Running For Him

by H.C. Bentley

Living with an alcoholic father during her teenage years, McKenna Parker grew up learning to fend for herself. The one constant in an otherwise chaotic life has been her high-school-sweetheart-turned-fiancé, Andrew Livingston. Before they could wed, however, her world is turned upside down when the Livingston family is implicated in the disappearance of a famous socialite. She can’t make herself believe any of them could be involved. Not even her future father-in-law, the prominent politician… even with his penchant for not-so-secretive affairs. Yet, when the accusations point even closer to home, she can’t escape the scrutiny. Or the death threat she receives: either leave now, or the man she loves will lose his life.

Making the only choice she can, McKenna flees. For three years she’s hidden from the public eye, before taking a job as the online media manger for a prominent horse farm. She’s kept to herself yet hasn’t been able to hide from the watchful eye of the farm manager, Jordan Anderson. It seems he’s determined to break through her protective walls. And with his undeniable charisma, not to mention his rugged good looks, McKenna might actually let him.

When Jordan discovers her secret – and a private investigator working for Andrew discovers her whereabouts – her life is again irrevocably altered. Torn between two men, McKenna isn’t sure where to turn. When lives are once again threatened, she’s not even sure she’s safe… anywhere.

After all, where can someone turn when they don't know who to trust?

288 pages, ebook

Published November 3, 2018

About the author

There's just something about a small town that makes relationships interesting, whether they are romances, long-running feuds, or life-long friendships. These are the relationships H.C. Bentley enjoys discovering and exploring. Well that, and the fact she just loves a good happily ever after or second chance story.

When she's not writing, H.C. works as a cataloging librarian at her county library. In her spare time, you can find her playing pool, traveling with her family, or curled up watching movies (romantic comedies are a favorite!). She's also an avid reader, leaning towards various authors of romance and chick lit, but her favorite is Nora Roberts.

A southern girl at heart, H.C. calls Kentucky her home. After opting to join the military to pay for college, she spent three years stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany before returning to her hometown in rural western Kentucky, where she and her husband live with their two daughters.

H.C. loves chatting with readers. You can contact her through her website, or any of her social media.

Website: http://hcbentley5.wix.com/hc-bentley 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HC-Bentley-9... 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_hc_b... 

Reviews

[Melanie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and entertaining. Great plot that kept me guessing until the end. Strong characters, well written. Chemistry, humour and suspense all wrapped up into a wonderful read. Loved it! This Author will be kept on my go-to radar. Don't let this one, as is the misfortune of many amazing books, get buried in your TBR pile.

[ErinTurnsPages · Rating 4 out of 5]

For starters, I really enjoyed this book. I’ve read mysteries before and heard stories similar to this but I hadn’t actually read one with this plot line. I think the author did a fine job with it. I noticed I think just two inconsistencies. One on a Friday where Jordan said he didn’t have to work the next day but ended up doing so. I’m not sure if the others were supposed to have that Saturday off, but they were working as well. And the second was when Jordan told Mac he loved her. Twice. And had the same basic reaction twice. I was a little surprised at the discovery of who Victoria really was, but not at her reasons. The horses were everything for me though, I’m a huge horse lover and so absolutely adored their involvement.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

[Judy Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything by this author before, but I will be reading more in the future. This was a fantastic story! The writing is witty and smart and keeps the story moving at a fast pace. And the unique plot contains many twists and turns that kept me on edge and guessing throughout the story. The characters were all engaging, realistic and well developed - I especially liked McKenna and Jordan - their chemistry was off the charts! The story is a wonderful blend of romance, suspense, mystery and humour and makes for an exceptionally exciting read. In fact, the mystery in the story is so well done that I didn’t figure out who the culprit was until it was revealed - and I have to say I was shocked! This story was incredibly entertaining and when I finished the story I had a huge smile on my face. I highly recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L. Starla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me straight up with a murder mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. After stumbling upon a secret, McKenna knew too much, even though she had no idea what she had discovered. As a result, she was forced to flee her fiancé and go into hiding. Three years later, just as she has found some semblance of happiness, she winds up in trouble again.

This novel was full of page-turning intrigue and swoon worthy romance. I definitely recommend it.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Running for Him by H.C. Bentley. This book only took a couple of pages before I had to know more and find out what was going to happen. I usually don’t read mysteries, but I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book. While I had a strong suspicion of who committed the crime I there was parts of it that I had no clue about. There was a lot that I really appreciated about this book. One is that there isn’t an instant attraction between McKayla/McKenna and Jordan. I thought that it was very realistic that she wouldn’t open up completely all at once. While I did enjoy the first half the book once I got into the second half of the book I could hardly put it down. I loved reading about the horses and the continued mystery of who did it. I really enjoyed while I am not big into mystery this one certainly kept me on the edge of my seat!

While I liked his book overall there was a part that did bug me a little. There was an unexpected time jump from when arrives after changing her identity and starting her new job, and then suddenly it is a couple of years or months later. I don’t know if I was reading too fast and missed it or if it didn’t say there was a time jump. I was also reading and advanced readers copy so it could also be that it hasn’t been added yet. While it didn’t take away from the story it did confuse me pretty good for a couple of minutes.

*I received a free copy of the book for review from the author via Voracious Readers Only and Booksprout*

[Ashley Jasper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confession time: I'd never heard of H.C. Bentley before picking up Running For Him. And I liked this. It was dangerous and sexy and kept me guessing. That first chapter alone shocked me and had me spinning theories.

I think my favorite thing about this story was Mac. How when forced to make the hard decisions she put the safety of others first. Even if it was going to cost her everything. And she was put in that position more than once and each time it gutted her more. Because she was more invested. That woman had lived a hard life but still found a reason to smile. A big part of that was Jordan.

The sweet and sexy farmer with a heart of gold. He knew Mac had a hard past- he could sense it from the first time they met. But he had no idea how haunted she was. I liked how he handled her, with tender yet firm hands. How he gained her trust slowly. It was what she needed to not only feel safe, but to feel ready for a future and not the wishes of her past.

Running For Him was a good mix of mystery and romance and kept me on my toes. Just when I thought Mac could finally make some plans, that the past that she had ran so desperately from, came back to haunt her. And when the big reveal of who was behind all the chaos came out, my jaw was on the floor. I did not see that twist in the story coming at all. But it was that ending, how Mac made her final stand (and choice) that left me satisfied.

[Alicia Harrietha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running For Him by H.C. Bentley is a unique yet very interesting story. I found it took a bit to get into the story but as it went on I started to really enjoy it.

Makenna is a one tough lady!!! She endured life with an alcoholic father as a teen and then as an adult when threatened once again she did the only thing she felt she could... she ran!! She hid away and went on with her life, away from the only guy she has ever loved Andrew. When she meets the handsome Jordan who continually pushes to get Makenna, aka “Mckayla” she feels drawn to him.

I definitely enjoyed the plot and the story was well written. The characters were engaging and I was unsure of how it would end which made me need to keep reading. Great ending and overall great story!!

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running For Him is a good read. I didn't read the blurb until after I read the story but it definitely give you a good feel for the story. I was hooked right form the beginning with the prologue. McKenna is a very likable character. She doesn't have a great family life but she has a great boyfriend, Andrew. Everything is looking up these two then McKenna stumble on something she shouldn't have. She starts getting threatening text messages from a mystery person. She makes the only choice she thinks she has and runs.
Years later she is going by the name McKayla and meets Jordan at work. Jordan is sexy and sweet and pretty persistent. McKayla isn't up for dating but there is a connection between her and Jordan. Jordan is determined to break through the walls McKayla has set up. McKayla is keeping secrets and not wanting the past to come back but the past always has a way of sneaking back. This one is a really good read.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of suspense and mystery as Mac goes on the run to protect the ones she loves most. Instantly fell in love with the romance between her and her fiancé, so it took a while to warm up to her new love interest. This book will keep you wanting more. Definitely will read another sizzling book by H.C Bentley. This book was provided to me by book sprout and hope to read more of this authors through them again!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book more and more enjoyable as I read through it - trying to work out which way the author was going to take the story.

I felt there were a few scenes that didn't add any emotions to the book but I really enjoyed the way you read a few chapters from each characters point of view rather than constantly jumping between them - for me, this gave the book a really good flow and kept me reading to the end.

Off now to find other books from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via BookSprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.