Shadows of Obsession

by Alicia Barnes

She's running for her life. He's running from his past. When danger arises, they'll both have to stop running and start fighting.

After escaping an abusive relationship that nearly cost her life, Anna Franklin is done trusting anyone. But when she lands in the small Wyoming town of Warren battered, broken, and desperate for peace, her past isn’t far behind. Daniel, the man who once swore he loved her, will stop at nothing to drag her back into his control.

The Whitaker Ranch was supposed to be her safe haven. A place to heal among horses and wide-open skies, far from Daniel's reach. What she didn't expect was Connor's best friend Jaxon Mercer, a haunted ex-Marine with shadows in his eyes and walls higher than the mountains surrounding them.

Jaxon learned the hard way that letting people close only gets them killed, so he's built a life of isolation and control on the ranch, keeping everyone at arm's length. But something about the broken woman next door slips past his defenses—the way she flinches at sudden movements, the way she tries to makes herself smaller in a room full of people.

He knows that kind of fear. He's seen it in combat zones and felt it in his own nightmares. As Anna slowly reclaims pieces of herself, an undeniable connection sparks between her and Jaxon. Two damaged souls learning to trust again. Two hearts discovering that sometimes the most dangerous thing isn't falling in love, it's believing you deserve it.

But Daniel hasn't given up. He's obsessed, relentless, and closing in. And when he finds Anna, he won't just want her back. He'll want to make sure she never leaves again. In a deadly game where the stakes are life and death, Anna will have to keep running, or stand and fight. And Jaxon will have to choose between the safety of his isolation and the terrifying risk of loving someone enough to save them.

Because some obsessions don't end. They escalate.


Shadows of Obsession is book 1 of an interconnected standalone series that is best read in order. A romantic suspense with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It features a resilient heroine reclaiming her power, a guarded hero learning to trust again, horses, Wyoming ranch life, forced proximity, and the kind of slow-burn romance that's worth fighting for. Contains mature themes including domestic violence.

PERFECT FOR READERS WHO
• Protective alpha heroes with a soft side
• Trauma survivors finding healing and hope
• Steamy romance with emotional depth
• Found family and tight-knit communities
• Horse ranch settings and Western charm
• Dual POV (Anna & Jaxon, plus villain perspective)
• Slow-burn romance with high-stakes suspense
• Damaged heroes who learn to love again
• HEA guaranteed with satisfying closure

Genres: Romance, Amazon, Ebooks

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2025

About the author

Alicia Barnes traded the cold winters of her native New Hampshire for the warmth of Ocala, Florida, where she lives on a small farm with an ever-growing menagerie. Between caring for her goats, chickens, and horses—and being supervised by her golden retrievers and one very opinionated dalmatian—she carves out time for her greatest passion: writing.

By day, Alicia works a regular job, but in the quiet moments, she escapes into worlds of fantasy and romance through the books she devours and the stories she creates. Writing isn't her career; it's her sanctuary, her creative outlet, and her way of processing the complexities of human emotion and resilience.

When Shadows Break is her debut romantic suspense series, exploring themes close to her heart: trauma, healing, and the transformative power of love. Alicia writes the kind of stories she loves to read—emotionally immersive, character-driven, and full of hope even in the darkest moments.

Reviews

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me reeling with emotions. It’s deep and heartfelt, and broken and painful. Anna just wants to find peace at Whitaker Ranch away from Daniel who did nothing but hurry her and leave her a shell of herself. Her neighbor Jaxon is a man who is trying to find that same peace after a life in the military filled with combat and loss. He sees the fear that Anna holds in the way she shrinks away from people and social settings. The way she flinches AB’s mashes herself unseen. Jaxon saw this in the military himself.
Two broken people found solace in one another as they learn to be around one another. Both with walls that they hide behind. This story is riveting, and it grips you and holds on to you without regret. It takes you through their pain, their fear, and the trust that slowly builds between them. This is so masterfully written, so poetic in its words. It wraps around your heart and lives inside you. An absolutely amazing story.

[Vanessa Waldmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a romantic suspense story about 2 people who have been through a lot of trauma in there life. This was heartbreaking but also healing at the same time.

[Kendall {Book Crazy} · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book when I was scrolling through Goodreads and I saw it below another book that I was looking at! I was intrigued by the cover, so I grabbed a copy and read it when I could! After reading, I can say that I really enjoyed this book! The plot held my attention all the way through and it only took me a few sittings to read because I didn’t want to put it down! There was also plenty of romance in the plot and it was slow burn, which I was expecting! I loved the way it developed and that the characters got to know each other first! It allowed for some very steamy scenes between the main characters too! There was also some action and suspense in the plot, which added a lot to it and made me enjoy it more! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Anna was the main female character, and in this book she has run away from her abusive boyfriend and had settled in a ranch with a close friend! I felt for Anna because she wanted to be happy and free and to make her own choices! She also found her place in the ranch and was surrounded by people that cared about her! Jaxon was the man male character and love interest of Anna! Jaxon was a guy who had a lot of torment and grief and it made him grumpy and standoffish! I did feel for him because he had been through a lot! He did start to open up more and show his softer side as his relationship with Anna developed! Jaxon was very protective of Anna and he wanted her to be safe! This book was written from both Anna and Jaxon’s point of views! I was hoping that this book was going to be written this way before I started reading and the synopsis gives the impression that it’s going to be! I loved that it was because it helped me connect more with both characters and see their feelings for each other develop! It allowed for more things to happen in the plot as well, which helped as Anna and Jaxon didn’t spend every second of the plot together and they were both going through their own situations! I now can’t wait to read the next book in this series! I know that it’s going to focus on a secondary character, but this has me even more excited to read it! I can't wait to read their story! I'll definitely be looking forward to the next book releasing and reading it as soon as it does! I also love the cover for this book! It has a creepy, suspenseful vibe to it, which suits the feel of the book and it drew me to the book as well and made me check out the synopsis! I love that it doesn't have models on it as well!

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A place that is a safe haven Whitaker Ranch , Anna need and want to heal away from Daniel. The man who caused her pain. What she did expect was Jaxon a ex Marine with walls has high as hers.
Jaxon the silent and pain keep him at arm lengths, but the woman called Anna is slowly getting to his soul. He sees how she tries to hide and flinches. learned the hard way that letting people close only gets them killed, so he's built a life of isolation and control on the ranch, keeping everyone at arm's length. But something about the broken woman next door slips past his defenses—the way she flinches at sudden movements, the way she tries to makes herself smaller in a room full of people.
The person who tried to break Anna, Daniel will do anything to hunt her down and claim her back.
Oh this man is pure evil, but two dented souls make each other whole and fight the evil that is coming.
Drama, romance and great characters.

[Tyler Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really sad to give this book a 2.5/5 because it could have been so good. The plot was there. I loved the different perspectives and watching two people work through their traumas together. However, the writing in this book irritated the crap out of me. There do not need to be a thousand adjectives to describe every little detail in the book. I felt like I was constantly reading a sentence with, descriptor and descriptor. Like over and over again. Overall, it just felt like there was a lot of repetition and unnecessary fluff.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a love hate relationship with this one. The storyline and characters were great, I had to see it through. But I struggled to push through some of it, the detail throughout the book were way too repetitive and drawn out, almost insufferably so... May read book #2 in the future but for now my brain needs a break from this specific writing style.

I did grow to love each character individually and as a family!

[Kaylee Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing ! It pulled me in right away and kept me hooked the whole time. The characters felt real and complex, and the tension built perfectly without dragging. I loved the darker vibe and the way obsession was explored—it kept me turning pages. Definitely a book that sticks with you after you finish. Highly recommend! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Denise Fooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was my first time reading this authors book and it won’t be my last. Oh my god once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. I read it in 2 hours. There was romance between Jaxon and Ann. The suspense and danger was felt in reading the book.
I’ve already pre ordered the book on Connor.
So please read this book you will love it.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg I couldn’t put this book down no lie! You have a women who escapes a horrible situation and finds herself again. A man who’s been hurt,closed his self off learns to open up and find happiness. So many twists and turns I would recommend this to anyone who likes suspense and romance

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great read that grabbed me and kept me interested and reading. This story moves along at a speed that is easy to read as well as enjoyable. This book will not disappoint, it needs to be on your TBR list, there is no doubt about it.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great story about overcoming trauma. It touched on multiple mental health issues. I absolutely love Jaxson and Anna's story. Do check the triggers there are some dark themes in the book.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️


Espero que en el libro Harper no perdone tan rápido a Connor. Sé que él viene de una mala relación, pero eso no es excusa para tratarla de esa manera, cuando ella siempre intentó ayudarlo y estar ahí para él.

[Marley Platterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping romantic suspense with strong emotion and tension. Anna’s healing journey and Jaxon’s guarded heart create a powerful slow burn connection, set against a vivid Wyoming ranch backdrop. A compelling story of survival, trust, and love.

[Christina Bellows · Rating 2 out of 5]

An entire ranch and not one camera on it anywhere? I skimmed the last 20%.. And also some of the things that the MMC did just didn't make sense. (he sees a guy killing his girl and he just seems to forget about the gun in his hand?)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Took me a while to get into the story and even longer to warm up to Jaxon.