• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Blog

What Happens to Your Life When the Word Is the Standard

What Happens to Your Life When the Word Is the Standard

We sat across from each other in the booth at Denny’s. While she looked at the menu and chatted about something funny she saw on Facebook, I second-guessed my decision to get her opinion on my dilemma. What I had to ask wouldn’t be popular—even with someone as clearly committed to Biblical thinking Continue Reading

What's Wrong with This Sequel & How to Fix It A Song Unheard

What’s Wrong with This Sequel & How to Fix It?

I remember everything my favorite music teacher taught me about music.  Odd, though, I don’t remember her name or anything she told me about my own playing, but about music, I remember.  I can hear her as if I’m still standing in her little studio, violin tucked under my chin, wrist hanging from the Continue Reading

Why Do I Blog All the Time? My Top Reasons

Why Do I Blog All the Time? My Top Reasons

While drunks demanded pancakes and bourbon chicken skillets, the woman slid my open planner toward her and skimmed the entries. Yes, she asked before she did, and I didn’t care. I mean, it’s just my editorial calendar—the books that are on sale, the upcoming releases, books I have to ship, social Continue Reading

Just What Is the Future of Christian Fiction?

Just What Is the Future of Christian Fiction?

With a disdainful look at the cover of an overly airbrushed young woman in plain dress and a white kappe, the woman shoves the book back on the bookstore shelf. “I used to like these, but they’re all the same, now.” “Try something with a little more action—like maybe Dee Henderson or Brandilyn Continue Reading

The First Annual Just the Write 10 Best Novel Awards

The First Just the Write 10 Best Novel Awards

“Who won the Christy Award?” “I don’t know, but did you hear who won the Carol Award?” “Nope—but I did hear that… oh, what’s his name. The guy who wrote that one about the cult living in a New York high rise? He won the Illumination Award!” “And my favorite author won the Christian Book Continue Reading

3 Reasons Why You’ll Love Lead a Merry Dance

April Hayman sat across from me at Denny’s, planning her next novella in The Christmas Lights Collection:  Making Spirits Bright. “I think I’m going to make this year’s novella about Trip going on a cruise— a honeymoon cruise.” The words got my attention. I mean who doesn’t love the idea of a Continue Reading

Why I Wanted to Love Solve by Christmas More Than I Did

Why I Wanted to Love Solve by Christmas More Than I Did

“Well, did you finish it?” How I didn’t want to answer the question. When I did, she’d ask if I liked it. But, I couldn’t exactly say no, and anything other than yes would be deception—a lie anyway. I just didn’t want to answer. “Chautona? Did you finish it?” I tried not to show my thoughts Continue Reading

What Do YOU Think I Should Do about My Serial Novels?

"How soon can you get Past Forward ready for publication?" Nothing strikes fear in my heart like Ashley asking me when I can get something done.  You see, it usually means I need to do it yesterday, and it usually means a lot of work. It also usually means a lot of success. And it was. It's Continue Reading

What the Dickens Is So Merry about This Christmas Novel?

The book cover appeared in my newsfeed on several sites. Facebook. Instagram. Twitter. In a Facebook group, someone mentioned it. 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. As much as I love them, I don’t often buy Christmas books. I just write them. Weird, I know. But the minute I saw the cover, I knew I’d buy Continue Reading

So what about Romance makes Annie want to Run?

So, What about Romance makes Annie Want to Run?

The synopsis glowed at me from my laptop.  Reality TV star. Golden, glittering life crashing down around her.  Running away.  Finding an Amish inn. Meeting new friends. Unique, interesting.  Of course, the title made me nervous—Runaway Romance. With a title like that, it’d have sap and mush… Continue Reading

What I Liked about The Heart of an Agent

What I Loved about The Heart of an Agent

My family were the Pinkertons—the detectives.” I’ll admit it.  When my friend told me that, I just kind of nodded.  I’d never heard of “the Pinkertons.”  It took about two minutes and the help of Google to get a feel for what it was all about—a super-cool detective agency that worked more as Continue Reading

Why Write about Diabetic Alert Dogs in a Christmas Novel?

Today’s “noella” spotlight… Mine!  The Second Noel. Note: links in this post may be affiliate links that provide a small commission at no extra expense to you. Why Write about Diabetic Alert Dogs in a Christmas Novel? The message came from a reader who had slowly but surely become a friend. You Continue Reading

« Previous Page
Next Page »
I have a theory and would love to test it. If you' I have a theory and would love to test it. If you'd be willing to help, I'd so appreciate it. So... Which of my characters (you can do more than one if you like, I'm just trying to get a feel for things) is your favorite... and why?
#AmWriting
#ChristFic
#AuthorLife
Reposted from @catheswanson Charlea Evans thought Reposted from @catheswanson Charlea Evans thought she had finally put her unconventional past behind her.

Now a widow with a college-age daughter and a promising new career within reach, she's worked hard to build a respectable life far removed from Serenity Hill—the quirky former commune where her free-spirited mother still lives. But when a devastating house fire destroys her home and everything she owns, Charlea finds herself with nowhere else to turn.

Reluctantly, she returns to the farm she thought she'd escaped forever, trading independence for her childhood bedroom, milking goats, tending chickens, and counting the days until she can afford a place of her own. Then an accident lands her mother in the hospital, leaving Charlea responsible for managing the property and overseeing an ambitious new venture.
Her mother and daughter have plans of their own. Big plans. Plans to transform Serenity Hill into a seasonal market and destination for workshops, events, and community gatherings. Helping bring the vision to life is Drew Wallace—the man who stole her heart on a single unforgettable date fifteen years ago.

As she works to keep the project moving forward, Charlea finds herself confronting old hurts, long-held assumptions, and the family history she's spent years trying to leave behind. With old dreams awakening and new possibilities taking root, she begins to wonder if Serenity Hill holds the answers she's been searching for. She must decide whether she's willing to risk her heart again—and whether the future she carefully planned can compete with the one God may have been preparing for her all along.

Coming home is the last thing Charlea wants—but it may be the beginning of everything she's been searching for.

Something New is the first book in the Serenity Hill series.
Having a great time at out writing retreat. My Ju Having a great time at out writing retreat.  My June bingo board had "write outside" on it, sooo... another spot filled.
#AmWriting
#WritingRetreat
#LadiesOfTheLake
Made it to Denver. Next stop, Minneapolis and #Th Made it to Denver.  Next stop, Minneapolis and #TheLadiesOfTheLake
Gonna write like the fool I am!!!
So... with little time left, I decide to do corne So... with little time left, I  decide to do corners. Six down,  3 to go...
#Bookbinding
#amcrafting 
#journals
The annual(ish) journal making assembly line has c The annual(ish) journal making assembly line has commenced. To be fair the text blcks were already done. And marking 18 boards wiped me out ( been sick) but... Now, can I get them all done by Sunday? Nine??? Eeep!
#bookbinding
#amcrafting 
#journals
For example, while writing Meddlin' Madeline, I al For example, while writing Meddlin' Madeline, I always play @AdamGSwanson on YouTube so I can stay in touch with her favorite music: Ragtime (I still have CDs of his to use for giveaways with Looks Can Kill. Must get that written. Stay tuned for more about THAT.
While writing Be My Inspiration, I listened to every love song I could stomach (they get old fast. I don't know how Linus does it). I even listened to Taylor Swift's old break up songs (again, not my cuppa). But... at least I got to listen to Roger Miller's "That's Why I Love You Like I Do"  Now THAT is a love song.  hee hee.
If I'm in hyper Get-er-done mode, THEN... I put on a Hogwarts Pomodoro study session and type like the wind. Or get on Discord and join a few writing sprints.  It all depends.
If you have a question you want me to answer, leave it in the comments OR... zip me an email at chautona@chautona.com.  I'll try to work them in (and will probably combine those that are really similar.
#AuthorLife
#WriterLife
#AuthorsOfInstagram
#CharacterDevelopment
#AmWriting
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!