Past Forward-A Serial Novel: Volume III

Past Forward #10-14

by Chautona Havig

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. This collection includes episodes ten through fourteen of Past Forward. In this volume, Chad and Willow's engagement doesn't stay a secret for as long as they expected. Willow is initiated in the sport of shopping, attends her first ball, and a week with Marianne and Chad at her house is followed soon after by a week of Aggie's children. This volume introduces her to weddings and ends with a surprise twist. Follow as Willow's story unfolds past forward.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian

374 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2012

About the author

**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.

Reviews

[Melody Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of disappoints in this book. Willow is extremely naive times ten.

Marianne, Chad's mother, well let me just say I didn't like her at all. She was a buttinsky and thought it would be fun to shock Willow with a personal bridal shower. Willow barely had a clue about sex thinking it was something you only did to have a baby. Had no clue about the pleasure aspect until later on.

Marianne, MIL, thought it would be hilarious to watch Willow be shocked. I felt it was a very cruel thing to do. Poor Willow didn't want to open any more gifts and was brutally embarrassed especially with her newly found grandmother present. In fact she had no clue what most of the gifts were.

She was mortified with all the honeymoon outfits. The others didn't know it was going to be a sexless marriage. It was horrifying.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wish the book didn't have as much talk about "girl" things. It wasn't as much as in Volume 2, but still too much hinting and stuff for my tastes. The excitement was . . . well, exciting and made it hard to put the book down. Still not something I'd recommend for guys. Even as a young lady I felt a bit uncomfortable at times.

[Barbara Keigher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favorite of all the novels I have read by this author.
I loved that it is clean and has many Biblical principles
( and Lo and behold I think I even recall of Bible verse....)
I know this author prefers to show the Bible lived out and she does that well....but I do love it when authors also include Bible verses
I would recommend this novel.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Continuation of a unique Contemporary Christian fiction serial.

This was definitely a more "edge of your seat" and "mature" portion of the serial. Parents please consider reading first before sharing with your older teens and above.

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I’m infatuated with this love story - and I don’t usually read romance. Havig is a true master and shows readers her Master in everything she writes. I’d say more, but I’m off to read the next book ;-)

[Gloria Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully fashioned love story!

I loved this novel and the simple Godly lifestyle of Willow and Chad. Highly recommend this book from an excellent author.

[LaShunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool!

I love this extended story. So much is able to happen in this almost kindle vella type of format. The story is both exciting and sweet. On to the next!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is another good story in the series

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as with the first 2 volumes I loved this one. Could not put it down and spent 2 nights reading until 3am because I just had to know what what going to happen next.

If you are looking for love & romance without all of the explicit language and sex scenes then this is the series for you. Would be perfect for teenage girls to read. It contains the kind of love & romance that all girls should hold out for.

[Lynette Alshanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better as I get to know the characters. We are deeply into their lives and I can't wait to keep reading.

[Amy]

Wonderful read!