Cover Image: Fatal Code

Fatal Code

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Natalie Walter’s second book in the SNAP Agency series, Fatal Code is a fast paced, page turner that kept me reading. I loved the intricate story that she wove as we get to know more of the SNAP Agency team more intimately. I have to admit, although I am already a fan of Natalie Walters’ books, I was very excited to see one of the main characters be of partially Asian descent. It was also a treat to get to know Kekoa and the 808 culture through his conversations with ohana, his ubiquitous slippers and of course, the ono food, especially the Spam Musubi! Fatal Code had an intricate plot that brought me to unexpected places and I was drawn in from the first page!
“Look at the birds of the air, my sweet Ellie, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Your heavenly Father has His eye on you, my little sparrow.”
The Scripture washed over her with the kind of reassurance she’d longed for, the kind she didn’t always receive from her parents but was always readily offered by Gramps. Oh how she missed him. (Fatal Code) I loved this quote from the book reminding Elinor of the truth of scripture from her childhood. Although a work of fiction, scenes like this one, remind the reader of the impact scripture and encouragement have on us. The impact Elinor’s grandfather had in her life was profound and lasting. I loved how Natalie did this throughout the book as she told us more of Kekoa and Elinor’s stories.
Elinor Mitchell is still mourning her grandfather. Like her scientist grandfather, Elinor has also embraced her scientific mind and works as an aerospace engineer. As brilliant as she is beautiful, she and her team are working on a project that will be soon unveiled. In the midst of her own work, Elinor begins looking more closely at the notebooks her grandfather left behind. What she doesn’t realize is others want what her grandfather left her and they will do whatever it takes to get it.
Kekoa Young is the SNAP Agency’s resident computer genius and formerly a Navy cryptologist. He finds himself assigned with the job of monitoring Elinor Mitchell to determine if she is being deceptive and disloyal to her company and country.
This was a wonderful installation in the SNAP Agency series and I’m anxiously looking forward to the third book!

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I am enjoying reading this series of faith-based Christian romance books by this author! The author has been especially creative with one of the main characters, Kekoa Young, from Hawaii. He has been assigned to watch and get to know Elinor Mitchell, yet he believes she is innocent in what the evidence points to. There are unexpected enemies and dangerous attacks. Kekoa is drawn to Elinor, but knows when she finds out that it was his job to get information from her, she probably will not understand. I look forward to reading all the books in this chilling and engaging series!
I have read this book, compliments of the publishers. My thoughts expressed are my own.

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I have so enjoyed this series. It's fast-paced and really holds my attention. In fact, you could say it holds me ransom within the book. In book one we followed Jack. He's basically the leader of the SNAP agency. There is also now a prequel that tells of Tom(the man in charge of SNAP and the founder) and how/why he created the Agency. You're going to want to read this series in order. You can read them as stand-alone novels but they're much better when you read them in order so you have all the back story as well.

This book focuses on Kekoa Young. He's the computer geek or rather cryptologist of the group. He's also from Hawaii and has some family baggage that comes into the story for him to work through. Kekoa is assigned with getting close to his neighbor and determining if she's behind the emails that he traced to her workstation. Could she possibly be behind the killings of nuclear scientists that worked with her grandfather or is she too a victim and someone needing protection?

Elinor Mitchell just lost the grandfather she was close to and now odd things are happening. She's under attack and doesn't know why. Can she trust her new neighbor to help her? She's a scientist so she's used to secrecy but what happens when someone keeps secrets from her? And is everyone around her who they really seem to be?

Kekoa is quite the character! I loved him in the previous book and in the prequel(and spoiled in book three as well). He's so full of life and humor. But under all of that, he's smarter than people give him credit for. I enjoyed getting to know more about him and seeing him interact with Elinor. Trust me when I say this is a wonderful book and you're going to love visiting the SNAP Agency!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

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Elinor Mitchell's grandfather leaves her a notebook that may or may not contain old nuclear security secrets in it. Kekoa Young may or may not be tasked with figuring out what is in those notebooks and what Elinor is doing with them. But Kekoa isn't the only one trying to figure out what's in those notebooks. There might be some other nefarious players at work here.

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. And might I add one more time for good measure WHOOOAAAH!!!

This is probably my favorite book Natalie Walters has put out for a myriad of different reasons.

1.) That cover - with the deep purple tones and the Washington Monument. I promise you, it's even prettier in person.

2.) THE VIBE - Who doesn't want to read about smarty smart space engineer people and smarty smart computer people. The smarty smart computer person may also be a Jason Momoa knock off. AND it takes place in Washington D.C. Someone pinch me. This is a book 17 year old all things CIA and government related loving Kylie would have been over the moon about. Shoot, it's a book that 22 year old CIA and all things government related loving Kylie is over the moon about. Oh, and space. We love anything that has to do with SPACE😂

3.) Kekoa. Young. - that's it. That's the tweet.

4.) The ending - I didn't see that one coming.

Did I mention SPACE? Because there's a line in this book that just...I SWOONED. I mean, if a guy said, "If the stars were falling down around me, they wouldn't compare to your beauty right now," to me, I would probably just keel over right then and there. It's the new, "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." No joke.

Very clean, the pacing was phenomenal, the characters made me feel all the feels. 10/10 recommend.

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This was such an amazing romantic suspense story. It kept my interest from beginning to end with really engaging characters and storyline. I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading. I loved getting to know Kekoa and Elinor specifically who were the main characters in this story. I enjoyed getting to know Kekoa and his family backstory and his struggles with forgiveness and guilt. He was such a strong character-mentally and physically! Elinor was also an awesome character-strong, smart and wanting to carry on his grandfathers coding legacy and work.

I enjoyed getting to know the other SNAP agency team characters Lyla, Jack, Garcia…they were all fun and memorable. I hope Garcia and Lyla get their own story because their “friendship” definitely needs exploring and encouragement.

I cant wait to read more books by this author and hope there are more in this series. This story had nonstop action, suspense, clean romance, national secrets, coding, science nerds…absolutely LOVED it!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

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Warning! Do not read this book after a manicure! Fatal Code is an intense heart-pounding suspense story that kept me biting my nails!! It's also the faith-infused tale of two people who need to learn how to trust as they work together to protect clues relating to a secret nuclear energy project that was abruptly canceled in 1964. Best of all, there is a sweet but thrilling romance between two self-proclaimed nerds! Who wouldn't enjoy this book?

The SNAP Agency in Washington, DC has some great employees, and we're given a chance to see them in action once again, but former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is the main focus of this story. Can he crack the secret code, and keep it, and Elinor Mitchell, safe from the people trying to find it? Will this big 'teddy bear of a man', who believes that he is a nerd, prove that he can woo a lady with the best of them?

This second book of The SNAP Agency series is captivating, and I'm anxious to see where author Natalie Walters takes us next. I recommend Fatal Code to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

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Ahhhh!!! I love love love this series. Elinor and Kekoa's story was *chef's kiss*. I can't wait for the third book in the series — and please please please can there be more SNAP books?!

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Part of what first drew me to Fatal Code is the fantastic cover design. I don’t think I can say enough about how much the right cover will pull your potential reader in. For me, (besides the fact it’s done in shades of my favorite color) there is a real sense of motion in this cover, which fits perfectly within the themes of the story. Fatal Code is the second installment in Natalie Walters’ SNAP Agency Series, but can be read as a standalone. I picked up enough clues early on, namely an established couple with heavy backstory other characters referenced. At no point did I feel lost in Walters’ world as we dive right into the Elinor’s grandpa and what’s happening with Kekoa and the agents at SNAP.

Fatal Code begins with a funeral from the perspective of an unknown. We get the sense he’s an assassin or working for a “big bad,” but he is also reluctant to harm Elinor, the woman who might be his next target. Elinor, meanwhile, is oblivious to the danger slowly gathering around her. She’s not even aware that her new neighbor, Kekoa Young, is a government agent. To be fair, Kekoa wasn’t aware he’d find himself compelled to look after Elinor, before she became his official assignment. As enemies begin to close in around them, Kekoa and Elinor begin to fall in love. But can their love survive the web of secrets and lies?

I loved Fatal Code, not just for the intriguing plot and romance mixed with suspense, but also its charismatic characters. Natalie Walters has a genuine gift for crafting characters you can laugh out loud with and grieve alongside, characters that seem to truly breathe. Personal favorites for me were Kekoa, Garcia, and Lyla from the SNAP Agency. Every character in Fatal Code stands out in a refreshing lack of two dimensions, but Kekoa and his friends took over every scene they appeared in with a helpful dose of fantastic banter. Best of all, I got the sense these three would normally be background characters, but each clearly holds their own. Like most stories with an ensemble cast, sometimes it’s the extras that truly elevate a novel.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the romance, and the characters, I wasn’t fully aware this was a Christian Suspense novel. I enjoy most inspirational stories, but I have a hard time believing in the realism of bad guys (or government agents and former military) not cursing now and then. Having met people in similar professions and backgrounds (including my spouse), it’s typically a rarity to find genuine morality. Yet everyone in SNAP and beyond seems tamer than what I’d expect in reality. Something I wish I saw more often with Christian novels is characters closer to what you would meet in the real world. To me, that would make characters like Elinor and Kekoa, who live by faith to stand out even more. It makes the message even stronger, though I can understand why most readers of Christian fiction would prefer a fully clean read. Please keep in mind that while this is my opinion, there is so much to love for fans of suspenseful romance and adventure, with just the right sprinkling of inspirational message. I highly recommend Fatal Code and look forward to reading more from the talented Natalie Walters.

**I was provided with a copy of Fatal Code by the author and this is my voluntary and honest review.**

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I’m pretty sure that Natalie Walters improves with each book and this one was my favorite yet!
Kekoa was a fun character in book one but I wasn’t sure how he would transition into a leading man but he stepped into the role seamlessly. He was the quirky tech guy but he also was willing to step into danger to protect those close to him. I will admit that his Hawaiian surfer dude lingo was distracting to me at first (even though it was totally authentic to his character and where he was from) but eventually it grew on me enough that I didn’t even notice it by the end.
While Kekoa was techy, Elinor took nerdy to a whole new level, but she wore it well and it was actually super endearing on her. She was just one of those genuinely kind and sweet people and you couldn’t help but love her.
The two of them were really cute together and I enjoyed watching them start to fall for each other!
The intrigue and suspense was engaging and had me trying to figure things out until the end!
Definitely Walters’ best yet and I can’t wait for the next one!

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Fatal Code by Natalie Walters is a book in her SNAP series. I just love how this series features multiple government agencies. This book grabs you from the very beginning. The action never stops and readers of romantic suspense will love this book. I was so excited to read Kekoa’s story! He had been one of my favorite characters from the start. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

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It is amazing how much someone's past can hang on to them and influence their decisions moving forward. I am not sure if everyone realizes this when they look at how someone is reacting to a situation. Kekoa is definitely influenced by the loss of his brother. He doesn't want to have to protect anyone else. He is drawn to Elinor though which brings him out of his shell. They have a common interest in coding and the recent loss of her grandfather. This is an exciting story with something happening at every turn!

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Fatal Code is the second book in Natalie Walter’s incredible SNAP Agency series. I absolutely loved the first book, and the second didn’t disappoint.

This book was full of adventure, intrigue, suspense as well as a dash of romance. I love the way Natalie has combined all of these elements in a fresh and exciting way.

It was also really cool having a splash of Hawaiian culture with language and food playing a role in the story.

The Christian elements were also written really well. I had to stop myself from crying whilst reading since I was on a plane at the time.

If you haven’t read Lights Out yet I definitely recommend reading it first, although Fatal Code could be read as a standalone.

I am already very excited for the third book in the series, Blind Trust.

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Fatal Code is a fast paced, suspense filled novel that moves at breath-taking speed from the beginning to the end as the SNAP team works with aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell to prevent a major catastrophe before it is too late.

As a suspense lover, I found the plot to be near perfect with enough action, mystery, and suspense to keep me turning those pages. Characterization was wonderful. Kekoa was the perfect mix of handsome hunk, tormented soul, and team clown. He was honorable to a fault and determined to protect Elinor at all costs. Elinor was a delightful nerd, serious about her work but with a self-deprecating sense of humor. She and Kekoa were a great team even if she did not acknowledge it at first. I loved how well the team worked together and the family like ties they shared. I eagerly anticipate the next installment of this excellent series.

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Coming back to this story world immediately felt like coming home. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed the SNAP gang until I got a few chapters in and the banter started, and then I fell in love with them all over again. Natalie Walters writes a fantastically suspenseful, hilarious, amazing story, and I’d recommend it a thousand times over.

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Elinor realizes that she had top secret information that her grandfather hid a long time ago. He was part of a group of scientists working on a nuclear energy project. She has to figure out what to do with it and how to keep safe as well. Her neighbor Kekoa is tasked with keeping her safe as she follows the clues her grandfather left behind. They soon connect and find there is more to the story than it seems. A real page turner and a great series.

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This was a great read. I was so excited to get Kekoa story after reading the first book. I only am giving it 4 starts instead of 5 because towards the end, I felt the anticipated suspense and conclusion fell flat for me. The author tried intertwining a few too many parts to the story for my personal preference. Elinor was a wonderful main character and I love how intelligent she is. I wish we would have gotten a few more scenes of her and Kekoa after they realized they cared about each other. I did also like how Kekoa’s story was told and his dad came in from Hawaii. I also wish we would have gotten a little more from Elinor and his trip to Hawaii at the end. I’m looking forward to Lylas story next. I’m loving this group of characters.

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The past and the present on a collision course...

A secret hidden for decades, nuclear and space technology, shadowy villains who may be foreign spies, mysterious codes and ciphers, betrayal, and an old book...What more could you ask for in a romantic suspense novel? Well, that pretty much covers most of the genre doesn't it? Fatal Code is the second book in Natalie Walters' current SNAP Agency series and I think it may have been just the teensiest bit better than its predecessor...

There was a lot going on in Fatal Code, the danger and intrigue never let up for a moment and readers hardly have time to catch their breath before Natalie Walters plunges her characters even further into murder and mayhem. This second SNAP Agency novel had plenty of opportunities to guess, second guess, and second guess your second guesses. I really enjoyed trying to puzzle out who was doing what, why they were doing it, and what exactly they were after...

As if the already high stakes weren't bad enough both Kekoa and Elinor also come with a lot of emotional baggage. Trauma and events from the past all seem to come to a head at the worst possible time for them, but, maybe, they will come out of it all stronger together....if they survive at all...

If you love edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense with a healthy dash of Hawaiian culture this is the book for you! Don't miss Fatal Code or any of The SNAP Agency novels from Natalie Walters....

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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I wasn’t sure how much I would like this book, with it being so “techie”. But Natalie did a great job of bringing down so us non-techie people could still fully engage with this book.

Natalie also did a good job of giving the reader a lot of options of who could be behind what was going on at Elinor’s office. I figured I couldn’t trust anyone and I suspected everyone she worked with.

The romance between Elinor and Kekoa was also believable and interesting.

Overall, a very good read. Romantic suspense readers will thoroughly enjoy!

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Elinor Mitchell is a dedicated aerospace engineer who stumbles on her late grandfather's research for a government nuclear project, making her the target of nefarious criminals.

SNAP agent Kekoa Young has been tasked with monitoring Elinor, a job that he is uneasy with, especially as he gets to know her more and more. I liked how Kekoa's outgoing personality draws Elinor out and how he is willing to take a stand to support her. I liked that he admires her more quiet personality, and takes time to get to know her. I also loved the camaraderie between the SNAP agents as they work together.

Overall, this was an entertaining read with well developed characters. Elinor is an incredibly intelligent heroine, yet she is humble and has a down to earth personality, with an appreciation for the nerdy. A little slower start, but building as it went, and the twists picked up momentum. An engaging, action packed read with compelling characters!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The characters truly made this story for me. With a hunky Hawaiian hero and sweet, nerdy science-geek heroine, Fatal Code surprised me in some highly entertaining ways! Readers met Kekoa Young, a former Navy cryptologist and current computer guru for the SNAP agency of Washington, D.C., in Lights Out, book one. This is his story and introduces readers to Elinor Mitchell, his neighbor and… current assignment.

I loved the chemistry between these two diverse, relatable characters and enjoyed this book for being what it is, a clean romance with a high-stakes plot. Kekoa’s Hawaiian heritage and culture were rich and brought a fresh, unique flare to him as a lead character. Elinor was a great heroine in a quiet way with her highly intelligent mind and cute science puns! Each of the main characters were multi-layered. They individually grieved the loss of loved ones and worked to overcome specific insecurities. Their growth both individually, and together, was raw and rewarding. This novel had emotional depth and plenty of heart.

The nuclear, scientific aspect and the code breaking intelligence portions of the novel were fascinating and something I haven’t read before. The information was presented well in an uncomplicated manner that was easy to follow.

Kekoa and Elinor’s romance was my favorite portion of the story as their chemistry was enjoyable and fun, building over time, thus keeping me very invested.

The suspense throughout this novel maintained at a great high/low pace with plenty of heart-pounding moments to keep me interested, while interspersed with character development and backstory construction. There were also some fantastic faith-based elements that were layered throughout the story and presented really well, including letting go of pain and trusting God, because He is always watching over us.

The ending was mildly surprising but did leave me somewhat bewildered with the many factors that came into play. I felt like I might have missed something and also felt as if the ends weren’t tied up as neatly as I would have hoped. However, because the rest of the story was so great, I purposely overlooked that personal preference in my rating.

SUMMARY:
Overall, I enjoyed this story and felt it had a really great balance between intrigue, romance, suspense and character development! Something Natalie Walters always does well in my opinion… Readers who enjoy books by Dani Pettrey, Lynn Blackburn or Lynette Eason will definitely enjoy this novel as well. I recommend Fatal Code!

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

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