Chasing Nathan

by Jeanette Hubbard

Jeanette Hubbard's humorous style of suspense writing has been compared to Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich. In this quirky follow-up novel, a chance encounter in a remote forest campground plunges plucky retiree Claudie O'Brien into a vortex of crime, kidnapping, and a marijuana hijacking. A pleasant dinner with Nathan, the gentleman at the next campsite, is disrupted by the arrival of a very loud and a very angry young man. The next morning both Nathan and the man are gone, but Claudie suspects something is not right. No one believes her when she tells them that Nathan might be in danger. It's up to Claudie to connect the dots and find out why Nathan disappeared in the middle of the night

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2016

About the author

Jeanette Hubbard was brought up in Iowa to be a very good girl. Then she moved to Portland, Oregon, the city that prides itself on weird. She has utilized her degree in English from the University of Iowa in a variety of jobs, including driving a school bus, selling car insurance, and growing, (and sometimes killing), plants at her wholesale nursery west of Portland. She now lives with her Border collie Buddy, Mitten the monster cat, her roommate's two demented small dogs, a miniature horse and two chickens in a small house in SE Portland. Actually, the horse and chickens live in the backyard. Finding humor in the absurdity of life, and the world around her has enabled her to survive the tribulations that life has thrown at her. She loves writing about people who blunder from one crazy situation to another. She draws on her own experience of saying wildly inappropriate things to one and all to help develop her plots and characters. For further insight at her world view visit: www.jeanettehubbard.com

Reviews

[D.J. Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keywords: Humor, humor and suspense. The first two keywords only adds to the fun of the third. Jeanette Hubbard’s novel is unique in that the characters are both in their “senior” years. Yes, adventure still awaits those seeking rest and relaxation. The second book for Hubbard, Chasing Nathan is delightfully fun as well as an entertaining read.
This review can be read at: Le Coeur de l'Artiste, http://www.djadamson.com/le-coeur-de-...

[Donna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read back cover blurbs before I read a book, so I had no idea what the premise of Chasing Nathan was. I read the book since I loved Hubbard's first novel, Secrets, Lies and Champagne Highs.

This book is a fun and quick read since it's one of those "just one more chapter" stories... the pacing is great, the characters are both quirky yet believable, and the Border Collie's role in the plot creates some fun twists.

If you're a fan of humor, crime and/or mystery stories, this is definitely one to add to your bookshelf.

[Cherie O'Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claudie O’Brien is my new best literary friend. Spunky, smart, and courageous. I first met her in Secrets, Lies, and Champagne Highs, where she accidentally shot herself in the head with a champagne cork while trying to kill herself with drugs and alcohol. Really got to know her much better in the clever Chasing Nathan. Compelling descriptions of the rugged coastal range mountains in Southern Oregon, were delightful. If you like Carl Hiaasen, you're going to love Chasing Nathan.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Nathan by Jeanette Hubbard is a fun drama story about Claudie and Nathan who unexpectedly get caught up in a drug deal going down in their own ways. Nathan unfortunately is kidnapped and Claudie ends up being pursued because of a dog that she befriends who belongs to the girlfriend (or ex- girlfriend) of one of the thieves. After all the commotion one night at a campground that they both happen to be at Nathan ends up being abducted because the thieves aren’t that bright really and mess things up concerning making away with the drugs that they have stolen from someone they know and since Nathan’s RV is in a better position than their now jackknifed trailer he gets taken along for the less than pleasant ride. Claudie, who worries, goes about trying to find out what happened to him and ends up in hot pursuit but with help along the way.
This story is a bit of a mix of some mystery, drama and a touch of comedy in just the right places to help lighten it up a bit. The variety of characters really helps as well. For me in the beginning of this story it was kinda dry and slow and had me wondering whether I’d like it or not but as it got going the story got more engaging. It’s definitely interesting reading the dynamics between Sprocket and Hammer (yes, real names for them I was surprised too) and how they just weren’t the brightest of bad guys. Nathan is a fun character for sure because he just seems like an old professor but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to him.
As you are reading this story along different characters are introduced at the right moments and the story flows so smoothly. You really get to see the dynamics and the characters come off so life like and close to being real which is really great. There are some unexpected elements to this story which I honestly really liked. All in all this is a well written story and I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to more works by this author.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fun one to read. Claudie and Nathan are older folks camping at the same campsite, and they get caught up in a drug deal going bad. The dumb and dumber bad guys kidnap Nathan and his RV, so they have a place to stash all their marijuana that they are supposed to be selling. They have to meet up with the buyer, but stuff keeps happening to delay them. It's almost a slapstick comedy with all the goofy bad guys. Claudie takes in the bad guy's dog that they were treating bad, and quickly realizes something happened to Nathan. It's a major adventure as she goes looking for him. Meanwhile, the bad guys get into biker's territory, and it's all a mess. I really enjoyed reading all about the crazy stuff they keep getting into, and how Claudie and Nathan are trying to cope and get out of the bad guy's way. It's a fun book, and I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more adventures with Claudie and Nathan.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We're not old, we're well seasoned." Is the perfect description of Nathan and Claudie and many of us in our 60s. I loved this book.

Nathan owns a bookstore in Sisters. When he parks is RV at a local camping grounds he meets independent Claudie who is fighting to set up her new tent. Both are in their 60s, healthy and not looking for a mate.

In the morning, when Nathan and his RV are gone after a the late night arrival of noisy obnoxious neighbours who disrupted their lovely dinner together, Claudie decides that for her peace of mind she needs to find Nathan.

Nathan's relationship with young, mysterious Dani and his niece Ellie has Claudie mixing new adventures with danger.

There is some violence involving stolen marijuana and bikers which is offset by a novelty wedding.

I received a copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Nathan by Jeanette Hubbard was a very enjoyable book featuring Claudie O'Brien, an independent women in her 60's. Claudie runs in to Nathan, who she knows by going into his book store, when they are camping separately. While having dinner together at Claudie's camp site trouble comes into the campground. The book never slows down until the end.

Chasing Nathan was a fast paced story that had more twists and turns, which kept me reading page after page. Characters and plot were well thought out, and the book contained both suspense and humor. I recommend this book, and will be reading more books by Jeanette Hubbard.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an outstanding book! I laughed until I had to take a break before I could carry on. I still can not decide what was the funniest part. The plots within the plot, the strong characters as opposed to the inbred ones or the revolving door of people.I will be reading more from this terrific author.
If you intend buying 1 book, make it this one.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Just to be perfectly honest, I will be re-reading this book!
If you intend buying 1 book, make it this one.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off slow for me, but once the pace picked up I felt like I couldn't put it down. The suspense and drama in this story were set off perfectly by the author with just the right amount of humor in the right places! This story left me wanting more and I will be looking for more books by this author.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! It was a mystery, there was suspense and a lot of action. Nathan was the coolest. I laughed out several times. The bad guys are so stupid, they are hilarious. SMH as I write this and remember them. The book even mentioned something about "dumb and dumber" and that they were. Their logic blew me away several times.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope to see more of Nathan in the future. He leads a very interesting and mysterious life.

Huge thanks to Romontory Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbaised opinion.

[Bennett Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny, sassy romp through rural Oregon, with bumbling thieves, lots of bikers and, in the centre of it all, one sexy sixty-year-old. Great fun!

[Carolyn Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we're introduced to Nathan and Claudia, two ordinary-seeming characters who are slightly acquainted and run into each other at a campground. In the middle of the night a drug heist leads to the kidnapping of Nathan. The rest of the book follows Claudia as she tries to locate Nathan, and Nathan as he tries to escape from the criminals.

Although the plot sounds serious in this description, it was actually pretty lighthearted, and funny in a slapstick kind of way - just when things seem as bad as they can get something else crazy happens!

This book was well-written, with lots of interesting characters and a satisfying conclusion. The door was also left open for a sequel - which I would love to read!

[Jeanette Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I wrote it so of course I think it's good. I had a lot of fun putting Claudie O'Brien in the middle of trouble and I threw in a little love interest. Some of the bad guys are funny and not so irredeemable, and some are really bad. Claudie takes them on, and they will never underestimate older women ever again. Claudie Rules!