Bounty Hunter Guardian

by Diane Burke

Everyone believes Amanda Stowe killed her husband—except for a mysterious woman who promises her evidence will clear Amanda's name. Amanda has to meet her…even if it means jumping bail and praying she'll reach Alaska before law enforcement closes in.

If Chance Walker has learned anything as a bounty hunter, it's that only the guilty run. When he captures Amanda, he's ready to bring her to justice. But attacks against Amanda make Chance reconsider. What if his target really is innocent? Will Chance put his life on the line to find the truth—and keep Amanda safe?

Genres: Romance, Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

This award winning author lives in Central Florida. She loves to visit the beach, spend time with friends and family, read, and, of course, write, write, write.

She loves to hear from her readers. Catch her on her website dianeburkeauthor.com for her latest books or write her at diane@dianeburkeauthor.com

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had been several years since I read my last Love Inspired Suspense. When they first came out I bought them every month and I have a couple of hundred of these. I was thrilled in the beginning to have something clean to read. Over time I began to tire of them...the sameness...the tired repeated plots. So I found this one in the powder room tonight where one of my daughters had left it and I thought I'd give it a try. I enjoyed it in the beginning but it the more I read the more far-fetched it became. Close to the end the confession of the true criminal disgusted me and went further than I wanted. Taking my mind in a direction I did not want to go. But when I read his wife's confession I gave a toss in the trash can. So I missed the last few pages but I have no regrets.

[Anna Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am SO TORN about this review. Reason? Because the spirituality in this book is AMAZING. I can't believe that *FINALLY* there's a book with someone coming to a saving knowledge of Messiah in it. I really loved that so much about this book. The fact that the heroine draws her comfort and joy from the Bible she keeps close to her at all times is fantastic.

But... the author blows it. Repeatedly. For example, she never has Chase tell Amanda that he asked the Lord to be his life's Master. She gets with him at the end NOT KNOWING he's a believer - and with her faith? She would NOT unequally yoke herself, I'm sorry. It was not okay.

I did like that this was a grittier action story (okay, okay, people - it's NOT suspense, it's action), because a lot of these chrischun stories shie away from letting the pilot get pinned under the control panel for days. They shie away from letting the heroine accidentally shoot her hero, or the innocent bystanders get killed. This one pulls no punches, and it was admirable.

HOWEVER, this story feels like it talks itself to death. It kind of drove me a little crazy in that aspect.

I also have SO. MANY. PROBLEMS with X-Mess as a 'time of new beginnings'. NO. It's not. It's a pagan mix of not-so-holy-days... The Roman sun-god's birthday (December 25) and the birth of Christ (which scripture is CLEAR is Sukkot - which is September/October, hello). If you want the time of new beginnings, that would be Rosh Ha'Shana. Don't get me started. I was not okay with the craptastic rhethoric surrounding 'the season'. She's even got Amanda fulfilling Jeremiah 10:1-4 ... which is PAGAN PRACTICE, hello. NOT. OKAY.

So while there were elements that really made me happy, I feel like too much negated those parts to garner a favorable review from me. Sadly.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of suspense.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really exciting. Loved it

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was intense and fast paced. I can't imagine being falsely accused of murder. The ending was surprising. Really well written story.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The suspense is sorely lacking in this entry in the Love Inspired series, as socialite/bail jumper Amanda Stowe tries unsuccessfully to elude bounty hunter Chance Walker in Alaska.

There are several good chapters that involve survival in the harsh Alaskan wilderness with Chance, Amanda, and their treacherous pilot, Santana, that are unfortunately sullied by the arrival of Annie and Joe, two minor characters who disappear from the remainder of the story after they rescue Amanda and Chance. It’s rather anticlimactic. The killer is a nice twist, but not nearly enough to overcome the unevenly paced plot and simplistic characterizations.

Also, there’s an egregious error on page 168. Chance is speaking and he states, “We’ve got to get to Edward’s office before his conscious becomes too much for him and he calls the police.” Dear presumably homeschooled author, it’s ‘conscience’, not ‘conscious.’ Please either improve your vocabulary or get a better editor.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda is on the run, having jumped bail after being accused of killing her husband. She is headed straight to Alaska, with a bounty hunter hot on her trail, to meet a mysterious woman who claims to have evidence that will clear her name. But Chance Walker is determined to bring her in and collect the bounty on her head. After all, only the guilty run. After he captures Amanda, who pleads her innocence. He struggles whether or not to believe her, but resists the tug at his heart for this beautiful woman. His attraction for another prisoner almost cost him his life, and he isn't about to let that happen again. But strange and deadly occurrences have him wondering if perhaps she is really as innocent as she claims and if an outside enemy has lured her into the wilderness to silence her forever.

Excellent plot and characters. Christian-themed. Lots of action and thrills. A quick read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. It revolved around a recently widowed woman who is on the run for her husband's murder. The bounty hunter, Chance Walker, doesn't think she's innocent and hauls her back to D.C. At least, he tries to. A plan crash and some other events gives him a clue that perhaps she really innocent.

*SPOILER*

My question is this: What happened to the dead pilot? I know it's not exactly important for this book, but I needed it for my own closure. Did they just leave him out there? Did they call the cops after making their escape? What? It feels such a small detail, but left me wondering through the rest of the book...

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bounty Hunter Guardian by Diane Burke is a suspenseful, well-written book. Amanda and Chance's story is full of drama, action and amazing characters. Ms Burke has done a masterful job of creating a book that you don't want to put down. I enjoyed Bounty Hunter Guardian and look forward to reading more from Diane Burke in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I read a print copy of this book.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. This is the third book of hers that I have read, and I could not put it down. It was a clean read with plenty of action and plot twists. Add in strong emotions and solid faith. And I love that her characters are not perfect. Amanda had a couple of moments where she faltered or made dumb choices. It really made her character feel more realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.

[Jill Kemerer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Love Inspired Suspense. The action never let up, and Amanda's faith even in dire circumstances uplifted me. I found Chance's reactions very believable, and it was easy to fall in love with these two as they fought for their lives. If you're looking for a holiday nail-biter--this is your book!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda is fleeing for her life ...and a bounty hunter is chasing her..all she wants is her freedom and to clear her name with the evidence. I never expected the ending...why would someone kill their own relative like that in such cold blood. I've been rooting for the growing romance between Chance and Amanda til the last pages..

[Sue Lauzon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the Love Inspired series of books can sometimes be a little heavy on the religious side, this was a pretty good book. There were a few things in the book that I just can't see logistically happening but it's fiction right? It's fast paced enough to keep you wanting to read to find out who did it.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, I did not want to stop reading. From the start to the finish it will get you spellbound!

Great characters! Loads of action and suspense, a really great read. I have not read any books by this author before, but will be looking for her now!

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The in medias re opening was a great set up, but I still felt Amanda and Chance's romance happened too quickly, especially since she was a relatively new widow. Most of the mystery of the killings was well played out, but I would have liked a bit more foreshadowing to really sell the ending.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book that did keep me in suspend. Once again I thought I had everything figured out and got almost to the end to fond out I didn't have it figured out after all. Another great read for me.

[Lonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plane sabotaged. Crashing in the Alaska wildness. Someone trying to kill them. This read like an action packed movie!

[4rocks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational yes, suspenseful no.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the suspense that was weaved. A great plot too. Diane Burke is a great author. I can see that now by reading her books.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew my mind the first time I read it but this time I was in a fit of pure delight. This is what I call good reading material.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the author proved herself again. Great twist of the story and the mystery keeps me guessing as who did it. Great read!

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118382

[Sara Herring]

ho-hum