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Pearl River #1
Counter Attack
No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.
Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.
Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.
367 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2023
78 people are currently reading
4271 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Bradley
29 books1,290 followersPatricia Bradley is a Romantic Suspense Selah winner, Carol and Daphne du Maurier finalist and the winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. Three anthologies that included her stories debuted on the USA Today Best Seller List.
She and her two cats call Northeast Mississippi home--the South is also where she sets most of her books. Her romantic suspense novels include the Logan Point series, the Memphis Cold Case Novels, and the Natchez Trace Park Rangers. She now hard at work on the second book in her new Pearl River series set in the Cumberland Plateau area above Chattanooga.
Writing workshops include American Christian Fiction Writers, the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, the KenTen and Scrivener retreats where she was the keynote, Memphis American Christian Fiction Writer group, and the Bartlett Christian Writers group. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.
I love connecting with readers on my blog every Tuesday where I have a Mystery Question for them to solve: www.patriciabradleyauthor.com/blog
Twitter: @ptbradley1
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptbradley1/
She and her two cats call Northeast Mississippi home--the South is also where she sets most of her books. Her romantic suspense novels include the Logan Point series, the Memphis Cold Case Novels, and the Natchez Trace Park Rangers. She now hard at work on the second book in her new Pearl River series set in the Cumberland Plateau area above Chattanooga.
Writing workshops include American Christian Fiction Writers, the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, the KenTen and Scrivener retreats where she was the keynote, Memphis American Christian Fiction Writer group, and the Bartlett Christian Writers group. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.
I love connecting with readers on my blog every Tuesday where I have a Mystery Question for them to solve: www.patriciabradleyauthor.com/blog
Twitter: @ptbradley1
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptbradley1/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
May 9, 2023
Counter Attack, the first of the Pearl River series, is an action-packed, suspenseful start to what is bound to be a great new series. I really liked the characters with a second chance at romance and the small-town setting where everyone knows each other. Alexis Stone, raised by her grandparents, moved back to Pearl Springs after her sheriff grandfather's heart attack to act as his chief deputy from Chattanooga. Some were not happy to be passed over by Sheriff Stone. When someone tries to kill her, could one be responsible? Or could it be the serial killer who seems to have followed her from Chattanooga?
Police Chief and former boyfriend, Nathan Landry is happy to rekindle his friendship with Alexis and hopes for more. He and Alexis work well together investigating local cases. Can Alexis overcome her fears to let someone close again? What about her dreams? Nonstop action, multilayered mystery with twists, turns, edginess, and danger abound in this exciting story. I highly recommend for those who enjoy romantic suspense with a faith element.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
Police Chief and former boyfriend, Nathan Landry is happy to rekindle his friendship with Alexis and hopes for more. He and Alexis work well together investigating local cases. Can Alexis overcome her fears to let someone close again? What about her dreams? Nonstop action, multilayered mystery with twists, turns, edginess, and danger abound in this exciting story. I highly recommend for those who enjoy romantic suspense with a faith element.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
May 19, 2023
What an AWESOME romantic suspense novel ya'll! 5 stars! A perfect start to a new series! Great characters, non-stop action, small town vibes and a second chance romance you will love and root for! This was my first Patricia Bradley novel and I loved it so much! I live in Tennessee and love all things southern - and this had some great southern vibes with small town diners, grandparents you love and small town livin' that grows on you. Patricia Bradley is a new favorite author of mine now for sure!
Counter Attack is all about Alexis Stone, who is the interim sherrif in Russell County, Tennessee. The story starts with her being undercover invesigating the serial killer known as the Queen's Gambit Killer. She's on the case when she runs into her old high school sweetheart, Nathan Landry. Now in their 30s and both in the police force, will this be their second chance at love as they work together to solve this case? As they work together, pieces of the puzzle start forming and they soon realize Alexis is now the one in danger...
What I really loved most was our main characters of Alexis and Nathan - they worked together so perfectly and seeing them come back together after so long was great. The fast paced suspense and short chapters with both POVs was great too! This is also a page turner for sure. There was also a light faith element I really liked seeing in the story, specifically when Alexis' grandmother asks her...has she prayed/asked God to guide her in the case. I read this in 1 day - it was so bingeable and fast paced - and for once, I figured out who the killer was before it was revealed! A new favorite and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.
*Content Warnings: There were some parts of the serial killer portions that could be a little unsettling for some readers but I was ok with it. It wasn't too much for me. We have several mentions of the dark web and some tough evil things going on there. While it didn't cross the line for me, I wanted to make note for those wanting to know content. Also, several mentions of drugs as one case is directly related to busting a drug ring.
Counter Attack is all about Alexis Stone, who is the interim sherrif in Russell County, Tennessee. The story starts with her being undercover invesigating the serial killer known as the Queen's Gambit Killer. She's on the case when she runs into her old high school sweetheart, Nathan Landry. Now in their 30s and both in the police force, will this be their second chance at love as they work together to solve this case? As they work together, pieces of the puzzle start forming and they soon realize Alexis is now the one in danger...
What I really loved most was our main characters of Alexis and Nathan - they worked together so perfectly and seeing them come back together after so long was great. The fast paced suspense and short chapters with both POVs was great too! This is also a page turner for sure. There was also a light faith element I really liked seeing in the story, specifically when Alexis' grandmother asks her...has she prayed/asked God to guide her in the case. I read this in 1 day - it was so bingeable and fast paced - and for once, I figured out who the killer was before it was revealed! A new favorite and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.
*Content Warnings: There were some parts of the serial killer portions that could be a little unsettling for some readers but I was ok with it. It wasn't too much for me. We have several mentions of the dark web and some tough evil things going on there. While it didn't cross the line for me, I wanted to make note for those wanting to know content. Also, several mentions of drugs as one case is directly related to busting a drug ring.
May 28, 2023
About this book:
“Her next move just might be her last.
No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.
Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Pearl River” series.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read, & discussed; Prayers & Thanking God; Reading Devotionals & Thinking on them; God tells Alex she is never alone when she’s in a dangerous situation (from Scripture); Talks about God & why He allows bad things to happen (Alex’s grandmother tells her to ask for God’s help); 'H's are not capital when referring to God; Alex has struggled thinking with God caring about her after her dad died when she was in high school & wonders if she has been wrong to make plans for her life without consulting with God (but convinces herself she’s on the right path; her grandmother talks to her about God not wanting her career to consume her life); Alex doesn’t think that God has given much thought to her dating life (her grandmother fusses at her for saying that); Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & devotions; Mentions of praying, prayers, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, & a youth group; A few mentions of witnessing & someone accepting Jesus into her heart; A few mentions of those & books in the Bible; A few mentions of a bomber possibly hating Christians or Jews because he planned a bombing at the start of Passover (right before Easter); A mention of a Bible study;
*Note: A man at a bar asks if Alex would believe him if he says he’s a pastor, to which she replies that pastors in the Bible Belt don’t drink; A few mentions of the evil in the world; A mention of an online horror game’s world feeling satanic.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘confounded’, five ‘shut up’s, and eight ‘stupid’s; Some Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Shooting and killing criminals (involving guilt and it being done in self-defense; recalling it as well, up to semi-detailed); Fighting, Gunfire, Being tied in a noose, Being held at gunpoint, Being shot, being shot at, Pain, & Passing out (up to multiple times each, all being semi-detailed); Being drugged & kidnapped (up to semi-detailed); A fire & explosion (up to semi-detailed); The villain has created an online horror game about becoming a serial killer, leaves hints on how to murder those in the game, and those who win the game are rewarded with videos of the last victim’s deaths (making money off of the game and recordings; Alex and her team go into the game and have to “shoot” bystanders and see pictures of the murder victims, up to semi-detailed); The villain takes over Alex’s car by hacking it, nearly causing accidents (up to semi-detailed); Alex has the start of a panic attack (barely-above-not-detailed); Going to a bar (while Alex is undercover and she has a nonalcoholic drink; Nathan also has an nonalcoholic drink); All about many mentions of serial killers, murders, the victims, bodies, & deaths/murders (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of shooting and killing criminals (in self-defense and in protection of a child), gunshots, being shot, being shot at, being held at gunpoint, blood/bleeding, & threats (a couple deaths are called “suicide by cop” or “execution by cop”, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of crimes, criminals, crime scenes, arrests, & jails; Mentions of a car being hacked, near accidents, a near death experience, a car death & death (Alex’s mother, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a noose & someone being set to hang; Mentions of kidnappings & kidnappers; Mentions of bombs, a bomber, a bombing, & a death; Mentions of a fire; Mentions of drugs, smoking marijuana, dealers, raids, & overdoses (slang is used as well); Mentions of a bar, drinking, & alcohol; Mentions of lies, lying, & deception (Alex says lying to criminals is fair game); Mentions of cheating; Mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of the death of a military man (a landmine) & the grief from his family; A few mentions of a stalker; A few mentions of burglaries & robberies; A few mentions of parents fighting & a divorce; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of Alex getting drunk after a bad break-up; A couple mentions of the possibility of a drink being drugged; A couple mentions of a possible divorce; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a terrorist attack; A mention of DUIs; A mention of a drunk brawl; A mention of a bully; A mention of a rumor; A mention of betting;
*Note: Mentions of Alex being subject to biases against females in the law enforcement field & her having to work hard to gain the trust of the male detectives in her office (she says she wants to make a difference for the women coming up in the department and plans to hire more female deputies); Mentions of car brands; Mentions of social media sites & other internet sites (TikTok, FaceTime, Google, DuckDuckGo, PayPal, & Netflix); A few mentions of a mentally ill man pulling a gun on a police officer and the officer killing him (it’s called a “suicide by cop” or “execution by cop”); A few mentions of brand names & items (Yeti, Dr. Pepper, & iPad); A couple mentions of Frankenstein & Dracula; A mention of Bigfoot; A mention of a Halloween party; A mention of a magazine (Architectural Digest); A mention of someone working their rear off.
Sexual Content- Three almost (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed) kisses, two semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; Remembering kisses & an almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Electricity/Shivers, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing (including Alex’s legs, up to semi-detailed); Alex tells a man who is hitting on her (when she’s undercover) that she won’t be going home with him (and his personality changes then); a ‘sexy’; Mentions of prostitution, prostitutes, & them “working the streets” (a few were some of the serial killer’s victims, the slang term “hookers” is used once); Mentions of kisses, almost kisses, & kissing; Mentions of dating, dates, boyfriends/girlfriends, break-ups, & exes; A few mentions of Alex being hit on while undercover; A couple mentions of crushes; A mention of the victims not being sexually assaulted; A mention of some boys going to a youth group to check out the girls that are there; Love, falling/being in love, & the emotions;
*Note: While undercover, Alex wears a short skirt and a low-cut blouse than what she normally prefers to wear; Mentions of that outfit & other similar outfits that her grandmother would hate (short skirts, skimpy dresses, & low-cut tops); A mention of cleavage; A mention of a man and his wife having problems (hinting towards the husband having interest in another woman).
-Alexis Stone, age 34
-Nathan Landry
P.O.V. switches between them & someone else (x5)
384 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Add up to a full star for older girls interested in the law enforcement field}
This was my first book by this author and I have to say that it was different than the typical Christian Fiction Suspense books I’ve read throughout the years. I’ll admit to having to suspend my belief by the end because of all the near-death moments our main couple faces, but it wasn’t a bad story.
I totally called the villain, but I feel like it was a bit obvious if you picked up on certain clues and hints. I don’t play chess, so those parts were lost on me, but thankfully most everything was explained in a way that even non-chess players like me could understand.
Second chance romances aren’t usually my thing, especially in this genre as it can distract the main couple from their mission of (usually) taking down a killer. While they were really battling their feelings for each other—especially him—it didn’t completely distract them from their jobs which I really appreciate.
Even though this book was about a serial killer, I didn’t feel like it was super creepy (I would rank a few different books of Lynette Eason’s as the creepiest ones I’ve read), but when the online horror game parts came into play, that’s when the creep factor kicked in and I felt uncomfortable about reading about that kind of evil. I haven’t seen that particular kind of internet crime be mentioned in many (or any) books in this genre that I’ve read, so it was interesting, but in a horrible kind of way.
I’m curious who the next book in this series will be about, as I don’t think that was obvious. (Maybe Mark?) I think it would be neat to see Alex and Nathan as the leads in the second book since there aren’t many connecting suspense/mystery series anymore. Regardless, I’ll be watching to learn more and possibly might read it as well.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
“Her next move just might be her last.
No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.
Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Pearl River” series.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read, & discussed; Prayers & Thanking God; Reading Devotionals & Thinking on them; God tells Alex she is never alone when she’s in a dangerous situation (from Scripture); Talks about God & why He allows bad things to happen (Alex’s grandmother tells her to ask for God’s help); 'H's are not capital when referring to God; Alex has struggled thinking with God caring about her after her dad died when she was in high school & wonders if she has been wrong to make plans for her life without consulting with God (but convinces herself she’s on the right path; her grandmother talks to her about God not wanting her career to consume her life); Alex doesn’t think that God has given much thought to her dating life (her grandmother fusses at her for saying that); Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & devotions; Mentions of praying, prayers, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, & a youth group; A few mentions of witnessing & someone accepting Jesus into her heart; A few mentions of those & books in the Bible; A few mentions of a bomber possibly hating Christians or Jews because he planned a bombing at the start of Passover (right before Easter); A mention of a Bible study;
*Note: A man at a bar asks if Alex would believe him if he says he’s a pastor, to which she replies that pastors in the Bible Belt don’t drink; A few mentions of the evil in the world; A mention of an online horror game’s world feeling satanic.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘confounded’, five ‘shut up’s, and eight ‘stupid’s; Some Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Shooting and killing criminals (involving guilt and it being done in self-defense; recalling it as well, up to semi-detailed); Fighting, Gunfire, Being tied in a noose, Being held at gunpoint, Being shot, being shot at, Pain, & Passing out (up to multiple times each, all being semi-detailed); Being drugged & kidnapped (up to semi-detailed); A fire & explosion (up to semi-detailed); The villain has created an online horror game about becoming a serial killer, leaves hints on how to murder those in the game, and those who win the game are rewarded with videos of the last victim’s deaths (making money off of the game and recordings; Alex and her team go into the game and have to “shoot” bystanders and see pictures of the murder victims, up to semi-detailed); The villain takes over Alex’s car by hacking it, nearly causing accidents (up to semi-detailed); Alex has the start of a panic attack (barely-above-not-detailed); Going to a bar (while Alex is undercover and she has a nonalcoholic drink; Nathan also has an nonalcoholic drink); All about many mentions of serial killers, murders, the victims, bodies, & deaths/murders (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of shooting and killing criminals (in self-defense and in protection of a child), gunshots, being shot, being shot at, being held at gunpoint, blood/bleeding, & threats (a couple deaths are called “suicide by cop” or “execution by cop”, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of crimes, criminals, crime scenes, arrests, & jails; Mentions of a car being hacked, near accidents, a near death experience, a car death & death (Alex’s mother, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a noose & someone being set to hang; Mentions of kidnappings & kidnappers; Mentions of bombs, a bomber, a bombing, & a death; Mentions of a fire; Mentions of drugs, smoking marijuana, dealers, raids, & overdoses (slang is used as well); Mentions of a bar, drinking, & alcohol; Mentions of lies, lying, & deception (Alex says lying to criminals is fair game); Mentions of cheating; Mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of the death of a military man (a landmine) & the grief from his family; A few mentions of a stalker; A few mentions of burglaries & robberies; A few mentions of parents fighting & a divorce; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of Alex getting drunk after a bad break-up; A couple mentions of the possibility of a drink being drugged; A couple mentions of a possible divorce; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a terrorist attack; A mention of DUIs; A mention of a drunk brawl; A mention of a bully; A mention of a rumor; A mention of betting;
*Note: Mentions of Alex being subject to biases against females in the law enforcement field & her having to work hard to gain the trust of the male detectives in her office (she says she wants to make a difference for the women coming up in the department and plans to hire more female deputies); Mentions of car brands; Mentions of social media sites & other internet sites (TikTok, FaceTime, Google, DuckDuckGo, PayPal, & Netflix); A few mentions of a mentally ill man pulling a gun on a police officer and the officer killing him (it’s called a “suicide by cop” or “execution by cop”); A few mentions of brand names & items (Yeti, Dr. Pepper, & iPad); A couple mentions of Frankenstein & Dracula; A mention of Bigfoot; A mention of a Halloween party; A mention of a magazine (Architectural Digest); A mention of someone working their rear off.
Sexual Content- Three almost (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed) kisses, two semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; Remembering kisses & an almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Electricity/Shivers, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Blushes & Winks; Noticing (including Alex’s legs, up to semi-detailed); Alex tells a man who is hitting on her (when she’s undercover) that she won’t be going home with him (and his personality changes then); a ‘sexy’; Mentions of prostitution, prostitutes, & them “working the streets” (a few were some of the serial killer’s victims, the slang term “hookers” is used once); Mentions of kisses, almost kisses, & kissing; Mentions of dating, dates, boyfriends/girlfriends, break-ups, & exes; A few mentions of Alex being hit on while undercover; A couple mentions of crushes; A mention of the victims not being sexually assaulted; A mention of some boys going to a youth group to check out the girls that are there; Love, falling/being in love, & the emotions;
*Note: While undercover, Alex wears a short skirt and a low-cut blouse than what she normally prefers to wear; Mentions of that outfit & other similar outfits that her grandmother would hate (short skirts, skimpy dresses, & low-cut tops); A mention of cleavage; A mention of a man and his wife having problems (hinting towards the husband having interest in another woman).
-Alexis Stone, age 34
-Nathan Landry
P.O.V. switches between them & someone else (x5)
384 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Add up to a full star for older girls interested in the law enforcement field}
This was my first book by this author and I have to say that it was different than the typical Christian Fiction Suspense books I’ve read throughout the years. I’ll admit to having to suspend my belief by the end because of all the near-death moments our main couple faces, but it wasn’t a bad story.
I totally called the villain, but I feel like it was a bit obvious if you picked up on certain clues and hints. I don’t play chess, so those parts were lost on me, but thankfully most everything was explained in a way that even non-chess players like me could understand.
Second chance romances aren’t usually my thing, especially in this genre as it can distract the main couple from their mission of (usually) taking down a killer. While they were really battling their feelings for each other—especially him—it didn’t completely distract them from their jobs which I really appreciate.
Even though this book was about a serial killer, I didn’t feel like it was super creepy (I would rank a few different books of Lynette Eason’s as the creepiest ones I’ve read), but when the online horror game parts came into play, that’s when the creep factor kicked in and I felt uncomfortable about reading about that kind of evil. I haven’t seen that particular kind of internet crime be mentioned in many (or any) books in this genre that I’ve read, so it was interesting, but in a horrible kind of way.
I’m curious who the next book in this series will be about, as I don’t think that was obvious. (Maybe Mark?) I think it would be neat to see Alex and Nathan as the leads in the second book since there aren’t many connecting suspense/mystery series anymore. Regardless, I’ll be watching to learn more and possibly might read it as well.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
July 7, 2023
Buckle up! Bradley is at the top of her game with this suspense.
May 15, 2023
An excellent start to Patricia Bradley's newest romantic suspense series!
I jumped at the chance to read and review a Patricia Bradley book, and I wasn't disappointed!
I found Nathan and Alexis both to be well-developed characters and enjoyed seeing them work together to solve the case while juggling a growing romance. Alexis's backstory added to the plot.
Speaking of the plot ... It contained plenty of high stakes and suspenseful moments to keep me reading right along. Although I don't know much about chess, I thought it was quite cool how the game was woven into the plot. I had my suspicions about the killer, which made this book even more fun to read because I wanted to see if I were right (though I did peek at the end when I was part of the way through). I appreciated that Patricia Bradley kept both the romance and the language clean. Her clear, fast-paced writing style helped move the story along.
Overall, Counter Attack was an entertaining, suspenseful read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I jumped at the chance to read and review a Patricia Bradley book, and I wasn't disappointed!
I found Nathan and Alexis both to be well-developed characters and enjoyed seeing them work together to solve the case while juggling a growing romance. Alexis's backstory added to the plot.
Speaking of the plot ... It contained plenty of high stakes and suspenseful moments to keep me reading right along. Although I don't know much about chess, I thought it was quite cool how the game was woven into the plot. I had my suspicions about the killer, which made this book even more fun to read because I wanted to see if I were right (though I did peek at the end when I was part of the way through). I appreciated that Patricia Bradley kept both the romance and the language clean. Her clear, fast-paced writing style helped move the story along.
Overall, Counter Attack was an entertaining, suspenseful read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
January 18, 2025
Undercover Interim Chief Deputy Detective Alex Stone is sent to Pearl Springs in search for a serial killer known as the Queen’s Gambit Killer. While her headspace is taken up with trying to lure the killer, her heart pulls her toward her childhood sweetheart, Nathan Landry, Pearl Springs chief of police. The tension added as a result of the mystery and the romance is fantastic and knowing that the serial killer is still out there makes for a tense read.
I enjoyed watching Alex’s growth as she eases up on her independence and learns to accept help and protection.
I’ve read this series out of order (#2, #3, then #1) but it was good to go back and see where and how it all began.
I enjoyed watching Alex’s growth as she eases up on her independence and learns to accept help and protection.
I’ve read this series out of order (#2, #3, then #1) but it was good to go back and see where and how it all began.
July 19, 2023
Enjoyed the use of chess in this suspense novel. The beginning of the novel was strong. I figured out who the villain was pretty early on. Look forward to continuing the series.
January 13, 2025
While this wasn't my favorite suspense book ever, I have to say I really loved it for all of the Chattanooga references!
June 22, 2023
Patricia Bradley knocks it out of the park with her inspirational romantic suspense novel Counter Attack, released May 16, 2023. The suspense builds as a serial killer stalks heroine Alexis Stone and murders ladies with her same hair color, height, and build. With each body, he leaves his signature behind—a white pawn from a chess game along and a note indicating a chess move. To understand the killer's next move, Alexis must learn how to play chess.
At the request of her chief deputy grandfather, who raised her, Alexis regretfully moves back to Pearl Springs from Chattanooga, where she worked as an undercover agent, after he talks her into working as the interim chief deputy position in Russell County, TN, while he recovers from a heart attack. Will the killer know she left town? Will he follow her to Pearl Springs?
Who else but her old high school flame, the now chief of police in Pearl Springs, Nathan Landry, will work with her on the case. Their breakup years ago left him apprehensive about reconnecting. Will he and Alexis be able to leave the past behind and rekindle their love before the killer finds her?
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen next. Readers won’t be disappointed, either, with the action, suspense, and romance building throughout the novel.
At the request of her chief deputy grandfather, who raised her, Alexis regretfully moves back to Pearl Springs from Chattanooga, where she worked as an undercover agent, after he talks her into working as the interim chief deputy position in Russell County, TN, while he recovers from a heart attack. Will the killer know she left town? Will he follow her to Pearl Springs?
Who else but her old high school flame, the now chief of police in Pearl Springs, Nathan Landry, will work with her on the case. Their breakup years ago left him apprehensive about reconnecting. Will he and Alexis be able to leave the past behind and rekindle their love before the killer finds her?
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen next. Readers won’t be disappointed, either, with the action, suspense, and romance building throughout the novel.
April 5, 2023
Boy, what a ride! This book will leave you breathless with non-stop action, false flags, several suspects and intense chills. You'll want to read this one with the lights on as the suspense gets deeper and creepier. The romance was clean, and I loved the characters in the small town of Pearl Springs, TN.
Alexis wasn't my favorite character, but I liked her better as the book went on and she developed in character, personality and heart. She dealt with some really tough battles in life and came out better for it in the end.
Alexis' grandparents were as sweet and loving as can be, and were down home Christian folks who knew how to whip up some Southern comfort food with words of encouragement and guidance when Alexis needed it most.
Nathan was also a kind and considerate character and friend. I like how he stuck by his neighbors through thick and thin without being overbearing or distant because he was the law.
Trigger warnings and negative elements
Alexis thinks of her old flame as being "extremely se*y".
Alex goes undercover in a bar, and it's mentioned she would normally never be caught dead wearing what she wore there. A mention of her normally concealing a small backup gun in her sports bra, but not being able to because of the low cut shirt she was wearing as part of her disguise.
Two or three of the murder victims were prostitutes/hookers.
Someone creates a vile computer game that is described as satanic and rightfully so.
For those who have a alcohol or drug addiction past or current problem, this probably isn't the book for you as both are mentioned a fair bit.
I really wasn't crazy about the serial killer vibes in this book, and honestly it was too much for my taste.
But aside from these few things, this book was honestly pretty good and sits on my shelf next to my other favorites in this genre. Mrs. Bradley writes some really great Southern fiction, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from Revell Fiction through a Library Thing Early Reviewers giveaway. I also received a complimentary e-book from the publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.
Alexis wasn't my favorite character, but I liked her better as the book went on and she developed in character, personality and heart. She dealt with some really tough battles in life and came out better for it in the end.
Alexis' grandparents were as sweet and loving as can be, and were down home Christian folks who knew how to whip up some Southern comfort food with words of encouragement and guidance when Alexis needed it most.
Nathan was also a kind and considerate character and friend. I like how he stuck by his neighbors through thick and thin without being overbearing or distant because he was the law.
Trigger warnings and negative elements
Alexis thinks of her old flame as being "extremely se*y".
Alex goes undercover in a bar, and it's mentioned she would normally never be caught dead wearing what she wore there. A mention of her normally concealing a small backup gun in her sports bra, but not being able to because of the low cut shirt she was wearing as part of her disguise.
Two or three of the murder victims were prostitutes/hookers.
Someone creates a vile computer game that is described as satanic and rightfully so.
For those who have a alcohol or drug addiction past or current problem, this probably isn't the book for you as both are mentioned a fair bit.
I really wasn't crazy about the serial killer vibes in this book, and honestly it was too much for my taste.
But aside from these few things, this book was honestly pretty good and sits on my shelf next to my other favorites in this genre. Mrs. Bradley writes some really great Southern fiction, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from Revell Fiction through a Library Thing Early Reviewers giveaway. I also received a complimentary e-book from the publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.
May 19, 2023
Puzzling Chess. Extreme duress. Checkmate express.
Let's see. Serial killings, dark web, clues from chess moves left with the victims. Ms Bradley has woven a tale with enough twists, turns, and misdirection to challenge the best armchair detectives out there. She has invented some delightfully realistic characters, you will want to meet again in future books in this series.
When her sheriff grandfather is incapacitated from a heart attack, he asks his Chattanooga PD undercover detective granddaughter, Alexis, to act as Russell County's Chief Deputy until he recovers. That's a hard decision since she might have to give up her promotion and maybe her ambition to be the first female Chattanooga Police Commissioner. If she takes this job, she will also have to work with Pearl Springs Police Chief, Nathan Landry, her childhood friend, and former sweetheart...a plus or a minus?
Everything revolves around trying to catch the serial killer the press have dubbed The Queen's Gambit Killer, arising from the white pawn and chess moves the killer leaves with each victim. Ms Bradley has captured the intensity of solid police work, as Alexis and Nathan and their respective teams work rapidly to solve the murders which are happening at an increasing pace.
With "Counter Attack", Ms Bradley is off to a fine start with her new series, "Pearl River". Grab this book, block out some time, and settle in for a very enjoyable, nail biting read.
Let's see. Serial killings, dark web, clues from chess moves left with the victims. Ms Bradley has woven a tale with enough twists, turns, and misdirection to challenge the best armchair detectives out there. She has invented some delightfully realistic characters, you will want to meet again in future books in this series.
When her sheriff grandfather is incapacitated from a heart attack, he asks his Chattanooga PD undercover detective granddaughter, Alexis, to act as Russell County's Chief Deputy until he recovers. That's a hard decision since she might have to give up her promotion and maybe her ambition to be the first female Chattanooga Police Commissioner. If she takes this job, she will also have to work with Pearl Springs Police Chief, Nathan Landry, her childhood friend, and former sweetheart...a plus or a minus?
Everything revolves around trying to catch the serial killer the press have dubbed The Queen's Gambit Killer, arising from the white pawn and chess moves the killer leaves with each victim. Ms Bradley has captured the intensity of solid police work, as Alexis and Nathan and their respective teams work rapidly to solve the murders which are happening at an increasing pace.
With "Counter Attack", Ms Bradley is off to a fine start with her new series, "Pearl River". Grab this book, block out some time, and settle in for a very enjoyable, nail biting read.
June 19, 2023
Pat Bradley's Counter Attack, first book in her new Pearl River series, starts off with a bang and never lets up. In some ways it's a good old-fashioned whodunit, but the addition of the dark web gives us a peek at what goes on in a nasty world festering right under our noses. Add a story of strong family bonds and a rekindled romance, and Bradley's fans will be delighted with her latest foray into Christian romantic suspense.
June 18, 2023
4/5 stars.
I really enjoyed this read! Patricia Bradley is a new-to-me author, and I'm definitely excited to check out more of her books. (And I'm proud of myself; this is the first book in a new series, so I'm already reading in order for a change! Hah!)
The action kicks into high gear early on in the book (yay), and doesn't let up until close to the end--just how I like it, with sufficient time to get in a satisfying denouement. I clued in to one of the mysteries midway through the read, but was certainly caught off guard on other aspects--a pleasant surprise!
I know very little about chess (just enough to get me in trouble), and felt Bradley did well at educating a noob reader like myself but also not going overboard in nuance or details; there was just enough there to appreciate the complexity without being too niche.
Not a book to read before bedtime, both due to subject matter and because I had to find out what happened next! "Just one more page/chapter" was definitely true here, haha.
Very well done, and again, I look forward to reading more by Bradley--not least in upcoming books in this series.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this read! Patricia Bradley is a new-to-me author, and I'm definitely excited to check out more of her books. (And I'm proud of myself; this is the first book in a new series, so I'm already reading in order for a change! Hah!)
The action kicks into high gear early on in the book (yay), and doesn't let up until close to the end--just how I like it, with sufficient time to get in a satisfying denouement. I clued in to one of the mysteries midway through the read, but was certainly caught off guard on other aspects--a pleasant surprise!
I know very little about chess (just enough to get me in trouble), and felt Bradley did well at educating a noob reader like myself but also not going overboard in nuance or details; there was just enough there to appreciate the complexity without being too niche.
Not a book to read before bedtime, both due to subject matter and because I had to find out what happened next! "Just one more page/chapter" was definitely true here, haha.
Very well done, and again, I look forward to reading more by Bradley--not least in upcoming books in this series.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 2, 2023
This story was CRAZY good!
Patricia Bradley has the ability to draw you into a story quickly and the action just keeps coming. This was one of those books that I wanted to stay up all night to finish!
The Characters: Alexis Stone is a tough as nails cop looking to work her way to commissioner of a major city police department. But when an undercover assignment goes slightly sideways her plans change. Then her beloved grandfather and Russell County sheriff suffers a heart attack her world goes a little more sideways when he asks her to take on the role of Chief Deputy.
Nathan Landry is the chief of police who never understood by Alexis broke up with him in high school and never stopped loving her. He's smart and caring, but struggles to maintain the professional/personal boundaries.
The Story: The story stayed at a good pace with plenty of action, but also special interpersonal relationships, the most touching between Alexis and her grandparents.
This story had a main plot centered around a serial killer known as the Queen's Gambit Killer, but it also had a secondary plot around the drug problems within this small town. The author allows the reader to see into the mind of serial killer without revealing who it is. The two plots wove nicely together without being overwhelming or too muddled.
Final Thoughts: This is a great start to this series. I'm looking forward to what else Patricia Bradley has instore for Pearl River.
Disclaimer: I did receive an advanced reader copy from the publisher, but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Patricia Bradley has the ability to draw you into a story quickly and the action just keeps coming. This was one of those books that I wanted to stay up all night to finish!
The Characters: Alexis Stone is a tough as nails cop looking to work her way to commissioner of a major city police department. But when an undercover assignment goes slightly sideways her plans change. Then her beloved grandfather and Russell County sheriff suffers a heart attack her world goes a little more sideways when he asks her to take on the role of Chief Deputy.
Nathan Landry is the chief of police who never understood by Alexis broke up with him in high school and never stopped loving her. He's smart and caring, but struggles to maintain the professional/personal boundaries.
The Story: The story stayed at a good pace with plenty of action, but also special interpersonal relationships, the most touching between Alexis and her grandparents.
This story had a main plot centered around a serial killer known as the Queen's Gambit Killer, but it also had a secondary plot around the drug problems within this small town. The author allows the reader to see into the mind of serial killer without revealing who it is. The two plots wove nicely together without being overwhelming or too muddled.
Final Thoughts: This is a great start to this series. I'm looking forward to what else Patricia Bradley has instore for Pearl River.
Disclaimer: I did receive an advanced reader copy from the publisher, but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
May 20, 2023
Clues and Misdirection 1/5
Complex Characters 3/5
Pacing 4/5
Setting 4/5
Emotional Engagement 3/5
Complex Characters 3/5
Pacing 4/5
Setting 4/5
Emotional Engagement 3/5
April 17, 2023
Suspense romance, with lots of twists and turns and scenes that didn't make any sense, the romance was sweet, I figured out who the killer was pretty early in the book which made the book a little less exciting and disappointing.
March 14, 2023
I have always believed you cannot go wrong with a book written by Patricia Bradley, and this is no exception.
Alex Stone is an undercover detective with the Chattanooga police department, with the future goal of being the Police Commissioner. She is in the Lemon Tree Bar, undercover, where several young women were last scene before found murdered with a White pawn in their hand. She is hoping the killer will make an appearance tonight. Alex is dressed in a similar fashion as the victims were. By 11:00 p.m. Alex decides she might as well leave so lets the two officers shadowing her know that she is leaving and to wait five minutes before following her. In that delayed time, the unexpected happens.
Sheriff Stone is the Sheriff in Russell County and Alex’s grandfather, who has suffered a heart attack and while he is recovering, he asks Alex to fill in for him. This requires that she move back to the small town of Pearl Springs and live with her grandparents, who also raised her. She would also most likely give up her dream of being the Police Commissioner since she suspects her grandfather, in his seventies will not return to the job as Sheriff.
This is a fast-paced story, with lots of action. Filling in for her grandfather, Alex also finds herself collaborating with her former high school crush, which creates other complications. There are many unpredictable situations, along with some tense moments and surprises. I could not put the book down until the last page was turned.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.
Alex Stone is an undercover detective with the Chattanooga police department, with the future goal of being the Police Commissioner. She is in the Lemon Tree Bar, undercover, where several young women were last scene before found murdered with a White pawn in their hand. She is hoping the killer will make an appearance tonight. Alex is dressed in a similar fashion as the victims were. By 11:00 p.m. Alex decides she might as well leave so lets the two officers shadowing her know that she is leaving and to wait five minutes before following her. In that delayed time, the unexpected happens.
Sheriff Stone is the Sheriff in Russell County and Alex’s grandfather, who has suffered a heart attack and while he is recovering, he asks Alex to fill in for him. This requires that she move back to the small town of Pearl Springs and live with her grandparents, who also raised her. She would also most likely give up her dream of being the Police Commissioner since she suspects her grandfather, in his seventies will not return to the job as Sheriff.
This is a fast-paced story, with lots of action. Filling in for her grandfather, Alex also finds herself collaborating with her former high school crush, which creates other complications. There are many unpredictable situations, along with some tense moments and surprises. I could not put the book down until the last page was turned.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.
June 7, 2023
This book didn't draw me in as much as I would have thought. I also had a hard time connecting to the characters. If you are an avid reader of romantic suspense, then you already know that usually within the first couple of chapters you know who the protagonist is going to end up having a romance with and that was the case with this book as well. However, I felt Nathan (The MMC) was a bit obsessive with his thoughts and feelings toward Alexis (our MFC). I know the two had a past, but it still just felt too forced. I was really interested in the story of our serial killer that was killing and leaving behind a white chess piece and I felt that the plot moved along at a good pace, however, I didn't really like that there was somewhat of a secondary plot line dealing with drug dealing. I felt that it took away from the main plot/suspense, and because of that, I lost a bit of interest. These are my personal reading preferences as to what I like in the romantic suspense genre and nothing against the author and her writing. Overall, I believe this was a well written book and is a good start to a new series. It is a quick, clean read, and for those who enjoy serial killer mysteries, you may really enjoy this one. Thank you to Baker Publishing and Revell for providing a copy to read and review honestly.
May 13, 2023
What a heart-pounding start to a new series. A crafty villain and my favorite trope of second chance romance. Ms. Bradley has penned an interesting plot with chess moves left in notes by a serial killer who puzzles everyone.
Alexis Stone takes over as Deputy Sheriff when her grandfather has a heart attack. But murder follows her to previously sleepy Pearl Springs when she moves from Chattanooga where she was hoping to work her way up to police chief. Could it be a coincidence that all the victims resemble Alex? Nathan Landry could be a rival as the County Sheriff, but her old love chooses to join forces with Alex instead. They try to stay one move ahead of the Queens Gambit Killer as well as take down drug activity infiltrating this quiet community.
A very quick read because I had to know what happened next. Ms. Bradley gives us believable characters such as Gram Judith who prays for Alex and gifts her a Bible and devotionals.
The danger, suspense and romance make for an exceptional story. A great beginning to a new series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author and as part of the Revell Reads Review program. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Alexis Stone takes over as Deputy Sheriff when her grandfather has a heart attack. But murder follows her to previously sleepy Pearl Springs when she moves from Chattanooga where she was hoping to work her way up to police chief. Could it be a coincidence that all the victims resemble Alex? Nathan Landry could be a rival as the County Sheriff, but her old love chooses to join forces with Alex instead. They try to stay one move ahead of the Queens Gambit Killer as well as take down drug activity infiltrating this quiet community.
A very quick read because I had to know what happened next. Ms. Bradley gives us believable characters such as Gram Judith who prays for Alex and gifts her a Bible and devotionals.
The danger, suspense and romance make for an exceptional story. A great beginning to a new series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author and as part of the Revell Reads Review program. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
February 11, 2024
Counter Attack is the first in the Pearl River series by Patricia Bradley. It is set in Tennessee, which I love.
Wow. Just wow. Counter Attack is intense in all the best ways and I lost sleep while reading it. I could not put it down, especially as the story got closer to the end.
Read for:
♜chess moves
♜small-town vibes
♜second chance romance
♜close family relationship
♜fast-paced suspense
♜well-developed characters
♜near death experiences
♜faith content is woven seamlessly throughout
♜interesting look into the dark web
I could go on with the reasons to read, but I won't. While I did figure out who one of the bad guys was, it did not diminish my enjoyment of the story. I loved this story!
♜♜♜♜♜/5
Wow. Just wow. Counter Attack is intense in all the best ways and I lost sleep while reading it. I could not put it down, especially as the story got closer to the end.
Read for:
♜chess moves
♜small-town vibes
♜second chance romance
♜close family relationship
♜fast-paced suspense
♜well-developed characters
♜near death experiences
♜faith content is woven seamlessly throughout
♜interesting look into the dark web
I could go on with the reasons to read, but I won't. While I did figure out who one of the bad guys was, it did not diminish my enjoyment of the story. I loved this story!
♜♜♜♜♜/5
July 25, 2023
I enjoyed the book, but I knew from the beginning who it was going to be. I feel like it was a little too obvious. Other than that I liked the story and the small town that the series is based on.
May 24, 2023
Big city Chattanooga meets small town Tennessee as Alexis Stone’s past and present dreams collide – along with a killer game of chess, the dark web, drug dealers, and a race to stay alive – in this first book of talented author Patricia Bradley’s new romantic suspense series!
Counter Attack opens with a chilling snippet that takes us into the dark web, a murderous game, and a killer’s quest for revenge. I’m hooked! Meeting Alexis in the next few pages kept my interest piqued as we join her undercover as bait meant to draw out the Queen’s Gambit Killer before he kills again. Tying all the victims together is their similarity to Alexis in appearance, a white chess piece in their hand, and a chess move on a note left on their bodies. As she leaves the bar, she bumps into her first love – a police chief in the tiny Tennessee town she couldn’t wait to leave. Hello, romantic subplot! I’m here for it! Something else I’m here for? The high-stakes suspense which shoots (ahem) onto the scene before we’ve reached page 25 and doesn’t leave us (or Alexis & Nathan) too much time to relax until the very end. There are a lot of elements in play when it comes to the suspense, and while I had a couple of things figured out pretty early on, I did NOT expect some of the twists the author expertly wove into this aspect of the story. Twists which kept me from fully committing to what I thought I had figured out, and which ultimately did prove I didn’t have it all right.
The spiritual theme of this book definitely doesn’t overpower the story, but it’s meaningful nonetheless. It’s not long after we meet Alexis on the pages of Counter Attack that we can tell she has big goals – namely, she wants to be the first female to head up the Chattanooga Police Department. But what does she do when her plans for her life seem to be running counter to God’s plans for her life? I so loved the quiet-but-steady wisdom and prayers of her grandmother not only as Alexis struggled with the two directions her heart was pulling her to choose but also in pointing out the consequences of continuing to put career over all else. The wisdom Gram shared clearly came from her love for her granddaughter but also from experiences over a life well lived.
Bottom Line: Buckle up, because Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley takes you on an intense ride! It grabbed my attention early and held it until the end. A serial killer, a health crisis, unexpected changes, and workplace conflict are just a few of the things on Alexis Stone’s plate in this kick-off to a great new small-town Southern romantic suspense series. Not to mention a second chance at a first love who has his own plate full with his job as police chief and trying to catch some drug dealers who have infiltrated his town. Nathan and Alexis make a good team, and I loved tagging along as they investigated their cases together – and as they shared some sweet kisses, too. I’m curious to see who else is featured in future books in the series, and I can’t wait to read them!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Counter Attack opens with a chilling snippet that takes us into the dark web, a murderous game, and a killer’s quest for revenge. I’m hooked! Meeting Alexis in the next few pages kept my interest piqued as we join her undercover as bait meant to draw out the Queen’s Gambit Killer before he kills again. Tying all the victims together is their similarity to Alexis in appearance, a white chess piece in their hand, and a chess move on a note left on their bodies. As she leaves the bar, she bumps into her first love – a police chief in the tiny Tennessee town she couldn’t wait to leave. Hello, romantic subplot! I’m here for it! Something else I’m here for? The high-stakes suspense which shoots (ahem) onto the scene before we’ve reached page 25 and doesn’t leave us (or Alexis & Nathan) too much time to relax until the very end. There are a lot of elements in play when it comes to the suspense, and while I had a couple of things figured out pretty early on, I did NOT expect some of the twists the author expertly wove into this aspect of the story. Twists which kept me from fully committing to what I thought I had figured out, and which ultimately did prove I didn’t have it all right.
The spiritual theme of this book definitely doesn’t overpower the story, but it’s meaningful nonetheless. It’s not long after we meet Alexis on the pages of Counter Attack that we can tell she has big goals – namely, she wants to be the first female to head up the Chattanooga Police Department. But what does she do when her plans for her life seem to be running counter to God’s plans for her life? I so loved the quiet-but-steady wisdom and prayers of her grandmother not only as Alexis struggled with the two directions her heart was pulling her to choose but also in pointing out the consequences of continuing to put career over all else. The wisdom Gram shared clearly came from her love for her granddaughter but also from experiences over a life well lived.
Bottom Line: Buckle up, because Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley takes you on an intense ride! It grabbed my attention early and held it until the end. A serial killer, a health crisis, unexpected changes, and workplace conflict are just a few of the things on Alexis Stone’s plate in this kick-off to a great new small-town Southern romantic suspense series. Not to mention a second chance at a first love who has his own plate full with his job as police chief and trying to catch some drug dealers who have infiltrated his town. Nathan and Alexis make a good team, and I loved tagging along as they investigated their cases together – and as they shared some sweet kisses, too. I’m curious to see who else is featured in future books in the series, and I can’t wait to read them!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 8, 2023
This first book in a new series is action-packed and addictive reading. The plot has multiple layers and the threads are intricately and seamlessly woven together into what is a rich story with a lot of depth and details. The story is centered around Sheriff Nathan Landry and his former girlfriend Alexis Stone, a Chattanooga detective on the fast track to one day be police commissioner. But her plans are derailed when her beloved grandfather has a heart attack and needs her to take over as his deputy sheriff. When Alexis arrives in town, she brings with her the thought that she will only be staying a few months and the threat of the Queen’s Gambit killer who seems to have followed her there. Encountering drug dealers and a serial killer with a strange attachment to the dark web, Alexis and Nathan combine forces to find the culprits and bring them to justice before Alexis dies as a target of the determined killer. This book is well-written, with deliberate misdirection and a fast pace that kept me engaged. The drama between the characters was believable and the characters were well-rounded and fascinating. This book is a cleverly written page-turner that is one I couldn’t read fast enough but I was also sad to see it end. Intriguing and intense suspense with dynamic and relatable characters, there is nothing not to like about Patricia Bradley’s new book in her new Pearl Springs series. I am already looking forward to the next one!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
May 18, 2023
She's been working as an undercover cop in Chattanooga, but Alexis Stone has her heart set on becoming its first female chief of police. Hopefully, a short stint as the interim chief deputy in her hometown will add to her resume and increase her chances. Easy peasy...right? What she doesn't count on is becoming bait for a serial killer and needing the protection of the Pearl Springs police chief, a man that she once loved.
Counter Attack is the first book of a new series by veteran suspense author Patricia Bradley and it doesn't disappoint! It has well-developed characters, twists and turns, a peek into the dark web, and a serial murderer obsessed with the game of chess. I'm not a chess player so I was very intrigued with the Queen's Gambit Killer's calling card: a white pawn and a chess move for the police to ponder! I was also eager to see if the embers of a past relationship were strong enough to be ignited once again. Alexis and Nathan Landry definitely shared a powerful connection but is it enough? Will they turn to God for guidance in planning their future?
This book is a must-read for anyone wanting a thrilling adventure, a Southern setting, and inspiring romantic suspense. Counter Attack will keep you turning the pages to see if the Queen's Gambit Killer can be outwitted, and it will leave you anxious for more Pearl River novels!
I received a copy from the author and a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. There were no obligations for a positive review.
Counter Attack is the first book of a new series by veteran suspense author Patricia Bradley and it doesn't disappoint! It has well-developed characters, twists and turns, a peek into the dark web, and a serial murderer obsessed with the game of chess. I'm not a chess player so I was very intrigued with the Queen's Gambit Killer's calling card: a white pawn and a chess move for the police to ponder! I was also eager to see if the embers of a past relationship were strong enough to be ignited once again. Alexis and Nathan Landry definitely shared a powerful connection but is it enough? Will they turn to God for guidance in planning their future?
This book is a must-read for anyone wanting a thrilling adventure, a Southern setting, and inspiring romantic suspense. Counter Attack will keep you turning the pages to see if the Queen's Gambit Killer can be outwitted, and it will leave you anxious for more Pearl River novels!
I received a copy from the author and a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. There were no obligations for a positive review.
May 21, 2023
EXCEPTIONAL ROMANTIC SUSPENSE!
Best-selling author Patricia Bradley has just released the first book in her Pearl River Series, which is exceptional romantic suspense! I have read Bradley’s books, and her writing continues to impress me with each new release. I considered some of her past releases my favorites, but this book may have changed my mind. Bradley has an exceptional plot starring a cunning serial killer who leaves a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it, dubbed the Queen’s Gambit Killer. Her two main characters are Alexis and Nathan, who previously had a romantic relationship but had a bad breakup. They find themselves thrown together in an attempt to flush this killer out before any more lives are lost. Can Nathan come through to stop the killer before he gets to Alex? Will they finally be able to share the love they both know exists between them?
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions offered here are entirely my own and without influence.
Best-selling author Patricia Bradley has just released the first book in her Pearl River Series, which is exceptional romantic suspense! I have read Bradley’s books, and her writing continues to impress me with each new release. I considered some of her past releases my favorites, but this book may have changed my mind. Bradley has an exceptional plot starring a cunning serial killer who leaves a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it, dubbed the Queen’s Gambit Killer. Her two main characters are Alexis and Nathan, who previously had a romantic relationship but had a bad breakup. They find themselves thrown together in an attempt to flush this killer out before any more lives are lost. Can Nathan come through to stop the killer before he gets to Alex? Will they finally be able to share the love they both know exists between them?
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions offered here are entirely my own and without influence.
December 31, 2024
200th book of 2024!
Patricia Bradley's fast-paced and enthralling suspense novel set in rural Tennessee kept me up all night. Recommended for fans of romantic suspense with Christian threads.
Patricia Bradley's fast-paced and enthralling suspense novel set in rural Tennessee kept me up all night. Recommended for fans of romantic suspense with Christian threads.
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May 11, 2023What a terrific start to a new series! Patricia Bradley never fails to deliver interesting, page-turning, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense!
Alexis Stone has great career plans in Chattanooga, but when a family emergency sends her home to nearby Pearl Springs, the danger of a serial killer follows her.
"If tonight had done nothing else, it had shown him he'd never stopped loving Alexis and that he wanted a second chance with her."
Alexis (Alex) is on a path where she needs to figure out her faith and her future. “Shame burned in her chest. Praying should’ve been the first thing she thought of, not the last. Why did she have to come to the end of herself to realize she wasn’t God? Her plans might sound good, but right now they were futile.”
While I may have figured out the killer, I did not see the other twist coming! The author is a master at redirecting and having the reader be suspicious of several people. From the first line to the last, I could not stop turning pages! I learned a bit about chess and what some of the different moves mean (the killer leaves a chess piece with each victim), there were drug deals, sweet grandparents, and a patient and protective hero.
Fans of romantic suspense are sure to love Counter Attack!
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
Alexis Stone has great career plans in Chattanooga, but when a family emergency sends her home to nearby Pearl Springs, the danger of a serial killer follows her.
"If tonight had done nothing else, it had shown him he'd never stopped loving Alexis and that he wanted a second chance with her."
Alexis (Alex) is on a path where she needs to figure out her faith and her future. “Shame burned in her chest. Praying should’ve been the first thing she thought of, not the last. Why did she have to come to the end of herself to realize she wasn’t God? Her plans might sound good, but right now they were futile.”
While I may have figured out the killer, I did not see the other twist coming! The author is a master at redirecting and having the reader be suspicious of several people. From the first line to the last, I could not stop turning pages! I learned a bit about chess and what some of the different moves mean (the killer leaves a chess piece with each victim), there were drug deals, sweet grandparents, and a patient and protective hero.
Fans of romantic suspense are sure to love Counter Attack!
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2023
This is the story detective Alex Stone who took over as the county deputy sheriff in Pearl River after her grandfather had suffered a heart attack and had asked her to step in his place. In her new role she came into contact with Nathan Landry, a long lost sweetheart and Pearl Springs chief of police. Together, they are soon drawn into the Queen’s Gambit killer, a case Alex was familiar with....and as things moved on their feelings for each other grew stronger and stronger....awe....love is in the air.
This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last. Ms. Bradley knows how to create a brilliant saga with multiple twists and turns and along the way teases us with clues to pique our interest and keep us engaged. The story is written in a clean language and her clipped and steady prose adds to the rising tension that definitely left me on edge and no doubt you also will be. Every page is filled with action, romance and danger I was so busy flipping the pages to see what came next that I didn’t see the time go by. The characters are charming and realistic...what is not to love.
Well said and well- done
I had the opportunity to receive a copy of this book from Revell through the Early Reviewers program
This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last. Ms. Bradley knows how to create a brilliant saga with multiple twists and turns and along the way teases us with clues to pique our interest and keep us engaged. The story is written in a clean language and her clipped and steady prose adds to the rising tension that definitely left me on edge and no doubt you also will be. Every page is filled with action, romance and danger I was so busy flipping the pages to see what came next that I didn’t see the time go by. The characters are charming and realistic...what is not to love.
Well said and well- done
I had the opportunity to receive a copy of this book from Revell through the Early Reviewers program
February 13, 2024
so predictable :(
May 4, 2023
“The officer would pay—not by her own death but knowing her actions caused the deaths of many,” the killer determines Patricia Bradley's novel, Counter Attack.
~ What ~
The first in the Pearl River series, this three-hundred-and-seventy-eight-page paperback targets those interested in a romantic suspense involving a serial killer in a small southern town. With no profanity or overtly sexual scenes, the topics of illness, physical abuse, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes acknowledgments, an excerpt from another book series, the author’s biography, and advertisements.
In this current-day story based in the fictional town of Pearl River, Tennessee, Alexis Stone is asked to return to her hometown to become the county's interim chief deputy when her grandfather falls ill. Having been an undercover cop in Chattanooga, it seems like her troubles are following her when more murders begin to happen. When her high school sweetheart who is the chief of police ends up helping her track down the serial killer, not only does she have to connect the dots to her past but also question if she could love again.
~ Why ~
This is a quick read that has twists and turns with the background of the game of chess as a serial killer stays ahead of the game, taunting the protagonist. I like the details of the chess game, the dark web, and caves. Some of the characters are written well, especially Alexis's grandparents. It can be read as a stand-alone book.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like the beginning of a series about protecting a small town and everyone knowing each other’s business may not care for this suspenseful but clean Christian romance. Those who do not believe in God may pass it up, although it is not the theme of the book and is lightly mentioned. The romance is predictable.
~ Wish ~
Although I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, I had trouble reading this one as I figured out the killer about twenty pages into it, so it was a struggle to finish it. I wish all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence.
~ Want ~
If you like a new series about a small-town police force that wants to do everything it can to protect its residents, this first book may hold your attention if you do not read it too thoroughly to catch the killer.
Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
~ What ~
The first in the Pearl River series, this three-hundred-and-seventy-eight-page paperback targets those interested in a romantic suspense involving a serial killer in a small southern town. With no profanity or overtly sexual scenes, the topics of illness, physical abuse, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes acknowledgments, an excerpt from another book series, the author’s biography, and advertisements.
In this current-day story based in the fictional town of Pearl River, Tennessee, Alexis Stone is asked to return to her hometown to become the county's interim chief deputy when her grandfather falls ill. Having been an undercover cop in Chattanooga, it seems like her troubles are following her when more murders begin to happen. When her high school sweetheart who is the chief of police ends up helping her track down the serial killer, not only does she have to connect the dots to her past but also question if she could love again.
~ Why ~
This is a quick read that has twists and turns with the background of the game of chess as a serial killer stays ahead of the game, taunting the protagonist. I like the details of the chess game, the dark web, and caves. Some of the characters are written well, especially Alexis's grandparents. It can be read as a stand-alone book.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like the beginning of a series about protecting a small town and everyone knowing each other’s business may not care for this suspenseful but clean Christian romance. Those who do not believe in God may pass it up, although it is not the theme of the book and is lightly mentioned. The romance is predictable.
~ Wish ~
Although I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, I had trouble reading this one as I figured out the killer about twenty pages into it, so it was a struggle to finish it. I wish all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence.
~ Want ~
If you like a new series about a small-town police force that wants to do everything it can to protect its residents, this first book may hold your attention if you do not read it too thoroughly to catch the killer.
Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
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