Deadly Obsession

A killer is loose who has a taste for human blood. Cole presses harder into the investigation, but the body count climbs. He has personal reasons for detesting the press, so sparks fly when Laurie hounds him for a story. Fate forces them to join forces, neither one anticipating the attraction that ensues. But just as Cole thinks he is close to finding all the answers, both personal and professional, Laurie disappears.

Awards: The Road to Romance Reviewer's Choice Award, 2000 EPPIE Finalist, 1999 Romance Communications Reviewers Choice Awards Nominee

The dead bodies are piling up in Fairview and it’s up to Detective Cole Kincaid to catch the killer who has a taste for blood. As the body count rises and the media becomes more involved, namely reporter, Laurie Michaels, the investigation becomes more high-stakes, more personal and more dangerous. Cole has a great dislike for the media because of a scandal in the past, but it doesn’t stop the sparks flying between him and Laurie. Cole works hard to find the killer on the loose, suspects even his closest friend and fights to protect the woman who he shouldn’t even be caring about. Burned once in the past, Cole vows never to let another woman close enough to hurt him.

Laurie Michaels wants to work for a bigger newspaper someday, but works at a local one until she proves herself to be one of the best. When she lands the story of the killer loose on the streets of Fairview, it’s the story that could make her career. Laurie’s only obstacle is the very infuriating Detective in charge of the case, Cole Kincaid. Laurie knows Cole hides plenty of secrets behind his gorgeous and rough exterior, and when she is asked by the Police Department to work with Cole, to draw out the murderer, Laurie gets the inside track on the case and hopes to get a look into who Cole is and what secrets he hides.

Laurie and Cole never thought the killer would target her and when the stakes are raised, tempers flare and clash, and evil lurks waiting to strike. Can Cole and Laurie work together to catch the killer before it is too late?

Gripping and intense suspense make DEADLY OBSESSION by Patricia A. Rasey one of the best mystery/thrillers I have had the pleasure of reading. There isn’t one thing in this tale that I didn’t like, there isn’t a character I didn’t want to know better (even the frightening killer) and there just isn’t enough time to read it all again immediately!

DEADLY OBSESSION has everything that makes an excellent thriller. Edge of your seat suspense, in-depth characters, a Detective that would do real-life cops proud ( Cole is reminds me of the great Gil Grissom in CSI) and the look into the mind of a killer brings a horrifying fear to the story. This tale is a chilling and dark one that has to be read in one sitting, the reader just can’t walk away from once begun. Not only is Laurie and Cole stunning and magnetic characters in DEADLY OBSESSION, but the secondary characters all add realism/relationships to the story that make it more believable. Damien Vincent, Cole’s roommate, a “vampyre” of his own making, is fascinating, sensual, mystifying and really piqued my curiosity. The story revolves around the murders of course, but Damien plays such a huge part of the story, I had a difficult time deciding who the real hero is, Cole or Damien. I ended up calling it a draw!

This was the first book by Patricia A. Rasey that I have read and I have already compiled a list of her previous and upcoming titles to get!! This is an author who blew me away with this tale and I am not sure I will ever read another romantic suspense/thriller, without comparing it to Ms. Rasey’s writing. DEADLY OBSESSION is one hell of a gripping page-turner that has everything a reader desires in their murder mysteries. This book comes HIGHLY recommended from this reviewer.

Tracey West for The Road to Romance.

Detective Cole Kincaid really doesn’t want to deal with this. As the man in charge of the detectives in the Fairview Park Police Department, he’s the one that gets the call in the middle of the night. He specifically left the big city for Fairview Park in order to get away from this type of thing. Even with as hardened as he is, he’s still disgusted by what he finds at the crime scene. A young woman, prostitute by the way she’s dressed, has her throat slit to the point of almost severing her head from her body. The really disgusting thing is the teeth marks around the wound. Cole now suspects they have a modern day Vampire killing women. And to make his day even better, he’s being dogged by a reporter.

Cole hates all reporters on principle and Laurie Michaels, even though she is a beautiful woman, is no exception to this rule. As more brunette women with brown eyes are found, Cole is forced to work with Laurie in an attempt to catch the murderer. Laurie manages to meet Cole’s roommate, the lead singer in a rock band when she follows Cole to a club. Damien Vincent is the personification of evil to Laurie. When she cuts her finger, Damien immediately grabs it and sucks her blood. Now her suspicions are even more aroused by Damien. The fact Laurie matches the killer’s preferred victims doesn’t help matters either.

Deadly Obsession is romantic suspense at its best. We have a hero tortured by his past, which he does everything possible to forget, a heroine strong and capable and willing to do whatever it takes to win her hero’s heart. Damien is chillingly portrayed as a Vampire. It’s perfectly obvious that Ms. Rasey did her homework and thoroughly researched this story before ever setting pen to paper. This story will grab your attention from the very first page and not let go until it’s haunting conclusion. For all the lovers of romantic suspense, I highly recommend Patricia Rasey’s Deadly Obsession.

Chere Gruver for Romance Junkies

Author Patricia Rasey keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, with her descriptive dialogue and well-written characters. I found myself turning page after page, feeling the excitement and terror that each woman must have felt. The characters move the story along at a steady pace, never losing the momentum or the reader.

Ms. Rasey pens a suspenseful tale of murder, passion and danger in DEADLY OBSESSION. A strong, sexy hero, Cole is every women's dream come true. A hard worker and tenacious once she's onto something, Laurie is my kind of woman; never backing down. For a true suspense tale that will send chills up and down your spine, order your copy of DEADLY OBSESSION today and then order the sequel to this thrilling novel, THE HOUR BEFORE DAWN.

Robin Peek, Review Coordinator for The Word On Romance

In Dead Obsession, author Patricia A. Rasey offers up a startling mix of romantic fire and steel-edged realism. Delving into the world of real vampires, the book offers a dark long look into the mind of a serial killer and the two people, one innocent, one a veteran of the streets, as they hunt an imaginable evil. Cole Kincaid is battling a past he would sooner forget, but when he is partnered with hard-nosed reporter Laurie Michaels in an attempt to stop a living vampire from killing again, the past is what he must face. For Laurie, her eyes are about to be opened about the world and her own desire for a man both dark and compelling. But does she have what it takes to melt a heart made diamond-hard by too many years and so much pain? Ms. Rasey has earned her place in the ranks of romantic suspense and Deadly Obsession is both an excellent page-turner as well as an unnerving introduction to the darker side of humanity. Highly recommended!

Karen Koehler, author of Slayer.

5 Stars

A creepy villain! Sure to delight fans of romantic suspense. Ms. Rasey has written a story that you won’t be able to put down until the end. And then you will think twice about turning out the lights!

Reviewed by Sabrina Edwards for ScribesWorld.

Deadly Obsession is a taut, gripping, fast-paced story of murder and madness. The tension mounts page after page, until the chilling and terrifying conclusion. The plot flows seamlessly and leaves the reader guessing as to who, and what the killer is until the very end. The characters are well defined and realistic, from the bitter, angry homicide detective to the chilling portrayal of a soul lost to madness. The dialogue is crisp, and direct, moving the story forward smoothly. While this is a suspense novel, there is also the underlying romance between Laurie and Cole, which is done so well, it blends into the main story flawlessly. Deadly Obsession is an intense story best read with all the lights on. I highly recommend this well-written novel to those who enjoy a murder mystery with enough suspense to keep them on the edge of their seat.

Reviewer: Terrie Figueroa for Romance Connections.

Tamara McHatton for Rhapsody Magazine

Ooh, yes! Deadly Obsession is the real thing, baby! Mystery, suspense, a tinge of horror, and a fair share of romance...oh yes!

Deadly Obsession nearly had me obsessing over what would come next. You have someone on the rampage, killing ladies, and apparently getting his or her jollies from biting and sucking on the neck of each victim. Right there, that had me going, afficionado of vampire fiction that I am. Next, you get a police detective who is handsome, swift, and admirable. Even if a wee bit of a pain in the tush. You are introduced to a lady reporter who is persistent, plucky, and beautiful. Again, even if a wee bit of a pain in the tush. Ah, being a pain in the tush signaling the makings of true love...?

Deadly Obsession is full of tightly woven plot, strong, nearly 3D, characters, and surprise as well as suspense enough for any hardened mystery fan.

I loved Deadly Obsession and will cherish it as I reread it from time to time whenever the mood strikes.

Buzzy

Word Wrap: A book review by Vanessa Capaldo

Fans of romantic suspense will not want to miss this stunning offering from Patricia Rasey. Deadly Obsession is filled with vibrant characters and gritty realism that kept me absolutely glued to my screen. If you have been disappointed in an electronic book in the past or have never tried one before, I highly recommend Deadly Obsession for a treat in the genre of romantic suspense.

Bookaholics

SharpWriter

Melody Morgan, author of Abiding Hope, http://www.tlt.com/authors/mmorgan.htm

Tina St. John, author of Lord Of Vengeance, http://www.tinastjohn.com/

Patricia Rasey has brought to life evil incarnate in Deadly Obsession. Her killer's soul is black as death and his obsession with blood is horrifying. I got the creeps every time he made an entrance and couldn't help but jump at every little noise.

This is one story that's fast paced and leaves you deeply troubled. Be forewarned, once this book grabs hold of you it won't let you go. You will find yourself hypnotized by the excellent writing and grisly details she paints in your minds eye.

Ms. Rasey is an excellent writer. It's very apparent she's done her homework on vampires. All her hard work comes through as she shows us the darker side of life that we all like to pretend doesn't exist.

The crime scenes are very vivid. Her characters are so true to life and likeable. The exception being the killer of course. He becomes your worst fear And your next few nightmares.

Read Deadly Obsession. I dare you to.

Stacey Bucholz, Member of RIO

There are no vampires in this story. But there is Damien Vincent, the hypnotically handsome lead singer of a hard rock band with a craving for blood and a chilling sense of evil worthy of any Dracula. According to the author, the character Damien Vincent was inspired by a real person, now in prison. "He had a taste for human blood. This man was no murderer, but more of a vampire of sorts. Being in a heavy metal band and easy on the eyes, he had little trouble getting women to cut themselves and allow him a taste of their blood. A real life vampire of sorts."

And there is "the Soul"-Patricia Rasey gives the reader chilling glimpses into the dark psyche of a serial killer obsessed with hunger, blood and Satan.

There is a sharp, gritty edge to this romance that will intrigue and haunt the reader.

~Linda Suzane for Suite 101