What do you think?
Rate this book
Dream Runner
Lifelong runner Marlea Kellogg finds her dreams of Olympic gold shattered when she is injured in a car accident, until she meets a former NFL running back-turned-physical therapist who helps her heal both her body and spirit with unconditional love. Original.
449 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Gail McFarland
24 books70 followersBorn and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, I have a long history of reading and writing. Got my first library card at age 3 and have lived in literary lust ever since.
I began writing for publication based on a dare from a high school classmate, and have written and published more than 100 romantic short stories, and twelve full-length novels. JUST TOO EASY (CreateSpace) is my thirteenth and most recent novel.
Though I currently work in wellness/fitness, my goal is to become a successful full time writer.
Visit my website and enjoy! http://the-fitwryter.wix.com/gail
Check out my blog http://fitwryter.blogspot.com/
I began writing for publication based on a dare from a high school classmate, and have written and published more than 100 romantic short stories, and twelve full-length novels. JUST TOO EASY (CreateSpace) is my thirteenth and most recent novel.
Though I currently work in wellness/fitness, my goal is to become a successful full time writer.
Visit my website and enjoy! http://the-fitwryter.wix.com/gail
Check out my blog http://fitwryter.blogspot.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 23, 2008
This book is awesome, This book keeps you at suspence along with alot of Romance. I can't wait to read part 2 "Dream Keeper". Two thumbs up for Gail McFarland for writing an awesome novel! I Do plan on reading more of her books!
July 22, 2008
Rebuilding Shattered Dreams
Not being a BIG sports fan (with the exception of watching my children play), I was PLEASANTLY surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. I have to say Ms. McFarland did an excellent job of detailing the life of a professional runner and still keeping me entertained with this engaging and inspiring romance. Definitely not the novel for readers JUST looking for a HOT & SPICY romance. Although it does have some brief sensual and romantic encounters, it's not the main focus of this novel. Ms. McFarland provides very vivid and descriptive imagery of an athlete's life and the tragedy and triumph that one might face at some point during his/her career.~~~~~~~The characters of Marlea Kellogg and A.J. Yarborough are well developed and quite BELIEVABLE. This book is filled with in-depth detail as to what makes them tick.~~~~~~~ Marlea and A.J. literally crash into each other and from that moment on a constant electric spark SIZZLES between them. Their relationship starts as an unwilling therapist/client partnership, and slowly they learn to trust each other, developing a friendship that slowly moves along and eventually leads to them falling in love. Along the way there are several challenges they MUST overcome, separately and together in order to build upon this budding relationship. Both Marlea and A.J. show great strength and courage in rebuilding their lives after their dreams are shattered due to unexpected circumstances.~~~~~~~Ms. McFarland has written a story that touches on several emotionally charged issues; such as life-altering accidents/tragedies, benefits and demands of physical therapy, trying to find the will to forgive, trying to push through and keep moving in order to rebuild the broken dreams, so that their ULTIMATE goal is still obtainable. “Dream Runner”, is a HIGHLY emotional ride, with many interesting twists that kept me turning the pages just to find out what would happen next for Marlea and A.J. The secondary characters were also intriguing and added just the right amount of fun and intensity to a decent storyline. I had a GREAT time bonding with the whole cast of characters and the very “real-life” concept portrayed in this wonderful story. Overall I think it's a worthwhile read!
Not being a BIG sports fan (with the exception of watching my children play), I was PLEASANTLY surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. I have to say Ms. McFarland did an excellent job of detailing the life of a professional runner and still keeping me entertained with this engaging and inspiring romance. Definitely not the novel for readers JUST looking for a HOT & SPICY romance. Although it does have some brief sensual and romantic encounters, it's not the main focus of this novel. Ms. McFarland provides very vivid and descriptive imagery of an athlete's life and the tragedy and triumph that one might face at some point during his/her career.~~~~~~~The characters of Marlea Kellogg and A.J. Yarborough are well developed and quite BELIEVABLE. This book is filled with in-depth detail as to what makes them tick.~~~~~~~ Marlea and A.J. literally crash into each other and from that moment on a constant electric spark SIZZLES between them. Their relationship starts as an unwilling therapist/client partnership, and slowly they learn to trust each other, developing a friendship that slowly moves along and eventually leads to them falling in love. Along the way there are several challenges they MUST overcome, separately and together in order to build upon this budding relationship. Both Marlea and A.J. show great strength and courage in rebuilding their lives after their dreams are shattered due to unexpected circumstances.~~~~~~~Ms. McFarland has written a story that touches on several emotionally charged issues; such as life-altering accidents/tragedies, benefits and demands of physical therapy, trying to find the will to forgive, trying to push through and keep moving in order to rebuild the broken dreams, so that their ULTIMATE goal is still obtainable. “Dream Runner”, is a HIGHLY emotional ride, with many interesting twists that kept me turning the pages just to find out what would happen next for Marlea and A.J. The secondary characters were also intriguing and added just the right amount of fun and intensity to a decent storyline. I had a GREAT time bonding with the whole cast of characters and the very “real-life” concept portrayed in this wonderful story. Overall I think it's a worthwhile read!
July 16, 2009
I love a good Love Story; don't you???
=sighs audibly=
And this love story Hit The Spot better than a cup of Maxwell House coffee.
Marlea promised her aunt/mother Way Back when she was a child that One Day...she'd bring home some Olympic gold. After all: running was all Marlea dreamed about/felt destined to do. Now, after many heartbreaking near-misses, Marlea is one race away from realizing that dream when... Some Dude trips her right before the Finish Line.
AJ has had a long illustrious football career. One knee injury later, AJ finds his team has let him go. If he can finish well in the Peachtree 10k race, AJ can prove he still Has It. He didn't count on that bum knee collapsing on him.
Or him collapsing on the pretty woman runner in front of him either.
She was mad too but Oh Well; it's not like AJ didn't try to apologize. In any event it's a good thing AJ has his physical therapy degree to fall back on.
Thoroughly upset about missing what could be her last chance to make the Olympic team, Marlea leaves the park in a huff, and ends up in a car accident. The circumstances surrounding the accident are a bit murky, but one thing is certain: Marlea may never walk again, much less run. Her doctor wants her to try physical therapy.
Can YOU guess who the Therapist is???
And who is behind the Hit & Run accident that leaves Marlea, and all her dreams, in jeopardy?
For Sure Dream Runner has all the element of a Formula Plot: most good movies or books do; but OH, what a Lovely Journey Ms McFarland takes us on! Not everyone has the talent to handle The Formula, but in McFarland's capable hands The Formula becomes A Masterpiece. I laughed with Marlea and AJ; cried with them; cringed when the going got Rough; I even prayed for their relationship. In AJ and Marlea, McFarland creates vivid, three-dimensional characters whose dedication to their sports careers was not only apparent, but rang true: a testament to McFarland's own fitness background. Nothing in this book seemed Phony or Forced; the story line flowed smoothly and naturally, and I came to care not only about the two main characters, but about Rissa and Dench's journey too.
It was a special joy to read such a well written, well produced book. The bonuses of McFarland being a traditionally published author with a real editor and not just a "proof reader" were not lost on me, but mere "editing" could not have created so satisfying a story.
For that you need Real Talent, which McFarland has in Spades.
Kudos.
=sighs audibly=
And this love story Hit The Spot better than a cup of Maxwell House coffee.
Marlea promised her aunt/mother Way Back when she was a child that One Day...she'd bring home some Olympic gold. After all: running was all Marlea dreamed about/felt destined to do. Now, after many heartbreaking near-misses, Marlea is one race away from realizing that dream when... Some Dude trips her right before the Finish Line.
AJ has had a long illustrious football career. One knee injury later, AJ finds his team has let him go. If he can finish well in the Peachtree 10k race, AJ can prove he still Has It. He didn't count on that bum knee collapsing on him.
Or him collapsing on the pretty woman runner in front of him either.
She was mad too but Oh Well; it's not like AJ didn't try to apologize. In any event it's a good thing AJ has his physical therapy degree to fall back on.
Thoroughly upset about missing what could be her last chance to make the Olympic team, Marlea leaves the park in a huff, and ends up in a car accident. The circumstances surrounding the accident are a bit murky, but one thing is certain: Marlea may never walk again, much less run. Her doctor wants her to try physical therapy.
Can YOU guess who the Therapist is???
And who is behind the Hit & Run accident that leaves Marlea, and all her dreams, in jeopardy?
For Sure Dream Runner has all the element of a Formula Plot: most good movies or books do; but OH, what a Lovely Journey Ms McFarland takes us on! Not everyone has the talent to handle The Formula, but in McFarland's capable hands The Formula becomes A Masterpiece. I laughed with Marlea and AJ; cried with them; cringed when the going got Rough; I even prayed for their relationship. In AJ and Marlea, McFarland creates vivid, three-dimensional characters whose dedication to their sports careers was not only apparent, but rang true: a testament to McFarland's own fitness background. Nothing in this book seemed Phony or Forced; the story line flowed smoothly and naturally, and I came to care not only about the two main characters, but about Rissa and Dench's journey too.
It was a special joy to read such a well written, well produced book. The bonuses of McFarland being a traditionally published author with a real editor and not just a "proof reader" were not lost on me, but mere "editing" could not have created so satisfying a story.
For that you need Real Talent, which McFarland has in Spades.
Kudos.
July 18, 2009
I ended up really enjoying this book and actually laughed out loud in a couple of places. At times I did think it was a little wordy but I really liked how all the characters played together and how the story developed. Overall, it was really very inspiring...having a lifelong dream seemingly taken away from you and then discovering another avenue to achieve it, and finding love and friendship in the process. Great story!
January 22, 2014
Marlea and AJ
I started this book on the 19th but had to put it down for a while. It pissed me off a bit (sign of a good read?) and I found myself disgusted with the characters. After reading a different genre for a few days, I went back with clearer eyes, and admit to enjoying the book more than I thought. The people were flawed and made horrible decisions (just like me.) They choose to do and say the most ridiculous things (just like me.) Even with all that, I still had to fight my way though this book. A good deal of the book felt unbelievable and naïve.
I started this book on the 19th but had to put it down for a while. It pissed me off a bit (sign of a good read?) and I found myself disgusted with the characters. After reading a different genre for a few days, I went back with clearer eyes, and admit to enjoying the book more than I thought. The people were flawed and made horrible decisions (just like me.) They choose to do and say the most ridiculous things (just like me.) Even with all that, I still had to fight my way though this book. A good deal of the book felt unbelievable and naïve.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews