A new-to-me-author, Hazel James, delivers one of only a few romances I've read that include a tornado chasing hero. Living in the middle of tornado alley where the wind comes sweeping down the plain and where tornadoes come calling each spring, I've dived into my hidey hole more times than I care to remember so this book resonated with me immediately. The Oklahoma setting for this story, along with references to many familiar sites located in close proximity to my hometown, gave it a personal feel. How could I have missed Chased when it was first released over a year ago? I'm very pleased that I got a second chance when it showed up on Kindle Unlimited this past week (without a real tornado, thankfully).
As a reader, there's nothing better than finding yourself captured by a book that makes you forget you're reading words, and suddenly all the descriptions and conversations are playing like a movie in your head. I'm still reeling from being engulfed by this twister that covers a lot of territory. An awe-inspiring writer, James paints pictures in your mind that simply absorb your thoughts and emotions before sweeping you away into a vortex of time and place. From laughing out loud to reaching for Kleenex to dry tears, and every kind of feeling in between, the book is filled with an even division of good, bad and ugly.
This story entails some dark elements. It wasn’t always an easy read. There were some very difficult and heartbreaking issues that were included which might present triggers to some readers. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Suicide, Childhood Abuse, Alcohol and Drug Abuse are among them. The author deals with each one realistically, sensitively, and respectfully. Our hero, DH returns from foreign service with injuries and PTSD, along with the kind of childhood memories that create nightmares.
Told in first person alternating POVs by the two leading characters -- Paige Landry, a hard-working, sassy and book-loving Emergency Room nurse with a Cherry-flavored Chapstick obsession, and DH Rhoads, retired from the Air Force Military Pararescue Team, now working as a mechanic in the family business -- and a man who chases storms in both his personal life and weather-wise. From the moment they meet in the ER, one bump on the head and a "Drive Friendly" sign later, they are pretty much on each other’s radar with their chemistry at an EF-5 rating.
Another great layer to the story is the friendships and love that is shared among family and friends. Everyone and everything feel real and like home. Small town camaraderie and close-knit family relationship are at the center. DH shares a close relationship with his dad's brother and his family. Between DH and his cousin Eric readers are provided with some great bantering and male bonding experiences. Paige is an avid reader and a few of her favorite books will be familiar -- she likes romances! She quickly becomes great friends with DH's family and circle of friends.
The biggest problem for me with this story was the fact that Paige had a long-distance boyfriend who quickly became a week-long fiancé. Poor Chad never had any page-time with his fiancée – just a few text messages and phone calls (including the break-up). The addition felt like he was an afterthought to add a little more drama where none was needed. He never stood a chance against the storm chaser, and the story would have stood just as strong without the weak link.
The other little blip, in what I found otherwise to be a stroke of perfection, involved DH and his dirty talking that came on like gangbusters from the get-go. It was a bit over-the-top, too much, too soon -- for this reader anyway. You could probably best describe him as rough around the edges with a heart of gold. There was no way that DH Rhoads was going to let me walk away without falling head-over-heels for him. It just wasn't in his DNA.
Eventually, the storm clouds clear and the sun shines through, bringing an amazing Epilogue filled with clear blue skies and a solid and joyous happily-ever-after. A book I highly recommend to any reader searching for something surprising and noteworthy attached to the romantic trope. Don’t underestimate the power this little gem packs. CHASED has ALL the feels and details to add that extra layer of remarkable!