Living Lies by Natalie Walters

Living Lies by Natalie Walters

Published by Revell

Synopsis:

In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret. At least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.

Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.

Debut novelist Natalie Walters pulls you to the edge of your seat on the first page and keeps you there until the last in this riveting story that will have you believing no one is defined by their past.

My Take:

Before I even talk about what’s inside of Living Lies, can I just say how much I appreciate the cover?  The dark greens and low hanging Spanish moss provide the perfect backdrop for the murder/mystery that the writer tells.  I couldn’t help but imagine a very tangible setting due to that cover!   Ok, onto the content!  I haven’t read a ton of inspiration fiction in my short 33 years of life but I can say that Living Lies has passed my expectations.  Where other authors excel with sweet romance (Becky Wade) and action/adventure (Susan May Warren), Natalie Walters weaves both action and romance together so flawlessly that the reader is completely entranced into the story from the very first chapter all the way to the end!

Our two main characters, Charlie and Lane are very well thought out characters.  Which is a good thing, since this story is character driven.  When we meet Lane in the first chapter, I am immediately involved.  I am Lane!  There’s so much of this character in me that I felt one of the most raw and true connections to a character that I’ve ever felt, so thank you Natalie for writing this incredible young lady.  With truths about depression and anxiety spotlighted, this story delivers powerful messages that I feel, we readers not only appreciate but crave!  Oh, did I mention Charlie?

What a swoon worthy character if there ever was one!  Charlie Lynch is my kind of small town hero… dimples and all!  I don’t consider him having dimples a spoiler but if it is, than sorry not sorry!  If I know a hero has dimples, then I am all about that story and I hope you are too.  The chemistry between the two characters was palpable and gratifying to say the least!  I really want more romance from this author; she knows her stuff!

The secondary characters were also very lovely and memorable.  Ms. Byrdie was most favorite but personalities from Lane’s sister and her son added a lot of emotion that made this story so real.  The sheriff and all of his deputies were well written. Even the villain of the story was a well thought out, developed character, so true to the wicked nature of some people out there.  Some parts definitely gave me goosebumps!  I absolutely loved Living Lies and have already pre-ordered Deadly Deceit! 

About the Author: Natalie Walters

 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 zip code. My passion is writing stories where adventure meets love and share my belief that life rooted in purpose is a story worth telling.