Obsession By Patricia Bradley

Obsession

by Patricia Bradley

Publisher: Revell

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers

ISBN: 9780800735746

Unusual for me, but I'm actually reading this series IN ORDER! Shocking with my track record, right? lol I was incredibly excited when I saw the author's second book become available for review. Revell sent me her book.

Summary:

This one's personal

Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she's forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. 

To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed. Sam knows that he has failed Emma in the past, and he doesn't intend to let her down again. Especially now that her life is on the line.

My Review:

I got started on Obsession eagerly anticipating some good suspense. What I completely forgot though was how GOOD Patricia keeps me in suspense for the entire story! When I got to the chapter where we are introduced to the "bad guy's" thoughts, I had that groaning moment where I remembered in Standoff that the author is fantastic at messing with my mind on who the actual bad guy is!

Happily I once again admit that I love these quick-glimpse chapters of the bad guy's thoughts and emotions. Hello, creepy! Let me just say, for the record, that I KNEW who the bad guy was like 4-5 times throughout the story. True, it was always a different person, but one of them was going to be right. Definitely something the author is exceptional at doing. I'm not going to specify which chapter it was but I literally had a "Whuuuuut?!" moment when I read it. I said it out loud! lol

I never thought about the fact that there are sites in National Parks where archeologists might want to learn more about and do a dig. This part of the storyline fascinated me. Also, the fact that someone didn't want it happening added to the mystery.

As for the characters, for everyone involved there was a lot of hurt from the past for each of them. I don't feel like any of them came away unscathed from their childhood. So much so, I'm glad I didn't go to school with any of them. lol Emma is a strong character and I enjoyed how much she loved her job. You could tell she had a passion for it. Sam is perfect for the law enforcement as a district ranger. Him coming back to Natchez Trace is clearly difficult not only for him, but for Emma as well. There's a history there and it's palpable.

There were quite a few characters that were easy to dislike in this story. lol That's always a good thing when you're reading suspense. The characters that might surprise you that I didn't care for are Sam's sister and Emma's mom. They both got on my last nerve.

That being said, I liked the redemptive thread to this story. Reminders of how important forgiveness is... forgiving others and ourselves. Also, accepting the forgiveness of Christ. I appreciated that Emma and Sam both had to work through those pieces, which in turn speak to the readers!

Bring on some more of this series because I'm ready for it! lol

About the Author:

Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff, 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 www.ptbradley.com.