Tag: Patricia Bradley

#WWWednesday No. XXII | Finding JOY in reading whilst betwixt and between Cosy Crime and Speculative Fiction!

Posted Wednesday, 12 March, 2025 by jorielov , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comments

#WWWednesdays graphic created by Jorie in Canva.

I ♥ the premise of this meme {WWW Wednesdays} due to the dexterity it gives the reader! Smiles. Clearly subject to change on a weekly rotation, which may or may not lead to your ‘next’ read providing a bit of a paradoxical mystery to your readers!! Smiles. ♥ the brilliance of its concept!

This weekly meme was originally hosted by Should Be Reading who became A Daily Rhythm. Lovingly restored and continued by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. Each week you participate, your keen to answer the following questions:

  • What are you currently reading!?
  • What did you recently finish reading!?
  • What do you think you’ll read next!?

After which, your meant to click over to THIS WEEK’s WWWWednesday to share your post’s link so that the rest of the bloggers who are participating can check out your lovely answers! Score! Perhaps even, find other bloggers who dig the same books as you do! I thought it would serve as a great self-check to know where I am and the progress I am hoping to have over the next week!

Join the Convo via: #WWWWednesday on all socials

Follow the host via Bookstagram!

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Is it Spring? Or has Winter given us a few more days?

I am happy to have cooler weather lingering a bit before Spring grabs hold of us because Spring tends to be the jumpstart to Summer round here and Summer is a wrath of humidity & heat I daresay I could permanently take a vacation from seeing arrive!

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At the end of MARCH, I will be ringing in my 12th blogoversary on the 31st! Can you imagine? I can barely fathom how a decade and two years have come and gone already! I still feel like I am still in the throes of my bookish and readerly goals – still seeking to explore more on my blog in regards to how and what I discuss in book world and wickedly delighted for the next stories I’ll be reading! I suppose that’s a healthy way to look at it too – knowing that you still have things to explore in literature whilst still happy to engage in the bookish community of book bloggers, too!

I know I’ve fallen a bit short on the engagement levels the last several years, but this year, I have a new organisational system I’m using to sort out where I’ve visited and to whom I want to visit with next and then, continue to make my rounds accordingly thereafter. It is helping me remember where I’ve been as with my work life – I find myself sometimes forgetting those details! I also want to be better engaged this year overall and this is my way of reaffirming those connections and happily getting back into communicating more with those who are blogging about the stories and topics I love to read about too.

I gave myself an *extra special* 12th Year Blogoversary gift, too, but mum’s the word until lateron in the month, okay!? It will be a lovely *big!* reveal – both on my blog and on my #bookstagram too!

For now, I’m *celebrating!* where I am with my readerly goals this month – I had a hard-won start to (2025) in respect to reading and finishing the stories I had started last year. I’ve been wanting to write so many WWWs and Sunday Posts since November it’s not even funny! I decided to return to WWW as a way to keep myself on target and also as a self-check of where I am currently with my readings. Again, I’m striving towards better work/life balance and when your work life is as chaotic as mine has become – you’d like to find what works for you and run with it! Laughs.

I was proud of myself of reading three books which took me far longer to read than I felt were possible between January and February. Whilst it was also a moment where I took a lark of a chance on a #newtomeauthor and came away with such a dramatically riveting read! She’s also become a wicked new favourite author for Cosy Crime! I’m still on the fence if I’d consider her series Cosy Historical Mysteries or Historical Cosy Crime – the difference being there are elements in her stories which breach traditionally ‘Cosy’ frameworks and are better suited to Cosy Crime which aren’t fully of those constraints. At least by my experiences as a reader. For me Cosy Crime is a slightly past traditional Cosy but not full-on Hard-Boiled either! It is like a step betwixt and between the two!

I’m also so EXCITED about the books on my shelf right now OVERALL. I have some seriously awesomesauce reads happening and more #bookpost news to share as the days move forward, too!

Yesterday, I was able to share my JOYFUL receival of the Chronos Chronicles series by Shami Stovall – as viewed here on my #bookstagram post about it! You’ll spy Time-Marked Warlock on this post!

And, without further ado, let’s dive into what I’m reading and which stories I’ve recently read!

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Photo Collage of Books #JorieReads created by Jorie in Canva. Photo Credit: jorielovesastory.com

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What Jorie is currently reading:

My Heart is Hurting by S.E. Reed* (see also Review)

A Guardian Till Christmas by Danielle Thorne

Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall

And, two wildcard selections not pictured:

Death on the Golden Mile by Caleb Wygal
(Myrtle Beach Mysteries, Book Three)

In Every Life by Rea Frey

*this review went live ahead of this post

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Originally, I was planning to feature this WWW last week rather than this week – but last week everything went to heck and a handbasket work wise and my heart just wasn’t into writing this post to be honest! Frowns. Therefore, my review for My Heart is Hurting went live on Friday, the 7th – even though technically it was meant to be featured on Thursday, the 6th. I was juggling everything and was overwhelmed greatly by ALL that was happening to the brink having it arrive on Friday was better suited for me personally and I hoped didn’t affect the overall blog tour by having it featured a day late. I had a lot of mixed emotions and reactions to this story, too. So much so, I am hopeful what I tried to convey about my own personal journey with the story resonates with those who read the review, and they understand the heartache I had with it.
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Posted Wednesday, 12 March, 2025 by jorielov in Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Bookish Memes, JLAS Update Post, Jorie Loves A Story, WWW Wednesdays

An #INSPYSundays #CloakAndDaggerChristmas Book Review | “Counter Attack” (Book One: Pearl River series) by Patricia Bradley

Posted Sunday, 2 February, 2025 by jorielov , , , , 0 Comments

#INSPYSundays banner made my Jorie in Canva.

Acquired Book By: In February, (2023) I was one of the lucky Early Reviewers to receive a copy of “Counter Attack” by Patricia Bradley from LibraryThing. I have been trying to participate regularly in the ER programme via LibraryThing over the years without success. I was re-attempting to start my journey with the ER programme in (2023) but for whichever reason, I found the book languishing on my shelves to be read rather than getting into the storyline and finishing the book. My mind was distracted by life and work and just a hodgepodge of reasons truly which led to this book getting pushed forward over the last few years. I decided to begin anew in the New Year of 2025 and resume where I left off with both the book and the programme.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of “Counter Attack” direct from the publisher Revell in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein. Per the badge at the end of this review, I am also a member of the LibraryThing Early Reviewer Programme. All promo materials for this novel were provided by the publisher and are used with permission.

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On why I love reading Contemporary INSY Suspense:

I never meant to be so distanced from reading “Counter Attack” these past few years – as soon as I received the novel, I was anxious to read it. Contemporary INSPY (ie. Inspirational, Christian) Suspense novels is a sub-interest and focus I love in Lit. I share this affinity for these stories with my Mum. Of whom we’re both equally addicted to Love Inspired Suspense. I read a healthy amount of mainstream Suspense & Thrillers too, alongside Cosies (ie. both Contemporary & Historical) as well – but, what has me tucking back into the INSPY side of the bookshelf is how wickedly the authors are writing the stories with an uplifting centre in the heart of their stories. These are the faith-based stories in the genre and ones that I appreciate reading.

Authors I have come to love for INSPY Suspense are Dee Henderson (the original storyteller I was introduced to in this genre of interest), Lynette Eason, Laura Scott, Elizabeth Goddard and Lenora Worth to name a few. Each of these lovely authors write convicting storylines with the light of faith as the backbone of their stories and styles. I love being on pins & needles reading INSPY Contemporary Suspense novels but knowing that there is a line in the sand that won’t be crossed, too. As sometimes mainstream Contemporary Suspense (or Thrillers) can push me a bit past the envelope of what I can handle as a reader. This is why I am particularly particular about the kinds of Suspense & Thrillers I read as a reader.

More recently, on the mainstream side it was D.J. Williams with his The Auctioneer (see also Review) who dearly impressed me with his style of narrative and emotional rollercoaster he took me on!

With the INSPY side of Suspense, I know I am going to be in for a chilling read but that there are certain limits within where I will go with the story and sometimes, for me as a reader those limits are warranted. Especially as I have a lot of IRL stress with double-stacked jobs (night and day) and in my down hours it is nice to curl into a story which I know might leave me on the edge of my seat but it won’t leave me shattered. There is a wonderful JOY in reading a story that gives you a wicked good Suspense but one that promises to sprinkle in enough Hope and Light that leaves you uplifted by the end of the story.

When I first received “Counter Attack” the sequel “Fatal Witness” wasn’t published and I honestly never knew it existed until now. Imagine my surprise finding out the third novel released this past November?! I have both of those novels on my #mustbuy list to continue reading the Pearl River series.

As I was trying to say, I never meant to leave such a long gap of time between receiving “Counter Attack” and reading it. Nor did I intend to leave an absence from my participation in the LibraryThing ER programme as a result of not reading this in a more timely manner. I do want to give a shout-out to Abigail Adams and her kind courtesies of response to my messages about my lack of participation in the programme these past few years. With this review I am resuming my participation and becoming active once again.

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An #INSPYSundays #CloakAndDaggerChristmas Book Review | “Counter Attack” (Book One: Pearl River series) by Patricia BradleyCounter Attack
Subtitle: A Pearl River Novel
by Patricia Bradley
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer Programme

Her next move just might be her last

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim chief deputy for Russell County, Tennessee, than 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 promise he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late?

Genres: Contemporary (Modern) Fiction (post 1945), Crime Fiction, Suspense, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Romantic Suspense



Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9780800741624

Published by Revell

on 16th May, 2023

Format: Paperback ARC

Pages: 378

Published by: Revell (@RevellBooks)
an imprint of Baker Publishing Group

Converse via: #RomanticSuspenseBooks, #RomanticSuspenseReaders
and/or #ChristianFiction and #ChristianRomance

Available Formats: Trade Paperback, Audiobook and Ebook
and Hardcover for Books 1-2

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The Pearl River series:

Counter Attack by Patricia BradleyFatal Witness by Patricia BradleyDeadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

Counter Attack (Book One) – May, 2023

Fatal Witness (Book Two) – February, 2024

*brings the focus back to K-9 officer Mark Lassiter

Deadly Revenge (Book Three) – November, 2024

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About Patricia Bradley

Patricia Bradley

Patricia Bradley is the author of the Pearl River, Natchez Trace Park Rangers, Memphis Cold Case, and Logan Point series. Bradley is the winner of an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, a Selah Award, and a Daphne du Maurier 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 makes her home in Mississippi.

Photo Credit: © Noel Potts

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • #CloakAndDaggerChristmas 2024
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Posted Sunday, 2 February, 2025 by jorielov in #cloakanddaggerchristmas, 21st Century, ARC | Galley Copy, Contemporary Thriller, Crime Fiction, Fly in the Ointment, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Life Shift, Modern Day, Romance Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Small Towne Fiction, Small Towne USA, Southeastern USA