Fugitive Trackdown

Bounty Hunters #1

by Sandra Robbins

DEADLY PURSUIT

Nothing will stop Claire Walker from finding her father's killer. But a shy Southern librarian is no match for a murderer, and as a novice bounty hunter, she's quickly cornered. Fugitive recovery specialist Adam Knight arrives just in time to rescue Claire. But now she owes her life to the man who once broke her heart. With the killer still tracking Claire, Adam decides she needs a guardian—and he's the best man for the job. Set on seeing justice served, Claire and Adam must join forces…and try to outrun a desperado and his deadly traps.

Bounty Finding justice one fugitive at a time

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

284 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 30, 2015

About the author

Library of Congress Authorities:
Personal name heading:
Robbins, Sandra (Sandra S.)

Reviews

[Dorel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book I read by Sandra Robbins. This book's story line was okay. The action in this story was okay. Claire & Adam's characters was okay. The ending was okay.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars if I payed for the book. Okay, so this book was okay if you didn't pay for it. I was able to borrow this book through our local library.
- the story itself had promise and I did read to the end but it was lacking
- the main character was annoying, a librarian turned bounty hunter. I like smart independent women stories but she came across as stupid
- she also held a grudge for 7 years after kissing her friends brother
- this book is very preachy and it came across as very unnatural
- even the main male character I felt was lacking
- the one redeeming quality was that I really liked a minor character in this book. Her best friend, an ex cop turned bounty hunter. I wouldn't mind reading more about her.

Least to say I won't be reading this book again.

Those that don't mind a Christian romance novel with not much substance and not worried about how the book is written would find this book okay.

[Roxann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a shy quiet librarian who tries to become a bounty hunter after her father dies. She gets into trouble-lots of trouble because of stupid choices on her part. She teams up with her best friend's older brother who is a bounty hunter by trade (family owns and runs the best one in the state).

I gave this story a 3 rating, but I'm not really sure in my opinion it should get it. I know I really prefer suspense, thrillers and cozy mysteries, but I've been reading many of the harlequin suspense or intrigue books lately (my sister gave me 3 bags full). This one the female lead, Claire, drove me crazy. She can do it, no she can't, yes she can. I mean I'm surprised she could do anything alone without getting into some kind of trouble. I didn't like her character and therefore the book was difficult to finish.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up for enjoyment

It’s pretty clear that wannabe bounty hunter Claire should have stayed in the library, but she’s not one to quit when the going gets hard. She’s ready to figure out who’s after her father if it’s the last thing she does. Thankfully there’s a real bounty hunter on the scene who’s able to get the job done, though of course it’s got to be an ex-flame of hers!

Comfort read material.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that Claire and Adam had a long-standing connection. Their romance moved along well, even as they sought to bring in bail jumpers. This struck me as a more realistic approach to bounty hunting than the Stephanie Plum novels. However, the pacing was impacted by the drawn-out ending.

[AlegnaB † · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 -- I didn't care much for the main female character.

[Jess H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and full of adventure.

[Adrienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

FUGITIVE TRACKDOWN
---------------------

The romance novel community seems very supportive of writers and their work, which I think is fantastic. Moreover, one of the best things about the romance-novel community is that they are very active on sites like GoodReads.

However, when purchasing a romance novel or one of the Love Inspired books, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which ones are worth one's time/money and which are not. If we, as a romance-reading community, are honest, not every novel in this genre is good, and some are extremely poorly written. In my experience, it can be difficult to determine which novels are worth buying and/or reading because all of them seem to have such fantastic reviews and most of them have very short circulation lives.

I honestly take no joy in writing a negative review because I know, especially in this community, that there is a good chance the author will read the review. And I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. However, I also don't want to feel like I wasted my money on something that is difficult to read or poorly written.

And, frankly, I found Fugitive Trackdown to be a tough read. After forty-nine (49) pages, I am putting it down and moving on.

Here are some of the things that distracted me from enjoying the story:

1. What in the world?
In the first chapter, the female protagonist gets injured. And then she does some rather inconsistent things. First she can walk, then she can't. Then she can walk (or hobble), and then she can't. She feels too injured to ____, then she decides that she can. She needs to see a doctor, then she doesn't. Either the protagonist is a whine-y-pants or she is written inconsistently.

2. Seriously?
--On page twenty-one: "She jammed her fist into her mouth..." (p. 21). Nope. Rarely possible. And second, probably not exactly what the author meant?!
--On page thirteen, the female protagonist, from a position of trying to stand to her feet, falls back to the ground, after which she lands "flat on her stomach" (p. 13). Huh?
--"...preoccupied herself with..." (p. 27). Technically correct. But, not the best word choice. How about "engrossed?" or "distracted?"
--Stuff like, "...darted a glance..." (p. 28); "...gulped a deep breath..." (p. 23); "...quirked an eyebrow..." (p. 19); and, "...his gaze raked her" (p. 23).

3. Narration
I cannot tell which narrative voice is being used. I think the narrative point of view is supposed to be "alternating person," but honestly, I am not sure.

4. Dialog
In many, but not all, cases, the dialog reads as forced and/or false. For example: "...We'll have to rethink what's to be done. The first thing is I'd like to talk you into letting us find Willis for you"..."Your sister is my best friend. I'm not going to impose on her family to help me out when I can't pay them" (page 17). In addition to its robotic feel, if this is the male protagonist's sister, why say, "her family" and "them?"

5. To have or not to have, that is the question!
As an example, on just one page (47), there are multiple instances of repeated words in quick succession, and there are five (conjugated) uses of the verb "to have," with three in just one sentence. In the first third of page 48, there are six additional uses of "to have," four in one sentence alone!

Etc...

Again, I am not trying to be mean, and I know that writing is not as easy as it seems. However, I want to provide an honest review from my perspective, and any book that I do not finish garners a one-star rating.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This is the first book I have read by this author. It was okay. I will read the rest of the series. This story has multiple murders, a car chase, break ins, hit and run, and a bounty hunter that has turned his back on Christ. Adam felt that God was not with him when he was in the military and his friends were dying all around him. With the help of Claire he finds his way back to God and true love.

[Lynn Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clair tries to hunt down a fugitive who has jumped bail.

Adam is helping Clair. Clair is Adam's sister's best friend. Both families are in the bail bond business. This book is the start of the Bounty Hunters series. Reading this book makes you want to read the rest of the series.

[Harlequin Books]

"Claire and Adam embark on a danger-filled journey to justice, taking the reader along for the ride, in Robbins’ Bounty Hunter series starter" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

Miniseries: Bounty Hunters

[Harlequin Books]

received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Bounty Hunters

[Andrew Service · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Hunting

Storylines is amazing. Enjoyed every part of the story about Hunter. I'm glad both character find a good resolving thank.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fugitive Trackdown by Sandra Robbins had lots of suspense in it. Didn't look good for the good guys at times but in the end the bad guys were caught. A lot went on for this to happen. A must read.

[Viv Wilday]

just barely started it. hard to put down