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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

5 Reasons You Should NOT Read My Books

by Chautona Havig · 10 Comments

“For one who reads, there is no limit to the number of lives that may be lived, for fiction, biography, and history offer an inexhaustible number of lives in many parts of the world, in all periods of time.”                                   ~Louis L’Amour

The soap opera claims we have but “one life to live.”  America’s Storyteller, Mr. L’Amour, tells us how to live more than one.  But who would want to live more than once?

Who would want to travel to fictional places and meet people who never existed?

Past Forward CollectionWhy would anyone want to watch dragons from a field, capture a unicorn, or rescue a friend from fiends?  What crazy person would want to travel to Regency England and attend Almack’s or fall in love with a butler–I mean “prince”? 

And really, who wants to watch a modern young woman discover life outside her own farm?  Meeting people for the first time?  Really? Attending her first church service?  To answer some of the mysteries of her own life?

Who wants to live vicariously through an author so comfortable in her own skin that she wears anything, from any era, and with panache? 

Craziness, I tell ya.  One life is enough, isn’t it?  All those lives in books just wear us out.  Jerk us from reality.  Kill our connection with the here and now.  Run while you can!  And if you can’t run, maybe these five reasons to avoid my books at all costs will help you.

5 Reasons You Should NOT Read My Books

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

5 Reasons You Should NOT Read My Books

Reason #1

Reading fiction gives you the opportunity to hate villains.  Jesus says hate is worse than murder, so we are not allowed to hate our fellow man. With fiction, you can hate, loathe, despise, and abominate anyone you choose.  They’re not real.

Why is this a reason not to read my books?  Because you may just get into a terrible habit of hating, loathing, despising, and abominating–assuming I write good villains.  So, if you trust yourself not to cross over from fiction to reality, then this might not be a reason for you.  Otherwise, remember.  I warned you.

justified means coverReason #2

The three Ds.  Dinner. Dishes.  Diapers.  Reading a good book (allow me the illusion that mine are good, please!!!) makes it very difficult to pay proper attention to these.  While the diaper wearers have built-in change alarms (otherwise known as deafening screams or–in worst case scenarios, diaper rashes), dishes, and dinner do not.

It is nearly impossible to hear the rumble of a hungry hubby’s belly over the internal sounds of a high-speed chase along an interstate in an attempt to evade the bad guys.  And it is even more difficult to hear the call of spaghetti crusted dishes when the hero gets accused of a heinous crime.

Reason #3

Reading is “detrimental and deleterious” to your health. Why? Because you tend to stay awake and read “one more chapter” instead of getting the health-giving sleep your body truly needs.  (Name that movie quote.)

Well, reading a good book that you can’t put down is, and I work really hard to try to create books that fill that bill.  So, instead of actually sleeping, you read about the sleep deprivation of a “new mom” who feeds her little charge coffee instead of formula.  *Hint… it’s based on a true story. OOPS!

I’m telling you, my books set a terrible example in the health department.  You don’t get enough sleep, and you feed caffeinated beverages to infants!  I’m a terrible example.  Run while it’s safe!

The Vintage WrenReason #4

You need to protect your finances! Look, I’m a prolific author.  Despite giving FREE installments to my serial novels almost every week, occasional free novels or nearly free at .99, and even big prizes aside, I write a lot of books and books cost money.

Follow that with the whole, “Keep up with the latest Kindle syndrome” things can get OUCHY. For the sake of your budget (and possibly your marriage–does that make this six reasons?  I don’t know), don’t read my books.

Even if you like them.  You might want to know what happens next to the Carrillos in Napa.  The next thing you know, you’re trying to explain to hubby why there should be a line item in your budget for Chautona Havig books.

Don’t DO IT!

(Can I uncross my fingers now?  I really would like to be able to continue paying the bills… *whistles*)

Reason #5

Because I’m a hypocrite. Psalm 26:4 says

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.  (ESV)

Prairie-- book one of the Journey of Dreams SeriesYep. I’m a hypocrite.  In fact, I write about characters who do things I don’t agree with–like kidnapping people for “their own good.”  Not only that, I write about characters who hold convictions I don’t, like women and girls only wearing skirts and dresses or exceptionally strict rules about divorce and remarriage.  Their theology occasionally clashes with mine or I write about God performing miracles that have no basis in Scripture. 

And as a mom who never invited Santa to be a part of her family’s Christmas celebration, I wrote a 100% secular Santa book for children.  Don’t read my books.  You may figure out all my flaws and tell me about them.  I’ve been running and hiding from them for years.  Please, don’t kill my delusions!

But if you’re brave, bold, a go-against-the-flow kind of gal (or guy!!!!)…

Then go for it.  Read them.  Enter a brave new world.  Live a thousand or more lives.  Escape into fantasy for a little while.  And maybe, just maybe, I’ll achieve my purpose.

I’ll encourage you in your walk with Jesus. I’ll use story to urge you to the feet of the Master Storyteller.  And that’s what it’s all about for me.

*originally published on October 15, 2014.  Edited and updated December 2017

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Comments

  1. phyllis says

    October 19, 2014 at 12:53 am

    after reading this… i want all your books! i was smiling all thru…. wow!! beautifully written

    Reply
  2. Ryoko says

    October 17, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    Should Read… Just To Read A Chapter It Two…..

    Reply
  3. Ryoko says

    October 17, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Number 3 For Me Too. The Days Get Busy. I Head To Bed Robust Read A Chapter Or Two Then Check ThenClock….It Is 2 Hours Later. 😉

    Reply
  4. Faith says

    October 16, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    I noticed we have been having some of those problems round here…just sayin’

    Reply
  5. Courtney says

    October 16, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    #3 nailed it for me! I cannot count how many times I have stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading one of your books! I have laughed and cried (sometimes at the same time) over your books and I must confess to being addicted. But it’s healthier than caffeinated beverages and chocolate, right?

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      October 16, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      Healthier for babies for sure. *cough* Yes, I really did do that with hot chocolate with my first. How’d you guess?

      Reply
  6. Flo says

    October 16, 2014 at 8:52 am

    After reading Past Forward, the Aggie series and the freebies for Hearthland and one of the fantasy ones (name escapes me), I am going through all the Rockland ones from the beginning. (Birthday money, christmas money and catching freebies – so no damage to household budget 🙂 I have mentioned it before, there is something very soothing about the very “down homey” style of writing, good descriptions, humor and light heartedness, even in tough times. Just the way life should be when we put our trust in the Lord. We go through the fire of life, but still can find things to smile or laugh about.

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      October 16, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      Whew! “Down homey” is exactly what I strive for. WOOT! Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Marleen V says

    October 16, 2014 at 5:31 am

    That’s one of the reasons I love you and your books! Your post said it all. And for all of those reason (except for the diapers :o) are the reasons that I read and 95% of my Nook is filled with Chautona Havig books. I get asked all the time – what’s a good read? And of course, I direct them right to your website (thanks for making that an easy one by the way!). Yes, I am a Christian, but I like knowing that even for my non-Christian friends, when I recommend your books, I’ll introducing a little bit of Jesus into their life and they don’t really know it. Keep doing what you are doing lady – cause it’s obviously working out great!

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      October 16, 2014 at 12:01 pm

      Honestly, that is one of the best compliments I could receive–that I share Jesus without being obnoxiously preachy about it. Thank you!!!

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
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