Dead Running and Dying to Run Book Blast - $50 Running Chics GC and $50 Amazon GC Giveaways

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.

Purchase

Dead Running * Dying to Run

Blog Tour Schedule

Author Cami Checketts

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

#BookBlast Giveaway


Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
$50 Gift Card to Running Chics
Ends 1/31/12
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.



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Daydreaming through the half-marathon

I survived Not Yo Mama's half-marathon last weekend. So glad to be done, but it really was a great experience. I did 1:53 which I was pretty proud of as the beastly race is straight up Smithfield Canyon. I kept telling myself that I was the beast (term borrowed from 13yo) not the canyon but the pep talk wasn't 100% effective. I had to shoot a GU halfway through, further evidence that I am getting old and don't have the energy I used to!
I was able to lose myself in a daydream about my latest novel for a few miles so that helped immensely. When I was exhausted at mile 12 and Cassidy (heroine from Dead Running) wasn't showing me any other scenes from her sequel, I actually thought, "Come on Cassidy, give me something!" She said back, "Leave me alone, I'm kissing Jesse." I laughed out loud as I ran, then realized I'm a bit of an oddball to be conversing with fictional characters as I run!

What do you do to keep your mind off the pain when you're pushing yourself?

I Am a Runner

I signed my 13yo up for football yesterday. He told me, "I play football but I am a lacrosse player." I guess his lacrosse coaches explained that he should give any sport he plays his all but he was always in his heart a lacrosse player.
This morning I finally decided that I am a runner. I ran 14 miles up Smithfield Canyon with a broken toe after not running for 2 1/2 weeks. I also need to mention that it was hot, windy, I drank from a stream that will probably give me giardia, and at mile two I had to remove my toe wrappings because they were rubbing and my sock was full of blood.
Blood, sweat, and dirty creek water. Yeah, man. I am a runner!
It's funny that I've done two marathons and numerous other races but when people ask me if I am a runner I always say, "No, I'm a weight-lifter who runs."
Today, I am a runner.

Yeah spring!

Ran outside this morning. Amazing! Goodbye treadmill hello beautiful black pavement. Hope you all have a glorious first day of spring!

Too funny

This made me laugh so hard, I just had to share it!

Summer Running

I love summer! Nothing is better than running or biking outside in the morning, swimming in the afternoon, and eating ice cream on the porch at night (I can justify ice cream anytime).

Exercise is exhilirating in the summertime. I feel like I could run for hours (though my knees beg to differ). It's a million times better than pounding out miles on a treadmill when it's 10 degrees outside. A friend of mine told me she's ready for summer to be over. I can't even stand the thought! I'm trying to plan warm vacations throughout the winter so I can survive emotionally until next summer.

What's your favorite summer activity?

Gearing up for half-marathon

Smithfield City is hosting their first ever half marathon. If you live in Northern Utah you are definitely going to want to check this out. Smithfield City does a fabulous job on their short races (Turkey Trot and Health Days). This half-marathon is not going to be easy (hills galore) but I know it will be well-organized and my favorite part - no smelly bus ride up a canyon. You begin and end at the Rec. Center (it's a loop so it won't be boring). I am so excited for this race. I get nervous just thinking about it, but excited as well. If any of you live out of town and want to run, we've got a fabulous guest room! Any race plans in your future?

A break from running

Last Wednesday I ran 3 1/2 miles, at a decent pace for a pregnant lady, then I walked 3 miles. I received three phone calls that day telling me to slow down and two friends at the gym said the same thing. I complained to my husband that night. His response, "These people all care about you. Maybe you should pray about it." I did and the answer humbled me, "This baby is a miracle. How dare you jeopardize that?" I'm done running. I'll keep exercising, but force myself to keep it under control.

Have you ever had a time in your life when you were forced to slow down? How did you deal with it?

Shoes

How are your shoes? Last month my husband bought me a new pair of running shoes. Brooks "The Beast." I've been running in The Beast for years. At races men always ask, "Why are you running in a fat man's shoe?" I always answer, "Because it works for me." Imagine my surprise when my new Beasts did not work for me. My knees hurt, my feet hurt, I dreaded running.

I finally swallowed my timidity and returned the shoes to Al's Sporting Goods (thank heavens for a thirty-day guarantee). The salesman was wonderful and exchanged my shoes for the Asics Foundation without flinching.

If you've ever run in the wrong shoes or worn-out shoes you know how bad it can hurt. No matter what sport you're doing, make sure you have the right shoe to support your joints and keep you going strong. It's much smarter to pay $100 now rather than thousands in medical bills later.

What's your favorite workout shoe?

Becoming a runner

My little sister, Abbie, has been working diligently to become a runner. She started by walking a block then running a block, gradually increasing the ratio until she was running a mile then walking for a few minutes before running again. Saturday we ran five miles together. Such a proud moment for me.

I know not everyone can run because of joint or health issues, but I found this great article in Prevention about how to become a runner. And it's well worth trying. "Minute for minute, running burns about twice as many calories as walking." (i) Running has been proven to be one of the top cardiovascular means to burn calories. Also running stimulates more good-mood hormones in the brain so runners report enjoying their workout more. (No wonder I'm so addicted to my run even when it hurts like a bikini wax.)

So if you've ever wanted to try running, here's your chance. Check out this link - http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/turn-your-walk-into-a-run-and-drop-a-size-in-4-weeks/1b52700d2a381210VgnVCM10000013281eac____/fitness/walking

(i) Turn your walk into a run ... and drop a size in 4 weeks by Marianne McGinnis, Prevention, July 2009