I felt really bad for Emma. The whole thing with her brother and then how she runs from relationships. Sam is good for her. I was pretty sure I had the perp pegged from early on and I wavered briefly near the end but my guess was correct.

My favorite subplot was the kitten. Probably because I know several people who have gotten kittens lately and they are on my brain. This was not my favorite action/suspense ever, but it was good.

A fast-paced and intriguing mystery involving a Natchez Trace ranger who is also an historian and her former fiancé who is a law enforcement ranger. Emma doesn’t like it when Sam is assigned to investigate the case after someone shoots at her in the park early one morning. But since Sam is tasked to keep her safe, Emma just has to suck it up and go along with his constant presence. Unfortunately, there is someone else who has Emma in his sights, someone who is totally obsessed with her. Sam can’t keep her safe unless he can figure out what his really happening and the twists and turns in this book are rampant. I enjoyed meeting Emma and Sam and how they interacted with each other. It was apparent from the beginning that Sam was still smitten with Emma, but Emma wanted nothing to do with him. There are several layers of mystery here, including the disappearance of Emma’s twin brother Ryan and the death of Ryan’s girlfriend Mary Jo. The historical part of the story deals with a cemetery for slaves and that in itself was interesting. I loved how the deeper Emma dug into the cemetery, the more that was revealed from past mysteries and the more intrigue about the present. The story was complex but not hard to follow since the clues to the killer were clearly laid out. I did not guess the perpetrator because there were a lot of red herrings, but I did understand all of the clues once the identity was revealed. My kind of mystery! This book gave me just the right amount of chills and thrills and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Although the book is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone and it is a good, clean read!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the #RevellReadsBloggerProgram via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

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 since her life is on the line. As the threads of the investigation cross and tangle with their own personal history, Sam and Emma have a chance to discover the truth, not only about the victim but about what went wrong in their relationship.

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley will have the hairs standing up on the back of your neck with this nail-biting tale of obsession, misunderstanding, and forgiveness.

Obsession is the second book in Patricia Bradley's Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. While the previous lead from book one is mentioned very briefly in this story, there is nothing from the first book that is needed to understand this story, and as such can be read as a standalone too.

Right from the start, the action begins in this story and really doesn't let up throughout the story. There may be moments of calm, of course, but the next big moment is just around the corner and certainly keeps you guessing as to what exactly that will be. In this story, we meet Emma as she's stumbling upon a crime in progress. When shots are fired, Sam is called in as the law enforcement district ranger. Having broken up years before, their history is a rough one but when it seems like Emma has a stalker they must learn to put the past behind them to keep her safe.

The author did a great job of leaving subtle clues throughout the story that put suspicion in various directions. As such, while the ultimate bad guy is one whom I suspected very early on, there was enough of a question to keep me wondering about others as well. This was in part done by giving us a glimpse into the stalker's point of view, which certainly gave it a unique perspective.

In addition to the suspense, it also featured a good blend of romance and a message of letting go of guilt that truly made it an all around good story. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is definitely one to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

I definitely looked forward to book 2 in the Natchez Trace series, and once again Patricia Bradley didn't disappoint. Set in south Mississippi in Natchez Trace Park, this book focuses on park rangers Emma Winters and Sam Ryker. Emma is focuses on restoring the old slave cemetery in the park and giving honor to those who had been buried there, but things come to a screeching halt when Emma is shot at while in the park and a large hole is revealed dug out next to the cemetery which may connect to Emma's twin brother who has been missing for ten years.

The reconnection between Emma and Sam as they worked together to discover the villains who are behind an unsolved murder, Emma's missing brother, and the strange occurrences happening to Emma was so well developed. Bradley also did an excellent job of threading through themes of self-forgiveness as well as forgiveness of others. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep my interest and enough red herrings that the perpetrator could have been one of several people. The lost kitten was a sweet addition along with the role that gerbera daisies played, and the ending was a nice conclusion.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

With this book, Patricia Bradley remains one of my favorite authors in this romantic suspense genre.
I loved this story! I loved the characters, and I also loved the setting.
Full of suspense and mystery, twists and turns, and more.
The characters were great. Realistic, issues that made them feel like real people (as opposed to some suspense novels where you hardly get to know the characters because it's all about the action...)
I always enjoy attempting to solve the mystery before the story characters get it done.! Well this book completely kept me guessing!
I can't wait to read the next in this series!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

One aspect of Obsession and Standoff (the first in the series) that I really enjoyed was the setting. Before reading this series, I was not familiar with Natchez Trace Park which is run by the National Park service. It serves as the perfect backdrop for these very suspenseful reads.

My favorite part of the story was the well-written suspenseful plot full of twists and red herrings. Because I read a lot of suspense, I can often predict what is going on and who is responsible. All the red herrings prevented me from doing that in this story and I loved it. Obviously, I suspected who was really guilty. However, I couldn't decide between that person and some others on my suspect list. I was surprised at the end which is always a plus for me when reviewing a suspense novel.

I was given a copy of this book by the author and publisher. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is a fantastic new series from Patricia Bradley. When I realised that the book I'd received to review was actually the second in the series, I immediately went and got the first book. Both 'Standoff' and 'Obsession' are well written books that drew me in. I didn't want to stop reading. I had to find out what happened next. There is a good amount of character development that is perfectly balanced with plot development. The characters grow through the plot and the experiences they face. Of course there is always a bit of romance which makes it all the more interesting.

Obsession is a must-read for suspense fans. Emma Winters is a park ranger who is doing a historical project involving an archeological dig. But someone doesn’t want her uncovering long-buried secrets in the state park. She finds herself in the cross-hairs of a stalker as she searches for the truth. Old mysteries resurface and Sam Ryker steps in to help keep Emma safe. He and Emma have a sorted past, but of course, old feelings reignite!

I love stories with lots of plot twists and red herrings. Patricia Bradley does a great job of casting shade on several characters. It took me a while to pin down the real culprit – so many people had motive. The setting for the story is unique. There aren’t many stories set in Natchez Trace, let alone characters that are park rangers. This is book two in the series, but you could definitely pick this novel up as a stand-alone.

The story is fast-paced and a fantastic suspense novel. Be sure to check it out!

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the second book of the Natchez Trace Park Rangers. Emma is working an archeological project off the Trace that involves locating the graves of slaves from long long ago. She wants to make sure each one is accounted for and recognized. Imagine her surprise when having returned one evening to pick up a file, she hears a backhoe running and then is shot at! Investigating is district ranger Sam Ryker. Sam and Emma were engaged ten year earlier, but things ended after the death of a young woman and the disappearance of Emma's twin brother, Ryan. Many believed Ryan was responsible for her death, but Emma never doubted his innocence.
Then, Emma is shot at once again. Sam is determined to keep her safe and doesn't want her at the site along. Then, they are shot at with Sam being the intended target this time.
Who was on that backhoe digging a hole, what did they take from that hole, and why? Does this have anything to do with Ryan? Who can be trusted?
This one kept me guessing until the end. Great story!
I was given an advanced copy by the publisher, Revell and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Great romantic suspense! Sam Ryker is back in town, and despite the history between them, I found myself rooting for Emma Winters and Sam Ryker from the start. Trying to figure out who Emma's stalker was kept me guessing and turning pages (and ignoring my chores!). Who is digging up a body on National Park land late at night? Who is shooting at Emma? Just when I thought I'd figured it out, I'd begin to suspect someone else. There's plenty of danger and suspects as they try to solve a 10-year-old murder. Check out Obsession by Patricia Bradley! I really enjoy this series.

Obsession is the second book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series by Patricia Bradley. While it can be read as a stand-alone book, I HIGHLY recommend reading the first book, Standoff, before beginning this one. Brooke, the main character in Standoff, makes several appearances in this book, just as Emma (main character for Obsession) made several appearances in Standoff. Obsession is the second book that I have read by Bradley; I look forward to reading more books by this author.

This book caught my attention from the beginning. It is fast-paced, intense, with quite a bit going on. Emma has shots fired at her when she goes back to work after hours, to pick up a file that she had left behind. She heard some heavy machinery that should not have been running at that time of night. The events lead to her trying to figure out what is going on in the slave cemetery.

Sam arrives at the scene and is scared to death that something had happened to Emma. They had not seen each other in years, but the thought of her getting hurt was more than he could imagine. He ends up snapping at Emma for being at work after dark by herself. Emma and Sam are both fiercely independent individuals and they go head-to-head several times in the story. Emma seems to be very naive about the danger she is in, and her independent nature gets her into trouble.

I loved this book. The characters are well developed, the plot is intriguing, with several twists and turns, and the book ends well. Not everything is as it seems, making it hard to predict what will happen next. I enjoyed the theme of forgiveness that was woven into the story as well.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense books with light romance. Fans of Irene Hannon, Dee Henderson, Lynette Easton, and Cara Putnam will enjoy this author as well.

Thank you to Revell and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review but was happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What is it like to be the obsession of an unknown stalker? What if he’s killed before and you’re next? Obsession is book two in Patricia Bradley’s Natchez Trace Park Rangers series and it will take you on a roller coaster ride of suspense as historian Emma Winters finds herself on the receiving end of dangerous attention from a mystery admirer. Working alongside her ex-fiancé, Sam Ryker, they must stay one step ahead of her stalker while also trying to solve the ten-year mystery of her missing brother. Is the danger closer than they realize?
The characters were great. Emma is driven and I loved her dedication to solving the mysteries of the past – some more personal than she could ever have imagined. Sam was a true hero. Regardless of their past, he’s determined the protect Emma, no matter the personal cost.
Bradley does a great job interweaving the mysteries of the past and the present. The scenes jump off the page and the story keeps you guessing right up to the end. There is a strong message of forgiveness throughout the book as the characters learn they must move on from the past if they are to build solid relationships in the future.
I loved the book. I’m a history fan so I love it when an author brings in an archaeological dig and then to add a present-day mystery into the mix was great! It had a bit of everything – missing person, stalker, murder(s), mysteries past and present. You can’t go wrong with this romantic suspense novel. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Obsession
by Patricia Bradley
Revell
You Like Them
Christian | Mystery & Thrillers | Romance
Pub Date 02 Feb 2021 | Archive Date 12 Mar 2021

Christian/mystery& thriller/ is one of my favorite genre's. So when I saw that Patricia Bradley had a new one to review I was excited. This is definitely a good book, I fell in love with the characters and it is an easy read. However, this did not turn out to be the book I thought it would be. Thanks to Revell and Netgalley for the ARC.

4 star

This exciting new release captured my attention from the first chapter! Since reading Standoff, book one in this series, I had eagerly been anticipating this second novel. I was delighted to find Obsession reads easily as a standalone novel and kept me entranced from beginning to end! I enjoyed reading about the different roles of the park ranger service as well as learning more about the historical aspects of the Natchez Trace and its surrounding area.

The suspense builds quickly throughout this story and carries well to the climax. I found the characters to be relatable and likable. It was inspiring to see Bradley’s characters change and grow. The romance in the book has sparks right from the start and I really enjoyed witnessing it deepen. I think the chemistry between Sam and Emma was the perfect combination of tension and attraction. The faith elements to this story were well placed and off-set the dark secrets and mysterious storyline, which was my attraction to this particular story!

In the beginning, many characters and names were introduced so I had some trouble sorting everyone out in my mind, but as the story and suspense built, so did my confidence in the characters and people that were named. Bradley kept me guessing as her plot thickened and despite the fact that I felt Emma took her situation entirely too lightly, I found the book to be fast-paced, engaging and interesting. Overall, this was a great read and I enjoyed it more than the first book in the series! I believe readers who enjoy series by Lynn H. Blackburn, Irene Hannon, Dani Pettrey or Elizabeth Goddard will enjoy this novel. This story is clean and appropriate for ages 16+.

*I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Revell at Baker Publishing Group via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Obsession by Patricia Bradley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Patricia Bradley continues her excellent series based in Natchez Mississippi along the Trace Parkway and National Park that will have you chilled with its happenings and holding your breath to see what happens next.

I love good thrillers that also have good main characters. They challenge your mind to bend in different ways to try to figure out the reasoning and mindset of the culprits. This story has plenty of creepiness and excellent story-telling included in its pages. I've been waiting to find out what all happened between Emma and Sam as they have been good minor characters in the previous books. Their argument and separation from years before centered around her brother's disappearance and each feels both guilt and anger at what happened......or what they thought happened. I'm not going to spoil the story by telling but I will say that it will keep you guessing to the end. I loved the quiet way that friendship and then romance grew back between Emma and Sam. They are really hurting over the past and have many things they need to work through before they can have a good chance at a relationship. They each challenge the other to take a good look at their life and find ways to make it better. Their sometimes snarky conversations are fun too and make the book more realistic. The "bad guy" was also very well done, with lots of misdirection included to keep the answer safe until the perfect moment. I really liked the look inside their mind and their thought processes. They were really out there but it was really surprising how good they were at hiding it all. I will certainly be recommending this story to others in the very great hope they will enjoy this suspenseful read as much as I did. I also look forward to adding it to my shelves soon and reading the next in the series that will hopefully be coming out soon.

I received this temporary complimentary E-Book from Revell Publishing via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

I like how the author kicks starts this novel with action that gets the heart pumping and the pages turning as she introduces main characters Emma Winters and Sam Ryker. The author expertly sets up the storyline with numerous possible suspects keeping the reader guessing who dun it til the very end. I enjoyed the sweet little kitty Emma finds at the visitors’ center. Where did it come from? She wonders. I thought the cat sweet and was glad it had a calming effect on Emma. This book is filled with twists, turns, faith, love, mystery, and a stalker it’s a fun adventure.

One thing about this author’s romantic suspense books is how she allows the reader into the head of the killer. She does not go too far that it gets creepy and you have to stop reading but just enough to create a nail-biting suspenseful page turner you cannot put down. Here is a peek at the killer, “Adrenaline pumped through his body as he jogged through the woods, dodging low-handing limbs. His truck was half a mile away, parked at an abandoned old barn…He heard sirens and looked over his shoulder to make sure no one chased him. He was good, but then a thin limb slapped him and anger spewed out of him….”He hated Sam Ryker. The ranger had forced him to kill.”

Themes of forgiveness, second chances and dysfunctional family dynamics come into play in a natural not preachy way. This book would work well for your next book club pick. There is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

I have read all of Patricia Bradley's books, and she can always be counted on for an intriguing mystery, multiple possibilities for the culprit, a few well-placed red herrings, and a touch of romance that doesn't overtake the story. Obsession, book two in Bradley's Natchez Trace Park Rangers series continues in that vein, and is a wonderfully entertaining, engaging read.

Park Ranger Emma Winters never anticipated being shot at as she returned to her office for a forgotten file. Nor did she anticipate having her former fiance become her self-appointed body guard. Emma and Sam both struggle with forgiveness, Emma with forgiving herself, Sam with forgiving his father. Both learn the importance of the role of forgiveness in being able to move on. They also learn a lot about making assumptions concerning other's personal motivations, and the heartache those assumptions can bring.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Obsession from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved this twisty novel that is tucked inside a National Park with links to yesterday and tendrils in today. A well-written, well-plotted novel filled with characters I enjoyed, the right level of romance, and a page-turning mystery. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Page turning romantic suspense. Great story about ten year old murders and some current ones. Exciting and clever. So happy I caught one of the clues and figured out the correct killer. Lots of issues surrounding the murders. Family problems also. I look forward to reading the next one in this series.