Book Review: Dying to Run by Cami Checketts

There is continued suspense, action and increased intensity in this sequel.
Dying to Run
Cami Checketts

• File Size: 228 KB     
• Print Length: 78 pages     
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1480258679     
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited     
• Publisher: Birch River (October 30, 2012)

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 30, 2012
Cassidy Christensen wants to run.
Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, Cassidy's only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but Cassidy won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.

This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Review:
This story, and the action, picks up where Dead Running ended. Cassie’s father is still fighting the slave traffickers.  His self appointed body guard, Sham, stumbles into Cassie’s home with the intent to protect her. But behind him come a group of the enemy, including one seeking vengeance against Cassie. She is captured and delivered to the leader of the traffickers and his main henchman - the men who killed her mother. 

The enemy have met to coordinate the latest “shipment.” They are awaiting the arrival of Cassie’s dad who was to be lured there by none other than Dr. Tattoo, the man Cassie is drawn to but has yet to learn to trust.

Cassie is locked in a room, threatened by charming and ugly would-be rapists. As things look bleakest an escape is made and Cassie has a chance to run to freedom. But turning she realizes that someone else she loves will die.  Will Cassie be able to forgive the man who planned the explosions to stop the enemy forces? How can she love a man who can kill so many?

This is a great sequel to wrap up Dead Running.  (I won’t say complete the story as there is the possibility of more danger in the future.) I can appreciate Cassie’s sensitivity to killing but she is missing the reality that they are fighting a war and the man she loves is a warrior in that war, whether he likes it or not. I enjoyed the steady action-filled pace, the strong characters and the clean romance.

I read both of these stories in two days and have added Ms. Checketts to my list of Romantic Suspense authors to read! I encourage you to pick these titles up especially while the first book is on sale for $.99

I received this book to review from the author as part of a BookBlast Tour.  Please see my review of the first book, Dead Running and don't miss the BookBlast Giveaway.

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!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Book Blast: Dead Running and Dying to Run by Cami Checketts

See Givaway link below in this post
and please check back on 1/19 for my review.

Dead Running

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.

Dying to Run

Cassidy Christensen wants to run.

Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.

This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Purchase

Dead Running * Dying to Run

Blog Tour Schedule

Author Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.

Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

Links

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Fitness Blog

#BookBlast Giveaway

Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

$50 Gift Card to Running Chics

Ends 1/31/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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