In the book If I Live, author Terri Blackstock concludes the intriguing story of Casey who is on the run for the murder of her friend Brent that she did not commit. But the detectives investigating the murder are dirty and were involved in her father’s death years earlier? Brent’s family has hired private detective Dylan Roberts. But Dylan believes that Casey is innocent and has fallen in love with her. Who can they trust? Which police are part of the corruption? Can they trust Chief Gates?
I would highly recommend this fast pace, edge of your seat conclusion to the series for any reader. It was a great ride! I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of the best conclusions to a series I have read in a long time! Blackstock does not disappoint!

Casey Cox is still running for her life and trying to prove she is not a murderer. She has been indicted for murder, but has information that proves she isn’t a killer, if she can only find someone to believe her. Her face is all over the news and even with changing her appearance she still fears being recognized. Dylan Roberts may have been tasked with finding Casey and bringing her to justice, but after discovering all the information Casey has to prove her case, he is now the only one to help her. The more they work together the closer they become and Casey’s enemies use that to lure her out by putting Dylan’s life in danger. Neither of them want to put the other in danger, but is it worth staying safe if it means the real killer goes free?

Terri Blackstock is one of the premier Christian fictions writers for a reason. With her latest installment in the If I Run series, she shows what it takes to write a story readers will want to not just read but devour. This series is by far her best yet and the conclusion will make readers ecstatic. Both Casey and Dylan are characters that are flawed and trying to figure things out as they go. They don’t have it all together and make it easy for readers to picture themselves in their shoes. I was surprised halfway through the book at the direction the story was going. I didn’t see it being able to stay worthwhile if it continued along this course. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised with how well Blackstock worked things out to bring the story to an entirely new level of suspense.

These days it is hard to find writers that are able to bring things to a new level. When you discover a writer with the caliber of Blackstock, you want to hang on tightly and remember her. The only negative aspect of the book is how sad I am that this is the last in the series. I’m not saying this because the story wasn’t wrapped up but because I would love to see more with these characters and more by Blackstock. I’ve learned a lot from reading books written by Terri Blackstock, not just how well written novels actually look, but also from the stories themselves. Research is key to making key points believable and it is obvious an immense amount of research went into making these novels what they are. While this is the last book in the series, I recommend reading the series in order for the story to be at its fullest. I highly recommend If I Live to fans of Blackstock new and old that want an incredible read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

had it and trying to savor it, but finally gave in and consumed it, and I sure was not disappointed. We have followed these people through three books and they have become family, and I care about them.
There is so much action here, and we really root against the evil in the form of the police, yes corruption at the highest, and so many innocents hurt, including the main characters. Just when you think you find someone to trust, forget it, so sad, and scary.
Surprises abound here, I could hardly believe how far the evil spread, but our hero has come a long way in her journey with God, and we know that no matter what happens she is going to be with him.
You don’t want to miss this one, and do yourself a favor you won’t regret, read all three. These are awesome reads.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

Protagonist Casey Cox has been accused of a murder she didn't commit and is on the run, still, and doing a darned good job at evading capture. She has been doing this for awhile but she does have a person she can trust--if she can just connect with him. Private Investigator Dylan Roberts, hired by Brent's family to find the killer, has new information and feels she is innocent. POV switches first person from Casey to Dylan to antagonist dirty cop Keegan. Not just dirty--sociopathic icky scary.

Dylan is working toward getting her to come in safely to clear her name. Unfortunately, it's impossible to know who they can trust. Together, she and Dylan decide to take the evidence to the DA. Dylan arrives at his office to present the case but dumbs down a bit and things go south. Just how deep is the Keegan quagmire?

I don't remember that the blurb hinted at Christian content, but did note a possible romantic connection, and [**spoiler] there is, though thankfully does not overwhelm the plot. The opening chapter grabs your attention and never slows. In fact, it ramps up considerably during Casey's evasion scenes--hoo boy--is she good! Gutsy lady! I liked that she survived using her wits, not a martial arts belt, or weapons. Dialogue reads fairly natural. Scenes were set up well and easily visualized, and the plot moved at a good pace. Keegan is beyond nasty; vicious, and the description of him with partner Rollins was gag inducing.

Having tapped into the third of a trilogy, I apparently missed much of the fleshing out of Casey or Dylan, or for that matter, most of the characters. You might very well do better by beginning with the first, as it would go a long way to explaining exactly who she is and how she got into this fix in the first place.

The story ends much as you'd expect, with most loose ends wrapped up prior to arriving at the happy ever after. I received this eARC download through Zondervan and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. I can recommend to those who enjoy a cleanly written Christian thriller that moves without getting overly preachy with a little romantic interest.

What a great nail biter ending to this trilogy by Terri Blackstock! At every turn there is more corruption than expected! As Casey goes through many trying situations and her faith grows, it is great to see what she is thankful for. This is a great reminder that during times of trial you need to look for your blessings. God is always there!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely. Breathtaking. I literally could not breathe while reading If I Live. The finale of the If I Run series grabbed me by the throat from the opening page until the end. And I must admit, I’m still a little uneasy and unsure if Casey will have a happily ever after. Not because I don’t think she deserves it but because Ms. Blackstock put my emotions through the ringer. I almost feel like I suffered as Casey did. I want to look over my shoulder to make sure all is well and I can truly relax now that the series has concluded.

Y’all, this book…this series was utterly phenomenal! Just superb. One of the best (if not the BEST) suspense books I’ve read in a long time. I had moments of utter shock while reading this. Let me tell you, it’s almost impossible to fool me when I read these times of books. But Ms. Blackstock is a master suspense writer and had me gasping and searching my friend’s list to see if anyone else was reading and just as shocked. Fantastic job!

This book will go down in history and I’m sure will be one people will read a long while into the future. I know I’m itching for the opportunity to reread it and binge the entire series now that it’s complete. Well done, Ms. Blackstock.

*I received a free copy from the publisher. A review was not required and this is my own, honest opinion.

If I Live is the third and final installment in author Terri Blackstock's If I Run trilogy. As the story picks up, Casey Cox is still on the run after being indicted for murder. A murder she most definitely did not commit, but she knows who was responsible. The hunt that began with her bloody footprints escalates, and she’s running out of places to hide. Her face is all over the news, and her disguises are no longer enough. It’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes her and she ends up on the bad end of a killer who will do anything to silence here.

Meanwhile, Dylan Roberts, the investigator who once hunted her, is now her only hope. Terrifying attempts on Dylan’s life could force Casey out of hiding. The clock is ticking on both their lives, but exposing the real killers is more complicated than they knew. Amassing the evidence to convict their enemies draws Dylan and Casey together, but their relationship has consequences. Will one life have to be sacrificed to protect the other? Who else is involved in this conspiracy that has engulfed both Dylan and Casey's entire lives?

This is a story that alternatives between both Casey and Dylan, but the author doesn't stop there. She also adds Detective Keegan to the mix. One could say that Keegan is a bit over the top at times, and yes, a bit too predictable. Keegan knows that his days are numbered unless he can silence both Casey, and now Dylan who has become a thorn in his side. But, Dylan isn't going to lay down for Keegan or anyone else for that matter. Dylan's faith, his friend Dex, and his experiences in the military are so much deeper than Keegan can imagine.

Readers pretty much knew that things were going to end one way, or the other. There is no middle room where everyone walks away scot free and has happy endings. Readers also know that the author is deeply involved in writing about the Christian faith. We know that Dylan is a believer, but after certain events push Casey in a certain way, she starts to believe as well. This story, like the previous two, probably won't sit well with those who are atheists. That's not a slap, it's a statement. However, if you like a suspense with two pretty interesting characters in Casey and Dylan, and a romance that blossoms out of everything they have to deal with, then you will enjoy this series.

The suspense continues with the third and final book in the If I Run Series. As with the first two books, this was a hard book to put down. Casey is still on the run but she and Dylan are getting closer and closer to having what they need to ensure Keegan pays for his crimes. Unfortunately the closer they get the more desperate Keegan gets and the death tolls start to rise. Can Casey and Dylan get enough evidence to put Keegan away for life? Or Does Keegan get to them first?

I have a lot I could say about this book but unfortunately with as many shocking events that occurred I feel that anything I say would be a spoiler. The suspense in this series started from page one of If I Run and ran straight through to the final pages of If I Live. This is a series that really can't be read out of order, but once you read the first you'll be sucked in through the last. I admit I enjoy reading and can read fairly fast, but I read this entire series in three days and that's saying something even for me. Terri Blackstock proves again why she is one of my favorite authors! I can't wait to see what she thinks up next!

*I Received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is book 3 in the If I Run series. I think you can read it as a standalone because enough of the background is mentioned that you could easily catch up; however, I believe you would regret that choice. This series pulled me in with all the ups and downs as well plenty of surprises around every corner. And the last book—all I can say is WOW! I was so caught up in the story, I didn’t want to go to sleep, and I resumed reading it as soon as I got out of bed.

The bad guy network is much stronger than I would have originally thought with new surprise additions throughout the book. I couldn’t help but feel that Casey and Dylan shouldn’t trust anyone, and then lo and behold they put their faith in someone who should have been above reproach, but wasn't. Once again, it seems as if they might not make it out alive. You’re just going to have to read the book to find out if they do.

I give this a 5. According to the Goodreads rating system, that means I think this book is amazing. That sums it up for me.

This closing book in the trilogy continues with the compelling plot line, even deepening the action and suspense. The good guys continue to get better, the bad guys reveal out-of-control badness. The story is skillfully brought to an end and questions are resolved satisfyingly.

The series should be read in order, and now that the final book is released (March 6), it will be a quick and engaging read.

If I Live

by Terri Blackstock

Zondervan Fiction

Zondervan

Christian , Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 06 Mar 2018

I am reviewing a copy of If I Live through Zondervan and Netgalley:

From the first page on, If I Live leaves you breathlessly spell-bound!

After being indicated for murder Casey Cox is on the run. A hunt that began with her bloody footprints on a scene escalates. Soon her face is all over the news and her disguises aren’t enough. In a matter of time someone will recognize her!

Dylan Roberts the investigator that once hunted her becomes her only hope. The terrifying attempts on Dylan’s life can bring Casey out of hiding. The clock is ticking on both their lives, but finding the real killer and exposing him to be the murderer is not going to be easy. Amassing the evidence to convict their enemies draws Dylan and Casey together but there relationship is not without consequences.

Will one life have to be sacrificed to save another? Find out in the final book of the If I Run series.

I give If I Live five out of five stars!

The final installment In this series of books about Casey Cox. The author leads us through the suspense of a murderer trying to hunt and kill an innocent women who knows his history. The story line builds and comes to a satisfying conclusion. An enjoyable read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I should know by now not to start reading a new book too close to bedtime.... I simply could not put it down, and I stayed up way too late finishing it.

This is the third (and presumably final) book in the series, and I would strongly urge readers to read the first two books before picking up this one. Otherwise, the story will not make much sense.

Other reviewers have provided fairly detailed plot synopses, and I will not duplicate their efforts here.

In brief, the 3-book story is about a woman who has been framed for murder. Fearing that she will be killed by the real killers, she is on the run, and smartly so, i.e. she does not make stupid mistakes that would cause the reader to roll their eyes and declare the heroine too stupid to live. In fact, she makes some quite ingenious moves that I greatly admired, and will certainly emulate myself in the unlikely event that I am ever on the run and hiding from a killer!

The wealthy parents of the murder victim have hired a private detective to try to catch the killer, whom they believe is indeed the framed heroine. The PI, however, is skeptical, and begins to see through the underlying conspiracy. There is never any doubt in the reader's mind that the heroine is innocent, and it is also clear from the start who is the mastermind behind this killing and others.

I will say that this book ratchets up the tension as all of the parties race down the inevitable path to the final confrontations and conclusions.

The main characters are nicely complex and have plenty of issues and baggage they are working through. I will let the readers discover and explore those for themselves.

All in all, this trilogy is well worth the reading time, and I highly recommend it in its entirety. But do try to make sure to have all 3 books available to read one after the other....

If I Live by Terri Blackstock

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Terri Blackstock closes out her If I Run Series with a thrilling story that will bring both answers and a chance for Casey to finally come home.

For those of us who have been actively anticipating this final piece of the If I Run story, this installment comes with all we were hoping for – the take-down of the bad guys and a literal clean slate for Casey Cox and Dylan Roberts. I’ve so very much enjoyed reading this series as I’ve felt like I was the one being hunted whenever I read the books( I may or may not have actually been a little paranoid about a car going the same direction as me that week, haha!) . Its a weird feeling but one that only comes when you can fully immerse yourself in a story with so little difficulty. Casey Cox has been on the run for months, hiding not from the law, as everyone assumes, but from those in the law who are trying to make it work for them. She has endured much in that time and is, at the moment, recovering from a gun shot wound that she received while trying to save the life of a child. Casey knows its only a matter of time before someone turns her in, but before she lets that happen she must have enough evidence to save her life. Along the way she has been working with Dylan Roberts, the lead private investigator on her case. Dylan has run this race with Casey and discovered that she is only guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As he has dug deeper into the death of Brent Pace, there are too many pieces that don’t fit together as neatly as the police detectives have reported. But they are up against a killer who will do whatever it takes to keep his cover and his money. Detective Keegan has been working both sides of the law for years and is racing against time to find Casey before anyone else. He knows she is the only one who can tell the real story and he is counting on the fact that everyone believes her a killer to keep him safe until he finds her. Blind with rage, greed and a sense of invincibility he will use every weapon and tool of manipulation he possesses to rid himself of any suspicion of his crimes and make sure Casey never sees the inside of a police station or courtroom. This story was so very real and raw that a reader could feel the pain and fear that enveloped Casey as she hid. And to feel the desperate longing for someone, anyone, to understand and believe her story was described so well you almost want to shout “I believe you!” But right along with the intense thrills of the story is a journey of faith that will grow deep and strong in spite of all that is against it. Casey has never really looked to God for anything before and it will be on this insane quest for justice that she will learn where truth, peace and real justice are found – in God alone. This was one of my favorite parts as you watched her reach out to the only One who could bring about the desired safety and answers this case required. And Ms. Blackstock did not shy away from making her villain a truly evil and unfeeling person. He killed with no mercy or regret and honestly believed that he was entitled to do whatever he pleased and take whatever he could. And it was this complete lack of empathy that made his capture and conviction so perfect and deserved. Keegan was the perfect foil for God in this story in relation to Casey – representing all that evil can do when allowed free rein versus the grace, mercy and peace that comes when you understand that God is truly in control. I was so very pleased with how the case ended up and then Ms. Blackstock added a wonderful element to make the story even better – romance. Casey and Dylan have been thrown together in this deadly game of hide and seek and in spite of it all they have found a friendship that they hope will lead to something more. And as they work their way through the tangle of deceit, the love between them will only grow stronger. I really liked how Ms. Blackstock brought such joy and happiness to her characters who had been so lost and afraid for so long. Every question was answered and everyone got more than they deserved, both good and bad, and God was given His proper place: right in the middle of it all, working for the good of His children. I hope Ms. Blackstock will begin a new series soon as I’m going to miss reading Casey’s story. Hopefully it will be as excellent and thrilling as this non-stop series. I will certainly recommend this book to others, also ensuring they read the first two so they can have the whole story. I’m planning to add physical copies of these books to my shelves soon so I can re-read them often.

I received this E-book free of charge from Zondervan Fiction via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

Warning: this book causes sleepless nights. Once you start, you can't put it down. Full of mystery, suspense, romance. Blackstock doesn't disappoint. Add to your must read list.

I thought the characters were well developed and believable, although I could have done with a little more personality from Casey. I just didn't feel like we really got to know her as much as I would have liked.

Even the villain was really well written. Which honestly is very rare to find in a book!

I really like that this series is written in alternating first person point-of-view. That is so rare to find in and it's just something I enjoy. I like being able to get inside the characters heads and kind of feel what they feel.

I thought this book was really well done and the action kept up until the very end. There were still moments up until the end where I was wondering how it was going to all come together. And come together nicely it did! All the pieces fit nicely in place and I didn't feel like it was rushed or anything was left out.

I guess my only negative feedback to the whole series was the fact that I had to wait an entire year between each book, but now that they are all released that's not an issue! Part of me thinks this series could have been condensed down to one book, as I don't really like it when the main plot line goes over multiple books, but there was different story lines within the main story that kept it interesting.

Overall a really well written series that I would definitely recommend!

If I Live is a beautiful ending to the story of Casey Cox. I have to say that I've never read a bad book from Ms. Blackstock. She leaves you with feelings that are becoming more and more rare in today's world. If you enjoy that type of book then I recommend you check out this fantastic trilogy.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Zondervan and Ms. Terri Blackstock on this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book, a good mix of suspense, mystery, and romance. I've always liked Terri Blackstock's books and this book lived up to my expectations :)

Its fun to read from the viewpoint of different characters and have a "birds eye view" of what's going on. Some authors give away the whole mystery when using this technique, not Terri!

You really feel the terror Casey feels, the fear and sense of responsibility Dylan carries, and the deadly psychotic that Keegan is!

WOOOOOOOW.

This was an amazing close to an as-amazing trilogy. The suspense did not let up and I was left gasping for breath at a couple of points, dying to skip ahead and find out what had happened...but I couldn't because kindle. *weeps*

But. Anyway. Review. Much of this will be spoilers, although I'll do my very, very best to avoid them. However! If you're interested in reading this book, and you see a spoiler tag, DO NOT CLICK. You will thank me. (Also I will try very hard not to spoil any of the HUGE plot points. I'll just vaguely allude to them. Mwah ha ha.)

LIKES
-Casey. Dylan. My beautiful charries. <33333333 I love them to the moon and back.
-Keegan. I mean, I hate him--he is so despicable, and if you thought he was bad in the last two, he takes it up several notches in this one--but he's such a good villain. Oy. I simultaneously shook my fist at him and grinned every time he came on--because he was so bad but so awesome. But still not awesome. I'm sure all you bookish nerds know what I mean. XD
-There was less travelling in this one, which was kind of my least favorite part of the other two? Less swapping phones and chucking batteries away and stealing license plates and moving from hotel to hotel. Which I appreciated.
-Dylan's friend--whose name I, embarrassingly enough, cannot remember. Was it Brant? I think it was Brant or Brett or something similar. Me being me, I'm probably very, very off. If you remember, remind me because I CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME REMEMBER.
-The suspense! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book--I do not trust this author. Sometimes you'll be reading a book and be fairly certain your precious characters will come out okay because no one else has died. But that was not the case with this book. SO MUCH SUSPENSE.
-The ending...I will spoil nothing. But. Hee hee....
-Casey's boss (the google lawsuits guy) was hilarious. I loved him. Every series that's this intense needs some good comic relief.
-Close to everything?

DISLIKES
-OKAY HERE COME THE SPOILERS. I will try really, really hard not to bring out anything that would really destroy you if you read them anyway...but don't.
-(view spoiler)
-(view spoiler)

CONTENT

SEXUAL: Not much. Again, some kissing. But this book is 100% focused on Casey and Dylan at this point so there is no sexual abuse as in the last two books, which was nice.

VIOLENCE: SOOOOOOO much. I don't remember exactly how many people died in this one, but there were a LOOOOOOOOT. We don't see any of it depicted graphically, but there's a lot of death, and you feel all of them regardless of how well you know the character. (One in particular was pretty darn heart-wrenching...)

LANGUAGE: N/A I think, although if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

DRUGS/ETC.: The same character as before drinks a lot, which doesn't have great consequences for him. :/ I don't think there was much else.

4.5 stars and I totally recommend this wonderful Christian suspense series!!!!!!!

This is the final book in a trilogy and therefore, I cannot say too much without giving away the story and the past two books. But this continues the story of Casey, who has fled after being wrongfully accused of the murder of her boyfriend. Such a great book and series! This is written by a Christian author and by a Christian publisher. The first two books just make small mentions of God, this one more so, but not over the top and never preachy. I will definitely check out this authors previous and future books.

Thank you to Zondervan Publishers, NetGalley, and the author for providing me a copy ARC of this book in turn for an honest review.