Running Scared

Ashley Adams is finally starting to take her life back after leaving her abusive husband Peter. The divorce is now final, she's living on her own, and she's training to run a marathon. While out on a run with her friend Marv, Ashley is almost killed when she witnesses a murder. Homicide detective Rick Edwards is investigating the crime. Since losing his wife and child, Rick devotes all of his time to work in an effort to keep the guilt and pain of losing them at bay. While Ashley is convinced the killer is Peter and signs do point to him, maybe he's not. But who else would want Ashley dead? Rick is determined to find out who's after Ashley. She's become important to him. She's saved him from himself. Running Scared is big on emotion and suspense. From the beginning you think you know who the killer is but there is always doubt. Rick is a great guy buried in grief. He suffered a heartbreaking loss as well as a possible painful betrayal. Ashley is a survivor in every sense. She gets a new lease on life when she finally musters the courage to leave Peter. The romance between Ashley and Rick develops slowly and realistically. I was just as anxious to see who the killer was as I was to see Rick an Ashley together! Running Scared is a very good story from a terrific author. Nannette Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This story kept me in suspense to the end. The title is just right for the book. The culprit was very hard to determine. The love interest also helped make it fun to read.

After living for two years with a violent spouse who put her in the hospital, Ashley Adams is a free woman. Determined to become all she can be including recovering what she was before her marriage in hell, Ashley goes to therapy, learns self defense, and carries a gun; her vow is never again. Peter calls her all time alternating with pleading and cajoling for her to come home and cursing her out. She ignores both sides of the SOB. Instead Ashley is preparing to run a marathon with her good friend and coach in DC, which will add to her self esteem. Early one morning, she and the coach are running when a car suddenly bears down on them; a gun shot is fired from the vehicle killing Paul Stratford, who was picking up a newspaper in front of his door. Homicide Detective Rick Edwards is uncertain who the intended victim was, but believe this was not random. Ashley ahs no doubt that her ex spouse Peter hired someone to kill her. The next day, Ashley runs again, but her coach suddenly collapses after drinking some water and is rushed to the hospital where he is diagnosed with turpentine poisoning that she knows Peter put in their water. Her house is broken into twice and someone shoots at her. Peter swears he is innocent; that someone else who drives a gold HHR is making him look like the suspect. Rick vows to protect the woman he loves though she doubts he will ever commit to a permanent relationship. This is an exciting explosive suspense thriller that works on several levels. Ashley and Rick are a couple the audience hopes will make it as she helps him through his personal problems while also working on her own self worth. Readers will wonder if Peter hired a killer as the obvious scenario is that the abuser refuses to accept Ashley wants nothing to do with him. Cheryl Norman keeps fans off balance as other possibilities crop up. Mindful of Linda Howard's novels, RUNNING SCARED is a terrific thriller. Harriet Klausner

I love romance, thrillers and suspense, and that's why I know a good suspense romance book when I read it. RUNNING SCARED by Cheryl Norman is such a book. The characters are so real you feel you could sit down and have a cup of coffee with them. Their motivation is totally believable, and the suspense is strong. I recommend RUNNING SCARED to anyone who loves suspense and romance--this book has plenty! And to a couch potato like me, it even let me vicariously enjoy the benefits of running--about as close as I'm ever likely to come to a marathon. :)

Running Scared, by Cheryl Norman is simply the very best book I have ever read in my LONG life! It is well written, making it a joy to read. The story is unusual and exciting. The characters are so real, you love them - and dislike a few villians. You learn about cops and runners with twists and turns right up to the shocking end. You're going to love this book!