Bounty Hunter

Classified K-9 Unit #4

by Lynette Eason

ON A KILLER'S TRAIL

While on a mission to bring his sister's killer to justice, bounty hunter Riley Martelli spots a missing FBI agent in a Colorado national park. When he calls in the tip, he's joined in his search by Special Agent Harper Prentiss. Harper, aided by her faithful German shepherd, is determined to locate the missing agent...without falling for the charms of the handsome bounty hunter. Working together is the best option to find their targets, but it also doubles the danger they're in. With a killer looming large, poised to end their search for good, can Riley and Harper unite to find both men without becoming the next victims?

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

368 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2017

About the author

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."

Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love Lynette Eason’s books, and Bounty Hunter is no exception. The fact that it’s part of a multi-author series with an ongoing character arc (one I’m fully invested in) is just icing on the cake for me. And no worries, fellow cliffie-despisers: The main mystery/plot is wrapped up by the end of the book. But starting from book 1, there has been a plot twist involving one of the characters and that’s the part that stretches across every book in the series. And I’m DYING TO KNOW how that plays out! Dying. As in, it’s KILLING ME. As in, I NEED TO KNOW what’s going on with this guy. Is he a traitor? Is he undercover? Is he being held against his will? I DON’T KNOW!!! And clearly I’m not handling that very well hahaha.

Bottom Line: Lynette Eason has done it again – with fast-paced action, great characters, and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your chair, Bounty Hunter is impossible to put down! A touch of romance, a little humor, and a humdinger of a continuing plot between all 6 books in the series – even as each individual plot wraps up per book – there’s a little something here for every reader.

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things really heat up in this fourth installment of the Classified K-9 Unit continuity series. There are some startling revelations in the over-arcing suspense plot that will carry through all six books when we will finally get full resolution.

But there is also a suspense thread unique to Riley and Harper's story -- and it does have a satisfactory conclusion...after a breathless game of cat and mouse with a sinister felon who has murder on his mind.

This hero and heroine understand each other -- both are law enforcement professionals with distinct goals and plans for their futures. Neither has the time or inclination for romance. Love it when characters dig in their heels, forcing the author to drag them kicking and screaming towards their happily ever after. LOL

And, of course, I adore the K-9 aspect of this series. German Shepherd Star is our canine heroine in Bounty Hunter and she proves to be as stalwart and faithful as her counterparts in the K-9 Unit. Nothing like a little dog drool to cement a relationship. :-)

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another piece of the puzzle about Jake Morrow's disappearance. I wouldn't consider this to be one of Eason's best novels, but I still enjoyed it in the three hours it took to listen to the audio. It definitely made exercise more interesting!

[Angie Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like to give low ratings, especially to clean/Christian books but this one just did not work for me.

I've read some of Lynette Eason's other books and liked them much better, but this one left me incredibly confused. There were random details everywhere, including in situations where the viewpoint characters should not have been noticing details. For the record, I've seen this done well if it's self-aware--like a character catching herself noting details she should be too busy to see, or a character who has a specific thing for noticing people's hair color and does it even during a shootout--but there was none of that that here that I could see.

I don't usually have a problem understanding character motivation either, but--same thing here. The characters had some serious issues in their pasts which were brought up in a few conversations, but we never really saw them dealing with those issues. Their internal monologues (especially Harper's) were almost exclusively focused on wrestling with their growing feelings for each other, and even on that subject, their thoughts seemed to run in circles. I'm pretty sure Harper "finally admitted to herself" that she was attracted to Riley at least three times. And her random episodes of snapping at him or being hurt because he wasn't talking to her (like he was really that talkative in general? or like she wasn't prying into intensely personal thoughts?) seemed really out of character. And Riley was not much better, going from "I can't take the risk of loving someone else" to "marry me" with absolutely no explanation.

People assumed all kinds of things with no apparent reason, possibly the worst example being that no one on the team ever questioned their assumption that both the missing agent (Jake) and the killer (Van) were still in the area. Really? After we've established that they look incredibly alike--so much so that Riley mistakes Jake for Van from behind and in profile, until he gets a look at his eyes? But when getting reports from witnesses, there's never even a question that one of them might have been mistaken for the other.

What really did it in for me was the scene where Riley was stuck on the face of a cliff with Star posted to watch for the man who had just tried to kill him. Harper goes back to the vehicle for her rescue gear and--checks on the puppies? Really?!? Especially considering that the puppies didn't have any real significance at that point and had been left safely penned in the climate-controlled K-9 unit. Check her phone for a signal to call backup? That would have made sense. If we had established some deep connection with the puppies that she couldn't ignore? Maybe. But I still can't believe anyone in her right mind, with the person she cares about stranded on a cliff and a killer in the area, would have even thought about the puppies, let alone wasted precious seconds checking on them.

As mentioned above, I've enjoyed some of the author's other books, but personally, I have to give this one a miss. 1.5 stars

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ho apprezzato un filino di più questo libro, come è accaduto anche per l'altro in cui è la donna ad essere un'agente FBI. Ci sarà un motivo o è un puro caso? Comunque, nonostante sia una serie scritta da più autrici, la trovo ben fatta: non vedo l'ora di andare a vedere come va a finire la storia che unisce tutti i libri...

[Wyndspirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this Classified K-9 Unit continuity series has been better than the last. I find it amusing (in a cute way, not derogatory) that they have this little side story where in each location the team goes, they have resolved to find at least one puppy to train as a K-9 officer. It's not a major plot, but it's fun. What makes this series different from the previous Love Inspired Suspense K-9 continuity series (and I'm pretty sure I've read them all up to this one) is the search for one of their own who has gone missing. Was he really kidnapped? Did he leave on his own for some reason that we'll find out later? Is he a bad guy? Is he really a good guy? He's not much more than a character in the previous books, but in this one you start to learn a little more about him, and it only heightens the suspense.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the fourth book in the Classified K-9 Unit series. I have read the first three books in this series before picking up this book. I really enjoyed this book, and I loved getting to know the characters in this book.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cannot go wrong with either Lynette Eason or Harlequin K-9 books; they always deliver. I'm really hoping to read more about this great couple in future stories.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper Prentiss is a special agent on the hunt to help find a rogue agent so when bounty hunter Riley Martelli calls to report the seeing their missing agent. She has her doubts.

Riley Martelli has one goal only and that’s to find his sister’s killer and whose son is injured in the attack. Now his nephew desperately needs to have surgery so he can he can walk again and he Riley needs the reward money for spotting their man but Harper thinks he’s money until she finds out. Can Harper put her doubts about Riley aside and can they work together to catch her agent and his sisters killer? And survive to have a future together?

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this series but the book is written so that you can read one or all of the series. The author makes sure that you know who each character they are discussing and what their importance to the book is.

Riley is a bounty hunter who sees the missing agent the FBI's looking for. He reports him so that he can claim the reward money.

Harper is one of the agents that he talks to when he calls in the lead. It really is a cute story that will hold your interest and keep you on the edge of the seat.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bounty hunter Jake Martelli spots a missing FBI agent in a Colorado national park and calls for help. He is joined by Special Agent Harper Prentiss and her faithful German Shepherd Dog, Star. The danger is soon doubled, with the FBI agent and the bounty hunter searching for two subjects.

The action flows freely and the book is well written. I enjoyed it very much and intend on reading the next book in this K-9 series.

[Elaine. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and the characters. I loved the twists and turns in the story.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite jobs in the police force has to be the K-9 unit. As an animal lover I would love a job working with a dog and being in sync with them they are part of who you are. Then again, I would hate to think of sending a dog into a situation where they might not make it out alive, thus saving yours. I don't think I could do it. However if you pick up the series of books through the Love Inspired Suspense division from Harlequin, you might just want to pick up Bounty Hunter by Lynette Eason, book 4 of the Classified K-9 Unit.

In each book, they go deeper into the lives of the team of classified K-9 handlers working together as a team to locate one of their own, Jake Morrow, whom they believe may have been kidnapped by a local crime syndicate or acting as a double agent. They have had no luck with following up the tips they have been receiving lately until a random call from a bounty hunter, Riley Martelli who has been shot at by the man they've been trying to find.

When the K-9 unit arrives, FBI Special Agent Harper Prentiss and her dog Star are the first to talk with Riley. At first the team is unsure of his motives, especially when he seems eager to collect the $100,000 reward money leading the capture of Jake Morrow. So Harper follows him and learns that Riley needs the money to pay for his nephew's medical bills after being shot by his father Van Blackwell, who murder Riley's sister and left Asher, his nephew in his custody and now care. He has a bullet wedged along his spine and until he has surgery, he can't walk. So between helping the FBI catch Jake, he is also following his own pursuit to find and bring Van Blackwell to justice, if he doesn't kill Riley first.

I received Bounty Hunter by Lynette Eason compliments of Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense and TLC Book Tours. This is a pocket paperback which means you can take this book anywhere to catch up on this suspense adventure and trust me, there is NEVER a dull moment. I can't wait to read the entire series and readers even get a chance to get a sneak peek at Book 5, Body Guard at the conclusion of this one. I really love the tight knit family of FBI K-9 handlers because they work so well together and even manage to aid Riley in his own endeavors when one of their own is threatened. I love how it all wraps up in the end on one hand but gets you ready for the next adventure on the other. Trust me, murder mystery lovers and animal lovers will want to pick this one up. I give this a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the continuity series Classified K-9 Unit. I really like Lynette's work and this book is an excellent example of that. This story is well written, action packed, and full of adventure. You're going to love this one. Check out the rest of the series, it's great.
Special Agent Harper Prentiss answers a call on the hot line. Their partner Jake Morrow had been sighted in the mountains of Colorado. A bounty hunter had been searching for a man and accidentally taken Jake as his fugitive. Jake had shot at him. Did that mean he was a traitor to the team or was he in trouble? Harper and her team drive all night to get to the area where Jake was seen. When they arrive they ask the bounty hunter to take them up the mountain to find their fellow agent. They agree to help him find his man.
Bounty Hunter Riley Martelli is in Drum Creek to find the man who killed his sister and shot his nephew. He is in the Rocky Mountain National Park when he spots the man he thought was his prey but although he looks just like him he is really the man that the FBI is searching for. His face has been plastered all over the news. He calls the hot line and then helps the team find the man. He needs the reward to help his nephew get the surgery he needs to remove the bullet from his spine.
A journey of this team to find; their fellow agent even though it looks like he might be a traitor to them, and find the man who had killed Riley's sister. Riley and Harper find an attraction for each other even though neither wanted a relationship. God has a plan for these two and it is a great plan. God has a plan for you too, a good plan for a hope and a future. Trust the Lord, give Him your heart, and move out of His way. He will turn your life around.

[Just Commonly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Lynette Eason's suspense novels ever since Always Watching, her first novel in the Elite Guardians Series. Since, I've tried to pick up all her books. So you can tell I was excited for this one. Bounty Hunter has all the earmarks of the author's writing style - messages that was woven in with the story, strong characters that jumps off the page and a suspense thriller that at times shock you, but definitely have you guessing. I loved that Riley holds his own in comparison to the team members of the K-9 Unit. In truth, he more than held his own. He really starred in this book. His quick reflexes as well as his intuitive nature balance well with his soft spot for his family, and Harper.

"If you go around hating him and being bitter the rest of your life, then essentially, he manges to kill you along with your sister." (69)

What I'm always surprised at is how authors can connect several stories and make it one cohesive series. Definitely a challenge. The collaboration is admirable. Since I haven't read the other ones in the series, that's all I can say about it. Though, with that in mind, that is also a minor qualm when it comes to Bounty Hunter. Readers will have closure for the case at hand, but not conclusive with other elements unless you follow along to the next ones. Despite that, I found Bounty Hunter a great quick read and able to easily immersed myself in it.


This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart. Riley’s sister was shot to death, and his 6-year-old nephew Asher was in the hospital with a bullet lodged near his spine. He needs to have surgery to have any chance of walking again. The doctors will not know if he will remain paralyzed after the surgery. Riley works as a bounty hunter. He just had to figure out how to capture Van Blackman without getting killed.

Harper was a FBI agent. She and her team were looking for Jake Morrow. Jake was a FBI agent. The FBI is not sure if Jake was kidnapped and needs help, or if he is now a double agent.

As it turns out both Jake, and Van look a lot alike. Riley stumbles upon Jake, instead of Van. He remembers a news story where the FBI was offering a hundred-thousand-dollar reward for a tip that would lead to Jake’s whereabouts. That money would help pay for the surgery that his nephew needs.

Harper and her team loaded up and headed for Rocky Mountain National Park. Riley and Harper made a good team helping each other find who they where looking for. Max the leader of the team agreed that the Riley would have the support of the FBI, and the team to help him get his sister’s killer locked away. In turn Riley helped the team look for Jake.

The action was intense, with bullets flying. It always seemed Van was one step ahead of the team. I loved this book, and this series is the best.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took this book on vacation for a beach read, unaware it was part of a series. That said, aside from not having the background information from the first 3 books, I didn't feel that not reading them impacted my enjoyment of 'Bounty Hunter'. Eason tells the story of 2 men who don't want to be found, a killer and a missing FBI agent (the latter of whom is a part of the earlier books, where it is likely explained why he doesn't want to be found), and 2 people who desperately want to find them. Bounty Hunter Riley has a personal reason for seeking out the killer in the woods, but instead finds the FBI agent, who quickly disappears again, likely unaware the killer is out there too. Special Agent Harper and her German Shepherd are sent in by her bosses after Riley tips them off about the FBI agent. The 2 seekers team up in an effort to protect each other and hopefully find the FBI agent before the killer finds any of them.
It's been a few months between reading and reviewing the book, but I know I wish to read the rest of the series, including the earlier books, as Eason left the door open for the series to continue, and having that background information will help me as I move forward.

[Busybeth76 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rough & Tumble, Loving & Humble

Riley is on a mission to avenge his sister's murder. This cop turned bounty hunter is an honorable, honest & trustworthy man. While out tracking his prey, he finds an FBI most wanted instead. In an effort to help his family's finances he seeks the reward for the sighting tip. As a result, he meets Harper. Straight laced, serious and a dedicated FBI agent she and her K9 partner, Star, are tracking the person Riley spotted. When her team meets him to confirm details, she & Riley try to ignore the attraction they feel toward each other. Instead they charge into helping each other trying to find their respective nemesis'. They have a rough go of it. Both our heroes have to overcome not only the mental walls they've built but physically dangerous situations constantly catch them. Especially Riley. But working together brings out the best in both of them. The bond they build is strong, built on the right values. The conclusion is loving and rewarding. This is a engaging, adventurous and entertaining novel of love, intrigue and family. Great addition to this series.

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another well-done segment of the Classified K-9 series. FBI Agent Harper and her K-9 partner Star meet a bounty hunter in Colorado while chasing lost agent Jake Morrow. Riley is searching for Van Blackman, the fugitive responsible for murdering his sister and paralyzing her 6-year-old son Asher.

Harper resists the attraction she feels for Riley as they chase two fugitives across the mountainous state park. When she meets Asher, he melts her heart. Meanwhile, the chase continues as Blackman continues to taunt Riley.

There's a lot of danger here, with guns everywhere and Riley becoming a particular target. But there is an HEA even though at least one fugitive is still on the loose.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

Wonderful series fast pace, a lot of action. When I see a book by this author, I know without a doubt it's going to be awesome. Riley a bounty hunter is trying to track down the man that killed his sister and left his nephew paralyzed. In tracking him he has lost all faith in mankind, searching for this man he come face to face with missing FBI agent Jake Morrow. Calling the FBI with the tip he meet Harper and her team. Harper has been through a lot but she never lost her faith. With Harper's help Riley finds his faith in man and God. This story has attempted murder, car chases, love, and mystery.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynette Eason does it again with this book! Another great read. I did not read the series as they were written by other authors and I didn't realize it was a series. The bounty hunter, Riley, is on the hunt for the man (Van) who killed his sister and injured his nephew. On his hunt to find Van he runs into a man the FBI is searching for (a missing agent, Jake) Jake shoots and shoots at Riley. Riley escapes and reports it to the FBI. The FBI sends a team to search for Jake and then Van as well. In that team is FBI special agent Harper Prentiss. She has her trusty dog Star and the story continues. read more to find out

[Lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, first of all, it did not take me over a month to read this book, haha!

Anyway, Bounty Hunter by Lynette Eason was the fourth installment of the Classified K-9 Unit series. I found it very riveting and filled with suspense.
Riley Martelli is a bounty hunter on a mission to find his sister's killer and get justice for her injured son. The K-9 team are still on the lookout for Agent Jake Marrow. Harper Prentiss teams up with Riley and they vow to find both Jake and Van and bring both men to justice.

[Aud Connelly]

Why did the feds keep "splitting up, gang!" (and one of them getting ambushed every time)?

Do FBI agents regularly just loan weapons to bounty hunters?

Where were the local and state cops? Wouldn't they be involved in a hunt for a local murderer who was hiding out in a local state park?

When the MC dropped his weapon off a cliff, the park rangers found it in less than 24 hours. Why weren't THEY in charge of the double manhunt? Did the park rangers and visitors to the park even KNOW there were two wanted men, one of them a murderer, running around the recreation areas?!

[Joy Melville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynette Eason is a fantabulous Romantic Suspense writer, but for some reason, like the other authors in this particular LIS series, something is missing, and the backstory repetition is much too prevalent.

Still a favorite author, so I'll be watching for more of her stories.

This series - CLASSIFIED K-9 UNIT has dropped the ball as far as GREAT READS.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could have been a good book but too much running in circles emotionally and seriously, with 6 professional an specially trained K 9 teams the baddies just keep running away. Even though our heroine shouts “stay put” the baddie LIMPS away. She has drawn her weapon and has an incredibly trained attack dog but facing a murderer she lets him limp away. Sorry, that is in the TSTL class

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, suspenseful read. Not as long as most of Eason's works but I enjoyed the plot and the way a she managed to still squeeze in a few unexpected twists! I also found the setting a refreshing change.

[Brenda C. McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

Another exciting book. Full of intrigue, mystery and hints of a romance budding between the main characters. And, an awakening of God's goodness and love and care of the humans involved in this plot

[Charline Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bounty hunter meets special agent K-9 from K-9 unit and they pool their knowledge of the crime. Agent Harper is a strong woman and works well with her team. Part of a series but can read as stand alone. I enjoy the series so try to read all of them.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuation in the storyline of the hunt for FBI agent Jake Morrow. Each book in this series highlights an FBI agent and a side story while carrying on the of theme of a lost or gone rogue?? agent. Twisty turns here with sinister undertones

[Rebecca Delio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Story

I love the K9 Series. The stories are exceptional and the characters are wonderful. I especially like the stories of Lynette Eason. Keep up the good work...