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The Past Came Hunting
"Donnell Ann Bell has crafted a beautifully written story of love and redemption, with a sizzling suspense at its core. The Past Came Hunting is a page turner!" -Kylie Brant, national bestselling author
"Donnell Ann Bell's debut novel The Past Came Hunting is a gripping read - a tale of love, deceit and facing down the sins of the past. A fast-moving and engrossing story, The Past Came Hunting will keep you up turning the pages. A thoroughly satisfying read!" -Jeanne Adams, award-winning suspense author
Shock made her numb.
It wasn't possible. How had she missed the connection? She hadn't thought of the man in years. The cop who'd arrested her, his name had been . . . Crandall.
Somehow Mel found the strength to look into his eyes. And when she did, she came face to face with what could only be a mutually shocked expression.
"You," she whispered.
"You," he replied.
Fifteen years ago a young Colorado Springs police officer arrested a teen runaway accused of aiding a convenience store robbery and attempted murder. She was innocent, but still served prison time briefly. Her testimony sent the real thief to jail for much longer. Now she's a young widow raising a son, and the man she put in prison is free and seeking revenge. She moves to a home in a new neighborhood-then learns that her next-door neighbor is the by-the-book officer who arrested her. Now he's a Colorado Springs P.D. Lieutenant. Like it or not, he may be the only one who can protect her and her son from the past he helped create.
Donnell Ann Bell is the recipient of numerous awards for her fiction writing and the co-owner of Crimescenewriters, a Yahoo group for mystery/suspense writers, which is 2,000 members strong. Donnell was raised in New Mexico's Land of Enchantment and today calls Colorado home. www.DonnellAnnBell.com
"Donnell Ann Bell's debut novel The Past Came Hunting is a gripping read - a tale of love, deceit and facing down the sins of the past. A fast-moving and engrossing story, The Past Came Hunting will keep you up turning the pages. A thoroughly satisfying read!" -Jeanne Adams, award-winning suspense author
Shock made her numb.
It wasn't possible. How had she missed the connection? She hadn't thought of the man in years. The cop who'd arrested her, his name had been . . . Crandall.
Somehow Mel found the strength to look into his eyes. And when she did, she came face to face with what could only be a mutually shocked expression.
"You," she whispered.
"You," he replied.
Fifteen years ago a young Colorado Springs police officer arrested a teen runaway accused of aiding a convenience store robbery and attempted murder. She was innocent, but still served prison time briefly. Her testimony sent the real thief to jail for much longer. Now she's a young widow raising a son, and the man she put in prison is free and seeking revenge. She moves to a home in a new neighborhood-then learns that her next-door neighbor is the by-the-book officer who arrested her. Now he's a Colorado Springs P.D. Lieutenant. Like it or not, he may be the only one who can protect her and her son from the past he helped create.
Donnell Ann Bell is the recipient of numerous awards for her fiction writing and the co-owner of Crimescenewriters, a Yahoo group for mystery/suspense writers, which is 2,000 members strong. Donnell was raised in New Mexico's Land of Enchantment and today calls Colorado home. www.DonnellAnnBell.com
260 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2011
111 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Donnell Ann Bell
9 books129 followersI grew up in the 4-Corners area, in the city of Farmington, New Mexico. I love New Mexico, and am influenced by its rich Hispanic and Native American culture, and will bring some of this knowledge to future work. I also love Colorado of which I was a resident for thirty plus years.
Since my debut in 2010, I've added five more books and am currently hard at working on number seven.
I'm passionate about suspense and storytelling. I hope you'll join me as I write around the theme *SUSPENSE TOO CLOSE TO HOME*
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 24, 2015
I know I can be hard to please sometimes especially if I spend hard earned money on a book that should never have been published. And I've read enough books to know there are plenty of stories out there that fit into this category. That said, I really enjoyed Ms. Bell's debut novel. Knocking off a half star for some editing issues, she did a fine job.
THE PAST CAME HUNTING is about two people with a history. Fifteen years ago Melanie Daniels was a much younger and naive girl with a chip on her shoulder. She got caught in the crossfire between a man she had just met and the law. Though innocent of the crime, she paid and served time in prison. Now known as Melanie Norris, she is just trying to live her life one day at a time. And she has a son, Luke, who means everything to her.
Lieutenant Joe Crandall was a novice cop when he arrested Melanie years before. A single parent, he now not only finds himself living near the woman, his son is best friends with her teenager. Tension starts their relationship. Neither wants to be near the other but their sons' friendship keeps causing them to meet. Maybe each person has changed.
Several secondary stories up the ante with some well-developed suspense. Is this introduction to Ms. Bell's writing like a Karen Rose or Julia Spencer-Fleming novel? No, but it is a wonderful start. If you enjoy a mild thriller with a dollop of good chemistry between the hero and heroine try this pleasing story. Okay, Ms. Bell, when is your next book coming out?
THE PAST CAME HUNTING is about two people with a history. Fifteen years ago Melanie Daniels was a much younger and naive girl with a chip on her shoulder. She got caught in the crossfire between a man she had just met and the law. Though innocent of the crime, she paid and served time in prison. Now known as Melanie Norris, she is just trying to live her life one day at a time. And she has a son, Luke, who means everything to her.
Lieutenant Joe Crandall was a novice cop when he arrested Melanie years before. A single parent, he now not only finds himself living near the woman, his son is best friends with her teenager. Tension starts their relationship. Neither wants to be near the other but their sons' friendship keeps causing them to meet. Maybe each person has changed.
Several secondary stories up the ante with some well-developed suspense. Is this introduction to Ms. Bell's writing like a Karen Rose or Julia Spencer-Fleming novel? No, but it is a wonderful start. If you enjoy a mild thriller with a dollop of good chemistry between the hero and heroine try this pleasing story. Okay, Ms. Bell, when is your next book coming out?
October 31, 2011
Melanie is a 17 year old run away who first makes the mistake of hitching a ride with a trucker who tries to rape her so she jumps out of the moving truck and then she gets picked up by Drake a college boy who she does drugs with but then finds out he is a sociopath when he robs a convenience store and is going to kill the clerk. She was arrested, tried as an adult and given a lighter sentence for testifying against Drake but she still has to do prison time. Then its 15 years later, Melanie is a widow and moving her and her son to a new town. Her son who is having a hard time adjusting see's a boy his age next door at one of the houses they are looking to buy and immediately forms a bond so Melanie decides to buy the house. As it turns out the neighbor boy's father is Joe the officer that arrested her. When they figure out who the other is neither is happy about this situation because there 2 boys have become like brothers. In the meantime Drake has served his 15 years in prison and is releases with vengeance on his mind.
I could not put this book down until I finished it. The story is incredible. The only warning I give is the heat level of the book. This author does not write detailed love scenes but that didnt take away from the romance between Mel and Joe.. So if your ready for a good story with great characters and need a break from erotica read this book.
I could not put this book down until I finished it. The story is incredible. The only warning I give is the heat level of the book. This author does not write detailed love scenes but that didnt take away from the romance between Mel and Joe.. So if your ready for a good story with great characters and need a break from erotica read this book.
October 24, 2011
This book is what romantic suspense should be and usually isn't. The plot and the conflict are believable, the characters stay in character, and the villain is perfectly twisted. It's a non-stop roller coaster that alternates between internal and external factors, between the romance and the suspense. I don't retell a story in a review. You can read the synopsis. All I can say is Ms. Bell has written a masterpiece of the genre, and I highly recommend it.
March 29, 2015
Original and Gripping Romantic Suspense
Melanie Daniels Norris is not the typical romantic protagonist. She’s an ex-con who has started over and successfully turned her life around. Then her past hits her all at once, from the release of the psychopath she testified against to an unexpected encounter with the cop who arrested her when she was seventeen. She’s now the widowed stepmother of teenager, and this sudden re-immersion in the troubles she hoped she left behind is the last thing she needs. Melanie has to fight for her safety and her stepson’s safety, just when she’d hoped that love and stability and a normal life were in reach. Bell shows varied points of view in exactly the right balance to create the maximum tension in both the romance plot and the suspense plot. Both elements of the story are interwoven fluidly, and the ending is a knock-out. The way Bell works Melanie’s past in prison into the crisis scene is perfect. I like finding an author I can count on. This is the second one of Donnell Bell’s books I’ve read, and I can say I’m a confirmed fan and look forward to reading more.
Melanie Daniels Norris is not the typical romantic protagonist. She’s an ex-con who has started over and successfully turned her life around. Then her past hits her all at once, from the release of the psychopath she testified against to an unexpected encounter with the cop who arrested her when she was seventeen. She’s now the widowed stepmother of teenager, and this sudden re-immersion in the troubles she hoped she left behind is the last thing she needs. Melanie has to fight for her safety and her stepson’s safety, just when she’d hoped that love and stability and a normal life were in reach. Bell shows varied points of view in exactly the right balance to create the maximum tension in both the romance plot and the suspense plot. Both elements of the story are interwoven fluidly, and the ending is a knock-out. The way Bell works Melanie’s past in prison into the crisis scene is perfect. I like finding an author I can count on. This is the second one of Donnell Bell’s books I’ve read, and I can say I’m a confirmed fan and look forward to reading more.
January 17, 2013
Coincidences, coincidences, coincidences. This story is built on coincidences. One, after another, after another. The main characters are shallow and superficial, not to mention stubborn, self-conscious, and absolutely frustrating. The dialogue is in some parts completely unbelievable (that is definitely not how gang members or ex-cons talk!), and in others totally sappy. You get about 50 chapters of build-up for a climax that ends before it even begins. The writing is sometimes awkward, and over-peppered with exhaustive cliches. And the storyline? Ugh. I really don't understand all the positive reviews for this book. I only finished it out of respect for the author's writing it. Skip this one.
May 13, 2021
I stumbled across this in Romantic suspense and I don't think any of my friends had reviewed it so I said I would give it a shot.
The writing style was quite good and I really liked the build up for these two characters to reconnect. The angst was plausible. The suspense element was a bit soap operaish and while the writing wasn't bad it had a dated feel bordering on cheesy near the end.
I felt the hero could have fought more for the heroine. Also last grumble but the sex scenes were all fade to black which was disappointing as there was a nice bit of chemistry going on.
The writing style was quite good and I really liked the build up for these two characters to reconnect. The angst was plausible. The suspense element was a bit soap operaish and while the writing wasn't bad it had a dated feel bordering on cheesy near the end.
I felt the hero could have fought more for the heroine. Also last grumble but the sex scenes were all fade to black which was disappointing as there was a nice bit of chemistry going on.
March 31, 2012
I just finished this absolutely amazing book. OMG, it was so good!! I will have the full review up soon....just because you all need to read this one too.
My Review:
From the moment I started this book, until I finished it, it was almost painful to set this book down. It was so good (and it was probably not a very good idea for me to start it the morning of my husband's birthday, since I kept having to sneak "just one more chapter"...LOL.)
Everything about the writing and the story of this book completely sucked me in.
One bad choice at age 17 changed the future of Melanie's life forever. She ended up being sent to prison as an adult as an accomplice for a crime that she didn't commit. Her crime...running away from a bad home situation, hitchhiking with the wrong guy, leaping out of a moving truck to avoid rape, getting in the car with a charming good-looking guy who wanted to help her but who was, in actuality a criminal who committed murder while she was in the bathroom at the convenience store. She came out and tried to stop him and instead got 5 years in prison as his accomplice after she was forced and scared into a plea bargain. At 17, she didn't have the resources or knowledge to fight back so she went to prison as an adult for a crime that she didn't commit and became branded a felon for the rest of her life.
It's been 15 years since that day and Melanie has completely turned her life around. Everyone who ever knew her when she was part of the Dept of Corrections realized that she never belonged there and they worked to help her start anew when she was released after 9 months served. Now the good-looking charmer, Maxwell, is being released from prison and he has vowed to kill her in revenge for her testimony against him. As a result, the former warden of her prison has helped her relocate and basically "hide" so that maybe he won't be able to find her. What neither of them realize when they move her is that she's moved right in next door to her arresting officer, Joe. She was his first violent bust and he's carried the scar ever since, but by the time he realizes who she is, their boys are well on their way to being best friends. (It's really not as complicated as it sounds...)
Joe is appalled when he realizes who's moved in next door and who his son is hanging out with, and immediately wants Melanie and her son out. But it doesn't take long for him to realize that Melanie is not who he always assumed she was.
There were so many incredible layers to this story. The heartbreak of what happened to Melanie. The incredible characters of both Melanie and Joe (I loved both of them.) The friendship between their boys...Luke and Matt (both the only sophomores on the varsity basketball team.) The suspense of Maxwell working in the background, fully planning to kill Melanie as soon as he locates her. This is a FULLY developed story which was just a joy to read because you feel like you are a living part of this story, not reading a book. It was just so incredibly well-written. There was not a single part of it that I didn't like.
A word of advice: if you enjoy Romantic Suspense, then you NEED to add this one to your TBR pile NOW!
My Review:
From the moment I started this book, until I finished it, it was almost painful to set this book down. It was so good (and it was probably not a very good idea for me to start it the morning of my husband's birthday, since I kept having to sneak "just one more chapter"...LOL.)
Everything about the writing and the story of this book completely sucked me in.
One bad choice at age 17 changed the future of Melanie's life forever. She ended up being sent to prison as an adult as an accomplice for a crime that she didn't commit. Her crime...running away from a bad home situation, hitchhiking with the wrong guy, leaping out of a moving truck to avoid rape, getting in the car with a charming good-looking guy who wanted to help her but who was, in actuality a criminal who committed murder while she was in the bathroom at the convenience store. She came out and tried to stop him and instead got 5 years in prison as his accomplice after she was forced and scared into a plea bargain. At 17, she didn't have the resources or knowledge to fight back so she went to prison as an adult for a crime that she didn't commit and became branded a felon for the rest of her life.
It's been 15 years since that day and Melanie has completely turned her life around. Everyone who ever knew her when she was part of the Dept of Corrections realized that she never belonged there and they worked to help her start anew when she was released after 9 months served. Now the good-looking charmer, Maxwell, is being released from prison and he has vowed to kill her in revenge for her testimony against him. As a result, the former warden of her prison has helped her relocate and basically "hide" so that maybe he won't be able to find her. What neither of them realize when they move her is that she's moved right in next door to her arresting officer, Joe. She was his first violent bust and he's carried the scar ever since, but by the time he realizes who she is, their boys are well on their way to being best friends. (It's really not as complicated as it sounds...)
Joe is appalled when he realizes who's moved in next door and who his son is hanging out with, and immediately wants Melanie and her son out. But it doesn't take long for him to realize that Melanie is not who he always assumed she was.
There were so many incredible layers to this story. The heartbreak of what happened to Melanie. The incredible characters of both Melanie and Joe (I loved both of them.) The friendship between their boys...Luke and Matt (both the only sophomores on the varsity basketball team.) The suspense of Maxwell working in the background, fully planning to kill Melanie as soon as he locates her. This is a FULLY developed story which was just a joy to read because you feel like you are a living part of this story, not reading a book. It was just so incredibly well-written. There was not a single part of it that I didn't like.
A word of advice: if you enjoy Romantic Suspense, then you NEED to add this one to your TBR pile NOW!
February 5, 2012
This is the summary off the back of the book.
Fifteen years ago a young Colorado Springs police officer arrested a teen runaway accused of aiding a convenience store robbery and attempted murder. She was innocent, but still served prison time briefly. Her testimony sent the real thief to jail for much longer. Now she’s a young widow raising a son, and the man she put in prison is free and seeking revenge.
She moves to a home in a new neighborhood—then learns that her next-door neighbor is the by-the-book officer who arrested her. Now he’s a Colorado Springs P.D. Lieutenant. Like it or not, he may be the only one who can protect her and her son from the past he helped create.
This is what I think of the book.
This book was a real surprise, I expected good but this was franticly good. The story was a tapestry of lives that came together for different reasons and was fascinating to watch it all play out. The plot built slowly and played out just as slowly and that made it all the more enjoyable. Nothing it hurried and it worked beautifully, it meant I could really get to know the main players.
The back and forth between Mel and her neighbour was frustrating and at times funny, just because they tried so hard to hold on to the old memories of how the other person was 15 years ago and take a long time to reconcile the person they see before them and the attraction felt. This book is one of the best I have read of it's genre in a long time and I think it will take an awful lot to top it. If you only read one romantic suspense book this year make it this one and you wont be disappointed I certainly wasn't.
This book was reviewed for Musings of a bookworm
Fifteen years ago a young Colorado Springs police officer arrested a teen runaway accused of aiding a convenience store robbery and attempted murder. She was innocent, but still served prison time briefly. Her testimony sent the real thief to jail for much longer. Now she’s a young widow raising a son, and the man she put in prison is free and seeking revenge.
She moves to a home in a new neighborhood—then learns that her next-door neighbor is the by-the-book officer who arrested her. Now he’s a Colorado Springs P.D. Lieutenant. Like it or not, he may be the only one who can protect her and her son from the past he helped create.
This is what I think of the book.
This book was a real surprise, I expected good but this was franticly good. The story was a tapestry of lives that came together for different reasons and was fascinating to watch it all play out. The plot built slowly and played out just as slowly and that made it all the more enjoyable. Nothing it hurried and it worked beautifully, it meant I could really get to know the main players.
The back and forth between Mel and her neighbour was frustrating and at times funny, just because they tried so hard to hold on to the old memories of how the other person was 15 years ago and take a long time to reconcile the person they see before them and the attraction felt. This book is one of the best I have read of it's genre in a long time and I think it will take an awful lot to top it. If you only read one romantic suspense book this year make it this one and you wont be disappointed I certainly wasn't.
This book was reviewed for Musings of a bookworm
October 20, 2011
Page-Turning Suspense, Realistic Conflict
Donnell Ann Bell’s THE PAST CAME HUNTING ranks as one of the best romantic suspense novels I’ve read in recent years. The fact that it’s her debut novel makes that feat all the more impressive. What makes it so good? Both heroine and hero struggle with very realistic competing claims on their affection and sense of duty. Plus the villain is everyone’s nightmare—smart, calculating, handsome, evil, and intent on revenge for the 15 years he’s spent in prison—time he believes he’d never have served if the heroine had kept her mouth shut.
Too often (for my taste) the relationship roadblocks in romantic suspense seem contrived or the result of silly misunderstandings. Not so with THE PAST CAME HUNTING, Melanie, the heroine, is a wrongly-convicted felon who’s served a brief stint in prison. The hero cop, Joe, arrested her and sports a healthy scar as a reminder. Both have teenage sons who mean the world to them, and Joe’s bucking for a promotion. When Melanie buys the house next door to Joe and their sons become inseparable, the reader joins the couple on a roller-coaster ride of attraction and distrust. Now layer these tensions with the villain Drake’s determination to track down the heroine and make her pay for testifying against him, and you have one humdinger of a page turner. I highly recommend this novel.
Donnell Ann Bell’s THE PAST CAME HUNTING ranks as one of the best romantic suspense novels I’ve read in recent years. The fact that it’s her debut novel makes that feat all the more impressive. What makes it so good? Both heroine and hero struggle with very realistic competing claims on their affection and sense of duty. Plus the villain is everyone’s nightmare—smart, calculating, handsome, evil, and intent on revenge for the 15 years he’s spent in prison—time he believes he’d never have served if the heroine had kept her mouth shut.
Too often (for my taste) the relationship roadblocks in romantic suspense seem contrived or the result of silly misunderstandings. Not so with THE PAST CAME HUNTING, Melanie, the heroine, is a wrongly-convicted felon who’s served a brief stint in prison. The hero cop, Joe, arrested her and sports a healthy scar as a reminder. Both have teenage sons who mean the world to them, and Joe’s bucking for a promotion. When Melanie buys the house next door to Joe and their sons become inseparable, the reader joins the couple on a roller-coaster ride of attraction and distrust. Now layer these tensions with the villain Drake’s determination to track down the heroine and make her pay for testifying against him, and you have one humdinger of a page turner. I highly recommend this novel.
December 16, 2013
Really enjoyed this book as an audio book.
Liked the way the hero and heroine weren't joined at the hip and it took time for their feelings to grow. I had no problem with coincidences. I thought that was part of the story.The kids were believable and helpful in the story. I totally was prepared to give it the whole 5 star except for the following.
Spoiler:
Liked the way the hero and heroine weren't joined at the hip and it took time for their feelings to grow. I had no problem with coincidences. I thought that was part of the story.The kids were believable and helpful in the story. I totally was prepared to give it the whole 5 star except for the following.
Spoiler:
December 16, 2012
Romantic thriller at its best! The story starts with a bang and holds you in a trance until the end. The characters—the good, bad, and ugly—are all well rounded with their own unique voices. The scenes were so well crafted, I felt as though I stood on the periphery watching it all unfold. Although romance is the central theme, there’s plenty of thrill to keep the plot moving along at a fast pace. I too found it difficult to believe that this was Ms. Bell’s debut novel. She’s a very talented writer, and I look forward to what she has in store next.
October 20, 2011
My kind of story. Well writen, fast paced full of danger and a heart touching relationship. Ms. Bell built mountains for her hero and herione to overcome, lead the to the top and made them start all over again.
I don't do spoilers but will bet money Ms. Bell has a wonderful relationship with her children. It comes across nicely in her story.
I don't do spoilers but will bet money Ms. Bell has a wonderful relationship with her children. It comes across nicely in her story.
October 28, 2011
Very interesting hero and heroine. He's a cop. She's an ex-con. Twist? He was the cop who arrested her at age 17.
I really liked this book. Good writing. Good storytelling. I liked how the hero and heroine didn't fall into immediate love or lust and had to work very hard to overcome suspicion and mistrust.
Recommend
I really liked this book. Good writing. Good storytelling. I liked how the hero and heroine didn't fall into immediate love or lust and had to work very hard to overcome suspicion and mistrust.
Recommend
March 31, 2012
Saw it on Amazon and after reading a small sample, I bought it. Now, all I need is the spare time to read it.
Finished reading "The Past Came Hunting" today and loved it. Wonderful debut novel. The suspense and plot twists kept me reading until the early morning hours. I highly recommend it to all romantic suspense readers.
Finished reading "The Past Came Hunting" today and loved it. Wonderful debut novel. The suspense and plot twists kept me reading until the early morning hours. I highly recommend it to all romantic suspense readers.
July 10, 2012
Loved this book!! A thriller and mystery all at the same time and full of wonderfully developed characters. I can't wait to read her next novel.
February 18, 2014
The Past Came Hunting is Donnell Ann Bell's debut novel and is set in one of my favorite places--Colorado Springs. This romantic suspense sneaks up on a reader. Ms. Bell's writing style is easy and smooth, lulling the reader in with a sense of place and...normalcy. And then you realize it's 2 a.m. and you have work the next morning. From the back of the book:
Fifteen years ago a young Colorado Springs police officer arrested a teen runaway accused of aiding a convenience store robbery and attempted murder. She was innocent, but still served prison time briefly. Her testimony sent the real thief to jail for much longer. Now she's a young widow raising a son, and the man she put in prison is free and seeking revenge. She moves to a home in a new neighborhood--then learns that her next-door neighbor is the by-the-book officer who arrested her. Now he's a Colorado Springs P.D. Lieutenant. Like it or not, he may be the only who can protect her and her son from the past he helped create.
Melanie Norris moves from Canon City to Colorado Springs after the death of her husband, a prison guard. Her adopted son, Luke, is 15 and becomes best friends with the kid next door, Matt Crandall--LT Joe Crandall's son. Once Joe realizes who Luke's mother is, sparks fly.
The romance is handled realistically and the suspense is taut--even though the reader sees the writing on the wall. It's that waiting for the other shoe to drop that ratchets up the tension. Well worth the read!
Fifteen years ago a young Colorado Springs police officer arrested a teen runaway accused of aiding a convenience store robbery and attempted murder. She was innocent, but still served prison time briefly. Her testimony sent the real thief to jail for much longer. Now she's a young widow raising a son, and the man she put in prison is free and seeking revenge. She moves to a home in a new neighborhood--then learns that her next-door neighbor is the by-the-book officer who arrested her. Now he's a Colorado Springs P.D. Lieutenant. Like it or not, he may be the only who can protect her and her son from the past he helped create.
Melanie Norris moves from Canon City to Colorado Springs after the death of her husband, a prison guard. Her adopted son, Luke, is 15 and becomes best friends with the kid next door, Matt Crandall--LT Joe Crandall's son. Once Joe realizes who Luke's mother is, sparks fly.
The romance is handled realistically and the suspense is taut--even though the reader sees the writing on the wall. It's that waiting for the other shoe to drop that ratchets up the tension. Well worth the read!
February 5, 2017
What a tale!
What a build up for suspense. I loved the lead characters and the emotional ride of getting past their history was so well handled that I was completely sucked in. As the villain did his thing, the author crafted the story so even when he was no where near our leading lady, he made me nervous!
The thing that let it down was the editing/engineering of the narration. There were repeated segments, some blank spaces of silence, and no pause for even a breath between the end of one chapter and the start of the next. It was like punctuation took a random holiday in some places (though not often enough to become very irritating).
Really great story - The suspense was terrific. The romance was perfect. The characters were lovable. I'll be looking out for this author again!
What a build up for suspense. I loved the lead characters and the emotional ride of getting past their history was so well handled that I was completely sucked in. As the villain did his thing, the author crafted the story so even when he was no where near our leading lady, he made me nervous!
The thing that let it down was the editing/engineering of the narration. There were repeated segments, some blank spaces of silence, and no pause for even a breath between the end of one chapter and the start of the next. It was like punctuation took a random holiday in some places (though not often enough to become very irritating).
Really great story - The suspense was terrific. The romance was perfect. The characters were lovable. I'll be looking out for this author again!
October 25, 2013
'The Past Came Hunting' is a fast paced suspense/romance novel. In this captivating story, a young woman making a few bad choices is wrongly accused and ended up in prison. Will this continue to haunt her seventeen years later? She now has more than herself to worry about. Should she keep her dark secret or trust love and family ties?
This never allows the reader a moment of restless boredom. It would be great for an older teen except for profanity and sexually descriptive situations. However, a few good points were made for discussion in book clubs and with ones teenagers. Although fictional, this often happens in real life.
This story emphasizes often results of bad choices, of revenge, redemption, forgiveness, judgement, loyal friendship, and trust.
The action never ceases.
There were a few grammatical errors and I feel the cover could have better reflected the story but this still does not deflect a five stars rating.
As much as I detest profanity and sexual descriptiveness, the writing, story line subject and "flow" of this novel definitely deems a Five Stars rating.
I was sent this by the author for an honest review, of which I have given.
This never allows the reader a moment of restless boredom. It would be great for an older teen except for profanity and sexually descriptive situations. However, a few good points were made for discussion in book clubs and with ones teenagers. Although fictional, this often happens in real life.
This story emphasizes often results of bad choices, of revenge, redemption, forgiveness, judgement, loyal friendship, and trust.
The action never ceases.
There were a few grammatical errors and I feel the cover could have better reflected the story but this still does not deflect a five stars rating.
As much as I detest profanity and sexual descriptiveness, the writing, story line subject and "flow" of this novel definitely deems a Five Stars rating.
I was sent this by the author for an honest review, of which I have given.
August 11, 2012
The Past Came Hunting is Donnell Ann Bell's first published work, and it is a wonderful mix of romance, suspense, family relationships and good vs. evil. Set in Colorado Springs, Ms. Bell's knowledge of the interior workings of a local police department really shine in her hero, Joe Crandall. Joe is a police lieutenant climbing the ladder for a promotion. He is dedicated to his job and often feels guilty about not spending enough time with his teenage son. Enter Melanie and her teenage son, Joe's new neighbors. The boys hit it off with their love for basketball, and Joe and Mel are in for quite a shock when they realize they know each other--Joe arrested Mel several years ago when she was a teenager. The sparks fly between these two as they struggle to put the past behind them and embark on a new relationship, while a threat to Mel's life looms close in the form of a villian bent on seeking revenge against her. Truly an enjoyable read, I can't wait to see what Ms. Bell has in store for us with her next work.
August 16, 2012
Absolutely a delightful read. Melanie made some bad decisions in her teens (didn't we all?), but she also paid her dues. But fate throws her back in the path of the man who arrested her. And that's not all fate throws at her.
What I liked about this book: the escalating drama felt real. When something happened, you didn't think, "Yeah, right." The characters felt real, and the relationships between Joe and his son, and Melanie and her son, all rang true for me.
This may mark me as a prude, but I was happy that the sex didn't happen too quickly in the relationship (let that tension build!), and the scenes weren't described to the nth detail. I have an imagination in good working order, thank you very much.
I'm eagerly awaiting Donnell's next book, which I happen to know she's writing the ending for as I write this.
What I liked about this book: the escalating drama felt real. When something happened, you didn't think, "Yeah, right." The characters felt real, and the relationships between Joe and his son, and Melanie and her son, all rang true for me.
This may mark me as a prude, but I was happy that the sex didn't happen too quickly in the relationship (let that tension build!), and the scenes weren't described to the nth detail. I have an imagination in good working order, thank you very much.
I'm eagerly awaiting Donnell's next book, which I happen to know she's writing the ending for as I write this.
June 3, 2012
Suspenseful and Solid. . .A real page-turner! I liked the thought of such a crazy coincidence happening, and then the characters working through their disbelief and past conflict. The author's ability to get into the "heads" of two teenage boys as characters in the book was also very well-done. I wanted there to be a little more at the moment when Melanie and Joe meet up after being separated, but it was more realistic as it was written. The bad guys were bad, and the cop was portrayed in a good light. He was a hero I-- that is, I mean, the heroine-- could really fall in love with. I am looking forward to more from this author.
February 2, 2012
Donnell Ann Bell's debut is such a fun read. Her characters are well-fleshed out and leap off the page. The suspense has excellent pacing and the love story is satisfying. LOVE her hero, Joe. The conflict keeps you turning the page to see what happens next. The best part of this story is that the author surprises you all throughout the book. Every time you expect a cliche, she has the characters do something just a little bit different than you expected. I look forward to her future books. Great debut.
February 16, 2012
I liked this book.The characters were really well developed, and the story was romantic and suspenseful with a little humor mixed in. I loved the family dynamics in this story, it showed how a single mom, with a full time mom takes care of her kid and then how a single dad with a full time job as a cop struggles to be there for his son and do the job he loves. I loved the fact that I felt like I really knew the characters and their values. This book kept me reading from page one, I was never bored.
March 13, 2013
I haven't read many romance, suspense books that have gripped me like this one did but i didn't want to put the book down, it was very intriguing to see the difference in Mel at the start of the book and then how she is once we meet her again once she is older, then there is the changing relationship between Joe and Mel we see through the book, how we see things from different characters in the book either briefly or longer to give us insight into there life or thoughts. A well written book that was a very enjoyable read.
April 18, 2012
I really enjoyed this debut romantic suspense by Donnell Bell - it's a perfect mix of suspense and not-too-saccharin romance. The characters are believable (the "bad guy" is want-to-smack-him nasty) and the suspense is not in your face until the perfect spot for it in the story. If you want to root for a really worthy heroine and fall in love with a great Cop Hero -- I highly recommend this book. A great bedtime or back deck read!
December 26, 2011
Love is far more powerful than evil, a fact that is beautifully illustrated in Donnell Ann Bell's stunningly suspenseful debut novel. Her characters bloom to life on every page, and the writing is crisp and sharp. By the end I was flipping the pages like a crazy person. This book is a winner in all respects. I look forward to reading many more of her mysteries.
March 6, 2012
Thanks, Ms. Bell, for my sleepless night last night turning the pages of your debut novel. I absolutely loved this book--loved the chemistry between Joe and Melanie--loved the suspense when a blast from the past comes looking for Melanie to settle a score. I tried reading slower so the book wouldn't end, but it didn't work. Sigh! For sure, I will be anxiously awaiting this author's next book.
May 3, 2012
While I liked the concept of this novel, I didn't enjoy the book itself nearly as much. The pacing was too slow for my taste (the addition of the son's POV didn't add anything to the story and really slowed it down) and a "reveal" 3/4 of the way thru had me turning my Kindle off (which is the equivalent of throwing a book across the room).
December 23, 2012
This novel was a pleasure to read because I really cared about the characters and what happened to them. The main villain is believable and the hero comes across as a normal, everyday cop. The heroine, a young woman who has paid for her past, is almost too nice but not enough to spoil anything for me!
An excellent read, worth the cost and I recommend it!
An excellent read, worth the cost and I recommend it!
January 31, 2017
A gripping story with a lot of heart. Mel and Joe are interesting characters, each with their own history. Drawn together, yet kept apart by circumstance. Drake is a twisted bad guy with revenge on his mind. The story builds consistently to the tense ending. And it was fun to see familiar aspects of my home town in this book!
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