A fine debut indeed! My review of "Shadows of the Past" by Patricia Bradley

about the book....

While she's stalking the truth . . . someone is stalking her.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 works to uncover the truth, someone else will do almost anything to keep her from it.

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. Now that his estranged brother is 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 Taylor and Nick search the murky shadows of the past for the keys to unlocking the present--and moving into a future they never imagined.

my review....

Debut author Patricia Bradley has penned a suspenseful read with her novel "Shadows of the Past", a book that contains enough twists and turns to satisfy the most voracious reader of romantic suspense novels. Her characters are well-developed and likeable, with plenty of humanness woven in them that makes them believable as they struggle with things we all do. I enjoyed the romantic tension between Nick and Taylor, and also the sub-plots involving their relationships with their various family members, particularly between Nick and his estranged brother. I did find some sections of the book to be slower than others, where there would be really exciting moments followed by some that dragged a bit. However, I thought the end fairly sizzled along and readers will certainly enjoy the ride! I also loved Taylor's role as a criminal profiler, a job that utterly fascinates me, and I thought the author did an excellent job at capturing the realities of what it would be like to do Taylor's work. Bradley also does a fine job at speaking to her character's faith, demonstrating the difference God makes in our lives without coming across as preachy.

I am intrigued to see where Bradley takes her characters next in the series. I strongly recommend this book and this debut author, and award 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 about the author....

Patricia Bradley's manuscript for Shadows of the Past was a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award, winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier award (1st place, Inspirational), and winner of a 2012 Touched by Love award (1st place, Contemporary). She is a published short story writer and is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc. When she's not writing or speaking, she can be found making beautiful clay pots and jewelry. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.