Natalie Walters’ Silent Shadows is the First Line Friday pick this week. I hope you’re enjoying these First Line Friday examples. I’ve really enjoyed seeing what you’re reading!
But first the photo and verse. I love sunsets…not sure if I love them more than sunrises…I guess they’re like my kids: I love them uniquely. 🙂 But just like the sun rises and sets each day, God is always there for us.
Now for the first line of Silent Shadows:
“Pecca Gallegos never thought she’d be turning down a marriage proposal–much less foor of them.”
Here’s the cover and back cover copy:
Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her. When a series of strange circumstances evolve into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally–her stubborn patient.
Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the undiagnosed disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton’s involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer–and more deadly–than they realized.
With this suspenseful new story, Natalie Walters welcomes you once more to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name–but no one knows your secret.
My take:
I loved this story. Natalie Walters has created two very strong and true-to-life characters. I especially like that the hero, Colton Crawford, is not perfect. Well, neither is Pecca, but Colton has a war injury he’s dealing with and the story shows his struggle.
Another thing I like about the story is one of the ways Colton finds to heal–that of showing a seven-year-old boy he’s not limited by his handicap, that he can do whatever he sets his mind to. Of course, Colton has to convince Pecca to let the boy try to overcome the obstacles. Mama’s want to protect their kids, sometimes when they shouldn’t.
Pecca is a physical therapist in a rehab facility in Walton, Georgia named Home for Heroes. It’s a place for acceptance and healing. Not only for the soldiers who’ve been injured but Pecca and her son, Maceo. Oh, and the secondary characters are FABULOUS!
There’s Sarge and Gunny and Buddy and Sticks, and their ages run from 70 to 90 and are just what the doctor ordered for Colton. Seeing what they’ve overcome in their lives keeps him pushing forward.
Oh, and there’s suspense, too. Pecca is on the run from gang members and thought she’d found a safe haven in Walton. But they’ve found her and someone is out to kill her. It’s up to Colton to protect her.
This is a great book, one I believe readers will love! You can learn more about Silent Shadows at Natalie’s website.
Leave the first line of the book you’re reading (or handiest to you) in the comments, and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library.
OR answer this question: One of the issues in the book is that Maceo wants to play football, but Pecca would not let him play, not even flag ball, fearing he’d get hurt. Can we be too protective of our kids?
Natalie Walters' Silent Shadows is my First Line Friday book. Then check out my review and leave the 1st line of the book you're reading in the comments and I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 38
Reuven ben Yusef, leader of the assembly of believers at Capernaum, wore a look of thinly disguised disdain as he stared at me.
Just started reading A Woman of Words by Angela Hunt
Oh Angela, that’s a fabulous first line!
Author
Love this, Angela! Angela Hunt is one of my favorite writers. And she’s a great writing teacher/mentor! Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I do think we can be too protective of our kids. I think bumps and scrapes when they’re younger means they’ll be more watchful of their own safety when they’re older.
“A text from the boss?” Trusting Uncertainty by Terry Odell. I enjoy Odell’s mysteries with touches of romance.:-)
Silent Shadows sounds fun. Good review!
Author
I love Terry’s books, Priscilla! And I so agree that we have to let kids make their mistakes when they’re younger and at home where they (hopefully) have a safety net.
You have a knack for putting the right picture with the verses you share! Thank you!
Yes, we can and are too protective of our children sometimes. I have read Silent Shadows. Excellent book.
Author
Hi Terri. I just realized after I read it that I haven’t read the other books in the series, something I’m about to rectify. And I love finding just the right verse for my photos. Thinking of making a calendar for Christmas presents and maybe to give away in November with the different memes. Thanks for stopping by.
“The flatbed Toyota was too big for tight city parking, so Peter and Lewis left it behind a gas station and walked up St Paul and across the river toward the Milwaukee Public Market, four blocks away.” Nick Petrie, The Breaker
Author
Sounds really interesting, Delores! I’ll have to look it up.
Sunrise and sunset are great times for photos. What a wonderful Creator we have!
Looking back at the way the parents of my friends and me play showed their trust in God, and in the common sense they instilled in us, I think they did it right. They knew and trusted us. Today it seems so many parents want to bubble wrap their kids. I don’t think that good for the kids.
I loved Natalie’s “Silent Shadows”, and the entire Harbored Secrets series. Looking forward to her next book: “Lights Out”.
“Everything was ruined. Jacqueline Beal froze in the doorway of her lab and stared at the wreckage of her life’s work.” from “Betrayal of Genius” by Robin Patchen. Great book, and third in the Coventry Saga series. All of her books are great.
Author
I like this one, Tim! And I often wonder if my mom knew I was out climbing to the tops of trees when I was a kid? I loved having that freedom. No organized sports, no helicopter parents. And maybe it was a different era where you didn’t have to be afraid of child predators. What ever it was, I wish it were back! T
Tim, I enjoyed Betrayal of Genius. Have you read Robin’s earlier series? They are good.
Edward, I just finished “Betrayal of Genius” last night. Wow, what a good book. I’ve read all of Robin’s Christian suspense books, and enjoyed them all. She writes very well. I see she has another in the Coventry Saga called “Traces of Virtue” that I’ve just preordered. Now on to Lisa Harris’ “The Chase”.
Murderer! Red letters dripped like blood down the front of the freshly painted house. From Navy Seal Rescuer by Shirlee McCoy.
Author
Oooh! that sounds so good, Linda. I’ll have to check that one out.
Silent Shadows is a great book as the whole series. I do agree that parents need to let kids be kids and even make their own mistakes within reason. Growing up on a farm we had such fun playing and even our own kids played with the large group of kids in the neighborhood. They came home to eat. They played sports, dance, gymnastics, etc.
“Morning had a terrible habit of arriving too early, at least as far as Meg Whitaker was concerned.” Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson
Author
Liz’s book sounds great, Gloria! And I agree about kids need to be kids. 😉
Love the whole series by Natalie.
Yes I think you can be overprotective with children. Too much and they rebel. Also if you shelter them too much they don’t build up immunity to diseases.
My first line is from the new one by Carrie Stuart Parks, Woman in Shadow:
“Why are those dogs barking?” I pointed across the wooden picnic table toward two obviously upset canines yelping nearby.
Fabulous book!
Author
I love Carrie Stuart Parks’ books! And this sounds so good, Paula. Thanks for stopping by.
Alex Stafford was just like mama said. He was tall and dark……
Author
Judy, I’ve never read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, but now I might have to. Thanks for posting this!
The tingling in my ear was the first omen. from “Cold Waters” by Debbie Herbert
Author
Oh, Alicia, that sounds so intriguing! Thanks for stopping by.
Gorgeous photo. Since I don’t have a book handy, I’ll answer the question instead. I think we can be overprotective of kids and end up putting our own fears on them. We do need to be cautious in what we allow them to do and be involved with but we also have to let them try things and give them some freedom to grow while we can still be there to guide them through their experiences.
Author
Megan, I’ve always said kids need to be allowed to fail while they’re at home with a safety net. Thanks for stopping by!
Foxglove Manor
April 1885
“He ruined death for her, and the hope of it. Thwarted death on all sides, until the possibility of escape was removed entirely, and she was left with breath, body and the plaguing memories of many yesterdays. ”
From OnThe Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright
Author
Oh, wow, Jaime Jo Wright can certainly draw you in! Thanks Trixi!
Jaime Jo Wright gets under my skin from the very first sentence every time! Her books capture you until the very end. You will forget the real world around you, for sure! I hope you get a chance to read her books if you haven’t already done so. Her words wrap around you 🙂
I think we can be overly protective of our kids but that is our rights as a mother I guess lol.
Author
Absolutely, Shelia, but sometimes they rebel on us and do their own thing. lol Thanks for stopping by!
Love the scripture and photo, Pat!
The bride
Brooklyn 2020
She hated the dress. The Grace Kelly Dress – Brenda Janowitz
Author
Thanks, Caryl. Love the line you posted!
Great picture! Well-chosen verse. Interesting how you can stand for an extended period and snap numerous pictures of sunrises and sunsets just to get the right one. But don’t blink. You might miss the special shot you were waiting to get.
From Widow’s Secrets by Shelley Shepard Gray: The moment Liana saw the two police cruisers park in front of her house, she’d known whatever they intended to say was going to be bad.
Author
Thank you, Edward. Sorry I overlooked this last week. And you’re so right about blinking and missing a shot. lol. I have several of Shelley Shepard Gray’s books on my TBR list! Thanks for stopping by.
“He remains faithful forever.” Amen. Thank God for that. Beautiful photo! I see far more sunsets than I do sunrises, though I too have a fondness for both.
Clare huddled in her dark, stuffy hiding place, her knees pulled up against her chest. (“Misty Dreams” debut novel by Josephine Strand)
Author
Elizabeth, I’ve always been an early riser so I see lots of sunrises. lol. And I love your first line!
“A person approached through the trees ahead.” Faith in the Mountain Valley: Call of the Rockies #5 by Misty Beller
Author
Hi Joan! Love your opening line…and I’ll have to check out Misty Beller!