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Full Circle
“Shauna Lee, I told you I’m a hunter. I have hunted cougars in the wild. That is where I like to keep in the wild; with me doing the stalking.” Her face went scarlet. “Are you calling me a cougar?” she asked, indignantly. Twenty years ago, eighteen-year-old Shauna Lee Holt rose like a phoenix, out of the ashes of tragedy. Fierce determination focused her drive for independence. After graduation, she worked non-stop, scrimping and saving every penny. She purchased Swift Current Accounting and Bookkeeping Service. Now she is regarded as a successful accountant in the business but no one knows her personal, private hell. Brad Johnson recently moved to Swift Current, where he set up Windspeer Energy; a company specializing in small wind energy turbines. Brad feels an undeniable attraction to Shauna Lee, but he refuses to play her “nothing serious, no strings attached” game. As time passes, he falls head over heels in love with this tormented woman. Shocking fragments of her tragic past come to light, and he begins to realize that she may never be able to give him the emotional connection he desperately desires. This is a stand-alone book in the series, but the lives of Colt and Frank Thompson are woven into Brad Johnson and Shauna Lee Holt’s story. The couple, who seem to have everything, discover that grief and pain are no respecters of person. When they face the unimaginable, will their relationship be shaken beyond repair? This is a story of wrath, hatred, murder, betrayal, denial, and unconditional love.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2012
3 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Antypowich
6 books45 followersGloria Antypowich writes Contemporary Adult Fiction. In 2015 she published the Belanger Creek Ranch Series, a group of four books that can be read as stand alone, but will enrich the readers experience if they are read in sequence. The series focuses on a group of people who have become as close as family because of the friendships they have created through their business relationships with the Belanger Creek Ranch.
Gloria grew up on a farm and most of her married life has been lived on a ranch. Human relationships fascinate her. Ideas for stories can be found everywhere; over-heard conversations in a public place, a couple fighting in a restaurant, a story in the news, even a chance remark in a conversation with a friend. She is enamored with the power of words and she loves to use them to paint images of characters that become so real, they feel like they could be your next door neighbor.
She does not believe that relationships are merrily "happy ever after." Relationships require commitment, give and take, compromise and consideration for each other: in other words they take work! Each individual has their own ideas, beliefs and needs. Environment, upbringing and life experiences affect their personality and character. Nothing is simple or automatically agreeable.
Gloria is an avid reader of several different genres and listens to a wide selection of music. A good game of cards, sharing a laugh with a friend over a glass of wine and spending time with her family are a few of her favorite things to do. She loves to write and says her husband was her inspiration for the heroes in this series of books. He was a cowboy, a rancher--and a lover. Gloria lives with her husband, in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada. They are retired now, but they still have "chemistry".
Gloria grew up on a farm and most of her married life has been lived on a ranch. Human relationships fascinate her. Ideas for stories can be found everywhere; over-heard conversations in a public place, a couple fighting in a restaurant, a story in the news, even a chance remark in a conversation with a friend. She is enamored with the power of words and she loves to use them to paint images of characters that become so real, they feel like they could be your next door neighbor.
She does not believe that relationships are merrily "happy ever after." Relationships require commitment, give and take, compromise and consideration for each other: in other words they take work! Each individual has their own ideas, beliefs and needs. Environment, upbringing and life experiences affect their personality and character. Nothing is simple or automatically agreeable.
Gloria is an avid reader of several different genres and listens to a wide selection of music. A good game of cards, sharing a laugh with a friend over a glass of wine and spending time with her family are a few of her favorite things to do. She loves to write and says her husband was her inspiration for the heroes in this series of books. He was a cowboy, a rancher--and a lover. Gloria lives with her husband, in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada. They are retired now, but they still have "chemistry".
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 13, 2015
Full Circle (The Belanger Creek Ranch Book 2) by Gloria Antypowich is a love story dedicated to all those who have gone through painful experiences and have faced betrayal, wrath, and also unconditional love while being in their relationships. Shauna Lee Holt has left her past behind and worked hard to reach where she is today. She owns Swift Current Accounting and Bookkeeping Services. Though she is known for her accountancy skills in business circles, no one knows about her personal life and her pain. Brad Johnson, who has moved to Swift Current to set up his company, is attracted to Shauna Lee Holt. As their love story progresses, there are a lot of other things that get in the way to shake their relationship. It's a story of unconditional love, betrayal and passion, which portrays the nuances of human relationships.
The characters in the story are portrayed so well that they seem real and readers can connect with them. This love story has its complications and does not come that easily. The challenges that Brad Johnson and Shauna Lee face in their respective lives and their personal experiences give the plot many dimensions. It's a compelling read and the author's style of writing is elegant and simple but very effective. The narration is detailed, making the scenes visual to readers. What makes the read interesting is that the plot has love, betrayal, passion, denial, hatred, and anger all woven together to make it an undeniably engrossing love story. A love story readers will definitely enjoy reading.
The characters in the story are portrayed so well that they seem real and readers can connect with them. This love story has its complications and does not come that easily. The challenges that Brad Johnson and Shauna Lee face in their respective lives and their personal experiences give the plot many dimensions. It's a compelling read and the author's style of writing is elegant and simple but very effective. The narration is detailed, making the scenes visual to readers. What makes the read interesting is that the plot has love, betrayal, passion, denial, hatred, and anger all woven together to make it an undeniably engrossing love story. A love story readers will definitely enjoy reading.
September 7, 2017
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
In Full Circle by Gloria Antypowich, Shauna Lee Holt will have to decide whether to let the past win or her future to prevail.
When Shauna was eighteen years old, something really tragic happened in her life. Instead of curling into a ball and let the misery have her, Shaun worked butt off. Right after graduation, she saved every single penny she could. She didn't take a relaxing breathe until the day she purchased Swift Current Accounting and Bookkeeping Service. Now she is one of the best accountants. But even now, she never lets anyone near her heart. A wild romp in the bed is the only intimacy she allows herself.
Brad Johnson owns Windspeer Energy and totally in love with Shauna. But he wants everything from her. The woman is a constant dilemma, but he wants to know her and make her see how good life can be with the right partner. But he has no idea what secrets she hides in her closet. And when her past is revealed, he is terrified because he knows that he can do nothing about.
It is Shauna who will have to fight her past and step into the future and love him. But is she capable of that?
Full Circle by Gloria Antypowich was very endearing. At first glance I felt that the story going to be filled with cliché, but Gloria surprised me and I'm really glad for that. Shuana is a very powerful woman and I really loved that about her. Also, I really enjoyed the fact that her characters are middle aged, meaning that they are relatable and real! Great job. Another 5 star novel!
In Full Circle by Gloria Antypowich, Shauna Lee Holt will have to decide whether to let the past win or her future to prevail.
When Shauna was eighteen years old, something really tragic happened in her life. Instead of curling into a ball and let the misery have her, Shaun worked butt off. Right after graduation, she saved every single penny she could. She didn't take a relaxing breathe until the day she purchased Swift Current Accounting and Bookkeeping Service. Now she is one of the best accountants. But even now, she never lets anyone near her heart. A wild romp in the bed is the only intimacy she allows herself.
Brad Johnson owns Windspeer Energy and totally in love with Shauna. But he wants everything from her. The woman is a constant dilemma, but he wants to know her and make her see how good life can be with the right partner. But he has no idea what secrets she hides in her closet. And when her past is revealed, he is terrified because he knows that he can do nothing about.
It is Shauna who will have to fight her past and step into the future and love him. But is she capable of that?
Full Circle by Gloria Antypowich was very endearing. At first glance I felt that the story going to be filled with cliché, but Gloria surprised me and I'm really glad for that. Shuana is a very powerful woman and I really loved that about her. Also, I really enjoyed the fact that her characters are middle aged, meaning that they are relatable and real! Great job. Another 5 star novel!
August 29, 2016
This is the first work I read for Gloria Antypowich and I can easily say despite this not being my genre that Full Circle was very new experience to me and an endearing one. You get so taken by the antagonist Shauna, you can feel her feelings and her experience as if it was you who was living these situations..
Gloria’s depiction of the Ranch life also gives you a very deep insight, not the one you see on TV , something you actually tend to feel more comfortable with and real, you begin to understand the hardships as well as the joys of what might seem to be for a city person as myself as simple but is yet far more complicated and sophisticated than one could believe.
The depictions are exceptional, the feelings are real , you actually go into a twister of emotions from utter happiness to utmost rage..
I’m glad I got the chance to read this book and it was a real joy !!
Gloria’s depiction of the Ranch life also gives you a very deep insight, not the one you see on TV , something you actually tend to feel more comfortable with and real, you begin to understand the hardships as well as the joys of what might seem to be for a city person as myself as simple but is yet far more complicated and sophisticated than one could believe.
The depictions are exceptional, the feelings are real , you actually go into a twister of emotions from utter happiness to utmost rage..
I’m glad I got the chance to read this book and it was a real joy !!
February 5, 2017
Full Circle by Gloria Antypowich is book two of The Belanger Creek Ranch Series . Book two continues where book one (The Second Time Around) left off. I could not put it down until I finished it.
Four years had passed since Frank and Cold Thompson got married. They have a happy family. Shaune Lee, Thompson friend and ex-lover, has
never shared her past with anyone, and she intend to keep it this way. But her past keep knocking on her door.
An intense, realistic story with vibrant characters.
Love it!
Four years had passed since Frank and Cold Thompson got married. They have a happy family. Shaune Lee, Thompson friend and ex-lover, has
never shared her past with anyone, and she intend to keep it this way. But her past keep knocking on her door.
An intense, realistic story with vibrant characters.
Love it!
July 21, 2015
“Full Circle is the second book in the Belanger Creek Ranch Series and it doesn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the first book The Second Time Around so much that I thought I would give Full Circle a read and just like the first book, I found all of the characters real and endearing and I found myself rooting for them.
I loved the relationship the characters Colt and Frank have developed since the first book. They have a marriage filled with love and devotion to their children and ‘family’, which includes their closest friends. Without giving away too many details, their marriage is tested big time when they suffer a terrible loss – make sure you keep the Kleenex box handy!
The character Shauna Lee was a big surprise! I wasn’t sure if I liked her very much in the first book, but book II lets us in on her background and the personal tragedies she has endured and you learn the reason she is guarding her heart from love and close friendships. Shauna Lee learns the hard way that you can run but you can’t hide from your past forever…
Shauna Lee’s love interest Brad Johnson is another sexy cowboy like Colt, and a real gentleman. Luckily he also has the patience of Job when it comes to Shauna Lee. Will he give up on his wounded little ‘Tweetie Bird’ (his pet name for Shauna Lee) or will love prevail… and, Just like in the first book the author steams up the pages just enough to titillate the reader ;)
If you are looking for a very sweet story with endearing characters that value family, and stick by one another through thick and thin, Full Circle will not disappoint!
I am looking forward to reading the next book, “The Hand of Fate.”
I loved the relationship the characters Colt and Frank have developed since the first book. They have a marriage filled with love and devotion to their children and ‘family’, which includes their closest friends. Without giving away too many details, their marriage is tested big time when they suffer a terrible loss – make sure you keep the Kleenex box handy!
The character Shauna Lee was a big surprise! I wasn’t sure if I liked her very much in the first book, but book II lets us in on her background and the personal tragedies she has endured and you learn the reason she is guarding her heart from love and close friendships. Shauna Lee learns the hard way that you can run but you can’t hide from your past forever…
Shauna Lee’s love interest Brad Johnson is another sexy cowboy like Colt, and a real gentleman. Luckily he also has the patience of Job when it comes to Shauna Lee. Will he give up on his wounded little ‘Tweetie Bird’ (his pet name for Shauna Lee) or will love prevail… and, Just like in the first book the author steams up the pages just enough to titillate the reader ;)
If you are looking for a very sweet story with endearing characters that value family, and stick by one another through thick and thin, Full Circle will not disappoint!
I am looking forward to reading the next book, “The Hand of Fate.”
October 27, 2015
For me this is a different kind of read, but I'm pleased to say it was well worth my while. It reminded me of those engrossing prime time television dramas like Dallas and Dynasty. Those shows were effective because one could not but become vested in the lives of the characters. Similarly, Full Circle was equally compelling, but with one important difference; unlike those TV shows where the main characters are sleazy and cruel, corrupt and overblown caricatures, the humans that populate Belanger Creek Ranch are exactly that...human. Though some characters are flawed, it is the stuff of real life rather than the excesses of a Hollywood-like imagination. Refreshingly, the men are surprisingly gallant and perceptive (for me, a breakthrough from the traditional narrative of men being nothing more than beer-swigging oafs) and the women are admirable as they confront the unkind demons life sometimes offers. The detailed telling of these fictional lives was so persuasive I felt as if I had really got to know them by the book's end. I'm now looking forward to reading the next chapter....
September 24, 2015
Lets go back to the ranch, this is Shauna Lee's story and Brad's story . Shauna Lee has been through hell and back and at eighteen she has recreated herself and became a success , but she isn't the marrying type until Brad Johnson walked into her life . Now will she realize that she is the woman he wants and will she find her true self in time to realize that they can have it all.
I was so excited to see that book two started right where book one ended. Gloria has entwined the characters from book one in with Shauna Lee's story. The story is very poignant and actually heart breaking . The author weaves such a masterful tale and add so much more depth to the characters . We see them at work, play and more real life situations. We see them falling in love and suffering heart break. To see them come out the other side happier and healthier
I am in love with these characters . Each book I read I fall more in love with them . They remind me of people in the community. They are so well written and complex . Shauna Lee is the type of woman that other women don't like and men flock around . She is a career woman who loves to have fun but as we read we find out that there is so much more to Shauna Lee then meets the eye. We find out that there is some hidden dark secrets and hurts that she is hiding . As you read you will see Shauna Lee change and become the woman she was meant to be. She is a very strong but vulnerable character . One moment you want to shake her and yell at her to get her life together and the next moment you are crying with her and wrapping her up in a hug . When you meet Brad you will want to be with him , he is yummy to the core, but he is also the type of guy you don't want to play with. He is a gentleman but also doesn't play games . He knows what he wants and will go after it . He isn't into one night stands, he is the guy you want to take home to the parents . He is also very protective and wants to be everything to that one woman. He could make you go weak in the knees with just one smile. Oh and ladies when he is wanting you , he doesn't take no for an answer. The rest of the gang are also here , Frank , Colt , the twins Ollie and Ellie . You see a romance blossoming between those two as the story rolls along too. Gloria did a great job in bringing back all the characters and letting their stories be told as a compliment to Shauna Lee's story ,
Like I said in my review of book one , I have fallen in love with these books and am so happy that they are taking place in the same province where I live . It is great to read about places I have visited and know. The author takes us on such a journey with some great twists and turns . I love how she talks about depression and how they deal . Also how she handled the fears of Shauna Lee and how she closed herself off . These are great books that are based in Saskatchewan and they are written with care and love. Gloria is one of my favorite authors, I can't wait to read more about the ranch and what is going on . So if you want a story that has such well developed characters and real life situations, heart aches and triumphs . This is the serious for you , You can read FULL CIRCLE as I stand alone but I suggest that you read SECOND CHANCE and then FULL CIRCLE .You won't be disappointed .
August 3, 2015
One of the reasons I read is to travel, and another is to encounter events beyond my daily routine. In Full Circle, I was alternately shocked, surprised, upset, and cheerful. I also travelled to Canada and found out what life on a ranch is like! So it was a satisfying read. I especially enjoyed the dialogues and the descriptive scenes which transported me to another continent.
The four main characters are very well developed, which made me care about what will happen to them, and plenty of things happen! I read about many life changing and dramatic events in their lives, such as loss of parents and children, neglect, fear of commitment, divorce, betrayal, marriage, pregnancy, falling in and out of love, depression, as well as disturbing events such as child murder.
It is a romance, so it is not a spoiler to say that there is an optimistic ending. However, it is not an rdinary or simple romance, the story gradually unwinds and becomes more complex as the plot grows and the characters develop.
At the start of the novel Shauna Lee Holt is a successful accountant with her own business in a Canadian town, who promiscuously enjoys the company of men. We will learn that there is more to Shauna Lee than lust when Brad appears in her life, like a catalyst, and turns her world upside down, as he discovers (with the reader) the traumatic secrets of her past.
Brad is generous and supportive and helps her discover the healing power of love, instead of (or as well as) lust, and helps her face the truth and discover who she is and what she wants to make of her life.
Although Full Circle is part of a series, this is a stand-alone book. I have not read book one, The Second Time Around, but now I’m curious to find out more of the backstory of the lives of Colt and Frank Thompson, the happy couple who seem to have everything, but are also struck by dramatic events in Full Circle.
The four main characters are very well developed, which made me care about what will happen to them, and plenty of things happen! I read about many life changing and dramatic events in their lives, such as loss of parents and children, neglect, fear of commitment, divorce, betrayal, marriage, pregnancy, falling in and out of love, depression, as well as disturbing events such as child murder.
It is a romance, so it is not a spoiler to say that there is an optimistic ending. However, it is not an rdinary or simple romance, the story gradually unwinds and becomes more complex as the plot grows and the characters develop.
At the start of the novel Shauna Lee Holt is a successful accountant with her own business in a Canadian town, who promiscuously enjoys the company of men. We will learn that there is more to Shauna Lee than lust when Brad appears in her life, like a catalyst, and turns her world upside down, as he discovers (with the reader) the traumatic secrets of her past.
Brad is generous and supportive and helps her discover the healing power of love, instead of (or as well as) lust, and helps her face the truth and discover who she is and what she wants to make of her life.
Although Full Circle is part of a series, this is a stand-alone book. I have not read book one, The Second Time Around, but now I’m curious to find out more of the backstory of the lives of Colt and Frank Thompson, the happy couple who seem to have everything, but are also struck by dramatic events in Full Circle.
November 21, 2015
I really enjoyed this book that is the second in an interesting. If you read book one, you will know some of the characters and be delighted by a few new faces as well. In this book, Shawna Lee takes center stage and readers are going to find a lot of secrets about her and her past as the story line twists, turns and then comes full circle. The author does an amazing job of writing and although I am not much of a romance reader this story has so much more to it that many readers will enjoy the story of love, life and how the past seems to always hit us when we least expect it.
January 7, 2016
After reading Book 1 in this series awhile back, it was easy to settle into Book 2 of this series. Here we have a blend of the old and new characters - and without giving away any spoilers - I would suggest you have a box of tissues on hand. It is beautifully written, filled with heart and soul with endearing and loveable characters. Gloria Antypowich is definitely an artist in bloom.
March 13, 2017
Well defined characters and story
This story is full of realistic people and a wide variety of situations. Overall a feel good story of hope and enduring relationships. Well done.
This story is full of realistic people and a wide variety of situations. Overall a feel good story of hope and enduring relationships. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews