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Chasing Christmas
Steeped in depression and trying to escape his past and his problems, entrepreneur Teddy Whitaker hops aboard a freight train through the Ozark Mountains. Startled by a mysterious stranger who appears to him in a boxcar, Teddy discovers that in order to defeat the darkness and reclaim his life, he must learn three lessons before Christmas morning. If he succeeds, he will become a new man. If he fails, he will lose his life. Yet, deep in the thick woods of Missouri stalks a certain evil, an evil determined to see Teddy fail.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2012
11 people want to read
About the author
Steven Hunt
33 books2 followersSteven Hunt's debut novel, Guardian of Light, is a spiritual thriller based in Tulsa, OK. It was published by Tate Publishing and released in bookstore in July 2007. It is quickly becoming a popular novel based on recent sales receipts. Steven Hunt has a bachelor degree in criminal justice from Northeastern Oklahoma State Univerity and is a career law enforcement officer. He has expertly entwined his experiences as a police officer in his novel which makes Guardian of Light more realistic. Steven is preparing to release his second book, Identity Assault, which includes more action and excitment. Follow the progress of Identity Assault at www.stevenhuntbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 28, 2017
I began this book thinking it was going to be a Christmas romance, LOL
I honestly loved this story, perhaps it came to me when I had the need.
For those who read THE SHACK, I think this is a much better story of God's pursuing us with His love and forgiveness.
The main character of this story, Teddy, is in a pit of desperation and despair. His parents are killed by a drunk driver, He is loosing a business he created from scratch, his teen daughter is angry and experimenting with drugs, his relationship with his wife is strained and he envisions more over his "best friend and business partner." so he has decided to take his own life: his pain is overwhelming, he has nothing left to live for.
Needless to say God intervenes with the help of a 10 year old Christy, an angel. He has seven days to complete three tasks with three distinctive hosts. The first step is forgiveness followed by three tasks representing faith, hope, and love.
I am sure that someone will think these events are overkill- but my experience is that when things go wrong, they multiply, at least in my life they were multiplied!
I have struggled with loss of faith and hope and how my life has turned out so far. Its not over yet! I know he has a plan for me, but this disappointment has led me to depression. At the moment I read this, I knew it was meant for me. Thankfully these were words of encouragement at a time when I really ached for them. I pray it will be an uplift for you as well.
I honestly loved this story, perhaps it came to me when I had the need.
For those who read THE SHACK, I think this is a much better story of God's pursuing us with His love and forgiveness.
The main character of this story, Teddy, is in a pit of desperation and despair. His parents are killed by a drunk driver, He is loosing a business he created from scratch, his teen daughter is angry and experimenting with drugs, his relationship with his wife is strained and he envisions more over his "best friend and business partner." so he has decided to take his own life: his pain is overwhelming, he has nothing left to live for.
Needless to say God intervenes with the help of a 10 year old Christy, an angel. He has seven days to complete three tasks with three distinctive hosts. The first step is forgiveness followed by three tasks representing faith, hope, and love.
I am sure that someone will think these events are overkill- but my experience is that when things go wrong, they multiply, at least in my life they were multiplied!
I have struggled with loss of faith and hope and how my life has turned out so far. Its not over yet! I know he has a plan for me, but this disappointment has led me to depression. At the moment I read this, I knew it was meant for me. Thankfully these were words of encouragement at a time when I really ached for them. I pray it will be an uplift for you as well.
February 5, 2019
I'm not sure exactly how to classify this book. It's not in the romantic suspense, mystery, or fantasy genres, although it has elements of all those. Chasing Christmas is definitely inspirational, though it could as easily have been called Chasing Easter or Chasing Sanity. Also definitely well thought out, well written, and well edited--not to mention unusual and intriguing. I'm giving this five stars.
Depression is insidious, deceptive, and, well, depressing. If there's a good side to depression, I'm not too sure what it would be. Self-worth is in the toilet, confidence is out the window, and death can appear to be the only logical relief for oneself and for everyone else involved. That's where Teddy, the hero of this novel, finds himself. Self-destruction failing, he attempts to escape another way, only to wind up under the wing of a very strange little girl.
It's a great book for any season.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but the opinions stated herein are always my own.
Depression is insidious, deceptive, and, well, depressing. If there's a good side to depression, I'm not too sure what it would be. Self-worth is in the toilet, confidence is out the window, and death can appear to be the only logical relief for oneself and for everyone else involved. That's where Teddy, the hero of this novel, finds himself. Self-destruction failing, he attempts to escape another way, only to wind up under the wing of a very strange little girl.
It's a great book for any season.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but the opinions stated herein are always my own.
September 5, 2013
Don't Wait Until Christmas To Open
Reading "Chasing Christmas" felt like reading a book destined to become a classic. The essence of the story is how one man, through a series of lessons on faith, hope and love, learns to conquer selfishness that had led him to that ultimate act of selfishness, suicide.
At first while reading I was subtly reminded of The Shack, but this book in contrast, gets the theology right. Other books and stories that came to mind while reading were Pilgrim's Progress, Screwtape Letters, It's a Wonderful Life, The Christmas Carol, and even The Odyssey.
The main character, Teddy, makes his way back home, from the brink of death, by meeting and overcoming a series of challenges. Like Penelope in The Odyssey, Teddy's wife is faithful and never gives up hope for his return.
I will be sharing this book with others. The world needs more faith, hope and love and a lot less selfishness. We can all benefit by going through the lessons vicariously with Teddy. The cover artwork is beautiful, however, I am not sure it does justice to the depth of the story.
Reading "Chasing Christmas" felt like reading a book destined to become a classic. The essence of the story is how one man, through a series of lessons on faith, hope and love, learns to conquer selfishness that had led him to that ultimate act of selfishness, suicide.
At first while reading I was subtly reminded of The Shack, but this book in contrast, gets the theology right. Other books and stories that came to mind while reading were Pilgrim's Progress, Screwtape Letters, It's a Wonderful Life, The Christmas Carol, and even The Odyssey.
The main character, Teddy, makes his way back home, from the brink of death, by meeting and overcoming a series of challenges. Like Penelope in The Odyssey, Teddy's wife is faithful and never gives up hope for his return.
I will be sharing this book with others. The world needs more faith, hope and love and a lot less selfishness. We can all benefit by going through the lessons vicariously with Teddy. The cover artwork is beautiful, however, I am not sure it does justice to the depth of the story.
October 13, 2016
This is a heartbreaking story (where Teddy is so depressed he tries to commit suicide, and thank goodness he isn't that good at it), it is impassioned (where an Angel presents him with a life or death lesson before Christmas morning), it is also hellish ( where dark forces also are after him before Christmas morning, before the Angel could get to his soul). Where will Teddy end up on Christmas? What happens to Teddy on his journey? Will he survive or will the entity win? This was like A Christmas Carol and then I said NO WAY this is a separate entity on its own - this author way went out and beyond A Christmas Carol. He has created his own Niche of great Christmas Stories I believe that he has done this. Congratulations Mr. Hunt, you have made a wonderful book for depressed people and a great book for Christmas and a good scary book for those who like a good little scare - a great trifecta. I received a copy of this book to read and give you an honest review.
January 8, 2013
There are books authors want to write and books authors need to write. Chasing Christmas is one of those books I needed to write. Being a career law enforcement officer, I was not sheltered from seeing people suffering from depression. But when one of my loved ones suffered, I felt compelled to write a story that would offer some help. Chasing Christmas was not intended to replace the traditional medical practice of treating a person with depression, but rather show that God is the Great Physician and that there are elements that aid in dimishing the affects of depression. Chasing Christmas is a gripping tale that accompanies Teddy Whitaker on his journey to defeat the darkness of depression and the evil that hides within it.
December 14, 2012
Chasing Christmas is a great title. The story is a unique take on depression, which is not a good state of mind to be in. But it's a gripping tale of hope with a vivid picture of application. There are angels among us...
March 1, 2013
This was a good read.
Some parts tended to get a little mundane, but it was very inspirational and contained a fantastic message.
Some parts tended to get a little mundane, but it was very inspirational and contained a fantastic message.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews