A Story of Family, Forgiveness, and Unshakeable Hope.

Based on a true story inspired by faith, family, and the courage to begin again.

Get the book on Amazon

Hope Is My Anchor is available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover.

A journey shaped by hardship, courage, and the search for lasting hope.

At just twelve years old, Manny runs away from a violent home on the island of Crete, driven by a dream of freedom and a better life. What follows is a journey that spans oceans, cultures, and decades — forcing him to confront the cost of his choices, the pull of family and heritage, and what it truly means to build a life rooted in hope.

Hope Is My Anchor is a story of family, forgiveness, and resilience in the relentless pursuit of a life worth holding onto.

Read the First Chapter Free

Born into a poor and violent family in the 1950s on the island of Crete, Manny clings to the hope of finding happiness and freedom beyond his troubled home. At age twelve, he courageously runs away, embarking on a voyage that takes him around the world as a member of the Merchant Marines.

As he fights for his dream to become an American citizen, Manny must deal with the consequences of his choices that separate him from his family and Greek heritage. As he learns what it means to become the head of an American household, he continues chasing happiness while trying not to lose what matters most.

Manny’s journey touches on the universal struggles all people face in the pursuit of freedom, belonging, and hope.

Inspired by the true events that shaped Manny’s journey from Crete to America.

What readers said

Readers share how this story stayed with them

★★★★★

It was hard to put the book down and I had to keep reading to find out what happens next. – Sheila from Michigan

★★★★★

A moving, sincere debut that reminds us how messy and how beautiful family can be. It’s a moving and emotional read, especially for those who value stories of resilience, faith, the complexities of family and the immigrant experience. – Julie from Michigan

★★★★★

Loved this book! A story of faith, resilience and family that I could not put down. Definitely recommend. – Kathy from Florida

About the author

Anna Broome

Hope Is My Anchor is Anna Broome’s fictional debut, inspired by the true life story of her father. Deeply connected to her Greek heritage and her family’s roots on the island of Crete, Anna writes stories shaped by faith, family, and the enduring search for hope.

Anna lives in Michigan with her husband of twenty-six years and is the mom of three grown sons. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors, often drawing inspiration from nature and the stories that connect generations.

Through her writing, Anna hopes to honor family stories and explore themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the quiet strength that carries us forward.

Photo Journey

Take a journey through the book with these photos

Chapters

1

Merchant Marine Ship

  • Manny boarded a Merchant Marine ship that looked much like this one in the early 1960’s

2

Heraklion, Crete

  • The Venetian fort near the port in Heraklion where Manny boarded the first ship in 1962,

3

Detroit Skyline

  • The Merchant Marine ship entered the Detroit River through the St Lawrence Seaway and made a stop in Detroit.

4

Royal Victoria Hotel

  • The Royal Victoria Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas that Manny and Martha stayed at while waiting for Manny’s paperwork to process.

5

Greektown

  • Greektown, Detroit in the late 1960’s was a bustling and very ethnic area filled with authentic Greek food and shopping.

6

Mountains of Crete

  • Mountain range outside of Heraklion near where Manny was born and lived until he was twelve.
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