Trail of Obsession (Trail, #1)

by Rebecca Tust
Trail of Obsession (Trail, #1)
Megan Cartwright is a victim, a survivor, and a fighter. In TRAIL OF OBSESSION, Megan Cartwright, a successful real estate agent, survives a brutal attack on a popular trail in Palm Beach, Florida. As she struggles to pick up the shattered pieces of her life, she discovers she's not only been given a second chance at life, but a second chance at love. When Megan crosses paths with Stephen Braun again, the handsome and charming Good Samaritan, who helped save her, neither one of them are prepared for the intense attraction that sizzles between them. Stephen helps convince the slow to trust heroine that love is worth the risk. But with a killer fixated on Megan as a target, as well as someone from Stephen's past with a debt to settle, Megan finds herself on borrowed time once again.TRAIL OF OBSESSION has believable, empathetic characters, complex emotions, and enough steamy romance to keep you turning the pages for more.

Trail of Obsession (Trail, #1) Details

TitleTrail of Obsession (Trail, #1)
Author
LanguageEnglish
ReleaseMar 4th, 2014
PublisherRebecca Tust
ISBN-139780615973357
Rating
GenreRomance, Romantic Suspense

Trail of Obsession (Trail, #1) Review

  • Desere
    January 1, 1970
    I am a huge fan of romantic suspense books , but there are sadly not many authors that manage to pull it all together for me. In some reads I find a good plot but not enough action or drama buildup, or I find a overdose of action and a very lame attempt at a proper romantic relationship.The back cover blurb of this book sounded very promising and I can with all honesty say the author nailed it! I walked away a very happy reader. We meet good looking, hard working real estate agent Megan who goes I am a huge fan of romantic suspense books , but there are sadly not many authors that manage to pull it all together for me. In some reads I find a good plot but not enough action or drama buildup, or I find a overdose of action and a very lame attempt at a proper romantic relationship.The back cover blurb of this book sounded very promising and I can with all honesty say the author nailed it! I walked away a very happy reader. We meet good looking, hard working real estate agent Megan who goes out for a run, is violently attacked and left for dead, then she is rescued by very handsome stranger Stephen. After her recovery their worlds cross again and soon a blazing hot relationship starts. But our killer rapist friend still hides in the shadows, Megan is the only who got away and he does not like his scorecard empty. Of course Stephen will protect Megan at all costs, but protecting her from the killer is easy, he knows the guys intentions, how to protect her from an unknown threat, now that is a whole other ball game and a complete new set of rules!The character of Megan was strong and feisty, she does have a few issues getting back up on her feet after the attack, which of course is completely understandable. This showed her as very realistic as there is no person that is going to simply get up and fight back directly after being almost raped, stabbed and left for dead. I liked how the author let's Stephen and Megan 's friends rebuild her confidence and I very much enjoyed seeing Megan's personality change. Yes it was a little bad in the sense that she now has to re-think where she goes and with who, but it did show her as learning a valuable lesson, one that we can all carry with us, never get to relaxed in your surroundings you never know what is hiding around the corner.The character of Stephen was all kinds of awesome hotness and the perfect hero! He was sweet, kind, tender and so very caring of Megan that it made me smile over and over. I liked that he shares his mental strength with Megan to help her regain her ground after the attack, but I loved him ever more when he hit the point where he realizes Megan is in need of so much more and so is he. It showed him as a lot of people are, you tend to think you know what you need from life then suddenly it all falls into place but you cannot have it all and then the decision making starts, the only question you need to ask yourself is "Are you making your decisions with your heart or you head?" I loved every minute of this read, there was enough angst to keep me on the edge of my seat, enough attention to detail to keep me interested , and enough heat and passion between the sheets to let you pick up on all those vital emotional relationship elements that make for a good romance read. The secondary characters were brilliantly incorporated. I very much look forward to the next part of this series. I am taking away a message of life has a way of showing us when we are too close for comfort, and when that happens it's the time we need to sit up and take notice of what life is trying to tell us. Don't go down in a lump, asses the details and plan the best form of attack to fight back. And don't ever let the past hold you back or surprise you when you least expect it, the results could be deadly.I recommend this read for all fans of romantic suspense reads, just like myself you will find yourself yelling " Look behind you!", " No, really?" and yes you will even feel the blade slicing into the victim! Excellent work Rebecca! 5/5 star review " The trail of death maps out a whole new road to life and passion"
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  • Jeannie Zelos
    January 1, 1970
    Trail of Obsession,Rebecca TustReview from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews. Début author Rebecca asked if I’d like to read her book Trail of Obsession. Some time back my usual genre was thrillers all the way, but then I found fantasy ( entirely by accident, Maria Snyder has a lot to answer for :) I thought I’d bought a historical book....) and gave up thrillers, I then discovered that romance had moved on from the 70's M&B type :) and were much more sensual, so started on them too. This is a thri Trail of Obsession,Rebecca TustReview from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews. Début author Rebecca asked if I’d like to read her book Trail of Obsession. Some time back my usual genre was thrillers all the way, but then I found fantasy ( entirely by accident, Maria Snyder has a lot to answer for :) I thought I’d bought a historical book....) and gave up thrillers, I then discovered that romance had moved on from the 70's M&B type :) and were much more sensual, so started on them too. This is a thriller, but with a strong romance which lured me in. And I’m glad. Its good to take a trip away from the reading comfort zone, and though I’m not going back to thriller land permanently I enjoyed this book. Its well written in that the plots add up, the characters are realistic, and there's some serious steam going on – all of which I love! So we start with Megan, who gets attacked while out running. Her rescuer Stephen is one of those genuinely good guys, and she is told that his intervention saved her life. She calls round his home once recovered to thank him personally, and they are both attracted but Megan is nervous. Somehow though Stephen doesn't let her uncertainty stop them from going out, first as friends and then before long they're in a steamy, erotic relationship. Her attacker though is still loose, and having succeeded killing his next victims sees Megan as the one that got away, and is determined to get to her. Alongside that there's danger to her from another angle too – it feels like how unlucky can one woman get! They are happy romancing, wining and dining, all the while not knowing that danger is stalking them from two very different sources. I loved Megan and Stephen, felt sad in a way for the killer. This novel shows so well how important upbringing and childhood is in setting the person that will develop from the child. There's a saying along the lines of Give me the child and I’ll bring you the man ..something like that anyway, indicating how influences in childhood result in the type of adult we become. I like that kind of psychology angle. The thriller element works out perfectly for me, the romance was excellent, scenes written just right, not the cringingly awful ones that sometimes pop up – I kid you not, one I read recently went on about her pink petals opening like a flower, and then her petals fluttered enticingly – I just can't imagine that appeals to anyone, just makes me snigger...must be wind making them flutter! Where's the romance in that :) What I didn't like was that at the end one person seemed to me to not get properly punished. I like my baddie's to get caught and get what they deserve, especially after what happened to poor Megan but...that's just me :) It';s priced at £2.45 for 315 pages. Stars:four, good solid story, but probably a one off read for me. ARC supplied by author.
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  • Sandy S
    January 1, 1970
    3.5 starsABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 4, 2014Megan Cartwright is a victim, a survivor, and a fighter. In TRAIL OF OBSESSION, Megan Cartwright, a successful real estate agent, survives a brutal attack on a popular trail in Palm Beach, Florida. As she struggles to pick up the shattered pieces of her life, she discovers she's not only been given a second chance at life, but a second chance at love. When Megan crosses paths with Stephen Braun again, the handsome and charming Good Samaritan, wh 3.5 starsABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 4, 2014Megan Cartwright is a victim, a survivor, and a fighter. In TRAIL OF OBSESSION, Megan Cartwright, a successful real estate agent, survives a brutal attack on a popular trail in Palm Beach, Florida. As she struggles to pick up the shattered pieces of her life, she discovers she's not only been given a second chance at life, but a second chance at love. When Megan crosses paths with Stephen Braun again, the handsome and charming Good Samaritan, who helped save her, neither one of them are prepared for the intense attraction that sizzles between them. Stephen helps convince the slow to trust heroine that love is worth the risk. But with a killer fixated on Megan as a target, as well as someone from Stephen's past with a debt to settle, Megan finds herself on borrowed time once again.~~~~~~REVIEW: TRAIL OF OBSESSION is the first book in Rebecca Tust’s adult, contemporary romance, suspense, thriller TRAIL series. The focus of the storyline is Megan Cartwright-a Florida real estate agent-who has the dubious distinction of having not once, not twice but three times been attacked. Megan is the target of a crazed rapist and murderer as well as the target of someone from Stephen’s past. Stephen is the man who found a dying and bleeding Megan at a local Florida running park and the man with whom Megan will fall in love. As the storyline develops, Megan and Stephen’s relationship goes from rescuer to friendship to love but not before her would-be assassin sets his sights on a series of other women whilst waiting for his chance to finish the job. With a serial murderer and rapist on the loose the Florida law enforcement have their hands full and are doing a rather poor job of investigation and protection. We are introduced to Megan and Stephen’s best friends Blake and Chelsea whose storyline will be told next. Their relationship is tepid at best but there is a definite sexual attraction between the couple.TRAIL OF OBSESSION reads like an episode from a television crime drama but there are so many unanswered questions that the ending left me bereft; the secondary plotline is never completely resolved; and the probability of some of the issues and events is questionable.As this is the first in the series, I am hoping that many of these questions will be answered or addressed in the upcoming instalments. The premise is interesting, inviting and has so much potential but the unanswered plot points and open ended subplot had me questioning everything. I wanted closure but there was none to be had-for the reader or the victim.Copy supplied by the author.www.thereadingcafe.com
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  • Shannon
    January 1, 1970
    “I think he might be really good for you. He looks like he would slay dragons for you.”“I don’t need someone to slay dragons for me.”“I know you don’t. But you also don’t need to continue to keep your guard up either. It’s okay if you let someone get close to you. If you ever want to find love again, you have to be willing to take a risk.” Trail of Obsession starts off with Megan getting attacked and almost killed while out for a run. Her savior, Stephen, not only saves her life but becomes her “I think he might be really good for you. He looks like he would slay dragons for you.”“I don’t need someone to slay dragons for me.”“I know you don’t. But you also don’t need to continue to keep your guard up either. It’s okay if you let someone get close to you. If you ever want to find love again, you have to be willing to take a risk.” Trail of Obsession starts off with Megan getting attacked and almost killed while out for a run. Her savior, Stephen, not only saves her life but becomes her boyfriend. While their relationship grows, Megan is being hunted, which leads to lots of exciting and terrifying events. And it should be noted that there is no cliffhanger. I feel that’s important to know in this kind of story haha.This romantic suspense started off with a bang for me. I was on the edge of my seat during the attack. Afterwards, it slowed down quite a bit. BUT…getting inside the attacker’s head blew my mind. I for sure thought he was going to remain a mystery till the end so I was surprised and excited at the same time. To me, the attacker’s POV was the highlight of the story. Seeing his back story and how he thought was both intriguing and disturbing. And because his obsession with Megan was really interesting to me I was disappointed at how the ending came about for him. I felt that more attention was given to other storylines when I felt the most intriguing story points came from him. That’s not saying other storylines weren’t good. There was definitely a part during the middle to end that had me excited and nervous. But once that came to an end I was disappointed because I was thinking what do you do now to top that or make it more disturbing and intense.The other characters were interesting. There was a nice comic relief in Blake. I enjoyed Megan and Stephen but I didn’t really connect with their relationship, which was probably my biggest issue with the story, especially since the relationship takes up a majority of the story. The other issue being that I felt the ending was kind of anticlimactic. I was expecting this super intense show down or something and it was over before it began so consider me disappointed. Because of that I felt like the villain was the best part of the story. He was just so disturbing that I couldn’t not be intrigued by him. Yes…I know I’m dark and twisted. So with all that said, I liked this book but didn’t necessarily love it.
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  • Margreet Asselbergs
    January 1, 1970
    I wanted to like this book, I did. Romantic suspence is still my favorite genre and I was excited to try a new author.The two stars are for the starting few chapters of the story, that hold buckets of good promise and built up the anticipation necessary for a potentially great thriller. However, the story wasn't tight enough, too many long drawn out distractions, interrupted and made the suspense portion completely ineffective. Then the addition of a second sub plot suddenly became the main focu I wanted to like this book, I did. Romantic suspence is still my favorite genre and I was excited to try a new author.The two stars are for the starting few chapters of the story, that hold buckets of good promise and built up the anticipation necessary for a potentially great thriller. However, the story wasn't tight enough, too many long drawn out distractions, interrupted and made the suspense portion completely ineffective. Then the addition of a second sub plot suddenly became the main focus, while what had been the main plot was conveniently forgotten until the last few chapters. Both suspense plots had huge holes and discrepancies that should have been picked up by experienced beta-readers. For instance, there is mention in the primary plot of no DNA evidence whatsoever, when in fact, in one of the earliest attack scenes, the victim is decribed as clawing at her assailant "...digging her nails into his skin..." and " ...fingernails raked across the side of his face....". Actions that would surely leave DNA behind. Also the writer makes a point of mentioning that her wallet and MP3 player are never recovered..... but the significance of that never comes to light. Neither does the why of the assailants obsession, there simply is no explanation given.In the secondary plot, the perpetrator gets away with the crime due to lack of evidence. That is not true......there is evidence. There is a signed document by the perpetrator indicating that they were right where the victim claimed they were, proving that the victim's story was the correct one, and not the perpetrator's, who said they had never met with the victim....... These are relatively simple plotting mistakes that are imperative in suspense or romantic suspense novels to pick up on. The credibility of the entire book depends on it.As for the romantic aspect, the chemistry between the main characters was noticable at first, but not very exciting or passionate on the whole..... A rather luke-warm affair.Pity.......a good story concept, which with some careful restructuring and a full injection of fiery passion, can be a good book.
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  • Theresa Needham fehse
    January 1, 1970
    Free book for honest review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.comMegan Cartwright is 29 and a successful real estate agent in Palm Beach. She is happy with her life and those in it. While jogging she was brutally attacked, stabbed repeatably and left for dead. Stephen Braun happened to be on this trail as well and does what any good person would and rescues her. Megan struggles but slowly gets back on her feet and tries to live a somewhat normal life. Knowing the man that took so much from her is still Free book for honest review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.comMegan Cartwright is 29 and a successful real estate agent in Palm Beach. She is happy with her life and those in it. While jogging she was brutally attacked, stabbed repeatably and left for dead. Stephen Braun happened to be on this trail as well and does what any good person would and rescues her. Megan struggles but slowly gets back on her feet and tries to live a somewhat normal life. Knowing the man that took so much from her is still out there Megan does her best to keep going day to day. Megan decides to thank Stephen for saving her life, what she doesn't expect is the sparks that fly between them.Stephen is not really sure if he saved Megan or Megan saved him, but he is falling head over heels for her. Their relationship grows and Megan is doing well till an email shows up "I AM WATCHING, ALWAYS WATCHING . . . TICK, TOCK". This is where things get really heated and the plot thickens. Megan must once again be a survivor before its to late.WHAT A WONDERFUL, SUSPENSEFUL STORY ! ! ! I could not put this one down, needless to say laundry and other household chores had to wait ! Megan is a true hero, survivor and very feisty. My heart went out to her many times for the ordeals she had to overcome. This is a contemporary romance at its best. Steamy and yet heart-wrenching the oohhhs and awwwww's are there. Being that it is a book 1 I SO look forward to more in the series and more titles from this author. 5 non-disappointed starsWende :)
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  • Amanda Orozco
    January 1, 1970
    Megan Cartwright is a real estate agent who was left at the alter by her ex-fiancé. After that horrifyingly embarrassing event she began to invoke herself in work and work.. And more work. Her job became her life aside from her family and close friends. Until she was viciously attacked by a man while on a run and narrowly missed death. She only lived because a handsomely athletic byciclist helped her to the E.R. But this was only the beginning of Megan's problems. She finds love all the whole be Megan Cartwright is a real estate agent who was left at the alter by her ex-fiancé. After that horrifyingly embarrassing event she began to invoke herself in work and work.. And more work. Her job became her life aside from her family and close friends. Until she was viciously attacked by a man while on a run and narrowly missed death. She only lived because a handsomely athletic byciclist helped her to the E.R. But this was only the beginning of Megan's problems. She finds love all the whole being surrounded by stalkers and crazy people! (Such drama, I LOVE IT)I really enjoyed this book. Suspense has always been one of my favorite genres... Right up there with, you guessed it! ROMANCE. So when I finished the first chapter of this book I thought.. Oh I can already tell I'm gonna like this..and I did. I read the book in a day. I snuck pages in at work. (So bad)I loved Megan's strength throughout the book, she is put through so much yet manages to be grateful and resilient towards what happens to her. My new book boyfriend crush is Stephen, he's handsome and caring with just a tad of rebelliousness in him.I really can't wait to start the next book in the Trails series. I recommend this book to anyone looking for some sexy romance wrapped up in a thrilling, fast paced suspense novel.
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  • Laura
    January 1, 1970
    DNFNo disrespect to the author!!!!But It was so slow... Everything just seemed to drag on, and The characters lacked a little something, they seemed robotic, and I've said that in other reviews but it just sounds a like that when I read it. When they talk you get not real feeling from the dialogue, I think because there are no descriptions of mannerism while they interact, to me they could be discussing the attack and the H could be smiling and going "oh too bad, wanna go out next weekend?" When DNFNo disrespect to the author!!!!But It was so slow... Everything just seemed to drag on, and The characters lacked a little something, they seemed robotic, and I've said that in other reviews but it just sounds a like that when I read it. When they talk you get not real feeling from the dialogue, I think because there are no descriptions of mannerism while they interact, to me they could be discussing the attack and the H could be smiling and going "oh too bad, wanna go out next weekend?" When they reunite it goes exactly like that, the h shows up nervous as all hell, the H opens the door and when she speaks he goes "Hey! You're looking better" or some nonsense like that, smiling like she broke her foot and not like she was attacked and stabbed by a murderer. The H was just so boring to me, when he first rescues the h, at some point he thinks that it's hard being a Good Samaritan because they kept him all day with police reports and towed his car.. Ok? Idk, he came of kinda duchy to me, I like them a little deeper, not thinking that the h is worth it even though she comes with a lot of "baggage" and if it were someone else he'd run in the opposite direction because who wants someone with so much baggage...
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  • Tina Stadig-Lewis
    January 1, 1970
    I received this book in exchange for an honest review.I am not usually one to read suspense romance's but I did enjoy this book.Megan is young, beautiful, and athletic.She has a job that she loves and owns her home. She has a wall around her heart and is not looking for a relationship. One night, on a run her whole life changes.Stephen is handsome, athletic and happily single. Until he find this beautiful, wounded green eyed women. Seeing her bleeding he rushes her to the emergency room. After t I received this book in exchange for an honest review.I am not usually one to read suspense romance's but I did enjoy this book.Megan is young, beautiful, and athletic.She has a job that she loves and owns her home. She has a wall around her heart and is not looking for a relationship. One night, on a run her whole life changes.Stephen is handsome, athletic and happily single. Until he find this beautiful, wounded green eyed women. Seeing her bleeding he rushes her to the emergency room. After talking to the officers regarding the injured girl, he returns to his normal life.Trying to overcome her fear after being attacked, Megan reaches out to thank that man that saved her life. From that meeting they both realize that there is something between them. Will Megan's attacker or Stephen's past bring them closer together or will it tear them apart?
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  • Billi Tiner
    January 1, 1970
    TRAIL OF OBSESSION starts off with the brutal attack of real estate agent Megan Cartwright. She survives the attack, but sustains multiple injuries. The author does a good job of starting the book off with enough suspense to gain your interest. The character development is also well done. Megan is a strong, likable person who you want to root for. Stephen, the male lead, is also someone who you would like to get to know. Overall, I thought the plot was well laid out and there were enough twists TRAIL OF OBSESSION starts off with the brutal attack of real estate agent Megan Cartwright. She survives the attack, but sustains multiple injuries. The author does a good job of starting the book off with enough suspense to gain your interest. The character development is also well done. Megan is a strong, likable person who you want to root for. Stephen, the male lead, is also someone who you would like to get to know. Overall, I thought the plot was well laid out and there were enough twists to keep the reader’s interest. However, it also fairly formulaic. Girl gets attacked, boy rescues girl, and love blossoms. With that said, I would still recommend it if you are a fan of romantic suspense novels.
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  • Ria
    January 1, 1970
    Full Review @ http://www.abookishescape.com/2014/05...I enjoyed getting to meet these wonderful characters and I’m looking forward to reading Blake and Chelsea’s story. Two very full of life side characters that will have zero trouble absorbing the spotlight. I hope we will get to revisit a bit of Stephen and Megan…I love LOVE LOVE when that happens. :) Like I mentioned earlier the pacing was good and I enjoyed all of the characters. I recommend this for a lazy weekend and throe that are into su Full Review @ http://www.abookishescape.com/2014/05...I enjoyed getting to meet these wonderful characters and I’m looking forward to reading Blake and Chelsea’s story. Two very full of life side characters that will have zero trouble absorbing the spotlight. I hope we will get to revisit a bit of Stephen and Megan…I love LOVE LOVE when that happens. :) Like I mentioned earlier the pacing was good and I enjoyed all of the characters. I recommend this for a lazy weekend and throe that are into suspense. My Rating3.5 Jog, Realty, Bike, Knife, Gift Card, Toby, Boat, Miami, Club, Cousin, Chicago, Get away, Client, Chains, Police, Pepper Spray, Backing up, Broken Leg, Hospital, Nephew, Love filled promises stars!
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  • Anastasia
    January 1, 1970
    I won this book from Goodreads giveaway.I'd give this book 2.5 stars. I really wanted to like it, but the story was too unrealistic and predictable for me. The probability of some of the issues and events are very questionable...I was intrigued by the beginning with the attacker and everything, but then I knew what was going to happen with Megan and Stephen. The psycho ex girlfriend was too much for me and didn't really add suspense. I thought that "twist" was unnecessary. Definitely a one off r I won this book from Goodreads giveaway.I'd give this book 2.5 stars. I really wanted to like it, but the story was too unrealistic and predictable for me. The probability of some of the issues and events are very questionable...I was intrigued by the beginning with the attacker and everything, but then I knew what was going to happen with Megan and Stephen. The psycho ex girlfriend was too much for me and didn't really add suspense. I thought that "twist" was unnecessary. Definitely a one off read for me.
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  • Jennifer Olson
    January 1, 1970
    Trail of Obsession is about a woman named Megan, who is a real estate agent. She is brutally attacked while out for a run, and ends up meeting the love of her life. Together, they survive much more thereafter, and end up stronger in the end. I enjoyed the book, and it was a very easy read.
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  • Darcee Kraus
    January 1, 1970
    An inspiring novel for any woman to read! This is one of the first feel-good novels that has truly spoken to me as a person
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