CROSSHAIRS:
Natchez Trace – Park Rangers, #3
by
Patricia Bradley
Genre: Christian / Suspense / Romance
Publisher: Revell
Date of Publication: November 2, 2021 – 384 pages
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When evil just won’t quit, good must prevail
Investigative Services Branch Ranger Ainsley Beaumont wishes the visit to her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, was under better circumstances. When she arrived to investigate the murder of a pregnant teenager, she never imagined that she would become the killer’s next target–or that she’d have to work alongside an old flame.
After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn’t bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her.
The only question is, will it be too little, too late?
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Ainsley and Linc are strong characters who come across well in this story, presented as law enforcement professionals, people with a past that ended a love relationship, and who now have a definite attraction. All those elements play a role in how they handle themselves as they work together to solve a murder and not get killed in the process.
The romance is sweet and tender, and the hesitation about renewing their love that each one has because of their past history is realistic. The “will they or won’t they” element is a perfect subplot, adding another level of drama and suspense to the story.
There’s a little dance between Linc wanting to protect Ainsley and trusting in her and her skills as a trained law enforcement officer to be able to get safely out of danger. The fact that he does have that trust, even though his instinct is to be the protector, is such an endearing aspect of his character, and it’s easy to see how Ainsley could fall in love with him all over again. It’s also so satisfying to see how she uses her skills and experience to get herself out of those difficult situations; not needing the man to save her. And hang on for the ending that showcases her strength in such a perfect way.
Linc’s faith is presented in a natural way, realistic and not heavy-handed, and it’s a nice flip of the common trope of a woman trying to convince a man to open himself up to God and religion. Not that Ainsley is against religion; it’s just she’s had challenges in her life that have made her faith waver. Does she dare open herself up to God again? To Linc?
For readers who like a sweet romance that plays out against a backdrop of mystery and suspense this is the perfect book for a weekend read. It’s well written, has engaging lead characters, and has a plot that moves along at a fast pace, with more than one surprise along the way.
Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff and Obsession, as well as the Memphis Cold Case novels and 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; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. 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.
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ONE WINNER:
Full Natchez Trace Park Rangers Series,
$25 B&N Gift Card, & Vinyl Cling Sticker!
(US only; ends 11/19/2021)
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY, or visit the blogs directly:
| 11/09/21 | Excerpt | Sybrina’s Book Blog |
| 11/09/21 | BONUS Promo | Hall Ways Blog |
| 11/10/21 | Review | It’s Not All Gravy |
| 11/10/21 | BONUS Promo | LSBBT Blog |
| 11/11/21 | Guest Post | Forgotten Winds |
| 11/12/21 | Review | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 11/13/21 | Deleted Scene | All the Ups and Downs |
| 11/14/21 | Author Interview | The Adventures of a Travelers Wife |
| 11/15/21 | Review | The Clueless Gent |
| 11/16/21 | Review | Jennie Reads |
| 11/17/21 | Series Spotlight | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 11/18/21 | Review | Reading by Moonlight |
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This sounds like a great, stand-alone story in the series. Wonder if earlier books have that relationship before they split? Thanks for the review!
I’m not familiar with the whole series, so I don’t know, Kristine. However, there’s enough backstory slipped into this book so the reader has a good sense of what happened between Linc and Ainsley back in their teen years. That sharing is nicely done in bits and pieces, so the reader isn’t pulled away from the main plot too long at one time.