Book Review: Dead Running by Cami Checketts

This story keeps running with suspense. I definitely want to read more from this author.

Dead Running
by Cami Checketts

• File Size: 417 KB
• Print Length: 248 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1475166605
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Birch River Publishing (March 27, 2012)

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.
With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

A light-hearted and clean romantic suspense, Dead Running will have you lacing up your running shoes and impatiently waiting for the sequel.
Don't miss the exciting sequel to Dead Running. Dying to Run is now available on Amazon for only $.99.

Review:
Cassidy recalls the night when her father, a doctor dedicated to helping children, was attacked in her home by a mobster assassin. Since her parents death  by mercenaries while on a medical mission in Mexico, Cassie has lived with her Nana and stumbled from one project to another. Her pregnant sister-in-law, Raquel, pushes Cassidy to run a 5K race with her.

Cassie struggles through the race where she meets a host of characters. There is ‘Fine-Looking Runner Man’, the charming, marathon runner, she later learns is Damon. She is tripped and taunted by two rough looking men, whom she dubs ‘Muscle Man’ and ‘String Bean’. At the end of the race Cassie stumbles and falls thus meeting a strong, dark, attractive Doctor. As much as she is attracted to the kindness of the doctor she is repelled by his extensive tattoos.

Cassie is excited to win a prize in the post race festivities until she learns the prize is entry into a marathon race. A pushy, pert runner, ‘Hot Redhead’, tries to get Cassie to sell the entry. Although Cassie is tempted, the rules say she can’t and Raquel, who believes in Cassie, challengers her to train for the marathon.

Cassie plans out her training and begins to spend time with dreamy Damon.  Cassie is stalked and attacked several times by Muscle Man and his co-hort but mysterious Dr. Tattoo, aka Jessie, keeps coming to her rescue.

Cassie is running in fear from Muscle Man and from the nasty threats of jealous Elizabeth, the redhead. Still she keeps pushing herself to run through her pain even when she embarrasses herself.  While she is training Cassie learns from Muscle Man that she is being used as bait to draw out her father whom they claim isn’t really dead.  She begins to learn more about her father’s dangerous work to help save children from slavers. Now it seems that her father’s enemies are after her too.

Cassie has two strong men interested in her but what does she really know about either of them? Who can she trust? Should she stop training so she won’t be such an easy target out on the road or can she push through her fear and face up to the challenge?

I really loved the non-stop pace of this story which starts with danger and doesn’t stop. I enjoyed the sharing of the pain of running and training which was very real. I also liked the down to earth writing style with the light humor in nick names and fun phrases (see the quotes below).  There was suspense in the mystery and conflict of the two male interests. This made it fun waiting to find out what happened.

If you like a story with action, intrigue and romance, plus clean language, this is a story you need to read!  I was very glad I had the sequel, Dying to Run, ready to read next!

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Two examples of fun phrasing:

My attempts at sleeping were a complete waste of pillow time. Location 1021.

I wanted to curl up in fetal position and have someone place chocolate on my tongue. I ran instead. Location 1123.

I received this title for an honest review as part of BookBlast Tour.
Remember to check out the BookBlast Giveaway. 

This is set in Northern Utah for my 2013 Where Are You Reading list. I will also add it to my new author list.