Dead Running by Cami Checketts blog Tour ~ Excerpt/review/giveaway

Dead Running by Cami Checketts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book description: 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.

My thoughts: Cassie is facing her fears and conquering her stagnant life by running.

The book begins as Cassie and her sister-in-law are running a 5K. Her participation and finishing the race are a feat for her. She has a tendency to quit things that she starts. After the race she wins a prize in the drawing, she won an entry into a marathon. WooHoo??? The best part is there is an attractive man who has agreed to train with others competing in the race.

There were a few other complications during and after the race. The creepy muscle man who tripped her and seems to be following her and the dead body she found in the bushes.

The book follows Cassie through her journey to train for the marathon. The bad guys are worse than she thought, they want to use her to flush out her "dead" father. There are also two attractive men who want to be with her.

Cassie was my favorite part of the book. Throughout everything she has a sardonic humor that is refreshing. I really enjoyed getting to know her. I did have a favorite with the two men. Both are hiding something and it's hard for her to sift through and determine who she wants to be with.

This was a fun suspense/romance book. I couldn't wait to start on the novella that comes after.

Dying to Run by Cami Checketts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review

Book Description:  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

My thoughts:  This novella picks up where Dying to Run left off.

Cassie has successfully completed a marathon. She has one man now instead of two.  She has made goals for her future.

Unfortunately, the bad guys are still out there. They kidnap her and start another unwilling adventure.

I couldn't wait to dig into this novella immediately after I finished Dying to Run. It was fun to connect with Cassie and Dr Tattoo. (I love her nicknames for the characters around her, it made it easier for me to keep track of them.)

The ending leaves her with some decisions and she has evaluate her thoughts of life and what is important.

Cami Checketts has left things open for another book. I'm hoping that she will continue to write about Cassie, her friends, and family.

Read an Excerpt from Dead Running!

********************

I reached the bottom step and peeked around the wall. My dad stood near the fireplace with a mixture of shock and revulsion on his sunburned face.

Just inside the front door, a man peeked out from the shadow of a hooded sweatshirt. He yanked out a wicked-looking blade. I covered my mouth to stifle the scream. My stomach knotted. My legs felt like ice. I didn’t know if I could move, let alone help.

The knife sailed through the air. My father darted to the side. The blade jabbed into his upper arm. Dad yelped. The pain in his face lodged in my own gut. He grabbed at his arm and yanked the knife out, spraying the wall with blood. My dad’s blood. Help. I had to do something. 

The hooded figure closed the distance and wrenched the weapon from dad’s fingers, lifting it above his head.

“No!” I leapt from my hiding spot, grabbed a heavy picture frame off the end table, and smacked the man with it. 

“Cassidy!” Dad inhaled quickly, hazel eyes widening.

The attacker knocked the picture frame out of my hands and pointed the bloody knife my direction. Dark eyes swept over the skin not covered by my t-shirt and cut-off sweats. I squirmed, his look scaring me as much as his knife. I backed up a step, eyes focused on the blade.

My dad planted himself between me and the man.

The man’s white teeth flashed against leathery skin. “She’s beautiful, Doc.” His tongue darted across his lower lip. “The dark hair and pretty brown eyes. Looks just like her mom.”

Dad held up his uninjured arm and shoved me behind him, his breath coming in ragged gulps. “Leave her out of this, Panetti.”

 Panetti cocked his head to the side. “I’m supposed to kill you, but I could bring her in alive for some extra compensation. How old are you, sweetheart?”

I glared at him over my dad’s shoulder. “Twenty-one and going nowhere with you. Get out of my house before I call the police.” It was a lame threat since I was visibly shaking and had no clue where my phone was.

The man threw back his head and laughed. “I like her, a bit of attitude. Ramirez and I will both enjoy her.”

I swallowed the sickening taste of his threat. Sweat trickled down my spine. I clung to my injured dad, who was currently no match for this psycho. How could I protect either of us?

“You’ll never touch her.” Dad pushed me toward the kitchen doorway. “I can’t believe you would betray the children for Ramirez.”

“Not for Ramirez. I betrayed the children for lots and lots of money.” Panetti revealed his perfect teeth again.

Dad looked back at me. “Run,” he whispered. 

********************

About Cami:

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

Enter the Tour Giveaway!

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash from Author Cami Checketts
3 Sets of iFrogz Earbuds & Armbands

Ends 1/31/13
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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