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Past Forward #1
Past Forward: The Beginning, Episode 1
Past Forward is a serial novel released weekly on Kindle.
Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.
When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.
From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.
Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.
Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.
When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother still in her bed, never to awaken again in this life.
From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid.
Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2012
25 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Chautona Havig
275 books1,833 followers**fingers skittle across the keyboard. Stop. Eyelids blink over the top**
Oh, was this bio day? Oops! I forgot. I was lost in my latest manuscript. Umm... bio. Yeah.
Hi! I’m Chautona Havig. (for those who care, that’s Shuh-TONE-uh HAVE-ig). Yeah. Just work with me here. I should have used a pseudonym, but when you grow up with a name like Chautona, it kind of sticks.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10: 23–25
Those aren’t just words on a page for me–they’re why I write. I write to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. The stories I create are to make people laugh, cry, question, consider.
They’re for you.
When the world screams for hope, I try to point you to the true Source of hope–Jesus.
Sometimes life in the church no longer seems a refuge from the pain of a self-serving world around us, but through my stories, I try to point you to the only Refuge that can truly help–the Father’s Everlasting Arms.
And sometimes we just need an escape from the monotony, the emptiness we see around us. We need joy, laughter–what I like to call “just the write escape.”
Christian fiction without apology or pretense–lived, not preached.
What does that even mean?
It means I care–about you. About your walk with Jesus. I care about the words you put before your eyes, the mental pictures those words conjure. It’s difficult to express just how much I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s difficult to share just how much I love you.
But I do.
And I write for you. I sit in my little house in California’s Mojave Desert and I write to show you why one sister believes one thing, why a brother believes another. I write to show you how some Christians handle trials or triumphs–for you. So when you’re faced with something–good or bad, it doesn’t matter–maybe it’ll spark a memory. Maybe that memory will smolder until you pull out your Bible and see what the Lord said about it–about His great love for you. For YOU!
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll share that love with another hurting, confused, or blessed-with-more-than-she-knows-what-to-do-with soul.
I just happen to think that’s the most blessed giving anyone could hope to receive.
Oh, was this bio day? Oops! I forgot. I was lost in my latest manuscript. Umm... bio. Yeah.
Hi! I’m Chautona Havig. (for those who care, that’s Shuh-TONE-uh HAVE-ig). Yeah. Just work with me here. I should have used a pseudonym, but when you grow up with a name like Chautona, it kind of sticks.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10: 23–25
Those aren’t just words on a page for me–they’re why I write. I write to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. The stories I create are to make people laugh, cry, question, consider.
They’re for you.
When the world screams for hope, I try to point you to the true Source of hope–Jesus.
Sometimes life in the church no longer seems a refuge from the pain of a self-serving world around us, but through my stories, I try to point you to the only Refuge that can truly help–the Father’s Everlasting Arms.
And sometimes we just need an escape from the monotony, the emptiness we see around us. We need joy, laughter–what I like to call “just the write escape.”
Christian fiction without apology or pretense–lived, not preached.
What does that even mean?
It means I care–about you. About your walk with Jesus. I care about the words you put before your eyes, the mental pictures those words conjure. It’s difficult to express just how much I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s difficult to share just how much I love you.
But I do.
And I write for you. I sit in my little house in California’s Mojave Desert and I write to show you why one sister believes one thing, why a brother believes another. I write to show you how some Christians handle trials or triumphs–for you. So when you’re faced with something–good or bad, it doesn’t matter–maybe it’ll spark a memory. Maybe that memory will smolder until you pull out your Bible and see what the Lord said about it–about His great love for you. For YOU!
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll share that love with another hurting, confused, or blessed-with-more-than-she-knows-what-to-do-with soul.
I just happen to think that’s the most blessed giving anyone could hope to receive.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 27, 2019
There are many episodes so I am going to write my review or a synopsis on Episode One.
What I liked: I loved the fact that most of the characters were Christians. I liked that they went to church and lived their life for Christ. I thought it was so sweet how they met and how he continued to see her even though he didn't want to. He had a very bad experience with a young women who when he didn't return her feelings she spread vicious lies about him that could have ruined his life. He is shy and quite backward because of it. The story was a lovely one.
What I didn't care for: The hero (26) runs to mom and dad every time there's a question or problem with the heroine/fiancee/wife. For me there was just far too much parental envolvement. To much of mom giving her opinion when it wasn't asked for. Too much pressure on the daughter-in-law to get pregnant and I found that ridiculous. Our hero would call home at two in the morning if he needed advice or to share! I guess to sum it up is they were too interferring, especially his mom. She thought she had all the answers and she spoke up more often than she should have. I am all for asking if you need an opinion or guidance but this was too much. I struggled with how the parents acted as opposed to what the Bible says. A man shall leave his family and cleave to his wife. No where does it say anything about keeping contact almost daily and sharing private details about their life and without his wife's knowledge.
I highly recommend this series!
What I liked: I loved the fact that most of the characters were Christians. I liked that they went to church and lived their life for Christ. I thought it was so sweet how they met and how he continued to see her even though he didn't want to. He had a very bad experience with a young women who when he didn't return her feelings she spread vicious lies about him that could have ruined his life. He is shy and quite backward because of it. The story was a lovely one.
What I didn't care for: The hero (26) runs to mom and dad every time there's a question or problem with the heroine/fiancee/wife. For me there was just far too much parental envolvement. To much of mom giving her opinion when it wasn't asked for. Too much pressure on the daughter-in-law to get pregnant and I found that ridiculous. Our hero would call home at two in the morning if he needed advice or to share! I guess to sum it up is they were too interferring, especially his mom. She thought she had all the answers and she spoke up more often than she should have. I am all for asking if you need an opinion or guidance but this was too much. I struggled with how the parents acted as opposed to what the Bible says. A man shall leave his family and cleave to his wife. No where does it say anything about keeping contact almost daily and sharing private details about their life and without his wife's knowledge.
I highly recommend this series!
July 7, 2012
I read this in about an hour. It's interesting and beautifully written, it just moves too slowly. And knowing it's a serial novel tells me the pace is never going to pick up. Too bad, because it's lovely writing.
July 16, 2016
So far this series is great! The depth of emotion and the some-what complex sub-plots are a wonderful addition to an already-fun story line!
July 5, 2013
A compelling story that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go, I can't wait to see what's going to happen next.
July 7, 2012
Release on 3 Jul 2012, Past Forward is a poignant and compelling. At 58 pages it can be read rather quickly. It written as a serial, so there is definitely more to come. Because it ends with a cliffhanger, that’s begging to be explored.
I instantly felt a connection with this character Willow. Although she’s socially awkward, she is extremely intelligence and observe; even more so than the people around her. She was so self-sufficient. It made me question the wasteful time we as a society spends on modern conveniences.
It’s more of a short story rather than a novel. I think it can be enjoyed by people 12 and up. For younger kids it could be used to explain dead and how people move on from it. The only thing that may be objectionable to some if discussion in a family setting is Willow’s conception . Every Thursday, the next installment will be released FREE for a limited time.
I instantly felt a connection with this character Willow. Although she’s socially awkward, she is extremely intelligence and observe; even more so than the people around her. She was so self-sufficient. It made me question the wasteful time we as a society spends on modern conveniences.
It’s more of a short story rather than a novel. I think it can be enjoyed by people 12 and up. For younger kids it could be used to explain dead and how people move on from it. The only thing that may be objectionable to some if discussion in a family setting is Willow’s conception . Every Thursday, the next installment will be released FREE for a limited time.
July 10, 2012
To be continued. . .
August 28, 2012
I really liked this book but it was way too short.
October 27, 2012
Wonderful story. I couldn't put it down!
March 14, 2013
LOVED THIS SERIES & THIS AUTHOR
April 22, 2021
There's more to this story than meets the eye! At first read, this is a fun story about a young woman in an unusual situation. Willow has always lived an isolated life. After the death of her mother, she's "discovered" by the community and regarded with a mix of curiosity, awe, and pity. But Willow is interesting. She's free of social constraints, but she has moral constraints. She isn't accustomed to adapting to fit into other people's lives. She isn't weak or timid. She's willful and intelligent - just as you would expect from her upbringing. I can imagine her so vividly!
Great characterization. The author also does a good job of describing the community's reactions and interactions with Willow. Great book!
Great characterization. The author also does a good job of describing the community's reactions and interactions with Willow. Great book!
May 19, 2019
I really enjoyed reading about Willow. It was fascinating to see how her mother had raised her and why she was raised the way she was. I also am really enjoying both Chad and Bill. I like both of these men and think Willow would have a very hard time choosing between the two. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
October 9, 2025
This was . . . okay. Felt a little bland and not enough happens to make me interested in continuing the story.
July 17, 2013
This book is a true marvel.
Do you remember the movie "Nell" with Jodie Foster? This story has echos of Nell but much more substance. Willow Finley isloated by her mother's choices, get tossed into the "real world" by her mother's untimely death. Forced to open her life more than her mother would have liked, she begins to learn what life is really all about.
Chad,the police rookie "townie" wants more than what he has. He doesn't want to help Willow but chooses to befriend her and introduce her the town he wants to leave. Bill, Willow's financial advisor, wants more than friendship from the naive girl, but is willing to hope that her introduction to "city life" will make her want to move there and leave the life her mother built for her.
All of this causes strains on Willow and it is fascinating to see what growing up was like through the jourbals her mother keft behind. We see how different life was when Kari first moved there and how protective she was of her growing child. We see Willow emotionally begin to mature, both in her faith and her actions.
By the time the book is done you crave the next. Ms. Havig is a great writer.
Do you remember the movie "Nell" with Jodie Foster? This story has echos of Nell but much more substance. Willow Finley isloated by her mother's choices, get tossed into the "real world" by her mother's untimely death. Forced to open her life more than her mother would have liked, she begins to learn what life is really all about.
Chad,the police rookie "townie" wants more than what he has. He doesn't want to help Willow but chooses to befriend her and introduce her the town he wants to leave. Bill, Willow's financial advisor, wants more than friendship from the naive girl, but is willing to hope that her introduction to "city life" will make her want to move there and leave the life her mother built for her.
All of this causes strains on Willow and it is fascinating to see what growing up was like through the jourbals her mother keft behind. We see how different life was when Kari first moved there and how protective she was of her growing child. We see Willow emotionally begin to mature, both in her faith and her actions.
By the time the book is done you crave the next. Ms. Havig is a great writer.
March 11, 2014
I have not read Ms. Havig's books in order, so I believe I already met these characters in another book. I remember thinking at the time that there must be an interesting background involved, and I was right! Willow is lovely and innocent, having been protected from many worldly experiences. Chad is totally perplexed with Willow's situation. Working in law enforcement, even he never met anyone quite like her. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. This author comes up with some unique situations and characters and is a breath of fresh air.
August 25, 2013
I found this book fascinating...... until the end, then the main character's behavior became abruptly different, and I found that confusing. This book has many installments, and I will continue to read them when Amazon offers them free for kindle!
February 23, 2015
what a moving story
We have all grieved in different ways. When one loses someone they are very close to, it is hard to grieve in ways that most would deem acceptable. I love this story and my heart reaches out to Willow. I love this story.
We have all grieved in different ways. When one loses someone they are very close to, it is hard to grieve in ways that most would deem acceptable. I love this story and my heart reaches out to Willow. I love this story.
July 7, 2012
This should have a complete book. Can't wait to see what comes next.
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July 7, 2012So far it is good
July 17, 2012
The book is interesting with an unusual premise. However, I did not realize it was not a complete story. I really don't like to turn the page and read "to be continued".
February 18, 2013
This was a strange kind of short read but being as I've read a later novel from Havig with these characters, I'm curious to see where this series leads.
August 11, 2013
I enjoyed this book but I wish it was a whole book rather than a serial novel that you have to continually pay for to get the rest of the story. I enjoyed it though.
September 12, 2016
Started out good but then was kind of meh.
July 4, 2016
Wow! Willow is the most interesting and unusual character. Don't miss her.
February 22, 2015
Excellent! Loved the series!
March 18, 2015
Excellent Series!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews