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Chancing Hope
In "Chancing Hope," readers are introduced to Kerwyn Bartel, a skilled young horse trainer with an uncanny ability to recognize a horse's potential and help them overcome their fears. However, applying these same instincts to his own life proves to be much more challenging. Kerwyn struggles to navigate his feelings for his childhood best friend, Mable Conner, while haunted by the pain his father experienced from the loss of his mother.
Mable Conner is a young woman with big dreams, including a burning desire to become a singer. She is hopelessly in love with Kerwyn but finds it difficult to make him see her as the woman she has become, rather than the little girl he grew up with. As she pursues her dreams of stardom, Mable must also grapple with the idea of potentially leaving Kerwyn behind. Will he even care if she stays or goes?
As mysterious loner Devin Hill enters their lives, the dynamic between Mable and Kerwyn is irrevocably altered. Kerwyn sees Devin as a dangerous threat, while Mable views him as an opportunity. Their lives quickly become intertwined, forcing Mable and Kerwyn to face unexpected changes and confront the uncertainty of their futures. Ultimately, they may both be left to chance hope.
"Chancing Hope" is a poignant coming-of-age novel, filled with emotional twists and unforgettable characters. Max Van Zile, an editor with Editing for Authors, has praised the book, saying, "Chancing Hope is one of my favorite books I've done working for this company." He adds that one of the characters becomes "the single best and most memorable villain in any Editing for Authors book I've worked on."
Mable Conner is a young woman with big dreams, including a burning desire to become a singer. She is hopelessly in love with Kerwyn but finds it difficult to make him see her as the woman she has become, rather than the little girl he grew up with. As she pursues her dreams of stardom, Mable must also grapple with the idea of potentially leaving Kerwyn behind. Will he even care if she stays or goes?
As mysterious loner Devin Hill enters their lives, the dynamic between Mable and Kerwyn is irrevocably altered. Kerwyn sees Devin as a dangerous threat, while Mable views him as an opportunity. Their lives quickly become intertwined, forcing Mable and Kerwyn to face unexpected changes and confront the uncertainty of their futures. Ultimately, they may both be left to chance hope.
"Chancing Hope" is a poignant coming-of-age novel, filled with emotional twists and unforgettable characters. Max Van Zile, an editor with Editing for Authors, has praised the book, saying, "Chancing Hope is one of my favorite books I've done working for this company." He adds that one of the characters becomes "the single best and most memorable villain in any Editing for Authors book I've worked on."
- GenresContemporary
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2018
248 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Slater
7 books28 followersLisa Slater-
Is a United States Author of fiction Romance / Suspense / Thriller and Mystery novels. She’s from Coos County, Oregon, and is a real western cowgirl, riding horses, raising cows, cherishing her dogs and chickens, but above all, her family. She is happiest in the company of her best friends: her supportive husband and delightfully esteemed sons.
Precisely before wearing spurs everywhere – yes, everywhere - Lisa has become best known for captivating her readers and has been accused on many occasions, that she’s caused them to burn too much of the midnight oil devouring every last word before dawn. If this were the case with you, she sends her apology (but is indeed quite ecstatic).
Website: www.slaterlife.com
Facebook: Slaterlife, Lisa Slater Author
Email: infolisaauthor@yahoocom
_____________________________________________
A BIT ABOUT ME
Hi readers!
As an author, there is nothing I find more exhilarating than encountering those remarkable moments when what I thought was “my story “develops, much like a child, and becomes a story of its own. Boldly tugging me along, luring me to chase after startling discoveries and uncovering rightful identities of yearning characters.
As a person, there is nothing I find more exhilarating than living in the actual moment and experiencing life all around and within me. I believe a good author knows how to write, but a great storyteller knows how to live.
_____________________________________________
Chancing Hope (Romantic Suspense) - Book Review Published June 2018
"This author is a MAGNIFICENTLY gifted story teller! This book was hard to put down and so I didn't! I used all of my spare time to immerse myself in the story and that was simply done because of the way this author used her flair with words to pull me in! I loved the symbolism with the animals and the people. It was not lost on me. The book is filled with descriptions of characters that were so real that I imagine I knew them. And believe me...the antagonist is not someone I WANT to know...AT ALL! The story is compelling and I actually found myself scooching to the edge of my seat more than once as I read on and on. At LEAST I didn't scream at the characters, out loud that is. I do wonder if there will be a sequel or even a movie script for this book. I'll follow her story telling career to find out!"
Review by Kathy C.
_____________________________________________
Holder of The Horses (Sweet Romance) - Book Review Published July 2019
"BEAUTIFUL The way this author has written these characters makes you feel like you are experiencing exactly what they are going through. I felt their sorrow and pain and cried right along with them. I never really knew how much it took to manage a ranch or the heartaches it could have but this book shows you just how hard and rewarding it is. This book also shows you about following your dreams, unconditional love, and what a family should be. I will always think of this story and smile when I see an eagle. Thank you for such a beautiful story."
Review by JR
_____________________________________________
For The Garden (Thriller / Mystery) NEW RELEASE Published May 2020
Years ago, the unimaginable murder of eleven-year-old Samuella Rose left Sarina Rose, her twin sister, in a downward spiral and plagued by nightmares. Fifteen years later - the case still wide open - the only way she has managed to keep her head above water is due to her attractive massage therapist, Duane Whitson, who she battles to keep at a distance, and Clyde Small, the detective who has never given up on combing every lead in search for justice. However, it’s her unlikely roommate, Becky Bracken, that introduces her to dream interpretation. But that’s not where the interpretation stops.
A cold shiver covered Becky’s arms and legs with goosebumps. This was beyond superstition or hoaxes. This was actually happening. Graver still, she suspected, Sarina had no idea.
Is a United States Author of fiction Romance / Suspense / Thriller and Mystery novels. She’s from Coos County, Oregon, and is a real western cowgirl, riding horses, raising cows, cherishing her dogs and chickens, but above all, her family. She is happiest in the company of her best friends: her supportive husband and delightfully esteemed sons.
Precisely before wearing spurs everywhere – yes, everywhere - Lisa has become best known for captivating her readers and has been accused on many occasions, that she’s caused them to burn too much of the midnight oil devouring every last word before dawn. If this were the case with you, she sends her apology (but is indeed quite ecstatic).
Website: www.slaterlife.com
Facebook: Slaterlife, Lisa Slater Author
Email: infolisaauthor@yahoocom
_____________________________________________
A BIT ABOUT ME
Hi readers!
As an author, there is nothing I find more exhilarating than encountering those remarkable moments when what I thought was “my story “develops, much like a child, and becomes a story of its own. Boldly tugging me along, luring me to chase after startling discoveries and uncovering rightful identities of yearning characters.
As a person, there is nothing I find more exhilarating than living in the actual moment and experiencing life all around and within me. I believe a good author knows how to write, but a great storyteller knows how to live.
_____________________________________________
Chancing Hope (Romantic Suspense) - Book Review Published June 2018
"This author is a MAGNIFICENTLY gifted story teller! This book was hard to put down and so I didn't! I used all of my spare time to immerse myself in the story and that was simply done because of the way this author used her flair with words to pull me in! I loved the symbolism with the animals and the people. It was not lost on me. The book is filled with descriptions of characters that were so real that I imagine I knew them. And believe me...the antagonist is not someone I WANT to know...AT ALL! The story is compelling and I actually found myself scooching to the edge of my seat more than once as I read on and on. At LEAST I didn't scream at the characters, out loud that is. I do wonder if there will be a sequel or even a movie script for this book. I'll follow her story telling career to find out!"
Review by Kathy C.
_____________________________________________
Holder of The Horses (Sweet Romance) - Book Review Published July 2019
"BEAUTIFUL The way this author has written these characters makes you feel like you are experiencing exactly what they are going through. I felt their sorrow and pain and cried right along with them. I never really knew how much it took to manage a ranch or the heartaches it could have but this book shows you just how hard and rewarding it is. This book also shows you about following your dreams, unconditional love, and what a family should be. I will always think of this story and smile when I see an eagle. Thank you for such a beautiful story."
Review by JR
_____________________________________________
For The Garden (Thriller / Mystery) NEW RELEASE Published May 2020
Years ago, the unimaginable murder of eleven-year-old Samuella Rose left Sarina Rose, her twin sister, in a downward spiral and plagued by nightmares. Fifteen years later - the case still wide open - the only way she has managed to keep her head above water is due to her attractive massage therapist, Duane Whitson, who she battles to keep at a distance, and Clyde Small, the detective who has never given up on combing every lead in search for justice. However, it’s her unlikely roommate, Becky Bracken, that introduces her to dream interpretation. But that’s not where the interpretation stops.
A cold shiver covered Becky’s arms and legs with goosebumps. This was beyond superstition or hoaxes. This was actually happening. Graver still, she suspected, Sarina had no idea.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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June 22, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/22/2019)! 🎁
July 11, 2018
The bones of this book are good, but I struggled with some details. Kerwyn (that name really, really bothered me) and Mabel are besties from childhood, and of course fall in love but are too scared to tell each other. Kerwyn is afraid of holding Mabel back from her dream of singing. Mabel is afraid of Kerwyn not feeling the same way. Then bad-boy Devin shows up and takes Mabel away to help her live her dream. Or so he says.
Really he is a deranged psychopath who drugs Mabel, sexually and physically abuses her, and keeps her locked up in a house. But Kerwyn doesn't know what happened to her for the next 10 years or so. He goes on to become a horse trainer at a camp for troubled youth.
The book goes back and forth from present day with Kerwyn to prior years with Mabel. We aren't sure if Mabel is still alive, or if she escaped, or what. As the story progresses, Mabel does escape (thanks to a random truck driver, Maria, who sees a naked and abused Mabel escaping from her torturer. Why exactly Devin is torturing and holding Mabel hostage isn't exactly defined. He wants her to love him? That's kind of what I got out of it. He meets her in school, and wants her so he kidnaps her. It seems very, very far fetched.
When Mabel is finally free from her captor, instead of, oh I don't know, going to the police to report him, she changes her identity and hides. What?!? Yes, she hides from her past because Kerwyn told her he didn't love her. She is convinced her mother is dead because her house burned down. So she has no one, but this new life she is leading, with a new identity as Angela. (We also have a character named Angie)
Meanwhile, Kerwyn is working at this new place and helping out at the horse camp and we get introduced to a boatload of new people and their backstories and it was hard to remember who each of them were and why they were relevant to the story line. I did enjoy Kerwyn finding Tillie the horse and saving her. That was well written and engaging.
So back to Mabel. She sees a newspaper article with Kerwyn in it and decides to go to the ranch to find him. But when she gets there she sees graffiti on a sign that says "Die Robin" (Robin is what Devin called her because she had red hair) and Mabel gets scared and leaves. How Devin found her, or how he happened to see the same exact article, and determine Mabel will go to Kerwyn isn't really mentioned. Then Devin sets fire to a barn at the ranch for reasons unknown, and lastly when Mabel does go back to the ranch, Devin finds her, tried to kill her, kidnaps her again, but it thwarted by Kerwyn. And they all lived happily ever after.
So to me, Mabel was an immature teen who was naive about the world and sheltered, but trusted everyone, especially the new rebellious boy in school. She ignores her best friend's thoughts on the new guy and places all of her trust in this stranger. And after she is abused, she goes back to living a "normal" life. But when faced with Devin again, she isn't traumatized or unstable? She plans to stab him with a knife (which she does. In the groin) but when he shows up at the ranch, she doesn't immediately go for the knife? And after the cops show up, she is giggling with Kerwyn like nothing bad had happened. Part of the time Mabel was mature and old for her age because of her experiences, but then we get thrown back to her as an immature teen.
Had Devin been pursuing Mabel for longer and constantly been rejected, I could have seen his behavior explained. It felt rushed as though we needed a bad guy and he needed to be really, really bad.
There is slight language, sexual abuse and violence.
Really he is a deranged psychopath who drugs Mabel, sexually and physically abuses her, and keeps her locked up in a house. But Kerwyn doesn't know what happened to her for the next 10 years or so. He goes on to become a horse trainer at a camp for troubled youth.
The book goes back and forth from present day with Kerwyn to prior years with Mabel. We aren't sure if Mabel is still alive, or if she escaped, or what. As the story progresses, Mabel does escape (thanks to a random truck driver, Maria, who sees a naked and abused Mabel escaping from her torturer. Why exactly Devin is torturing and holding Mabel hostage isn't exactly defined. He wants her to love him? That's kind of what I got out of it. He meets her in school, and wants her so he kidnaps her. It seems very, very far fetched.
When Mabel is finally free from her captor, instead of, oh I don't know, going to the police to report him, she changes her identity and hides. What?!? Yes, she hides from her past because Kerwyn told her he didn't love her. She is convinced her mother is dead because her house burned down. So she has no one, but this new life she is leading, with a new identity as Angela. (We also have a character named Angie)
Meanwhile, Kerwyn is working at this new place and helping out at the horse camp and we get introduced to a boatload of new people and their backstories and it was hard to remember who each of them were and why they were relevant to the story line. I did enjoy Kerwyn finding Tillie the horse and saving her. That was well written and engaging.
So back to Mabel. She sees a newspaper article with Kerwyn in it and decides to go to the ranch to find him. But when she gets there she sees graffiti on a sign that says "Die Robin" (Robin is what Devin called her because she had red hair) and Mabel gets scared and leaves. How Devin found her, or how he happened to see the same exact article, and determine Mabel will go to Kerwyn isn't really mentioned. Then Devin sets fire to a barn at the ranch for reasons unknown, and lastly when Mabel does go back to the ranch, Devin finds her, tried to kill her, kidnaps her again, but it thwarted by Kerwyn. And they all lived happily ever after.
So to me, Mabel was an immature teen who was naive about the world and sheltered, but trusted everyone, especially the new rebellious boy in school. She ignores her best friend's thoughts on the new guy and places all of her trust in this stranger. And after she is abused, she goes back to living a "normal" life. But when faced with Devin again, she isn't traumatized or unstable? She plans to stab him with a knife (which she does. In the groin) but when he shows up at the ranch, she doesn't immediately go for the knife? And after the cops show up, she is giggling with Kerwyn like nothing bad had happened. Part of the time Mabel was mature and old for her age because of her experiences, but then we get thrown back to her as an immature teen.
Had Devin been pursuing Mabel for longer and constantly been rejected, I could have seen his behavior explained. It felt rushed as though we needed a bad guy and he needed to be really, really bad.
There is slight language, sexual abuse and violence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2019
One of the best books I have ever read!
On I don't even know where to begin. The story begins with Mable and Kerwyn meeting as children and instantly forming an unearthly bond. I had someone like that as a child and it broke my heart when my family was forced to move and I had to leave him behind. Kerwyn was raised by his father believing that if you love someone who has different dreams than you, you shouldn't force them to compromise those dreams of they would die and/or leave you. Maple wanted to sing, Kerwyn wanted to be a cowboy and train horses. So he never told her that he loved her and when the chance came for her to sing, or so she was lead to believe, she took it and left. She endured years of hell at the hands of the abusive monster who took her, but strength and the will to live and the memory of Kerwyn's love saved Mable and reunited them. I sooo wish the story ha continued on. I love the characters and want to see how their lives play out.
On I don't even know where to begin. The story begins with Mable and Kerwyn meeting as children and instantly forming an unearthly bond. I had someone like that as a child and it broke my heart when my family was forced to move and I had to leave him behind. Kerwyn was raised by his father believing that if you love someone who has different dreams than you, you shouldn't force them to compromise those dreams of they would die and/or leave you. Maple wanted to sing, Kerwyn wanted to be a cowboy and train horses. So he never told her that he loved her and when the chance came for her to sing, or so she was lead to believe, she took it and left. She endured years of hell at the hands of the abusive monster who took her, but strength and the will to live and the memory of Kerwyn's love saved Mable and reunited them. I sooo wish the story ha continued on. I love the characters and want to see how their lives play out.
June 13, 2019
I appreciate the advance reader kindle copy I received through goodreads. I enjoyed the story with it’s combination of suspense and romance. I liked the main characters, Kerwyn and Mable. I found the timeline of events to be a little bit confusing and also unrealistic. I would rather have a specific date or year rather than “2 years ago” or “10 years ago.” I also thought there was not enough description of what had happened during those ten years, which made it seem unbelievable. Despite that, the plot is good! I am glad I read this one.
February 7, 2024
This story definitely kept you on the front of your seat! I kept wanting to skip ahead to see what happens! I will say while reading the story I hated that it kept jumping around in time but looking back now that I’ve finished it, that definitely added to the suspense and kept me intrigued. I don’t like how it ended. It was so abrupt that I was sad I didn’t know more of the hopefully happy ending. Overall a good story!
July 3, 2018
Maegen Miranda
This book sucks you in from the first chapter. I started the book and finished it in the same day. I couldn’t put it down. It’s constantly keeping you on your toes! Very well written and easy to read. I highly recommend for everyone to read you won’t regret reading this book!
This book sucks you in from the first chapter. I started the book and finished it in the same day. I couldn’t put it down. It’s constantly keeping you on your toes! Very well written and easy to read. I highly recommend for everyone to read you won’t regret reading this book!
April 17, 2019
Oh my goodness..I won this book in the morning and could not put it down. I loved it. It kept me in my reading chair all day. My wonderful husband even cooked lunch and dinner for me! I love the way Ms Slater writes and I must admit it's the first time I've read one of her books but it won't be the last.
May 4, 2019
Thank you to Lisa Slater and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
Loved the writing style, it was a very easy read and really liked the characters. Definitely kept you guessing as I was not expecting some of the story to take certain directions. Would love to see a sequel; felt it ended to soon and I would like to hear about the other characters after this story.
Loved the writing style, it was a very easy read and really liked the characters. Definitely kept you guessing as I was not expecting some of the story to take certain directions. Would love to see a sequel; felt it ended to soon and I would like to hear about the other characters after this story.
May 18, 2019
Mable is a very strong woman. Kerwyn is such a old soul. Their love for one another is extraordinary. There is good and bad, but they overcome it all in the end. There is some very dark scenes in this book. This is my first book by Lisa Slater and it didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to read more of her work. The obstacles Mable and Kerwyn overcame are unbelievable. HEAE!!!
March 14, 2021
Fabulous
I had two attempts at this book because the first time I didn't read far as I thought it read very mills and booney but on my days was I wrong on starting again I was hooked . The twists and turns were gripping.loved it so much. Just shows you shouldn't judge a book by the first pages
I had two attempts at this book because the first time I didn't read far as I thought it read very mills and booney but on my days was I wrong on starting again I was hooked . The twists and turns were gripping.loved it so much. Just shows you shouldn't judge a book by the first pages
January 2, 2022
So good
Ok, this book has everything. Romance, suspense, mystery. Loved it. I only wish I could have read faster. Such a tragic story that took too long to get to the happy ending. I really hated Devin, devil of a thing. Can not even call him a man, or a human. Unfortunately, I think this story has happened many times in real life too.
Ok, this book has everything. Romance, suspense, mystery. Loved it. I only wish I could have read faster. Such a tragic story that took too long to get to the happy ending. I really hated Devin, devil of a thing. Can not even call him a man, or a human. Unfortunately, I think this story has happened many times in real life too.
July 25, 2023
Chasing Hope:...Lisa Slater
This was a very sad book and a there were times I thought there would be no happy ending so it was hard to go on reading. I knew I couldn't stop until the happy ending came. I wanted to shoot Devin myself he was such an evil man, I'm glad he finally got his due! I wish the author would have let us know what becomes of all the main characters.
This was a very sad book and a there were times I thought there would be no happy ending so it was hard to go on reading. I knew I couldn't stop until the happy ending came. I wanted to shoot Devin myself he was such an evil man, I'm glad he finally got his due! I wish the author would have let us know what becomes of all the main characters.
July 9, 2018
I traded sleep for this story!
The first few chapters were good, from there it went from good to great and I literally couldn't put it down. Sacrificed sleep to find out how the book ended!
The first few chapters were good, from there it went from good to great and I literally couldn't put it down. Sacrificed sleep to find out how the book ended!
March 27, 2019
Great book!!
Wow, this was a crazy roller coaster ride!! I loved reading Mable and Kerwen's story! They have been best friends since childhood. Mable believed the wrong man and her and Kerwen's life would never be the same.
Wow, this was a crazy roller coaster ride!! I loved reading Mable and Kerwen's story! They have been best friends since childhood. Mable believed the wrong man and her and Kerwen's life would never be the same.
July 5, 2019
I enjoyed the story line of Kerwyn and Mabel. The story line could have taken on so many other twists besides the Mabel and Devin story. I wasn't a fan of the Devin story line. Thankfully there was a happy ending.
May 11, 2020
This was absolutely incredible! My only disappointment was that there was no epilogue and it desperately needed one. The unbelievably reuniting of Mabel & Kerwyn was far too short and because of that, a bit underwhelming. An epilogue was needed. But this story was just amazing.
March 8, 2022
Suspenseful
I couldn't put this book down! From the first chapter to the last, I felt like l was on the edge of my seat, rooting for Mabel. Until the last page there was no telling the end.
I couldn't put this book down! From the first chapter to the last, I felt like l was on the edge of my seat, rooting for Mabel. Until the last page there was no telling the end.
October 11, 2024
This book was a very interesting and engrossing book. I really liked the book and did not expect the turn of events. The experiences of the main character was such a strong character. Very enjoyable read and outcome!
July 1, 2018
Awesome I could not put it down
This was a great book kept me on my toes the entire time. Can’t wait for the hardcover to come out.
This was a great book kept me on my toes the entire time. Can’t wait for the hardcover to come out.
July 20, 2018
Love
What a cute book about love and loss and rebellion as a teenager and learning some hard lessons, but in the end everyone is happy.
What a cute book about love and loss and rebellion as a teenager and learning some hard lessons, but in the end everyone is happy.
October 1, 2018
Abrupt ending.
Needs one more chapter to tidy ending up with Mabel explaing everything to Kerwyn, and a marriage and Mabel singing.
Needs one more chapter to tidy ending up with Mabel explaing everything to Kerwyn, and a marriage and Mabel singing.
November 25, 2018
I didn't want to put this book down! So good.......I was sad to get to the end because it was over.
February 4, 2019
Great read
I couldn't put it down I had to finish it. I loved it from beginning to end. Thank you for a great book.
I couldn't put it down I had to finish it. I loved it from beginning to end. Thank you for a great book.
February 28, 2019
Great Book
I'm not usually into love stories or cowboys (actually who doesn't love one here and there), but this book had a huge twist! It was such a great read. Thank you Lisa!
I'm not usually into love stories or cowboys (actually who doesn't love one here and there), but this book had a huge twist! It was such a great read. Thank you Lisa!
March 31, 2019
Really good story. Had to give it 5 stars.
April 23, 2019
Pulls at your heart strings.
May 22, 2019
I could not put it dowm
An engaging story that starts with young love and is quickly overtaken by evil tragedy. It is heartwarming to read how the love and hope persevere.
An engaging story that starts with young love and is quickly overtaken by evil tragedy. It is heartwarming to read how the love and hope persevere.
March 29, 2020
Great
Loved this story! It was hard to put down. Sweet love story, but very dark in places, and a lot of suspense. I would recommend this book.
Loved this story! It was hard to put down. Sweet love story, but very dark in places, and a lot of suspense. I would recommend this book.
May 11, 2020
A love story
Touching and refreshing. A story of enduring love among heartbreak and tremendous endurance. Highly recommend work of art. Very much enjoyed!!
Touching and refreshing. A story of enduring love among heartbreak and tremendous endurance. Highly recommend work of art. Very much enjoyed!!
August 28, 2020
Longing for home
The book and story line were good, but the back and forth of the story from past to present day kept me from enjoying it as much as I would have.
The book and story line were good, but the back and forth of the story from past to present day kept me from enjoying it as much as I would have.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews