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Running
An assassin's bullet sends Jim Mitchell running. When he'll stop is anybody's guess.
Jim works for a local lawmaker running for re-election. When his boss is gunned down, he is appointed to fill her seat. Unfortunately for Jim, that's just the beginning of his problems. He and his wife have a baby on the way, but that's not stopping the people who want to keep him from the halls of power. To top things off, the former reporter-turned-college-professor is not even sure he wants the job others are trying to snatch away from him. Then an old friend is enlisted by the FBI to help prevent a major terror attack.
Political intrigue and high drama accent this tale of what it costs to find one's purpose, and what the rewards can be when you do.
Jim works for a local lawmaker running for re-election. When his boss is gunned down, he is appointed to fill her seat. Unfortunately for Jim, that's just the beginning of his problems. He and his wife have a baby on the way, but that's not stopping the people who want to keep him from the halls of power. To top things off, the former reporter-turned-college-professor is not even sure he wants the job others are trying to snatch away from him. Then an old friend is enlisted by the FBI to help prevent a major terror attack.
Political intrigue and high drama accent this tale of what it costs to find one's purpose, and what the rewards can be when you do.
- GenresSuspense
203 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Dave Milbrandt
6 books50 followersThe author of the award-winning Fool's Luck and the Jim Mitchell series of novels, Dave Milbrandt fell in love with writing in junior high and has been a storyteller ever since. The Southern California native spent five years in journalism and public relations before teaching high school and college classes since 2001. Dave and his wife, a novelist, often can be found swapping story ideas.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 2, 2018
Running is a tightly-plotted, fast-paced thriller/political suspense novel with believable and interesting characters. Dave Milbrandt obviously knows his way around the political scene, journalism and police procedure; he handled all of those aspects skillfully, without distracting the reader with extraneous details.
Jim Mitchell, the hero of the story, is a complex man. He’s a new Christian, with a new wife and a baby on the way, when he’s thrust into an unexpected and unwanted legislative role. He’s an admirable man, too, with good intentions and a commitment to his new moral code.
I liked the way the author brought in one reality: especially in politics, one’s past mistakes and actions are always brought to light and can have serious consequences. He didn’t sugar-coat that or have an instant resolution to the problem.
I haven’t read the previous books in this series, but I was able to figure out what had happened and enjoy this one as a standalone novel. The dialog was sometimes a little long, but the action was fast. It moved along quickly, never getting dull. It was a suspenseful book, not romantic suspense, with various threads that tied up at the end – not in a tidy bow, but in a satisfactory knot, leaving the reader looking forward to the next book in the series.
BTW – At first, I thought the title was a misnomer, since the hero of this book doesn’t actually do any running. He stays in place and fights! Then I realized (days later) that it probably refers to the fact that he’s running for office. Very clever, Dave Milbrandt!
Jim Mitchell, the hero of the story, is a complex man. He’s a new Christian, with a new wife and a baby on the way, when he’s thrust into an unexpected and unwanted legislative role. He’s an admirable man, too, with good intentions and a commitment to his new moral code.
I liked the way the author brought in one reality: especially in politics, one’s past mistakes and actions are always brought to light and can have serious consequences. He didn’t sugar-coat that or have an instant resolution to the problem.
I haven’t read the previous books in this series, but I was able to figure out what had happened and enjoy this one as a standalone novel. The dialog was sometimes a little long, but the action was fast. It moved along quickly, never getting dull. It was a suspenseful book, not romantic suspense, with various threads that tied up at the end – not in a tidy bow, but in a satisfactory knot, leaving the reader looking forward to the next book in the series.
BTW – At first, I thought the title was a misnomer, since the hero of this book doesn’t actually do any running. He stays in place and fights! Then I realized (days later) that it probably refers to the fact that he’s running for office. Very clever, Dave Milbrandt!
July 31, 2018
If politics intrigue you, then this is the book for you. Not only does it give us a peek into the nasty, cutthroat world of politics, it shows from the perspective of a good guy, who happens to be Christian (yay) trying to shine a light in the world. It's been a bit since I've read a book that was mostly from a male's perspective, and while I found Jim to be an intriguing character, I just couldn't connect with him. Please know this - I do not feel it has anything to do with the author's ability to write a wonderful story. The story overall was great. I just happened to be reading it as an outsider instead of immersing myself directly into the story line. It could be because I haven't read the first books in the series, or it could just be timing (sometimes my genre of choice is dictated by my mood).
Here's what the book did have that I enjoyed - suspense. From the very first tragedy, to a surprise news conference (Sorry I cannot give out the details on that!), I was constantly wondering what would happen next. I enjoy books that leave me guessing and turning the pages. This book also provides a good amount of dialogue, so you are never bogged down with too much non-dialogue paragraphs. I think you will find yourself reading through this fairly quickly, and the fact that Jim is an average guy trying to make his mark in the world will only make you want to read it even more.
The bottom line is that this book isn't for everyone - if politics bore you, then I don't suggest it. However, if you are interested in the political realm, I encourage you to dive in. I think you'll find yourself enjoying another book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Here's what the book did have that I enjoyed - suspense. From the very first tragedy, to a surprise news conference (Sorry I cannot give out the details on that!), I was constantly wondering what would happen next. I enjoy books that leave me guessing and turning the pages. This book also provides a good amount of dialogue, so you are never bogged down with too much non-dialogue paragraphs. I think you will find yourself reading through this fairly quickly, and the fact that Jim is an average guy trying to make his mark in the world will only make you want to read it even more.
The bottom line is that this book isn't for everyone - if politics bore you, then I don't suggest it. However, if you are interested in the political realm, I encourage you to dive in. I think you'll find yourself enjoying another book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 27, 2018
I liked this novel, the first I've read by Milbrandt. I could tell it was part of a series and that I had missed earlier events in the hero's life. Even so, the novel read quite well on its own. Quite a bit of the plot in this novel has its roots in a previous one and more backstory would have been appreciated.
The novel really gave me a sense of what it is like to be a politician in a state assembly and balance the responsibility with family life. It also reminded me of how devious some people can be and I was glad the hero maintained his Christian character even in tough times.
I recommend this book to readers who would like to get a glimpse of the pressures politicians face. It's a short read and flows well.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The novel really gave me a sense of what it is like to be a politician in a state assembly and balance the responsibility with family life. It also reminded me of how devious some people can be and I was glad the hero maintained his Christian character even in tough times.
I recommend this book to readers who would like to get a glimpse of the pressures politicians face. It's a short read and flows well.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
August 4, 2018
Despite being given a free copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I've always really enjoyed a good suspense novel, and this book definitely gave me a good taste of that. There were many unexpected turns that kept the book moving. The book also contained good Christian elements in a not overly-done way, especially in the combination of politics and the desires of a how a Christian should want to respond to things.
Yet despite loving the plot and some of the characters, I was not fully sold on the book. I think it is definitely worth a read but not a book I would reread over and over again. I've never been a fan of splitting a book into parts, as I've found that it often breaks up the story in a weird way and can be hard to follow. For me, this book did just that. I enjoyed how each part flowed individually; and, looking back, I can see how they fit together. But I got very lost for several pages when we moved from mainly one man's point of view to several other's point of view. In my opinion, the parts didn't flow the way I wanted it to.
That being said, I do think it is a book worth reading. Each aspect of the part was well written. And beyond having parts, I had no other issues with the book and rather enjoyed it.
Despite being the final book in a trilogy, it also reads smoothly. In other words, you don't have to read the first two books in order to understand everything that is going on in the last book, although it would probably give the reader more insight into the character's background. That is something I really enjoy with these kind of series. I find that it makes the reader desire to go back and read the other books, which I will probably do myself.
I've always really enjoyed a good suspense novel, and this book definitely gave me a good taste of that. There were many unexpected turns that kept the book moving. The book also contained good Christian elements in a not overly-done way, especially in the combination of politics and the desires of a how a Christian should want to respond to things.
Yet despite loving the plot and some of the characters, I was not fully sold on the book. I think it is definitely worth a read but not a book I would reread over and over again. I've never been a fan of splitting a book into parts, as I've found that it often breaks up the story in a weird way and can be hard to follow. For me, this book did just that. I enjoyed how each part flowed individually; and, looking back, I can see how they fit together. But I got very lost for several pages when we moved from mainly one man's point of view to several other's point of view. In my opinion, the parts didn't flow the way I wanted it to.
That being said, I do think it is a book worth reading. Each aspect of the part was well written. And beyond having parts, I had no other issues with the book and rather enjoyed it.
Despite being the final book in a trilogy, it also reads smoothly. In other words, you don't have to read the first two books in order to understand everything that is going on in the last book, although it would probably give the reader more insight into the character's background. That is something I really enjoy with these kind of series. I find that it makes the reader desire to go back and read the other books, which I will probably do myself.
August 8, 2018
Suspenseful. Yes. Enjoyable. Yes. Recommend it to others. Yes.
Dave Milbrandt was a new author to me. It seems that most of the books I read are by female authors. It was refreshing to read a story about a man who made mistakes and learned from them. Jim Mitchell landed up in a job he didn't plan for. He wasn't going to step down without a fight.
This is book three so I think I need to read the first two books. It would show Jim's growth from a reporter to the State Assembly.
I was cheering for Jim. He wanted to do what was right not what was easy. I would vote for him.
I received this free to review.
About the Book
Running
Book Title:Running
Author:Dave Milbrandt
Genre:Christian Suspense
Release date: May 1, 2018
An assassin’s bullet sends Jim Mitchell running. When he’ll stop is anybody’s guess.
A tragedy propels Jim into a vacant state assembly seat. The new lawmaker and his wife have a baby on the way, but that doesn’t stop the people trying to keep him from a job he never wanted in the first place. Then Jim gets involved in a plan to thwart a major terror attack that could either make him a hero or get him killed.
Political intrigue and high drama accent this tale of what it costs to find one’s purpose, and what the rewards can be when you do.
Running is the third book in the Jim Mitchell series. Previous titles include Chasing Deception and Undue Pressure.
About the Author
Dave MilbrandtThe author of Chasing Deception and Undue Pressure, Dave Milbrandt fell in love with writing in junior high and has been a storyteller ever since. A former staff writer for a daily newspaper, the Southern California native spent five years in journalism and public relations before becoming a teacher. Having worked at several area colleges, Dave has taught high school English and Social Studies classes since 2005 and fills his evenings sharing a passion for politics with his community college students. Dave and his wife, Lynn, have been married since 1997.
Guest Post from Dave
In 1998, I feverishly pounded out the first draft of Chasing Deception (book one in the Jim Mitchell series) in five weeks. Full of ambition, but bereft of wisdom of how the publishing world works, I assumed my novel would be published in short order. Despite my overly abundant self-assurance, I had to wait until 2013 to get that story out. I was in a hurry, but God, as usual, had other plans.
Over the last 20 years, I have discovered the gift of patience and more about the craft of good writing than I ever could have expected during that summer half a lifetime ago. With Undue Pressure (2016) and Running (2018), I have completed the trilogy I never planned to write and hopefully given readers some characters that will stick with them after they reach the end of the story.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 28
Carpe Diem, July 28
Bibliophile Reviews, July 29
Margaret Kazmierczak, July 30
A Baker’s Perspective, July 31
At the Fence, August 1
Cathe Swanson, August 1
Just the Write Escape, August 2
Multifarious, August 3
Mary Hake, August 3
Blogging With Carol, August 4
The Midnight Bookaholic, August 4
proud to be an autism mom, August 5
Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, August 6
Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 7
Janices book reviews, August 8
Artistic Nobody, August 8 (Spotlight)
Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 9
Reading is my Super Power, August 9 (Interview)
Two Points of Interest, August 10
Bigreadersite, August 10
Giveaway
9c9b43b2-9966-42b2-9126-fc912a0659b8
To celebrate his tour, Dave is giving away a grand prize that includes ebooks of all three books in the series!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d33e/runni...
Dave Milbrandt was a new author to me. It seems that most of the books I read are by female authors. It was refreshing to read a story about a man who made mistakes and learned from them. Jim Mitchell landed up in a job he didn't plan for. He wasn't going to step down without a fight.
This is book three so I think I need to read the first two books. It would show Jim's growth from a reporter to the State Assembly.
I was cheering for Jim. He wanted to do what was right not what was easy. I would vote for him.
I received this free to review.
About the Book
Running
Book Title:Running
Author:Dave Milbrandt
Genre:Christian Suspense
Release date: May 1, 2018
An assassin’s bullet sends Jim Mitchell running. When he’ll stop is anybody’s guess.
A tragedy propels Jim into a vacant state assembly seat. The new lawmaker and his wife have a baby on the way, but that doesn’t stop the people trying to keep him from a job he never wanted in the first place. Then Jim gets involved in a plan to thwart a major terror attack that could either make him a hero or get him killed.
Political intrigue and high drama accent this tale of what it costs to find one’s purpose, and what the rewards can be when you do.
Running is the third book in the Jim Mitchell series. Previous titles include Chasing Deception and Undue Pressure.
About the Author
Dave MilbrandtThe author of Chasing Deception and Undue Pressure, Dave Milbrandt fell in love with writing in junior high and has been a storyteller ever since. A former staff writer for a daily newspaper, the Southern California native spent five years in journalism and public relations before becoming a teacher. Having worked at several area colleges, Dave has taught high school English and Social Studies classes since 2005 and fills his evenings sharing a passion for politics with his community college students. Dave and his wife, Lynn, have been married since 1997.
Guest Post from Dave
In 1998, I feverishly pounded out the first draft of Chasing Deception (book one in the Jim Mitchell series) in five weeks. Full of ambition, but bereft of wisdom of how the publishing world works, I assumed my novel would be published in short order. Despite my overly abundant self-assurance, I had to wait until 2013 to get that story out. I was in a hurry, but God, as usual, had other plans.
Over the last 20 years, I have discovered the gift of patience and more about the craft of good writing than I ever could have expected during that summer half a lifetime ago. With Undue Pressure (2016) and Running (2018), I have completed the trilogy I never planned to write and hopefully given readers some characters that will stick with them after they reach the end of the story.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 28
Carpe Diem, July 28
Bibliophile Reviews, July 29
Margaret Kazmierczak, July 30
A Baker’s Perspective, July 31
At the Fence, August 1
Cathe Swanson, August 1
Just the Write Escape, August 2
Multifarious, August 3
Mary Hake, August 3
Blogging With Carol, August 4
The Midnight Bookaholic, August 4
proud to be an autism mom, August 5
Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, August 6
Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 7
Janices book reviews, August 8
Artistic Nobody, August 8 (Spotlight)
Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 9
Reading is my Super Power, August 9 (Interview)
Two Points of Interest, August 10
Bigreadersite, August 10
Giveaway
9c9b43b2-9966-42b2-9126-fc912a0659b8
To celebrate his tour, Dave is giving away a grand prize that includes ebooks of all three books in the series!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d33e/runni...
July 28, 2018
What I Loved about Running and What I Hated
Let’s start with characters. Jim Mitchell has everything a good character should. He’s appealing, interesting, humorous, and delightfully flawed. Let’s face it. I’m a sucker for a good guy who gets a well-deserved smackdown now and then… as long as he’s got something more going for him, too.
Jim’s wife, his friends, his advisors… they all just really had a lot going for them. I loved it. Even the antagonists… fit. They weren’t too over the top for the most part. And the couple of moments I wondered about, I eventually decided made sense.
Description.
Aside from one scene early on where I was afraid he’d be that guy who gave way too much description about every little thing, I loved how he managed to give us everything we need without bogging us down. The things he chose to show generally had a point to them beyond just anchoring us to the scene, which is some seriously good writing right there.
Faith.
One thing that resonated with me the most was how authentic and natural the faith of the characters was. It wasn’t perfect or forced. Instead, we got a glimpse of just how those people we know from church or Bible study live lives when we’re not around. Mistakes, strengths—all of it is shown in natural outpourings of a life lived for God. Beautiful.
Plot.
It’s a familiar one—one simple guy against corrupt government. And I never get tired of that. I cheered when Milbrandt referenced Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. We see it every day on the news—more political corruption, more violence. Just more. This book addresses it again for the same reason romance writers address romance in every book. Because it’s a part of our lives and we need the political/legal “happily ever after” just as much as the guy/girl thing.
I also loved that he made me want to buy and read the rest. It made me want to know what came first. Not once did I feel like I got a spoiler for the other books (although, technically I’m sure I did), and not once was I lost as to what was going on.
Okay, so what I hated about Running?
Well, the only thing I really hated was that I hadn’t read the other two first and didn’t have time to do it before reading this. That was sad. I do have them scheduled in my TBR list and I look forward to it. I suspect I’ll read this again afterward, too.
There were a couple of things that bothered me now and then. I’m known for being a bit of a book snob—even about my own books! Hey, I’m an equal-opportunity snob that way.
The main thing that bothered me was that occasionally the conversation was a little too “on the nose.” Subtext would have gone a long way to keeping the flow natural while still conveying all the information. Still, it wasn’t all the time and I kept turning the page because the story was compelling enough.
Nothing else poked at me enough to make me be able to remember it a few hours after closing the book, so I’m leaving it there.
Who do I recommend this book for?
The quickest way to describe this book is Alton Gansky’s Distant Memory meets Robert Whitlow’s legal/political novels. So, if you liked either of those, you’ll probably like the Jim Mitchell series—or at least, Running.
Let’s start with characters. Jim Mitchell has everything a good character should. He’s appealing, interesting, humorous, and delightfully flawed. Let’s face it. I’m a sucker for a good guy who gets a well-deserved smackdown now and then… as long as he’s got something more going for him, too.
Jim’s wife, his friends, his advisors… they all just really had a lot going for them. I loved it. Even the antagonists… fit. They weren’t too over the top for the most part. And the couple of moments I wondered about, I eventually decided made sense.
Description.
Aside from one scene early on where I was afraid he’d be that guy who gave way too much description about every little thing, I loved how he managed to give us everything we need without bogging us down. The things he chose to show generally had a point to them beyond just anchoring us to the scene, which is some seriously good writing right there.
Faith.
One thing that resonated with me the most was how authentic and natural the faith of the characters was. It wasn’t perfect or forced. Instead, we got a glimpse of just how those people we know from church or Bible study live lives when we’re not around. Mistakes, strengths—all of it is shown in natural outpourings of a life lived for God. Beautiful.
Plot.
It’s a familiar one—one simple guy against corrupt government. And I never get tired of that. I cheered when Milbrandt referenced Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. We see it every day on the news—more political corruption, more violence. Just more. This book addresses it again for the same reason romance writers address romance in every book. Because it’s a part of our lives and we need the political/legal “happily ever after” just as much as the guy/girl thing.
I also loved that he made me want to buy and read the rest. It made me want to know what came first. Not once did I feel like I got a spoiler for the other books (although, technically I’m sure I did), and not once was I lost as to what was going on.
Okay, so what I hated about Running?
Well, the only thing I really hated was that I hadn’t read the other two first and didn’t have time to do it before reading this. That was sad. I do have them scheduled in my TBR list and I look forward to it. I suspect I’ll read this again afterward, too.
There were a couple of things that bothered me now and then. I’m known for being a bit of a book snob—even about my own books! Hey, I’m an equal-opportunity snob that way.
The main thing that bothered me was that occasionally the conversation was a little too “on the nose.” Subtext would have gone a long way to keeping the flow natural while still conveying all the information. Still, it wasn’t all the time and I kept turning the page because the story was compelling enough.
Nothing else poked at me enough to make me be able to remember it a few hours after closing the book, so I’m leaving it there.
Who do I recommend this book for?
The quickest way to describe this book is Alton Gansky’s Distant Memory meets Robert Whitlow’s legal/political novels. So, if you liked either of those, you’ll probably like the Jim Mitchell series—or at least, Running.
July 30, 2018
My Penny's Worth
When I looked at the title of this book I wasn't sure if the contents would be about running for election or running away from a past mistake. In fact, both are true which makes the story an exciting read.
Do I need to read the previous books?
I haven't read the two other books, but that did not matter as this story can be enjoyed in its own right.
So what is the main character like?
The main character Jim Mitchell is for the underdog; he has Christian principles, tries to be fair and true to his conscience. But is this possible in politics? I liked these strong traits and warmed to Jim as his character showed flaws as well - his flippant remarks get him into trouble, and I can relate to that!
Now there's a thing, he's made a mistake
He has a past, and that is raked up to discredit him. Well of course it is, he is in the public eye and a juicy morsel for sharks. No one is whiter than white. But does Jim let his past mistake crush him? I can't answer that without giving away the story. However, when Jim questions his path, Melissa his wife reminds him “You are where you are for a reason and until God makes it clear you need to leave, that’s where you need to stay.” Wise words to ponder on in our lives too.
Was there anything different that stood out?
Interspersed in the story are news articles about Jim, and I enjoyed this touch.
But it can't just be about one person?
There are, of course, other characters who contribute to this narrative. The team behind Jim Mitchell, his wife and political advisors all played good roles and made me smile at times. The early action after the murder of the assemblywoman and consequent undercover investigation slows to centre on Jim’s political career. If you like the nuts and bolts, then you may enjoy this aspect of the book. I know very little of the American system, so it was helpful for me.
Would I like it?
Running is a book about politics, intrigue, danger, divided loyalties, ethical dilemmas and the sores of unforgiveness. If you like this mix, then give it a go.
I don't think it would be a mistake to buy this book.
Thank you, Dave Milbrandt, for writing Running.
*I received this book for free. No compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.*
When I looked at the title of this book I wasn't sure if the contents would be about running for election or running away from a past mistake. In fact, both are true which makes the story an exciting read.
Do I need to read the previous books?
I haven't read the two other books, but that did not matter as this story can be enjoyed in its own right.
So what is the main character like?
The main character Jim Mitchell is for the underdog; he has Christian principles, tries to be fair and true to his conscience. But is this possible in politics? I liked these strong traits and warmed to Jim as his character showed flaws as well - his flippant remarks get him into trouble, and I can relate to that!
Now there's a thing, he's made a mistake
He has a past, and that is raked up to discredit him. Well of course it is, he is in the public eye and a juicy morsel for sharks. No one is whiter than white. But does Jim let his past mistake crush him? I can't answer that without giving away the story. However, when Jim questions his path, Melissa his wife reminds him “You are where you are for a reason and until God makes it clear you need to leave, that’s where you need to stay.” Wise words to ponder on in our lives too.
Was there anything different that stood out?
Interspersed in the story are news articles about Jim, and I enjoyed this touch.
But it can't just be about one person?
There are, of course, other characters who contribute to this narrative. The team behind Jim Mitchell, his wife and political advisors all played good roles and made me smile at times. The early action after the murder of the assemblywoman and consequent undercover investigation slows to centre on Jim’s political career. If you like the nuts and bolts, then you may enjoy this aspect of the book. I know very little of the American system, so it was helpful for me.
Would I like it?
Running is a book about politics, intrigue, danger, divided loyalties, ethical dilemmas and the sores of unforgiveness. If you like this mix, then give it a go.
I don't think it would be a mistake to buy this book.
Thank you, Dave Milbrandt, for writing Running.
*I received this book for free. No compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.*
August 3, 2018
Running reminded me of a much lighter version of the last season of West Wing, without the very colorful characters.
If you enjoy politics, you’ll enjoy this book. I’m not super fond of politics, so it kind of made it hard for me to get through, but that doesn’t completely ruin my opinion of it.
I liked the spiritual aspect of trusting God, which was the big theme in the story. To step out of a comfort zone and step into potentially difficult or dangerous situations is not easy to do. The friendly banter among various people was fun too, although I found the dialog a bit unnatural-ish (yes, I know that’s not a real word).
Dialog issues, aside, I liked that it was fairly realistic and that Jim Mitchell was an independent, since I tend toward independent myself. We got to see a little bit of the reality of politics, having to pander to people, never really knowing who your friends are, and being in danger if you don’t make certain groups happy.
What I wasn’t so fond of apart from the fact that it centered on politics was, first that the cover and the description actually made it seem much more exciting than it was. I know, I know, you can’t judge a book by its cover, but alas … I did ☹ I’m not saying it wasn’t exciting at all, it had good moments, but the intrigue was not as profound as I thought it would be. It had ups and downs, but they weren’t as extreme as I like in the books that I read.
DISCLAIMER: I received this book as a gift. The opinions I express are provided without obligation for a positive review. I receive no compensation for the review, other than a really good read.
If you enjoy politics, you’ll enjoy this book. I’m not super fond of politics, so it kind of made it hard for me to get through, but that doesn’t completely ruin my opinion of it.
I liked the spiritual aspect of trusting God, which was the big theme in the story. To step out of a comfort zone and step into potentially difficult or dangerous situations is not easy to do. The friendly banter among various people was fun too, although I found the dialog a bit unnatural-ish (yes, I know that’s not a real word).
Dialog issues, aside, I liked that it was fairly realistic and that Jim Mitchell was an independent, since I tend toward independent myself. We got to see a little bit of the reality of politics, having to pander to people, never really knowing who your friends are, and being in danger if you don’t make certain groups happy.
What I wasn’t so fond of apart from the fact that it centered on politics was, first that the cover and the description actually made it seem much more exciting than it was. I know, I know, you can’t judge a book by its cover, but alas … I did ☹ I’m not saying it wasn’t exciting at all, it had good moments, but the intrigue was not as profound as I thought it would be. It had ups and downs, but they weren’t as extreme as I like in the books that I read.
DISCLAIMER: I received this book as a gift. The opinions I express are provided without obligation for a positive review. I receive no compensation for the review, other than a really good read.
August 6, 2018
If you want to get readers attention, you have a horrific shooting in front of people. I was shocked that the Assemblywoman was gunned down in such a graphic way. The author has no problem stating facts and not sugar coating anything. Politics are front and center in this spine chilling thriller. Jim has suddenly found himself as the replacement for the slain Assembly woman. He has no political background, but he was an investigative reporter, so he does know what goes on behind closed doors.
I was very impressed that Jim's wife supports him and I loved that they prayed about it before he accepted the seat. One of the things I liked about the story was how much faith flowed through the different characters. The behind the scenes of politics were very impressive and shows the author has done some research to heighten the story. There is a lot of intrigue and danger that keeps readers on their toes.
Towards the ending of the book, is a twist that I was surprised at. I'm a very avid reader and think I'm pretty good at guessing where a story is heading. I was fooled by the brilliant writing of this author. It is a good in your face oh my for someone. They never saw it coming and now how will they get out of what could be the ruin of a political career? It is a ticking bomb that will explode at any minute and I thought , " Well time to start running." But perhaps, God has a plan . Its funny how things from your past seem to pop up at the most inconvenient time. Now it's time to run to the truth and give God the glory.
"Is what I'm running toward better than what I'm running from?"
I received copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I was very impressed that Jim's wife supports him and I loved that they prayed about it before he accepted the seat. One of the things I liked about the story was how much faith flowed through the different characters. The behind the scenes of politics were very impressive and shows the author has done some research to heighten the story. There is a lot of intrigue and danger that keeps readers on their toes.
Towards the ending of the book, is a twist that I was surprised at. I'm a very avid reader and think I'm pretty good at guessing where a story is heading. I was fooled by the brilliant writing of this author. It is a good in your face oh my for someone. They never saw it coming and now how will they get out of what could be the ruin of a political career? It is a ticking bomb that will explode at any minute and I thought , " Well time to start running." But perhaps, God has a plan . Its funny how things from your past seem to pop up at the most inconvenient time. Now it's time to run to the truth and give God the glory.
"Is what I'm running toward better than what I'm running from?"
I received copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
August 8, 2018
"Running" by Dave Milbrandt is the third Jim Mitchell book and my favorite of the three.
I believe readers will enjoy this book even without reading the other two, but like I always say I am glad that I read the other two first, because "Running" is a continuation of the other two.
Jim is a very likable guy who has learned from a mistake in his first job as a reporter, ( that was the first book) and in the second book he is a professor. In "Running" he is pressed into running for a seat in the state assembly and more chaos follows Jim and his family.
I was kept reading this book because the suspense made me want to know how it would all turn out.
I thought at one point in the book I wasn't going to like it because it was talking about a process that happens in government and I had no idea what the process was, but I am happy to say that it wasn't that much detail and though it was an important part of the story it didn't really go into the what I would call the boring details .
There is murder and guns fired in these novels and sexual flirting (a married couple) but not anything that I would consider unclean except in the second book because there is a rape but there isn't a lot of details.
This novel is a story about doing the right thing and making a difference. All three novels are about "being still and listening" to what God is wanting you to do.
I recommend "Running" to anyone that wants a glimpse into what a politician's life is really like.
I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
I believe readers will enjoy this book even without reading the other two, but like I always say I am glad that I read the other two first, because "Running" is a continuation of the other two.
Jim is a very likable guy who has learned from a mistake in his first job as a reporter, ( that was the first book) and in the second book he is a professor. In "Running" he is pressed into running for a seat in the state assembly and more chaos follows Jim and his family.
I was kept reading this book because the suspense made me want to know how it would all turn out.
I thought at one point in the book I wasn't going to like it because it was talking about a process that happens in government and I had no idea what the process was, but I am happy to say that it wasn't that much detail and though it was an important part of the story it didn't really go into the what I would call the boring details .
There is murder and guns fired in these novels and sexual flirting (a married couple) but not anything that I would consider unclean except in the second book because there is a rape but there isn't a lot of details.
This novel is a story about doing the right thing and making a difference. All three novels are about "being still and listening" to what God is wanting you to do.
I recommend "Running" to anyone that wants a glimpse into what a politician's life is really like.
I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
August 10, 2018
Jim Mitchelle thought he finally got his life together after a few bumps in the road. However, he is caught in the middle of an assassination plot. Jim is projected into a vacant state assembly seat. Jim doesn't want the job but, he is the best candidate they have. Together with his allies, he has to help prevent a political takedown while ensuring he keeps his job and life in the end.
I thought the novel had an interesting premise. Jim Mitchell was an egotistical journalist who let his personal ambition cost him dearly. He becomes a politician to help serve others and not himself. Upon taking this new job, he struggles with maintaining a healthy work and life balance. I like seeing how Jim was trying to manage his own personal demons. However, I didn't find this novel to be very suspenseful as the plot and murder was resolved very quickly without any plot twist. Overall, I found it to be a cozy read about politics.
**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**
I thought the novel had an interesting premise. Jim Mitchell was an egotistical journalist who let his personal ambition cost him dearly. He becomes a politician to help serve others and not himself. Upon taking this new job, he struggles with maintaining a healthy work and life balance. I like seeing how Jim was trying to manage his own personal demons. However, I didn't find this novel to be very suspenseful as the plot and murder was resolved very quickly without any plot twist. Overall, I found it to be a cozy read about politics.
**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**
July 31, 2018
A fast-paced novel that sweeps readers into the world of politics and unexpected danger, I had not read the two previous books in the series, but this stood on its own just fine. The protagonist, Jim Mitchell, used to be a reporter and a college instructor. Those roles helped prepare him for his work for a state assemblywoman. However, he is soon thrust beyond his comfort zone. I like the supportive way his wife encourages him and that he seeks God’s will for his decisions. But he did not expect to be swept into a terrifying plot that requires him to risk his life as well as the lives of others around him. Will he be able to survive, and how can he best serve God? The characters all seem quite realistic as do their actions and dialogue. The drama draws you in, and you feel like an eyewitness to the scenes portrayed. Everything happens so quickly that you’ll finish the book before you realize it. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
August 1, 2018
This is the first book I have read in this series, so I am a little behind as far as the back story. Some of that is revealed in this book, but if you want to know more you can grab the previous titles in the Jim Mitchell series first. In this book Jim Mitchell is forced into a position as a state assembly member after he views the murder of the woman who was to hold this position. He is pushed and pulled on from different sides as the story continues. As someone who has never read any books by Dave Milbrandt, I will say I was impressed. He held my attention from page one and gave insights into both media and politics in an interesting manner.
Overall a well written book. It is definitely worth your while to check into the previous books first to understand where he is coming from. The book is 197 pages long, so sort of a short read rather than a full novel. If you are interested in political based books be sure to try Running.
Overall a well written book. It is definitely worth your while to check into the previous books first to understand where he is coming from. The book is 197 pages long, so sort of a short read rather than a full novel. If you are interested in political based books be sure to try Running.
August 6, 2018
I quite enjoyed this book. I didn't realize this was the third in the series until after I had already started it, but didn't feel like I was missing anything. The author is obviously well versed in the political scene and did a good job of writing about it without bogging it down with too many particulars.
Jim is a realistic character, he isn't perfect but he is good. I'm certain being a Christian, especially a new Christian, in the political scene is difficult to say the least. There was plenty of action and suspense. I plan to go back and read the previous books in this series!
It was a 4/5 for me.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via Celebrate Lit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Jim is a realistic character, he isn't perfect but he is good. I'm certain being a Christian, especially a new Christian, in the political scene is difficult to say the least. There was plenty of action and suspense. I plan to go back and read the previous books in this series!
It was a 4/5 for me.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via Celebrate Lit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
August 6, 2018
My Review
Running is a part of a series. I have not read the prior books in the series, but that did not make me feel lost while reading Running. This story is set in the major world of politics. Jim Mitchell is the primary main character. He was a reporter and through a set of circumstances he finds himself now running for a political office. Jim talks things over with his pregnant wife before making any big choices that would affect their family. This story has quite a bit of suspense. I found this story to be fast paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat at times. Also you get to see a little of how things might actually be for those in the political life and how "dirty" it can be and how things affect them and their families. This was an enjoyable read. Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book but all thoughts and opinions are my own honest ones.
July 27, 2018
An interesting and multi-faceted storyline, with a variety of characters who effectively revolve around the main man, Jim Mitchell. This novel lightly covers a lot of territory: a peak into the nitty gritty of partisan politics, the highs and lows of journalism, the varying views of high school life from both the student’s and teacher’s perspectives, local and federal law enforcement, faith, friendship and marriage. My first experience with this author, I found this particular story intriguing and imaginative yet not wholly my cup of tea. Excellent title and memorable cover art!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.
July 29, 2018
As a journalist that has become a political consultant, Jim Mitchell is not a total stranger to the political scene. A family man, with a new baby on the way, he never imagined a murder would change his life so completely.
Politics, suspense and intrigue will certainly keep you involved in this inspirational fiction story. Are you running toward or away from a life of value?
This is the first book I have read written by Dave Milbrandt. I really wasn't quite sure what to expect as I started reading. Obviously Jim had a history that occurred before this story, but that in no way affected my enjoyment of this book. It only made me want to discover what came before.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.
Politics, suspense and intrigue will certainly keep you involved in this inspirational fiction story. Are you running toward or away from a life of value?
This is the first book I have read written by Dave Milbrandt. I really wasn't quite sure what to expect as I started reading. Obviously Jim had a history that occurred before this story, but that in no way affected my enjoyment of this book. It only made me want to discover what came before.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.
August 5, 2018
Running
The book has two main characters, one a teacher and one an reporter turned politician. Both are married and are in danger at times. Jim and his wife is expecting their second child. I really liked his wife, Melissa, she was so supportive of him. I kept wandering why the name of the book was called Running. There was a line in the book that sort of explained it but since it was toward the end I choose not to quote it. The book was interesting, not my type of Genre though but ones that like this type will find it to be a good book. Suspenseful at times and exciting. I received an complementary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit, I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
The book has two main characters, one a teacher and one an reporter turned politician. Both are married and are in danger at times. Jim and his wife is expecting their second child. I really liked his wife, Melissa, she was so supportive of him. I kept wandering why the name of the book was called Running. There was a line in the book that sort of explained it but since it was toward the end I choose not to quote it. The book was interesting, not my type of Genre though but ones that like this type will find it to be a good book. Suspenseful at times and exciting. I received an complementary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit, I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
August 4, 2018
Suspense and politics! This book was pretty good. It has faith worked into a huge amount of politic. It's like an up-scaled Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy. I read this book without having read the others in this series. It stood alone just fine. I felt like I was there with Jim as he faced so many challenges in this book. I have worked with some politicians and I liked the truth of many aspects that the author worked in.
My copy came from Celebrate Lit. My review is my own, left of my own choosing.
My copy came from Celebrate Lit. My review is my own, left of my own choosing.
July 29, 2018
Political suspense, engaging characters and the feeling for wanting more is what you gain from reading this book. It is the first book in the series that I have had the privilege to read, but I could easily see myself going to read the others that precede it.
Full Review: https://bibliophile.reviews/book-revi...
Full Review: https://bibliophile.reviews/book-revi...
August 10, 2018
This book had many twists and turns. I really liked Jim and his wife. I liked the bits of politics and the bits of suspense. Each of the characters must find who they want to be in this story. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
August 11, 2018
Great inspiration
This book made you think about what we are here on earth for. We all
Try to reach goals and aspirations but don't worry about how they affect the ones we love.
This book made you think about what we are here on earth for. We all
Try to reach goals and aspirations but don't worry about how they affect the ones we love.
April 21, 2018
A fun, fast paced, thrill ride. Milbrant does a great job building suspense, and creating realistic characters that draw you into the story. A real page turner that’s fun to read.
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