4.5 Wine Glass #Audio #Review for Running from the Past by Katie Reus

Title: Running from the Past
Author: Katie Reus
Narrator: Sophie Eastlake
Format:  Unabridged Audiobook, 3 hours and 12 minutes
Published: 27 October 2016 (KR Press LLC)
ISBN: ASIN: B01M3U1A00
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Audible | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

A woman on the run.

Miami socialite Emma Garcia has been running from who she is her entire life. When she witnesses a horrific crime, she goes on the run. In desperation, she answers an ad for a chef on a remote horse farm in the middle of nowhere, Florida. It seems like the perfect plan until she figures out what to do with her secrets. The only thing she doesn’t count on is being attracted to the rugged cowboy who owns the place. Whenever he comes around the only thing she can focus on is his seductive voice and sinful body.

And her past is about to catch up with her.

Former Marine Caleb Ryder hires Emma even though he knows she’s lying about her identity. He desperately needs the help, but he also doesn’t have the heart to turn away a woman so obviously in need. After being burned by a woman once, he doesn’t let that deter his mission to claim Emma’s body and heart. Now that she’s his, he’ll face any threat to protect her, no matter how deadly. 

Linda's Thoughts:
Emma Garcia gripped the steering wheel of the stolen pick-up truck she wished she wasn’t driving. In the entirety of her twenty-six years, she hadn’t taken as much as a piece of gum without paying for it, until today…

Running from the Past by Katie Reus is a short and ultra steamy romantic thriller. It’s a stand alone read from Katie and not part of a series. Emma is running for her life from Ricardo, a crime lord. She needs to hide where he and his minions can’t find her. Current ranch-owner and former marine Caleb needs a cook. Emma applies for the job and Caleb hires her. What neither of them counted on was the strong attraction between them.

The story is told from the third person point-of-view, alternating between Emma’s and Caleb’s. That brilliant writing tactic by the author ratcheted up the sexy-meter for me because their thoughts were so heated, i.e, think foreplay on steroids…. Ooh la la!

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Running from the Past:

Despite his soft speech, he stared at her as he’d like to eat her whole. Damn her traitorous body if that thought wasn’t such a bad one…. This could not be happening. She was on the run from a maniac and her hormones were going haywire. Clearly, she had issues.
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Caleb shifted uncomfortably as he closed the door behind him. For a moment, he’d thought she’d been naked under the sheet. But, it had been a nude-colored type of top. Didn’t seem to matter, the sight had kicked his fantasies into overdrive. She tried to hide herself, but the nightlight next to her bed cast a soft amber glow around her shining right through the thin sheet, illuminating her small pert breasts perfectly even through the top…. He couldn’t live under the same roof as her and not go insane. He would make an announcement tomorrow. She was off-limits.
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When she entered the dining room, she tried to ignore Caleb’s gaze on her. He wasn’t outwardly leering, but she could feel the intensity coming from his direction as if he was sending heat-seeking missiles her way. She knew he wanted her. She might not have much experience with men, but she knew when one was interested and Caleb Ryder was. 
--- 

He needed to taste her like he needed his next breath.

Sophie Eastlake is the talented narrator for Running from the Past. She capably voices many of Katie’s books and never fails to do an excellent job capturing the characters and producing a polished and professional finished product. Both her male and female voices sound genuine and she voices them with the proper emotions and nuances. The pacing is right on. Sophie’s performance - without a doubt -enhanced my enjoyment of this read.

Simply put, Katie Reus is one of my favorite authors. If she writes it, I want to read it. Running from the Past is a quick fast-paced read, but not short-shrifted in any way as each page packs a solid punch. The characters are fully fleshed, the sexual tension and chemistry between Emma and Caleb is sizzling and the story is jam-packed with seriously dangerous suspense. Highly recommended…