Prey

A Novel

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2011 Linda Howard (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Gripping . . . When it comes to romantic suspense, Prey is about as good as it gets.” (The Romance Reader)

“For those readers who love adventure, and surprising twists and turns.” (Fresh Fiction)

Pretty Good Listen

Would you listen to Prey again? Why?

yes. its interesting to hear the bear and his thoughts. kind of reminded me of Jaws the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Angie.

What about Abby Craden’s performance did you like?

she has a really husky voice so it was not weird to hear her do the male voices. and she had a good pace.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it made me feel really sorry for the bear because he was twisted by blood lust.

Really good

I really enjoyed the story and the characters. The romance takes time to develop and is believable.

A truly engaging listen

I purchased and listened to this story prior to reading any of the reviews. I loved the story. I think the characters, while well developed, were a little stereotypical. I can't say this really bothered me or detracted from my experience. The hero a former military man, with wilderness expertise and an alpha attitude. The heroine although smart and competent and tough is situationally dependent on the hero. Isolation and attractions ensues. Although one could argue it is predictable it was such an enjoyable and engaging listen that I can't fault the mechanics of the storyline. It was adventurous and sexy and even humorous at times. There are portions of the novel narrated by a bear and this seems to irritate other readers but they are short and add a unique element to the book. I would recommend this novel to any LH fan or a fan of romantic suspense.

Love the story

I love this story. The characters, the writing, and the story are done very well. I already own the paperback and wanted to try to listen to this while working. It took a while to get used to the narrator because she almost overdoes it on the emotion and feeling. Sometimes I wished she would just tell the story straight out. I still enjoyed it though

So Disappointed!

This is the second "so close to great" book from Linda Howard lately. Frustrating when you only get one book from her a year (or more) and then it doesn't live up to expectation.

This book was a bit tough for me and at the end...I was simply disappointed. I was highly anticipating this story...one because of course it's LH; two - book selection for me has been dwindling in the midst of vampires and werewolves, and three - the story line had me expecting this great dash through the woods.

While I like the characters of the book and the plot had promise it was a bit of a lull and then sudden event...and back to a lull. I mean c'mon. All of the action took place in a span of 2 hrs...once in the middle of the book...and at the end. That's all I get...really?? I wish there had been more interaction with the "man killer", that was a major miss for me.

Overall, this book is still enjoyable; but if you are expecting a mad dash (not to ICE's crazy standard) more like Up Close and Dangerous...you won't get. Are there still things about the book to make it worth the listen? Yes...

The suddenness of the events is more like Open Season without the funny. Great book by the way...an unabridged version would be welcome. (Hint, hint)

In the interest of fairness, several of LH's books has the sudden wrap up of the "suspense" factor - and she makes it work. The last two books for me though - have just left me with the impression that there was more that could have been pulled out of the characters/plot...and though enjoyable...not what I was expecting.

Love it!

Enjoyed this book from start to finish. My friend and I listened on a road trip and it had us both anticipating Dare to the rescue!

Bear Hunt hides a murder~ 4 STARS

PLOT: a killer schemes to hide his deed but a bear hunts him.

Angie Powell is about to loose her guide business. And Dare Callihan is to blame. is that any reason to turn him down for a date? LOL Angie is nearly broke so she books one last bear hunt. Nerdy Chad and his boss from hell a world class complainer makes Angie grit her teeth but she sets up camp only to discover the bear hunt is a cover for a murder. Now Angie is on the run and Dare finds her. The two struggle through a storm but find shelter and the real "heat" between Dare and Angie is lights UP. As they stuggle to walk down the mountain the BEAR is hot on everyones trail. I liked this one but it not Howards Best. Try Mr. Perfect or Open Season. I always love Howards details and character development. I give this one 4 stars all the way. and a pretty good new reader.

Awesome suspense and romance!

This is a wonderfully written and performed audio book that I would recommend to anyone wanting suspense with a se y dose of romance.

Awesome

Wonderful book. Loved the story but mostly the relationship between Dare and Angie. Read and listened to it numerous times.

narration doesn't suit this story

purchased this awhile back because the book has always been one of my Linda Howard favourites, but found the narration grating which spoiled the book for me.
I just decided to give it another go and it still rubs me the wrong way - yet I've realised the narrator isn't unskilled, I just don't think her style suits this book. too many pauses, but she speaks rapidly between them so you can't speed up the pace like you can with other books, to alleviate pacing issues. for some reason it makes the h come across as whiney and self pitying and this is not how she is written - she's angry but gutsy in the book, and determinately not self pitying. it's actually one of the things that makes the H fall in love with her - her grim determination.
I don't object to this snappy staccato style of narration - I wish I could hear this narrator perform some of the cozy mysteries I listen to (that seem to be casted with smooth toned narrators that I think tone down the prose, making them banal) - but for this book it just didn't work. I see this as a casting and directing problem, not with the narrator herself. this may be one of the few romance novels that would benefit more from a male narrator? I just know it made it impossible to enjoy listening