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Chasing Hope
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 and 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. Only Max Logan sparks her interest. But the handsome, brooding war hero remains aloof.
Seven-year-old Maddie Ward overhears a neighbor tell her mom she needs a male companion and immediately decides Max will do just fine. He needs a family. They need him. She just has to figure out how to make that happen.
Can a precocious child be the catalyst that heals and brings them all together or will ashes of the past bury hope forever?
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 and 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. Only Max Logan sparks her interest. But the handsome, brooding war hero remains aloof.
Seven-year-old Maddie Ward overhears a neighbor tell her mom she needs a male companion and immediately decides Max will do just fine. He needs a family. They need him. She just has to figure out how to make that happen.
Can a precocious child be the catalyst that heals and brings them all together or will ashes of the past bury hope forever?
- GenresRomance
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2019
5 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Dana Wayne
8 books429 followersMulti-awarding winning author Dana Wayne is a sixth generation Texan and resides in the Piney Woods with her husband, a Calico cat, three children and four grandchildren.
She routinely speaks at book clubs, writers groups and other organizations and is frequent guest on numerous writing blogs.
A die-hard romantic, her stories are filled with strong women, second changes, and happily ever after.
“I’ve always wanted to write and knew that one day, I would. I retired in late 2013 and published my first book, a contemporary romance, the summer of 2016. I was over the moon when it was awarded first place by Texas Association of Authors, and I never looked back. All of my books have been nominated for and/or received various awards. To have my work validated in such a manner is very gratifying and humbling. Because I am all about the romance, my stories are heartwarming, have a splash of suspense and humor, and are a little steamy. I believe romance is more about emotion than sex, and the journey is more important than the destination."
Affiliations include Romance Writers of America, Texas Association of Authors, Writers League of Texas, East Texas Writers Guild, Northeast Texas Writers Organization, and East Texas Writers Association.
Want to be in the know about new releases and get a sneak peek at teasers and contests? Join my newsletter team www.danawayne.com/email.
She routinely speaks at book clubs, writers groups and other organizations and is frequent guest on numerous writing blogs.
A die-hard romantic, her stories are filled with strong women, second changes, and happily ever after.
“I’ve always wanted to write and knew that one day, I would. I retired in late 2013 and published my first book, a contemporary romance, the summer of 2016. I was over the moon when it was awarded first place by Texas Association of Authors, and I never looked back. All of my books have been nominated for and/or received various awards. To have my work validated in such a manner is very gratifying and humbling. Because I am all about the romance, my stories are heartwarming, have a splash of suspense and humor, and are a little steamy. I believe romance is more about emotion than sex, and the journey is more important than the destination."
Affiliations include Romance Writers of America, Texas Association of Authors, Writers League of Texas, East Texas Writers Guild, Northeast Texas Writers Organization, and East Texas Writers Association.
Want to be in the know about new releases and get a sneak peek at teasers and contests? Join my newsletter team www.danawayne.com/email.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 18, 2019
Chasing Hope by Dana Wayne is a 2019 Book Liftoff publication.
A lovely and realistic romance!!
Former Marine, Max Logan, has always wanted a family of his own, especially after growing up in foster care. But now, he’s putting that goal on a back burner as he struggles to cope with his PTSD.
Skylar is the single mother of a brilliant and precocious seven- year old daughter, named Maddie. Currently working in a diner, she is hoping to renew her nursing career. She also wouldn’t mind a second chance at love after suffering through a failed marriage.
When she and Max meet the chemistry between them sparkles and shines. But Max is still too unsure of himself to pursue it. However, the adorable Maddie becomes a formidable match maker.
As Max and Skylar tiptoe around relationship land mines, Skylar copes with the unwanted advances of Cade Jackson, who will not take no for an answer. As time passes, his aggression becomes more and more sinister.
This love story appealed to me because of how credible it felt. Max and Skylar are the salt of the earth kind of people anyone can relate to. The romance is a slow burn at first and it is not flashy or overly angsty.
Things play out as a real- life romance might, with Max and Skylar meeting challenges, coping with insecurities, and other very common emotions that come with falling in love. They have reservations, worries and distractions, but address them with maturity. However, the relationship proceeds in fits and starts mostly because Max is afraid of exposing Skylar to his PTSD symptoms. It doesn't help that certain people continuously plant seeds of doubt in his mind.
There is a mild romantic suspense element, adding some additional tension to the story. However, the focus is mostly on the emotional growth of the main characters, both individually and as a couple. Watching Max and Skylar learn to work out the bumps and pings, and witnessing all their hopes- and Maddie's- finally realized, is rewarding and very heartwarming.
4 stars
August 19, 2019
★ 3.5 STARS ★
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October 7, 2019
A beautifully woven story of overcoming challenges—both inside and out—and learning what it means to not give up on oneself or others.
Read full review in the 2019 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2019 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 30, 2019
“Chasing Hope” is the first book I have read by Dana Wayne and I truly enjoyed this touching story! I rate this 3.5 (very nearly a 4), as explained below.
Max/MMC served 14 yrs overseas as a Marine before returning home physically wounded by an IED and with PTSD. Skylar/FMC is the single parent of a precocious young daughter who is struggling to make ends meet. Separately, Max and Skylar have lived their lives mostly devoid of close family ties or any ease. They both yearn for what they think of as “normal lives” - ones with happy endings. “Chasing Hope” takes place in a small town in TX and although it is a stand-alone novel, the author has written another book with characters from the same town - “Whispers on the Wind.”
Generally I am not a reader who enjoys books with precocious children but Maddie in “Chasing Hope” was mostly a delightful addition. Only near the end of the story did I feel like Maddie needed to just “chill” so I could hear more from Max and Skylar’s perspectives, but this was minimal (and for me, the reason for the 3.5 rating rather than a 4, but may be a non-issue for some readers). “Chasing Hope” touches on PTSD and I thought the author handled the topic well. I felt like Max and Skylar were believable characters with real life troubles. I cared what happened to them, and hoped they would get the HEA they desired. I found “Chasing Hope” to be a delightful story with very likable characters and I will probably purchase the other title in this series.
“Chasing Hope” is a HEA with an intimacy level considerably closer to Sweet than Steamy. Several Intimacy scenes occur in the relationship after the main characters have committed to each other toward the end of their story. Readers who might find any sexuality in their reading offensive, however, should note that this is minimal and Not the main focus of the novel. Profane language is used rarely.
Max/MMC served 14 yrs overseas as a Marine before returning home physically wounded by an IED and with PTSD. Skylar/FMC is the single parent of a precocious young daughter who is struggling to make ends meet. Separately, Max and Skylar have lived their lives mostly devoid of close family ties or any ease. They both yearn for what they think of as “normal lives” - ones with happy endings. “Chasing Hope” takes place in a small town in TX and although it is a stand-alone novel, the author has written another book with characters from the same town - “Whispers on the Wind.”
Generally I am not a reader who enjoys books with precocious children but Maddie in “Chasing Hope” was mostly a delightful addition. Only near the end of the story did I feel like Maddie needed to just “chill” so I could hear more from Max and Skylar’s perspectives, but this was minimal (and for me, the reason for the 3.5 rating rather than a 4, but may be a non-issue for some readers). “Chasing Hope” touches on PTSD and I thought the author handled the topic well. I felt like Max and Skylar were believable characters with real life troubles. I cared what happened to them, and hoped they would get the HEA they desired. I found “Chasing Hope” to be a delightful story with very likable characters and I will probably purchase the other title in this series.
“Chasing Hope” is a HEA with an intimacy level considerably closer to Sweet than Steamy. Several Intimacy scenes occur in the relationship after the main characters have committed to each other toward the end of their story. Readers who might find any sexuality in their reading offensive, however, should note that this is minimal and Not the main focus of the novel. Profane language is used rarely.
July 12, 2019
Love may be patient and kind, but sometimes it is cautious, jealous, and insecure. Despite it all, we all deserve a second chance at love.
Enter Sky and Max, star-crossed souls meant to be together but each has issues that have to be dealt with in their pursuit of love and each other. Max is a former Marine with PTSD and was smart enough to seek out help to combat his memories of his time overseas. Sky is a single mom with a precocious daughter this is 8 going on 30. I love her inquisitive nature especially when she decided Max should be her mom's "male companion".
This book touched me in many ways - laughter over the various antics, tears at the end (have tissues handy), and anger towards Cole (trust me he deserves it). I felt like all of the character's lives were well developed and shared a part in the courtship between Sky and Max. I could feel their friends rooting for their relationship to flourish and succeed. One of my favorite characters is Big John. He has developed fatherly feelings towards Sky and Maddie and he even asks Max his intentions towards Sky. Please note you will need a tissue or two near the end for a very touching scene regarding Big John. I think the author needs to write his story, I think it would be a smash!
I have several favorite lines to share with you.
We give this book 5 paws up and suggest you take advantage of the $1.99 eBook sale this month. (ends 7/20/19)
Enter Sky and Max, star-crossed souls meant to be together but each has issues that have to be dealt with in their pursuit of love and each other. Max is a former Marine with PTSD and was smart enough to seek out help to combat his memories of his time overseas. Sky is a single mom with a precocious daughter this is 8 going on 30. I love her inquisitive nature especially when she decided Max should be her mom's "male companion".
This book touched me in many ways - laughter over the various antics, tears at the end (have tissues handy), and anger towards Cole (trust me he deserves it). I felt like all of the character's lives were well developed and shared a part in the courtship between Sky and Max. I could feel their friends rooting for their relationship to flourish and succeed. One of my favorite characters is Big John. He has developed fatherly feelings towards Sky and Maddie and he even asks Max his intentions towards Sky. Please note you will need a tissue or two near the end for a very touching scene regarding Big John. I think the author needs to write his story, I think it would be a smash!
I have several favorite lines to share with you.
"Two lost and lonely souls overwhelmed by the knowledge that they were no longer alone."
"Sky endured those agonizing weeks chasing Hope alone...."
"Next time Bobby tries to get your attention, Tink, talk to him. See what he ha to say." Her smile melted his heart. "Roger that."
"How could one whispered word hold so much promise?"
"You're going to leave me here alone with a fresh peach cobbler?"
"The man was a kissing ninja."
"You're my heart. My soul. Without you, I'd be nothing more than a speck of dust on the ground."
We give this book 5 paws up and suggest you take advantage of the $1.99 eBook sale this month. (ends 7/20/19)
July 10, 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!
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!
July 13, 2019
An affecting read. Full review at maidamalby.com on July 15.
January 28, 2022
2021 Best Indie Book Award Winner!
August 29, 2020
With sweet characters and a lovely story, it is easy to see why this book tied for 2nd place at the North Texas Book Festival. A feel-good book that had me sighing with contentment this book was the perfect escape. This romance takes on the enormous issue of PTSD in a manner that will pull your heartstrings.
March 3, 2025
While it was interesting, the story started after the two had already met and established a slightly neighborly, friendly relationship (ish) so it felt like I had already missed at least 20-50 pages of their first meeting, and with her kid getting to know Max. From where we started, Maddie already seemed to like Max and had no issues with asking him questions and chatting his ear of- which is in tune with her extroverted personality, but also it felt like I missed when Max first started liking Maddie.
Otherwise, it was good, just a bit rushed on everything.
Otherwise, it was good, just a bit rushed on everything.
February 6, 2020
Simple read. Predictable.
July 21, 2019
Above all else, Chasing Hope is a romance. That’s not a bad thing, but it
is
something a reader should know prior to reading. Dana Wayne is a very prolific romance novelist. This story adds yet another notch to her busy typewriter.
What’s unique about this romance, however, is that it takes on the issue of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in a former Marine warrior. There are plenty of novels out there that show the impact of PTSD on a family, but how many of them show the potential pitfalls of PTSD in the budding romance of two lost souls?
This story is not about PTSD, but I commend the author with the delicate way she deals with it in the story. There are no blood-and-guts flashback scenes, but there’s enough information for the reader to glean a basic understanding of PTSD.
The Lost Souls of Chasing Hope
The two adult protagonists are Max Logan and Skylar Ward. Max is a Marine veteran with combat experience. Skylar is a single mom and former nurse, divorced, and struggling to raise her seven-year-old daughter, Maddie. They are each lost in some way. The precocious Maddie is the conduit that connects them with the present. (And she does a fantastic job of it, by the way!)
The characters of Max and Skylar are perfect for what they are: lost souls. They each have ample skeletons in their proverbial closets. They are both multi-flawed, which is great for characters.
The setting for the story is a small Texas town during the holidays. I thought having most of the action take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas added a nice layer of “charm” to an otherwise very good story.
The remaining cast was also top notch. The antagonists played off of each other nicely, in a nasty sort of way. (I considered PTSD to be an antagonist.). The other supporting cast worked to fill the holes and helped blend everything together.
Marine Stuff
As a retired Marine, I take special interest in stories involving Marines. I’m always curious to see how well an author does to capture the nuances of Marine Corps life.
Dana Wayne did a pretty good job. However, there’s room for some improvement. First, Marines never refer to themselves or any other Marines as soldiers. Next - and this is borderline-egregious - she used the term drill sergeant. Marines are not trained by drill sergeants. They are only trained by drill instructors! (Yeah, I know it’s petty, but since I wore the smokey for a couple years, I felt compelled to point it out.) Lastly, there was a phrase used a number of times throughout the text. In my 20+ years in the Marine Corps, I never heard that phrase used once by a Marine. I did, however, hear it in a movie. (If you’re curious what the phrase is - read the book.)
All in all, Dana Wayne, not bad on the Marine stuff. You pass inspection with a few dings. However, if you ever have another character that is a Marine veteran, can we get at least one “oo-rah” in the story?
Technically Speaking
There were no notable SPAG problems in the book. I can only attribute that to impeccable editing.
I found the pacing to be quite interesting. Overall, it’s a little slow, but the author timed it such that the two main areas of conflict both reached climax at the same moment. Well done, Dana Wayne!
Just for the record, it’s okay for a Marine veteran to be a character in a romance novel. And just for the record, it’s okay for a Marine veteran to read a romance novel about a Marine veteran!
As for this Marine veteran - I liked it! Oo-rah!!
What’s unique about this romance, however, is that it takes on the issue of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in a former Marine warrior. There are plenty of novels out there that show the impact of PTSD on a family, but how many of them show the potential pitfalls of PTSD in the budding romance of two lost souls?
This story is not about PTSD, but I commend the author with the delicate way she deals with it in the story. There are no blood-and-guts flashback scenes, but there’s enough information for the reader to glean a basic understanding of PTSD.
The Lost Souls of Chasing Hope
The two adult protagonists are Max Logan and Skylar Ward. Max is a Marine veteran with combat experience. Skylar is a single mom and former nurse, divorced, and struggling to raise her seven-year-old daughter, Maddie. They are each lost in some way. The precocious Maddie is the conduit that connects them with the present. (And she does a fantastic job of it, by the way!)
The characters of Max and Skylar are perfect for what they are: lost souls. They each have ample skeletons in their proverbial closets. They are both multi-flawed, which is great for characters.
The setting for the story is a small Texas town during the holidays. I thought having most of the action take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas added a nice layer of “charm” to an otherwise very good story.
The remaining cast was also top notch. The antagonists played off of each other nicely, in a nasty sort of way. (I considered PTSD to be an antagonist.). The other supporting cast worked to fill the holes and helped blend everything together.
Marine Stuff
As a retired Marine, I take special interest in stories involving Marines. I’m always curious to see how well an author does to capture the nuances of Marine Corps life.
Dana Wayne did a pretty good job. However, there’s room for some improvement. First, Marines never refer to themselves or any other Marines as soldiers. Next - and this is borderline-egregious - she used the term drill sergeant. Marines are not trained by drill sergeants. They are only trained by drill instructors! (Yeah, I know it’s petty, but since I wore the smokey for a couple years, I felt compelled to point it out.) Lastly, there was a phrase used a number of times throughout the text. In my 20+ years in the Marine Corps, I never heard that phrase used once by a Marine. I did, however, hear it in a movie. (If you’re curious what the phrase is - read the book.)
All in all, Dana Wayne, not bad on the Marine stuff. You pass inspection with a few dings. However, if you ever have another character that is a Marine veteran, can we get at least one “oo-rah” in the story?
Technically Speaking
There were no notable SPAG problems in the book. I can only attribute that to impeccable editing.
I found the pacing to be quite interesting. Overall, it’s a little slow, but the author timed it such that the two main areas of conflict both reached climax at the same moment. Well done, Dana Wayne!
Just for the record, it’s okay for a Marine veteran to be a character in a romance novel. And just for the record, it’s okay for a Marine veteran to read a romance novel about a Marine veteran!
As for this Marine veteran - I liked it! Oo-rah!!
July 17, 2019
This story of hope & love revolved around Max, a former Marine suffering from PTSD and Sky, a single mom with her own personal matchmaker in the form of her seven-year-old daughter, Maddie (Tink). Thanks to Maddie doing a little eavesdropping these two came together in the most emotional ways to heal each other and to form a family.
This was a feel-good romance at its finest. How could it not be? You had a small town, the holiday season, two broken adults and a cast of likable supporting characters minus one. I found myself rooting along with their friends for Max & Sky to "get it together". Maddie made sure they did and I loved it. She was a favorite character of mine. I think the author did a great job of making the road to love humorous with just enough angst to keep things interesting. Allowing the story to be told from both characters point of view, I think aided in pulling the readers into the relationship and becoming invested in the outcome. I do not have any experience with the military, military jargon or military-related PTSD. However, I thought the way the author handled it was written well i.e. Max seeking treatment.
While the pace of the story was a little slow for me, I think this is a well-written romantic story that makes a good addition to your summer reading list.
This was a feel-good romance at its finest. How could it not be? You had a small town, the holiday season, two broken adults and a cast of likable supporting characters minus one. I found myself rooting along with their friends for Max & Sky to "get it together". Maddie made sure they did and I loved it. She was a favorite character of mine. I think the author did a great job of making the road to love humorous with just enough angst to keep things interesting. Allowing the story to be told from both characters point of view, I think aided in pulling the readers into the relationship and becoming invested in the outcome. I do not have any experience with the military, military jargon or military-related PTSD. However, I thought the way the author handled it was written well i.e. Max seeking treatment.
While the pace of the story was a little slow for me, I think this is a well-written romantic story that makes a good addition to your summer reading list.
September 2, 2019
Loved this book! Real and engaging characters, great writing. Could hardly put it down.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews