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?
“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
eBOOK DEAL! $1.99 JULY 9-20, 2019
Chasing Hope by Dana Wayne is more than a feel-good story about two people falling in love. The romance aspect is fun, of course, but this story is more about what it means to be kind, patient, and deserving of another’s respect and admiration. Max Logan and Sky Ward are trying to go it alone as best they can, but when fate steps in and offers them both a chance at happiness, well, they simply can’t say no. They quickly find a sliver of hope amidst their past sadness and struggles, with Sky’s daughter, Maddie, as an adorable and quite precocious link between the two.
The romance between Sky and Max is a fast-moving train ride, but it’s also sweet, without being overly mushy. A word of caution: be prepared for a slightly steamy scene as the story progresses and as the romance starts to sizzle, but the sensual moments fit well with the character and relationship development of these two lovebirds.
Chasing Hope touches on some serious topics, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), gossiping, and bullying. Managing the symptoms of PTSD from his time as a Marine is no easy matter, but Max is working through them one day at a time. When he finds the acceptance and kindness in Sky’s eyes, he can feel the tight bands of panic and despair ease their grip on his heart and soul. Sky brings her own baggage to the table as a single parent trying to make ends meet, but the two of them fit perfectly together as they quickly flow through the phases of mutual attraction and love. Of course, no story would be complete without a wrench thrown into the mix, and Cade Jackson is quite the wrench. He is a manipulative and hateful bully with an ax to grind, which makes him the perfect antagonist. While all the characters are engaging, Big John is a personal favorite (keep some tissues handy for some happy tears).
Dana Wayne knows how to draw out a plot that is predictable in all the right places yet still offers twists that surprise, delight, and keep the story moving along at a brisk pace. The sentimental factor is high in Chasing Hope because it shows that even the toughest soldier and the most determined single mother need a bit of hope, a warm hand to grasp, and a home filled with family, laughter, and unconditional love.
Bonus: The two recipes at the end sound delicious and have already been added to my meal plan!
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win some fabulous prizes!
+ Swag bag including fan, tote bag, and throw blanket;
SECOND PRIZE:eBook Copy of Chasing Hope
+ $10 Amazon Gift Card
+ $5 Amazon Gift Card
CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
| 7/9/19 | Notable Quotable | That’s What She’s Reading |
| 7/9/19 | Notable Quotable | Kelly Well Read |
| 7/9/19 | BONUS post | Hall Ways Blog |
| 7/10/19 | Review | Reading by Moonlight |
| 7/11/19 | Excerpt | All the Ups and Downs |
| 7/11/19 | Excerpt | The Page Unbound |
| 7/12/19 | Review | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 7/13/19 | Review | Rebecca R. Cahill, Author |
| 7/13/19 | Character Interview | Forgotten Winds |
| 7/14/19 | Author Interview | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 7/15/19 | Review | Carpe Diem Chronicles |
| 7/15/19 | Review | The Clueless Gent |
| 7/16/19 | Teaser | Nerd Narration |
| 7/16/19 | Teaser | Book Fidelity |
| 7/17/19 | Review | KayBee’s Book Shelf |
| 7/18/19 | Review | The Book Review |
Thank you so much for hosting me today and for this great review! I hope you enjoy the recipes, too!
My Pleasure! Loved the story, and I definitely can’t wait try try the recipes, especially the Hot Stuff! 🙂
The Hot Stuff is my husbands favorite! It is hot though so be warned. You can temper it by getting rid of some of the seeds but I like it hot so I don’t. Thanks again! Enjoy!
I like what you said about it being predictable in the right way. I need that kind of comfortable place sometimes. Great review!
Thanks! Yes, I love when the author can balance the high action and the low action and still maintain reader engagement. That takes skill!