Publication Date: 02/04/2014
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Imprint: Revell Books
Genre: Christian/Insprirational Romantic Suspense
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 0800722604
ISBN-13: 978-0800722609
(Received for an honest review from Revell Books)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook, Indiebound
Patricia Bradley on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Excerpt from, Shadows of the Past, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.
Synopsis:
Psychology professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve--the disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has a lead on his whereabouts, Taylor returns home to Logan Point, Mississippi, to investigate. But as she is stalking the truth about the past, someone is stalking her.
Nick Sinclair pens mystery novels for a living, but the biggest mystery to him is how he can ever get over the death of his wife--a tragedy he believes he could have prevented. With his estranged brother the only family he has left, Nick sets out to find him. But when he crosses paths with Taylor, all he seems to find is trouble.
Join the chase as this determined duo search the murky shadows of the past for the keys to unlocking the present and moving into a future filled with new hope and love. Readers will be swept into the sultry South in this debut novel from a promising and already award-winning writer.
Thoughts:
Patricia Bradley's haunting debut novel, Shadows of the Past will keep readers riveted to it's pages. A psychological story that will envelope the reader, this book is anything but slow. With a fast paced plot, well drawn characters and the past colliding with the present, how could she go wrong? Bradley's voice is poignant and subtle. She is able to spirit the reader along while crafting a story that is both edgy and inspirational. A great first novel and the beginning of a great new series!
What I liked:
If this is what Bradley's debut novel looks like, I can't wait to see where she takes us from here. A strong new presence in the Christian/Inspirational genre, Bradley has crafted a novel that is at turns heartbreaking and haunting. Two people who are trying to forge a future together, must face their own demons before they can move on. It's a great theme and Bradley does a fantastic job of grabbing the reader. The hook is a few lines from a poem that will be long remembered after the final pages are read. I really enjoyed reading this author's first efforts.
Taylor is a profiler, but one case has long alluded her. The disappearance of her own father. Nick is a mystery writer who has been torn apart by grief. Two characters that are engaging and so realistic. I thought Bradley portrayed each of them with a strong sense of justice and even more powerful tie to the past. I liked the whole idea of how they have to solve their issues with what has gone on before, in order to move on in their lives. I thought Bradley taught a powerful lesson with that idea.
I loved all of the Southern charm and attitude that Bradley gave this book as well. There was no doubt where she was writing about. There is a certain quality of times gone by that happens in the deep south and that gave this book an eerie sense of past meeting present, a cross roads, continue on the path you are following or take a new fork in the road. I loved all the Southern references, the food, the smells. It was a real feast for the senses. And Bradley's descriptive prowess was on display for sure.
There was a bit of romance but it was the suspense that really kept me flipping those pages. Taylor has a stalker and she thinks it is Nick's brother. Nick is out to prove that it isn't Scott. But as they continue to try to solve both the mystery of what happened to Taylor's father and who is after her, things start to take a different turn. I loved the pacing of the book and the intervals of peace in the midst of chaos. I think Bradley was right on track with how this book needed to flow to best add to the story. A great first book!
What I didn't like:
Nothing. That simple. I liked everything about this book, it is probably my favorite Christian/Inspirational of the year so far and I've read some good ones. Give this one a try, it's just that good.
Bottom Line:
Any fan of romantic suspense would love this book. Whether they are main stream or Christian/Inspirational readers, it doesn't matter. This is just good writing with a lot of Southern flair and some great characterizations. Don't miss it!
Available February 2014 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Giveaway Details:
Goodreads is giving away five copies of Shadows of the Past. Sign up between now and February 18th. If you are interested in this one, give it a try!
No comments:
Post a Comment