Cover Image: Obsession

Obsession

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Wow! Where do I start? I thought Standoff was good, but Patricia Bradley has totally outdone herself with this one!!!

She weaves a complex web in this story. The characters are so dynamic, and I always love a second chance romance, so that the fact that lead characters used to be engaged was always going to win me over. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next & there were so many good candidates for who Emma’s stalker could be, that it was impossible to work out who it was!

This is next level suspense writing. The thing that stood out for me was, that often with a stalker suspense storyline, things get a little over the top! But with this one you could believe everything that happened could really happen! It’s one of the most realistic suspense novels I’ve ever read and the relationship dynamic is one of the most realistic I’ve read too! Real is definitely the word for this book. And it’s fabulous! Definitely one of Patricia’s best!! It’s out on February 2, so keep an eye out for it or pre-order!


Thanks @revellbooks and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only require to give an honest review in return.

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Obsession by Patricia Bradley is the exciting second book in the Natchez Trace Park Ranger Series. I had purchased and read STANDOFF which left me anxious for the next adventure! Obsession has action, suspense, and romance. I appreciated the scenes where the questions of our human nature and being willing to forgive and accept forgiveness between families and friends are explored. The underlying theme of an inspired faith-based belief is very encouraging during our current distressing times.
Emma Winters is a park ranger and historian at the Natchez Trace Mt. Locust location close to Natchez, Mississippi. This is a beautiful area of the trace and holds a lot of varied history. Emma is looking forward to getting started with her project to document the living conditions for the slaves of the 1860s who had called this part of the Trace Parkway their home. She has arranged to use a GPR machine to prevent disturbing the graves in the slave cemetery. One evening as she is preparing to lock up the park, Emma hears a bulldozer in motion close to the cemetery. Emma attempts to investigate and soon, she must take cover as shots are fired in her direction. This sets a huge mystery in motion. Who was using the bulldozer to dig in an area of interest at the edge of the cemetery? Were they digging for a body or a treasure?
Sam Ryker, Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger starts an investigation into the attempt on Emma's life. Sam and Emma have a history together which makes things a bit awkward. The following night Sam escorts Emma home for her safety and before they get her key into the lock for the outer door, a bullet splinters the entrance above her head. Emma has a stalker!
I like that each book in the series features a different park ranger, and I was happy to read Brooke was included in the story.
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, Patricia Bradley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review Obsession.

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This the second book in this series and is a strong story of forgiveness. I love books with historic backgrounds and was interested in the old slave cemetery

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My only regret about reading this novel is that I started it at night and could not put it down until really late. My imagination took over and I was hearing every sound and my mind drew pictures of the worst possible outcomes. Any suspense novel that does this to me has been masterfully written. This may have been my first Patricia Bradley novel (that I can remember) and I am so thankful to Netgalley for introducing her to me. There are twists and turns, reunited love, gunshots, drugged coffee, and quite an interesting psychological spin. Grab a cup of your fave beverage and expect to spend an afternoon devoted to this book; you will not want to put it down!

I received an ARC via Netgalley but I freely give my honest reviews.

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4.5 stars for this romantic suspense novel from Patricia Bradley! This is the second in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, but could easily be read as a stand-alone. While Brooke (the lead from book 1) makes a few minor appearances in this book, you don't need any history to keep up with what is happening in this one. This book follows Emma, Brooke's friend. Emma is a park ranger as well, though not on the law enforcement side of things. She is attempting a project at Mount Locust (one of the park locations she works at), to seek out the history of those buried in the slave cemetery. She's coming up against some pushback, though she doesn't know from whom. At the same time, she also finds she has a stalker, and she can't imagine why. It's also about this same time that Sam Rykker re-enters her life, the man she was engaged to 10 years ago whom she pushed away after her brother's disappearance. In addition to following Emma and Sam's relationship, this book also re-opens the cold case of her brother's disappearance, after they find there was a lot more to it than initially met the eye and that it tied into current events with Emma's stalker.

While I figured out early on who the stalker was, the author was very good about misdirection and making me second guess my initial thoughts. There were several on my suspect list and while my original guess was correct, I enjoyed the uncertainty of it. This book had intense action and suspense, a sweet romance that was believable due to their history, and a good mystery that had some great depth. The faith thread was subtle, but present and there was a resounding theme of forgiveness throughout. I enjoyed the characters and their growth as well. The scenes from the viewpoint of the stalker felt a bit redundant because he was so obsessed with Emma (hence the book title), but that would stand to reason. I enjoyed the story-line overall and the book had a good resolution. I look forward to additional books in this series and by this author!

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

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A wonderful gripping novel with many twists and turns. The author managed to create an air of suspense and captured my attention. It was a good reminder of forgiveness both given and received. Also showing the importance of family and that people can and do change.

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Although this is the second book in a newer series, it definitely stands alone. I loved the Natchez Trace setting, with its beautiful environment and rich history. The setting truly adds to the story. Emma is a great character -- strong and independent, but with enough un-worked-through issues to make her a little bit vulnerable. Great mix of romance and mystery/thriller.

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Obsession is the second book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series by Patricia Bradley. Reading book one is not required, it does fine as a stand alone novel.

Obsession centers around Ranger Emma Winters. She is doing a digging project when someone tries to shoot her in the dark. She never expected her ex-fiance, Sam Ryker to answer her 911 call. Sam had finally forgiven Emma when he bumps into her again. While he tries to protect her, old feelings resurface and he finds he is falling in love with her all over again. When the target shifts to Sam, he and Emma must race to find who is responsible before they both end up dead.

Patricia Bradley is a very good author and I have enjoyed all her books. She writes great plot lines, likable characters, and delicious suspense.

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A wonderful addition to the Natchez Trace Park Ranger series. Strong characters, interesting theories and an historical site makes for a intriguing novel. I like that Emma was a strong independent woman but had issues that needed to be resolved. Sam's childhood background was heartbreaking but his path to forgiveness was encouraging. Very realistic! Recommended!

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This book took a little bit to get into, mostly because I had forgotten the characters from the first book and I was trying to figure out who everyone was and remember what roles they had played in book 1. But once I got into the flow of it, I read it until I was finished!! It was creepy but not scary! Loved it and cant wait for book 3!!

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Patricia Bradley does it again – she creates an exciting read full of suspense, action and a bit of romance. This book requires lots of time to read in one sitting because once you start – you won’t want to put it down.
Honestly, this book is full of unique connections and twists and turns that it left my head spinning. Who wants Emma dead? Or is it Sam who is the intended target? Is this character or that one behind the shootings and digging historical sites? No – it’s got to be this other guy, because he’s just not likeable. Is Emma’s brother really alive or is he dead? Who really killed that girl ten years ago? Add in an unsolved murder and a missing brother, this novel has all the makings for an exciting action movie.
Obsession is a fast-paced read dealing with Erotomania (believing that there is that one special person who is deeply in love with them). The connection male characters have with the heroine leaves each one highly suspect as the real culprit behind the attacks that occur throughout the book. And each one is intimately connected with the ten year old disappearance of Emma’s twin brother – including the man she trusts with her protection.
If you’re going to read a CF suspense novel, you won’t be disappointed with Obsession by Patricia Bradley.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Obsession by Patricia Bradley is a fast-paced hunt through a buried hole in the ground. As the characters chase to find who is trying to ruin the hunt for a variety of slave graves in a national park, a killer is trying to hide something. Someone is obsessed with Emma. I enjoy novels that actually show how the serial killer is thinking as he stands by and plots different elements. It just makes the hunter a little more creepy. Maybe even allow the readers to feel a little empathic toward the hunter. In this novel, it does exactly that. At times, I shook my head at his errors, but it was nice to see how he justified what he was doing. Bradley does a wonderful job at keeping the suspense moving with a little bit of romance. With each novel, I believe Bradley keeps getting better. She is a top-notch romantic suspense author. Right alongside Lynette Eason, who I adore too. Overall, Obsession by Patricia Bradley is a great novel for fans of romantic suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of Obsession by Patricia Bradley from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

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Obsession by Patricia Bradley is book two in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. I have found the role of a park ranger interesting. Obsession is a strong romantic suspense which characters that are flawed.

Emma is a park ranger with a twin brother that disappeared over 10 years ago. Their family fell about after that. She does not deal with the situation well at all. Even in the present she still has issues that she must work through to have a healthy life.

Sam was her fiancé who she breaks it off with after her brother’s disappearance. I felt she was stupid here. Sam seems to be a great guy who she could have leaned on for healing. Sam is the new law enforcement district ranger so they have to work together after shots are fired at her.

In addition to all of the personal drama we have a stalker who is obsessed with Emma. Bones that are found at the Trace. Patricia keeps you guessing until the end.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

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“Obsession” by Patricia Bradley was a fantastic read! I have loved every one of Patricia Bradley’s book, and this book is no exception. This book had me hooked from the first page to the very last page. This is the second book in the series, but you can read this book by itself.

This book follows Emma Winters and Sam Ryker. Emma and Sam have history. They are forced to work alongside each other after shots are fired at her at a historic landmark. This starts a long investigation and several possible suspects. I really didn’t know who the culprit could be, so I was surprised.

I highly recommend this book and all of Patricia Bradley’s books. You won’t be disappointed!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Book 2 in Patricia Bradley's Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, Obsession, starts with shots fired, and only increases its pace from there!

The last thing Emma Winters wants is to see former fiancé, Sam Ryker again, but when she is shot at on the job at the Trace, Sam is the law enforcement district ranger who is called in to investigate. Can the two put aside their differences to unravel the mystery they've stumbled into?

Sam never quite understood what made Emma break up with him all those years ago, but he suspected her twin brother's disappearance played a large part. Discovering that she may be in danger from more than some random mischief at the Trace, Sam vows to keep her safe but can he do that when a stalker outwits them at nearly every turn?

Of the two books so far in this series, I think this one was the most intense, and that's saying something! It starts out with a murder that was covered up years ago, moves to a possible stalker, then... well, I can't say more, or I'll give the story away. Suffice to say, readers whose favorite genre is romantic suspense need to read this whole series. While you could start with Obsession and read it as a stand-alone, it was fun to revisit characters from the first book in the series. Patricia Bradley has rapidly become a must-read author for me. This is her third series - Logan Point, and Memphis Cold Case being the first two. I've read them all, and can absolutely recommend this author's work!

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Patricia Bradley is one of my favorite authors. I have read almost all of her books, and I have enjoyed the settings and the plots. Obsession is set on the Natchez Trace. Natchez, MS, and Jackson, MS. The history of the Trace enters in the story several times.
As with most of Patricia's books, I think I have figured out the antagonist until something comes up to change my mind. I have thoroughly enjoyed this thriller. The author shows her knowledge in crime solving with up-to-date techniques and advances.
This was a hard book for me to put down. I was captivated by the adventure and suspense of this book. A very good read.

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A number of years ago, I thought being a park ranger would be an interesting career. I must admit that I was young and had no clue what was required of park rangers. I just knew the rangers I saw worked in some of the most beautiful places in the country. When I was growing up and visiting National Parks with my family, the rangers I saw manned the toll booths, handed out maps, answered questions for tourists, and drove the roadways in the parks. I never thought about the job involving risks such as getting shot at, or searching for dead people, or facing belligerent drunks, or rescuing stray cats, or any number of other unpleasant tasks. Okay, maybe I made up some of that. My point is that the heroine of this story, who works as a park ranger, finds herself involved in much more than she bargained for when she took the job. Working for the interpretive division of the park service, she was not involved in law enforcement. But her twin brother had been missing for ten years, so she refused to sit on the sidelines if there was a chance of finding him. The huge question is why someone is apparently stalking her right when it seems there may be a chance of finding her brother, or at least she is suddenly very hopeful that he will be found. I love the suspense that mounts as Emma and Sam work together, although reluctantly, to unravel the mysterious activities taking place at the Mount Locust Visitor Center just off the Natchez Trace. Especially intriguing is the unknown party who has taken an unusual interest in Emma. Bradley keeps the reader busy trying to figure out who the person is, whether there is a connection with the disappearance of the twin brother, and what in the world is going on at the old slave cemetery at the visitor center. Buckle up and get ready for an exciting ride. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own. #Obsession #NetGalley

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This is the second in a series but due to it's nature, a reader is able to read the book as a standalone story. The book is a crime story, a romance and a story about forgiving yourself and those around you.

One thing I like about this book is that it isn't cut and dried. Clues lead to multiple potential suspects so the reader is left to guess which one is the villian of the piece. Another thing to like about this book is that the characters are flawed and have issues - just like real people. It makes the book relateable.

I got this book in exchange for an honest review. Would I buy it? Yes I would. I like the authors books and this is no exception.

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Obsession, the second installment in Patricia Bradley’s Natchez Trace Park Rangers series is a romantic suspense tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. In Obsession, Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters’ project to survey the slave cemetery and document the accurate number of graves turns into a shocking discovery. As the danger quickly mounts, she finds herself working with her former fiancé, district law enforcement ranger Sam Ryker, to find the culprit before more innocent lives are lost.

The romance in the novel is appropriately and realistically portrayed as the former engaged couple, Emma and Sam, struggle with their unresolved feelings after not seeing each other in ten years. There are many supporting characters in the storyline, which was sometimes a bit confusing, but allowed for several possible suspects to evolve throughout the novel.

Obsession is highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense, and readers who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, Irene Hannon, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Rachel Dylan.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

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**4.5/5 stars**

Patricia Bradley's Obsession was her third book I've read, and goodness, what a thrill ride it was! I absolutely loved this novel. All Emma Winters wants to do is use an imaging tool to document the slave graveyards near Natchez Trace, but things quickly grow complicated. Someone fires at her, and circumstances force her to work with Sam Ryker...to whom she was once engaged. Sam will keep her safe, no matter what it takes from him. A...secret admirer adds another piece in the thousand-piece puzzle, and he wants nothing more than to take Emma away.  But who could he be?  Only time would tell.

There is no doubt about it--Patricia Bradley is a phenomenal mystery writer.  In a way, this story reminds me of an uncut diamond. You know there's value in it, and it's obvious the work will be worth your time. So you cut, buff, and turn the pages until you reveal the expensive multi-faceted stone underneath. Obsession by Patricia Bradley has so many different layers to it, clues that she drops like sprinkles before a thunderstorm. It's only a matter of time before the flash flood arrives and sends you gasping for breath. Bradley kept me fully engaged in her newest work from the first page to the last; I could not put it down. I have not come across a novel that's kept me awake for what feels like months; Obsession changed that.

What I loved about this novel was that the romance seemed sincere. It was not overpowering by any means and blossomed naturally. Emma reminded me a bit of myself, as she's obstinate (not my finest trait, I admit), hopeful, and perhaps a bit clumsy, as well. More than anything, though, once she sets her mind to something, she won't stand down, even when others doubt her. I greatly admire that. I wouldn't go so far as to say this book contains misogyny, but it did have overly controlling men who wanted to tell Emma what she could and could not do. Emma would not yield. Many romance novels feature a woman fantasizing and swooning over her man from the start. Obsession by Patricia Bradley does not have that, and in that sense, the novel was a breath of fresh air.

When I was younger, I used to yell at characters for making stupid decisions. I thought I had outgrown that, but Obsession proved me wrong. Bradley drops little hints as to the secret admirer's identity throughout the novel. The little cartoon lightbulb turned on over my head when I figured it out, and then I found myself commanding a character to, and I quote: "Don't open the door. Don't you dare open that door! NO.  DON'T DO IT. DON'T---I told you. I SAID NOT TO OPEN THE DOOR, YOU FOOL!" I'm relieved I didn't read the book in a public place, because I probably would have gotten a few weird looks for exclaiming alternative swear words at my Kindle!

The only reason this book is not a five-star novel for me is that I identified the secret admirer fairly early. Bradley sets up two or three characters as possible suspects, and I eliminated some quickly because I felt they were far too obvious. Overall, though, Obsession is easily one of my favorite books I've read in the past year; and I'm talking 365 days before today, not only 2021. Obsession threw a lasso around me and pulled me in from the first page, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you!

*Note: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

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