Exception to the Rule

Hunter Agency #1

by Doranna Durgin

You can't go home again. . .

But apparently Kimmer Reed had to. The government had hidden a young computer mastermind who held the key to the country's defense right in Kimmer's hometown. Now, if the Hunter Agency's top operative hoped to keep the government's secrets safe, she had to cozy up to the people she'd once left behind to discover just what the bad guys knew.

And the good guys, too. Because mastermind Caroline Carlsen had a self-appointed bodyguard in her cousin Rio Carlsen. Ex-CIA Rio might have made a good ally — if Kimmer had been allowed to tell him they were on the same team. Instead, she had to shadow his every move, watching while he walked comfortably in a world that had been lost to her. A world of family and connection. A world Kimmer would do anything to regain.

Genres: Romantic Suspense

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Doranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive and eclectic publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with horse and highly accomplished competition dogs. She doesn't believe in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power--for good or bad has yet to be decided! She says, “My books are SF/F, mystery, paranormal romance, & romantic suspense. My world is the Southwest, and my dogs are Beagles!”

Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.

Reviews

[Laura Hannaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well written story, but I had trouble engaging with the main characters. Kimmer was a bit too remote and detached, and although she warmed up as the story progressed I was never able to really feel her emotions and this was a definite drawback to my enjoyment of the story. I also never felt any chemistry between Kimmer and Rio. Durgin wrote that they had it, but I ailed to see it, because of that the romance itself was a bit of a dud in my opinion. I did enjoy the mystery though, it's just a shame the romance wasn't as thrilling.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you face up to your past? Kimmer doesn't want to take this latest job but her boss isn't giving her a choice he wants her to face up to her childhood and put it all behind her. She is no longer that scared young girl, she is a strong woman now so she goes and does what she has to do. It should a easy babysitting job really but that isn't how it turns out. She hoped that she could look after the young woman Carolyne & her cousin Rio from a distance but the mean after her won't back off easily. So she has to get involved and that gets Rio to notice her even more and now he knows that his cousin is in even more danger. But who wants to get to her so badly and does her boyfriend Scott have anything to do with it as he seems to want to find Caro really badly.Can they put their burning attraction aside long enough to get Caro to safety? Will Kimmer be able to walk away afterwards and have no regrets or will this be the one case that makes her wish for more. She has made peace with her past and it can't be changed but it can be put to rest for good. A good read full of action. I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Fajriy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This action-packed novel is well written with well developed characters. Even though I found some parts of the storyline are not easy to follow and the plot is slow at some points, it still keeps me reading to the last. The ending is quite satisfying with a sweet promise.

An enjoyable action read.

**I received a free copy of this book in accordance with the terms of Librarything Early Reviewers program.**

[Victoria Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read with a typical plot. I found the main character more likable as the book went on and enjoyed learning what happened in her childhood, shaping who she became as an adult.

[Linda Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this. I had previously read some of this author's fantasy books, so this seemed quite a departure from what I knew of her, and I wondered how she would handle this genre.

I was hooked early on by the character of Kimmer, a kick-ass female operative of the obscure Hunter Agency. She is sent on an undercover assignment to protect Carolyne, a young woman who has discovered, and is trying to fix, a computer flaw that leaves America vulnerable to attack by its own weapons. The problem for Kimmer is that the young woman, accompanied by her cousin Rio (an ex-CIA agent) is fleeing to the one area in the world that Kimmer is determined never to go near. The reasons for this are gradually disclosed through the book, so no spoilers.

Carolyne and Rio, with Danish and Japanese grandparents, have an unusual heritage which adds flavour to their characters. Rio, too has more than the CIA in his background, so there are always surprises in store.

I half-guessed at part of the climax of this story, but I was only half right, which pleased me. The ending left me wanting more — not the frustrating feeling of an unresolved cliffhanger, simply that I want to read more about these characters.

Disclaimer: Free copy received through LibraryThing Early Reviewers

[Victoria Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read with a typical plot.  I found the main character more likable as the book went on and enjoyed learning what happened in her childhood, shaping who she became as an adult. 

[Hpitcher]

i really liked this book!