Book Review: Out of Breath by Blair Richmond

Out Of Breath
Book One to the Lithia Trilogy

Author: Blair Richmond
Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press (October 11, 2011)
Amazon Link


Kindle Edition
File Size: 355 KB
Print Length: 275 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0979647576
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press (September 22, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link


Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Ashland Creek Press. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:


Out of Breath tells the story of Katherine, a vegetarian runner from Texas. She was born and raised in Lithia, a town in Oregon, but when her mother died, his dad lost his job and believed that life would be better outside Lithia. Too many bad things happened in Texas so Katherine decides to return to her hometown to start a new life, this time without his father. 

At first, after reading the first three chapters, the story line didn't appeal much to me. Thought it was just an ordinary story for a paranormal-ish book. When I get to read the part where Katherine met Stacey and David, Out of Breath became a page-turner. I didn't stop until I read the whole book. I love how the author wove the story. Normally, paranormal romance books depend on the love story but Out of Breath is different. The story could actually stand out even without the main character's love interest/s. This is what I'm looking for in a novel. You don't have to wait for the romance part every single page. The story could be very well accepted as it is and the romance part is just a bonus to the readers. I love Katherine's personality, she's tough and strong for a female lead. If there is hesitation on some things, it would easily be resolved. What else? I love how the setting of the story is described. Imagine a place with forests, environmentalists, vegan people, etc.  

As for the book cover, nice right? The paranormal part was surprising. With the book cover in mind, I thought differently. I'm not gonna spoil it for you so you decide which otherworldly beings are in this book. And would you believe these otherworldly beings are also vegan?? Interesting story!

Okay, while I loved this book, I just want to say that I had a little "connection problem" with the "romance part".  It's just that I can't feel excitement with Alex and Roman, Katherine's love interests in the story. I love Alex (not sure about Roman though) but I felt something is lacking, probably because I have this delicate heart *wink* when it comes to dealing with love triangle issues in books. 

Overall, I truly loved Out of Breath. If you are looking for a series to start, pick-up this book then! Now so happy to be reading book 2, Ghost Runner ;)! 

About the book:


Nineteen-year-old Kat Jones has been a competitive runner since she was a young girl, but after her mother's death, the path her life was supposed to take begins to crumble around her -- until one day, she finds herself on the run in a literal sense, this time in a race for her very life.

Kat's journey takes her to the Pacific Northwest town of Lithia, the place of her last good memories, of the days when her mother was still alive. But soon after her arrival, strange things begin to happen in Lithia -- and when one of her new friends disappears under mysterious circumstances, Kat begins to realize that Lithia's inhabitants are not all of this world. Worst of all, she is falling in love with one of these otherworldly locals, and the friend who hopes to save her has secrets of his own.

As Kat tries to rebuild her life, she is also training for a race that will turn out to be her biggest challenge yet, as she must outrun not only the demons of her past but the demons of the here and now, who threaten her very existence and that of the entire town.

At once a paranormal love story and an environmental allegory, Out of Breath offers an exciting new voice in young adult fiction.


About the author:

Blair Richmond is the pen name of an author from the Pacific Northwest.

Website: http://blairrichmond.blogspot.com