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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Are There Pitfalls to Using Your Life as Inspiration for Your Books?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Author Lila Diller has written a four-book (more to come!) series focusing on the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Learn more now! via @chautonahavig

Romantic women’s fiction author, Lila Diller had a short chat with me about her “Love Is” series. Beginning with a contemporary romance through the first year of marriage, this four-book (so far) series is a labor of love placed on Lila’s heart by the Lord.

We had a quick chat the other day and it was a delight to get to know her better.

Lila Diller

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

Are There Pitfalls to Using Your Life as Inspiration for Your Books?

Lila Diller can tell you.  Yes.  Author of four books in romantic women’s fiction, Lila has used her own life and marriage in a fictional way.  No worries–names and other things have been changed to protect the innocent?  The guilty?  Both?  Something like that.

I’m excited to read this series. Lila has infused her books with the themes from I Corinthians 13, and considering the themes of the books, I’m pretty sure I’m going to love the depth and richness that Diller puts in them.  The characters sound amazing–especially the mentor in book four, Her Heart’s Disappointment, is a hoot. Even if I wasn’t already excited about the series, anytime an author says he or she had “so much fun” writing said character, I know it’s a killer.

And let’s face it, as I said in my blog post here, mentors can be good and bad–even the bad ones who were also… good!

lila diller her heart's disappointmentAbout Lila Diller’s Her Heart’s Disappointment.

A disappointed newlywed. A confused husband. Will Morgan learn how to communicate her true feelings or drive Jason away for good?

Her Heart’s Disappointment continues Morgan’s search for agape love in the newlywed phase. Now that the honeymoon is over, Morgan finds her newlywed life turning out to be less perfect than she expected. Now all the statistics about most divorces happening in the first two years suddenly seem realistic.

Morgan wants the perfect fairy-tale marriage but was unprepared for how much hard work it takes for a marriage to just survive. All the little annoyances and disappointments take their toll, leaving Morgan blindsided by the big problems — a friend’s failed marriage and possible infertility. She tries a mentor, a marriage conference, and a baby to right their relationship. But she’s forgetting one thing.

Will Morgan save her marriage?

Find Lila Diller at her website where you can get the first book FREE when you sign up for her newsletter.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
byChautona Havig

I feel like Christian fantasy is really exploding. So when I read about Cheryl Weber’s Never Forsaken, I knew I’d have to read it. Listen in as we chat about the world, the faith, and the story.

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

Never Forsaken by Cheryl Weber

Giant snake gods. Worshippers of sensuality. A jealous rebel. A failing king.

A courageous, young prince who struggles to uphold truth and justice.

Caught in the middle, one young woman fights for her future and the very destiny of her soul.

Ariel Summerfield was a girl when tragic loss, followed by a devastating betrayal, broke her heart and robbed her and her family of wealth and prestige. Ten years later, she is still struggling to hold them all together.

Can what was lost be restored? Will she ever be free to pursue her dreams?

But those with vile intentions for Ariel lay in wait. And one terrible day, she finds herself captive to a fate she never would have chosen. Will she yield to the voice that promises victory over her enemies but leads to the ultimate destruction of body and soul?

Or will she entrust her life and dreams to the all-powerful One who cherishes her like no other and can redeem the shattered remnants of her life? Even when all seems lost.

Learn more on Cheryl’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
August 22, 2026
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August 19, 2026
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Episode 571: A Chat with Lucas and Shauna Fischhaber
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Episode 570: A Chat with Niki Florica
August 15, 2026
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Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
August 10, 2026
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Episode 568: A Chat with Chelsea Bobulski
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Episode 567: A Chat with Roseanna M. White
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Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
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