Hurricane

by Karen Harper

With lashing rain and brutal winds bearing down on them, residents of southwest Florida prepare for evacuation. But Julie Minton cannot leave. Her fourteen-year-old daughter, Randi, left home earlier that morning to go out on a Jet Ski with Thad Brockman, a boy Julie barely knows. Now Randi and Thad are missing — and the hurricane that hours ago was just another routine warning has turned toward shore.

With local law enforcement absorbed in emergency response measures, Julie has only the help of Zack Brockman, Thad's father. Together they begin a race against time to find their children — but first they must battle not only Mother Nature, but an enemy willing to use the danger and devastation of the storm for their own evil ends.

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Action

389 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor

Reviews

[Caleb Christensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this book was definitely not my favorite. A few reasons why are because I had no clue who was talking or who anyone was talking about because she was not clear about who was doing a certain action so I wasn’t sure if a 14 year old girl was on a jet ski or if a 70 year old man was. In the beginning if the book we met Julie, Kalyn, and Randi. Julie councils girls that cut themselves to relieve stress. Kalyn is a councilor at the camp and Randi is Julie’s daughter who lived in Michigan but moved to the keys to be with her mom. Then we meet Zach and Thad Brockman. Zach is a former navy seal and Thad is a student at the school in the keys. When Randi and Thad go for a ride on a jet ski they are kidnapped by 2 mystery people. Zach and Julie search for the kids and stumble upon 2 murders all with a hurricane coming. They eventually find the kids and figure out who took the kids which was their neighbor and nature enthusiast Liz Lawson and her partner Nate. Julie completely changes throughout the book. In the beginning she is kind if scared to do things that she doesn’t feel comfortable with but by the end she will do whatever it takes to be with her family. Zach doesn’t change a whole lot. He is mentally and physically tough because he is a seal and thus proves to be useful during their endeavors. In the end Zach and Julie get married and live happily ever after but as a whole, I would probably not recommend this book to anyone looking for a good exciting book to read.

[Cindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably should grade "Hurricane" higher as the plot itself was interesting, the research impeccible and the feeling of emminant danger from the hurricane was ever present. Unfortunately, I couldn't stand the cliche writing! Twice I almost put the book down but really wanted to find out who the murderer was so kept at it.

I can see an author writing, '"Oh, Zack!", she cried,' once, maybe twice BUT the chick in this book "cried" every freakin' time she spoke! Her daughter "cried" and her best friend "cried" and even the hunky Navy SEAL "cried" out (altho he usually just "shouted"). This was so pervasive throughout that I couldn't get past it - and each new occurance stopped the flow of the story.

Now, Karen Harper is a famous and well-liked author, right? She certainly had a great idea to write about. What do I do? Do I put her on the "drop author" list or just try to ignore the language next time?

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed Karen Harper's Amish books so this book was a huge disappoint. The story takes place over a couple of days' time during an incoming hurricane in the Keys. The actions were chaotic at times and the dialogue of the characters was overly melodramatic. The growing romance of the main characters seemed forced. His thoughts of admiration for her during the crisis on the Key was also forced. The secondary characters were not clearly defined; I still had characters confused by the end of the book. I only finished it to see "who done it" and that, too, was anti-climactic. Even the last chapter which was dedicated to what was happening 6 months later was boring.

[Kathryn Watters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book boring for the most part. It mostly is two people running around before a hurricane looking for their missing children but the only time it goes to the children is when they are kidnapped and we don't read anymore about them until the end of the book. I think it needed more action.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several Karen Harper books and they usually suck me in and I can't put them down. This one was just blah. It was a very slow storyline and somewhat cheesy at times. Three stars instead of the usual five.

[Kathi · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot idea was good but the writing was just awful. The conversations were boring and totally unbelievable. I was annoyed by the main character from the start.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Karen Harper provided well-developed characters and fast-paced action. She combined two of my favorite topics in novels - a suspenseful crime story and a thrilling natural disaster. There are enough suspects to keep you guessing until near the end.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to see what an author would do with a story about being in a hurricane. This book made it seem so real and did not disappoint. The behavior of the people seemed realistic to me. Story line was well thought out and kept me guessing

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Karen Harper since the beginning of her career and enjoy her style of writing. This is an intense read of a mother trying to locate her teen during a hurricane. Though enjoyable, the book could be shorter and have more impact.

[jgurillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thriller trepidante por momentos, al que sobra alguna página dedicada a la personalidad floja de una protagonista secundaria pero, quitando ese detalle menor, la lectura es amena y engancha con una trama bien hilvanada.

[Linda Klages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading that just when Hurricane Harvey has hit Texas............ Lots of info - will read more from this author.

[Linda Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun romantic action read and I learned a lot about hurricanes.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should become a motion picture!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I would call a summer read.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A weak 3 stars

[Donna Covell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling from the first page to the last - kept your attention, full of suspense.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.85

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out with good action. I noticed some reviewers commented on trivial interaction between characters. The characters were not well defined and hard to track. The action and plot were strong enough, so I didn't really notice. The concluding chapter was surpringly weak given the action throughout the book. Still, the conclusion was unpredictable. The author carried all the suspects to the end.. Usually, I can tell who is guilty after the first few chapters. This book is an easy to read action plot. It holds the teader's attention.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

was not expecting this to be such a great read. the author got you hooked on your first chapter, and she had done a lot of research to keep the book believable and exciting. the characters were wonderfully created to where you could easily identify with them and fall in love with them. and there was no slow parts, you just wanted to keep reading and reading until you finished the book! this one is a must read......you will fall in love with it!

[Diane Fuson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Harper's Hurricane was an interesting mix of innocence and danger. I enjoyed the relationships and mystery surrounding Julie and Zack. Although I might guess some of the story, there were twists that I didn't expect and thoroughly enjoyed. Imagining losing my children in the same way, kept me on the edge of my seat and in the book until the end! I do love a book that keeps me enthralled with its story.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

two teens missing just days before tropical storm becomes a hurricane. Parents frantically search for teens while trying to keep from being murdered themselves. An edge of your seat thriller in south Florida. Great characters - ex-Navy Seal, ecology fanatics, land hungry developer, curmudgeonly old men, etc.

[Shasta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper is a great author. This story is about two people whose children go missing at the beginning of a potential hurricane. They have to find them before the hurricane hits. Lots of twists and turns. Love it!

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't stand it when adults think they can make themselves sound like an 8th grader. No 8th grader, not even in 2006, would classify a boy as "phat." Plus, I really don't care whether or not said 8th grader has boobs.

[Cynde Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book by Karen Harper....she is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Really liked this one as I was not able to figure out who done it before the characters in the book so there was no boredom. Looking forward to more from her.

[Wendy Schlegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. it was an easy read with romance and adventure in a tropical local, with a Navy Seal. Has all the elements that I like for a good read. The end was a surprise and the author kept you guessing until the final chapters.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery that takes place in Florida. Good read

[Tere · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into the story.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling! She's a great writer.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So suspenseful, I read it in one sitting!

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing