Book Review: The Last Mile (#3 Lithia Trilogy) by Blair Richmond

The Last Mile 

(the Lithia Trilogy, Book 3)

by Blair Richmond

Series: Lithia Trilogy (Book 3)
Paperback: 244 pages
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press (October 1, 2014)
Amazon Paperback Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 796 KB
Print Length: 165 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press (October 4, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Kindle 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:

Katherine lost her only living family, her father, in the last book. While she mourns his death, she's happy to learn that her father loved her. At least that one final day of his life. 

Even though Katherine still has feelings for Alex, I am glad that she was able to finally decide to be with Roman. Not that I like Roman for her. She made me happy by choosing only one guy. ;) 

The story is again well written. It has enough twists and action that made this a good conclusion to the series. Only wished the author would write bonus chapters .... like after a year or so... ;) Oh, I will definitely miss everyone in this book.  

Out of Breath (5 stars)  /  The Ghost Runner (5 stars)

About the book:

In the final book in the acclaimed Lithia Trilogy, Kat has new losses to mourn but also new reasons to live. On the brink of new beginnings, she is back together with Roman, their relationship deepening more and more even as she wonders whether she may still harbor feelings for Alex.

Yet Kat finds it difficult to focus on such things as college and romance, with terror still haunting the hills of Lithia and threatening the entire town. As several recent earthquakes baffle scientists and put residents on edge, it seems that something more dangerous may be looming in Lithia's future.

Trying to balance a busy life while keeping Lithia safe isn't easy--and soon Kat realizes that nothing is a higher priority than saving her hometown, along with its abundance of land and animals, from devastation. The only problem is that she can't find a way to do this without leaving Lithia forever--or risking her own life and the lives of those she loves. And her future with Roman appears as unsteady as the ground under her feet...

In a novel that weaves together stories of love, the environment, and Shakespeare, the natural and supernatural worlds collide in this stunning conclusion to the Lithia Trilogy.

About the author:

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

Website: http://blairrichmond.blogspot.com

Book Review: The Ghost Runner by Blair Richmond

The Ghost Runner 

Author: Blair Richmond
Paperback: 268 pages
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press (October 15, 2012)
Amazon Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 346 KB
Print Length: 267 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1618220179
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press (October 9, 2012)
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:

Katherine's life is improving. Months ago, she was homeless, well, after she ran away from home. When she met David and Stacey in Lithia, they gave her life back. It seemed like everything is back to normal, not only she was given basic needs, she's also been given an opportunity to go back in college. However, she misses Stacey so much. She felt "homeless" again after Stacey's death. According to some people in the community, Stacey died in a bear attack. Katherine knows it wasn't a bear but she cannot divulge what she knows because David and the police wouldn't believe her - that a vampire is responsible for Stacey's death. And the worst thing is knowing Stacey was killed by someone special to her.

And Katherine's father is looking for her. She was beyond shocked when her father showed up in her school. That can't happen, his father should have not been able to visit her because the father she knows is dead and Katherine is sure because she's the one who killed him. Who is this man and why is he following Katherine?

The Ghost Runner is the follow-up book to Out of Breath, book 1 to the Lithia Trilogy. This time, the story focuses on Katherine's family. This book has "wowed" me a few times because of the twists. The revelations were kind of surprising for me, except how Katherine's mother died. I knew who killed her mother, actually even before knowing about Stacey's killer.

Katherine.... I really like her but I often get annoyed when she's mad at either Alex or Roman. I think she's changed. In this book, it's like she can't decide what's best for her. I hate it when a character is indecisive, especially with boys. It is alright to feel uncertain at times but throughout the story? Please just choose one! There was one question in the first book that I was looking forward to be answered in the second book. What is Roman's relationship with Stacey and why did he kill her?? I thought there would be an explanation at some point but there was none. I was intrigued because Katherine felt the tension between Stacey and Roman whenever they're close to each other.

Anyway, I enjoyed The Ghost Runner because I see Alex more here. He's such a very charming guy, I love how he takes care of Katherine. He's very gentle, romantic and selfless. If I have to choose between Alex and Roman, it would be Alex. Wish the author would write more about Alex in the next book.

I loved The Ghost Runner as much as I loved the first book, Out of Breath. Can't wait to read book #3!

About the book:

You can't outrun the past...

In The Ghost Runner, Kat is still in Lithia, trying not to see Roman’s face everywhere she looks. It’s not easy, but she tries to move on: She starts taking classes at the local college, keeps up with her job at the running store, and is beginning a relationship with Alex.

Yet Kat’s past is never far behind, and as old ghosts begin to catch up with her, she finds herself fighting to defend the things she believes in, from the hope of a new family to the deeply wooded forests that she has begun to call home. As her relationship with Alex begins to crumble, a new secret from her past emerges, and she is once again torn between those she loves as she struggles to reconcile her dark past with her hopes for a brighter future.

The Ghost Runner, continuing Kat's adventures in Out of Breath, brings us further into the mysterious town of Lithia, where the old traditions of logging and gold mining—and the new traditions of development—collide with conservation. Meanwhile, the spirits of the town keep watch over everything—and occasionally find it necessary to intervene...

The Lithia Trilogy, which blends adventure and the paranormal with environmental awareness and Shakespeare, offers an exciting new series 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

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