Guest Post (and a Giveaway!): Patricia Bradley & Deception

I’m delighted to have the marvelous Patricia Bradley back on the blog today to chat about her new romantic suspense, Deception, and to take us inside a super fun conversation with the book’s swoony hero!

DECEPTION by Patricia Bradley
SERIES: Natchez Trace Park Rangers #4
GENRE: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2022
PAGES: 392

After being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense while working in the violent crimes unit for the Investigative Services Branch, ranger Madison Thorn is comfortable with her move to the fraud and cyber division. At least numbers don’t lie. So she’s less than thrilled when a white-collar crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi, turns violent. She could also do without being forced to work with former-childhood-enemy-turned-infuriatingly-handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.

When a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked on the same night Madison’s grandfather is shot, it becomes clear that there is something much bigger going on here and that Madison herself is in danger. Madison and Clayton will have to work together–and suppress their growing feelings for one another–if they are to discover the truth before it’s too late.

USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Patricia Bradley closes out her popular Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with this complex story of family secrets, mixed motives, and learning to trust.

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Other Books in This Series

Character Interview with Clayton Bradshaw

by Patricia Bradley, author of Deception

“You busy?”

Not now. I’d know that smooth baritone anywhere. And I knew what he wanted. Just wasn’t in the mood to deal with him, not when I have ten thousand words to write on the book due in two weeks—his book. “Can this wait until later? I have this deadline breathing down my neck.”

“For Deception?”

I nodded, still thinking about the scene at the old jail. It just wasn’t jelling.

“So you haven’t turned it in yet?”

“No.”

“Good. I want you to change something.”

“Go away until I finish this scene.”

“Come on,” he said, “It’s not like I ever ask much of you. I didn’t complain when you gave Madison Thorn the theft ring investigation instead of me. And I should’ve been the lead. I mean, what am I? Chopped meat? Did you think I couldn’t handle it?”

“Let me explain.” With a sigh, I turned from my computer to face the district ranger leaning against the door frame. Oh, wow. Big mistake. It was hard to argue with someone as good looking as the rugged ranger, even if he did have a frown on his face. “It wasn’t like that. Madison is really good with numbers, and I didn’t want to take you away from patrolling the Trace. After all, you are in charge of the southern end of the Natchez Trace.”

“That’s the whole point. I’m either in charge of it or I’m not. And you could’ve let Madison tell me instead of letting me find out from the FBI.”

“I’m sorry…next time I’ll let her tell you.” I glanced back at my computer screen, hoping he’d get the message. I really did need to finish this scene. But when I looked up, he was still there. “Did you need something else?”

“Not, really.” He stared at his booted foot on the floor.

I hate it when characters won’t tell me what’s wrong, when I have to drag it out of them. I closed the top on my MacBook. “Spit it out.”

“Spit what out?” Nevertheless, he stepped into the room and moved a file from the vintage chair beside my desk before he sat down. His 6’2” frame looked ridiculous in it.

“Hold on a sec,” I said, and changed places with him. “Now, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He crossed his arms and stared out the window.

I waited.

After two minutes of staring, he turned to me. “I don’t need a love interest right now. Especially Madison Thorn. She’s driving me crazy.”

He didn’t know how that warmed my heart. I managed not to smile. “Exactly how does she do that?”

“She’s going to organize me to death. Have you seen her lists? That woman makes a list for everything. And that’s not all. She.Is.A.Control.Freak.”

“And you’re not?”

“Hmph.”

I doodled with my pencil. “Do you like anything about her?”

A gleam lit his eyes. “She’s nice to older people, like Nadine.” He tilted his head. “And she has courage. She’s pretty, too.”

“So it’s not all bad?”

His eyes widened.  “Uh, uh. You’re not going to—” He jumped up and palmed his hands up. “No. Don’t you dare try to get us together. Not happening. Not in a million years. She’s too bossy.”

“If you say so.” I took my chair back and shooed him out of my office. I’d just figured out another way to torture the both of them.

Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff, Obsession, and Crosshairs, as well as the Memphis Cold Case novels and Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award in Romantic Suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award, and a Touched by Love Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.PTBradley.com.

Revell is offering a print copy of Deception by Patricia Bradley to TWO of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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Oh goodness, wasn’t that a FUN post?!? This series is so good, too, y’all! What makes you want to read Deception by Patricia Bradley?