Character Profile: Help Me Move On by Angie Hemings

Help Me Move On
The Southern Ties Series
Book 1
Angie Hemmings

Genre: Romance
Number of pages: 248


Book Description:
Ally Dunn is a small town girl with big dreams planning a wedding that would never happen. Ally’s life revolved around being Eric’s wife…until she watched his best friend Isaiah step off that plane, his arm in a sling and Eric's casket behind him. Her grief consumed her, their last conversation not one filled with love but an argument over her favorite flower. He knew her favorite flower, he was just busy…fighting for his country. Isaiah made a promise to Eric, he would keep Ally safe even if that meant saving her from herself. Isaiah takes Ally away when her grief becomes too much but their return brings about something she never expected.

When Ally meets Colton Walker she knows her life will never be the same. She never planned to move on from Eric, the mere idea of moving on would send her into a panic. How do you move on from the man you loved, the man who shared your dreams, who made your heart feel whole? But Colton doesn’t push her, he doesn’t pressure her, he gives her everything she ever needed and he does it effortlessly.

Falling in love with Colton was like taking her next breath; she didn’t have to think about because it came naturally…only a cloud hangs over Ally. Isaiah trains her in Krav Maga, Eric trained her in gunfire. Colton sees all of this, asking the one question she can’t answer, why? Why would a woman who lives in such a small town need to know such aggressive self-defense? Isaiah vows to keep her safe, going so far as to track her every move…but why?

Surviving Eric’s death almost killed Ally, the hole in her heart never truly healed until Colton. Falling in love with Colton was easy, fighting for her life when everything she thought she knew was wrong…that was a completely different story.

Amazon 

Hey guys, I’m Angie Hemmings the author of Help Me Move On and today we’re delving into my favorite characters.  For over a year these characters were developed and twisted into what they now are and I’m excited to be able and introduce you to the characters that spawned The Southern Ties Series.  Help Me Move On wasn’t supposed to be a series, it was an idea that turned into a book that left me thinking about Isaiah Atwood.  That man has haunted my dreams and I know it’s because his story wasn’t over.  The only problem with that is once his story was over I found another in his brother Henry and then another in their friend Jason.  This always makes me smile because I can’t watch the actors I chose for my dream cast without thinking of my books and what’s to come.

Ally (Allison) Janelle Dunn

 Ally grew up living with her grandmother, her parents died when she was little but she never wanted for anything.  Her grandmother was everything she ever needed, encouraging her to finish nursing school and become a Nurse Practitioner.  An important fact we should remember is that Ally went to school at UNC-Chapel Hill so she’s a fierce TarHeel fan.  Spending a year in the Peace Corp was always a dream she had, helping people who couldn’t help themselves and when Eric died it was Isaiah who took her on that journey.  Working in Uganda taught Ally how lucky we really are to have the luxuries that surround us...running water, power, medical care.  Ally’s strength goes beyond her ability to kick someone’s ass, she’s also smarter than you’ll give her credit for.  She teaches us a valuable lesson, never discredit a woman simply because she’s a woman and just because you’re bigger doesn’t mean you’re smarter.  Ally begins Help Me Move On at the funeral for her first and only love.  She starts this journey of really self discovery because she’s forced to look at herself from a different perspective.  We’re all guilty of taking for granted our loved ones.  You never really think that they won’t be there tomorrow until you get that phone call.  When she was arguing with Eric over her favorite flower she never once imagined that his parents would be knocking on her door or that his mother would be giving her the dog tags Eric always wore.  She took for granted that Eric would always be there and so when she loses him it’s especially hard on her.  He was the man she was going to marry and their last words to each other were in anger.  Moving on when you’re slowing killing yourself with the regrets of your past isn’t easy.  We learn how human Ally really is when she goes to the graveyard, learning that she hasn’t been to Eric’s grave since the funeral you wonder why?  Why does Isaiah call her and why is she afraid he’ll show up?  Sometimes our grief becomes too much, the regret heavy in the air, and the need for an escape from the pain too overwhelming and allconsuming.  We all do things that, looking back, we regret and the graveyard is a place she does have a regret.  In her weakness came a desperation for some kind of peace except she couldn’t find the peace she seeked in that graveyard.  She couldn’t give up on life because Isaiah wouldn’t let her.  Isaiah knew she was meant for more than the girl who mourned herself to death over a fallen soldier.  Isaiah knew that Ally was meant to move on from this tragedy and she was

meant to find the true love of her life.  So when she was weak Isaiah was there for her as he planned to be until the day he knew she had found a man who could give her everything that Isaiah wished he could give to her.

Colton Walker

Colton is two years older than Ally, his blue eyes hypnotic and his brown hair longer and something you’re going to want to run your fingers through...and tug.  He’s the perfect Alpha because he’s not only strong and passionate but he’s got this calmness to him that only a true Alpha can have.  It’s that calm, cool, and collected aura that suits him for his position over the fire department.  An important fact to remember about Colton is he’s not even the slightest bit materialistic.  He drives an old blue Chevy and his idea of a good Saturday afternoon is driving through a mud bog. 

Colton isn’t like most of the men you meet, he doesn’t have anything to prove.  He doesn’t have to try and be something he’s not and he has a confidence that is completely effortless.  He’s not cocky, he’s not an ass, he’s just Colton and that’s all he needs to be.  When Ally is at her weakest, when that last straw breaks, Colton doesn’t let Isaiah take command...something we all know Isaiah does well.  No, Colton knows where he belongs and when Ally needs him he’s there for her and he’s not afraid to put someone in their place...when the need is there of course.  I almost wish I had opted for Colton’s side of the story in Help Me Move On because he has so much to offer Ally. 

When Ally is missing, when Isaiah is searching for her, it’s Colton who helps track her which is ironic considering he’s not the former Delta force but rather a fire captain who happens to be able to track anyone.  Colton may be laid back and he may seem relaxed but threaten the woman he loves and you should watch out.

Isaiah Atwood

 My obsession with the perfect Alpha male continues with Isaiah.  Isaiah is ex-military, Delta Force if we’re being specific and he’s not alone.  When Isaiah’s Story continues we’ll meet Henry, his brother and Jason Kein...each who will have their own stories to tell.  When researching for Isaiah’s past I found myself drawn to the Delta Force vs the Navy Seals.  “Once a delta always a delta…”  Delta Force isn’t your everyday special unit.  It’s the elite of the elite, the highest honor that you can reach and they’ll just about kill you while trying to reach this level.  To say a former Delta Force soldier is tough is almost comical because tough doesn’t even begin to describe them.  They work for the most part in complete secrecy performing these insane missions...hostage rescues, raids, covert operations and they do it all knowing that no one is going to really know what they’re doing.  There is no awards, no press conferences where you get to stand up and say “Yep...that was me saving your life.”  A Delta has to be more than strong and fast but he has to be smart and he can’t break under pressure.  Isaiah was all this and more. 

His dream from a young age was to be in the army, to advance and to become one of the elite and he did exactly that.  He had nothing to lose and he dedicated his life to being this super soldier all the while knowing that he would never truly get credit for his efforts.  But that’s the point of the Alpha male now isn’t it?  The army molds Isaiah into a machine, no emotion, no conscience, and no fear.  It’s also a reason he becomes a brooding, hot as hell, pseudo bodyguard for a best friend?  Perk to being Ally Dunn if I say so myself.  Isaiah is everything Ally ever needs except he can’t be the one thing she wants.  He loves Ally, we mustn’t forget that he does love her very much, but Isaiah’s heart belongs to someone else.  Isaiah lost his heart a very long time ago to a woman I think I’ll introduce you guys to today.  Yes, Isaiah is this hard core, sometimes rather violent and calculating man who allows Ally to be placed in danger to prove he’s right.  But...every man has his weakness and as Ally was Eric’s one weakness...Alexis Williamson is Isaiah’s.

Wait...what???

Yes….meet Alexis Williamson

In Isaiah’s Story, book two of The Southern Ties Series we’re going to see the reason Isaiah never pursued Ally.  At the bonfire while Ally stands with Colton she watches as Alexis Williamson walks over to where Isaiah sits in his usual bored manner.  Everything about Isaiah warns you to be careful and yet Alexis can walk up to the man completely fearless.  Alexis met Isaiah before the military, before the effects of war changed him into the man we now see.  She met him when playing in a pink playhouse was an everyday thing and shooting Isaiah with his own paintball gun was still considered childs plan.

I’m attached to fictional characters in this book which is funny in a sense because I’ve chosen actors to portray the characters I’ve developed and now I can’t watch a movie without thinking of my books.  The setting for Help Me Move On was pivotal in the development of this story and the fire that tore through Pilot Mountain State Park was something that really happened several years ago.  I can still remember the smell that clung to the air around the homes surrounding the mountain and the threat that came with those fires.

At the end of the day there is a central theme to Help Me Move On that I don’t want you to forget and I’ll close on that note.  No matter what your flaws may be or what mistakes you may have made...you deserve to be loved and if you’re lucky enough to find that...then you should fight for it.

Never stop fighting and never give up.

About the Author:

Angie Hemmings is a self-proclaimed romance addict.  Her love for romance began at an early age but after years of reading romance novels she found herself wanting more which led to her first novel.  She's originally from Mount Airy, a small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and she loves the art behind creating a new story.  Getting lost in the romance, the struggle between her characters is what makes Angie Hemmings continue her work and writing is what she loves.

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