On the Run

After being disappointed by 'Countdown' and 'Killer Dreams', I was ready to give Ms. Johansen ONE MORE try. After all, third time is the charm, right? At least, hopefully.

This story started out decently enough, but it quickly degenerates into another sketchy, lackluster storyline. I found the Pair to be more interesting than any of the human characters within the book (or the other two books I read) The premise was just hard to swallow, especially since the explanations were not well-done.

Third time is definitely not the charm. After this, I won't be reading any more books by this author.

Grace Archer and her daughter, Frankie, have been in hiding on a horse farm in Alabama when they are found by the ruthless killer who has been searching for them for 8 years. Jake Kilmer, Frankie’s father and Grace’s former trainer for the CIA, is determined to protect them. This highly action packed tale of outrunning and out maneuvering the killer is well done, but fails make a believable story. The hero and heroine are too perfect and the killer too all-powerful. The obsession with the untrainable pair of horses and their secret was not a believable motive.

Over the last few years, when I've seen an Iris Johansen book I've automatically assumed it would be an Eve Duncan thriller. I was wrong about ON THE RUN, but I'm still glad I picked it up. A quick read full of passion and suspense, this book is written in the typical Iris Johansen style and is still a really good read.

Nine years ago, Grace Archer worked for the CIA under the direction of Jake Kilmer. Their job was to infiltrate the compound of Marvot, an evil kingpin who ruled El Tariq, Morocco with an iron hand. Disappoint the man once, and he might give you another chance. Do it a second time, and you'll end up dead. Jake's job was to recover something from Marvot that he prized more than anything--the Pair. Known collectively as a show more single unit, the Pair consisted of two white Arabian horses, a stallion and a mare, with blue eyes and destructive personalities. Their mission failed nine years ago, and Grace left the CIA--alone and pregnant.

Now she's found a home for herself and her daughter, Frankie, on a horse farm in Tallanville, Alabama. Frankie is devoted to horses, but she's also a child prodigy when it comes to playing the piano and composing. Grace, who hates to be compared to horse whisperer even though she does have a remarkable affinity with horses, is content with her new life. Until the forces she's feared for nine years, Marvot's men, come to town and tear her world apart.

Suddenly, Kilmer is there, whisking Grace and Frankie away to a farm far from Alabama, and Grace finds that the old passion is still as strong as ever. As Kilmer tries to keep his former lover and his daughter safe, he plans retribution upon Marvot--which is brought to a halt when Frankie is kidnapped and blackmailed into going back to El Tariq to work, once again, with the Pair.

ON THE RUN is a fast-paced read with lots of suspense. I agree that some cliches are used in this story, but that doesn't make it any less of an entertaining read. Iris Johansen's writing style reminds me a lot of that of James Patterson. Although Johansen's chapters are novel-length compared to Patterson's two or three-pagers, the action hurries along at a fast clip.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, you'll like ON THE RUN. show less

This was a very good book, read it in one session. Grace Archer has been hiding and protecting her daughter from the evils of her past for the last eight years. But, she's been found and she doesn't have long to save both herself and her little girl. One of the obstacles she must overcome is the feelings she houses against her ex lover, Jake Kilmer, because without his help she doesn't have much of a chance of getting away. Great, great read and I will be adding Iris Johansen to my favorite authors soon.

Love her strong Female characters: Grace Archer former CIA and her child prodigy daughter on the run and trying to steal 2 arabian horses.

Another intense thrill ride! All the main characters are new and the story line is fresh. One thing I really like about her are the re-occurring characters from book to book. Another thing she does is put remarkable child in these books, who later grow up to be main characters in later books...She makes you fall in love with her characters and then makes you beg for more!

Riveting suspenseful, keeping you wanting to see what happens next. True to all her books, a strong female character with a villainess' foe. Excellent read.