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Past Forward: Collection 1: (Includes Volumes 1-3)
Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning. The Finley women's lives, while rich and full, aren't easy. rejecting electricity and many other modern conveniences, they live purposefully and intentionally--alone and isolated from the world around them. 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 dead. From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can't avoid. Volume 1: This collection of Past Forward opens with Willow's life-changing discovery and gently guides the reader through aspects of her life--the past weaving through the present and into the future. Experience her first morning in church, her first movie, and the culture shock of her first trips to the city. A birthday party and a street faire add welcome diversion from butchering, canning, and the beating of area rugs. Disaster strikes. Will she be able to continue her life, or will an offer in the city change it all? Find out in this first volume. Volume 2: In this volume. Willow, battling grief and anger, drives Chad from the farm, but he finds himself drawn back, despite her determination to keep a wall between them. An accident and the chance of a lifetime threaten everything she thought she held dear. As the walls crumble, Chad and Willow's friendship deepens into something truly special, but to what end? Everyone around him pushes Chad into a relationship he both wants and fights, knowing that Willow simply is not ready. Volume 3: 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. This collection boasts over 980 pages and over 250 5-star reviews for the first three books. Find out why thousands of readers have fallen in love with the engrossing Past Forward series. "Buy the first collection to get three books you won't be able to put down."
- GenresChristian Fiction
1131 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2017
69 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Chautona Havig
274 books1,840 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.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 22, 2021
Fun and entertaining!
April 25, 2023
I read it 2 years ago and decided to give it another try this year. While some parts are thought-provoking and challenging, there are some parts that, would I have a physical copy I would censor out. This book is about a woman who knows almost nothing about the world and suddenly has to learn to live it in, and while there are some funny moments because of that, there are multiple moments that I would have preferred the author kept private between the MC and whomever she was talking to.
In short, while not the most terrible book, I wouldn't exactly recommend this to someone and certainly not to someone under 18.
Content: kissing, talking about marriage, expectations of marriage, death of animals and close family members, murder, rape...
In short, while not the most terrible book, I wouldn't exactly recommend this to someone and certainly not to someone under 18.
Content: kissing, talking about marriage, expectations of marriage, death of animals and close family members, murder, rape...
May 15, 2019
I had so much fun reading these books. The message is intense and pointed. Seeing the world through Willow's eyes brought a fresh perspective to the world we live in. Chad's reluctance to becoming her friend gave their relationship an added spark.
The amount of detail in Willow's day to day life put me in mind of Janette Oke and Lauraine Snelling. You feel as though you're right there, peeking over Willow's shoulder, learning how to live her life. Sometimes, I would nearly forget that Willow lived in the current century. While the stories are rich in detail, they never become dull or monotonous as there seems to be a disaster of some sorts around every corner. These moments of intensity bring a steady reminder that Willow's life has ups and downs and will likely never be perfect.
Willow and Chad's disagreements left me cringing. With their tempers and beliefs, there were a few 'you're gonna regret that' moments. My favorite though was seeing Chad and Willow's spiritual journeys. Willow has a strong belief, but there are times when she's tested, when she questions God, and those moments made Willow real for me.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The amount of detail in Willow's day to day life put me in mind of Janette Oke and Lauraine Snelling. You feel as though you're right there, peeking over Willow's shoulder, learning how to live her life. Sometimes, I would nearly forget that Willow lived in the current century. While the stories are rich in detail, they never become dull or monotonous as there seems to be a disaster of some sorts around every corner. These moments of intensity bring a steady reminder that Willow's life has ups and downs and will likely never be perfect.
Willow and Chad's disagreements left me cringing. With their tempers and beliefs, there were a few 'you're gonna regret that' moments. My favorite though was seeing Chad and Willow's spiritual journeys. Willow has a strong belief, but there are times when she's tested, when she questions God, and those moments made Willow real for me.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
September 28, 2019
WOW... This was my first introduction to Chautona Havig and it is not my last. She spends a web that grabs you on the first page and you can't sleep until you read it all. The main character of Past Forward is Willow. I'll never forget her. I want her to be my friend and teach me how to make my life full of beauty as she does in her simple but hard life. She can sew, draw, fish, make cheese, candles, really you name it and she has the skills to do it. I've read this series 3 times my first year of discovering it. And yes, I will be reading it again. Love love love, and I highly recommend this series if you want a story that will take hold of you for the rest of your life. The characters are unforgettable.
September 10, 2020
Well worth the read
I'm not a binge watched or a binge reader. I rarely read two books from a series in a row. I did read other books while reading this collection, but I kept coming back.
Willow is an intriguing character, and the way Chautona Havig portrayed her gives you a lot to think about. Why do we do some of the things we do? Are they really logical? Willow's way of looking at things makes a lot of sense. So, she is naive, but has she really missed much of value by not knowing some of our "common culture" derived from movies, ads and TV? She is well read, if not necessarily on current events.
I think I Chautona Havig did an excellent job thinking of all the ways Willow's attitudes and world views would be shaped.
I like the way she thinks.
I'm not a binge watched or a binge reader. I rarely read two books from a series in a row. I did read other books while reading this collection, but I kept coming back.
Willow is an intriguing character, and the way Chautona Havig portrayed her gives you a lot to think about. Why do we do some of the things we do? Are they really logical? Willow's way of looking at things makes a lot of sense. So, she is naive, but has she really missed much of value by not knowing some of our "common culture" derived from movies, ads and TV? She is well read, if not necessarily on current events.
I think I Chautona Havig did an excellent job thinking of all the ways Willow's attitudes and world views would be shaped.
I like the way she thinks.
November 11, 2021
Five “Wows”
From the first paragraph, I couldn’t put this story down. Chautona Havig seamlessly draws the reader into the world of innocent Willow, and Chad, the young policeman who helps her against his will. The two main characters and their small town community come alive—you care about them so much you worry when a sinister character begins to stalk Willow at her farm. Can Chad keep her safe? When did his sense of duty turn to love? How soon can I get Part Two and learn how this story ends? It’s good reading for anyone who enjoys captivating story with faith, a little romance and suspense thrown in.
From the first paragraph, I couldn’t put this story down. Chautona Havig seamlessly draws the reader into the world of innocent Willow, and Chad, the young policeman who helps her against his will. The two main characters and their small town community come alive—you care about them so much you worry when a sinister character begins to stalk Willow at her farm. Can Chad keep her safe? When did his sense of duty turn to love? How soon can I get Part Two and learn how this story ends? It’s good reading for anyone who enjoys captivating story with faith, a little romance and suspense thrown in.
July 21, 2020
Great series!
I was not sure how much I would enjoy a series with this theme, but was pleasantly surprised and could not put it down!
I really enjoyed the characters and the way the story moved through all of the volumes. It is part of the Rockland Stories, but you can read these as a stand alone without feeling like you are missing anything. If you have read other books by the Author, some familiar faces will pop up!
I was not sure how much I would enjoy a series with this theme, but was pleasantly surprised and could not put it down!
I really enjoyed the characters and the way the story moved through all of the volumes. It is part of the Rockland Stories, but you can read these as a stand alone without feeling like you are missing anything. If you have read other books by the Author, some familiar faces will pop up!
March 25, 2019
Loved it
Having read other books by Mrs. Havig, I knew Willow had a story! What a story it is! The innocence of not being raised in a hectic world is displayed in Willow. I'm on to the next in the series....
Having read other books by Mrs. Havig, I knew Willow had a story! What a story it is! The innocence of not being raised in a hectic world is displayed in Willow. I'm on to the next in the series....
November 26, 2017
Great read
When I realized I’d read the last page I gasped and said “you’re kidding!” I wasn’t ready for it to end!
When I realized I’d read the last page I gasped and said “you’re kidding!” I wasn’t ready for it to end!
April 19, 2018
Past forward 1-3
Willow, you cry with her, you laugh with her, you get mad with her, and you love her. I can’t wait to see what kind of life her and Chad will have together.
Willow, you cry with her, you laugh with her, you get mad with her, and you love her. I can’t wait to see what kind of life her and Chad will have together.
May 12, 2024
Emocional
Could not stop reading. Enjoyed very much. Not what you would expect in a book. Please read it if you have the opportunity.
Could not stop reading. Enjoyed very much. Not what you would expect in a book. Please read it if you have the opportunity.
September 12, 2024
WONDERFUL stories!!
I absolutely loved these stories! Chautona Havig is an EXCELLENT story teller!
I loved the storyline of love, faith and friendship!!
I absolutely loved these stories! Chautona Havig is an EXCELLENT story teller!
I loved the storyline of love, faith and friendship!!
August 1, 2021
I love Chautona's books, especially the ones centered around Rockland and Fairbury! I've finally read the second and third volumes! They were great! I loved them! Thank you Chautona for writing the kind of books that you write!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews