Hey everyone. It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another book share. I read Finding Hunter last fall. Due to my blogging break during NaNoWriMo, I didn’t post the review here. Better late than never.
My Review:
After reading and thoroughly enjoying the first book of Marcia Meara’s Riverbend series, I eagerly awaited this one.
Hunter Painter is the youngest of three brothers, much different than his siblings. Where they are bold, brash jocks, Hunter is quiet, reflective, and somewhat shy. He’s been in love with Willow Greene since high school, but always thought he wasn’t good enough for her.
When a friend encourages him to call her, Hunter discovers the feeling is mutual. All too soon, their happiness is put to the test with a tragedy strikes Hunter’s family. He blames himself and leaves Riverbend. Some, including his brother Forrest, believe he may have committed suicide. But Willow refuses to give up, and after months Hunter returns—a broken man.
I have to be honest—parts of this book weren’t what I expected. However, Meara is a talented writer who does a fantastic job of tackling some genuine issues that face many people today—PTSD, depression, dysfunctional families. The suspense is there in the form of the mysterious “traveling man” who is bent on killing someone. And of course, there is the romance between Willow and Hunter.
If you like character-driven fiction, you’ll love this one. The third book of the series is coming up on my TBR list, and I look forward to reading it.
Five stars for this one.
Blurb:
Before, I never thought about taking a life. Not once.
Now, the thought fills my mind day and night, and
I wonder how I’ll hide that terrible need,
As an old car swings to the shoulder,
And stops.
~ Traveling Man ~
Hunter Painter’s darkest fears have shaped his offbeat personality since he was a child, crippling him in ways invisible to those unable to see past his quiet exterior. In a sleepy Florida town known for its eccentric inhabitants, he’s always been a mystery to most.
Only one person sees beyond Hunter’s quirky facade. Willow Greene, the new age herbalist who owns the local candle and potpourri shop, has secretly loved him since they were in high school. When, sixteen years later, she discovers Hunter has loved her just as long, Willow hopes her dreams are finally coming true.
Willow soon learns that Hunter fears happiness at her side isn’t in the cards for him. With her natural optimism and courage, she almost convinces him he’s wrong—that they can really have that life together they both long for—but even Willow can’t stop what Hunter knows is coming.
One by one, his worst nightmares become reality, culminating in an unthinkable tragedy, which devastates everyone it touches. Willow’s battle begins in earnest as Hunter is plunged into a bleak, guilt-ridden despair, threatening to destroy not only their love but Hunter, himself.
Finding Hunter is the story of a lost man’s desperate struggle to make his way home again, and one woman’s unshakeable faith in him and the power of their love.
44 Responses
I’ve enjoyed this series by Marcia and am looking forward to starting to read the Wake-Robin Ridge series next. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Joan 🙂
I’m getting ready to delve into the third book. Then on to the Wake-Robin Ridge series.
Hope you’ll enjoy That Darkest Place, Joan. With one Painter brother sorted out, it was time to deal with those other two, each with very different issues ahead. Looking forward to seeing what you think of this one, with two such different men as Jackson and Forrest facing very different problems from those that tore Hunter’s world apart. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the series, Harmony! I’ll be working on the 4th book when I finish my 3rd Emissary installment. And it will focus on someone OTHER than a Painter brother, now that I have those three sorted out fairly well. Of course, it’s a small town, and no matter who the book is about, you never know when a character from the past will cross paths with the new kid in town. 😀
I’m working my way through Marcia’s Wake Robin Ridge series, so this one will be up next. Fab review, Joan!
Hope you’ll enjoy the folks of Riverbend when you get a chance to meet them, Teri. Also hope you’re enjoying things on the Ridge! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and taking a minute to say hi! 😀 <3
After Riverbend, I plan to read Wake-Robin Ridge. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it as much as I have the Riverbend books.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review of Finding Hunter, the most complicated character I’ve written to date. He’s very near and dear to my heart, simply because as the tagline says, “Those who march to a different drummer sometimes lose their way.” Hunter was never made to fit in this world today, but the redemptive power of love can be amazing to behold.
So glad you enjoyed it, Joan! And I can’t wait to see what you think about That Darkest Place. Hunter isn’t the only Painter Brother struggling to find his way in the world, though each has his own issues to face down or rise above.
Sharing this on Facebook/Twitter right now and will reblog later this afternoon for the second half of #ShareAReviewDay on my blog. Thanks again! 🙂 <3
Thanks for sharing this around. Yes, Hunter lives a simple life, but he is a complex character. And Willow is so good for him. I really liked her also.
Sounds like it has a few twists. Best wishes with the book, Marcia. Good of you to share the book, Joan.
Thank you, P. H. It’s done very well for me, but I’d love for it to get a few more reviews, for sure. 🙂
I’m sure it will!
It definitely has some unexpected turns, P. H.
Lovely to see Marcia getting some press today.
Thanks, Craig! I was very happy to see Joan sharing her wonderful review. Finding Hunter is near and dear to my heart, having known a few men very much like him, a long time ago. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
Thanks, Craig. I loved this book and am happy to share my review.
It’s wonderful to see Finding Hunter in the spotlight. Marcia created such an intriguing set of siblings with the Painter brothers. Hunter’s story is very unique and deftly handled. He is indeed a complex soul who marchers to a different drummer!
That’s for sure, Mae. I’m glad you enjoyed the Painter brothers. It was fun to tell their unique, yet related, stories. I’ve known brothers just as completely different as these three, and I hope readers will enjoy meeting each of them over the last two books (to date) in the Riverbend series. Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂 <3
Hunter certainly does that. I agree. Marcia created an interesting set of siblings!
Another wonderful review of a book by Marcia, Joan. I read Deborah Jay’s lovely review yesterday for A Boy Named Rabbit. I loved Swamp Ghost and so did my mother.
Love to hear, Robbie! By the time I’d finished writing Swamp Ghosts, I had fallen totally in love with the weird Hunter Painter, and knew I had to tell his story, too. Of course, once I’d told his, I had to let Jackson & Forrest have their days in the sun, as well, so That Darkest Place dealt with the two other Painter boys. Book 4 in the series will focus on someone else in the little town of Riverbend, though you can be sure past characters will be popping up here and there along the way. It’s a very small town, after all, and everyone knows everyone else. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today. <3
My pleasure, Marcia. I love your enthusiasm for your characters.
As is probably true with many writers, they are very real to me, Robbie. 🙂 <3
I’m looking forward to reading the Wake-Robin Ridge series. I’ve heard lots of good things about Rabbit. I too enjoyed Swamp Ghosts.
I have the first book coming up next week. I am looking forward to it.
Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Since I didn’t have anyone scheduled for the afternoon #ShareAReviewDay slot, I decided to reblog this wonderful review of Finding Hunter from Joan Hall. Hope you’ll check it out and pass it along. Hunter Painter could use the love! 😀 Thanks so much, and thank you to Joan for such a super review! 🙂 <3
Thanks for reblogging this, Marcia. Yes, Hunter needs some love. He’s such a kind soul. And I loved the book!
Great review, Joan:) This is a series I’ve been wanting to get started reading!
I hope you get a chance to check it out one of these days, Denise. Those people in Riverbend are something else, especially the Painter boys! 😀 Hope you’ll enjoy it if you find time to read it. Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂 <3
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Denise!
Wonderful review, Joan. This sounds like an interesting read!
I hope you get a chance to check it out for yourself someday, Jacquie! Would love to hear what you think. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 <3
It was, Jacquie!
So happy to see this great review of Marcia’s book here. She is so good at creating characters readers care about.
Aw, thanks, Darlene! That’s what I love doing most. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today, too! 🙂 <3
Marcia certainly has a talent for creating multi-dimensional characters.
I also enjoyed the book, Joan. Great review. 🙂
Thanks so much, Diana! Great to see you here today, too! 🙂 <3
This was a good one, Diana. I’m getting ready to read the third in the series. Can’t wait!
I love character-driven stories and this sounds like it would be a book I couldn’t put down! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it, Joan! I have it on my radar!
Thanks, Jan. Characters readers can relate to and invest in are what I try to create, because that’s what I enjoy most about any book I read. If I don’t care what happens to someone in a book, I’m likely to lose interest pretty soon. Hope you’ll get a chance to check out the Riverbend series in the future, and if so, that you’ll enjoy meeting Hunter Painter. He’s always a step out of sync with the rest of the world, and he’s a tender, caring soul. Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂 <3
Jan, it was hard for me to put it down. I love to read books that keep me on the edge of my seat.
Joan, I’ve not read any of Marcia’s books, but I should. Your review here has triggered a desire to check out this series. I love books that keep me on the edge of my seat and provide me with characters I can really get into. Thanks for introducing me to these particular books.
Marcia is a very talented writer. I’m so happy to have made her acquantance and discovered her books. I think you’d enjoy them, Sherrey!