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Sometimes there’s one angle of a story keeps you enthralled, even if you aren’t buying other aspects of the story. I do a lot of hiking and camping in wilderness areas and after reading this book I have to say I am really glad Australia doesn’t have bears. Although seriously – what about this cover says “book contains woman running from man eating bear plot line”? Whoever did the cover design for this should be shot (or chased by a bear).
Why Read:
Scary bear, scary bear, scary bear…
Quote that best sums up the lead (female) character:
“He didn’t start naming off items, double-checking to make sure she’d packed them, simply nodded and swung the heavy saddlebags over his own shoulder before heading down. He trusted her to know what she was doing, she realised, a lump forming in her throat. Of course, she knew that she knew what she was doing, but it meant something that Dare took her expertise for granted.”
Review:
Linda Howard is one of my favourite romantic suspense authors. My copies of her books are some of the most worn and tattered from overuse in my library. I’ll be honest, I don’t think Prey isn’t up to her normal standards. But it’s still better than most romantic suspense out there.
The premise of Prey is pretty basic. Angie Powell works as a wilderness guide but has had to make the decision to sell because a new guide (Dare Callahan, our hero) has taken all of her business. It’s during one of her last trips that Angie discovers the body of a human killed by a bear. But it turns out one of her clients has set up the trip to murder the other, so things go to hell in a hand-basket. Never fear though, Dare has gone up the mountain to check on Angie so you know she’ll be okay in the end.
There were several things I could have lost from this book, the main one being the murderous client. To be frank the bear attacks were terrifying enough on their own. The bears p.o.v. scenes and the first killing were gruesome. So to me the crime/murder plot line was unnecessary. I was never worried about the bad guy finding them but I was terrified about where the bear was at all times. Not only that it felt unrealistic.
In some ways I thought it was clever that Ms Howard established early on that Dare hadn’t been deliberately stealing Angie’s business, it was simply that he was better and more marketable to the normal clientele. Angie failed to establish herself to a market that would prefer a woman guide so she lost business. Unfortunately, the down side of that being established so early on is that it was so obvious how the two businesses could work together there was no tension on that front. Oh, and the whole first wedding business, yeah – could have lost that as well. It just wasn’t needed.
But there were sections of this books that were pure Howard genius. The scenes where Angie was hiding from the bear and trying to get down the mountain despite her injuries were gripping in their intensity. In those scenes she turned into a character with guts and heart. You could almost feel her pain and determination as she fought to keep going. Dare and Angie’s chemistry was palpable right from the start, with good build up and banter between the two. I loved that he was worried any time she didn’t have a (verbal) shot at him. Oh, and there is one fantastic “missionary” sex scene.
It’s these scenes which make it easy for me to recommend you give this book a go. Is it at the level of Howard’s best work? No. But it’s still worth your time – if you don’t mind being afraid of bears.
Audiobook Review:
This was one of those cases where I think the audio made the book. The skill of the narrator meant that during certain scenes, which I probably would have skimmed over if reading in paper form, I was held in a vice-like-grip – knowing what was coming but unable to avoid it. When Angie first finds the body is one of these times. From the instant she went near the creek I knew what was coming. Didn’t make it any less horrifying.
Check Out:
The Romanceaholic (@RomanceaholicBR) said:
Great review! I didn’t realize this one was out — I have read almost everything she’s written (even the weird ones lol!) and this one sounds awesome..
But.. did you say the bear gets it’s own POV? That’s.. interesting.
Now I’m going to HAVE to read it! lol
Wandering Hues said:
Yeah – the bears POV was the most terrifying part of the book for me.
Kendra Edens (@EdynzTrybe) said:
Hmmm … sounds like a book you would have a love/hate relationship with. Ironically, similar to the review I posted this week. We must be on similar wave lengths.
I have agree with you that the cover art designer needs to be chased by a bear. I mean really? Serious false advertising!
The sex sounds promising, the attraction sounds promising – the bear having a POV … not so much. However, I have not read a Linda Howard book before therefore no frame of reference. Perhaps this would not be the best one to start with. I’m intrigued by the train wreck this book could be. I don’t want to read it, but I don’t think I’d be able to look away. I may have to read it for the inevitable disaster just because. I will have to ponder this review a bit longer before deciding on its role as a possible read in my future.
Kendra
Kyla (@Kyla_Holt) said:
Murder, love and bears . . oh my? Sorry, couldn’t resist. Damn. Bear POV? For reals? That sounds superbly freaky. I don’t camp. I watched Freddy K. during a camping trip when I was 7–so I’m not into the creeptastic wilderness. Think this book my have me jumping off a cliff (so to speak).
You know the old saying “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” Yeah, I disagree (with the saying…not you). I pick new books up BASED on the cover. With this one…uh, I’d be expecting a lot less trauma than crazed bear attacks. At least throw a claw slash across the cover. *sigh*
Also, I totes agree with you on the predictability. I’m bummed when I’m first into a novel and can guess how somethings are going to turn out (probably one reason I don’t read book blurbs).
Glad it turned out —uh, not too bad! And thanks for posting Limelight Reviews logo (I feel so proud)
Louise @ Between the Covers said:
*laughing* I’m in complete agreement regarding the cover… I pick up books BECAUSE I LIKE THE COVER, and looking at this one, I would not think vicious bear attacks. I’d be thinking wicked hot nookie attacks. *snickers* Oh, sorry…. *pulls on serious blogger hat*
I’ve read many Linda Howard books, and am disappointed to hear that this one isn’t up to her normal standards. It’s a phenom I’m seeing with some of my most loved authors lately, and hopefully this is just a fluke for her.
Bear POV? I’m not sure I’d be able to handle that. And if there was gore, it would be muy no bueno for me. *shudders*
I also agree that a narrator can make or break an audiobook.
Thanks for the review!