Run!
Run!: Book Covers with Someone Running
By: Brittany Shields
May 6, 1954 was the date Roger Bannister, England native, shockingly ran a four minute mile, something people had all deemed physically impossible!
And so, today is the perfect day to share this post.
I’ve noticed recently that I’ve read several books that all have someone running on them. I got a kick out of it, so I decided to start a list of books with this type of cover!
The real question, though, is this: Are they running AWAY from or running TOWARD something???
1. The Line Between by Tosca Lee
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
“frighteningly believable," as written in the book's summary is an accurate takeaway after reading this. Especially after also reading the author's note detailing the real-life inspiration to the story, I kinda freaked out for ten seconds and planned my own doomsday bunker with all my favorite foods and weapons, and of course a generator so we could still watch Wheel of Fortune... And then I realized I just don't have time to worry about that right now. Hashtag momlife, hashtag Jesus will protect me.
Wynter has escaped a cult in central Iowa only to find herself in the middle of a global outbreak of early onset dementia caused by an ancient bacteria that has defrosted in Alaska due to global warming and makes people irrational and violent.
Cult survivor must become pandemic survivor, and she might have the key to a cure.
2. Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble
Genre: Christian Fiction
This is a romantic/suspense novel.
Harper’s mom died in a car accident and she never knew who her father was. But a DNA test reveals a possible half-sister. But what should be celebratory becomes immersed in tragedy and danger when Harper becomes a target for something sinister.
It wasn’t as cheesy as I expected from some Christian Fiction novels and though my review points out some snarky things, I still enjoyed reading it.
If you’re in the market for a clean romantic/suspense novel, you will find it here!
3. The Falcon (Nina Guerrera #3) by Isabella Maldonado
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
“You can’t beat a raptor into submission. You must work with its natural behavior to bend it to your will.”
This is book three in a great series! (See Book 1 HERE)
If you’re already familiar with this series then you know that our female protagonist, Nina, former street cop, works with a special ops FBI team made up of Breck, a computer wiz, Kent, a former Navy SEAL, and Wade, a criminal profiler.
In this book the team is investigating a series of disappearances at AIT in Arizona.
As their investigation progresses, they discover the culprit not only has an obsession with Egyptian rituals and culture, but has knowledge of falconry training and is himself searching for a mate that he will tame and train to love him back.
It’s a fast-paced story that I really enjoyed. Read more about it in my full review linked below!
This book releases June 28, 2022. You can pre-order using my affiliate link below.
4. Marathon (Jonathan Stride #8) by Brian Freeman
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
A bomb is detonated at an annual marathon in Duluth. (So yes, this one literally has a bunch of runners.)
A witness who claims to have seen the bomber posts the man’s picture on Twitter- also the man is of Middle Eastern descent. After a well-known Anti-Islam figurehead retweets it, the destruction of the man’s life (and other Muslims) ensues.
Was he actually the bomber? Was it another Muslim in the community or someone else? How can the police stop the violence from spiraling out of control and conduct a legitimate investigation when operating from potentially biased information?
Though a suspense/mystery book, this story is also a discussion of sorts on profiling, terrorism, and inciting hatred and violence on social media.
5. The Cipher by Isabella Maldonado
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
"I've given up on hope," she said quietly, then lifted her chin. "From now on, I fight."
Nina Esperanza (meaning 'hope' in Spanish) has endured terrible abuse in the foster system and applies for emancipation and a name change at the age of 17. She has given up hope in a system that has failed her and resolves herself to be Nina Guerrera (meaning warrior or fighter.)
Fast forward ten years and Nina is an FBI agent, dedicating her life to stopping people from hurting others, to keep others from experiencing what she did- which was torture and rape. She got away but the culprit was never caught. After a video of Nina goes viral, he comes back into the picture, becoming known as the Cipher. He desires to finish what he started with Nina and sends the FBI on a very public, cross-country, cat-and-mouse game of puzzles and clues, adding new murders to his rap sheet that is longer than they realized.
Can they get ahead of him and stop him before more people die or before he gets Nina back- the one who got away?
[As of 5/21 this one is in the works for a movie on Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez]
6. Synapse by Steven James
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
In a world where Artificial Intelligence live alongside humans with many human capabilities, Kestrel witnesses a terrorist attack and must try to figure it out with the help of her AI, Jordan.
James gives us a lot to think about- spiritually, ethically, philosophically and technologically.
He covers a lot of interesting topics like: Can an AI desire salvation and can it be granted? Can you prove beauty exists? How does justice fit into evolutionary theory? Which is more important truth or hope- would you choose truth with despair or hope built on a lie? What makes us human? Where does 'making something up' come from?
Steven James is one of my favorite authors. He writes suspenseful and gripping books that contemplate deep moral and ethical dilemmas. (Similar to Randy Singer whom I would also recommend)
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