About the Book
Title: Dead RunningAuthor: Cami Checketts
Release Date: April 2012
Publisher: Birch River Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Book #1 in the Running series
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.
Review
**Note: Previously posted on May 16
I personally think this description is a little misleading. Though the storyline is all there, it fails to describe the humorous side that made me fall in love with the book! I so enjoyed the lighthearted edge lining everything from being chased by murderous "Muscle Men" to swooning over "Dr. Tattoo". It was such a fun read and left me wanting more!
One of my favorite parts of this book was the characters, especially the main character Cassidy (Cassie) Christensen. She is hilarious! Her character is sassy, sarcastic, and completely accident prone (which results in more than one embarassingly awkward situation!) And even though her running journey is full of hilarious episodes, I admired her determination and strength as she trained for a marathon and eventually accomplished her goals.
I also enjoyed the characterization of even the minor roles. They are each unique and charming in their own way. There is Cassie's grandma who is definitely not your average "sweet little old lady". She is sharp and sassy (wonder who Cassie gets it from?!) and no-nonsense. She doesn't take crap from anyone and was probably the only character that Cassie was actually really afraid of (including the men who were trying to kill her!)
Then there's Elizabeth or "Hot Redhead" as Cassie dubs her. She's a perky little fireball with a perfect body and an unhealthy attachment to Cassie. At times, she acts completely nuts and that's why I loved her!
And don't even get me started on Cassie's two love interests! Do men like that even exist?! Hot, tempting, and completely swoonworthy!
Dead Running is a fast paced read, full of fun and quirky characters and plenty of action. (By the way, Cami, I would love to see a sequel!)
Excerpt
“Hope I’m not the subject of your angry murmuring,” a very masculine voice said from much too close behind me.
I flipped over onto my haunches, staring up into the warmest brown eyes. “Jesse.” My sweat production tripled at the smile he bestowed upon me, until I remembered that I’d almost put him and my desire to be around him out of my mind the last time I was with Damon. I forced myself to frown.
“What do you want?”
Jesse reached out a hand. I couldn’t resist placing my hand in his and marveling that I could still tremble from his touch through a dirty glove. He lifted me to my feet then released my hand. Being on his level did nothing to diminish his attractiveness. “I just saw you out in the yard and thought I’d say hi.”
I slowly pulled off my garden gloves, tossed them on the ground, and folded my arms in front of me. Defensive stance. That should stop him from smiling at me like that. “I don’t like you,” I informed him.
His eyes lost their warmth, but the smile stayed in place. His muscled tattoos flexed as he clenched both hands at his sides. “Why not?”
“You show up whenever you want to say ‘hi’, you claim to be protecting me, yet you never stay around long enough for me to get to know you.”
Jesse’s brows lifted. His grin reached his gaze again. He tilted his head to the side. “Forgive me?” he asked, wiping a smudge of dirt from my cheek.
I scowled deeper as my cheek hummed from his touch. Just being around him made me want to forgive anything he did wrong for the next twenty years. “I’ll forgive you when we start dating.”
Jesse slowly shook his head. “Cassidy. I wish I could explain. Each chance I have to see you is great. You make me laugh and you make me . . .” he smiled and winked, but didn’t finish his thought. “But I can’t be with you right now. If I were able to date you, I would be pounding on your door every night.”
Good to know that he actually liked me, but his answer was just confusing. “What kind of a stupid excuse is that?”
He ignored my question and took a step closer. “Are you doing all right? Has anyone bothered you?”
The sun’s singeing rays couldn’t warm me enough. I shivered, not wanting to dwell on our last conversation, when he’d basically revealed to me that no one could protect me. “N-no.”
Jesse studied every inch of my soul. I squirmed and picked at the dirt under my fingernails. It was obvious we were both hiding something. I wished I trusted him enough to ask and tell.
“If you aren’t interested in anything happening between us,” I whispered, “please leave.”
Jesse’s warm fingers lifted my chin until I was forced to meet his dark eyes. “I wish things could be different,” he said. He took a quick step, bent down, and brushed his lips over mine before I could think to protest. A searing joy shot through my body. My lips felt branded, like I belonged to Jesse and would never be the same if he didn’t do that to me continually.
He stepped away, but his eyes held me captive. “I’ll see you soon, Cassidy.”
I couldn’t even formulate a goodbye as he turned and strode away.
“So that’s it then,” I muttered several minutes later, still standing in the same spot and dreaming of him reappearing. “No promises. No spilling of the guts. Just kisses me and makes me want him then walks away.” I fell onto my knees and ferociously attacked the morning glory. I shouldn’t have told Jesse I didn’t like him. I should’ve told him the truth. I loathed him.
About the Author
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.
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Thank you, Lexie!
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