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Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning

All beginnings have endings, but some endings bring beginnings.

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  • Faced with hardship and heartbreak, Jazmine finds solace and hope amidst the hallowed halls of Harvard. Raised in a world of privilege that swiftly crumbled beneath her feet, she emerged from the ashes as a foster child, forever marked by the scars of her past. But fate has a way of weaving unexpected blessings into the tapestry of our lives.

    Embarking on a new chapter alongside Michael, a promising medical student, Jazmine is poised to seize the idyllic future she has fought so hard for. Leaving behind the familiar streets of Boston and New York, she ventures into uncharted territory—the vast, untamed landscapes of Wyoming—where Michael will complete his rigorous neurosurgical residency. It's a profound turning point, the culmination of Jazmine's unwavering dedication and boundless determination. For once, the universe aligns with her dreams, assuring her that this time will be different.

    But just as life teeters on the precipice of fulfillment, an unforeseen letter shatters Jazmine's newfound happiness, thrusting her into a whirlwind of uncertainty. The fates conspire to test her strength once more, as she grapples with overwhelming choices and unstoppable forces that threaten to unravel all of her dreams.

    "MOOSE RIDGE: ENDING TO BEGINNING" is a poignant tale of resilience and the indomitable spirit of the human heart. It is a story that will transport you from the towering spires of Harvard to the rugged plains of Wyoming, and ultimately deep into the depths of emotion. Join Jazmine on a transformative journey, as she learns that the true measure of triumph lies not in the fairytale endings we crave, but in the unexpected beginnings that arise from the ashes of our shattered dreams.

    Read an interview with the author: https://www.fictionfinder.com/author_interview/read/interview_with_craig_hastings

Reviews

Grade 
09/6/2023

Highly recommend this book

I recommend this book.

How much loss can one person sustain before declining into depression? How do some people manage significant losses and still find happiness?

Jazmine, Jason, Sadie. The machinations of Sadie to get her grandson, Jason, and her new neighbor, Jazmine, together is heartwarming. Both have suffered significant losses and deal with them differently. Sadie is wise and knows that Jazmine needs a friend as she has no one in her life anymore. Being a friend and being there for Jazmine is the greatest gift that can be given to help her find happiness and live her life again.

The joking barbs between Jazmine and Jason are great. Jazmine is a city girl now living in a farming community. I loved the diesel fuel incident. And the cleaning of Jason's office. His reaction was hilarious. All the characters have very unique voices. The writing is superb.

The portrayal of the emotions, actions, and thoughts of someone in a depressive state is spot on. Jason needs a big push for him to realize that his feelings for Jazmine are indeed love.

And we can't forget the animals. Bob, Mindy, and Lindy, the newborn pups. And Stanley, the lizard who loves Mountain Dew. His antics are so loveable.

Grade 
08/26/2022

Dr.

Jazmine, Jason, Sadie … What a group of delightful characters in a well-crafted story. And all the charming animals in the vet clinic! Even Jill, the antagonist, encountered a minor incident with a bottle of wine that the author portrayed with humor. The plot keeps readers engaged.

The backstory about Jason, his parents’ car accident, and his deceased wife, Carin, shows how faith helps people deal with trials and suffering in life. The author’s Christian faith shines through the pages.

Grade 
10/26/2021

Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning

Jazmine Strake finds her dreams shattered when she arrives in a small town in Wyoming and learns the love of her life has moved on without her. Her crushed heart struggles to find any reason for joy or hope. The townspeople embrace her into their community, but it is Sadie, grandmother of the veterinarian Jason Withers where she takes a job, who shows her the kindness and compassion she craves.

Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning is a slow developing romance fueled by a hefty dose of scheming, prayer, and intervention by grandmother Sadie.

The characters in Craig Hastings’ story are unique and engaging. In addition to the main characters, I particularly enjoyed the part the puppies and Stan, the Mountain Dew drinking lizard, played in this delightful novel.

If you enjoy romance with a different twist, you’ll find this a fun read.

Grade 
10/12/2021

A compelling read

Jazmine is having a tough day. Forget that, Jazmine is having a tough life!

In Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning, the reader tumbles right into the main character's heart-break, set against the backdrop of Wyoming's rugged beauty. Jazmine isn't allowed to wallow in her self-pity for long, no matter how well-deserved. Sadie, an older lady who's Jazmine's closest neighbor, welcomes the new-comer with open arms and an open door. Soon, Jazmine must examine her past hurts - of which there are many - and her current situation. She learns that, despite her fears to the contrary, she isn't unlovable. Indeed, in Glenrock, she finds love on so many levels.

Grade 
09/7/2021

Superbly written

The devil is in the detail, many say. Well, in this book, the Devil is squashed as the details are what make the lines of this book sing. I won't give anything away, but I will say to give yourself some quiet time to read and totally be immersed in this book and the complexities of life, and love, within its pages.

Grade 
09/5/2021

Well Written and Utterly Captivating

Heartbroken and alone, Jazmine finds herself living a life she never expected. It's not long before she is embraced by her neighbor, the feisty and lovable Sadie. Her new community embraces her as well. With some playful manipulation by Sadie, Jazmine finds herself spending time with the town's most handsome veterinarian.
This slow-burn romance is beautifully written. The author pulls you into Jazmine's life and her new community. I became very invested in all the characters, but especially Bob the puppy and Stanley the Mountain Dew loving bearded dragon.
Highly recommended for a sweet escape.

Grade 
08/21/2021

MOOSE RIDGE: ENDING TO BEGINNING

I loved it. Couldn't put it down!!! Excellent and highly recommended.

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Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning

Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning

All beginnings have endings, but some endings bring beginnings.

Excerpt

My excitement builds as I rush down the jetway, trying not to bump into anyone. The four-hour flight from Boston was bad enough, but now everyone seems determined to get in my way. I struggle to remain calm, but knowing this is the start of the next chapter in Michael’s and my life together doesn’t help. It will be perfect, and I can’t wait.

Michael moved here three months ago. After medical school, he accepted a neurosurgical residency in Wyoming. I stayed behind in Boston while he got things organized out here. We’d been inseparable for close to six years so it was a long three months, but I knew it would be worth it. This move is the start of something big.

As I reach the main terminal, I check my phone for the text Michael said he’d send telling me where to meet him. My heart flips as I see his message:

Can’t be there to pick you up so sent Rick. He’ll meet you at baggage claim. He’s tall and should have a dark cowboy hat on.

I freeze and read it again. What could have happened? I push this thought aside realizing Michael’s no doubt tied up at the hospital. I’ll need to get used to the demanding life of a doctor. Now I only need to find a tall man in a dark cowboy hat. How difficult can that be? I race through the terminal, not really taking notice of the many people I dodge around.

At baggage claim, I find the carousel my bags should be at and, while waiting, I search for a tall man in a cowboy hat. This can’t be right. Almost every man is wearing a cowboy hat, and most of them are dark. Right then, I hear a voice behind me. “Are you Miss Strake? Miss Jazmine Strake?”

I turn to find a tall, slender man, about mid-twenties, wearing the prescribed dark cowboy hat. “Yes, I am. Are you Rick, my ride?”

“Yes, ma’am. Are your bags here yet?”

Ma’am? I doubt I’m even a few years older than him. “Please, call me Jazmine. They should be coming soon.” The carousel starts and bags are moving along in front of us. I spot one of mine and reach for it, pulling it off.

“I’ll take that, ma’am,” Rick says, taking it from my grasp. “Are there any more?”

“Just one more, and really, you can call me Jazmine.” I spot my other bag and point to it. “Here it comes.”

Before I can, he grabs it and, with my two bags in tow, turns and motions to the exits. “I’m parked across the way. It’s not far.”

We exit the terminal, and the cold hit me as he leads me across a large parking lot. I thought he said it wasn’t far? After a long trek to the middle of the lot, he stops at a pickup parked among the rows of pickups. I stifle a laugh. I’m definitely not in Boston anymore.

He stows my bags as I climb into the passenger side. Not a simple task given my short dress. I saw it in a store window last week and knew it’d be perfect for seeing Michael for the first time in months. For reminding him what he’d been missing.

Once inside, the warmth from the truck’s heater helps thaw out my legs. Maybe the dress is not the best for Wyoming? As Rick drives away from the airport, I watch the views passing, which further solidifies we’re not in Boston anymore. That’s okay. I’m here to start my new life with Michael.

As we park in the drive, I see the house for the first time. Depression threatens to overcome me, but I fight it back. Michael found this meager house in the country, wanting a place to relax from what promised to be grueling days ahead. I remind myself this is temporary. We will make do.

Rick helps me inside and sets my bags by the sofa as I scan the room. It’s modest and contains a few pieces of drab furniture arranged on the speckled gray linoleum-covered floor. There is a gray couch, a small scarred coffee table, and an old chrome and Formica dinette table with two vinyl cushioned chairs.

On the far wall is an open metal cabinet that appears to have woodgrain contact paper covering it. Two more chairs are on each side, and an old TV is on top. A gray metal wardrobe sits by the front door in place of a closet. The room’s distinct lack of color, thanks to the dull beige paint, and the musty smell speak volumes on its lack of attraction. The gray curtains covering the windows and a single frameless mirror above the TV are the extent of the decorations.

“It’s not the Taj Mahal, but it should work for now,” Rick says.

“It is rather basic,” I agree while surveying the minute room.

He interrupts before more dread appears. “Dr. Stenson said your boxes are in the back bedroom.”

“Oh, perfect. Did Michael say how long he’d be?” The title of doctor makes me smile, which helps since I’m seeing little reason to be positive.

“Ah, no, ma’am.” Something in his voice causes me to break off my survey of the room and turn in his direction. He’s holding out an envelope. “Dr. Stenson said to give you this. He said it will explain things.”

“Explain what things?” Negative thoughts flood my brain.

“I’m not sure. He said to give it to you when we got here. I’m sorry, but I’m on the late shift and need to go to make it in time.”

The sound of the door closing behind Rick intensifies my sense of being alone. I stand in what they call a great room, but it doesn’t appear great to me. I fight to keep the overwhelming dread from consuming me, trying to concentrate on the positive. I can do this. We can do this. It’s temporary. The means to our future. All our hard work and sacrifice for his schooling is about to pay off. Yet here I stand, and no Michael.

The envelope Rick gave me doesn’t help my thoughts to remain positive and magnifies the silence closing in around me. Jazmine is written in bold letters on the front, mocking me. Fearing what it might hold, I’m reluctant to open it and eliminate any chance I’m wrong. Why do I jump to the negative? This could be anything. Maybe my worst fears are nothing but that. However, with my past life and its disappointments, I always expect my worst fears to come true. He could be working the late shift at the hospital? But why wouldn’t he call? If there was an emergency and he’s assisting surgery, he couldn’t call. But a letter?

My pulse races as I stare at the envelope in my shaking hand. I know I must open it. Breathing is hard, and I’m sure I hear my heart pounding over the whooshing sound in my ears.

With a diminishing thread of hope, I open the envelope and remove the pages. I focus on the words while fighting to stay positive. As I read, tears fill my eyes.

Dear Jazmine,

I trust Rick found you. I’m sure you might be a little shocked and I’m sorry, but I have thrilling news.

About a month ago, the head surgeon, Dr. Williams, wanted to see me. He said he was impressed with me and that he’d been talking with a colleague about me.

To cut to the chase, there was a position for me in the residency program at UCLA Medical Center. He explained my talents demanded more than they could provide here and told me all about the program there. I couldn’t let this pass.

The next few weeks were a blur. I wanted to tell you but didn’t want to jinx it. Last week, all the details were finalized. The one issue was I needed to be there before you arrived. Not my choice, but I couldn’t say no.

It was obvious this was fate since everything just fell into place. I have a place to live with Dr. Williams’ daughter, Felicia, who is also going to UCLA for her psychiatric residency. We hit it off right away.

I needed to be there by Thursday, meaning yesterday, and it is a two-day drive, Felicia and I left Tuesday. Sorry, I couldn’t let you know sooner, but things snowballed and before I knew it, I had to leave. You’d already sent back the signed lease for the house, so I left it in your name. Now you’re set. It’s not much, but a year will go fast. You can find another place then. I was going to call to tell you not to come, but I knew how much you wanted to get out of Boston. Now you are. I used part of the money you sent for the first and last month’s rent and to get the utilities started. The boxes are in the back bedroom, and I stocked a few groceries.

Jazmine, it’s incredible how everything worked out for us. We’re away from Boston and able to start our new lives. I appreciate all you’ve done and know you’re thrilled with this fantastic opportunity for me. You’re a special friend.

Now I leave you to start your quest for the perfect life. You deserve it. Take care, and with any luck, we’ll meet down the road.

Michael

My heart creeps into my throat and warm, salty droplets spill down my cheeks. My legs weaken, and my knees buckle. The couch breaks my fall as I land on it. My eyes blur from tears as I read the letter over and over, hoping I’m missing something, but deep down I know I’m not. I thought ours was a close relationship, I thought we were about to start our perfect life. He makes it sound like this was nothing more than one friend helping another. I left everything behind in Boston to be with him, and now he wants me to start my quest? What happened to our quest?

My sobs rack my body, and while I wipe my eyes yet again with my already damp palms, I consider the possibility I’ll never recover from this dark, desolate place.

The pages fall from my shaking hands, floating to the floor. I can’t handle this. I’ve never felt so abandoned, so hopeless, so alone. Unable to stop, I slump to the side and end up lying on the couch in a ball. My arms hold on tight to everything I have, which is me, nothing but me.

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