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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Where it All Began…

by Chautona Havig · 5 Comments

Noble Pursuits CoverOnce upon a time, a home school mom of nine heard the question, “How do you do it all?” one too many times.  Every time someone asked her the question, she would say, “Well, you get them one at a time.  They all don’t show up at once.  You add experience before you add the next kid or stage.”  Then one day she wondered.  “What would happen if a young woman inherited 8 kids of varying ages–all at once–and with no real experience with children?”  She did research.  Talked to teachers.  Found several who had made it through their education classes without a rotation with smaller children.  SCORE!

Halfway (or maybe a bit more) through that book, she saw something that prompted another question.  “What would happen if a man got fed up with women chasing him and went looking for a traditional woman?”  Nolan Burke (originally Barnes… can you imagine… Barnes.  Noble.  Nah…) was “born.”

When it came time to enter the world of publishing, I started with Noble Pursuits.  Most of my other books had sequels, so I thought Grace and Nolan were a better choice.  I made every rookie error in the book with this poor novel. Because of it’s flaws, I reedited it … TWICE.  In doing so, I got reacquainted with my characters.  I love Grace.  I love Nolan.  I crack up at Aunt Fran every single time.  But, I saw it with fresh eyes and let’s just say I can see how I’ve grown as an author.  Forgive the weaknesses and I hope you enjoy the strengths.  There are some, small as they may be.

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Comments

  1. Marilyn Gleason says

    August 29, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Thanks so much for the book Noble Pursuits. I loved it, I just wrote a review on Amazon.

    Reply
  2. Rebekah says

    August 29, 2012 at 8:35 am

    I didn’t know that Aggie got started before Noble Pursuits!

    I saw your “Suggested Reading Order” too… That’s interesting. 😀

    Oh… and did I mention that I’m enjoying “Argosy Junction”? Though I probably won’t get to finish it until after we’re done moving. 🙂

    To the KING be all the glory!
    Rebekah

    Reply
  3. Debbie Griffith says

    August 27, 2012 at 7:56 am

    I just took a look at your Coming Soon page and just wanted to let you know that “Introductions” looks a great book, I can’t wait to read it!

    Reply
  4. Debbie Griffith says

    August 27, 2012 at 7:51 am

    Thanks so much offering “Noble Pursuits” FREE today! I just downloaded it and it’s now on my kindle. I also “liked” and “shared” on Facebook. Thanks also for the giveaway! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Susan says

    August 27, 2012 at 6:12 am

    So fun. Thanks for sharing that you have updated it. 🙂

    Susan

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 591: A Chat with Jenny McLeod Carlisle
byChautona Havig

There are just not enough “rodeo” books out there, but Jenny McLeod Carlisle has climbed into the saddle and… yeah. I tried to do something other than “stepped up to the plate,” but it didn’t work. Anyway, you get the gist. Listen in to get the story about the story!

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

Family relationships can be hard, so maybe that’s why stories that explore them resonate so well. Stepping up when things are falling apart means doing hard things, and hard things make great stories. Throw in a horse or three and…

Hope Takes the Reins by Jenny McLeod Carlisle

They’ve spent their lives in the middle—now everything is asking them to step up.

O.D. Billings has always lived in the shadow of his brothers. Even his name feels like something to hide behind. But when his family’s future begins to unravel, O.D. is forced to take the reins in ways he never expected.

Hope Caldwell is doing everything she can to hold her family together after the loss of her mother. The rodeo that’s been her whole world is slipping through her fingers, and the future she counted on is suddenly uncertain.

Because someone is ready to walk away. And everything she loves is at risk of disappearing.

As lifelong neighbors, O.D. and Hope have always known each other—but now they’re seeing each other in a whole new light. With pressure mounting from every direction, they find themselves leaning on each other in ways neither anticipated.

But stepping forward means facing fears they’ve spent years avoiding. And trusting that God’s plan might look very different than their own.

In a world of dust, determination, and second chances, Hope Takes the Reins is a heartfelt story of courage, calling, and discovering that sometimes the middle is exactly where you’re meant to be.

Will they keep running from who they’ve always been…or finally step into who they’re meant to become?

Find love, purpose, and the courage to take the reins. Start reading today.

Learn more on Jenny’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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Episode 591: A Chat with Jenny McLeod Carlisle
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
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There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
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