The Hunter

Author E. C. Jacobs takes readers on one hell of a ride in this action thriller about an ex-military man who travels to Europe only to have his quiet vacation devolve into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Growing up, Cole Stonecypher and Kara Kingman were inseparable. Their families lived on neighboring ranches, and they were raised together from infancy. After Cole's parents died, the widowed Henry Kingman took the teenager in to live with him and Kara on Kingman Ranch. Tucked in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, they spent every day at each other's side until graduation. Some thought they might even be together forever . . . including Cole.

Fate, however, had other plans. After high school, they went their separate ways- Kara to college in New York and fashion school in Paris, Cole to college in New Mexico and then the military-and they never quite made their way back. Kara stayed in Paris for her career and built a family while Cole returned to New Mexico to run the ranch and serve as a deputy sheriff.

Now, on the eve of a trip to Europe to visit an old friend, Cole agrees to deliver a gift from Henry to Kara's son. But when he arrives, he finds Kara's husband missing and her child kidnapped.

Cole is prepared to use any means necessary to help Kara, unwittingly attracting the attention of sharp-eyed CIA agent Michele Javinski. Teaming up to find answers, they uncover evidence of a dangerous criminal conspiracy. And even as the sparks fly between him and Michele, Cole is determined to do whatever it takes to help Kara, no matter the cost.

Part international mystery and suspense, part conspiracy abduction thriller, The Hunter is an intensely satisfying addition to Jacobs's growing lineup of hard-hitting suspense novels.