Natchez Trace Park Rangers
New Series
Book #1
Description
The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it’s being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers.
John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling–hard–for the daughter of the man he failed to save?
Award-winning author Patricia Bradley introduces you to a new series set in the sultry South that will have you wiping your brow and looking over your shoulder.
Details
- Title Standoff
- Author Patricia Bradley
- Publisher Fleming H. Revell
- Publication Date May 5, 2020
- Pages 400
- Excerpt
- YouTube Trailer
My Thoughts
One-time neighbor and wannabe boyfriend of Brooke Danvers, Luke Fereday, has returned to Natchez. But his reason for being there doesn’t fit with his actions, so Brooke is immediately suspicious. Plus, he is acting way too protective of her, so she is continually trying to fit all the pieces together. And though it’s disconcerting, she still finds herself attracted to Luke, even though it’s been 14 years since they were last together.
This story starts out with short chapters, each filled with different characters and settings. With that in mind, I think it would have been better when I started this to have had a longer reading session. That would have helped me begin weaving the pieces and parts together. As it was, I was left with a feeling of disjointedness and too many characters.
NOTE: After finishing the book I reread the first few chapters. It made sense then because I was familiar with the characters and story. But the first time through it didn’t work for me. Nothing about the beginning hooked me.
But I kept returning to the book and turning pages. When I came to a shooting that was deemed a suicide I becoming somewhat interested. Yet, instead of my interest continuing and the action taking off, it again returned to a slow pace until about halfway through the book.
At that point, I did care about turning the pages. Some of the characters were coming to life and action was returning to the story. But it took a long time for that to happen.
The drug cartel operating up and down the Natchez Trace became more important for me. Also, the vibes of romance began.
The book had finally hooked me.
What Concerned Me
- I felt like there was too much going on and the story needed tightening.
- There was enough in the way of back story given that at times it seemed like we were learning what had happened in a previous book. Then I’d remember that this book was the first in a series.
- There were too many secondary characters.
- The suspense came in periodic spikes that felt too far apart.
What I Liked Most
- A series with rangers working along the Natchez Trace National Parkway is original and interesting.
- The writing is very good.
- This story is clean reading. Yippee! There are no swear words or sex scenes, which I’m liking more and more as I read Christian books.
- The last half of this book hooked me and reeled me in quickly.
- The descriptions in the book weren’t too wordy, but just enough to make it easy to visualize the scene.
Contrary to what the review might lead you to believe, I definitely look forward to reading the second book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions
Rating
About the Author
Patricia Bradley is the author of Justice Delayed, Justice Buried, Justice Betrayed, and Justice Delivered, as well as the 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, and she was a Carol Award finalist. 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 www.ptbradley.com.
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