A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

PREY

Author: Linda Howard ISBN: 9780345506917 9/2011 SUSPENSE Publisher: BALLANTINE

Prey by Linda Howard
Thirty-two-year-old Angie Powell has always spoken her mind, but in the presence of Dare Callahan she nurses a simmering rage. After all, why give Dare the satisfaction of knowing he can push her buttons and push her to the edge?

Three years ago, Dare returned home to rural western Montana and opened a hunting business to rival Angie’s. Complicating matters is the fact that Dare has asked Angie out (not once but twice) and has given her a gift of butterflies in the process. Angie has no patience for butterflies. They only lead to foolish decisions. And now the infuriatingly handsome Iraq war vet has siphoned away Angie’s livelihood, forcing her to close up shop. 

Before Angie is to leave town, she organizes one last trip into the wilderness with a client and his guest, who wants to bag a black bear. But the adrenaline-fueled adventure turns deadly when Angie witnesses a cold-blooded murder and finds herself on the wrong side of a loaded gun. Before the killer can tie up this attractive loose end, a bear comes crashing through the woods—changing the dark game completely.

Luckily, Dare is camping nearby and hears the shots. Forced together for their very survival, Angie and Dare must confront hard feelings, a blinding storm, and a growing attraction—while being stalked by a desperate killer and a ferocious five-hundred-pound beast. And neither will stop until they reach their prey.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Bad guys come in all shapes and sizes, but Linda Howard brings readers a villain like no other, referenced in the story only as "Bear". Angie Powell has inherited an unsuccessful business from her father, and when hometown hero Dare Callahan returns opening a similar business that offers much more, she realizes she may have to give in.  Though she feels she can’t compete, Angie takes on a strange final client.  But this last client isn’t what he seems, and Dare's been sent to cover her in secret.

This book was really good, and it was nice to see Linda Howard dive back into a true suspenseful novel that still had heavy tones of romance.  I loved Dare and how he was portrayed as a typical guy interested in a woman who, initially, didn’t spare him the time of day.  As the novel moved along, readers were able to see Angie realize that Dare wasn't out to get her or ruin her business.  Slowly they discovered the passion between them, and Linda Howard does a great job writing them as they fall in love. 

Christina Baker

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