Runaway

by Emilie Richards

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR YOUR SISTER?

From the day she was born, Krista Jensen loved and protected her younger sister, Rosie. Until the day that she didn’t.

Now Rosie has disappeared. Krista’s only clue is that her sister was seen in New Orleans, and like too many runaways, may be resorting to prostitution to survive.

Desperate to find her and beg forgiveness, Krista goes undercover as a prostitute and enters an unfamiliar world. With her own life in danger, she finds a protector in Jess Cantrell, a journalist, who wants to do more than pen the sad stories of runaways. No one is more surprised than he when Krista’s quest becomes his, as well.

Even more surprising? Love can bloom in the midst of heartache.

So can hope.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

I'm the author of seventy-something novels, including romance, women's fiction and mystery. When We Were Sisters debuted in June 2016, a stand alone novel about two foster sisters traveling back into their past together. I loved writing it and love the cover my publisher chose.

I'm also excited about my recent series, Goddesses Anonymous, which started with One Mountain Away and was followed by Somewhere Between Luck and Trust. The third book in the series, A River Too Wide, came out in July 2014. The Color of Light debuted in August 2015. Will there be more? We'll see.

I'm also putting up my newly edited romance backlist and love re-reading and updating them a bit.

Last year my husband and I moved from Virginia, to Osprey, Florida, the state where both of us were raised, met, and married. In the summer we live in Chautauqua, New York. I'm a quilter, knitter, kayaker, and the mother of four children, whom I regard as my greatest creative endeavors. And now there are four wonderful grandchildren to spoil.

Visit me at my web site, emilierichards.com, and my blog, www.emilierichards.com/blog. You can also find me at Twitter and on my Facebook reader page.

Reviews

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the other two books in the series so I knew what I was in for before reading this but that didn't mean it was any less enjoyable. Krista is looking for her sister Rosie who ran away from home 15 months before. To do this Krista went against her parents, broke off her engagement, has exhausted her trust fund and is playing a dangerous game of pretending to be a prostitute. Her reasons for doing this is mixed, love, guilt, worry and we see her go through the gamut of emotions throughout the book. The hero is a reporter writing a book on runaways and figures out there is something fishy with her. They end up working together, falling in love, finding out the truth about her stepdad and finding Tate (heroine of Fugitive).

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway opens in a seedy bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Jess Cantor  is there - a journalist gathering information about the young runaways that end up there. Crystal walks into the bar but will not talk with him. She is dressed like she is there to pick up a guy for sex but her walk isn't quite right. Hmm. And then Jess thinks he may have seen her before.

The opening chapter has atmosphere, a promise of mystery and that everything is not as it seems. I was hooked . It turns out Crystal is Krista - a librarian in New Orleans in search of her runaway sister. So when she teams up with Jess what can a journalist and librarian do? Well with a lot of love in their hearts that could count, because runaways mostly leave home from lack of it. However trust is a rare commodity. Will they find Rosie the sister that Krista feels she let down badly.

The search is on, and along the way they experience the seedy side of New Orleans, and some of the evil men here and further afield who will try to stop their search turning into a success. They will be changed by what happens to them, and so is the reader. There just isn't enough love and kindness in the world.

This trilogy - there are two more in the series, was first published in 1990. Emilie Richards now has the rights back for it and is republishing it. She has left it in that time, so no cell phones or internet to help. Yet this is still a story for our time and I loved it. I can't wait for book 2 and 3. I know what I'll be giving priority in my reading to once they are  available. I see Runaway was a nominee for RWA for long contemporary romance 1991. Well deserved.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an intriguing look into the lives of runaway teenagers. Krista, the main character follows clues to find her beloved sister. On her journey for redemption she finds more than she ever bargained for. Captivated by wonderful characters and the intense storyline I couldn't stop reading until the end. This book is page turning success.

[Helen Gentry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilie is one of my favorite authors and this story grips the heart and really reeled me in. Krista is frantically searching for her runaway younger sister. Finding that she has misjudged her sister's accusations against their step-father (a powerful politician). Now she risks everything to go on the hunt; including the relationship with her mother, her identity, her job, and all of her savings. She finds herself in one of the most dangerous cities in the world, posing as a prostitute. We see the plight of the runaways out there on our streets.
This story moves at a fast pace with all the twists and turns. I look forward to the sequel.

[Prettyinpaperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I enjoyed the heck out of this story! I had low expectations but mannn this was too good. Different than most stories I read so I appreciated that part.

Only complaint is its way too descriptive. It felt like the author was “fingers crossed” it gets adapted into a television series (honestly Id watch it) but still made the writing feel repetitive.

[Janet Friesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally good. Looking forward to the next two books in this series.

[Geraldine DEIBERT · Rating 4 out of 5]

three books in series, excellent reads

[Penny]

Runaway is written in the true and enduring style perfected by Emilie Richards. The reader is engaged from the first sentence to the last by a great story line, interesting characters that readers grow to care about and an end that is satisfying but not saccharin.
Runaway is the story of Krista Jensen the older sister of Rosie who has run away from a home that is outwardly enviable but, in actuality, houses a weak mother and a domineering and powerful stepfather. Krista has traveled to New Orleans where she believes Krista is hiding and working as a prostitute to support herself. In order to increase her chances of finding her sister, Krista goes undercover as a prostitute. Krista meets Jess Cantrell, a journalist trying to do something much more than write about teenage prostitutes. Together they discover more about the world of prostitution in New Orleans meeting many of the “good guys” along the way. The story reveals some of the underbelly of New Orleans along with sharing with the reader the tender side of this world. Readers learn of individuals giving their all to help, tender stories of several folks caught up in the “racket” as well as a peak inside the hearts of some folks involved in “the business”. Together Krista and Jess are a formidable force of good and join heart and hands to try and uncover the whereabouts of sister Rosie.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reissue of a story first published in 1990 is as relevant today as when it was originally written. I loved it! The beauty of New Orleans is expressed as well as the seediness and debauchery that happens with the pimps being in the foreground and the prostitutes who are just trying to survive. It is easy to fall into the latter category when you are a young teenage runaway. Jess Cantrell, an investigative reporter, is working on researching his next book, which is about runaways. At a bar named Tallulah’s, he meets Krista Jensen, who has been posing as prostitute Crystal in order to find her runaway sister, Roseanne. Krista heard a rumor that Roseanne has taken up life in New Orleans. It is dangerous business, for sure. The conflicts between the main characters are huge, and it was a thrilling book. Crooked political leaders are also involved, making this even more terrifying. This is the first of a three-book series, and i look very forward to what happens next, as this story has not ended.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally engrossed in this story of a woman searching the dark parts of New Orleans for her runaway little sister. Krista’s relationship with a reporter she met, Jess, was full of doubt, learning to trust and a little bit of heat. I really liked both characters. Jess was determined to protect Krista even though the street savvy women she had become out of necessity rebuffed his help at every turn.
The book was very informative as to what runaways endure and the lives they lead. That was shown the best with the young girl that they encounter and try to help. Not only were the hard living conditions portrayed, but Richard’s also gave us insight into the emotional problems that can also cause young people to run away from home in the first place and refuse to trust anyone in order to get help they so desperately need. This book was packed full of emotion and situations that will certainly make you stop and think about others.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via the author. All thoughts are my own.

[SOMDReigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“One Step at a Time”
A very well written story of life on the streets and a sister trying to find her runaway sister. Krista delves into the life of a runaway while feeling all the emotions involved; love, guilt, and worry. Sometimes she puts herself at risks without even knowing it. Journalist Jess has been researching runaways and she has caught his attention as not the typical runaway and he’s there to try to keep her safe and help find her sister. Krista is slow to trust him, and he walks a fine line of helping her, gaining her trust, but also wanting her story. Not the usual ending (they don’t find her sister and they leave New Orleans) but I liked it that way. This is a three-book series. The books do not end in cliffhangers, but each book expands the storyline.
*Originally published by Silhouette Books June 1990. A gem of a book that stand the test of time and does not read as 1990 book.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crystal (Krista) is searching for her sister, Rosie, after she ran away from home. Meanwhile, Jess is researching and writing a book about what happens when kids run away. Inevitably, Krista and Jess’s paths cross and they strike a deal to work together to find Rosie, but that’s not all that will happen between them. Along the way, Krista develops a friendship with Tate, another runaway, with a feisty attitude and the strength of someone twice her age.

Runaway is the first of three books in the Homecoming series which is being re-issued by the author. This series is more romance based than the author’s current womens fiction, but still contains all the aspects I’ve come to love in Richards’ books. I really enjoyed this story and felt all the emotions that Krista was feeling when the leads to finding Rosie didn’t pan out.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is set in the seedier parts of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Jess Cantrell is a free-lance journalist who is researching teenage runaways. He is becoming extremely saddened by the ages and circumstances of the children he is interviewing. Wanda, a former street person, now gainfully employed, suggests he talk to Crystal. Crystal had refused a previous interview, but Wanda knows that there is a story wanting to be told. Crystal doesn’t fit Jess’s profile of a runaway but he can’t pinpoint why so he follows her and ends up spending the night under a bush in front of her apartment. As the story unfolds, Jess learns more of Crystal’s story and they end up spending time together, helping other runaways. It is a gripping story and is a lead in to the two that follow. It is a great series.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess is in New Orleans researching a book on runaway teens. Krista is in New Orleans to find her younger sister, who is a runaway teen.
Both of them are finding out just what it is like to live on the street, when you are young, with no money and no skills.
This book shows us the raw realities of life on the street, for kids who often cannot live at home. We learn about the risks involved, and how they cope from day to day. For most of these kids, it isn’t a “Happily Ever After”.
“Runaway” is a good story, though it isn’t a feel good kind of book. The lives of the kids are frightening, and sad. However, the book is well written and takes us to places most of us, thankfully, will never know.

[Delores · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to believe this novel was written about thirty years ago, as the subject of runaways and child prostitution is so much a part of today’s society, too. The lack of cell phone and computer technology is apparent, but the story is so compelling it does not suffer from it. This is a wonderful story of suspense, intrigue and romance, very much like the women’s fiction Miss Richards is currently writing, which I thoroughly enjoy. I was immediately drawn into the story—the characters, the intrigue, the search! I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next book in the series so I can continue with the story. I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

[Denise A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Runaway. I had a hard time putting it down. Each chapter made me want to keep reading just to find out what happens next! It is a story of an older sister searching for her teenage sister, who ran away from home under questionable circumstances. The book goes through all the trials and frustrations of searching for someone who does not want to be found. There are twists and turns, and an ending that makes you want to run out and get the next book in the series, which I will do as soon as it is available! I highly recommend this book!

[Terry Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of a young woman searching for her runaway younger sister in New Orleans is intriguing! “Crystal” gives up everything as she leaves her home and puts herself in danger in the seedy side of the city. She meets Jess, a reporter researching a new book. Together with advice from a former prostitute who now helps young girls out on the street, they face a dangerous pimp, discover secrets behind her sister’s reason for leaving, and befriend a young girl who eventually joins them in their journey. And discover love along the way. Will they find her?

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway is a 1990 book that is being re-released with small updates. As a frequent Emilie Richards reader, I knew it would be a good story. I've never been disappointed by anything she's written.

Krista is "undercover" as Crystal, looking for her sister who ran away 15 months ago. Krista meets Jess who is writing a book about runaways and together they work to try and find her sister. Along the way, they fall in love. This is book one of a trilogy, and the story will continue in book two - I can't wait!

I received this book as a gift from the author, Emilie Richards.