Hounded

Love Is #1

by Anita Klumpers

Elise Amberson’s husbands always die before she can get the marriage momentum going. At least this last one left her with lots of money. Now she can hang out with her dogs, avoid men, and try to keep off God’s radar.

But her dogs are behaving oddly, a pesky pastor can’t keep his hands off her soul, and God is backing her into a corner.
It’s all more than a rich, beautiful young woman should have to bear. But when someone begins targeting Elise, she’ll have to figure out why before she becomes the late Widow Amberson.

Genres: Christian, Mystery

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2016

Reviews

[Carol Bakker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance is not my genre. And I generally bolt if directed to a "Christian Romance." Because, cough cough, I am a serious reader, don't you know! (grin)

But. I admire this author, so I pre-ordered the book. And I gulped it down in one sitting.

How many romance novels include epigraphs? Klumpers doesn't pull in random quotes before each chapter; she uses lines from Francis Thompson's poem, The Hound of Heaven.

I learned a new word: xeriscape. Thank you, Anita Klumpers! One of my whimsical quirks is looking for be- prefix words. And lo! I found: bemused, bewildered, beribboned, belabor, berated and belief.

What I appreciated most is the humor. It isn't sprinkled on top like cinnamon sugar on toast; it's more like yeast thoroughly incorporated into the story. (Kitchen) islands big enough to colonize; arduous nighttime routines of cleansing, creaming...

My second favorite quote: "You act as though love is a faucet with an 'off' handle."
You'll have to find my favorite quote yourself: look for the words 'whoopee cushion'!

You can't help loving an author who describes herself (in the third person, because publishers have preferences) thus:
She goes for coffee with friends frequently,
writes skits and teaches drama classes seasonally,
cleans the top of her fridge occasionally and
marvels at God's grace daily.

[Poiema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take it back! Last week I ditched a piece of Christian fiction and proclaimed that most books of that genre disappointed me. Not this one! A gripping mystery with hold-your-breath moments, it immediately drew me in. Sprinkled with sarcastic humor, the story line has serious underpinnings and borrows imagery from a classic piece of poetry by Francis Thompson called The Hound of Heaven. Animal lovers will appreciate the "real" hounds in the story, who play a significant role. Just lovely, and can be read in a single afternoon. Thanks to my friend Carol for enticing me with her excellent review of this book.

[Cristine Eastin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her second book, "Hounded," Anita Klumpers shows us again that she possesses that enviable talent writers crave: she's a natural storyteller. I can see her sitting by a campfire, surrounded by a troop of Girl Scouts, sitting on the edge of their logs. Anita would scare the wits out of them and have them sighing over the hero.

"Hounded" is a Romantic Suspense. A formulaic romance, we get what we expect, and why not? we eat up romance stories like chocolate truffles. But "Hounded" is a twofer: sweet AND scary, a whodunnit.

Here's an example of prose gems sprinkled in: "He had leaned heavily if reluctantly on his cold, distant father and now, without him, collapsed—an abandoned marionette." That image really stayed with me.

Oh, and did I mention there are a couple of lovable dogs? Hence, "Hounded." But that's only one of the levels of the clever title.

This time Klumpers writes with a definite Christian theme, which has a very real feel to it as Elise, the woman who had it all and lost it, struggles with multiple layers of grief.

I was given an advance copy of "Hounded" and asked to write a review. I'd have nice things to say even if I'd paid full price. Thumbs up.

[Susan Baganz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a wounded widow, running from God and a persistant and paitent pastor, an old friend from her past life, loving her through the grief and back to faith. As her dogs provide her with love she soon learns that God has never abandoned her. This romantic suspense is face paced drama as Ellie is a suspect in her husband's murder and struggles against the cold family of her late husband, threats to her own sanity and peculiar behavior of her dogs. And a pastor who reminds of her of the faith she abadoned long ago and a love that won't let go. I couldn't put this book down.

[Victoria]

When the gentle turn of a phrase takes your breath away, you know you can’t put the book down until you’re finished. Anita Klumpers’ Hounded lilts with gentle prose developing layered characters against a dramatic backdrop.

Elise has lost two husbands. Is her own accident only one of coincidence? Will the next funeral be hers? The mystery and intrigue unfold, and Elise finds herself seeking out the company of an old friend.

Nicely done!

[Penelope Marzec · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of her in-laws sit with Elise at the repast after her second husband's funeral. That's because they believe she's the one who clobbered him on the head with a rock so that he fell into the pool. Elise does have a friend, but he's a pastor and she gave up believing in God after her first husband died. This setup drew me into the story immediately and Elise's difficulties tugged at my emotions.

This is a worthy read and cleverly done. Highly recommended.

[Gail Pallotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The heroine, Elise, lost her first husband in Afghanistan and her heart turned cold toward God. Her second husband passed away, and the well-to-do family would like to sell the house, which they inherited. They aren’t pushing Elise out and they aren’t terribly rude, but there are enough subtleties for her to know they don’t appreciate her. Her friend, a pastor, wants to bring her back to God. She wonders if that’s his only interest in her, but he stands by her when she’s attacked and tries to figure out why.
I highly recommend this book as a suspenseful novel with an interesting slant on the family involved and a romance.

[CoffeeTimeRomance andMore · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read. Perfect for the days life has you down. Hounded is fast paced and exciting with twists and turns in this mystery and perfect additions Mutt and Jeff to make you smile. I am looking forward to the other books in this new series as well as more by Ms. Klumpers.
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & more

[Tracy Wainwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't want to put it down

This book had me from page one and never let up. It has incredible depth for a novella, with great characters and plot. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the woman in this story had issues with commit in her marriage and then her husband was murdered.the ending a surprise