Running Scared

By Lisa Jackson

The #1 New York Times bestselling author draws readers into a tension-filled story of suspense, as a woman’s secret past returns with a vengeance . . .
 
Kate Summers’ teenage son, Jon, has been having nightmares. Someone is chasing him, the footsteps drawing relentlessly nearer. Jon can’t see the man’s face. He only senses that danger is coming—and there’s no way to stop it.
 
“Never tell anyone he’s not your boy,” was the warning. And Kate hasn’t. Not since the day fifteen years ago when she was offered what she most wanted—a healthy newborn baby. He was hers to keep, provided she moved far away, for good. She’s kept her word, raising Jon in a small Oregon town, lying to him for both their sakes. Despite his gift—or curse—of premonition, Jon hasn’t divined that he was adopted illegally. But now Kate’s long-ago choices are engulfing the life she’s tried to build.
 
Daegan O’Rourke has come to this remote corner of the Pacific Northwest to find answers only Kate can give. He understands why she’s wary of him, but there’s a far greater threat at hand. Someone is tracking Jon down—ready to kill him and anyone who gets in the way. And convincing Kate to trust him, even once she knows the whole shocking truth, is Daegan’s only hope of keeping them alive . . .
 
Praise for Lisa Jackson and her novels
 
“Lisa Jackson shows yet again why she is one of the best at romantic suspense. A pure nail biter.” —Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author
 
“Shiveringly good suspense!” —Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Release date: Jul 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781420119053

Lisa Jackson

When asked what has inspired her to write more than 50 novels brimming with adventure, intrigue, hot passion, and high emotion, bestselling Oregon author, Lisa Jackson gets a mischievous smile on her face. Then the words flow as fast as her fingers fly on her computer keyboard when she writes. Her eyes sparkling with memories, she tells stories of her youth, stories of a Huckleberry Finn childhood in the small lumber town of Molalla and on her grandparents' nearby farm in the hilly region of western Oregon. There in the old growth timber, Lisa rode bareback and raced along the ages-old sheep, cattle and deer trails. In the nearby river, she skinnydipped and caught crawdads in her bare hands. An inventive child, she sneaked out of the house and rode her bicycle or horse in the moonlight and dreamed up childish pranks that would have done Tom Sawyer proud. "Nobody could have had a better childhood," Lisa remarks, her twinkling eyes and got-away-with-something-grin giving her a youthful appearance that defies the fact that she is in her mid-40s and the mother of two college-age sons. "My childhood was enchanted. We were a small, tightly knit family. My mum and dad were and still are my greatest supporters." Why then does Lisa write lousy dads and conniving relatives into the plots of books that regularly earn berths on such national bestseller lists as USA Today's and Waldenbooks'? "I think the deepest angst people can experience is what can develop among family members, because our emotions run so deep there," Lisa replied. "Deep down, we care about these people, but being related doesn't mean we think alike or want the same things. I also think manipulative people are fascinating. Characters like those help me to keep the readers' interest. I love it when readers write me to complain that they didn't get any sleep the night before because they had to finish my book." Lisa studied English Literature at Oregon State University for two years before she married. In 1981, when her younger son was a year old, she began writing novels. But she decided she needed a steady income and landed a nine-dollar-per-hour bank job. Before she could begin work, however, her supervisor was arrested for embezzling. "About then I sold my first book, A Twist of Fate, which — guess what! — was about a woman suspected of bank embezzling. It was purely coincidental. The story came out of my background in banking," Lisa provided. "But I guess you could say, if not for a bank embezzler, I might not have made it as an author." In addition to suspenseful contemporary page-turners, Lisa also delivers medieval romances set in eleventh and twelfth century Wales. "I enjoy doing these medieval period pieces, because women were so trod upon then. By nature of their lot in life, I can generate empathy or sympathy for the medieval heroines. They're underdogs from the get-go. Tell me what woman doesn't root for the underdog!" Britannia Roads, a creative Lansing, Michigan tour packager, read the first in Lisa's medieval trilogy and loved her writing so much that she designed a tour of Wales, with Lisa as the featured guest. Tour members will visit some of Princess Diana's favourite places to stay in Ruthin Castle. They'll be in for a treat when Lisa regales them with author stories during the tour, for she is as talented at public speaking as she is at writing novels. When not writing, Lisa enjoys spectator sports, reading, watching The X-Files and socialising now that she's a single mum. Her favourite authors include Pat Conroy, Nelson DeMille, Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell, Dick Francis, and other authors who also write compelling page-turners.

Reviews for Running Scared

[livelylady · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This story held my interest, but just seemed a little to unbelieveable to me. In this Kate and her "adopted" son have made a home for themselves across the country from Boston. When a new neighbor comes into the picture, both Kate and her son, Jon, have mixed feelings. Added to this is Jon's ESP, his gift of sometimes knowing what has or will happen. All this makes for an exciting read, something to take on a plane or to pick up during the night if you can't sleep. Even though this is fiction, it is amazing what people will do for money!

[pegswaney · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

young widow adopts baby from former lawyer boss & moves away- Baby's father goes to find son before wealthy grandfather & evil family find him

[redheadish · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kidnapping, Illegal adoptions, psychic abilities, Disfunctional family members willing to kill for money!

[carol420 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kate Summers lost her husband and baby girl in a hit-and-run accident. She had been working for a shady law firm in Boston, but decided to relocate to Seattle to shake the painful memories of her losses. On her last day of work at the law office, her boss Tyrell Clark asked Kate to work overtime so that he could discuss an important matter with her. Tyrell was a brilliant attorney and Kate wanted to hear what was on his mind. Tyrell Clark offered Kate a newborn boy to take with her to Seattle, to keep as her own child with no questions asked. Tyrell explained that a socially prominent client's daughter gave birth out of wedlock and the family wanted to keep the matter a secret, so adoption was out of the question. The one stipulation was that Kate and the baby get lost out West. Tyrell used his connections to have a phony birth certificate made. Kate readily accepted the offer.

This is a rewrite of one of her earlier books, "Wishes", The story had an entertaining plot, the right amount of suspense, and nicely developed relationships with Dagan, Kate, and Jon. I thought it was a great read and recommend it.

[dhaupt_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Everything old is new again, especially in this 1995 reissue originally titled Wishes. You’ll find the characters a little more developed and the suspense ramped up and if you’re familiar with the original novel you’ll recognize the story and the players.Fifteen years ago Kate Summers did something that even with the purest of hearts was still illegal and to some unethical but so be it. Now however her past is about to collide with her present and the results might just be explosive. Daegan O’Rourke has matured in fifteen years from the angry young man with the chip on his shoulder, he has some secrets and done some things he’s not proud of. One of those voices from the past is about to shake up his life and shake it up good. Kate and Daegan are definitely attracted to each other but they both have hardened their hearts and maybe that’s a good thing.In this classic Lisa Jackson romance turned romantic suspense the bare bones of Lisa’s talent is obvious even so many years ago and with it’s spit and shine for today’s audience it makes a grand entry. The dialogue flows smoothly. The plot is unique in it’s context and the original romance as previously written wouldn’t appeal to today’s more sophisticated reader so the update is needed. The characters are really well handled in their portrayals and well balanced so that every one of them has their place in the story and every place is needed to tell it. Her main protagonists Kate and Daegan along with Kate’s son Jon are especially likeable people and at times tragic in their roles and we readers will find empathy with them and at times be angry with them and at other times be sad with them. The romance is not at all your perfect boy meets girl scenario, but one loaded with perils and pitfalls and they climb mountains to get to their Happy Ever After. The love scenes are few in number but expressive and impressive enough to stay with you long after the scene is over. So come try on for size one of Lisa Jackson’s early works revamped and revved up for the contemporary crowd. You won’t be sorry you did.

[kavyen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kate Summers is excited to leave Boston and her annoying boss behind. Alone and still grieving after losing her husband and child, she is in for a pleasant surprise when she is asked to adopt a baby. She definitely has second thoughts; but the offer is too good to decline and she agrees to never return to Boston or reveal the child’s past.Fifteen years later Kate and Jon are having a happy life in Hopewell, Oregon when the past catches up on them. Daegan O’Roarke lands as their neighbor with the intentions of taking back his son; born to him and Bibi – his cousin.Fate plays its own game when Daegan falls in love with Kate and she reciprocates. Meanwhile Robert, Bibi’s father has his own investigator find Jon so he can make him the legal heir to the Sullivan wealth. Obviously there are other members who do not want this to happen and would stoop to any level.This book was a thrilling one. I picked up an audio version and this was probably the first book that I listened to completely though it was long (I mean really really long – almost 18 hours). But the narration was fantastic and had the right rendition (Thanks to Jack Garrett),I found myself hanging on to my iPod almost every minute.The plot was intriguing and at first appears to be un-exciting. For fifteen years of Jon’s life, Kate remains pretty much isolated to preserve her new-found happiness. Then Daegan enters the scene and the rest of the plot appears to be predictable.But surprise, there is much more story left and so much more drama. Every time there is a mention of a Sullivan the story shifts to flash back mode and a shocking past is revealed. This happens way too many times though and I felt it could have been avoided. There were also too many unnecessary detailed descriptions of the sexual encounters (more so maybe because of the audio).I would rate this book a 4 on 5. I love Lisa Jackson and she never disappoints.