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Moving On
Anna is a mysterious young widow who just moved to Regina Beach. The residents of the small town know everyone’s business and they are very keen on discovering Anna’s secrets. She meets Nick, a Sergeant in the Canadian Army, until a horrific accident sent him home to recover from his injuries sustained in an IED explosion. He helps Anna feel safe and comfortable in her new environment, just as he has always done for his men in strange, dangerous places. Meanwhile, he focuses on preparing for his future physical endurance test to prove that he is capable of returning to active duty.Because Anna doesn’t talk about her past and Nick doesn’t talk about his future, she is shocked to discover that his greatest wish is to return to active duty. Afraid of getting hurt, she won’t love a man who may die on the job again. Intellectually, she knows that all life cycles end, but emotionally, she doesn’t know if she has the strength to support Nick.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
42 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Annette Bower
9 books184 followersAuthor of short stories published in anthologies and magazines in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Annette writes contemporary novels with a nod to social issues.
Her novel, Woman of Substance explores women's relationship to their body image and also being an adult orphan, and ends with love.
Her novel, Moving On explores grief, rehabilitation for a returned home Canadian soldier, and friendship growing into love.
Her third novel, Fearless Destiny, looks at adults discovering their own path in life and a community that accepts inclusion. This novel also explores intentional love.
Ponytails and Promises explore strong women needing assistance from a nurturing male.
Oranges for Miranda is a mature hero and heroine who have never met before. They do not have a history.
Follow the Swallow Home is heartwarming and cautious love.
Student of virtual book promotion.
Townie bicycle rider.
Traveller, soon to return to Portugal's Algarve.
Walker and short marathon walker whose fitness tracker tells her she has walked 8,400,000 steps since Sept. 2013. This indicates that sometimes she is a slug while her butt is in the chair and her fingers are on the keyboard.
She has a website at: www.annettebower.com and sends out a newsletter on the third Thursday of every month.
Annette writes contemporary novels with a nod to social issues.
Her novel, Woman of Substance explores women's relationship to their body image and also being an adult orphan, and ends with love.
Her novel, Moving On explores grief, rehabilitation for a returned home Canadian soldier, and friendship growing into love.
Her third novel, Fearless Destiny, looks at adults discovering their own path in life and a community that accepts inclusion. This novel also explores intentional love.
Ponytails and Promises explore strong women needing assistance from a nurturing male.
Oranges for Miranda is a mature hero and heroine who have never met before. They do not have a history.
Follow the Swallow Home is heartwarming and cautious love.
Student of virtual book promotion.
Townie bicycle rider.
Traveller, soon to return to Portugal's Algarve.
Walker and short marathon walker whose fitness tracker tells her she has walked 8,400,000 steps since Sept. 2013. This indicates that sometimes she is a slug while her butt is in the chair and her fingers are on the keyboard.
She has a website at: www.annettebower.com and sends out a newsletter on the third Thursday of every month.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 15, 2015
Tired of the looks, whispers, sympathetic gaze of friends and strangers Anna needs a fresh start. A week before her wedding, her fiancee dies, Anna is still struggling with her own emotions without needing the constant reminder from others of how she is feeling, she knows what she feels better than anyone. On her first night in Regina Beach she meets Nick, a Sergeant in the Canadian Army who is home adjusting to his life as an amputee. There is an instant comfortable banter between the two which quickly grows to friends of sorts. With a small town gossip mill, friendly neighbors, and a chance to find happiness Anna begins finding her new path along the way.
I loved Anna's neighbors, they made me smile and I instantly felt transplanted into their lives. I felt for Anna, she has her good days and a few bad days. Nick was inspirational, I thought he was sweet and understanding. Will definitely pick up more from this author.
I loved Anna's neighbors, they made me smile and I instantly felt transplanted into their lives. I felt for Anna, she has her good days and a few bad days. Nick was inspirational, I thought he was sweet and understanding. Will definitely pick up more from this author.
April 22, 2012
Since when does moving to a small town where you are an unknown quantity protect your secrets? Anna Jenkins thought so and boy was she wrong.
This story is about getting a chance at a new start in life. Both Nick and Anna are two people who have endured losses and in the meantime have seemingly lost their way. Anna rushes out on her former life to hide and lick her wounds in the small town of Regina Beach at the cottage she has inherited through Murray, her fiancé’s family, since he made her his beneficiary before he died. Anna is carrying around a boatload of misery and guilt. As a trauma nurse, she feels that somehow she should have saved Murray’s life after the accident that injured him. She has never learned to control her empathy so the hospital let her go when they were downsizing. With this new beginning, Anna has made the decision to separate from this past including a change of careers thus it is necessary to keep her secrets no matter how hard her well meaning neighbors pry to get her story.
Nick, though he is a hometown guy, left as soon as he could to avoid being a farmer like his father and to do something worthwhile by serving in the military. He was fulfilled as a peacekeeping soldier who was also able to use his skill to bring fresh water to the Afghan desert villages improving the quality of life. But a roadside bomb has changed everything. His future military career is uncertain now that he has to recover and learn to live without the lower half of his leg. He doesn’t want anyone to know and is able to keep his secret because he has a new state of the art prosthesis that allows him to perform almost without limits. Nick is given lots to think about and consider when his dad acts strangely while he is overseas by turning the farmhouse into a B&B inn and then suddenly goes off on a cruise almost as soon as Nick arrives back home. He is also forced to consider his options if he cannot pass his military fitness physical and get back to what he was doing in Afghanistan with his unit. The arrival of the new mystery gal, Anna, gives him yet something else to ponder.
And Nick is not the only one who ponders the mysterious and secretive Anna with her sad eyes and withdrawn behavior. The dwellers of Regina Beach, particularly Herman and Margaret Lamb Nick’s long friends and Anna’s neighbors, are on the hunt to discover what she is hiding. The Lamb’s are not malicious, but treat it like a game to ferret out where Anna came from and what her connection with their former neighbor was. Somehow, Anna must learn to trust and Nick must figure out what really has meaning to him if they are to be entirely free of the past and able to move toward what makes them happy.
The backdrop was well painted with words by the author. I got a good grasp of what a small farming resort area on the Canadian prairies was like. The feeling of a small town and its people who all know each other just added some fun to the story.
The plot of this story is not of the riveting fast moving kind. I do not mind a slow steady moving story, but that being said it must move forward. At times, it lost my interest because I did not see the story moving forward. There was lots of contact between Anna and Nick and Anna and her neighbors in which they all grew close, but I got tired after awhile of her refusing to just tell them the truth. I get that she didn’t want to field all the looks and prying questions, but truthfully she was getting them anyway by staying quiet. She looks on the Lambs and Nick as friends and supporters, but will not trust them. I guess I couldn’t see what the big deal was if they found out that her fiancé got into a terrible accident and she was not able to save him due to the severity of his injuries. I also get that this makes her gun shy about letting people know that she was a trauma nurse which might raise expectations when she just wants to try a different direction since her well of empathy is tapped almost dry. I was fine with all the secrets in the beginning, but I just got impatient when I did not see them as necessary.
This story is all about the characters and their development. Anna and Nick are suited to each other. I love the scene when they are out fishing and she gets all squeamish over the bait. The next door neighbors, Herman and Margaret, were some of the best secondary characters that I’ve read in a while. They were so well written and stole the scene most of the time. I have to give special mention to Nick’s dog Molly because she was an integral part of the story. As to development, both Nick and Anna do grow and their romance is taken very slowly with setbacks due to first a wrong assumption about who Anna is as well as their knowledge that Nick is not planning to stick around.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any Contemporary Sweet Romance lovers.
This story is about getting a chance at a new start in life. Both Nick and Anna are two people who have endured losses and in the meantime have seemingly lost their way. Anna rushes out on her former life to hide and lick her wounds in the small town of Regina Beach at the cottage she has inherited through Murray, her fiancé’s family, since he made her his beneficiary before he died. Anna is carrying around a boatload of misery and guilt. As a trauma nurse, she feels that somehow she should have saved Murray’s life after the accident that injured him. She has never learned to control her empathy so the hospital let her go when they were downsizing. With this new beginning, Anna has made the decision to separate from this past including a change of careers thus it is necessary to keep her secrets no matter how hard her well meaning neighbors pry to get her story.
Nick, though he is a hometown guy, left as soon as he could to avoid being a farmer like his father and to do something worthwhile by serving in the military. He was fulfilled as a peacekeeping soldier who was also able to use his skill to bring fresh water to the Afghan desert villages improving the quality of life. But a roadside bomb has changed everything. His future military career is uncertain now that he has to recover and learn to live without the lower half of his leg. He doesn’t want anyone to know and is able to keep his secret because he has a new state of the art prosthesis that allows him to perform almost without limits. Nick is given lots to think about and consider when his dad acts strangely while he is overseas by turning the farmhouse into a B&B inn and then suddenly goes off on a cruise almost as soon as Nick arrives back home. He is also forced to consider his options if he cannot pass his military fitness physical and get back to what he was doing in Afghanistan with his unit. The arrival of the new mystery gal, Anna, gives him yet something else to ponder.
And Nick is not the only one who ponders the mysterious and secretive Anna with her sad eyes and withdrawn behavior. The dwellers of Regina Beach, particularly Herman and Margaret Lamb Nick’s long friends and Anna’s neighbors, are on the hunt to discover what she is hiding. The Lamb’s are not malicious, but treat it like a game to ferret out where Anna came from and what her connection with their former neighbor was. Somehow, Anna must learn to trust and Nick must figure out what really has meaning to him if they are to be entirely free of the past and able to move toward what makes them happy.
The backdrop was well painted with words by the author. I got a good grasp of what a small farming resort area on the Canadian prairies was like. The feeling of a small town and its people who all know each other just added some fun to the story.
The plot of this story is not of the riveting fast moving kind. I do not mind a slow steady moving story, but that being said it must move forward. At times, it lost my interest because I did not see the story moving forward. There was lots of contact between Anna and Nick and Anna and her neighbors in which they all grew close, but I got tired after awhile of her refusing to just tell them the truth. I get that she didn’t want to field all the looks and prying questions, but truthfully she was getting them anyway by staying quiet. She looks on the Lambs and Nick as friends and supporters, but will not trust them. I guess I couldn’t see what the big deal was if they found out that her fiancé got into a terrible accident and she was not able to save him due to the severity of his injuries. I also get that this makes her gun shy about letting people know that she was a trauma nurse which might raise expectations when she just wants to try a different direction since her well of empathy is tapped almost dry. I was fine with all the secrets in the beginning, but I just got impatient when I did not see them as necessary.
This story is all about the characters and their development. Anna and Nick are suited to each other. I love the scene when they are out fishing and she gets all squeamish over the bait. The next door neighbors, Herman and Margaret, were some of the best secondary characters that I’ve read in a while. They were so well written and stole the scene most of the time. I have to give special mention to Nick’s dog Molly because she was an integral part of the story. As to development, both Nick and Anna do grow and their romance is taken very slowly with setbacks due to first a wrong assumption about who Anna is as well as their knowledge that Nick is not planning to stick around.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any Contemporary Sweet Romance lovers.
June 17, 2012
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
Anna Jenkins is a broken woman looking for solace from the sad eyes and well meaning platitudes of friends and family for grief they couldn’t even begin to understand. Losing her fiancé was bad enough, but as a trauma nurse she's surrounded by daily reminders of his accident. It was enough to send Anna over the edge. While she knew everyone meant well, getting away from it all was just what she needed to begin healing. Murray’s cottage by the lake seemed to be the perfect place to start her new life, away from all the memories. Will Anna get what she needs from this tiny water side town? With Anna’s secrets, she can only hope the locals won't pry and instead will let her be until she's ready to tell them her story, if ever.
Nick Donnelly wasn’t expecting to ever have to come home from the Canadian Forces, until one day an IED took his decision away. The hero has two choices left , heal and find a new path, or be buried by the resentment eating away at the man he is and never heal. The journey is heartbreaking and real and all I wanted to do was hug Nick. His character made me ache from the agony, both emotional and physical, that he was in. The author did a wonderful job of bringing his pain to life in the pages of this book.
When Anna shows up on the doorstep of his B&B, haunted shadows in her eyes and needing a haven where she too can heal, Nick makes it his mission to help her and in turn begins his own healing. When feelings begin to develop between these two broken souls, can forgiveness and moving on be the very thing they both need to find each other in the abyss?
Set in Saskatchewan, Canada, the book was a delightful read. The characters, Anna and Nick were both so broken it would have been easy to write them both off, but Annette Bower made the entire story about healing broken hearts and soothing rioting souls. This was a great tale about forgiveness and moving on from tragedy without harping on all the bad that happened to the main characters. I will definitely read this story again and recommend it to other readers I know. If you are looking for a great story with a wonderful ending, then this is the story for you.
Anna Jenkins is a broken woman looking for solace from the sad eyes and well meaning platitudes of friends and family for grief they couldn’t even begin to understand. Losing her fiancé was bad enough, but as a trauma nurse she's surrounded by daily reminders of his accident. It was enough to send Anna over the edge. While she knew everyone meant well, getting away from it all was just what she needed to begin healing. Murray’s cottage by the lake seemed to be the perfect place to start her new life, away from all the memories. Will Anna get what she needs from this tiny water side town? With Anna’s secrets, she can only hope the locals won't pry and instead will let her be until she's ready to tell them her story, if ever.
Nick Donnelly wasn’t expecting to ever have to come home from the Canadian Forces, until one day an IED took his decision away. The hero has two choices left , heal and find a new path, or be buried by the resentment eating away at the man he is and never heal. The journey is heartbreaking and real and all I wanted to do was hug Nick. His character made me ache from the agony, both emotional and physical, that he was in. The author did a wonderful job of bringing his pain to life in the pages of this book.
When Anna shows up on the doorstep of his B&B, haunted shadows in her eyes and needing a haven where she too can heal, Nick makes it his mission to help her and in turn begins his own healing. When feelings begin to develop between these two broken souls, can forgiveness and moving on be the very thing they both need to find each other in the abyss?
Set in Saskatchewan, Canada, the book was a delightful read. The characters, Anna and Nick were both so broken it would have been easy to write them both off, but Annette Bower made the entire story about healing broken hearts and soothing rioting souls. This was a great tale about forgiveness and moving on from tragedy without harping on all the bad that happened to the main characters. I will definitely read this story again and recommend it to other readers I know. If you are looking for a great story with a wonderful ending, then this is the story for you.
May 6, 2012
Anna and Nick are the main characters in this book. This book uses Canadian English spelling so it may be a little off to some people. Please remember that it is not a grammar/edition mistake. That is how the words are spelled in Canada. Yes, it is correct I ask a friend I work with who is Canadian. I did not do this to verify who was right or wrong. I did this to help understand the book more.
Anna is trying to move on from the horrible past. It is something that everyone has tried to accomplish before. To move to a new city, a new job, a new house or apartment. To try anything to help forget the past that is haunting us over our shoulder. What Anna does not realize is that in a small town you can never run or hide from the past even if you are someone new. The natives their will want to know your whole life story. They will do anything to get it out of you or make up something just to satisfy their inquisitiveness.
I did not know until looking on a map that Regina Beach is an actual city in the Saskatchewan territory. When looking at the city the author actually used the real street names. I love an author that goes beyond normal when writing a book and that is what Ms. Bower completed in this book. To use actual street names shows how much she cared about the accuracy of this book.
I know that I am not providing a very good description of this book but if I talk too much about the plot or characters I will give some major spoilers and I honestly do not want to add those. Therefore, this was an amazing book. Thank you for such a great pleasant read Ms. Bower. I cannot wait to read another book you have written.
Anna is trying to move on from the horrible past. It is something that everyone has tried to accomplish before. To move to a new city, a new job, a new house or apartment. To try anything to help forget the past that is haunting us over our shoulder. What Anna does not realize is that in a small town you can never run or hide from the past even if you are someone new. The natives their will want to know your whole life story. They will do anything to get it out of you or make up something just to satisfy their inquisitiveness.
I did not know until looking on a map that Regina Beach is an actual city in the Saskatchewan territory. When looking at the city the author actually used the real street names. I love an author that goes beyond normal when writing a book and that is what Ms. Bower completed in this book. To use actual street names shows how much she cared about the accuracy of this book.
I know that I am not providing a very good description of this book but if I talk too much about the plot or characters I will give some major spoilers and I honestly do not want to add those. Therefore, this was an amazing book. Thank you for such a great pleasant read Ms. Bower. I cannot wait to read another book you have written.
June 11, 2012
This story is got my attention from the very first page. After reading the first couple of paragraphs, I was hooked. I had to know what was going on. Why was the heroine was there, and why she was so sad? The amount of character building the author did in only a few words was fantastic.
The writing was beautiful and descriptive, and I felt as though I was inside the heroine’s head while she lived through the things that were going on. She was starting a new life and hoping to be happy again someday, and because I was so caught up with her, I wanted the same thing.
The town she moved to was a small, delightful place, warm and friendly to everyone, including strangers. They took you into their hearts immediately. It was a place where folks were family. You mattered. And even when they butted in to your business, it was only with your best interests at heart.
The hero was a soldier who lived at a B&B and was injured physically and mentally. That they would meet and come together was a given, but it became more than that. They were both wounded spirits. As they spent time together, it was a lovely, warm and fun story. Everyone in the village helped them in their search for life again.
I couldn’t put the story down until I finished it. I wanted the both to be happy again. And although the story ended somewhat abruptly, I was satisfied with the finish. I think anyone looking for a sweet and warm romance will love this story.
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The writing was beautiful and descriptive, and I felt as though I was inside the heroine’s head while she lived through the things that were going on. She was starting a new life and hoping to be happy again someday, and because I was so caught up with her, I wanted the same thing.
The town she moved to was a small, delightful place, warm and friendly to everyone, including strangers. They took you into their hearts immediately. It was a place where folks were family. You mattered. And even when they butted in to your business, it was only with your best interests at heart.
The hero was a soldier who lived at a B&B and was injured physically and mentally. That they would meet and come together was a given, but it became more than that. They were both wounded spirits. As they spent time together, it was a lovely, warm and fun story. Everyone in the village helped them in their search for life again.
I couldn’t put the story down until I finished it. I wanted the both to be happy again. And although the story ended somewhat abruptly, I was satisfied with the finish. I think anyone looking for a sweet and warm romance will love this story.
http://its-raining-books.blogspot.com...
October 30, 2012
This book is a wonderful romantic love story you don't see too often. It has the right touch of romance from the start to finish. It is very well told as you are living it. Anna's life has a remarkable story that will have you smiling and crying in some parts of the story. If you are looking for romance being told in not right up and get me, this story has a not fast not slow either. But just knows where the highs and lows of this storyline of an old fashion love story.
Her Blurp:
Anna is a mysterious woman that has just moved to Regina Beach. The residents of the small town know everyone’s business and they are very interested in discovering Anna’s secrets. Nick was a Sergeant in the Canadian Army, doing active duty until a horrific accident sent him home to recover. He helps Anna feel safe and comfortable in her new environment, just as he has always done for his men in strange, dangerous places. Meanwhile, he focuses on preparing for his future physical endurance test to prove that he is capable of returning to active duty.
Anna doesn’t talk about her past, and Nick doesn’t talk about his future therefore she is shocked to discover that his greatest wish is to return to active duty. She won’t love a man who may die on the job again. Intellectually, she knows that all life cycles end, but emotionally, she doesn’t know if she has the strength to support Nick.
This is what made me want to read it over and over.... a wonderful read.
Her Blurp:
Anna is a mysterious woman that has just moved to Regina Beach. The residents of the small town know everyone’s business and they are very interested in discovering Anna’s secrets. Nick was a Sergeant in the Canadian Army, doing active duty until a horrific accident sent him home to recover. He helps Anna feel safe and comfortable in her new environment, just as he has always done for his men in strange, dangerous places. Meanwhile, he focuses on preparing for his future physical endurance test to prove that he is capable of returning to active duty.
Anna doesn’t talk about her past, and Nick doesn’t talk about his future therefore she is shocked to discover that his greatest wish is to return to active duty. She won’t love a man who may die on the job again. Intellectually, she knows that all life cycles end, but emotionally, she doesn’t know if she has the strength to support Nick.
This is what made me want to read it over and over.... a wonderful read.
February 4, 2015
Springtime in the small resort town of Regina Beach is a time for lilacs and planting petunias and new beginnings. Both Anna and Nick have suffered terrible losses. I loved how these two characters found their way to each other in a realistic and believable way. From loss and grief, to friendship, to love. They both learn how to trust again and to open themselves up to other possibilities. They heal and rebuild their lives in a setting that is a character in itself. If you love stories set in small towns this one is for you. The residents of Regina Beach made me chuckle and groan and remember what it was like to live in one. Bower weaves a story that pulls you in and let’s you know without a doubt this is the right place for both of them to be to recover from the devastating blows life has dealt them. Moving on is a sweet story, with sweet gestures that brings romance back into storytelling, with real characters that leave you yearning for their happily-ever-after.
May 22, 2019
Another well written story by author Annette Bower. I just can't put her books down once I start reading them, they are so well written that you feel as if you are actually taking part in the storyline. Anna Jenkins fiance dies a week before their wedding, broken hearted and trying to heal she moves to Regina Beach where she was bequeathed a cottage. Being a small beach town, the town folks have secrets as does Anna. Nick Donnelly is home from the army recuperating from losing part of his leg by an IED, only a select few know his secret. Anna and Nick meet at Nick's father's B & B, living in a small town they continually run into one and another which sparks an interest.. Will they be able to trust enough to reveal their secrets and move on? You will have to read the book with all its little twists a d turns to find out what happens. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a feel good book to read.
July 19, 2017
A good story of love,life and secrets of the past. When Anna moves to Regina Beach, no one knows her or why she inherited the house she did. Nick, a man who has dealt with war also has secrets, As the two get to know each other they are going to find hidden secrets, once explored could mean something special for both of them. This is a romance read that is interesting and has a few twists readers will enjoy.
May 29, 2017
This was one of the best books in this genre I have read in a while. Anna ends up in a small Canadian resort community after inheriting the home of her fiancé's uncle, after her fiancé dies a week before their wedding. She sees this beach house and this small town as a chance to start over from her life as a nurse in Toronto. Nick is a local boy who went off to Afghanistan as part of the Canadian peacekeeping force and lost part of his leg in an IED explosion. The residents know he has a leg injury, but other than an elderly couple (Herman and Margaret), no one knows that he has a prosthesis. Early in the story, Anna accidentally discovers Nick's secret, but keeps it to herself. The book focuses on Anna and Nick trying to figure out their respective futures while keeping their secrets until they are ready to share. Being a small town, gossip is rife and there are plenty of people trying to figure out who Anna is and what her connection is to John Good, the former owner of her new home. As Anna becomes acquainted with her neighbors (Herman and Margaret) and other members of the town, including Nick, and begins to fix up her home, discoveries are made that cause old secrets to be revealed.
The author has created strong, well-developed characters that the reader will identify with and want them to find happiness and their purpose. What I particularly liked is that while Anna and Nick are attracted to each other, the focus of the book is on them becoming friends and discovering more about themselves and discovering a lost happiness as they share new experiences. While there is nothing wrong with a story where the love interests quickly become physically intimate, I think this story is better for not including that element, instead focusing on acts of kindness and tenderness as a deeper friendship and closer relationship develops. The reader is able to see Anna and Nick start to heal from their respective psychological wounds.
My only criticism is that the books ends too soon. Once a situation arises that forces Anna to reveal her secret, and which also forces Nick to reveal his secret, there is a significant progression in their personal relationship and the story ends. I would have liked to see that portion of the story drawn-out more.
I received a copy of the ebook from Reading Alley in exchange for a review.
The author has created strong, well-developed characters that the reader will identify with and want them to find happiness and their purpose. What I particularly liked is that while Anna and Nick are attracted to each other, the focus of the book is on them becoming friends and discovering more about themselves and discovering a lost happiness as they share new experiences. While there is nothing wrong with a story where the love interests quickly become physically intimate, I think this story is better for not including that element, instead focusing on acts of kindness and tenderness as a deeper friendship and closer relationship develops. The reader is able to see Anna and Nick start to heal from their respective psychological wounds.
My only criticism is that the books ends too soon. Once a situation arises that forces Anna to reveal her secret, and which also forces Nick to reveal his secret, there is a significant progression in their personal relationship and the story ends. I would have liked to see that portion of the story drawn-out more.
I received a copy of the ebook from Reading Alley in exchange for a review.
October 28, 2015
I received a free download of this book in return for my honest opinion.
How would you feel if the wonderful guy you’re about to marry suddenly ups and dies just a week before your wedding day, then you’ll know precisely how Anna felt when her fiancé, Murray, had died. Unfortunately since that tragic day, on a daily basis she would receive an onslaught of condolences, gazing looks of sympathy, etc. from both friends and strangers alike.
Eventually Anna had taken all she could bare and decides ditch her current environment and move to the cottage she’s inherited from her fiancé and his family in Regina Beach.
As a child of the 1950’s I can remember those autograph books we used to use when we graduated junior high school [9th grade at the school I went to] where we would say congratulations to our friends. etc. Sometimes we would write little fun things like:
2 GOOD
2 B
4 GOT 10
[which was written as an addition problem] or things like:
“Don’t make love by the garden gate. Love is blind, but the neighbors ain’t.”
This is the kind of place Regina Beech is, a place where everyone has to know everyone else’s business; and this is especially true when it came to someone who’s just moved there.
Along with Anna who’s here to recover from her drastic loss, we have Nick, a Sergeant in the Canadian Army who came home to recover from his tragic accident where he lost a limb due to an IED explosion. Both of these two main characters were there to find some sort of solace from their own predicaments, and it’s a chance meeting her first night in Regina Beach which and brought these two “lost” souls together.
I loved how the relaxed dialogue shortly ensued soon afterwards and then eventually led their relationship to blossoming into one of a more serious nature. However, this could never grow into a truly open relationship since she refuses to talk about her past, and he refuses to talk about his future, especially where it concerns his desire to return to active duty. Who will be the first one to break the silence and share their secret? Will their relationship become a happy ever after one? I’m not saying, but I am giving Ms. Bower’s book 5 STARS !!!
How would you feel if the wonderful guy you’re about to marry suddenly ups and dies just a week before your wedding day, then you’ll know precisely how Anna felt when her fiancé, Murray, had died. Unfortunately since that tragic day, on a daily basis she would receive an onslaught of condolences, gazing looks of sympathy, etc. from both friends and strangers alike.
Eventually Anna had taken all she could bare and decides ditch her current environment and move to the cottage she’s inherited from her fiancé and his family in Regina Beach.
As a child of the 1950’s I can remember those autograph books we used to use when we graduated junior high school [9th grade at the school I went to] where we would say congratulations to our friends. etc. Sometimes we would write little fun things like:
2 GOOD
2 B
4 GOT 10
[which was written as an addition problem] or things like:
“Don’t make love by the garden gate. Love is blind, but the neighbors ain’t.”
This is the kind of place Regina Beech is, a place where everyone has to know everyone else’s business; and this is especially true when it came to someone who’s just moved there.
Along with Anna who’s here to recover from her drastic loss, we have Nick, a Sergeant in the Canadian Army who came home to recover from his tragic accident where he lost a limb due to an IED explosion. Both of these two main characters were there to find some sort of solace from their own predicaments, and it’s a chance meeting her first night in Regina Beach which and brought these two “lost” souls together.
I loved how the relaxed dialogue shortly ensued soon afterwards and then eventually led their relationship to blossoming into one of a more serious nature. However, this could never grow into a truly open relationship since she refuses to talk about her past, and he refuses to talk about his future, especially where it concerns his desire to return to active duty. Who will be the first one to break the silence and share their secret? Will their relationship become a happy ever after one? I’m not saying, but I am giving Ms. Bower’s book 5 STARS !!!
July 7, 2013
Moving On is an engaging romance with two battle-scarred heroines. Anna, who is licking her wounds and beating herself up with guilt and Nick, who is wounded while in Afghanistan both find themselves in the small town of Regina Beach. They both want to heal and they help each other, finding romance along the way. But it's their futures that may prevent them from having a life together. They both have different goals.
With captivating characters, exceptional writing and an engaging plot, Moving On: A Prairie Romance is a sweet romance that will transport you to another time for a few hours. If you enjoy romances, definitely pick this one up. Annette is a whiz at storytelling, as this reviewer was completely ensnared in her web. Laughs, love and great writing = a big winner!
With captivating characters, exceptional writing and an engaging plot, Moving On: A Prairie Romance is a sweet romance that will transport you to another time for a few hours. If you enjoy romances, definitely pick this one up. Annette is a whiz at storytelling, as this reviewer was completely ensnared in her web. Laughs, love and great writing = a big winner!
January 22, 2015
Moving On is a story of Loss, Hope, and Love. The two main characters had suffered a loss and find themselves in the middle of their grieving, it's really interesting be able to see how they begin to fall in love with each other, and how they overcome their fears, and let love enters in their life and be able to Move On.
The plot is excellent, flows with each page, the author creates a scenery with credible characters and real heartbreaking moments.
This is a sweet romance.
Highly recommended!!
* I received a free copy in exchange of an Honest review *
The plot is excellent, flows with each page, the author creates a scenery with credible characters and real heartbreaking moments.
This is a sweet romance.
Highly recommended!!
* I received a free copy in exchange of an Honest review *
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November 16, 2019I dnf'd at 32%
The prose was lovely, the premise familiar and yet readable, but I simply could not stand Nick.
Anna is terrified of dogs. Not just scared - she is TERRIFIED.
I know the feeling - though my phobia is spiders.
Nick has a dog. Its a 'big black' dog - could be a labrador for all I know or a rottweiler. Of course Nick says Molly (the dog) is as gentle as a lamb. Yeah. Right. And he rides roughshod over Anna's obvious distress - FORCING her to let the dog lick her hand.
COME ON people! That is not only STUPID but its bullying and abuse and if *I* had been Anna and Nick had been trying to make me hold a tarantula I'd have smashed his head in with anything I could reach - simply to get away. THAT'S how real it is.
And Nick persists in turning up with this bloody monstrous dog who seems to lack any training.
I'm done here. I have ZERO respect for Nick - OR his badly behaved dog.
Run, Anna. If he can't respect the fact that you are terrified, then you don't want anything to do with the ignorant git.
The prose was lovely, the premise familiar and yet readable, but I simply could not stand Nick.
Anna is terrified of dogs. Not just scared - she is TERRIFIED.
I know the feeling - though my phobia is spiders.
Nick has a dog. Its a 'big black' dog - could be a labrador for all I know or a rottweiler. Of course Nick says Molly (the dog) is as gentle as a lamb. Yeah. Right. And he rides roughshod over Anna's obvious distress - FORCING her to let the dog lick her hand.
COME ON people! That is not only STUPID but its bullying and abuse and if *I* had been Anna and Nick had been trying to make me hold a tarantula I'd have smashed his head in with anything I could reach - simply to get away. THAT'S how real it is.
And Nick persists in turning up with this bloody monstrous dog who seems to lack any training.
I'm done here. I have ZERO respect for Nick - OR his badly behaved dog.
Run, Anna. If he can't respect the fact that you are terrified, then you don't want anything to do with the ignorant git.
January 4, 2020
Peace
Comforting story line detailing how different people deal with losses. Life doesn't follow our original plans and we need to be able to adapt or else grow old and bitter dwelling on our losses. Love and friends make healing easier, even when our first thought is to run away from the pain. People all need to feel useful and and see a defined purpose for their life.
Comforting story line detailing how different people deal with losses. Life doesn't follow our original plans and we need to be able to adapt or else grow old and bitter dwelling on our losses. Love and friends make healing easier, even when our first thought is to run away from the pain. People all need to feel useful and and see a defined purpose for their life.
June 8, 2019
Great read
I loved this book! It was well written and being set in an area we live in, made it all the more interesting. I definitely am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I loved this book! It was well written and being set in an area we live in, made it all the more interesting. I definitely am looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 23, 2020
Interesting
Great story. I liked all the main characters. Next door neighbors of Anna were great and more like family to her. Nick started out to be very cautious of Anna but soon things hanged between them. I do recommend this book.
Great story. I liked all the main characters. Next door neighbors of Anna were great and more like family to her. Nick started out to be very cautious of Anna but soon things hanged between them. I do recommend this book.
December 13, 2019
Good story
Well written and well edited. Loved the characters so much I wanted to know more at the end. Out of heartbreak can be great things.
Well written and well edited. Loved the characters so much I wanted to know more at the end. Out of heartbreak can be great things.
April 4, 2020
Heartfelt story
I couldn’t put this book down! Emotional and heartfelt with a wonderful relationship between older neighbors with Anna and Nick. Love this story.
I couldn’t put this book down! Emotional and heartfelt with a wonderful relationship between older neighbors with Anna and Nick. Love this story.
December 11, 2015
Moving On with Nick and Anna
Nick is a member of the Canadian Army who has lost the lower half of his leg while deployed in Afghanistan, he has returned to his hometown to recover and run his father's B & B. His hometown is a seaside town of Regina Beach and he's determined to prove to the Army that he can become deployed again even though he now wears a prosthetic. He is also helping out the water department in the town as well.
Anna has recently lost her fiance in a tragic fire accident just one week before their wedding and is a trauma nurse where she couldn't save him. She is tired of the looks of sympathy and condolences from friends and family and decides to move to the cottage her uncle has left her in Regina Beach. She doesn't want to dwell on being sad anymore and has recently decided to start up a new business making doll houses and furniture.
I really loved this book especially with the interaction between Anna and the townsfolk, her neighbors Herman and Margaret, her neighbors, how Anna gathers rocks from around town, her fear of dogs and how Nick's dog Molly eventually wins her over.
There is some confusion to how Murray who is Anna's uncle and was never married could leave Anna the cottage. But eventually its all worked out in the end but Anna who has fallen in love with Nick, can't love him if he stays a soldier.
The entire book is reminiscent of how towns used to be and how everyone looks out for each other. All in all a fantastic book.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Nick is a member of the Canadian Army who has lost the lower half of his leg while deployed in Afghanistan, he has returned to his hometown to recover and run his father's B & B. His hometown is a seaside town of Regina Beach and he's determined to prove to the Army that he can become deployed again even though he now wears a prosthetic. He is also helping out the water department in the town as well.
Anna has recently lost her fiance in a tragic fire accident just one week before their wedding and is a trauma nurse where she couldn't save him. She is tired of the looks of sympathy and condolences from friends and family and decides to move to the cottage her uncle has left her in Regina Beach. She doesn't want to dwell on being sad anymore and has recently decided to start up a new business making doll houses and furniture.
I really loved this book especially with the interaction between Anna and the townsfolk, her neighbors Herman and Margaret, her neighbors, how Anna gathers rocks from around town, her fear of dogs and how Nick's dog Molly eventually wins her over.
There is some confusion to how Murray who is Anna's uncle and was never married could leave Anna the cottage. But eventually its all worked out in the end but Anna who has fallen in love with Nick, can't love him if he stays a soldier.
The entire book is reminiscent of how towns used to be and how everyone looks out for each other. All in all a fantastic book.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2015
Very Sweet
'Moving on' is a very sweet story about two people who are trying to heal and decide what to do with the rest of their lives after devastating changes.
Nick and Anna are both very strong characters, Anna especially is stronger than she realizes. However, while I recognize the need for privacy, both characters' propensities for keeping secrets did get just a bit annoying to me.
The ending was very abrupt and felt a little bit flat to me, I wish there had been a few pages more.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
'Moving on' is a very sweet story about two people who are trying to heal and decide what to do with the rest of their lives after devastating changes.
Nick and Anna are both very strong characters, Anna especially is stronger than she realizes. However, while I recognize the need for privacy, both characters' propensities for keeping secrets did get just a bit annoying to me.
The ending was very abrupt and felt a little bit flat to me, I wish there had been a few pages more.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
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