"Grasping Hope"
By Heather Greer

About the Book:

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Release Date: March 2019

When dreams turn into nightmares what’s left to hold onto?

Katie McGowan knows her fears are irrational. They’re also beyond her control. Her mind says her fiancé is faithful, but the betrayal of her past love ignites a fear stronger than her trust. Attempts to overcome it are unsuccessful. Nothing banishes her panic attacks for good. Dreading Austin’s response if he finds out about her struggle to trust, Katie hides the truth nearly destroying their relationship.

It takes a lesson in hope to start healing. Katie is released from the nightmares holding her captive to enjoy the blessings God has given. But when tragedies change her life forever, Katie’s understanding of hope is challenged. Unresolved anger and disappointment leave Katie doubting the sincerity of her beliefs. Desperate to prove her faith and minimize her failure as a believer, Katie buries her feelings beneath all the right words. Katie must learn where true hope is found or risk losing her faith under the weight of the things she has lost.

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My Thoughts :

This book is one that I read in a day, one that I could not put down due to the deep impact it had on me. I easily was able to identify with the main character, Katie, who tried so hard to handle her deep seated problems on her own. I could have been Katie during the early years of my life. She experienced panic attacks as a result of her intense worry about living up to others' expectations. A panic attack has to be the worse feeling in the world, one of being terrified , not really knowing why. I laughed at times, at others, I cried as I walked alongside Katie in her desire to love Austin, all the while not wanting to admit her weaknesses, and always wondering if she was good enough for him. It was such a delight seeing Katie's heart being molded and her life changing through things happening beyond her control. After being cheated on and betrayed by a former love, Katie had such a struggle overcoming her feelings of insecurity. The reconnecting with her parents and once again regaining her faith helped her so much. She was able to maintain a relationship with Austin despite her fears and worries.

The plot moved at a steady pace and had a very unexpected development in about the middle of the book that was surprising, at least to me. It was not a path that I wanted the story to go down, however, it certainly made my interest jump to a higher level . The author chose the perfect moment to draw readers
right into the depth of the tale.

A five star book!!! Loved it! Will eagerly be awaiting a new book from this author!

This book was provided by CelebrateLit. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

About the Author:

Heather Greer is a pastor’s kid and pastor’s wife from southern Illinois. Though her nest is quickly approaching the empty stage, with three of her four children out on their own, she enjoys the times she gets to spend with all her children, husband, and grandson. Equal mix geek and romantic, you could as easily find Heather watching an episode of Doctor Who as the latest Hallmark movie. Of course, you may find her baking, reading, or crafting too!

Heather’s writing and teaching ministries revolve around a passion to see believers grow in their faith. Though God has used her most often with teens and adults, she has worked in ministries reaching all age groups through the years. It is Heather’s prayer for God to use what she writes in her books and on her blog to challenge and encourage readers in their faith walks.

More from Heather

Often, we throw around the word hope as if it’s a fancy replacement for a wish. Nothing could be further from the truth. Godly hope is more than wishing our circumstances were different without any indication that our desire could become reality. When our hope is based on who God is and what He has promised in His word, it becomes something to anchor us in the troubling times we go through. It is what allows us to give the circumstances that weigh us down to God and go on living life even though physically there may be no changes in what’s happening.

Hope isn’t pretending the bad stuff isn’t there. And it isn’t acting as if the hard things don’t hurt. Hope doesn’t erase the hurt or ignore the problems, but it does free us from allowing our emotions and circumstances to control us. Hope lets us have peace that makes no sense to the rest of the world. Hope allows us to rest in the middle of the trial. Hope based on scriptural truths allows us to live with joy even when things aren’t going our way.

As I wrote Grasping Hope, God took me to places that challenged and grew my own understanding of what it means to have hope as an anchor to our souls (Hebrews 6:19). When I started writing, I had no idea the path God would take me down to show me just how little I understood about hope. It’s something I never want to repeat and wouldn’t wish on anyone. But the lessons I learned grew me as a believer, and it is my prayer that what I learned through this difficult time in my life comes through clearly for everyone who reads Grasping Hope.