a mutual respect, and the effort they put forth to help Colton romance Pecca was just so heartwarming! Maceo was an absolute treasure! The story flowed at a reasonable pace, and if you’re like me, you want to finish a series once started, so you’ll want to get a copy of this one to wrap things up. I liked the novel but didn’t love it.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )