Affiliate links are used in this blog. I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.

About the Book

Title: Deadly Deceit

Series: Harbored Secrets

Author: Natalie Walters

Publisher: Revell

Released: November 2019

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason — to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian’s only hope for finding the truth — and the next big story — is small-town law enforcement’s lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers — and her life.

Get your copy here.

My Review

I was both excited and apprehensive when I saw this title, Deadly Deceit, by Natalie Walters was available. Excited because I love romantic suspense. Apprehensive because I realized I hadn’t yet read the first book in the series.
So let me answer that unasked question first. As someone who hasn’t read the first book, Deadly Deceit can stand well on its own.
Vivian DeMarco is a reporter at the Gazette, a small-town newspaper. Her boss, Harold, dies before he can tell her about a huge story- a ”marmalade dropper.” Enter Deputy Ryan Frost, who wants De Marco out of his professional life but deep in his personal life.

Walters does a great job of causing the reader to identify with the characters. I felt so bad for Vivian’s loss of the father-figure when Harold dies. I could feel her resentment and understand the issues. I did have trouble understanding the lack of a firm trust between Vivian and Ryan as their relationship progresses. I also took issue with the fact that the author would suddenly switch point-of-view between any characters she wished without some kind of warning. Often authors use separate chapters, curlicue signs between paragraphs, scribbles, anything to separate two different paragraphs coming at the reader from different point-of-views. I was left rereading paragraphs and feeling put-out. I am told this issue may be corrected in the final paperback (and kindle?) version.

The mystery aspect was good. The danger ratchets up near the end, as it should, and the ending was well-timed and brought a true sense of relief.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own.

My Rating

4 Stars – Excellent – I would recommend it to a friend.

About the Author

My world revolves around GIJOE and our three adult (or almost adult) children who keep my life anything but predictable. Our boots hit the ground wherever the Army sends us but home is when we’re all together no matter the zipcode. My passion is writing stories where adventure meets love and share my belief that life rooted in purpose is a story worth telling.

You can follow Natalie Walters at the following: