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Stars and Butterflies #2
Chasing Dragonflies
Six years in captivity. Six years locked away from the world. Finally, after all these years Maddie finds her freedom. But is one ever truly free of their past? It feels like she has woken from a deep slumber and the whole world has changed. She barely recognises her own reflection, everyone has moved on. Nothing is the same. The man she loved, who she thought was lost forever, is still alive. Is this her second chance at life? Maddie wants to go out in the world, everyone wants to hold her back. Does she have the courage to move forward and find peace in her life, despite what others want from her? Only she can decide.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2016
48 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
Tee Smith
29 books457 followersTee Smith lives in a small town in country Western Australia.
Her four children are all grown and she recently became a proud grandma.
Her novels are primarily romantic suspense. She reads almost everything, but loves nothing more than a good psycho-thriller.
Her four children are all grown and she recently became a proud grandma.
Her novels are primarily romantic suspense. She reads almost everything, but loves nothing more than a good psycho-thriller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 15, 2016
Chasing Dragonflies is Maddie's story. It explains how she copes with being free after being held prisoner for years. She meets Dex and has an instant attraction but he has his own secrets. This is a sweet love story of how she over comes the past to find a future filled with love through many trials and difficulties. I love all the characters and was happy to see some from the previous book in the series! It was a very enjoyable read and i liked seeing the female main character grow into a stronger person after everything she had been forced to endure. It is a lovely addiction to the authors first book in the series and i cannot wait to see what happens next!
February 16, 2017
What a story...after six years of captivity, Maddie finds her freedom and feels thankful to be alive. She's determined not let her demons take away a future with happiness and joy.
Deep, emotional story about strength and the will power of moving forward to build a new life after being held prisoner. I cheered for Maddie and Dex and look forward to more.
Ms. Smith has a way of capturing your attention and getting you to come back for more.
Deep, emotional story about strength and the will power of moving forward to build a new life after being held prisoner. I cheered for Maddie and Dex and look forward to more.
Ms. Smith has a way of capturing your attention and getting you to come back for more.
February 27, 2017
Chasing Dragonflies picks up in Maddie's POV shortly after the events of Collecting Scars. Those first few chapters are hard. I shed a lot of tears in the beginning.
After enduring years of neglect from the person who is supposed to love her the most, Maddie is finally free. But that doesn't mean everything is ok.
Maddie must learn how to survive in a world that moved on without her.
Tee Smith knows how to pull at my heart strings. A story if this nature is not easy to pull off, but Tee made it seem like it was. She had good characters with a good storyline, all together it made for an enjoyable read.
Though I am a little shocked at that ending. Because seriously?! That ending is going to be the death of me. I need the next installment!
The love story because Maddie and Dex is so sweet, so perfect. Both have been hurt. Both have pasts that changed them in terrible ways, but that doesn't stop them from finding love, even if they can't let go at first.
Tee Smith has such a sweet style of writing, it's so easy to read and you can easily get lost in the way the words flow almost effortlessly. Complex writing styles get stiff after a while, so I'm glad that this book is an easy read.
Though just because the word flow is easy doesn't mean that the subject matter is. No, Tee Smith did a brilliant job with the way she constructed this book.
The characters are loveable. The story while hard at times is beautiful.
I cannot wait to see where the world created in Collecting Scars and Chasing Dragonflies goes.
After enduring years of neglect from the person who is supposed to love her the most, Maddie is finally free. But that doesn't mean everything is ok.
Maddie must learn how to survive in a world that moved on without her.
Tee Smith knows how to pull at my heart strings. A story if this nature is not easy to pull off, but Tee made it seem like it was. She had good characters with a good storyline, all together it made for an enjoyable read.
Though I am a little shocked at that ending. Because seriously?! That ending is going to be the death of me. I need the next installment!
The love story because Maddie and Dex is so sweet, so perfect. Both have been hurt. Both have pasts that changed them in terrible ways, but that doesn't stop them from finding love, even if they can't let go at first.
Tee Smith has such a sweet style of writing, it's so easy to read and you can easily get lost in the way the words flow almost effortlessly. Complex writing styles get stiff after a while, so I'm glad that this book is an easy read.
Though just because the word flow is easy doesn't mean that the subject matter is. No, Tee Smith did a brilliant job with the way she constructed this book.
The characters are loveable. The story while hard at times is beautiful.
I cannot wait to see where the world created in Collecting Scars and Chasing Dragonflies goes.
September 26, 2016
I love to have my cake and eat it too so this book made me happy. I have to admit that in Collecting Scars I was a little bummed that I didn't get a full HEA for the characters but Tee made up for it in Chasing Dragonflies. Not only did you a glimpse into Asha and Xave's life since the incident but also you get to know Maddie and find out about her struggles. I love Dex and although he has had a heart breaking past I'm so glad he has found a new future with Maddie. I look forward to seeing how both Asha and Xave, as well as Maddie and Dex's lives develop when we get to learn about the life of Trick. Soon. Hopefully. *hint hint*
February 9, 2017
Awesome book it had caught my attention from beginning to end. It was actually a good book, I'm also glad Maggie had got her happy ending at the end of the book. I love a happy ending in books.
March 28, 2017
I loved this book! I was so, so happy that Maddie finally got her HEA and Dex was swoon-worthy and perfect, even with his own host of problems. I kind of loved the premise of "can two broken pieces make a whole?" And they could, in their own beautiful way. The thing I love about Tee's writing is that you get this really awesome sense of her vast life experience in the way that she writes about a plethora of different things. This book also endeared Trick to me, because I didn't really think much of him after Collecting Scars and now I'm keen to discover more of him in Finding Reason. Finally, as a fellow Aussie, I just love reading our colloquialisms in print!
January 20, 2017
Beautifully written, the story pulled me in from the beginning and didn't let me go. while the subject matter at times was very difficult to read (yes, I cried) the words flowed smoothly and I couldn't stop reading it. I fell in love with both Maddie and Dex and their struggles and triumphs together. The cliffhanger at the end, however, is absolutely killing me! I can't wait for the next book.
December 24, 2016
What a wonderful book! If you like a strong female lead, this book is definitely for you. I gotta say I wasn't 100% satisfied with the ending in Collecting Scars (sorry, Tee!). I just felt like the characters needed a happier ending. But holy geez, does this book make up for it! You get a look into Maddie's world and everyone in it, including the characters we loved from the previous books. Oh, and Dex!! Love me some of him! Can't wait for Trick's book!
September 24, 2016
Title: Chasing Dragonflies
Author: Tee Smith
Rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis: After living in captivity for 6 years Maddie feels lucky to even still be alive. Having her life back with her brother and good friends by her side, she knows that even on the days that feel the hardest she will make it through, after all she has already survived the worst. When sexy mechanic Dex shows up on her door step Maddie starts feeling things she never even dreamed she would experience during her days in the shed. But Dex has a few demons in his own past and he is not so sure he's the right choice for such a beautiful, fragile and innocent girl to be betting her heart on.
Review: I loved this book. It was everything I loved about Collecting Scars and then some!
Maddie and Dex were the sweetest together but I loved that their stories were very independent of one another in their own ways.
Maddie had a lot of stuff to work out and to slowly let out as the book went on and I loved every little glimpse into her mind. She was strong and resilient in a way that no one could have expected her to be after the life she had lead.
And Dex he was the ultimate good guy trapped behind a bad boy image, and the most perfect thing about it was that he had created that image in his own mind out of guilt and sorrow... He just had the sweetest soul and it totally came through on every page, I fricking loved Dex!
I love the world of characters that Tee is building with her stories it's such a rich little world of family and friends that makes me want more. That cliffhanger at the end of this one!! Ugh absolutely killing me! I can't wait for more from this series.
December 4, 2016
After the wild emotional ride I experienced while reading her first novel, I braced myself for Round Two in Ms. Smith’s second book. And I’m so glad I did.
Chasing Dragonflies closely examines the fallout after Maddie Arnold is finally freed after six long years of captivity. Although I’ve never been in her situation (and I pray I never will be), I thought her mindset made a lot of sense with regard to her hang-ups and fears. I, too, would be afraid of enclosed spaces and wary of strangers.
I can’t commend the author enough for making Maddie a strong female character despite the ordeal she endured. It would have been so easy to turn her into a perpetual scaredy-cat, but Ms. Smith instead chose to create a young woman who acknowledges her mental scars and strives to rise above them and embrace the joys that come with her newfound freedom.
One of those joys is a mechanic named Dex, who has scars of his own. He initially tries to ignore his attraction to Maddie while working to get her dormant car up and running, but soon gives in to the pull and finds that while two jagged pieces of a puzzle may not perfectly fit together, they can still make for a strong joining.
This is a story of the triumph of the human spirit that will make you shake an invisible pom-pom as you watch the characters conquer their demons. It is both beautiful and uplifting and makes me eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series. Bravo!
Chasing Dragonflies closely examines the fallout after Maddie Arnold is finally freed after six long years of captivity. Although I’ve never been in her situation (and I pray I never will be), I thought her mindset made a lot of sense with regard to her hang-ups and fears. I, too, would be afraid of enclosed spaces and wary of strangers.
I can’t commend the author enough for making Maddie a strong female character despite the ordeal she endured. It would have been so easy to turn her into a perpetual scaredy-cat, but Ms. Smith instead chose to create a young woman who acknowledges her mental scars and strives to rise above them and embrace the joys that come with her newfound freedom.
One of those joys is a mechanic named Dex, who has scars of his own. He initially tries to ignore his attraction to Maddie while working to get her dormant car up and running, but soon gives in to the pull and finds that while two jagged pieces of a puzzle may not perfectly fit together, they can still make for a strong joining.
This is a story of the triumph of the human spirit that will make you shake an invisible pom-pom as you watch the characters conquer their demons. It is both beautiful and uplifting and makes me eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series. Bravo!
September 25, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! I loved Maddie!! She is strong in more ways than one. She is a fighter for sure and now she has finally found her freedom, she is determined not to be held back. I loved her!
So after Maddie's heart is broken, she meets Mr sexy pants, or Dex as he's called in the story. Again, I loved him. He holds his cards firmly to his chest in the beginning and we don't really know if Dex becomes important to Maddie or not, but it was fun finding out. He has a few skeletons in his cupboard. The mystery held my interest and I loved the slow build of his character.
Some familiar characters from Tee Smith's first novel, Collecting Scars, also appear and their stories build.
It really is a fabulous story and one I can't wait to continue!
So after Maddie's heart is broken, she meets Mr sexy pants, or Dex as he's called in the story. Again, I loved him. He holds his cards firmly to his chest in the beginning and we don't really know if Dex becomes important to Maddie or not, but it was fun finding out. He has a few skeletons in his cupboard. The mystery held my interest and I loved the slow build of his character.
Some familiar characters from Tee Smith's first novel, Collecting Scars, also appear and their stories build.
It really is a fabulous story and one I can't wait to continue!
February 5, 2017
Maddie was locked away for 6 years in the backyard by her father. she wakes in the hospital with no memory of her being rescued. after being released Maddie decides she is going to live life. she realizes her car is still in the garage and has to call for a mechanic. she meets Dex and has a huge connection from the start.with her issues and dex's they overcome and make a great couple. Xavier doesnt like the idea of Maddie rushing her life so quickly but gets over it sooner than later. I really enjoyed this book but mostly got it because of dragonflies on the cover so glad I did
October 23, 2016
This book picks up where Collecting Scars finished off. We get to know Maddie and her story. The writing is a bit more polished in this second novel, and the story flows beautifully. I'm really looking forward to the next instalment.
September 22, 2016
Great read so happy Maddie got her happy ending after book 1
December 27, 2017
This story is about Maddie who has been locked away in a shed for 6 years by her father. She finally has her freedom, but after 6 years it is a long recovery, building her strength up, learning to walk again. When she is released from the hospital, her brother Xavier has his brother-in-law, Patrick, move into her house with her to help her out.
She realizes the car she once loved is still there and she decides she wants to fix it up. She calls a mechanic and he comes out to look at the car.
Dex decides he can fix the car but he doesn't watch TV or read the newspaper so he knows nothing about what Maddie has endured for the last 6 years. As he repairs her car, their friendship grows. With all that Maddie has had to endure, she never plays the victim. She is a strong woman who only wants to build her life. Everyone thought she was dead so she even has to go back and get learners permit. She never gave up and she hasn't given up since she was set free. The story is about her rebuilding her life.
She realizes the car she once loved is still there and she decides she wants to fix it up. She calls a mechanic and he comes out to look at the car.
Dex decides he can fix the car but he doesn't watch TV or read the newspaper so he knows nothing about what Maddie has endured for the last 6 years. As he repairs her car, their friendship grows. With all that Maddie has had to endure, she never plays the victim. She is a strong woman who only wants to build her life. Everyone thought she was dead so she even has to go back and get learners permit. She never gave up and she hasn't given up since she was set free. The story is about her rebuilding her life.
July 12, 2019
I Loved this book! The title itself captured my interest, because I love dragonflies! I also have dragonfly tats all over my body. My pen name is :DragonPoetikFly"! I understand why Maddie loves dragonflies, and why her sibling called her "Fly". Probably like Maddie thought too buzzfly annoying lol! Dex is complex but very loving and if he knew his rights and took the self pity out of his mind h'ed have everything he loves in his life.
February 3, 2017
After being locked away for 6 years Maddie is finally free to live her life. When her old car needs to be fixed she hires Dex to fix it. Dex is a Hunky mechanic who falls for Maddie at first sight. But Dex has his own issues to deal with but he just cant stay away from her. Can these two broken pieces fix each other
July 7, 2018
I read this book in one hit and it was quite good I enjoyed all these stories from this author do definitely a must read!!!
March 1, 2017
Chasing Dragonflies what an appropriate title for this book. This is the follow on book from Collecting Scars and is Maddies story but has all the characters from Collecting Scars and the addition of some new ones.
This book is an amazing read and shows that after heartache and loss that life does go on and that love and friendships can be found. And that sometimes those are strongest when both pieces are broken.
I'm not going to talk about the book because if I do I will give the story line away just buy the book and give it a read.
Would I recommend this book YES
February 4, 2017
Freedom, Surviving, and Love
This review is from: Chasing Dragonflies (Kindle Edition)
I'm always on the look out for new reads and new authors to me. I came across this one, and had to snatch it up immediately. After reading it, I was greatly 'Wowed' by this explosive, yet very emotional story.
What amazed me about this story, is that its part of a series by Ms. Smith. I've already added the first and the third book to my wish list. I feel that this can be read alone, but reading them in order will give greater information on some of the characters mentioned in this story.
This is a profound story of surviving, freedom, and love. Ms Smith broaches a horrific event with such delicate ingenuity that draws the reader in, and gets swept away. The pace was well timed and flowed smoothly throughout the story. The characters were made realistic, so much so that I'll remember them for a long time.
Maddie is finally free after 6 years in captivity. She will go through many struggles both physical and mental. Dex is struggling with his own demons. They will meet, doubts will emerge. Want to know more? Get the book, read it, and then you will know. I recommend having some tissue handy.
I recommend this to all readers who love to read 'Profound' love stories.
I chose to review this book on my own.
On a personal note: I was so impressed with this story that I looked up dragonfly meanings. * Wisdom of transformation and adaptability to life, * Connected to change and life, *Delve deep into their emotions and shine their true colors. This book definitely relates to those few meanings. Simply amazing.
Happy Reading!!
This review is from: Chasing Dragonflies (Kindle Edition)
I'm always on the look out for new reads and new authors to me. I came across this one, and had to snatch it up immediately. After reading it, I was greatly 'Wowed' by this explosive, yet very emotional story.
What amazed me about this story, is that its part of a series by Ms. Smith. I've already added the first and the third book to my wish list. I feel that this can be read alone, but reading them in order will give greater information on some of the characters mentioned in this story.
This is a profound story of surviving, freedom, and love. Ms Smith broaches a horrific event with such delicate ingenuity that draws the reader in, and gets swept away. The pace was well timed and flowed smoothly throughout the story. The characters were made realistic, so much so that I'll remember them for a long time.
Maddie is finally free after 6 years in captivity. She will go through many struggles both physical and mental. Dex is struggling with his own demons. They will meet, doubts will emerge. Want to know more? Get the book, read it, and then you will know. I recommend having some tissue handy.
I recommend this to all readers who love to read 'Profound' love stories.
I chose to review this book on my own.
On a personal note: I was so impressed with this story that I looked up dragonfly meanings. * Wisdom of transformation and adaptability to life, * Connected to change and life, *Delve deep into their emotions and shine their true colors. This book definitely relates to those few meanings. Simply amazing.
Happy Reading!!
October 9, 2016
** Review written by Kylie from Bloggers From Down Under **
While this is a stand alone, we first met Maddie in Tee's first book Collecting Scars. Maddie is the sister of Xavier, the very sister that he thought had gone missing. Turns out Maddie was kept prisoner by her own father.
This is Maddie's story.
When Maddie first wakes up in the hospital, the first person she sees is her brother Xavier. Obviously he looks a little different, considering she hasn't laid eyes on him in six years. Maddie hasn't seen anyone for the last six years other than her own father. Now he's dead, along with their mother, and that's just another thing that Maddie has to comes to terms with.
When she moves back into her childhood home, all she wants is for things to go back to normal, no media camped outside her door, and no panic attacks.
When she meets Dex, the guy who just so happens to be fixing her car, she is instantly attracted to him. And the feeling is mutual.
Bit things are never going to be easy for two lovers who bring so much baggage into the relationship.
Can their love stand every hurdle they must jump over?
And will their love survive the biggest test of all?
A quick, enjoyable read, with just enough of a cliffhanger ending to leave you wanting more.
4/5
While this is a stand alone, we first met Maddie in Tee's first book Collecting Scars. Maddie is the sister of Xavier, the very sister that he thought had gone missing. Turns out Maddie was kept prisoner by her own father.
This is Maddie's story.
When Maddie first wakes up in the hospital, the first person she sees is her brother Xavier. Obviously he looks a little different, considering she hasn't laid eyes on him in six years. Maddie hasn't seen anyone for the last six years other than her own father. Now he's dead, along with their mother, and that's just another thing that Maddie has to comes to terms with.
When she moves back into her childhood home, all she wants is for things to go back to normal, no media camped outside her door, and no panic attacks.
When she meets Dex, the guy who just so happens to be fixing her car, she is instantly attracted to him. And the feeling is mutual.
Bit things are never going to be easy for two lovers who bring so much baggage into the relationship.
Can their love stand every hurdle they must jump over?
And will their love survive the biggest test of all?
A quick, enjoyable read, with just enough of a cliffhanger ending to leave you wanting more.
4/5
February 6, 2017
Chasing Dragonflies by Tee Smith follows the story of Maddie, the "lost-assumed-dead" sister of Xavier (Collecting Scars) now found. In the story, she went through a lot of changes she didn't recognized since she's been lovked away for 6 years. She do not recognized most of the things around her, not even herself. She went through past struggles and losses, but came through a new challenge and a new find.
This next installment after Collecting Scars had me thinking how it would felt like if this happened to me. It broke my heart just thinking about it. The author has succeeded in getting through our hearts. It brought me to tears quite a few times! Well done, Tee!
This book inspired me a lot by thinking that my problems are not even half the problems of others, and they even conquered it. An inspirational romance in it's own way. Great!
And btw, that ending was one hell of a shocker! Can't wait for the third book. Patrick's next, atlast!
Rate: 4/5
This next installment after Collecting Scars had me thinking how it would felt like if this happened to me. It broke my heart just thinking about it. The author has succeeded in getting through our hearts. It brought me to tears quite a few times! Well done, Tee!
This book inspired me a lot by thinking that my problems are not even half the problems of others, and they even conquered it. An inspirational romance in it's own way. Great!
And btw, that ending was one hell of a shocker! Can't wait for the third book. Patrick's next, atlast!
Rate: 4/5
February 1, 2017
Firstly I love the cover caught my eye straight away and just knew I needed to give this a read.
Reading about a young girl being held hostage by her own father for over six years this is the beginning of her journey to freedom. There's all sorts of emotions going on for Maddie and then she's meets Dex the Hot guy that came to fix her baby ( car ). You get to learn both are going through rough times getting together has healed them both and moving forward in life with each other and there family's. Great story and characters.
Reading about a young girl being held hostage by her own father for over six years this is the beginning of her journey to freedom. There's all sorts of emotions going on for Maddie and then she's meets Dex the Hot guy that came to fix her baby ( car ). You get to learn both are going through rough times getting together has healed them both and moving forward in life with each other and there family's. Great story and characters.
February 4, 2017
I was given the story for free in exchange for a honest review.
Maddie and Dexter, troubled in their own ways. Trick, a mysterious character. Xave and Asha a caring couple. This is a good read you won't be disappointed.
Maddie and Dexter, troubled in their own ways. Trick, a mysterious character. Xave and Asha a caring couple. This is a good read you won't be disappointed.
February 3, 2017
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
This was an awesome book. I was pulled in from the first page and didn't want to stop reading until I was finished. I felt like I was there with Maddie through her journey. I definitely recommend.
This was an awesome book. I was pulled in from the first page and didn't want to stop reading until I was finished. I felt like I was there with Maddie through her journey. I definitely recommend.
June 16, 2017
Okay
Good story but it fell flat. Its missing depth, I don't think the characters were developed enough. Things moved very quickly and it just felt bland. The story line itself was promising.
Good story but it fell flat. Its missing depth, I don't think the characters were developed enough. Things moved very quickly and it just felt bland. The story line itself was promising.
November 8, 2017
Well, this was not my cup of tea.
Because of spoilers and other reasons, review (++) has this time been confined to my blog.
Because of spoilers and other reasons, review (++) has this time been confined to my blog.
October 1, 2017
Nice love story
He was convinced he was responsible for his wife's death and daughters blindness.
She was locked up by her father for 6 yrs with no other contact with the outside world.
How could they fall in love?
Read this book and find out if it is possible...
He was convinced he was responsible for his wife's death and daughters blindness.
She was locked up by her father for 6 yrs with no other contact with the outside world.
How could they fall in love?
Read this book and find out if it is possible...
August 24, 2019
The only reason I continued to the end is because I like to give a book a chance. But the many, many typos ruined it for me. The writing was juvenile, and that ending ... c'mon! I will NOT be reading the next in this series.
June 7, 2017
Premise was fair, but it really needed a good editor. NOT a Stand-a-lone! Continued in another book which is my big dislike. My bad for not checking the end first.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews