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Storm Chaser

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The black funnel of an approaching tornado makes all other troubles seem small. But when Indiana State Trooper Chance Hamlin "rescues" Allie Craine from a twister, his troubles are just beginning. Allie, a disaster photographer, rescues him when he drives into the storm's path.

Chance doesn't like being rescued, he doesn't like photographers, and he definitely doesn't like being stuck with Allie when she wants to stay in calm, peaceful, Indiana. Too bad his family, friends, and even the other members of Chance’s volunteer fire department think she’s great. Suspicious of Allie’s motives, he decides to drive her away out of sheer boredom—but that’s not so easy when someone begins causing fires and other catastrophes around the area. That someone might be Allie, who has plans of her own...

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2011

7 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

About the author

Mark R. Hunter

16 books50 followers
Our newest book is Haunted Noble County, Indiana:

Noble County, Indiana, boasts small town charm, a State Park and lakes for recreation lovers, tourist attractions all year long … and ghosts.

The county’s only movie theater is patrolled by the well-known manager—who died in 1995. Two of the highest hills in the state are haunted, one after a hanging and another because of a murder immortalized by Indiana’s poet laureate. The sprawling Kneipp Sanitarium received a visit from the Virgin Mary herself, and became a battleground of good vs. evil. Then there’s The Thing in the Basement.

Join authors and historians Mark and Emily Hunter as they tour the dark and spooky corners of Noble County.


Our newest novel is the romantic comedy Coming Attractions:

Getting tackled at an Indiana drive-in movie theater is just the day's latest indignity for Maddie McKinley … but it’s certainly the low point. When she gets into the wrong van it brings a knee-jerk reaction from Logan Chandler, the father of the kids inside. Logan's embarrassed about roughing her up, but intrigued by the beautiful young woman from Boston, who arrived alone at the movies wearing an expensive dress.

Unfortunately, he’s the local businessman leading a battle to save the drive-in from developers—and she’s the disgraced attorney sent to make sure it’s torn down.

The legal battle sets them both on a path to redemption and each other, with the help of quirky friends and family who have them figured out long before they do. Also, with the help of coffee. Lots of coffee.

Earlier we published the romantic comedy Radio Red:

"Kirsten Veiss is setting a record for bad days: She’s broke, lost in rural Michigan, sunburned, and without transportation after her van hits a deer. When she hears a nearby radio personality making fun of the classical music she loves, it’s the last straw.

"Aaron Debolt just wants to bring classical to a wider audience, and he thinks a shock jock approach might do it. But he’s shocked himself when a sunburned, wild-eyed redhead bursts into the radio station late at night, brandishing—a tailpipe.

"Soon Aaron has his hands full in more ways than one, and Kirsten has a temporary on-air job under the name Radio Red. Now all they have to do is prove she’s not the one sabotaging the station’s operation. "

Before that came Hoosier Hysterical: How the West Became the Midwest Without Moving At All, a fun-poking look at Indiana history, celebrity, and trivia, with numerous illustrations and even more puns.

My novels, Storm Chaser and The Notorious Ian Grant, and a story collection, Storm Chaser Shorts, were published by Whiskey Creek Press/Start Publishing.

In 2013 my local history book, Smoky Days and Sleepless Nights, was released, and 2014 saw the publication of No Campfire, Girls, a humorous adventure story set in a girl's summer camp. In 2015 a collection of humor columns, Slightly Off the Mark, came out

For three decades I've been an emergency dispatcher for Noble County, Indiana. I served over 40 years as a volunteer for the Albion Fire Department, holding such positions as safety officer, training officer, secretary, and public information officer. I've also done public relations writing for the Noble County Relay For Life, among other organizations, and served two terms on the Albion Town Council. I had a local newspaper humor column for 25 years. When asked if I have any free time, I laugh hysterically.

Mark lives in Albion, Indiana, with his wife and editor Emily. He has two daughters and twin grandsons, and so naturally has written a children’s book. He can be found online at www.markrhunter.com.

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5 stars
16 (48%)
4 stars
13 (39%)
3 stars
2 (6%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
1 star
1 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Emily.
15 reviews5 followers
June 4, 2011
I'd like to preface this review by saying I'm not a romance reader - I'm a horror/thriller/fantasy junkie.

But I loved this freakin' book. I may be a little biased, too, but I loved the very first version I read of this book, and I love the final product even more.

The characters are well-rounded and varied - without having the 'grab bag' some novels tend to accrue - and they grow and progress through the novel. There are serious moments and themes, but they're balanced with fun, REAL actions and characters like Fran and Chance's family. Even the very minor characters all have a purpose and fit in nicely with the story - there is no character that you can point at and say, "oh, he's just there for X".

The plot progresses swiftly, and is broken down into easily digestible - and page-turning - chapters. It's an easy read, but it's not overly simplified, either. It's not just your typical romance. It's got some action packed in there, and underlying mystery. You want to keep reading because you just have to know what's going on and how it's going to end... and because the comic moments are making you laugh so hard.
Profile Image for D.M..
Author 8 books29 followers
February 2, 2014
'Storm Chaser' was written by Mark R Hunter. It is a romantic story about a Midwestern State Trooper and a photographer who chases storms, set in our modern times.

'Storm Chaser' is an easy-paced read. The author clearly defines the main characters and their relationship to each other and he takes a slow pace in developing their attraction to each other, giving the reader time to relate to the main characters. Mr. Hunter weaves storms throughout this romance, adding excitement and mystery into the romance. I learned quite a lot about weather from this book which I didn't expect to do.

The book begins with a storm and State Trooper Chance is following it, reporting on it when he sees a young female photographer, Allie. Allie is experienced in capturing storms through photographing them and the aftermath. As a matter of fact, she is well-known for her pictures. He mistakes her as someone much younger than she is and takes her in to the station. They are instantly drawn to one another, but one thing or another interferes with their attraction, which keeps the pace of the book at a nice read.

I enjoyed this book because of the relationship of Chance and Allie and because of learning about weather patterns. I loved Chance's mother and her ability to understand people so well. Each character in the book is a fun character to get to know.

Mark R Hunter writes casually and gives the reader a chance to absorb the important parts while enjoying the building romance. He takes us from Chance and Allie's first meeting into a book that involves other characters and their feelings and interactions with the two main characters.

This is a gentle romance read and anyone would enjoy it. It is easy to follow along and certainly well-written. You can't help but get attached to the characters. There are some surprises in the book, which made it very interesting. One thing I did notice is the author certainly has the Midwestern culture well-defined. It often gave me a chuckle, having been raised in the Midwest.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a sweet romance story, meeting characters that are unique. It is a book where the reader can't help but smile all the way through.
August 28, 2016
This was a pretty good read! It also went sort of fast for me but it was very good and I'd just like to say that I hope the author writes more like it!

This intriguing book stars a famous photographer named Allie (Allison.) Craine and a almost eternally suspicious state trooper by the name of Chance Hamlin, the book starts off interestingly enough by throwing the two main characters together using one of nature's most foreboding forces, a tornado.

The situations seem to begin to spin even further out of control when Allie sets out to make the small town of Hurricane Indiana her permanent home, everyone else in Chance's little town love's Allie and think the idea of her being around permanently would be a great idea. Chance on the other hand is so keen on the idea he can't help but question Allie's motives for wanting to remain in his home town.

Throughout the story Allie and Chance's budding relationship seems to build up and tear down faster than the formation of a tornado, Chance's issues with reporters and photographer tend to constantly get in the way of him having a life with the girl he's quickly coming to love. The characters continuous clashing seem to increase the enjoyment of the over all story for me.


I thought this was a very good read and I hope to read more by this author soon!
Profile Image for Cathy.
11 reviews2 followers
July 27, 2011
An exciting love story that takes place in rural Indiana. I normally do not read romance novels but the setting intrigued me. Being a photographer the cover pulled me in as well. The book is well written and full of action and suspense. It is not your stereotypical romance plot and I was thankful for that. The characters were well developed and I would love a sequel.
1 review
Read
July 19, 2011
This is a great book. It is like people you know and can relate to in real life. Romantic yet so exciting!! People that get a second chance in life and comes out on top. Wow!! You have to read this. Cannot wait until his next one comes out. Will buy them all!!!
Profile Image for Candace Smith.
Author 59 books36 followers
September 4, 2011
This is a thrilling romance set amidst tornadoes, emergencies and a stalker. The book flows well with believable tension and misunderstanding developing the characters and their relationship. Interwoven with humor and mystery, this book is a fun read.
Profile Image for Lisa Olsen.
Author 48 books341 followers
December 29, 2011
I was trying to classify this novel and found that it’s not easy to stick into a particular genre. The author Mark R. Hunter describes it as an action-adventure-romantic comedy-mystery, and I have to agree, that about sums it up, with a focus on romance. The story follows Allie Crane, who chases storms and other dangerous phenomena for her career as a freelance photographer, bringing her to a small town in Indiana. Chance Hamlin, the state trooper and quintessential “good guy”, suffers from his own set of preconceived notions of what a journalist from California is like. I found myself thinking of Pride and Prejudice, with the main girl being too proud to share her weaknesses with anyone and the man too prejudiced to accept her for who she was instead of who he assumed she might be. Of course Allie has just enough secrecy wrapped around her to send his imagination into overdrive, and all manner of miscommunications ensue.

This book was easy to pick up and hard to put down, and that’s saying a lot for someone like me who finds very little time to read! I knew from the first chapter I downloaded as a free preview that I wanted to read more, and I was glad when it finally came to Nook. The characters were engaging and had that rapid fire, witty repartee I tend to like. Chance and Allie had a combustible chemistry, and it was equally fun to watch them spark with conflict or simmer with heat depending on the mood. Allie was spunky and smart, just the kind of heroine I like to read, and she didn’t let Chance walk all over her as some heroines do in romances. I admit, I don’t know much about storms, fires or chemical spills, but it was obvious the author has done his homework with enough details to lend authenticity and keep things interesting without bogging us down with unnecessary minutiae. All in all, a very entertaining read!
Profile Image for Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews.
5,476 reviews178 followers
August 23, 2011
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...

Storm chasing, photographing the clouds, saving a man, and getting arrested... all in a days work for Allie. You'd think that Chance would be grateful for her help, but this stubborn, overly suspicious man isn't. What a way to make a first impression!

Allie isn't as young and fragile as she looks. All he had to do was look up her license plates, or check her ID to know she's not a runway teen. Chance is baffled when she talks about a degree, and all the things she's done...and he realizes his mistake. Much to his dismay, he's attracted to this drifter. But there's so much he doesn't know about her, though he can match her sense of adventure.

Storm Chaser starts out with a bang which continues throughout the book. The attraction between Allie and Chance is fiery, but every time they have a moment to themselves to act on it, something always happens. They always seem to be on the front lines of something -- a fire, a crazy animal...the list goes on! There's a bit of an added mystery to the plot when someone keeps watching Allie, and I wasn't sure why. Chance annoyed me a time or two because of his outright distrust. Sure, people have a right to be cautious, but some of the things he thought Allie was doing got to be a bit outrageous!

This is a great contemporary read. The characters are friendly and memorable. They all have their good moments and their quirks. The pacing is great, and I didn't find a part of the book that was too slow. It's an all around fun book.

If you enjoy contemporary romance with featuring a hero and heroine with a flare of adventure, then get yourself a copy of Storm Chaser, and get blown away by the great story.

Profile Image for Tricia Drammeh.
Author 28 books90 followers
January 15, 2015
Chance encounters Allie in the middle of a tornado, and at first, he mistakes her for an underage runaway. When he finds out she's a photographer who races to the scenes of disasters, he takes an instant disliking to her. Or does he? Even though Chance has some deep-seated issues with journalists, there's something about Allie that he's drawn to. Will a series of disasters and near-tragedies pull Allie and Chance closer together, or will they be torn apart?
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Storm Chaser is a mix of romance, humor, and mystery. It's full of quirky characters (Chance's mom and sis are a hoot) and pulse-racing action scenes. The main characters (Chance and Allie) are well-drawn and likable. While Allie is undeniably a thrill-seeker, Chance comes across as a very regimented, safety-conscious control-freak. And, yes, Chance does have some issues with control and protectiveness when it comes to his loved ones, but we soon discover there's more to him than meets the eye. One cannot be a police officer without taking risks, but Chance is more adventuresome than most. He's the first to volunteer for the most dangerous tasks, proving he's more like Allie than he cares to admit. Chance and Allie are perfect together, even though they might not see it at first. As a reader, it's a pleasure to watch these two characters overcome internal and external obstacles in order to find happiness with each other.
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This was a very enjoyable story I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Tracey Cramer-Kelly.
Author 49 books342 followers
December 17, 2011
There was never a time in this book when I felt the momentum flag - and that’s pretty unusual in my experience. Every event in the book had a purpose in moving the story forward or developing the characters. But if you are looking for lots of storm chasing (like the movie Twister) you might be disappointed; this story was definitely about Allie and Chance’s romance-to-be.

As an ex-Army paramedic and a writer who draws on those experiences, I especially enjoyed the emergency scenes (there’s a chemical spill and a fire). They weren’t overly technical, the human aspects were the focus, and they served to impact the character development.

Speaking of characters…the author managed to stay away from stereotypical characters for the most part (Chance was a little borderline). The klutzy private investigator was a stitch, as were some of the small-town residents.

The only thing that kept this book from being a five is that it wasn’t quite believable that Allie couldn’t admit to her secret to Chance … which really wasn’t a big secret at all (I don’t want to give it away here). Perhaps if there had been more background or current interaction with her father I might have been convinced … or if her father had turned out to be a terrible ogre when we finally ‘meet’ him for a few pages near the end…
Profile Image for Gwyn Weyant.
5 reviews5 followers
March 23, 2013
Chance a Indiana State police nearly runs over a female photographer while she is trying to take pictures of a Tornado.

That is the first of her many faults in Chance' s eyes being from California, hard headed and the prettiest little trouble maker he has ever seen are others..Only problem is she is hiding a secret and part of it she thinks she could be in love with the most arrogant, good looking man in the state, even if he is a cop.

Add small town neighbors a worried father and a major storm and you have the best romance ever written about the State of Indiana

Mark R. Hunter has done the area of Nobel county and the town of Albion very proud in his portrait of Indiana landscape. A very fun and well crafted book.
Profile Image for Lena Winfrey Hayat.
48 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2011
This novel was action-packed with loveable characters. The two main characters, Chance and Allie, come from different worlds and are always pitted against each other, yet this is what pushes them together. The novel is kept ablaze by Chance's risk-taking and Allie's secrets. The dialogue is engaging, and the humor keeps the tone light throughout their wild adventures. This addictive book is well worth the read and hard to put down!
74 reviews
July 2, 2021
Picked the book up because it was labeled a local author. I was surprised to read that the story takes place in From Wayne Indiana and northeast (Noble County) area. I live there and have been to all the small towns that were included in the book. Loved the story line and all the characters. Since I am from the area the book focused on, it was neat to truly picture the places/events. Great dialog and very believable!
Profile Image for Barbara  Daniels Dena.
627 reviews29 followers
May 20, 2024
Disappointed

I was disappointed in this book. I really thought I would read about the adventures or at least a few of this storm chaser's experiences built into the storyline. Not so. And the AI narration was all a monotone with no inflection, or emotions to the words, and many mispronounced words. I rarely do this but this book was a DNF for me.
Profile Image for Voirrey.
782 reviews8 followers
June 2, 2024

I read this and enjoyed it back when it was first released, before I joined Goodreads. But I was reminded of it recently and re-read. It is just as good the second time around :)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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