Natalie Walters

"Maybe trust is like love, not something you guard, but something you offer. Grounded not in certainty but in faith."

Oh, man. I have missed Natalie Walters and her books. This is slightly different from her previous romantic suspense books in that it is espionage and suspense with hefty dose of rom-com. I loved the banter and teasing between Cybil and Ben; I also loved their long history of childhood friendship and all of its complications. Cybil and Ben had amazing first person voices show more telling the story. Cybil was a bit of a mess but clever, sharp, and loyal to the core. Ben was kind, considerate, witty, smart and protective. Neither was your typical, polished, suave spy like James Bond but they progressed in their individual mission even if they fumbled through it. The romcom moments were absolutely hysterical and the levity was needed considering the scary villains they were both chasing. The fascinating financial and military intrigue embedded in the plot provided fast-paced suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters like Athena, Ruby who was Ben's FBI partner, and Ben's grandmother. I'm hoping for a sequel with either Ruby or Rex, Cybil's cousin and Ben's friend, or Joy, Cybil's best friend.

This book is perfect for you if you're looking for a witty Mr and Mrs Smith type of spy adventure fun. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. show less

"I think you and Garcia are like copper and tellurium. Cu-Te. From the periodic table."

Lyla and Garcia's story was totally worth the wait. We already knew there was romantic tension between the two of them from the previous books but their story is so much more than romantic tension, clever barbs, and witty dialogue. A surprising and fascinating backstory is the foundation of intricately detailed and gripping suspense - when all the pieces are finally revealed, you will be completely blown show more away. Even if you didn't read the prequel novella Initium (which I didn't prior to reading this book), you will still be able to fully appreciate the beauty of the story. If you did read Initium, then you'll have a head start on understanding the plot here.

I enjoyed getting to know Lyla underneath her snark and political connections. Her vulnerability, drive to prove herself, and family dynamics added great layers to her character. Garcia's past that prevents him from pursuing Lyla was fleshed out and his integrity, loyalty, and thoughtfulness made him an unforgettable hero. Director Tom Walsh also had a voice, which added dimensions to the plot.

With nail-biting suspense, fantastic plot twists, lovable characters, strong faith thread, and crackling romantic tension, Blind Trust is the perfect ending to a wonderful series. Kudos to Natalie Walters!

I received the book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. show less

"Your courage comes not from a name, but by the way you live the life God sets before you. It requires us to stake everything we believe, to surrender our lives, on our faith in God."

The SNAP Agency is fast becoming one of my favorite group of crime-fighting geniuses. I fell in love with Natalie Walters' writing with the first book in the series and this follow up confirms her placement in my favorite suspense author category. Nail-biting suspense is perfectly paired with an unlikely romance show more between two fascinating characters. The solid faith thread creates a deeper layer to the awesome plot that has twists and turns and possible villains around every corner. If you enjoy romantic suspense, you don't want to miss this book by Natalie Walters.

I loved Kekoa's big teddy bear self with easy-going personality but also loved that his past regrets and grief came to light in this book to show us the real Kekoa. His snarky banter with Lyla, one of his colleagues, is always fun and witty. His cute, sweet, and often awkward interaction with Elinor was heart-warming and lovely. Elinor is different from Kekoa but shares the same grief of losing a dearly loved one and is inexplicably drawn to him. In the midst of betrayals, confusion, and attacks from multiple angles, Elinor works with Kekoa and SNAP to solve the riddle that's connected to long-buried secrets.

I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All comments are my own. show less

Natalie Walters is now one of my must-read romantic suspense authors! I really liked her first 3 books, but Lights Out, the first book in The Snap Agency, hit it out of the park! With the perfect balance of romance and suspense, this novel grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. Furiously turning the pages best describes my reading experience. The book has international intrigue with high-stakes consequences. And it combines the workings of the CIA with a government show more contractor group with state-of-the art tech. Working outside of the government, the SNAP Agency (Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency) can do a lot to help with national security. The two main characters are CIA analyst Brynn Taylor and Jack Hudson. They have history to say the least. The implications of their backstories were crucial to the success of the assignment, and I loved how Walters wove their personal and professional roles together. Besides being a very satisfying romance, the suspense is what really kept me reading. The plot is intriguing and the twists just kept on coming. Let’s just say danger dogged Brynn’s every step. There is a definite faith thread that runs through the book. Brynne’s personal struggles may not be the norm, but her dependence on her own abilities instead of God resonated with me. Lights Out also has an ensemble cast that was integral to the storyline and is sure to show up in future books — can’t wait! I have to give a shout-out to Kekoa, a character who had a small role in Walter’s novel, Silent Shadows. He is larger than life in this book, and I am hoping his role is expanded in book 2.

Fans of romantic suspense will not want to miss Lights Out. I loved it!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less