Crosshairs

Author: Patricia Bradley
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers #3
Release Date: November 2, 2021

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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Reviewer: Gee Dixon

This was a very suspenseful book.  The story was written very well from the beginning to the end.

Ainsley decides to go help in Natchez Trace Park Rangers to help in a murder case of a young girl. She is really reluctant, as Linc is a past boyfriend. But she knows she can help. Then with trial and error the case gets closer to being solved. In the meantime Linc and Ainsley’s relationship move forward.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews. 

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Reviewer: Joy Hannabass

Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont comes to her hometown to investigate the murder of a young girl, but it seems Ainsley is the one being shot at. Could it be connected to the murder, or something totally different? Old flame FBI sniper Lincoln Steele is helping with the case but after a horrific incident with the FBI he no longer carries a gun, so what good is he if Ainsley needs backup? There is more crime going on in the small town of Natchez, Mississippi, people are being shot, shot at, and nobody's talking. Will Ainsley and Linc ever find out the truth of what is really going on in Natchez?

Author Patricia Bradley writes another heart stopping suspense with a bit of mystery flowing through the story. Linc and Ainsley were in trouble everywhere they showed up, it seems trouble is lurking on every corner. Bradley does an amazing job creating these two lead characters, as well as the other characters in the story. I love how she can write the story to make readers feel as though they are right there living the story. The characters all play their parts perfectly as the story unfolds. The sisters were so sweet, I would be happy staying with Cora and Gran.

This entire story had me so engrossed I couldn't put this book down for long at a time. Crosshairs had me guessing throughout the entire story, until almost the end, it was then I realized I had been wrong the whole time. I love, love this story. If you haven't read Patricia Bradley's books, you are missing out. If you love a good clean heart stopping suspense, you need to read Crosshairs. And don't forget to read the first two books in this series as well. And watch for book number four coming in 2022. This would be a great series to have on your Christmas list this year. 

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

Ainsley Beaumont has arrived in her hometown of Natchez to work a case for the district Park Ranger. A teen has been murdered on the Trace. Then someone trains their sights on Ainsley. She and Ranger Linc Steele were very close years ago before Ainsley chose a singing career over staying in Natchez. Now with that career behind her, Ainsley has a job that she loves as a law enforcement Ranger. While Linc and she are working together on the case, things heat up and now Ainsley’s life is in danger.

Lots of twists and turns and multiple suspects. The excitement does not let up. The book kept me turning pages trying to guess who the culprits were. The characters were interesting and well drawn. I liked the dynamics between Ainsley, her grandmother and great aunt. The missing 1870s diary was an interesting focal point. The message of reconciliation between Ainsley and her dad and counting on God during the tough times rang true. The reconnection with Linc was realistic and provided just the right romantic touch.

I have enjoyed the Natchez Trace series so far. I am so glad there will be a book four!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Nikita Wells

I can honestly say Patricia Bradley is my favorite mystery author for books written in the South. I love how she portrays the people, scenery, and our culture as Southern people. It makes me feel right at home with her books.

Crosshairs is the third installment in her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, and let me tell you, it was epic! With every book, the action just dials up even more!

I like how ISB ranger Ainsley Beaumont is portrayed realistically and with flaws. She does her job well and cares about the victim's families for whom she is investigating. Ainsley cares for her great aunt, who was mysteriously injured while working on her book depicting a real-life family mystery. She has relationship and trust issues with her dad and her former boyfriend Lincoln Steele, but that pales in comparison to what's happening now. Ainsley finds out someone is stalking her but doesn't know who or why. What she does know, however, is that no one near her is safe. 

Lincoln Steele is a former FBI agent with trauma issues and is now working as a Natchez Trace Park interpretive ranger and investigator, giving tours of historical Southern mansions to tourists. He and Ainsley have a painful past and find they must investigate a suspected murder case together despite that. Will they find the past can be mended, or will they get hurt again?

I received this book courtesy of Revell, through Interviews & Reviews for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

You absolutely have to read this! It's an absolute can't put down book, and your head will turn in many different directions as you try and solve this murder mystery. 

There were definitely some exciting scenes in this book. My favorite was at the very beginning. I could actually imagine it and hear it.

Ainsley and Lincoln, well, they're just awesome together. Yes, they'll have to get over a few hurdles here and there, but who doesn't!?  I tend to like Ainsley's grandmother because she's just so feisty. Sonny, I didn't much care for. There was just something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. 

This book is fast action and will leave you thinking about the characters long after the book is finished. Five stars for excellence in the writing and well-rounded characters. Although I'd love to know more about Ainsley's dad. It's like he was there, and then he wasn't. 

I highly recommend this book! 

My thanks for a copy of this book, which was provided by Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

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Reviewer: June McCrary Jacobs

A fast-paced, well-balanced, engaging suspense story . . .
 
I have had the good fortune of reading the previous two books in the author's 'Natchez Trace Park Rangers' series. This third installment is an excellent continuation of these action-filled romantic suspense stories featuring female Natchez Trace park rangers.
 
The setting in this book is well-developed and has grown so familiar to readers that it is like an additional character in the plots. Ainsley Beaumont is an Investigative Services Branch ranger for the National Park Service. She is back in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, after many years of living elsewhere because she has been called in to solve the mysterious death of a local eighteen-year-old female high school student. Ainsley is a smart, complicated, compassionate woman.
 
Her former love interest, Lincoln Steele, is an interpretive ranger in the area after a long career in the FBI. He has his own demons and regrets to deal with on a daily basis, but he is a valuable resource for Ainsley as they work together to solve her case. I liked the honesty and ethics exhibited by this man.
 
There are a lot of characters in this story which challenges readers to be fully engaged with the story at all times. One reason I love to read this genre, Christian romantic suspense, is to give my mind a little exercise by sorting through clues and anticipating what will happen next. This author has done an excellent job of throwing down a challenge to readers by creating memorable characters, events, and locations for her story.
 
Historical family diaries, grudges from the past, a tight governor's race, illegal drug dealing, and many other loose ends are woven together to create a complex web of deceit and darkness.
 
Another positive aspect of this story for me was the faith thread which appears throughout the plot in the forms of scripture, prayer, church services, and soul-searching by the two main characters.
 
The icing on the cake for me was the fantastic, astonishing revelations exposed at the latter part of the book. This author truly knows how to wrap up a story as if she is giving her readers a long-anticipated gift to open!
 
This book is completely clean in language and content.
 
I received a paperback copy of this book from Revell through Interviews and Reviews. All of my opinions and thoughts shared here are solely my own.

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