Obsession is the perfect example of a great romantic suspense novel. I loved that in the beginning there was more than one mystery to solve. I was blown away by the way the story came together.
     Sam and Emma’s relationship wasn’t all sweetness and light. They had real issues to overcome as they worked together. There was chemistry, but their history was a barrier they had to breach in order to trust one another again. 
     This is one of the few books where I wasn’t confident I knew the culprit before the end of the book. Hints were thrown out in a way that hinted at one person then another. Twists and turns in the story had me reading late into the night. 
     I highly recommend this book as my first great suspense of 2021!
     I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

** “I’ve accepted that I can’t change history — just like you can’t unscramble eggs.” **

Patricia Bradley delivers another heart-thumping romantic thriller with “Obsession,” the second installment in her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series.

Interpretive Ranger Emma Winters is less than thrilled that her ex-fiance Samuel Ryker is back in town as the district law enforcement ranger — that is until she is shot at near the historic slave quarters and cemetery site where she is working.

When the shooting brings them together to solve that occurence, they also dig into her brother Ryan’s mysterious disappearance 10 years ago, trying to determine if today’s incident has anything to do with him going missing and the murder he was accused of.

Bradley does an incredible job of weaving together a plot featuring a decade-old incident and crimes happening now, as well as developing characters with doubts, fears and relatable flaws. As they must wade through their redeveloping feelings toward each other, both Emma and Sam must overcome past insecurities and traumas.

“Obsession” also reveals several great themes, like reminding us to take our burdens to God, because He’s big enough to carry them; the past is over and done with, so let it go; holding on to hatred will only destroy you; finding the do-the-right-thing moments, and following through on them; and the power addiction can hold over us.

A huge theme of the book is forgiveness, and the necessity of not only forgiving others, but forgiving one’s self.

Even though this is part of a series, it could be read as a standalone, although I’d recommend reading “Standoff” also. Fans of authors like Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon and Terri Blackstock will love “Obsession,” which is due out Feb. 2.

Five stars out of five. 

Revell provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Patricia Bradley has delivered another winning romantic suspense.  I loved the fast paced plot and the character dynamics.  I could almost picture the Natchez Trace setting.  I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.  I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

There are some people you never intend to lay eyes on again. Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters’ knew whose name was at the top of her list. That would be her ex-fiancé Sam Ryker. To say their break up ended badly would be the understatement of a lifetime! Emma gets shot at at one night while working at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace. To her utter shock, Sam Ryker has appeared and in a Natchez Trace District Ranger Uniform! On one hand, no one has ever made her feel safer, but that was before everything went so awry. This is the premise that author Patricia Bradley uses to start her latest novel. 

The majority of Bradley’s novel is centered around a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace. And, several scenes take place at night. I’m a Mississippi Girl and I’m going to tell you some facts I know: 1)There are few places in the entire World that are darker than many of the historical landmarks off the Natchez Trace at night! It is just because of the natural topography; 2) There are few places that can give you the creeps any quicker!; 3) A lot of them are well hidden from the Natchez Trace itself; 4) Parts of the Natchez Trace are not as well traveled as others. I kept thinking about these things as I read Bradley’s novel and it added an extra level of suspense for me! 

Bradley amps up the level of obsession in this novel as she deftly pens the mystery of who is stalking Emma, shows multiple agencies working together to solve a murder and a cold case and adds a dose of romance as too very broken people attempt to determine what went wrong all those years ago and is it worth saving.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Great suspense read!  The author does a wonderful job stringing the reader along to suspect several suspects.  
Emma’s historical dig turns in a nightmare when first, she is shot at, and second, she, along with local law enforcement, including her old fiancé, find evidence that a body was stolen from the dig site, and it is her twin brother missing for ten years.  
It is hard to understand how some people’s minds work.  How someone can become so in love with a person who doesn’t know about or return an interest.  And how it can turn them into a killer when they are “disappointed”.

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.

Who is taking shots at Emma and then Sam?  All Emma knows is that she doesn't want Sam around.  He reminds her of their former engagement and the disappearance of her twin brother.  As they continue to search for clues, surprises keep coming their way.  Is Emma being stalked?  

This is a good mystery that will keep you reading.  I look forward to more books from Patricia Bradley.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

How many more people would die before this person was caught?

The author has once again captured the reader with a mystery that requires intense concentration in order to even try to figure out who the perpetrator is. Emma and her twin brother Ryan had just celebrated their 21st birthday when he went missing. Years later there is still no body, no murderer and no closure!

Emma’s job on the interpretive side of the National Park Service has her surveying old slave quarters and a cemetery. When illegal digging occurs, shots are fired and attempted murders happen, law enforcement steps in. Who is the project backer that doesn’t want anything disturbed? Why is she suddenly the target of a stalker?

Sam Ryker works on the law enforcement side of the National Park Service. Cold cases are not usually within their jurisdiction, but when evidence is found regarding the missing person from years earlier, the case is reopened. Original reports are missing requiring further investigation. Suddenly there is more information that has been overlooked all these years. Will answers finally be found?

This ARC of Natchez Trace Park Rangers, #2 was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. The rating, impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

This book was so good! I couldn’t get enough of it! I read most of it in one sitting! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and storyline. It kept me guessing the whole time! I would highly recommend it!

OBSESSION.Patricia.Bradley
Natchez Trace Ranger and a historian Emma Winters to finish up her report before midnight, and get the gate key she had a short hike to get them. Now locking up when rifle shots were aimed close to her.then a car sped away.  Even after ten years as her ex fiancé, district law enforcement  Sam Ryker wanted to be sure Emma was okay
The next morning 9 daises lay on the doorstep, with a message to “enjoy each day.” Was someone against the historic slave quarters being restored and bodies found and counted, A stalker who is obsessed and is sure she loves him also, thus the name of the book. 
A look once again of her brother who disappeared ten years ago, Emma is sure he is not guilty.  A good mystery with a touch of romance, and a  good series. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion from Net Galley and Revell.

I’m the biggest fan of romantic suspense, so I’m always willing to dive in to a new title.  Obsession, sadly was a big miss for me.  I had major issues with the heroine of this story and could not find a way to see her as relatable or root for her. She was rude, immature, and I found it impossible to believe that she had three grown men vying for her attention.  I think the author was trying to show her as independent, however she came across as arrogant, blunt, and completely self  centered.  I felt as if the plot drug out for way too long without any real progress and I didn’t really understand why the majority of the book centered around a park ranger digging in a pit that had just had a disturbance.  The villain was completely obvious from the very first encounter which left no twist or surprise for the rest of this story centered around digging and sifting dirt.  The romance angle was completely not believable based on the characters interaction for most of the book.  I did enjoy the chapters written from the villain’s point of view and there were times I was even rooting for him to succeed. This book definitely wasn’t my taste as far as suspense reads goes.

This book will grab you and not let go until the final page is turned, and you will have your heart in your throat while reading, and holding your breath for answers.

A missing brother, a murder, shots being fired, and then stalking, and maybe throw in a little sweet romance.

I have read many books by this author including the first book in this series, and yes, this can stand along! This story quickly became a page turner, looking for answers and guessing whom the culprit is, and I guessed wrong a log.

I loved how much forgiveness for past happenings played here, and how the realization of wanting to be forgiven is the catalyst to forgiving.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

Patricia Bradley does a good job with the suspense in this clean mystery/suspense novel. Set on the Natchez Trace, this book follows National Park Service Ranger Emma Winters. Emma discovers a recently dug hole near an old slave cemetery she is set to do a project on. Things rapidly become interesting when shots are fired at her immediately following her discovery. Things become even more interesting when Sam Ryker, her ex-fiancé, teams up with her to solve the mystery. 

I enjoyed reading this book. The suspense was good and the author kept me guessing until the end. The action was paced nicely and I especially enjoyed the setting. The romance was sweet and clean. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean mystery/suspense/romance novel.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.