Running Scared: A Novel of Romantic Suspense

by Linda Ladd

Kate Reed is surely the happiest woman alive when her husband Michael arranges the adoption of baby Joey after the many years they tried unsuccessfully to conceive a child. From the first moment Kate embraces little Joey, she feels as though everything is finally complete. And when Michael suggests they escape the noisy city to find solace and comfort in the Missouri countryside, she feels like everything is falling into place for her and Michael. But when Michael’s behavior suddenly becomes bizarre and unexplainable, Kate wonders whether he has got a bad case of the fatherhood jitters. It seems reasonable enough until sinister men arrive on her doorstep to claim her little one. Kate’s only escape seems to be the woods, where she fearfully remains with baby Joey. When she encounters an unkempt man named Booker, and the two learn she is wanted for kidnapping and murder, this old friend of her grandfather does everything he can to protect Kate and Joey. Of course she has no idea just who this man is, but suddenly she trusts him more than anyone else . . . 

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery Thriller

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2014

About the author

Pseudonym, Jillian Roth

Reviews

[Rebecca Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Ladd is one of my favorite authors. I found her and was hooked with her Claire Morgan series. This novel is a stand alone without cliff hangers at the end which was actually refreshing. It's action packed from the very beginning and never stops! It is a PG-13 due to some mild sexual content and violence all consistent with the plot line. Save for a weekend or vacation read as you will be unable to stop once you start! Afterward you'll want to check out the other stories by this very talented author.

Oh and by the way, this a a re-read for me. This story is that good!

[Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is different than some of the other books I’ve read but I really enjoyed reading it with all of the Missouri references. I loved that the setting was the Current River and it was fun to read about Branson from an outsiders POV in the early 2000s. I was rooting for Kate along the way, and found myself eagerly reading to find out what happened next.

[Sandra Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running Scared

A very adventurous tale ! It was too action packed to put down for long. I gave it five stars for holding my interest until the end; and I was sorry it wasn’t longer. I think this book would be a good fit for those 13 years and older.

[Kathy Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was amazingly written. Kept me on the edge the whole time! Looking for more books by her now🥰

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. What romantic suspense is supposed to be but most authors miss. Wish she would release something new.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kate Reed's marriage has been falling apart. Her days of wedded-togetherness to Michael has been evolving and not for the good. Ready to call it quits, Michael surprises her when he says he has found a boy and they can finally adopt. Desperate for a child and willing to give her marriage another shot they stay together and move to the country. Though Michael is a good father Kate still has her suspicions; his behavior is secretive and unusual. Then one day some men show up and threaten them both with harm. She escapes with Joey, their infant, into the woods.

While on the run she meets up with her share of both odd and ominous characters. One of them is Booker, a hobo-type who says little. She also finds out that she is wanted for Michael's murder. Kate needs to prove her innocence but who can she trust?

More suspense then romance this story has its share of farfetched situations. We are informed at the beginning that Kate is a runner and knows the lay of the land. OK, but she is traveling with a newborn. If you were ever a parent you know that nothing goes as planned with little ones. Crying and fussiness are just part of baby's life. Ms. Ladd tries to impart plausable situations regarding traveling with someone so young but it still wasn't realistic in my mind. Low on the romance side, don't read RUNNING SCARED if that is what you are looking for. If you can get past these perspectives the story isn't too bad.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

More suspense than romance in this book but the main character is a strong woman let down by her husband and has to protect her self and the child her husband told her he had adopted.
After her husband is killed Kate has to go on the run with the baby .
When all seems hopeless she forms an unlikely alliance with a hermit . They both learn to trust each other and work to solve their problems.
A book to be enjoyed by both men and women .

[J. Ewbank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book by Linda Ladd is called a novel of romantic suspene. It is heavy on suspense and light on romance, but that works for me. I thought we would never get over the continual problems the main character had at the start and we never did until the end. It was interesting and I enjoyed it.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'" and "Wesley's Wars"

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this since I enjoyed her other books (a series of serial killer police procedurals). This wasn't as good. Strong female character reacting to unforseen circumstances and surviving. She meets up with men who are willing to risk their lives for her and her baby.

[Linda C. Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running Scared

I really enjoyed this book, could hardly put it down. The characters were great together. A real thriller. I recommend this to people who love suspense!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good back story to the Claire Morgan series.