Really enjoyed this series. Casey is on the run and has Dylan helping her which has helped her mentally and emotionally through this seemingly never ending ordeal. Lots of twists in this finale with a great ending!

This was an awesome conclusion to the If I Live series. I waited so patiently for this final book. I would highly suggest this series to anyone who enjoys a great 'edge-of-your-seat' thriller.

Zondervan and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of If I Live. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion was freely given.

Casey Cox is still a fugitive, evading capture in the hopes that Dylan Roberts will find the evidence he needs to clear her name. With the media blasting her photograph over the airwaves at every turn, will Casey be able to maintain her cover? With time running out, will the very dangerous Detective Gordon Keegan catch up to her?

Having read the first two books in this series, I was well aware that If I Live is classified as Christian Suspense fiction. This is the most religious of the trilogy, with much of an implausible plot explained away as God's handiwork. The author relied too much on the principles of the Christian faith to make the decisions of her characters make sense, which left the book as the least successful of the three in my opinion. The suspense aspects, that of Casey evading capture and Dylan's frantic search for the truth, would have been enough to carry the book without the religious undertones. If I Live fits squarely into the Christian Suspense genre, missing out on the opportunity to reach a wider audience of suspense thriller readers. The budding relationship between the main characters seemed to be thrown in as a plot point and was not successfully explored. As the conclusion to a trilogy, If I Live explains and completes the premise laid forth by the first book, but was the weakest of the three. Readers who are new to the series should start from the beginning, as too much of the plot and character background would be lost to them.

Terri Blackstock never disappoints her readers. Suspenseful, intriguing and intense. Christian suspense fiction at its best. Now we wait for her next great series!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. I was not required to give a positive review.

Terri Blackstock is one of my book club’s favorite authors. We never miss one of her books. If I Live, the final book in her If I Run series, did not disappoint us. We were unanimous in our approval of this book. A great ending to a wonderful series.

Casey and Dylan are running out of time as they race to discover the truth behind the murder of their mutual friend. But the bad guys are working overtime as well, and the threats to both come fast and furious. Will they live long enough to unmask the evil?

Casey and Dylan are great characters. My book club has really enjoyed the journey they have taken throughout the three books. Although the two have faced more and more danger, their faith grew and strengthened. Both characters suffer from PTSD, and Blackstock does an admirable job detailing what sufferers go through. I liked how they were not actually fixed, but gained peace and strength through their relationship with Jesus. The faith journeys of the two are complex (plenty of valleys and mountain tops) and encouraging. For those who love a good romantic suspense story, If I Live is just the ticket. The action is fast-paced with plenty of twists. And the love story is sweet as Casey and Dylan hope for a future. Although we knew the identity of the bad guy(s), there were some surprises we didn’t see coming. That’s a big plus for the veteran suspense readers in my group.

We give two thumbs up to If I Live! Please note that the three books in this series are not standalone – you must read them in order. The good news is that all three are now available for hours of binge reading!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

If I Live is the final book in a trilogy, and don’t even think about reading it if you haven’t already read If I Run and If I’m Found. If I Live picks up almost exactly where If I’m Found ends, so if you’re one of those readers who has the patience to wait for the whole series before you read the first book, this series is perfect for you.

Also, if you haven’t read If I Run and If I’m Found, you probably shouldn’t read this (or any) review, as they will inevitably contain spoilers about the earlier books. You have been warned …

Casey Cox is on the run again (still?) after being set up as the supposed killer of her friend, Brent Pace. Brent’s parents don’t believe Casey is responsible, so hire PI Dylan Roberts to investigate. As he tracks her through If I Run and If I’m Found, he comes to believe her story—that she’s been set up the men behind her father’s death twelve years ago.

If I Live starts with a bang, as fugitive Casey narrowly escapes capture. The suspense never lets up, and there are plenty of unpredictable twists as Casey and Dylan work together to evade the police. The whole novel takes place over a matter of days, rather than the months or weeks of the previous novels. That adds to the pace.

One of the potential dangers of reading suspense novels, especially a trilogy such as this, is that the focus is all on the suspense plot. It’s all action-action-action with no character. The If I Run trilogy doesn’t make that mistake. Casey and Dylan both grow as characters over the course of the series, and that focus on character lifts the series, and especially If I Live, out of the ordinary. I especially liked Casey’s unusual faith journey:

"I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I can learn so much about Christianity by listening to YouTube videos."

If I Live is written in first person present tense from several points of view. I thought those choices added to the suspense, although I know some readers don’t like first person and/or present tense. If that’s you but you like a good thriller, don’t let it put you off. First person present tense can be agonising in the hands of an amateur writer, but Terri Blackstock is no amateur. Start reading, and you’ll soon forget it’s first person.

Recommended for thriller and suspense fans … but only for those who read the first books first!
Thanks to Zondevan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

I have been waiting for the conclusion of this series because it has been a heart stopping ride that I couldn't get enough of. I knew it was coming to a close and was anxious to see how the author would wrap everything up. Casey has been living on the edge of awhile . Is her luck running out? There are just so many ways to disguise yourself before someone catches on. When you are wanted for murder, you will do everything you can not to get caught. Her smarts keeps her hidden from the police as she tries to prove she did not murder anyone.

I really enjoyed the interaction between Casey and Claire. It was nice to read how they shared their faith with each other. A new Christian like Casey really made Claire realize how we can get immune to what He really did for us. I thought this was a great side story that reminded Casey that she is not alone in trying to prove her innocence.

If I was ever in trouble I know I would call Dylan for help. He is one sharp person. Details don't get past him and he is determined to help prove Casey's innocence. Their lives are in turmoil as danger surrounds them. Who doesn't want Casey found alive? What does she know that could destroy someone's integrity, job and perhaps their freedom? This is Terri at her very best as she reveals pure terror and heartless people who will do anything to keep themselves out of jail.

This is one book that keeps you on your toes as explosions happen, death threats are spoken about and more bodies pile up. It's a race to the end as Casey and Dylan try to stay ahead of the master mind behind all that they have encountered.Well done Terri. You have given readers an ending that will not be forgotten. I'm sad to see the series end, but know the author is busy with a new book for her fans to grab up when it is hot off the press.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild and Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

This book is really amazing. It’s packed full of action and it got my heart racing. Throw in a little romance and I was hooked.

This is the third book in this series, and this is definitely a series you have to read in order to fully understand what is going on. I tried starting with this one and had to go to the library to get the first two. Trust me, start at the beginning, the story is completely worth it!

I love these characters, they are so well developed and have so much depth, it’s hard to remember they aren’t real sometimes. I only had one problem with this book. I am a huge fan of Christian fiction, but there were some cheesy parts of this that didn’t feel natural to me. When Casey was talking to Claire, the blind woman Casey drives around, the conversation about faith felt forced. It didn’t flow like I have come to expect from the Christian Fiction I have been reading. Otherwise, this book was wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of it.



*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*

This is an engaging, satisfactory conclusion to this intense series.

Casey has been wearing disguises to stay hidden but she keeps helping people in need around her. Her latest efforts are trying to help a man wrongfully accused of child abuse and trying to find a way to help the child. She keeps landing in the news and getting recognized. Corrupt detective Keegan is hot on her heels.

Dylan has managed to help Casey avoid capture. Through their brief contacts their feelings for each other are growing. He is continuing to look for proof to support the allegations that Keegan is dirty and a killer. Dylan’s own actions, as covert as he is trying to be, are putting pressure on Keegan who is taking down loose ends around him. This includes a direct attack on Dylan.

The suspense continues to escalate as Casey and Dylan try to arrange for her to safely turn herself in without putting her near Keegan. A few last-minute twists had hubby and me holding our breath waiting for resolution.

There were some questions in our minds like ‘why Casey and Dylan didn’t take the evidence to the FBI?’ It was clear it was hard to trust anyone near their own town and precinct but its seems they might have sought help from another jurisdiction. Casey does end up with an interesting choice of attorney who is a good character addition. The romance and faith support elements were nicely handled as they picked up in this concluding book. I really liked how Blackstock showed how God worked to help Casey and Dylan.

All in all, hubby and I enjoyed the trilogy and I was extra glad he listened with me. This third book was a NetGalley ebook version so we had my Kindle reading. I am used to the mechanical, robotic voice but hubby kept grumbling: “that guy has no emotion”. I am sure he would have preferred the audio but I was fine with the ebook.

I like Blackstock’s writing which is engaging and not overly complex. I recommend this series to readers who enjoy romantic suspense and faith-based elements.

Source: NetGalley. My rating 4.25.

I could not hardly put this final book in the series down! Action packed, the suspense, the twists and turns.. This Christian Suspense was everything the reviews said it was.. I loved it, definitely going on my favorites list!

I was gifted a copy through NetGalley, my opinion and review is voluntary..

Terri Blackstock delivers another highly suspenseful, intense novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Casey Cox searches for answers and has to decide who to trust in the midst of terrifying circumstances. Great read!

“If I live” is the third and last from this series. It is also the only one of three I read.

This is maybe why I do not rate is as high as other reviewers did.

Casey Cox is being framed and wanted for murder which she did not commit. Unfortunately every second cop in the city as well as the DA is involved in the crime. Dylan – one of the good guys – is trying to help Casey with her case and runs investigation pretty much on his own. In the process the two fall in love with one another.

I liked the thriller portion of the story, the corrupted cops, the chase, the run and the action.
I really enjoyed the fact that the story was being told from the point of view of the victim, good cop and bad cop. All these parts complimented each other nicely and built the story well.

The characters were well developed, however I really struggled connecting with any of them and so instead of feeling like I am involved in the story and following it that way, I felt rather like a bystander.

I also did not like the romance part between Casey and Dylan. I missed the real sparkle between them, and did not find the “godly” (no sex before marriage) relationship fitting this story very well. It is as if they did not really belong together but were put together because that is how things should be.

Overall it is a good book, however at the same time I was a little bit relieved when I finished it.

The final installment in Terri Blackstock’s trilogy did not disappoint. The book started off with the same fast-paced, tense action as with the first two installments. I literally could not put this book down until I read how the plot ended. The author did a nice job of tying up lose ends and bringing the trilogy full circle. I highly recommend this book!

If I Live is the third and fnal book in Terri Blackstock's If I Run series. Casey Cox has been on the run for some time, but is growing weary of living in fear that she will be found. Investigator Dylan Roberts is trying to find definitie proof to clear Casey's name and evidence against the real murderers. It is once again heart stopping actions and suspense, and I would recommend that people get all three books at once since it was agony waiting a year between each book. I really liked the twist that Blackstock used with the ADA compliance lawyer and how it actually became an important piece of the story. Once again Blackstock did not disappoint!

If I Live Is a Great Next story in this series, although this one is the very best 1 of them all or least more intense. You get so involved with what is happening to Casey - again - and to Dylan that you find yourself biting your lip (turning off the TV) - if you can believe that-and find out some time while you are reading you missed cooking dinner - whoops - because you had to find out if the DA would help them - and then you get a shock, a major major shock. Will she ever be free? Will they ever be able to truly love each other? Find out this and many other answers when you read this book.

Readers of the IF I RUN series by Terri Blackstock have been waiting patiently for the third and concluding novel IF I LIVE. Both the first novel IF I RUN and the second novel IF I'M FOUND ended on cliffhangers. Imagine reading at a breathtaking pace, tensions mounting with a conclusion in sight, or nearly so, only to have a resolution that is only partial, leaving the reader with both unanswered questions and genuine angst over Casey Cox's safety. And to top that off, most readers had to wait months and months before the next installment came out. I was among those anxiously waiting for the conclusion. In the first novel, Casey was accused of killing her friend, a reporter. Casey suspects he was killed by a rogue cop who knew the reporter and Casey were poking into possible criminal activities orchestrated by someone within the force. Somewhat like Dr. Richard Kimble in the tv show THE FUGITIVE, Casey keeps taking on new identities as protection from being found, but then her actions of helping others somehow alerts others and she must run again. Dylan Roberts, first hired to find Casey and bring her in, soon figures out the truth of her innocence and through the three novels, he becomes the one person she will trust.

Now that all three books are published, this is a series that I can highly recommend for those who enjoy Christian thrillers. Blackstock's writing has long standing as being entertaining, fast paced drama with a message. I believe this series is her best. As I began this third and final novel, I quickly got caught up in yet another Casey assumed identity and its dangerous story line. But throughout all the twists and turns (and there are many) of this novel, I was able to read with the assurance that this novel would end the fugitive's months long flight. I was provided an e-galley from Netgalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a review and all opinions are mine.

If I Live by Terri Blackstock is a marvellous Christian contemporary suspense. It is the third and final book in the If I Run series. It can be read as a stand-alone as background info is given. I recommend reading the previous two books for maximum enjoyment.
Once again there is the theme of trust. Villains look like ordinary people. The ring of crime runs deep - colleagues, friends, strangers - who can be trusted?
The novel is about an awakening to God. "I'm... not alone. God is on the case with me, fighting this battle." We are never left alone but sometimes it takes the bad situations in life to realise this.
There is much to be feared but when we know God, we can have a peace and trust His timing. "Let God dictate the timing, not the fear."
Prayer is important. God answers prayer. Prayers do not need to be elaborate, just heartfelt.
The miracle working God is alive today. "God did the impossible tonight. He does it all the time." When life seems bleak, God always provides a way out.
There are good people in the story who are prepared to take a risk for friends. They are "welcoming hurting friends as if they are family."
PTSD is a major thread running throughout the series. PTSD can re-emerge without warning. Veterans suffer and live in a state of high alert.
This has been a marvellous series. Once again Terri Blackstock has produced a story that has the reader hooked, guessing and consumed with a racing heart and rising pulse. Her heroine is a wonderful, brave and resourceful young woman who wins the reader's sympathies from the start.
This series has been a fabulous read.
I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Finally the conclusion of the If I Run series! How I hated having to wait a year each time for the next book, but now finally the conclusion is here - and it does not disappoint! I loved Casey and Dylan and just simply could not figure out how this series could come to an end. There was so much against Casey - and Dylan was not safe either.
You really have to read all books in this series in the right order as it is one continuing story. The whole series is a must read for Blackstock fans and other fans of Christian suspense. Highly recommended!

The first thing to say about Terri Blackstock's If I Live is that if you haven't read books one and two of her "If I Run" series, read those first. Jumping into If I Live without having read If I Run and If I'm Found is like starting a movie in the middle. Eventually you'll figure out what's going on, but at first you'll be totally lost.


If you have read the first two books, you will be pleased to see the pieces coming together. Casey Cox is on the run, suspect number one for her friend's murder. What she knows, and hasn't been able to figure out how to reveal, is that her friend was killed by the same dirty cops who murdered her father a decade ago.


Changing her identity and moving around is only practical if she's not recognized. Even though she's in another state altogether and taking great pains to keep her identity hidden, with her face all over the news, someone inevitably turns her in. She is in a race against time to expose the corruption in the police department while avoiding the deadly fate of the corrupt cops' other victims.


Blackstock's pacing is breakneck; you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Much of the plot and action are formulaic, especially if you're an avid reader of this type of fiction or viewer of police-themed TV dramas. But that doesn't change the fact that Blackstock writes the genre well. I enjoyed the way she brought in the faith element, with Casey ultimately becoming a Christian. It's also nice to read an action-packed, gritty story that does not succumb to the use of profanity and sexual material.


This series is great for fans of gripping, fast-paced fiction, especially if you don't mind staying up most of the night (because you won't want to put it down).


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

It was such a long time to wait for the third and final book in this suspenseful trilogy, but well worth it! When I got into the book such mundane things as cleaning house or cooking meals or even sleeping went by the wayside. Reminded me a little of the TV show of old, "The Fugitive". Casey knows she is innocent, so does friend Dylan, even the dirty cops chasing her knows. She is being framed and she can almost feel their breath on the back of her neck. Even her disguises, that worked for a while, are being "seen through". One of Casey's problems is that she's too nice and helping those she comes in contact with slows her down. But she is the type of person that you care about and pull for and find your heart pumping a little faster each time danger lurks near.
If you haven't read any of these three novels (If I Run, If I'm Found, If I Live) you are fortunate because you can now grab all of them and read straight through with no waiting time! They will be hard to put down once you start, fair warning. Terri Blackstock is becoming one of my favorite suspense authors at a fast rate. Ride with Casey as she goes from place to place buying burner phones and seeking out those that can help her get justice for her friend and her father.
I received a complimentary copy of the ebook from the publisher through Netgalley but was not required to write a review.