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    Deadly Deceit
    Deadly Deceit
    Deadly Deceit
    Audiobook10 hours

    Deadly Deceit

    Written by Natalie Walters

    Narrated by Morgan Hallett

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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, and Vivian finds herself fighting for not only answers but also her life. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called The Watcher force Vivian to confront the secret of her past and decide: How much is she willing to risk for the sake of a headline? Author Natalie Walters welcomes you back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateNov 5, 2019
    ISBN9781980052340
    Deadly Deceit

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    Reviews for Deadly Deceit

    4.5/5

    52 ratings18 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Another winner by Natalie Waters! Lots of intrigue and characters that have their strengths and weaknesses, as all humans do. They’re relatable. This book kept you guessing and wasn’t predictable. I’m looking forward to the third book in this series.

      I’m thankful that author Jamie Jo Wright posted about her first book and I knew I had to read it!
    • 4/5

      A good follow up to “Living Lies”. Good storyline and an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from this author.

    • 5/5
      I read Living Lies, the first book in the Harbored Secret series, earlier this year and I loved it. I had high expectations for the follow up book and I was not disappointed! This story takes readers back to Walton, GA and features Vivian, a reporter, and Ryan, a small-town deputy. Both Vivian and Ryan were part of the story in book one. I really enjoyed seeing both of them in a new light in Deadly Deceit and revisiting with other friends from Walton. Ryan and Vivian had great chemistry complete with playful banter and the suspense with lots of twists kept me turning those pages. In all fairness, I listened to the audiobook so I guess I should say the suspense kept me tuned in. Although you could read Deadly Deceit as a standalone, I would highly recommend starting with Living Lies. I can't wait to start Silent Shadows, the third in the series, and the Harbored Secrets Christmas novella she announced would be coming to her newsletter subscribers later this week.
    • 4/5
      Thank you in advance to Revell Books and author Natalie Walters for sending me this gift copy (along with the goodies – bookmarks and bookplates). A positive review was not required at all; all words and thoughts are my own and given without payment or compensation.

      “Deadly Deceit” is Natalie Walters second book of the Harbored Secrets series in the small town of Walton, Georgia.

      Readers returning from “Living Lies” will remember reporter Vivian DeMarco who first visited Walton to cover the case of a murdered teenager (Sydney Donovan). A case that Deputy Ryan Frost also investigated. This is a standalone read and reading the previous book isn’t required. However, in reading “Living Lies” it does make “Deadly Deceit” far more enjoyable and the reader will understand some of this book’s references.

      After the events of “Living Lies”, Vivian is now living in Walton because of losing her job at a big newspaper. She failed to cover a juicy “tabloid” story in which Lane Kent stated she was responsible for the death of her husband – which was actually a car accident and Lane was not responsible at all.

      But, that isn’t Vivian’s current worry or her next big story.

      Harold Kennedy gave the former star reporter a second chance. But, that soon ends when Harold dies.

      At first it looks like a case of anaphylactic shock from an allergy. But, Vivian soon learns Harold’s death is anything but an accident, in fact there’s good evidence it was intentional.

      Despite the death of her friend, Vivian is focused on the truth. But, in getting to the truth, Vivian will have to rely on Deputy Frost. And, in that pursuit, he also has to keep her safe when she continues to run into trouble.

      Vivian stumbles on a video with Harold and a mystery woman – along with a demand for money. Now, Vivian is trying to locate the woman and find out why Harold was with her. As other people come into play, Harold’s accident is only part of a bigger deceit, deadly as it is. As Frost investigates, he also finds he has to make a career choice, and one that might tear him away from Walton.

      Her previous novel, Walters creates a wonderful story with unique characters that could be or might be people we know. She brings back some of the characters from “Living Lies” to make the town come alive. With such vivid writing, I could almost see this town and the people in it.

      There was so much going on in this book it is hard to catch your breath. But, it is worth the ride. Vivian’s past is also revealed which is absolutely heart-breaking. I hope to see a bit more of Vivian and Ryan in the third and final installment of this series.

      Extortion, fire, accidents, family secrets, intrigue, romance – Walters really got this book to sizzle. At one point near the end I couldn’t stop reading – I was hooked, and found my heart beating a bit faster to see what was going to happen. The bible passage “live chosen” was beautiful and a loving reminder.

      As to who killed Harold … you have to read this book.

      Watch for “Silent Shadows”, the third and final installment in the “Harbored Secrets” series coming in 2020.

      You can also pick up “Living Lies” now at Amazon or a local retailer.

      ** FYI: This would’ve been a quick 2-3 day read had “life” not interfered. Please don’t hold how long I took to finish the book against it.

      Release Date: November 5, 2019
    • 4/5
      This is the first book I've read from this author. I will look for other books from her as she kept the story interesting and didn't give away to much so that you were unsure of who the culprit(s) are.
    • 5/5
      This story had me from the first few pages and I knew this would be a great book. Vivian is a journalist who receives a call from her boss to meet him. You could feel the uneasiness in Vivian who thought it was odd he wanted to meet her. When she gets to her destination she finds her boss dead. What did he want to tell her? Her instincts kick in as she starts to dig into his death.Ryan is a detective who is serious about his job. When he teams up with Vivian the intrigue heightens. I liked how the author showed how two characters work together as they slowly develop feelings for each other. It was nice to have the focus on the mystery more than the romance.The author doesn’t disappoint suspense readers as the investigation finds Vivian and Ryan in danger. The twists in the story are unexpected which makes for an exciting read. I have found a new to me author who can write intriguing stories that are clean, adventurous and filled with wonderful characters.I received a copy of this book from the Librarything Early Readers Program. The review is my own opinion.
    • 5/5
      When Natalie Walters published her debut novel, Living Lies, in May 2019, right away I knew she was an author to watch! And book two in the Harbored Secrets series only confirms that I was right. Deadly Deceit was published in November 2019 by Revell Books.One of the things that makes Walters' books stand out is the setting. The fictional town of Walton, GA, has the perfect cozy, southern, small-town vibes. The tagline for the series is "Walton, Georgia: everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret." And that couldn't fit any better. The author does such a fabulous job of describing the small town and its citizens in a vibrant way that instantly draws the reader in. The "small town setting" trope can be a bit overused, but Walters re-imagines it in a way that makes it stand out and does away with the stereotype.As vibrant as the town is, the characters are even more so! Vivian DeMarco and Ryan Frost are our main characters. Ryan is a deputy with the sheriff's department, and total-nerd-turned-town-poster-boy. He's a bit on the arrogant side, but in an endearing way instead of irritating. I loved his protectiveness toward his family and those he cares about, and his backstory was very realistic and did a great job of explaining some of his personality and thought processes. Vivian is a reporter, and only in town long enough to do her job and get out. I love how her mindset about the town changes as she gets to know its people. I didn't expect to like Vivian at all, but her story instantly grabbed me and I found myself really connecting with her. Both of these characters are really great counterparts to each other, and there are a lot of scenes of hilarious banter between the two, as well as some more heart-touching scenes as together they work through the past and fears.I could go on about the rest of the cast of fabulous characters, but I'll let you pick up the book and get to know them yourself!The suspense side of the story is, as expected, very intense and keeps you turning pages. I had my suspicions as to what was going on, but there's so much happening I was constantly guessing!All in all, Deadly Deceit is an action-packed story full of humor and epic dialogue, heartwarming scenes, sweet romance, and more. Walters is an incredibly talented author and her beautiful writing style quickly and easily draws you into the story. I highly recommend this to all romantic-suspense lovers! I am very much looking forward to the release of the series finale, Silent Shadows, in March 2020!FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write an honest review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
    • 4/5
      I love discovering new authors, and Natalie Walters is certainly one I will search out again. In fact, I already have another of her books ready to go for book club in a few months. I chose the audio version of Deadly Deceit for an online book club. Alas, I missed the discussion, but I enjoyed the book. This romantic suspense is the second in her Harbored Secrets series. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend you start from the beginning since characters from book 1, Living Lies, make an appearance and the mystery that was the focus of that book was mentioned a time or two. Main characters Vivian and Ryan have a great attraction, but clash when it comes to the case of murder and blackmail. Vivian is a reporter and Ryan is a sheriff’s deputy, and they don’t always see eye to eye on how the investigation should be managed. Both characters are portrayed in a realistic manner, and their romance develops naturally. The setting is a fictional small town in my home state of Georgia — what’s not to love?! The mystery kept me engaged as the villain, the Watcher, is revealed bit by bit. Both Vivian and Ryan have father issues and must learn to trust their heavenly father.I am really glad I read Deadly Deceit and am anxious to return to Walton, Georgia for more romantic suspense.Recommended.Audience: adults.(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 4/5
      3.5 stars (note: rating may differ depending on whether site allows half star ratings)At first, I didn't expect much from this book, but I do think it turned out to be a much stronger entry in the series than the first book. Many people have secrets in this book--some ones that they don't want exposed--some ones that they don't want to confront.Vivian bothers me a bit--I understand wanting to be independent and not overly reliant on someone else, but she takes unnecessary risks because she doesn't want to call the police. She also seems to hold grudges.Ryan seems overly protective and overly suspicious of anyone who comes into his family's sphere of influence.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      Title: Deadly Deceit (Harbor Secrets #2)Author: Natalie WaltersPages: 336Year: 2019Publisher: RevellMy rating: 5 out of 5 stars.The first book in this series is titled, Living Lies, which was superb! The story was engrossing and full throttle suspense, so readers don’t want to miss this book! Now, in the sequel, Deadly Deceit, readers will enjoy another engaging tale of suspense, mystery, romance, and a grade “A” finish! In the story, we follow characters Vivian DeMarco and Deputy Ryan Frost. Readers are taken back to the fictional town of Walton, Georgia, where Vivian is working in a small-town newspaper publishing office. When Vivian’s boss calls her and then dies after she arrives to help him, the race is on to locate the culprit behind the boss’s demise. What happens then is the attempts on Vivian’s life as she digs into the lead and unfinished story the boss started.The tension between the two main characters is palpable as they each seek to find the person(s) responsible for the death of the newspaper executive and then also locate the “Lauren” which was the last clue left behind at the executive’s home. Now, as rocks are turned over to find Lauren, people are out to stop Vivian and Ryan. Trust me there is more going on at the same time as the death investigation and trying to locate a person whose last name is unknown.What an intriguing tale the author weaves that brings back players I read from the first book. As I read, I thought a couple of times I knew who the antagonist was, and then the author would throw in a scene or tidbit of information and I was back to square one. The third books in the series due out in March 2020 is titled, Silent Shadows, and I can’t wait! So, until then, catch up on the action that happens in Walton, Georgia, with Living Lies and Deadly Deceit.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 5/5
      Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters is the second book in her Harbored Secrets series. Welcome back to the little southern town of Walton, Georgia, where secrets seldom remain hidden! Journalist Vivian DeMarco teams up with Deputy Ryan Frost to find out who murdered her boss. The characters were very believable. Ryan and Vivian have issues with their fathers. Together they encourage each other to overcome their pasts and embrace the future. The suspense in this book started on page one and never stopped. The twists and turns kept you riveted and just when you thought you couldn’t take any more the author threw in a little romance to get you ready for the next adventure! I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one. Natalie Walters is one of my new favorite authors.I received this book from LibraryThing for my honest review.
    • 5/5
      Deadly Deceit is Natalie Walters’ second book in the Harbored Secrets series (following Living Lies). In this story, reporter Vivian DeMarco has returned to Walton, Georgia and is writing for the Gazette when her boss and friend Harold tragically and mysteriously dies. In the wake of his passing, she discovers that Harold was being blackmailed by someone known only as the Watcher. Deputy Ryan Frost has also returned to Walton from his training at Quantico and is investigating Harold’s mysterious death when he becomes reacquainted with Vivian. As they agree to work together to find answers, they discover more victims of the Watcher’s blackmailing scheme. As they search for clues to the Watcher’s identity, they find they must be ready to protect those they love as well as their own hearts.I found Deadly Deceit to be full of action, excitement, and emotion. Just as Living Lies dealt with the topic of depression, Deadly Deceit dealt with abandonment, the trust issues and feelings of inadequacy that can result from it, and the impact it can have on relationships. I appreciate that the author tackles issues that are a real struggle for so many people and, through her writing, is able to offer encouragement and hope. I also found the characters to be relatable and likeable and the story line to be full of excitement and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Deadly Deceit.*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
    • 5/5
      Deadly Deceit is the second book in the Harbored Secrets series. I did not read the first book, but was able to follow along fine. This book combines romance and mystery suspense in a nice combination that is extremely readable.Vivian's boss has just been murdered. His last words to her are to find the story. Enter Ryan who is on the task force and who has multiple law enforcement offers. The two are drawn into a deadly deceit of blackmail and murder uncovering a mystery as they go along. The characters are lovable and I enjoyed their trivia references throughout the book. Although they work together well, both are stubborn and the suspense of the mystery and personalities keeps the reader guessing. I am looking forward to reading other books in this series! I received an advance readers copy from Library Thing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      This is the second book in this series, and yes, it is as good as the first, but it can be read alone, previous characters do play a part in this story, but you won’t be lost.A cyber-crime that is destroying lives, and where will it stop, and who will be next, and who is responsible? Answers are forthcoming, but past hurts have to be dealt with in order to get there.We are also offered a sweet romance, but will either of these individuals be able to accept what is offered. Also, will they make it to the end, there are some hold your breath times ahead here.I see we are given a teaser at the end and another friend is about to get their own book! Yes!You don’t want to miss these captivating books!I received this book through the Revell Reads Program, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      I loved this book. It grabbed me from the first, and wouldn't let go.I received it through LT for my honest review.
    • 5/5
      In "Deadly Deceit", Book Two in the "Harbored Secrets Series", author Natalie Walters invites readers back to Walton, Georgia--a small town with big secrets. Journalist Vivian DeMarco and Deputy Ryan Frost, both of whom readers first met in Book One, "Living Lies", now have their romantic suspense tale, and the author has developed their characters so that there is an enjoyable spark and lively banter between them. When Vivian's boss, Harold Kennedy, dies just as he is trying to tell Vivian about a big story for her to investigate, a chain-of-events is set in motion that will leave the community of Walton forever changed. Ryan and Vivian will work together to solve the twisted mysteries, but someone called "The Watcher" has his own ideas for Vivian. Can Ryan keep them both safe--is anyone really safe? "Deadly Deceit" is an entertaining romantic suspense story, but it also has an underlying theme of discovering your own self-worth and being true to who you really are inside, and many readers will personally relate to both ideas.Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via Library Thing
    • 4/5
      This book is so amazing! I am absolutely loving this series so far. I cannot believe this author is new because her stories are phenomenal. I got drawn into this book right away, a must for me lately, and I didn’t want to put it down. It was filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing the whole time.I loved Ryan and Vivian. They were so perfect for each other and their chemistry was a delight to read. The romance never overshadowed the suspense or the faith aspect. Everything was woven together so beautifully, it was perfect.I recommend this book and series to anyone. Though this is the second book in this series, it can be read as a standalone.*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned above in the hope that I would review it on my blog. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*