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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Some Say Opposites Attract, but Do They Really?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Blessings in the Bargain released on Tuesday, and guys... this book. You have GOT to read this book. It's my favorite Trumbo book!) via @chautonahavig

The question threw me for a loop. “Do you have a friend who is your opposite but you just love them?” I didn’t (and still don’t) know how to answer her. My friend Teresa is crazy outgoing and gregarious. I’m naturally shy. So… sure. We’re opposites. But we have most things in common. The same is true of my friend since junior high, my husband, and even the other islands authors.

It kind of makes sense, though. Doesn’t it? If you are exactly like your friend in every way, one of you is probably redundant. If you’re completely opposite in every way, then what do you have in common? And if you have nothing in common at all…  Get my drift?

But what I want to point out is that while spending time with people like ourselves might be more comfortable, those people who challenge us to get out of our comfort zones (staying home instead of going out or vice versa, having a party when you’d rather people go away… whatever)… Those people make life richer. And I, for one, am grateful for them.

blessings in the bargain trumbo

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

Some Say Opposites Attract, but Do They Really?

What’s the deal with the friends and the opposites and the samesies?

Well, Kari Trumbo’s latest (and last… sniffles) Independence Islands book, Blessings in the Bargain, released this week, and since there’s definitely an opposites attract (plus May/December) romance, Kari asked the question, and here’s my answer.  It’s not all that exciting, but really… I could tell you about how my friend never believed I was shy until she introduced me to a friend of hers in Walmart and then couldn’t understand why I wasn’t talking.  I didn’t need to. “But you weren’t shy with me!”

Newsflash. Outgoing, gregarious people often drag shy people into friendships with no idea that they go home later and suck their thumbs in the fetal position. Yeah… Teresa figured that out.

It was good for me, though.  So is having a friend who is much more sensitive than I’ll ever be, having one who needs lots of affirmation, having one who needs lots of “outings.”  Things like this stretch me and help me be more sympathetic to others’ needs. And that’s a good thing!

Blessings in the Bargain by Kari Trumbo

Despite a career in logistics, Courtney is unprepared to get lost at sea…

A fated trip to the docks with her closest pal Annie leads to disaster. Ship Captain Lex Ford agrees to take Courtney and two of her friends on what was to be a quick trip to test a new boat. A dangerous storm traps them against a reef, damaging communications and stranding them at sea.Blessings in the Bargain Kari Trumbo

Lex knew this was a bad idea…

He hated having people on his ship with him. Ever since his partner left, he doesn’t share his life with anything but the seagulls. So, when Courtney’s friend Rafe offers him a deal on a new boat, he’d rather ignore the offer.

His heart isn’t ready for how he feels about Courtney, and watching her brave the elements after the storm makes him want to protect her. But the last woman he loved just walked away. And what about their age gap? He’s far older than her. The Lord is good at turning bad situations for good, but can even He make this mess right?

This Breakers Head novel is Kari Trumbo’s final novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Check out the other authors’ websites for their friendship stories AND… to get entries in to their giveaways!

Kari Trumbo: September 27
Rachel Skatvold: September 28
Tabitha Bouldin: September 29
Carolyn Miller: September 30
Chautona Havig: October 1
Melissa Wardwell: October 2
Sandy Barela: October 3

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
byChautona Havig

I love a good Christmas novella collection, and Lighting Up Christmas promises to be a fabulous one. Listen in as I chat with four Scrivenings authors about the collection and their books!

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

If you knew the craziness that was this recording! Those poor women! Meanwhile, we managed, and now, I don’t know about you, but I’m dying to get to it! :D

Lighting Up Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Heather Greer, Mary Pat Johns, and Regina Rudd Merrick

Four Christmas lights. Four love stories. One season filled with faith, hope, and happily-ever-afters.

In Lighting Up Christmas, four heartwarming holiday romance novellas shine with cozy charm, clean romance, small-town warmth, and the gentle reminder that God can bring light to even the dimmest season.

In The Bright Side of Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Holly Belle loves Christmas, holiday décor, and twinkling lights. Her new neighbor, Robert Bradshaw, prefers peace, quiet, and keeping her Christmas cheer firmly on her side of the duplex. But when Holly decides his grinchy heart needs a little holiday help, their battle over lights may lead to something brighter than either one expected.

In The Light of a Christmas Star by Heather Greer, Elena Bell is determined to make Tannenbaum’s Festival of Lights a success for the families depending on it. When rising Hollywood star Trenton Wills arrives at her B&B, he may be the answer to the town’s needs—and the beginning of Elena’s own Christmas romance. But Trenton has secrets that could dim more than the festival lights.

In ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas by Mary Pat Johns, Cooper Blackmon enters the region’s biggest Christmas lights competition determined to win. Mandy Alvarez needs the prize money to save her family’s beloved Christmas Village. As rivalry turns to friendship and friendship glows into something more, only one can claim the prize. But both may have far more to lose than money.

In Pitch Perfect Lights by Regina Rudd Merrick, Holly Shepherd is facing her family’s first Christmas after loss while trying to create joy for her young siblings. When author Paxton Hollis returns home and quietly helps revive her father’s beloved light display, Holly discovers that hope can still shine, even through grief.

A charming choice for readers who enjoy clean, faith-friendly romance wrapped in Christmas lights, small-town warmth, and happily-ever-after hope.

Read Lighting Up Christmas and discover four faith-filled holiday love stories that glow with joy, hope, and the true light of Christmas.

Visit Amy at her WEBSITE or on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

Learn more about Mary on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

You can learn more about Regina and her books on her Website and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
September 30, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 586: A Chat with Becca Kinzer
September 28, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 585: A Chat with Jenelle Hovde
September 26, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 584: A Chat with James Finke
September 23, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 583: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 21, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 582: A Chat with Terrie Todd
September 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 581: A Chat with Bethany Crigger
September 14, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 580: A Chat with R. T. Ward
September 12, 2026
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Episode 579: A Chat with Lauren Smyth
September 9, 2026
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Episode 578: A Chat with Carolyn Bourke
September 7, 2026
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A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be m A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be more fun? Grannies gettin' their gutsy on? Hunky cops protecting book clubbers from stalkers? Harvey Girls? Choosing real people over AI chat bot buddies? Friends working together to bring two book-loving hearts together? And more!
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Reposted from @susannahaymond Booked for Love is n Reposted from @susannahaymond Booked for Love is now available!

Are you ready to get matched with your next fall read?

Booked for Love is a collection of novellas featuring meddling book club members who work their matchmaking magic to create love matches within their communities.

From second chances, found family, later-in-life romance, meddling grandmas, to unexpected danger, this anthology has it all!

Order your copy today! (Link in my bio)

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A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be m A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be more fun? Grannies gettin' their gutsy on? Hunky cops protecting book clubbers from stalkers? Harvey Girls? Choosing real people over AI chat bot buddies? Friends working together to bring two book-loving hearts together? And more!
Available on October 1st!!!
https://amzn.to/4yjIMBH (#AffiliateLink).
#bookedforloveanthology
#bookclub
#Matchmaking
A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be m A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be more fun? Grannies gettin' their gutsy on? Hunky cops protecting book clubbers from stalkers? Harvey Girls? Choosing real people over AI chat bot buddies? Friends working together to bring two book-loving hearts together? And more!
Available on October 1st!!!
https://amzn.to/4yjIMBH (#AffiliateLink).
#bookedforloveanthology
#bookclub
#Matchmaking
A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be m A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be more fun? Grannies gettin' their gutsy on? Hunky cops protecting book clubbers from stalkers? Harvey Girls? Choosing real people over AI chat bot buddies? Friends working together to bring two book-loving hearts together? And more!
Available on October 1st!!!
https://amzn.to/4yjIMBH (#AffiliateLink).
#bookedforloveanthology
#bookclub
#Matchmaking
A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be m A bunch of matchmaking book clubs? What could be more fun? Grannies gettin' their gutsy on? Hunky cops protecting book clubbers from stalkers? Harvey Girls? Choosing real people over AI chat bot buddies? Friends working together to bring two book-loving hearts together? And more!
Available on October 1st!!!
https://amzn.to/4yjIMBH (#AffiliateLink).
#bookedforloveanthology
#bookclub
#Matchmaking
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