Deception by Patricia Bradley

About the Author

Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff, Obsession, and Crosshairs, as well as the Memphis Cold Case novels and Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award in Romantic Suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award, and a Touched by Love Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at http://www.ptbradley.com.

About the Book

Investigative Service Branch ranger Madison Thorn is content to be working in the fraud and cyber crimes division after an FBI agent fooled her several years ago.  However, soon she is sent to investigate a violent crime in Natchez, Mississippi, teaming her with her former childhood enemy, Clayton Bradshaw.  Clayton is worried for Madison’s safety after her grandfather is shot and a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked.  Despite their past differences, Madison and Clayton need to work together to find answers before it is too late.

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My Thoughts

This series has been fantastic, and this final novel is a perfect ending!  You do not have to read the stories in order, as this novel stands well on its own, but as someone who devoured the first three books in the series, it was great to return to Natchez, Mississippi.  I really like Madison and Clayton individually and I really loved them together.  Their relationship is not forced but develops naturally and realistically.  The suspense is fantastic!  The action starts immediately, continues without lagging in the middle, and finishes strong.  I had a hard time putting the book down!  I also thought the author did a great job of incorporating spiritual truths among the pages.  I greatly enjoyed the story and highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Crosshairs by Patricia Bradley

About the Book

Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer’s next target–nor that she’d have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn’t bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley continues her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with a story about how good must prevail when evil just won’t quit.

About the Author

Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff and Obsession, as well as the Memphis Cold Case novels and Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award in Romantic Suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award, and a Touched by Love Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at http://www.ptbradley.com.

My Thoughts

This has been one of my favorite series by this author to date! Each novel has been packed full of action and surprising twists and turns! The plot in this third book had me guessing at several points and I had a hard time putting the book down as I eagerly wanted to know the outcome. Danger abounds for the main characters and the eerie setting definitely contributes to the suspense. I really liked the relationship between Ainsley and Lincoln too as they have a past romance before being flung together again. It makes their romance more believable. There are multiple layers to the drama and suspense that create a complex story. I really liked this novel and look forward to the next book in the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thanks for stopping by!

Obsession by Patricia Bradley

Historian Emma Winters joined the Natchez Trace Rangers because she is honored to further explore the old slave cabins at Natchez Trace, content not to be too involved in the law enforcement branch of the Rangers.  However, when an intruder on the historic dig site shoots at her, she is forced to enter an investigation with the law enforcement branch.  And the lead of the investigation is none other than Sam Ryker, the fiancé she dumped ten years earlier.  Sam finds himself racing against the clock in order to stop the delusional stalker after Emma, an individual who will stop at nothing now that he has decided that Sam is in the way.

Having enjoyed the first book in this series, I was excited to read Obsession.  This book has suspense and plenty of the “creep factor” that makes villains so devious.  I thought the author did a great job of providing plenty of suspects during the story that had me questioning who the true villain was until the very end.  The plot flowed quickly as the action never stopped.  I like relationships that pick up years after an initial friendship as this creates a more realistic romance, and I thought Emma and Sam had good chemistry.  I thought the spiritual content took a backseat compared to the action and suspense, but I did appreciate the themes of forgiveness tucked in the end.  I enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next by Patricia Bradley.  I recommend this book to those who like contemporary suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Standoff by Patricia Bradley

Brooke Danvers is excited to follow in her father’s footsteps as a park law enforcement ranger, but after his sudden death, she finds herself caught in a dangerous mission to determine his killer.  She is suspicious when her old high school flame, Luke Fereday, unexpectedly shows up in town and begins to poke around the crime scene, offering suggestions and assistance.  But Luke has his own agenda, working as an undercover agent sent to infiltrate the drug route along the Natchez Trace National Parkway.  As Brooke and Luke continue to uncover pieces to the puzzle, someone out there is determined to stop them for good.

This is a great start to a new series!  I liked the action and the twists and turns as we followed Brooke and Luke trying to solve mysteries before it was too late.  It took me a few chapters to keep the characters straight, but this also allowed the story to contain some complexity, as there were several characters that fit the villain description, and kept me guessing well into the book.  I liked the background of the novel, and could easily picture the humid summer setting.  There is a bit of a love triangle, which made the romance not altogether predictable.  I did think that the ending felt a bit rushed as several loose ends tied up quickly, but it was a satisfying conclusion.  I think one of the secondary characters is going to be the main character in the next book and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley

When Detective Rachel Sloan receives a strange visit from an Elvis Impersonator with a photo of her murdered mother and suspicions about her death, she decides to open the cold case—only to have her only witness murdered before she can even get a head start. Determined more than ever to get to the bottom of these events, she navigates Elvis week in Memphis, questioning anyone connected with the case.  She is tasked with working with her old flame Lieutenant Boone Callahan.  But Rachel is afraid that Boone will not let her get close to the case with her emotional ties and begins to withhold secrets from her coworkers, causing the enemy to be able to close in on Rachel herself.

If you like suspense novels, this book is for you!  I like the action in the novel but also appreciate how the author slows down the timeline to develop the characters and their relationships.  It allows me, as the reader, to better understand the actions and events of the story.  The author also gives the reader a peek into the mind of the villain, contributing a suspenseful plot.  Additionally, I liked that there was a special needs character in the book.  This novel has mystery, unpredictable events, and sprinkles of romance and spirituality.  A joy to read and recommended to lovers of contemporary fiction!

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Justice Delayed by Patricia Bradley

Andi Hollister’s sister was murdered eighteen years ago and the convicted killer’s execution is only days away when a sudden event causes Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit to reopen the case. Andi wants nothing more than to close the door on her sister’s death, but she cannot ignore new evidence that may reveal the wrong individual was condemned. It becomes even more deadly, however, when the investigation begins to connect to other more recent murders and untangle a web of intrigue, danger, and suspense. Andi and Will must race against the clock to find the real murderer before it is too late.

This story has action and suspense from page one and was definitely an exciting read. I enjoyed the plotline and thought the twists and turns were unexpected and complex. I also appreciated how the author incorporated an interesting subplot and perspective on drug addiction. My one critique is that the storyline focused on the action at the expense of character and romantic development. I thought the romance was choppy and I did not get to know the characters as well as I had wanted, especially since there were quite a few introduced at the beginning. Nevertheless, the plot itself is worth reading and will keep you guessing until the very end!

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Silence in the Dark by Patricia Bradley

Bailey Adams is used to running away from her problems. First, she runs from her engagement to Danny Maxwell. Then, she runs from Logan Point to Mexico to be a missionary. But when danger strikes in Mexico, Bailey finds herself running yet again, this time from a powerful drug cartel through the streets in Mexico, a treacherous group bent on harming her and her young charge, Maria. She is surprised when the last person she expects to see comes to her rescue. Despite the chaotic turmoil around her, Bailey must make a personal decision to face her fears and use her strength in matters of her heart.

Yet again Patricia Bradley writes a novel full of fast-paced action from the very first page. She manages to balance this with the realistic struggles of her interesting characters and weave among the pages excellent spiritual truths. There were moments when the romance and the ending in the story became a bit too corny for my tastes, but overall there are many twists and turns to satisfy any reader. Although it is not necessary to read the other novels in this series to appreciate this one, the appearance of a few old faces makes it beneficial. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy light contemporary suspense.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Gone Without a Trace by Patricia Bradley

Livy Reynolds decides to take some time off of her job as a homicidal detective after a case affects her emotionally. Upon returning home to Logan Point, she meets private investigator Alex Jennings, who is in town researching the disappearance of a senator’s missing granddaughter. Chilled by the similarities to her own cousin’s disappearance two years prior, Livy teams up with Alex to dig deeper into the odd circumstances surrounding these events and discovers danger neither of them suspected.

The action in this novel was fairly fast moving and kept the plot interesting from the beginning. There were enough twists that I could not fully predict the ending, which was a favorable part of this book. However, I found the relationship between the characters to be somewhat stilted, which made certain portions of the plot a little choppy and the romance less genuine than desired. The villain is certainly disturbing, which may bother some young readers. Nevertheless, overall the book is intriguing and suitable for lovers of contemporary suspense.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley

Leigh Somerall is back in her hometown, but only temporarily. After her rural residency program for her medical doctorate is finished, she is ready to move back to the East coast and work at the prestigious Johns Hopkins. But when a situation with her brother Tony throws Leigh into a spiral of dangerous circumstances, she finds herself unsure of her next steps. Acting sheriff Ben Logan, despite his misgivings, has offered to help Leigh’s family, forcing both of them to remember events from the past. And although Leigh attempts to avoid Ben and his desire to help her, she cannot seem to run away from him or the secrets she carries. Both Leigh and Ben must learn who to trust and where to turn before the perilous situations alter their lives forever.

A Promise to Protect is an interesting and complex contemporary suspense novel, its clever storyline full of twists and surprises. Secrets are constantly being revealed that are unexpected, creating a plot that is enjoyable to read. The characters may have flaws from their past, but their believable struggles make the story more realistic and allow the reader to better connect with each of them. The author’s writing style is a perfect balance of intricate sentences and complicated life choices that speak of real situations. The ending is most unexpected and the growth of the characters and their relationships with each other throughout the novel is truly exceptional. There are excellent themes to this novel and the story is exciting, deep, and suspenseful. It is highly recommended!

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.