High Stakes

by Jennie Hansen, David L. Walker (Narrator)

Luke Calloway was left for dead. Now he's on a trail of vengeance as he seeks out the men who killed his parents. He soon discovers that the person responsible is a prominent citizen-a corrupt man who wields his power to brand the young man a criminal. With revenge as his constant companion, Luke quickly finds himself playing the part of an outlaw. Maddie Brannigan is all her father has left-but the broken down gambler is still willing to offer his daughter as his stake in a game of chance. Deciding to take her own chances, Maddie runs away-only to fall in love with a "wanted" man. Now both Luke and Maddie must overcome their troubled pasts if they are going to build a future together. However, history has a way of repeating itself, and bounty hunters are still looking for Luke. Can he really become a changed man? In this magnificent tale, best-selling author Jennie Hansen once again proves that love has a way of changing hearts and lives

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Suspense

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Becky Fenton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical LDS fiction...everything turns out okay in the end. Another cut and paste novel.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good old-fashioned, shoot-em-up western that happens to have Mormon characters. I listened to the audiobook that had its issues, but also had its merits. If you can get over the Welsh character who sounds like she's from Australia it's not too bad.

Plot Synopsis: After spending much of his adulthood chasing the men who killed his family, Luke crosses the planes with a herd of cattle and the woman he marries in order to save her from a compromising position. They settle in Utah with hopes of starting their own ranch and Luke has a close call with a few bounty hunters before realizing a desire to reconcile with god.

[Athena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this on CD. I think it would have been better reading it. I listened while on my morning walk and got distacted a few times and had to go back and listen to parts a second time. It was a good story, I just felt like it ended and wrapped everything up so quickly.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after I read Wild Card. I think I would have enjoyed it more if i had read them in the right order. I enjoyed it, but I wish there was more at the end--an epilogue or a sequel about Luke and Maddie or even one of their children later!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this one out for my daughter, but as I needed something I didn't have to concentrate too hard on during swimming lessons, I grabbed this. A western with a gentle romance. Although this is a LDS author, I didn't find it dripping with the things that generally annoy me in this genre.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read western novels, but I really liked this one about a young boy who witnessed the murder of his parents and spent four years tracking the murderer and the man who ordered the killings--a neighbor who wanted their land. It was a good adventure/romance novel.

[Linda Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read many of Jennie Hansen's books and have always enjoyed reading them-this one was a big disappointment! Very predictable story line, no character development, it reads like a book for a 4th grader!

[Verona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, pioneer, western story. I enjoyed listening to the experiences of this young couple as they made their way west and became interested in the Mormon faith as they lived among the people in Utah and Idaho.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Jennie Hanson books they are a fun read. I usually can hardly put them down.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Own:Tape

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting plot and sweet romance. I liked the way the story comes together at the end.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. It was a bit rushed at the end. But, I liked it enough to read another Jennie Hansen (this was my first).

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one...it was right up my alley. It's a western love story but not too mushy. This may be a series...seems like it is but there wasn't mention of a next book...Anyone know?

[Mala · Rating 3 out of 5]

the first 2/3rds of the book I really liked - then it kind of got off track???

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the whole struggle across the wilderness, living off the land, falling in love, overcoming tragedy,

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not really a fan of westerns, which this turned out to be. Also, some of the storyline was hard to follow.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luke and Maddie get together after Luke's parents are killed and Maddie's dad wagers her in a card game.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke and Maddie are two good young people running away and wind up together unexpectedly. They mend each other's hearts and their lives are better for it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read, it was a quick unthought provoking novel. But, pleasant all the same.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a true western, not one of my favorites but my kids really enjoyed the story

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5. I am rounding it up to 4 stars.
I liked this story and the characters.

[Beazer]

Again, a well action packed written novel. A different perspective in finding yourself and your inner strength for forgiveness.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tragic back story of the main characters made up the first part of this book. The way the overcame was the last part. I think my favorite parts were the ones where bit characters showed kindness and helped them through the bad stuff. The little girl on the steamboat, owner of the livery and his wife, and the family they stayed with while they were in Utah. I love good bit characters and this book had some good ones. It moved a little slow in parts but overall a really good story.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power of forgiveness and the courage to move on with faith is a theme of this book. Terrible things happen in the lives of the main characters but they are able to still seek happiness and purpose. They are helped and guided by caring strangers. Unexpectedly,, I found this to be a sweet story, despite it’s sad beginning.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line was fine, but the writing style was distracting. They’d skip ahead in the story and I kept looking back to see how I missed a chapter or something. Then I’d keep reading and they’d go back and explain a bit. It just made the story difficult to follow.

[Betty Ann Baer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy sees his parents get killed and wants revenge, but he remembers his parents teachings and chooses to find better choices.

[Nicole Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The only qualm I have about it is that it was such a great story line but so much more could have been done with it. The author didn’t develop it as much as she could have in my opinion. The author could have took more time to get more in depth and kept the story going. The ending was abrupt. Did the family end up joining the church? I would have liked to see a connection with her friend that she met on the boat. Left me wanting more…

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's o.k. not great though.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed listening to this, gotta get the sequel (Wild Card) when we go to the library tomorrow :)