5 out of 5 stars
DEADLY REVENGE by Patricia Bradley, the third installment in the Pearl River Series, was romance/suspense at its best!
Deputy Jenna Hart has suffered a devastating blow in her law enforcement career, but joining the Russell County department is her way of taking her life back. Unfortunately, the PTSD she suffers is always right under the surface, but she is handling it. That is until TBI agent, Max Anderson, someone she had sparks with in the past, shows up to help on a joint effort between their two agencies.
Max can’t believe he will be teaming up with Jenna Hart, someone he definitely felt a connection with at a time when a relationship was out of the question. Though he lost track of her once he transferred out, seeing her again ignites feelings from the past.
Together, Jenna and Max must figure out who is killing off city officials and why. With a former Mayor running for US Senate and planning a campaign rally in the local park, time is running out. However, other strange occurrences have Jenna feeling as if she is being targeted. Though Max says he has her back, she can’t help but feel he’s questioning her ability to separate the past from the present. She’s determined to prove she’s not imagining these odd occurrences while time is ticking away on a killer who isn’t finished making his point.
Jenna and Max have chemistry that the reader feels right away. Even though they have past baggage, they still have feelings for each other. The reader can’t help but cheer them on, pray they work through their difference, and stop beating around the bush. I appreciated Jenna’s strong, independent streak, and Max’s realization that she is complicated but worth the effort. Some of the secondary characters like Jenna’s dad and grandma round out the story, along with some of the townsfolk, and of course, Alex Stone from book one in the series.
Patricia Bradley knows how to craft a story with strong, complex characters, who bring both suspense and a little bit of heat to the page.
Though I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
