If I Run

GIVEAWAY

BLACKSTOCK, TERRI
IF I RUN

Casey knows the truth. But it won't set her free.

Casey Cox's DNA is all over the crime scene. There's no use talking to police; they've failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she's arrested...or worse. The truth doesn't matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That's the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren't adding up. Casey Cox doesn't fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan's skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn't guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan's damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer...or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

My Review:

So intense my heart was hammering all the way through the read. The present tense, first person point of view from both Casey and Dylan's perspectives made this an even edgier read. I usually don't like reading books in present tense (I see vs I saw) but boy, did it work in If I Run. Catapulted me right into the hero/heroine's frame of mind and I lived each excruciating second right along with them. And I do mean excruciating. The tension is unbelievable.

Riveting from the very fist sentence: "There's blood on the bottom of my shoes." And I was hooked -- totally engaged in Casey's story. I mean reading If I Run made me so tense I had to consciously unclench my jaw. A lot. I became so absorbed in Casey's plight that it ceased to be a story. It was like real life playing out right before my eyes only I was helpless to offer assistance.

I love Casey. And I love how we get to know her. We recognize her tenacity and strength of will, her intelligence and determination not to mention her vulnerability and deeply rooted sorrow from reading her scenes. But we also discover Casey through the eyes of Dylan as he masterfully works a case and develops a profile. Trouble is, the more he discovers about Casey, the more he realizes her personality doesn't jive with that of a ruthless killer.

Dylan is quite the complex character as well. A criminal investigator for the Army forced to leave his job because of PTSD issues. He's hired by his murdered friend's family to find Casey and bring her to justice. A faith-filled man, honest and compassionate, he struggles with the investigation as he learns more about Casey and her family.

A compelling subplot chock-full of it's own suspense and an uplifting faith thread make this book over-the-top stupendous.

If you liked the movie The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford, you will love this book. But beware...Casey's troubles aren't over yet. She is still very much on the run and Dylan is in pursuit...of real justice this time. I've looked high and low on the Internet for information on when the next book in this series comes out but to no avail. I will be shatteringly distraught if I have to wait a whole year for book two.

Honestly, I am not someone to pick favourites, but if I'm asked in December what my favourite books of 2016 are, If I Run would be on that list. At the very top. And yes, I can say that even though there are still 11 months worth of new releases to read. It's simply that good.

My thanks to the publisher and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/tblackstock

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  If I Run please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 7 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!