Chasing Amanda [Paperback]

Melissa Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2012

WINNER: Readers' Favorite Award & Global Ebook Award
FINALIST: Two Additional Readers' Favorite Categories

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"Secrets make this tale outstanding." Hagerstown Magazine

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"Great mix of suspense, paranormal, and character." NYT Bestselling Author, Joni Rodgers

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"...compelling, character-driven mystery with a paranormal edge." --Honest Indie Book Reviews

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"To say that this novel is sheer, literary brilliance is an understatement. This book will not let you down, nor will you be able to put it down." -eNovel Reviews

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An emotional read that tests the strength of one's own ability to deal with a parent's worst nightmare.

 

 

Nine years ago, Molly Tanner witnessed a young girl's abduction in the busy city of Philadelphia, shifting her occasional clairvoyance into overdrive. Two days later, the girl's body was found, and Molly's life fell apart. Consumed by guilt for not acting upon her visions, and on the brink of losing her family, Molly escaped the torturous reminders in the city, fleeing to the safety of the close-knit rural community of Boyds, Maryland. 

Molly's life is back on track, her son has begun college, and she and her husband have finally rekindled their relationship. Their fresh start is shattered when a seven-year-old girl disappears from a local park near Molly's home. Unable to turn her back on another child and troubled by memories of the past, Molly sets out to find her, jeopardizing the marriage she'd fought so hard to hold together. While unearthing clues and struggling to decipher her visions, Molly discovers another side of Boyds, where the residents--and the land itself--hold potentially lethal secrets, and exposes another side of her husband, one that threatens to tear them apart.

 

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**Looking for Melissa Foster's other bestsellers?**

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MEGAN'S WAY

Amazon International Bestselling Kindle, Drama & Theater, Mothers and Children

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COME BACK TO ME

Amazon International Bestselling Kindle, Literary Fiction, Drama

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TRACES OF KARA

Amazon International Bestselling Kindle, Hard Boiled Mystery, Drama, Theater

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HAVE NO SHAME

Amazon International Bestselling Kindle, Coming Of Age

  

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a story of madness and mystery that drew me in from the first paragraph...a tale of love, retribution, hope and betrayal...a page turner that will leave you breathless..." --Readers Round Table

"...the MUST READ THRILLER of 2011. Intelligent, entrancing, luminious." --Author Dean Mayes

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"Foster captures the terror and fear of an abducted child as well as the passion and resolve of the woman who is driven to rescue her before it's too late in this riveting, polished page-turner." --IndieReader.com

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"CHASING AMANDA is a fine psychic thriller, highly recommended." -- Midwest Book Review

"[Foster's] newest release captivated me. [It] covers a subject that is every parent's nightmare. The story had me hooked and shocked. The characters are well written." --Jeanette Stingley, Women's Literary Editor, Bella Online

"Secrets make this tale outstanding." -- Hagerstown Magazine

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"...Foster's writing reminds me of Ted Dekker. The suspense is so strong I'm waiting for the theme music to jump out and scare me as I turn the pages." --The Surrendered Scribe

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

2011 Top Ten Kindle Books, Pixel of Ink

 

AMAZON Top Bestselling 100 Kindle, MYSTERY and THRILLER

AMAZON Top 100 Bestselling Books, MYSTERY and LITERATURE AND FICTION

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"Melissa Foster is truly a wonderful story teller and if you enjoy suspenseful romances, you will love this book." -- Readers Favorite 5 STARS

 

From the Author

I began writing Chasing Amanda in 2006, set it down to write Megan's Way in 2008, and revisited it in 2009 with even more subplots in mind. The idea came to me while running solo down White Ground Road, which is mentioned in the novel. Much of the landscape and architecture mentioned in the book is true to Boyds, and is just as foreboding in the dark of night as it is portrayed in Chasing Amanda. Boyds, however, is not a town where any of these events have taken place, nor are the people likened to residents of the small town. I tend to write about my worst fears, and, as you will read, this touched on the one that scares me the most. I hope you enjoy the story. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Solstice Publishing (March 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615477526
• ISBN-13: 978-0615477527
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (352 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose

"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"--Author Jennie Shortridge

Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women's Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Cafe. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children, she's written for Calgary's Child Magazine and Women Business Owners Magazine, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest or her personal website.

Awards:

Megan's Way

2011 Beach Book Award Winner (Spirituality)
2011 Readers Favorite Awards, Winner (Fiction/Drama), Finalist (Women's Fiction)
2010 Next Generation Indie Book Award, Finalist (Spirituality)
2011 New England Book Festival, Honorable Mention (Spirituality)

Chasing Amanda

2011 Readers Favorite Awards, Winner (Paranormal), Finalist, (Women's Fiction, Mystery)
2011 Dan Poynter's Global eBook Awards, Winner, (Paranormal)
Top 10 Books of 2011, Pixel of Ink
Amazon Top 100 75+ Days running
Indie Reader's Bestselling List That Counts (8 weeks)
Top Books of 2011, The Write Agenda

Come Back To Me

2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist,
2012 Readers Favorite Awards, Finalist
2012 Kindle Book Review Best Indie Books Award, Semi-Finalist (Winners TBD Oct. 2012)
2011 Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards, Finalist
Top 5 Must Read Books of 2011, IndieReader
Top Ten Books of 2011, Tea Time With Marce
IndieReader Best Reviewed Books of 2011, Huffington Post

PUBLISHER'S MARKETPLACE: Melissa Foster

Member: Maryland Writers' Association

Member: Independent Author Network

Comments from Melissa:

Hello everyone! I grew up in Maryland with my mother, a slew of wonderful brothers, and friends. I am passionate about writing, reading, living healthy, and helping others do the same, and enjoy just about anything outdoors (and anything chocolate!). I love to chat with readers and book clubs, and welcome your comments and suggestions. Feel free to email me. You can also catch me on The Women's Nest, user name, "Thinkhappy".

Thanks for reading!

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#35 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Historical

#51 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#64 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#74 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#35 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Historical

#51 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#64 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#74 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

270 of 277 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the book, "Chasing Amanda" April 13, 2011

By nanascurse

Format:Kindle Edition

In "Chasing Amanda" Melissa Foster guides us in helping Molly; wife, mother to a teenage son, search for a missing girl. The young girl has disappeared from their quiet, rural community; a place where things like this simply don't happen. For Molly, it's deja vu. Several years earlier, while living in Philadelphia, she witnessed a similar event. She did nothing at that time, and has been tormented by her inaction ever since.

Molly's special gift, or curse, is her clairvoyance. She can sometimes 'see' things that others cannot. In Philadelphia, she failed the little girl, whose body was found shortly after. Now, she promised herself that she would not make that mistake again. Molly persists, using her clairvoyance and sheer stubbornness in an effort to find the child. In doing so, Molly exposes her town's shameful secrets, presenting a conclusion to this story, that I never saw coming!

Melissa Foster's skill with her characters, drew me into the story immediately. The suspense that followed made this book a definite page-turner!

71 of 77 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! May 24, 2011

By J. M. Reed

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Melissa Foster has truly done it again. Weaving the reader through the intricate dealings with relationships, but also bringing twists and turns to the plot to keep you from putting the book down! Foster does a fantastic job making the reader feel the emotions and urgency the characters feel. It is like you are along for the journey. Put simply....A MUST READ! Wonderful follow-up to Megan's Way! Absolutely cannot wait for her next book!

91 of 101 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Book full of secrets July 13, 2011

By Workaday Reads

Format:Paperback

Molly's life was turned upside down when she witnessed the abduction of Amanda, but didn't recognize it as an abduction. In an effort to try to save her life and marriage, she moved her family to the small town of Boyds. Everything seems to be getting better until a little girl goes missing. Molly feels compelled to help find her, even if it means destroying the peace she has finally found. Can she find Tracey before she loses everything she loves?

I enjoyed the storyline, but didn't like Molly. I found her selfish, unrealistic and just plain annoying. I have tried to figure out why I disliked her so much, but I can't pinpoint any one thing. In the first few chapters, I found myself sympathizing and siding with her husband more than her, and I just never got over that.

Since Molly's character is such a big focus in the book, I found it hard to get into the rest of the story. I did find myself interested in how the kidnapper was. There were hints here and there, and I did figure it out about halfway through the book. This didn't detract from the story as I was still trying to figure out more of the back story.

Overall, this was an interesting storyline with lots of secrets to be revealed. I really wanted to love the book, but I couldn't connect with, or even like, the main character, which definitely affected my opinion. This is a book I would recommend as I am sure I am in the minority regarding Molly.