Librarian Notes: this is an alternate cover edition for ASIN: B00PE2OMKS.
Charlotte Marshall survived a nightmare. But moving forward past the trauma is a daily battle. Self-defense training, a high security home, and a trusted circle of family and friends help her improve. But fear still lives. Charlotte can’t lean on ritual and routine forever. She must stand on her own. Desperate to move on Charlotte finds hope in volunteering with FindMe, an organization dedicated to finding people who are missing and helping their families. Her first case ends up being more than she bargained for and Charlotte soon learns that a little hope can be a dangerous thing. She is strong. She is smart. But new threats come. A new danger lurks. Someone evil wants to destroy her. The FBI has no answers. A man is missing. His family deserves the truth. But Charlotte is not alone in this new quest. Her sparring partner, Skeet, is far more complicated than he appears. Together they search for a missing man and discover that death is never far away. Death haunts, the truth taunts, and answers are just out of reach. Charlotte will have to choose to stand and fight or to give in to the fear that waits for her.
Books are my passion and always have been. I used to get in trouble in school for reading during class! I have degrees in social work and history, and for my day job I am a social worker. In my writing I try to answer a question that is important to both social work and history, why. I always want to know why people do the things they do or feel the way they feel. When I am not reading or writing I enjoy yoga, running and cooking. I make a pretty mean chili! Thank you for stopping by my goodreads page. I hope you enjoy my stories.
After giving Becky Johnson's first book 5 stars, I was looking forward to reading this, the second in the series. However, I did not enjoy this one as much. Without much recollection of the first book, I needed a reintroduction to Charlotte and Jack and didn't get it. I couldn't remember if Skeet and Moshe appeared in the first book, so I assumed they became important to Charlotte during her recovery. The beginning of the book concentrated on Charlotte's PTSD as a result of events in the first book and the defensive training she was learning. It also described the security steps she took by rote. The book hit its stride at about 25% in when Charlotte decided she wasn't going to play victim any longer.
Charlotte's investigation was interesting but not unique. She relies heavily on Jack and calls him for help several times. Secretive Skeet was also there to help, and he's the character I found most interesting. I was amused that, with the sophisticated security system in place in Charlotte's house, it was broken into twice.
I would recommend that this book be read immediately after Run, to try to maintain the connection to the characters. There is a third book that I will read shortly for that reason.
I absolutely loved reading "Stand," The story picks up nine months from where we left off in "Run," another great mystery-suspense novel that you should read before starting "Stand." With her newly secured home, her faithful companion, Max, her daily exercises of yoga and/or running, and her exercise regime at Joe's Gym, Char is still having nightmares. She's suffering from PTSD, unable to move on in her private and professional life, left with fears of becoming agoraphobic. Living in fear and trying to find direction and purpose, Char volunteers at "Find Me," an organization that looks for missing persons long after the police have no leads, at the request of their loved ones. With this new purpose and direction, Char delves right in. If that wasn't bad enough, there's someone who got away last time who's come back to make Char pay. With her life being threatened, Char is determined to overcome her "fears, survive and not let the monsters win."
The author delivers a well-written novel full of mystery and suspense that moves at a good pace from beginning to end. I loved Charlotte. She comes across as not only strong and intelligent, but real. She shows her vulnerable side, her fears, her determination, and loyalty. I was really glad with Jack's return, once again front and center in Char's life. We're also introduced to a new and very interesting character, Skeet, her sparring partner at the gym. Together Skeet and Char investigate her first missing case. I honestly don't know if Char will find romance with Jack, or Skeet (I like them both). I like that feeling of not knowing because it gives me something to look forward to in the next and final installment. I just hope she does end up in a relationship as she really deserves it. I'm anxious to get my hands on it. This is a series that I highly recommend.
In Stand we find Charlotte Marshall trying to tie the pieces of her broken life after the ordeal with the serial killer from hell. Traumatized, Charlotte is constantly watching her back. Deep down, she knows there’s a missing link she has yet to deal with and this adds to her every day drama. In her effort to feel somewhat safe, she has a routine patted down, including taking daily self-defense classes. Understandably, she’s almost paranoid in her fear, but she has every right to feel that way. Charlotte’s link to the past is still out there. Watching. Waiting. Stalking. It’s very easy to see oneself in Charlotte’s shoes. Being scared, looking over her back, checking every nook and cranny just to make sure no one lurks in the shadows getting ready to pounce—yes, I could see myself doing this. It’s the only way she could get some inner peace. Even if it’s for a short period of time. Wanting to go back to normal after everything she’s been through, this is something I can relate to. Charlotte wants some normalcy to her life. Don’t we all. In spite of her fear, Charlotte slowly, but surely, moves on with her life. Taking one huge step toward emotional independence, Charlotte decides to use her detective skills for one more investigation. During these events, we get to meet a set of secondary characters that really add even more life into the story. Honestly, I couldn’t tell who I enjoyed more. Skeet? Or Jack? I love that they are such good friends and help her out, even when it’s obvious her meddlesome behavior might get them all in a bit of a pickle. Charlotte’s snooping, along with her interaction with Skeet and Jack, is what keeps the drama going, and even more interesting. I admire her bravado and her sense of determination. It takes a lot of strength to continue on after her encounter with a madman, but she pushes on. Though she’s often required to take on the help of some very protective yet reliable men. The ending was both satisfying, and frustrating. The old threat is back, but I’m going to have to wait to read what happens until the next book. I’m intrigued, and glad there’s yet one more book that hopefully, will bring both Charlotte and I some closure.
Charlotte Marshall survived a nightmare. But moving forward past the trauma is a daily battle. Self-defense training, a high security home, and a trusted circle of family and friends help her improve. But fear still lives. Charlotte can’t lean on ritual and routine forever. She must stand on her own. Desperate to move on Charlotte finds hope in volunteering with Find Me, an organization dedicated to finding people who are missing and helping their families. Her first case ends up being more than she bargained for and Charlotte soon learns that a little hope can be a dangerous thing. She is strong. She is smart. But new threats come. A new danger lurks. Someone evil wants to destroy her. The FBI has no answers. A man is missing. His family deserves the truth. But Charlotte is not alone in this new quest. Her sparring partner, Skeet, is far more complicated than he appears. Together they search for a missing man and discover that death is never far away. Death haunts, the truth taunts, and answers are just out of reach. Charlotte will have to choose to stand and fight or to give in to the fear that waits for her.
My Review:
Nine months have passed since Charlotte Marshall encountered a sadistic murder. Now, she constantly finds herself afraid and terrified that someone is out to get her in the way of revenge from that murder. She starts to train at her local gym, just in case she may have to defend herself in the future. Which boosts her confidence just enough that she applies for an online job. After accepting the job, she begins her first assignment. When she begins to come to a dead end on the case she is working on, she calls on her old friend Agent Jack Moore for his help.
She then starts receiving mysterious calls and emails from the partner of the murderer who attacked previously. After she suffers a break-in, in her own home---her friend Skeet volunteers his services to help her get to the bottom of this. Soon after they begin questioning and searching out the truth, things start getting risky.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Pump Up Your Book.
Charlotte Marshall still wakes up most nights screaming. She is still traumatized nine months after she faced the killer of twenty-three young girls. His name was Lawrence Pheares – she calls him a monster. But he’s dead now. She’s in counseling for PTSD; she’s taking intensive self-defense classes at Joe’s Gym; and she owns a top of the line security system for her home. Pheares wasn’t alone; he had a partner of sorts – Georgia. Georgia is free and alive and not to be taken lightly.
Charlotte is a writer. That’s how she found Pheares in the first place, or more accurately, he found her. She was doing research investigating the murder of several of the young girls. While she’s still deathly afraid, she realizes she can’t stay holed up in her home only going out to the gym every day and to her family occasionally. She joins an online research agency looking for missing people; it’s called FindMe. She begins engrossing herself in the disappearance of a man five years prior. He walked out of his law firm one day for lunch and never returned. But, Georgia is biding her time and waiting.
The first book in this series is Run. It is the story of Charlotte’s involvement with Pheare’s and his murder of twenty-three girls. I had not read Run before reading Stand, and I did feel like there was much I was missing. This is clearly not a series that should be read out of order. In the beginning of Stand, I felt that Charlotte was both strong and weak – strong because of all that’s she’d endured and was still had a determination to keep going — weak because she suffers with PTSD and relies heavily on routine to get through each day. I really liked Charlotte and I liked the people she worked with at the gym. Jack, FBI, also frequents the gym; he’d been her savior in her battle with Pheares. It’s a short read, but very intense. I rated Stand at 4.5 out of 5.
As the executive editor for this book, I was thrill to once again work with Author, Becky Johnson on the continuation of the Charlotte Marshall Mysteries. In the first book, RUN, her character is literally running for her life. But in STAND she is determined not to let evil win, to take a stand for what she believes is right and to solve why a man went missing.
We thought her character Charlotte had faced death in RUN and won, but there is a new trouble to face, more mysteries to solve. She suffers from PTSD after all that she and Jack endured in the first book, but Charlotte is brave and determined. She trains for self-defense at a gym Jack took her to. This is her saving grace. It keeps her going. The training gives her strength to face her inner demons, but there is more trouble coming, a man is missing, and someone wants her dead.
Working with Becky Johnson is fun and I love her style of writing. She packs a ton of action and emotional suspense into this book. When the secrets Charlotte is uncovering pair her with her sparing partner, Skeet, it is fantastic to see Charlotte on a team, no longer struggling alone. Along with her sizzling friendship with Jack, she is empowered to uncover the truth and the dangers she faces are very real.
First of all this book needs a good editing. Charlotte character is not strong woman, she is needy. While searching for the missing person, she spouse to be writing a book, but instead of working to make herself something she's not goes after that person. Gets her friends involved in this search. English is not my main language, but I know the difference between sign and sing.
I got this book for free from goodreads. I really loved this book! I was sucked in even though I had not read the first book in the series, I started at 10am and finished by 2pm.
I don't think this was an ARC, but there were several grammar mistakes that a proofreader should have caught. It was not well-written at all; reminded me of the things my high school students turned in back when I was teaching.
I enjoyed this book. Good storyline and plenty of action. I also liked Charlotte 's character. She is vulnerable but trying to recover from her past traumas.
First she ran, now she stands! Charlotte Marshall is one lady who truly lives the old adage of ' what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'. I can't wait to see where she goes for Redemption.
Becky Johnson’s second Charlotte Marshall novel, Stand, picks up nine months after the end of the previous one, as Charlotte determines how best to move forward with her life in light of the traumatic events. And unsurprisingly, she finds herself in the midst of yet another dangerous mystery - and many of the bothersome aspects of the first book bothered me again in the second. In all the action-packed pages, revelations and resolutions arrive fairly easily, and despite all that happens, the end left me disappointingly without any answers to the questions I had after the first book. However, I do have to say that while reading, I found myself liking Stand a bit more than Run - though I can’t quite pinpoint the reason why. Perhaps I felt more connected with this second glimpse at the characters, or perhaps the few additional plot intricacies upped the intrigue. All in all, it provided me with a quick read. I think readers who enjoyed Run will equally enjoy Stand.
Thanks to Becky Johnson and Pump Up Your Book, I received a copy of Stand and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Stand is the second book in the Charlotte Marshall Mystery series and it did not disappoint! When we catch up with Char it has been just under a year since the last book ended with her surviving a nightmare involving a serial killer and she is trying to move on with her life. She's been taking self defense classes, has a new security system, etc.
Char decides to put her people finding skills to use and signs up for an agency called Find Me. Her first case takes her on a wild ride from mystery to murder and in the end she's still standing.
How many times can I say I loved this book before it get's really annoying for everyone? This is one of those series that as soon as I finish one book I NEED the next one and waiting for it is basically torture. I love the mystery in these books and the fact that there are kind of two different stories going on but the intertwine through a common character. The whole book we are partly ahead on one mystery and just as in the dark as Char with the other and I think that just makes the story that much more fun.
Great continuation of the series! This book picks up a few months after the first book in the series 'Run'. Char hasn't gotten over what she went through but wants to move past it. New home, self-defense, and surrounded by family/friends, this is how she is coping. Then she starts volunteering, looking into missing persons cases and her first one pulls her in. I loved how realistic the author made the main character in Run and she just continued that in this book. The story was great, there was plenty of mystery and suspense throughout. The author made you feel for the families of the missing and see how hope is a good and bad thing. Add to it, the past coming back to haunt you! I will absolutely read more from this author. This is a 5/5 for me. I loved reading more about Char. Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PUYB). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Great continuation of the series! This book picks up a few months after the first book in the series 'Run'. Char hasn't gotten over what she went through but wants to move past it. New home, self-defense, and surrounded by family/friends, this is how she is coping. Then she starts volunteering, looking into missing persons cases and her first one pulls her in. I loved how realistic the author made the main character in Run and she just continued that in this book. The story was great, there was plenty of mystery and suspense throughout. The author made you feel for the families of the missing and see how hope is a good and bad thing. Add to it, the past coming back to haunt you! I will absolutely read more from this author. This is a 5/5 for me. I loved reading more about Char.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PUYB). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
This is a Goodreads giveaway. Okay, I really loved this book. Charlotte has PTSD after coming face to face with a serial killer who, unfortunately for her had a partner named Georgia. Georgia doesn’t like the fact the fact that Charlotte played a part in her “playthings” death and plans to get even. Charlotte despite her paranoia, necessary daily routines, and nightmares has made a decision not to let Georgia & Pheares win so she’s deciding to move on with her life even if there are anxiety ridden moments. This book kept me awake long past my bedtime needing to find out what was going to happen with Charlotte especially after she takes on a missing person case. I know, but I’ll let you read to find out.
This is the second book in the series, however, it is the first one I had read. I admit when I first opened this book I almost put it down. I felt like the author wrote " 9 months since etc" at least 15 times within the first chapter. I don't need to be reminded what happened 9 months ago THAT many times. Anyways, with that being said I finished the book and I loved it. I will be buying the first one soon and can not wait. Becky Johnson has gained a new fan for sure.
I'm giving this 3.5 stars. The author writes smoothly and the plot was good. I think she needs help with pacing and editing. I found quite a few typos and this is not an ARC. The first half of the book is too much going to the gym and being terrified someone is in her house. A good editor should have deleted half of those scenes. Once we get past that the story picks up, the characters flesh out and there was something worth reading. I'll keep my eye on Becky Johnson's future books.
Recognized this book after reading just the first paragraph. There was a lot of story in a short book. Really enjoyed the main character and her determination to not let the villain keep her a victim. Also liked the FBI character in the fact that he trusted her and her instincts, and didn't just "I'm FBI and I know it all". Am anxious to read the third book.
It's official. Becky Johnson knows how to spin a great mystery. Stand is equally engrossing as part one. I expect the next I installment to be just as fabulous. For all mystery lovers, the Charlotte Marshall Mysteries is one series you would, without a doubt, enjoy.
This one was just as engrossing as the first one. I loved how much Char grew in this book. She actually had much more interaction with other characters in this book and I think it helped her a lot. I can't wait for the next book!