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Doubtful #1
Doubtful
Doubtful Sound, New Zealand.
For Dr. Van Peters, Doubtful is a retreat and a possible new beginning after a false accusation all but ends her scientific career. For journalist David Christianson, Doubtful is a place of respite after a personal tragedy is followed by an unwelcome notoriety. Neither is looking for love or even friendship. Both want only to make it through another day. But when violence comes to Doubtful, Van and David’s only chance of survival will be each other.
For Dr. Van Peters, Doubtful is a retreat and a possible new beginning after a false accusation all but ends her scientific career. For journalist David Christianson, Doubtful is a place of respite after a personal tragedy is followed by an unwelcome notoriety. Neither is looking for love or even friendship. Both want only to make it through another day. But when violence comes to Doubtful, Van and David’s only chance of survival will be each other.
260 pages, ebook
First published April 29, 2013
93 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Ann Warner
36 books95 followersA former Air Force brat turned clinical chemist, toxicologist, and university professor, Ann's life took another turn in 2001, when she began writing fiction. After completing a perfectly dreadful novel (she didn't know it was at the time) she talked her way into a graduate writing seminar and followed that up with several years of study as she continued to write. Along the way she made friends with other writers who have supported, critiqued, and eventually praised her novels. Her debut novel, Dreams for Stones, was a finalist for the Indie Next Generation Book Award.
Ann's novels take advantage of the many unusual settings she's traveled to or lived in including New Zealand, Australia, Peru, San Francisco, Wrangell Alaska, Colorado, Boston, and Puerto Rico. As well, her experiences as a toxicologist have added fillips of intrigue to many of her stories.
In Ann's novels, the consequence of choosing to love or not to love is an underlying theme, as characters face crises and complications that force them to dig deep within themselves to discover their own resilience.
Ann has a readers' group. Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/dctGuf
Members of the group will receive a link to a short story along with insider information about Ann's writing process, the stories behind the stories, and recommendations of books Ann has enjoyed.
Contacts for Ann:
Website http://annwarner.net/
Readers' Group Sign-up http://eepurl.com/dctGuf
Email Contact http://annwarner.net/contact-ann/
Facebook Ann Warner Author of Emotionally Engaging Fiction
Ann's novels take advantage of the many unusual settings she's traveled to or lived in including New Zealand, Australia, Peru, San Francisco, Wrangell Alaska, Colorado, Boston, and Puerto Rico. As well, her experiences as a toxicologist have added fillips of intrigue to many of her stories.
In Ann's novels, the consequence of choosing to love or not to love is an underlying theme, as characters face crises and complications that force them to dig deep within themselves to discover their own resilience.
Ann has a readers' group. Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/dctGuf
Members of the group will receive a link to a short story along with insider information about Ann's writing process, the stories behind the stories, and recommendations of books Ann has enjoyed.
Contacts for Ann:
Website http://annwarner.net/
Readers' Group Sign-up http://eepurl.com/dctGuf
Email Contact http://annwarner.net/contact-ann/
Facebook Ann Warner Author of Emotionally Engaging Fiction
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 29, 2021
Doubtful is by Anne Warner. This delightful novel is about second chances as well as a kidnapping. betrayal, loyalty, love, friendship and drugs. It is also about “stopping and smelling the roses” in your life.
David Christianson had been given his orders by his boss at TERRA. Take a vacation or get fired. He was a renowned reporter and had been all over the world reporting. His wife had been unhappy at his being gone so much while she was left to raise their son and daughter. When he was home, he was a wonderful father; but she didn’t think so. After the kids were grown, she finally met someone else and wanted a divorce. He had gone over to the house to discuss the divorce and things got hot so he left. After he left, something started a fire and she fell down the stairs going to see what it was, or that was the theory. Some people thought he had caused the fire. Either way, he was distraught and finally his boss gave him the ultimatum. He had even picked out the place, Doubtful Cove where there was a small scientific community so he wouldn’t be bothered. Thus, David found himself alone in a cabin in what he termed the “wilderness”.
Dr. Van Peters was working in Doubtful. It was the only place she could get a job after her horrible court case where she was accused of leaking information to the press about a celebrity patient. She lost her home, her job, her reputation. She was working here until she could decide what to do next. The very last thing she wanted was to have anything to do with the press and that is what David Christianson was. However, they were thrown together at meals and on walks once Ian, the manager, had determined that no one should go into the woods alone. This was after they determined someone was out there stealing and disturbing things. Since they were the only two who did any hiking, they were thrown together.
One afternoon, as they were heading home after picking vegetation, they were accosted on the path by William Morrison, who had been in Doubtful until recently posing as a guest. He kidnapped them at gunpoint and took them to a yacht where they headed out to sea. Here, he planned to drop them off on a small island, give them a head start, and then hunt them. Anything to give him pleasure and to protect his work.
David Christianson had been given his orders by his boss at TERRA. Take a vacation or get fired. He was a renowned reporter and had been all over the world reporting. His wife had been unhappy at his being gone so much while she was left to raise their son and daughter. When he was home, he was a wonderful father; but she didn’t think so. After the kids were grown, she finally met someone else and wanted a divorce. He had gone over to the house to discuss the divorce and things got hot so he left. After he left, something started a fire and she fell down the stairs going to see what it was, or that was the theory. Some people thought he had caused the fire. Either way, he was distraught and finally his boss gave him the ultimatum. He had even picked out the place, Doubtful Cove where there was a small scientific community so he wouldn’t be bothered. Thus, David found himself alone in a cabin in what he termed the “wilderness”.
Dr. Van Peters was working in Doubtful. It was the only place she could get a job after her horrible court case where she was accused of leaking information to the press about a celebrity patient. She lost her home, her job, her reputation. She was working here until she could decide what to do next. The very last thing she wanted was to have anything to do with the press and that is what David Christianson was. However, they were thrown together at meals and on walks once Ian, the manager, had determined that no one should go into the woods alone. This was after they determined someone was out there stealing and disturbing things. Since they were the only two who did any hiking, they were thrown together.
One afternoon, as they were heading home after picking vegetation, they were accosted on the path by William Morrison, who had been in Doubtful until recently posing as a guest. He kidnapped them at gunpoint and took them to a yacht where they headed out to sea. Here, he planned to drop them off on a small island, give them a head start, and then hunt them. Anything to give him pleasure and to protect his work.
September 14, 2025
I love her books.
September 6, 2016
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards and was a red ribbon winner. This is what the readers thought:
Title: Doubtful
Author: Ann Warner
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Style: 8/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
111 felt the blurb was enticing.
11 thought the well-developed characters were the best part of the book.
8 felt the author’s no. 1 skill was writing description.
Readers’ Comments
‘A very interesting novel. I liked the setting very much and the ‘danger’ element to the story worked well. Good ending too.’ Male reader, aged 33
‘A light romantic read with a good plot line. Well written with an easy flowing style. The author’s particularly good with description. A little slow in parts but, overall, very enjoyable.’ Woman reader, aged 58
‘Good novel. The romance element is excellent, the plot i.e. surviving the violence, is short-lived and a little uninspiring. It sort of felt added on. Author is excellent at character development, backstory and feelings. Good cover too.’ Male reader, aged 70
‘I sort of wanted more ‘surviving’ and less romance. Still, it’s well written and sweet. It’s just the blurb’s a bit misleading.’ Female reader, aged 32
‘Oh, I did like this book. Fab cover, well-written blurb and, low and behold, an interesting story. It’s a bit slow here and there but the gentle pace fits me well. I will read more of this author’s books.’ Female reader, aged 62
‘Romance with a little suspense thrown in. A Red Ribbon Winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Doubtful
Author: Ann Warner
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Style: 8/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
111 felt the blurb was enticing.
11 thought the well-developed characters were the best part of the book.
8 felt the author’s no. 1 skill was writing description.
Readers’ Comments
‘A very interesting novel. I liked the setting very much and the ‘danger’ element to the story worked well. Good ending too.’ Male reader, aged 33
‘A light romantic read with a good plot line. Well written with an easy flowing style. The author’s particularly good with description. A little slow in parts but, overall, very enjoyable.’ Woman reader, aged 58
‘Good novel. The romance element is excellent, the plot i.e. surviving the violence, is short-lived and a little uninspiring. It sort of felt added on. Author is excellent at character development, backstory and feelings. Good cover too.’ Male reader, aged 70
‘I sort of wanted more ‘surviving’ and less romance. Still, it’s well written and sweet. It’s just the blurb’s a bit misleading.’ Female reader, aged 32
‘Oh, I did like this book. Fab cover, well-written blurb and, low and behold, an interesting story. It’s a bit slow here and there but the gentle pace fits me well. I will read more of this author’s books.’ Female reader, aged 62
‘Romance with a little suspense thrown in. A Red Ribbon Winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
August 20, 2013
This book has the lot - mystery, suspense, romance and something extra I enjoyed as an Australian reader - I found myself lingering over Warner's vivid descriptions of places I've never seen but would love to visit in both Australia and New Zealand.
December 27, 2017
Doubtful is a well written story centering around David and Van, who take an instantaneous dislike to one another. They are both nursing emotional wounds from the past, and are thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. The story alternates between their perspectives, highlighting each character and deepening the reader’s understanding of them as individuals as the story progresses. I was sorry to see that the mystery elements were not as well developed as the romantic ones, especially as regards resolution of the criminal aspects of the story. It was a good read that I expect fans of romantic suspense will enjoy.
BTW, New Zealand was already on my bucket list… based on the author’s descriptions, I think it just moved up a few spots.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary ARC of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
BTW, New Zealand was already on my bucket list… based on the author’s descriptions, I think it just moved up a few spots.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary ARC of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
February 26, 2024
This is my second book by Warner and I'm finding that I like her stories. They are very readable, have solid characters, and she does a good job with "sense of place". It was a 4 star read for me and I'll be reading more of her books.
FYI: The edition I read actually had an alternate ending. I usually stay away from these, but I read both this time. I'm not sure it was needed, but get why the author decided to do it.
FYI: The edition I read actually had an alternate ending. I usually stay away from these, but I read both this time. I'm not sure it was needed, but get why the author decided to do it.
March 12, 2021
Great Book!
I really love the other books that I have read by this author, but this one is even better! The only change I would have liked is a bit more info on the motivation behind the villain s actions.
I really love the other books that I have read by this author, but this one is even better! The only change I would have liked is a bit more info on the motivation behind the villain s actions.
March 26, 2022
never miss an Ann Warner Book
This author writes from her heart and paints with her words a tapestry of life and the people who take their places on the world stage.
Thanks again, Ann!
This author writes from her heart and paints with her words a tapestry of life and the people who take their places on the world stage.
Thanks again, Ann!
December 20, 2019
Very intriguing story about how vulnerable we are in many ways. Good love story with some twists.
January 17, 2021
Wonderful surprising plot.
Wonderful characters, marvelous setting. Ms Warner’s plot keeps the action moving in surprising ways. Great book. Very enjoyable, great read.
Wonderful characters, marvelous setting. Ms Warner’s plot keeps the action moving in surprising ways. Great book. Very enjoyable, great read.
December 1, 2021
Interesting
It went in many directions to get to the happy ending. My favorite part was the middle, at which point I was going to give it 4 stars, but the ending was flat.
It went in many directions to get to the happy ending. My favorite part was the middle, at which point I was going to give it 4 stars, but the ending was flat.
October 22, 2013
Television news reporter David Christianson and scientist Van Peters both find themselves in the small, scientific retreat of Doubtful, New Zealand to help heal wounded hearts and recover from the past. Sparks fly when the two meet. These aren’t the good kind of sparks. Van wants nothing to do with men, and David almost immediately regrets agreeing to stay in this boring, backwoods community.
Though the two have effectively sealed off their hearts against even the smallest encroachment of love, a dramatic event will force them to work together in order to survive the ordeal. During this harrowing time, both David and Van begin to the see the true worth of the other. The ice begins to thaw, but is their newfound closeness love or just survival instinct?
Doubtful is a refreshing romance with an uncommon depth and enough action and adventure to pull in non-romance readers. One of the things I absolutely loved about this book is that both David and Van felt like real people. Far from the typical gorgeous, petulant romance heroine, Van is a brainy, stubborn and strong woman who doesn’t color her gray hair and who favors microscopes over makeup. As for David, well, I now appreciate tie-dye boxers in a whole new light.
Doubtful goes down as warm and smooth as chicken soup on a cold winter day. The pages practically turned themselves. The action was satisfying, even though I considered the main bad guy frustratingly incompetent.
At the risk of diving deep into cliché territory here, I enjoyed watching David and Van save each other, both literally and emotionally. There’s no doubt that readers will cozy up quickly to Doubtful.
(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads by the author for review.)
Though the two have effectively sealed off their hearts against even the smallest encroachment of love, a dramatic event will force them to work together in order to survive the ordeal. During this harrowing time, both David and Van begin to the see the true worth of the other. The ice begins to thaw, but is their newfound closeness love or just survival instinct?
Doubtful is a refreshing romance with an uncommon depth and enough action and adventure to pull in non-romance readers. One of the things I absolutely loved about this book is that both David and Van felt like real people. Far from the typical gorgeous, petulant romance heroine, Van is a brainy, stubborn and strong woman who doesn’t color her gray hair and who favors microscopes over makeup. As for David, well, I now appreciate tie-dye boxers in a whole new light.
Doubtful goes down as warm and smooth as chicken soup on a cold winter day. The pages practically turned themselves. The action was satisfying, even though I considered the main bad guy frustratingly incompetent.
At the risk of diving deep into cliché territory here, I enjoyed watching David and Van save each other, both literally and emotionally. There’s no doubt that readers will cozy up quickly to Doubtful.
(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads by the author for review.)
November 27, 2013
If you like exciting books set in interesting locations, this one is for you. Warner has created characters we really care about - then she proceeds to present them with some really tough challenges. It's difficult to put the book down as you read on to find out what happens. Will the characters' troubles - past and present - be resolved? What exactly is the truth about what happened to them both in the past? Warner keeps us guessing in a way that is very satisfying and makes good use of her New Zealand setting, bringing it vividly to life. I can't wait to read more of her work.
October 31, 2016
This book was riveting. The different settings and unusual protagonists made it hard to put down. I especially enjoyed the time on the island and their ingenuity there. To say much more would give away the story. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2013
This was well written, an intriguing story! I loved the New Zealand setting. Ms. Warner's descriptions are most enjoyable.
September 22, 2013
Very entertaining and descriptive book. Like watching a movie.
August 25, 2013
This book was hard to put down.. Good characters and places. I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it..
April 11, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I thoroughly loved this book. It keeps you wondering what is going to happen. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews