Fatal Code

GIVEAWAY

WALTERS, NATALIE

FATAL CODE

In 1964, a group of scientist called the Los Alamos Five came close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the United States government when they were abruptly disbanded. Now the granddaughter of one of those five scientists, aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell, discovers that she has highly sensitive information on the project in her possession -- and a target on her back.

SNAP agent and former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is tasked with monitoring Elinor. This is both convenient since she's his neighbour in Washington, DC, and decidedly inconvenient because...well, he kind of likes her.

As Elinor follows the clues her grandfather left behind to a top-secret nuclear project, Kekoa has no choice but to step in. When Elinor learns he has been spying on her, she's crushed. But with danger closing in on all sides, she'll have to trust him to ensure her discoveries stay out of enemy hands.

Natalie Walters sucks you into the global race for space domination in this perfectly paced second instalment of her SNAP Agency romantic suspense series.

My Review:

Absolutely LOVE the team building in this series! SNAP (Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency) is a group of elite agents with diverse talents and backgrounds -- including ethnicities. The banter is out of this world! I laughed out loud so many times! This is a found family full of heart and faith...and they're not above a little bickering now and then. :-)

Former Navy cryptologist and all-round computer nerd, Kekoa is the life of the party. His light-hearted kidding keeps the whole team on their toes, but it also hides the pain he has been harbouring for much too long. His larger than life persona -- both in personality and physique -- masks lots of depth. I was head over heels for him in the first book so was thrilled to find his story featured in this second one.

Elinor is much more reserved -- never mind a wall, she's built a fortress around herself, choosing to focus on work rather than the vagaries of relationships. Only the guy who just moved onto her floor is hard to ignore. Bwahahaha -- they have this awkward moment at the end of the first book that was funny enough but their 'meet-cute' here is even squirmier. Poor Kekoa turns bumbling teenage-angsty when Elinor is around.

Of course there are misunderstandings and then grudging acceptance and tentative hope -- which has the potential of crashing down all around them because of the intrigue.

And I LOVE the way Walters has written this suspense. It's more investigative, less crazy car crashing, bullets flying, bombs going off action. Not that there isn't danger and this is still a page-turner, just in a different way. A more subtle, slow build with the ominous foreshadowing of things to come. Really appreciated how that not only amped up the suspense for me, but provided lots of time for Kekoa and Elinor to start developing their relationship.

The author even finds the time to set up the romance for the next book because there's definitely some crazy chemistry going on between team members Lyla and Nicholas! But we have to wait until next spring to find out how that's going to go. Gah, I can't wait. 

Oh -- and while Fatal Code is part of a fantastic series, it could be read easily as a standalone as well. Only, Lights Out is so good, you really should read it too...while you're waiting for that illusive book three. :-)

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Morgan Hallett.

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading, #6 Stay current with a series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- Winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Fatal Code, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 27 2022 . Offer open to