Pages

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Blog Tour: Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman

Review * Excerpt * Giveaway
chasing hope tour
Tour Schedule
Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman

Book Description:

A Personal Drama of Shattered Dreams and Second Chances

A talented runner fully committed to Olympic dreams, Sabrina Rice's future was shattered by a devastating diagnosis. One forfeited scholarship and several years later, she has new goals and dreams that have nothing to do with running--something that's become far too painful to think on. Until the day she sees Brandy Philip running across the community college campus, easily outpacing security. Sabrina immediately recognizes world-class speed, and it's all the more painful that it belongs to a teenage graffiti artist. When a chance encounter brings the two young women together, Sabrina becomes Brandy's best hope for staying out of juvenile hall. Soon, Sabrina begins to feel an uncomfortable nudge that her new life is just about to be toppled...that God may be calling her to minister to this talented but troubled girl. 

Review:

Chasing Hope is a touching story about a rebel who is nearly a lost cause, and the young adult who, against her better judgement, takes her on.

I'm not much of a runner, but my limited experience helped me relate in a small part to the running aspects of the story.

This is Christian YA fiction, and I thought Cushman did a great job of smoothly integrating the spiritual parts with the rest of the story. All aspects of the story flow well, and the religious parts aren't preachy.

I liked the characters and especially enjoyed the epilogue that showed how everything worked out.

Chasing Hope is clean and an enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to reading more of Cushman's work.

Excerpt:

He seemed to find this amusing, because he grinned, then finally leaned back against his chair. “How’d you do on that psychology exam?” He had a dimple in his left cheek.

“I’m feeling pretty good about it.” She took a sip of her decaf Earl Grey. “How about you?”

“Well, let’s just say—” he unleashed another grin—“I think I could use a study buddy for the next one. You know anyone who might be willing to help me?”

“I . . . uh . . . think I might.”

He held her gaze and continued to smile. “I was hoping you’d say that, too. You’re just full of the answers I want to hear today.”

“Thanks,” she sort of squeaked, “I do my best to be helpful.” It was impossible not to smile when she looked at him.

“Well, if that’s the case, then what if I—” He turned his head slightly toward the window just over Sabrina’s shoulder. “Wow, what the . . . ?”

Sabrina turned to see what had caught his interest. A girl was racing through the middle of the campus, her legs pumping at an impressive rate. Her shoulder-length hair was bleached white in the front and dyed jet black in the back, and it whipped up and then back with each stride. She jumped down a set of four steps, landed cleanly, and picked the pace right back up, hardly missing a beat. In her left hand she held what looked to be an aerosol can.

A campus security guard rounded the building behind her. Behind her and losing ground fast. In spite of the fact that he was young and appeared to be in decent shape, by the time he reached the steps the girl had jumped over, it was more than obvious his chase was a lost cause. He stopped, doubled over with hands on knees, gasping for air and shaking his head.

“Did you see that? That girl was fast!” Koen’s voice grew louder with admiration. “I’m thinking she must have been part gazelle or something. Can you believe that?”

Sabrina looked down at the table. “No, I don’t think I can.” She started gathering her things. “I’ve got to go.”


About Author Kathryn Cushman:
 
kathrynAuthor Kathryn "Katie" Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of five novels, including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women's Fiction. She is also the co-author of Angel Song with Sheila Walsh. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California.



Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/17/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chasing Hope Title: Chasing Hope
Author: Kathryn Cushman
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Published: September 2013
ISBN: 0764208276
FTC FYI: I received an eCopy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble

No comments:

Post a Comment