Dead Running & Dying to Run Guest Post

Dead Running & Dying to Run Blog Tour

Dead Running 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.








Dying to Run 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.

Author
Cami Checketts

What did you do for research for your books?
Can I start by saying that I hate research! In college, I would always choose creative writing classes because I couldn’t stand research. I do have to admit that the internet has made research much easier. Whenever my boys have a question I say, “Let’s Google it.” Laziness at its best.
For Dead Running and Dying to Run the setting and the heroine’s line of work were very familiar to me (I already told you I’m lazy) as the books were set in places I’ve lived and the heroine works as an exercise scientist which I have a bachelor’s degree in. I focused most of my research on the child trafficking industry. Honestly, it is the most sickening research I’ve ever had to do. It’s a horrific thing that these people are doing and even though I wish I could get some of the images out of my mind I’m grateful that I know more so I can try to fight against it and somehow help to protect the children.

Bio:

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

Dead Running – Excerpt

Twenty yards to the finish line and suddenly I felt wetness running down my legs.
Holy schnikies! I kept running, but the shock of urinating on myself stole my thunder. Damon sprinted ahead, Elizabeth right behind him. I crossed the finish line trailing both of them.
I should’ve been proud of my time: forty-two minutes for a 10K. I never would’ve believed that was possible a month ago. But all I could think about was the fact that I had disgusting wetness pooling in my shoes. I had peed on myself. How gross was that?
I slowed to a walk, pondering my options. I could stick with Damon and Elizabeth and risk them smelling my misfortune. Or I could run and hide. Then I saw the perfect alternative−an irrigation ditch.
Damon circled around and came back to me. Elizabeth trailed him. He squeezed my shoulder. “You did great, Cassie. Man, you are tough. I didn’t think you were ready for that kind of speed.”
I shifted uncomfortably, watching him inhale and imagining that he could smell my stink and would soon run away. “Thanks,” I said. “Um, excuse me for a minute, I’m really hot.”
Damon and Elizabeth’s faces registered confusion. Sure, we’d worked up a sweat, but it was still an early summer morning in Northern Utah. The temperature couldn’t have been above sixty-five.
I walked away from them, bent down to untie and slip off my shoes and socks, and plunged into the irrigation ditch. The cold water rinsed me off. I’ve never felt so relieved.
A tanned hand extended from the grassy bank. “Cassidy?” Jesse questioned.
I grasped his hand and let him pull me out of the water. “Thanks!” I beamed, loving the way his deep-brown hair curled around his temples.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I am now.” I winked, loving each chance I had to be near this man. “Great race.”
“Thanks.” He grinned at me. “You did well.”
I looked up to see Damon and Elizabeth at the edge of the ditch, staring at me like I was insane. “Cassie?” Damon said. “You okay?”
I smiled at Jesse, clung to his hand, and waddled up the bank. Damon’s focus on our clasped fingers forced me to release my grip on Jesse. Dangit.
I punched Elizabeth in the shoulder. “Good race.”
“Ouch.” She shifted away from me. “What was that for?”
“It’s what friends do when they kick it hard together. You’re an amazing runner. Great job.” She looked at me like I was insane. Good heavens, I’d given the woman a compliment. “Would you prefer I slapped your butt?”

There is a shared rafflecopter giveaway for:

$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.