Saturday, July 13, 2019

Chasing Hope: Review and Giveaway

CHASING HOPE
by
DANA WAYNE
  Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Book Liftoff
Date of Publication: June 10, 2019
Number of Pages: 295

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Max Logan longs for the joys of home and family he missed growing up in foster care. He fills that emotional void by becoming a kick-ass Marine, and for eighteen years, led his band of brothers from one hell-hole to another…until the one that nearly destroyed him. Sixteen months of therapy and rehab put his body back together, but some wounds can’t be seen. Some can’t be healed. Skylar Ward dreams of a life that includes someone beside her. Someone to share her life with, to be a father to her young daughter. But if she learned anything from her failed marriage it was that you don’t rush into a relationship. Options in her small town are limited, and those who approach her lack appeal. Only Max Logan sparks her interest. But the handsome, brooding war hero remains aloof. Intelligent and intuitive, seven-year-old Maddie overhears a neighbor tell her mother she needs a male companion, so she Google's it to see what it means. Convinced her mom needs a boyfriend and Max needs a girlfriend, Maddie sets out to make it happen. He needs a family. They need him. If she can make them see that. Can one precocious child be the catalyst that heals a wounded warrior’s soul and brings joy back into her mom’s heart? Or will ashes of the past bury hope once and for all?

PRAISE FOR CHASING HOPE:  "The pace was fast, the love was simple yet energetic, and the dialogues were lively enough to make me want to know more about the characters. To say that I loved this novel is not enough! Absolutely beautiful. It deserves these 5 stars." – Readers’ Favorite

"I could not put Chasing Hope down! From the first few sentences, I was hooked and read over half of it the first night finishing it the following night. The main characters, Sky and Max, intrigued me right off the bat but feisty little Maddie wormed her way into my heart immediately! What a breath of fresh air." - Mary McCormack, ARC reader

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Chasing Hope from Dana Wayne on Vimeo.


Chasing Hope is such a cute read. It follows Skylar, a single mom that works for tips as a waitress, and Max, a veteran that suffers from PTSD. The two meet and sparks happen, and well, you know, a swoon worthy romance that you just can't put down. Chasing Hope was everything I hoped it would be and more. It's the kind of feel good story for a perfect summer read. 

Each character was enjoyable in this story, all except Cade of course. I really enjoyed reading from Max's point of view, but both him and Skylar had such hard lives and so much they deserved out of life. I loved seeing these characters not only grow themselves, but grow together. Another character that I just loved was Maddie, Skylar's seven year old daughter. She's whip smart and has a bit of smarty sass. I loved how perfect the three of them fit together, despite what was going on in their lives. 

I think the way the author handled PTSD was very well. I know that PTSD is very different from person to person. I enjoyed seeing Max seek help, get the treatment he needed, and find a way through his anxiety and panic attacks. And my favorite thing from this book is his friendship with Maddie. She certainly worms her way right into his heart, and the two share such touching moments that at times had brought tears to my eyes because they are so tender and warming to the soul. 

I enjoyed the message that this book conveyed as well, that despite what you've been through, despite the ugliness and the hardships... you deserve to be happy.  

Chasing Hope is a great, uplifting read. The romance is summer perfect and will lift you off your feet. Be sure to check it out!

My Rating: 5/5



Dana Wayne is an award-winning author and 6th generation Texan. She resides in East Texas with her husband (and biggest fan) along with a Calico cat named Katie, three children, and four grandchildren. She routinely speaks to books clubs, services organizations, writers’ groups, and other organizations on writing and publishing, and is a frequent guest on numerous writing blogs. 
"I grew up listening to my father read passages from the stack of paperback westerns beside his chair. I was fascinated at how someone could paint a picture with words so vivid, I saw it in my mind. That's when I knew that one day I would be a writer. It wasn't until I retired in late 2013 that I was able to devote the necessary time to achieving my goal. I published my first book in 2016 and never looked back. My stories are heartwarming, a little spicy, and all about the romance because I believe romance is more about emotion than sex, and the journey is more important than the destination."
A staunch supporter of new authors, she is a member of Romance Writers of America, Texas Association of Authors, and Writers League of Texas as well as several local writers' groups.
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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!
FIRST PRIZE:  Signed Copy of Chasing Hope  + Swag bag including fan, tote bag, and throw blanket;  SECOND PRIZE: eBook Copy of Chasing Hope + $10 Amazon Gift Card
THIRD PRIZE: eBook Copy of Chasing Hope + $5 Amazon Gift Care
(US Only)
  July 9-19, 2019
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