RS Review: Prey: A Novel [Hardcover]

I've finished "Prey: A Novel" by Linda Howard.

Product Description

In this captivating novel of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard brings us deep into the wild, where a smart and sexy outdoor guide and her ruggedly handsome competitor must join forces to survive — and avoid becoming what they never expected to be:

PREY

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.


About the Author

Linda Howard is the award-winning author of many New York Times bestsellers, including Veil of Night, Ice, Burn, Death Angel, Up Close and Dangerous, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Cover of Night, Killing Time, To Die For, Kiss Me While I Sleep, Cry No More, Dying to Please, Open Season, Mr. Perfect, All the Queen’s Men, Now You See Her, Kill and Tell, and Son of the Morning, and co-author (with Linda Jones) of Blood Born. She lives in Alabama with her husband and a golden retriever.

Product Details
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (September 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 034550691X
ISBN-13: 978-0345506917

My Review:

Angie Powell is 32 years old and is managing the family business of nature guide and hunter after the death of her father.  The business has been dropping because of tough competition and she's not able to pay the mortgage. Angie blames Dare for ruining her business venture and she makes sure he knows it every time they see each other.  She powerfully attracted to him though.

Dare Callahan is 37 years old and has recently returned war veteran and manages his own nature guide and hunter shop. Dare has asked Angie out twice but both times she has rejected him but he doesn't want any other women than Angie.  She really lights his fire.

Angie has a last adventure of the season with client but her friend and lawyer Harlan doesn't think she is safe with two men.  He asks Dare to look out for her and he can't believe he's agreed to go to the hunting camp while using the excuse of fishing.   Angie hunting trip turns to hell when her client becomes a murder and is intent on killing any witnesses including Angie.  While getting away she also has to fight for survival against a rampaging man-eating black bear.

All of the characters and storyline were all well written and I enjoyed the point of view by all the characters involved including the bear's.

Really enjoyed the antagonism between Angie and Dare because it really fired up the sexual tension between them and when it finally exploded it was hot as hell.

4/5

Thanks Random House for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!