Wilderness Target

by Sharon Dunn

A WANTED WOMAN

Clarissa Jones is running for her life. Though she has no idea why her ex-boss wants her dead, the killers at her heels are very real. Deep in the Montana woods she finds what seems like the perfect hideout, in Ezra Jefferson's survival training school. The ex-military outdoorsman has the skills and training to keep her safe…but only if she'll lower her defenses enough to let him help. When her attackers close in, Ezra's protection and Clarissa's fierce determination are all that will keep her alive—while the growing bond between them gives her a reason to fight to survive.

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Mystery, Love Inspired, Romance, Harlequin, Christian, Cozy Mystery

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

After almost 27 years of marriage Sharon's beloved husband Michael passed away in 2014. Together they had a life filled with adventure, laughter and unconditional love. She considers herself blessed to have been loved that way. She has three grown children and a busy cat named Sparky.

Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written over thirty books for Love Inspired Suspense many of which have appeared on USA Today Bestseller lists. Night Prey (Love Inspired Suspense) won the Carol Award from American Christian fiction writers.

Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her and sign up for her newsletter at her website http://sharondunnbooks.net/

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarissa left California for Montana after she rejected her boss's advances and was subsequently fired. While at the Montana airport she notices that one of her ex-boss's thugs has followed her and is now threatening her. She escapes by hiding in a van that is taking a group of people on a survival training course. Thinking she'll be safe, she joins the group only to discover that the bad men have followed her into the wilderness. Now, not only is her life in danger, but so are the other members of the group including their teacher, Ezra, who Clarissa is beginning to care for.

This was an exciting story with non-stop action and a great wilderness setting. The story was driven by the suspense so the romance took a backseat. It was very entertaining and featured an incredibly strong heroine who didn't back down from any challenge she was faced with when she was thrown into a real-life survival situation. I also liked the members of the survival training group. A great action-adventure story.

[Teri-K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a well plotted story with an interesting setting. Unfortunately the characters were blanks. Our heroine had no idea why she was being chased, no past family or friends, no interests and no personality. The hero was the stock ex-military guy who never recovered from a bad relationship. We never learned why the relationship went bad, and the heroine's sad past was only briefly mentioned, so I didn't feel anything for them. Also, I had a hard time believing they were literally running for their lives yet often stopped to think about how much they wanted to kiss the other person. Seriously? I don't think our brains work that way.

There was small detail of them hiding in a alfalfa field that threw me, too. I grew up on a farm and we had an alfalfa field for the cattle. You couldn't hide a doll in there, let alone two people only a few feet away from searchers. The more I read this book the more unbelievable it got. Too bad, as the story was paced nicely and it could have been very entertaining. 1.5 stars.

[Michelle Stagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really excellent book! I loved the chases, the characters and the telling of the scenery. This is the best book I've read so far this year. I give it 5 stars!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! I really liked Ezra and Clarissa’s story.
Ezra Jefferson runs a Wildlife survival training vacation company and he loves what he does. When he is picking up a group from the airport he notices an extra guest in the van but for some reason he doesn’t give her away when a man comes around asking.

Clarissa Jones is scared for her life when her past employer is hunting her down along with his thugs and hides in Ezra’s van and is grateful when he doesn’t give her away. She decides to join his survival class thinking it would be a good place to hide but instead she puts everyone else in danger but surprisingly Ezra is sticking by her , which she is not used to any man doing.

Their relationship is growing even in the mist of chaos and danger but will they be brave enough to share their true feelings with each other or will it be to late as Clarissa is kidnapped? In this moment Ezra knows what he got to do. Can he save Her in time?

[Mary Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is filled with action as bad guys try to catch Clarissa to murder her. To protect herself she joins a survival training group which is going to spend a week in the mountains without modern conveniences. Unfortunately, the thugs pursuing her are rarely far away from her which means she has to be very alert as she deals with hostile men and a hostile environment. I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down before I had finished it.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy wilderness survival suspense books. This one was just a little too much. A little too much being on the run constantly having the bad guys catch up to them. The book was ok but got to be very repetitive. Though it felt like the writer was trying to make it suspenseful it was the same suspense, constantly which to me makes the book kind of boring. No twists and turns no surprises.

[Judine Brey · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the outdoors survival aspect of this novel, I found Clarissa's insistence on working alone a bit off-putting. Ezra's ability to break through her shell was nicely conveyed, but it took way too long for her former boss' money laundering scheme to be revealed. If Clarissa were as bright as she seemed, it shouldn't have taken so long.

[Ranee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not a bad adventure just had a hard time following how everything was playing out. Nice twist towards the end

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED IT

Sharon Dunn is becoming one of my favorite suspense authors. Loved the story of Clarissa and Ezra. When they were running for their lives in the wilderness felt like I was right there with them. Clarissa was running from her former boss Max not sure why he wanted to kill her. She joined a wilderness survival group hoping that she would lose Max and his thugs,no such luck. Ezra is leading the expedition. Ezra has been hurt in the past but there is something about Clarrisa that is different. They both are believers in God and they know that with God all things are possible.

[Asterope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable romantic suspense full of action. I'm a fan of the stranded/survival trope and this one had it in full. Ezra and Clarissa were strong likable characters and though the romance was low-key, it too was enjoyable. I actually appreciated that it (the romance) wasn't the main focus, given the action of the plot, it would have seemed out of place. I recommend it for those looking for a romantic suspense with a cat-and-mouse action survival plot and strong characters.

[Kim]

I enjoyed this book very much. Clarissa Jones is on the run actually she is running for her live. Because for some reason her ex-boss what's her dead (which at this point leads me to believe she knows to much about his business or his business deal's). So, she decides go deep into the Montana fortress to get away from the killer. Clarissa meet Erza Jefferson and ex-military man turn outdoor
woodsman and he teach her survival training skills.

[Harlequin Books]

"Clarissa is a determined character who shows that it is okay to be vulnerable at times, as good people do exist. The author’s personal connection to the story adds to the richness" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the run, Clarissa joins a survival training excursion. Still, she has to stay on her feet and allow the handsome Ezra to help her out if she wants to get out of this with her life.

An enjoyable read. Clarissa was a gutsy heroine and Ezra an understanding, compassionate hero.

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe even 4 1/2. One of the best I have read so far. It follows the romance format, but not slavishly, and has one of the strongest female protagonists I have read so far.

[Harlequin Books]

received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

hard fight to survive nice budding romance

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story. I didn't know how it as going to end.

[Susan Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an adventure from start to finish! Loved this book!

[JoAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book.