Dream Runner

I love a good Love Story; don't you??? =sighs audibly= And this love story Hit The Spot better than a cup of Maxwell House coffee. Marlea promised her aunt/mother Way Back when she was a child that One Day...she'd bring home some Olympic gold. After all: running was all Marlea dreamed about/felt destined to do. Now, after many heartbreaking near-misses, Marlea is one race away from realizing that dream when... Some Dude trips her right before the Finish Line. AJ has had a long illustrious football career. One knee injury later, AJ finds his team has let him go. If he can finish well in the Peachtree 10k race, AJ can prove he still Has It. He didn't count on that bum knee collapsing on him. Or him collapsing on the pretty woman runner in front of him either. She was mad too but Oh Well; it's not like AJ didn't try to apologize. In any event it's a good thing AJ has his physical therapy degree to fall back on. Thoroughly upset about missing what could be her last chance to make the Olympic team, Marlea leaves the park in a huff, and ends up in a car accident. The circumstances surrounding the accident are a bit murky, but one thing is certain: Marlea may never walk again, much less run. Her doctor wants her to try physical therapy. Can YOU guess who the Therapist is??? And who is behind the Hit & Run accident that leaves Marlea, and all her dreams, in jeopardy? For Sure Dream Runner has all the element of a Formula Plot: most good movies or books do; but OH, what a Lovely Journey Ms McFarland takes us on! Not everyone has the talent to handle The Formula, but in McFarland's capable hands The Formula becomes A Masterpiece. I laughed with Marlea and AJ; cried with them; cringed when the going got Rough; I even prayed for their relationship. In AJ and Marlea, McFarland creates vivid, three-dimensional characters whose dedication to their sports careers was not only apparent, but rang true: a testament to McFarland's own fitness background. Nothing in this book seemed Phony or Forced; the story line flowed smoothly and naturally, and I came to care not only about the two main characters, but about Rissa and Dench's journey too. It was a special joy to read such a well written, well produced book. The bonuses of McFarland being a traditionally published author with a real editor and not just a "proof reader" were not lost on me, but mere "editing" could not have created so satisfying a story. For that you need Real Talent, which McFarland has in Spades. Kudos.

Gail McFarland introduces readers to Olympic hopeful, Marlea Kellogg in Dream Runner. Marlea has dreamed of winning a Gold medal in the Olympics since she saw Evelyn Ashford at the Los Angeles games in 1984. Moving to Atlanta to be closer to her coach, Marlea practiced every chance she could, between teaching special education students, to achieve her goal. In order to qualify for the Olympic trials, she had to win The Peachtree Road Race. With the finish line in her sight, Marlea could taste victory but she fell over another runner who had tripped and lost her chance at qualifying. A.J. Yarborough, Atlanta's star running back, was trying to come to terms with the possibility of ending his career. A. J. injured his knee and his attempts at making a comeback did not look good. He was more than happy that he devoted his time during the off-season to earn his degree and license as a physical therapist. As fate would have it, Marlea was involved in a car accident, which resulted in a serious injury. Depressed and angered, Marlea refused all help. A.J. was asked to take Marlea as a client since he was also an athlete. Marlea and A.J. were immediately drawn to each other as she tried to accept her disability and as A. J. tried to heal her body and her ability to love. McFarland took her time to introduce her characters and their circumstances. She gave wonderful information about the United States Track & Field Association and the International Paralympics. Even though I struggled to read through some sections, I found the story to be well-written and entertaining. Reviewed by: Priscilla C. Johnson APOOO BookClub

Not being a BIG sports fan (with the exception of watching my children play), I was PLEASANTLY surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. I have to say Ms. McFarland did an excellent job of detailing the life of a professional runner and still keeping me entertained with this engaging and inspiring romance. Definitely not the novel for readers JUST looking for a HOT & SPICY romance. Although it does have some brief sensual and romantic encounters, it's not the main focus of this novel. Ms. McFarland provides very vivid and descriptive imagery of an athlete's life and the tragedy and triumph that one might face at some point during his/her career.~~~~~~~The characters of Marlea Kellogg and A.J. Yarborough are well developed and quite BELIEVABLE. This book is filled with in-depth detail as to what makes them tick.~~~~~~~ Marlea and A.J. literally crash into each other and from that moment on a constant electric spark SIZZLES between them. Their relationship starts as an unwilling therapist/client partnership, and slowly they learn to trust each other, developing a friendship that slowly moves along and eventually leads to them falling in love. Along the way there are several challenges they MUST overcome, separately and together in order to build upon this budding relationship. Both Marlea and A.J. show great strength and courage in rebuilding their lives after their dreams are shattered due to unexpected circumstances.~~~~~~~Ms. McFarland has written a story that touches on several emotionally charged issues; such as life-altering accidents/tragedies, benefits and demands of physical therapy, trying to find the will to forgive, trying to push through and keep moving in order to rebuild the broken dreams, so that their ULTIMATE goal is still obtainable. "Dream Runner", is a HIGHLY emotional ride, with many interesting twists that kept me turning the pages just to find out what would happen next for Marlea and A.J. The secondary characters were also intriguing and added just the right amount of fun and intensity to a decent storyline. I had a GREAT time bonding with the whole cast of characters and the very "real-life" concept portrayed in this wonderful story. Overall I think it's a worthwhile read!

ROMANCE IN COLOR 4+ Ms. McFarland has written a wonderful story. I really enjoyed the emphasis on the special needs population and the fact that there are activities (Special Olympics and Paralympics) out there for those who like to compete regardless of their disability. 22nd May 2008 ROMANTIC TIMES 4.5 stars This lyrical and challenging story isn't the typical boy-meets-girl tale. The author takes you into the heads of her characters so that we learn their thoughts as their emotions change and grow. Their newfound love is beautifully written, and the extended family provides humor and support for this couple. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Summary: Marlea Kellogg is a world-class runner bound for the Olympics. Her dream collides with former NFL star AJ Yarborough when they run into each other at the end of a qualifying race. On her way home, Marlea is broadsided by a car that leaves the scene of the accident. Enter Parker Reynolds, a trauma surgeon who happens to be driving by and brings her in for surgery. AJ is also a certified physical therapist and he's just the man to aid Marlea's recovery. HOT May, 2008

Eight-year-old Marlea promised her mother she would one day win Olympic gold. Twenty-plus years later, she's on the verge of making it happen; she needs a few more points to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team. Peachtree Road Race will give her those points... Marlea's kick is high, she is five seconds ahead of her time, she is in a zone. A second later she is sprawled on the ground, trapped under a hard body. Licensed Physical Therapist, Special Olympics' coach, and recently released NFL running back, A.J. Yarborough is running for exercise. He looses his footing and finds himself buffered by a soft body. Marlea is heart-broken; the fall destroys her time and her chance for Olympic gold. She heads home, thinking nothing could be worse, but something is. Her car is hit and pushed into a ravine; she is cut from the car and rushed to the hospital. There are no witnesses and no clues about the victim, or the other driver. The ER physician, who also called in the accident, performs emergency surgery; he has to amputate two of her toes. Days later he hires a physical therapist. Marlea is confused by his actions and is equally shocked and upset that the therapist is the dream killer himself, A.J. Yarborough. With her Olympic dream dead, she is not interested in therapy, but A.J. promises she will walk, dance and also run again. A.J. is finding out how mentally tough Marlea is and she is realizing how much she has sacrificed. These unlikely runners, fortunately, did not pass in the night. Their hard work gives them a renewed hope and maybe the best running field ever. In spite of all the negatives surrounding her accident and her injury, life, with its infinite purpose, may actually give her the gift of gold. DREAM RUNNER is an inspiring story filled with, broken dreams, broken hearts, simple truths, and undiluted triumph. McFarland gives us strong characters, a story to pull the heart and an ending soaked in the stuff dreams are made of. The serious storyline is enhanced by the way the characters deal with their adversities, and how they learn to embrace life. While fallen athletes will surely appreciate the story, it will appeal to anyone forced to dream a new dream. Reviewed by aNN of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers