Beside The River
by Wendy Fraser

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Seventeen year old Maggie Hanson and her quirky English “mum” live on the edge of poverty in a small riverside mill town during the 1930’s. Maggie is admired by men around town, especially the sly and charming Victor Robertson, her best friends brother, who shows her attention as she waits for her beau Ben Harding. Ben is away at medical school, and although he at times neglects her, she remains loyal to him, clings to romantic promises and dreams of a future as his wife. Maggie forces her mum to let her leave school so that she can help out with other peoples laundry sewing, or cleaning ...whatever will bring in some money. She starts work for a wealthy man who lives up the hill and soon finds herself caught up in new and ever-changing emotions as she struggles to reconcile her devotion to Ben and growing attraction to her kind and handsome employer. I have lived in the small riverside town where this novel takes place and attended both school and university in the area. I was inspired by the small town’s setting and history to write the story “Beside The River” with its entertaining fictional characters. I love writing and other then short stories, this novel is my debut, and more than anything, I hope you find it entertaining.

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"Fraser is lavish in her descriptions of the minutiae of small-town life.... But with Maggie, the author delivers a believably textured character. Fans of Janette Oke will feel right at home in these pages. A heartwarming and surprisingly realistic tale of first love in a Depression-era town." --- - Kirkus Reviews "'Beside The River' is the first book that I read written by Wendy Fraser. She is a very descriptive writer and I almost felt I was there in the small riverside town during the 1930's. It takes place during the Great Depression when most people were struggling and trying to survive poverty. The heroine is Maggie Hanson and she lives with her English mother. Three men will enter her life, Ben Harding is away at medical school, he’s the one she plans to marry one day! Follow Maggie on a journey filled with twists and turns!" - Nicole Laverdure

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Living in the beautiful North Pacific with my spouse and the youngest of three daughters along our big shaggy dog, Watson. I love the out doors, reading, writing and travel. I’ve always enjoyed writing stories since I was a child, and once lived in this small charming town that so inspired me. I have thrown in a few family names from the area from when I had lived there for fun and effect, although the characters are imaginary. I hope you enjoy it.

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Contributors

Author

Wendy Fraser

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