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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

People are always asking me, “Where do I start?”

Sometimes, that’s an easy question to answer. I send them over to the Suggested Reading Order page and let them have at it. But not everyone wants to jump into the whole Rockland universe. It’s a lot of books, and why commit to it all if you don’t even know anything about it–or about my writing?  I get it. Sometimes folks are looking for a stand-alone, or for something for their kids, or they want a defined series of just a few books. They want mystery or women’s fiction rather than general or romance!

Gotcha covered. I came up with this as a solution. 🙂

Romance? Mystery? Suspense? Historical? Cozy? I’ve Got a Great Book for You!

Just find your favorite genre or trope below, and see what I recommend. I’ve tried really hard to give only one recommendation for each one BUT… I did do a couple where there are opposite styles in that genre!

Novellas:  Sometimes a novella is a great way to check out an author’s work, so if you want a short intro into my style, I’d go with

Random Acts of Shyness

Random Acts of Shyness

$9.99eBook: $3.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Novella, Romance

Heath Karras can tell you a dozen bizarre zoological facts, but he can't get a second date.

More info →
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Random Acts of Shyness
Buy now!

Romance: Okay. Just to note, I don’t have a lot of straight-up romance books. Most of my books are romantic at some point, but as far as typical romance formula… I don’t often follow it. So there’s that. A good example of how that has worked in my books is

Not a Word

Not a Word

$14.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Rockland, Romance

Every story has two sides, but not always are both told. Mac's silence left his reputation in shambles, but after years of trying to rebuild, two people re-enter his life who just might change his life for good.

More info →
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Not a Word
Buy now!

Historical Romance: One of my most popular books fits in this one. This is a mail-order bride story like you’ve never seen.

Penelope’s Pursuit

Penelope’s Pursuit

$12.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Westward Home and Hearts
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance, Suspense, Western
Tags: Historical, Romance, Suspense

Mrs. Millie Crenshaw's selection process should ensure that her men and women have the best chance at a satisfactory (if not happy) lifetime together. If the rest of the world would just play by her rules, life would turn out just fine.

But they don't. And when young women go missing, one disappointed homesteader and a grieving young woman join forces to discover just where these brides-to-be are!

More info →
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Penelope’s Pursuit
Buy now!

Women’s Fiction: Hands down, Shattering Secrets.

Shattering Secrets

Shattering Secrets

$14.99eBook: $5.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Genres: Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction
Tags: Recommended Books, Rockland

An annual Christmas project sends a professional blogger in search of a little boy's one and only Christmas wish—his father—and unearths a story with the potential to rip apart a family forever.

More info →

Mystery: Oh, this one is hard. I’m going to split it between historical and contemporary because those are very different.

Historical:

The Nutcracker’s Suite

The Nutcracker’s Suite

$9.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Christmas Fiction, Book 5
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Mystery
Tags: Christmas Fiction, Collection, Historical, Mystery, Rockland, Romance

A painter at the Meyer’s Toys factory, Clarice Stahl, knows something is strange about the way so many men come and go through Mr. Meyer’s office, especially one in particular. Then murder strikes a little too close to home and uncorks a barrel of secrets.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
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The Nutcracker’s Suite
Buy now!

Contemporary:

Manuscript for Murder

Manuscript for Murder

12.99 / 3.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Hartfield Mysteries, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Romance
Tags: Mystery, Recommended Books, Rockland, Romance

Meet Alexa Hartfield, one of Fairbury's most eligible bachelorettes, not to mention fashion connoisseur and celebrity author. She seems to have everything going for her... until someone starts replicating the murders she writes in real life. Can the police end this killing spree, or will this be the end of Alexa's writing career?

More info →
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Manuscript for Murder
Buy now!

Suspense: This is another split one.  I have two options… slowly becoming more and more suspenseful through a series and jump into the suspense right now.

Slow burn (a very relationship-oriented book that ends with the kickoff of the suspense):

None So Blind: (Sight Unseen Book 1)

None So Blind: (Sight Unseen Book 1)

$15.99eBook: $3.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, Sight Unseen Series, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Suspense
Tags: Rockland, Romance, Suspense

Lost in a mind without memories, Dani Weeks fights expectations, desires, and doubts to rise above her unusual and heartbreaking situation. Fully aware that she could walk out on her family with no regrets, her husband, David, must fight to save his marriage and get to know the woman he vowed to love until death.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
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None So Blind: (Sight Unseen Book 1)
Buy now!

Traditional suspense:

Justified Means

Justified Means

12.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Agency Files, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
Tags: Mystery, Recommended Books, Rockland, Romance, Suspense

“You steal me from my house, drag me out here bound and gagged, hold me at gunpoint, and you’re worried about getting the tape off me gently? You’ve got some nerve!”

More info →
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Justified Means
Buy now!

Christmas: I’ve written a TON of Christmas fiction. Novellas, full-length novels… EVEN a general market Santa book (I know… I know). I’m just going with one of my personal favorites.

The Matchmakers of Holly Circle

The Matchmakers of Holly Circle

14.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Christmas Fiction
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Christmas Fiction, Rockland, Romance

They've been in love for ten years, but it takes an interfering neighbor with a penchant for poker to unravel the mystery of their persistent platonic relationship.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
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The Matchmakers of Holly Circle
Buy now!

Middle-Grade/Youth: This one is hard, too. It would take a lot to explain why, so I’m going to go with where I’d want a kid (or kid at heart!) to start.

Shadows & Secrets

Shadows & Secrets

$13.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Annals of Wynnewood, Book 1
Genres: Action & Adventure, Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Youth
Tags: Fantasy, Historical, Recommended Books, Youth Fiction

Follow Philip and the cloaked creature as they rescue a lame child, discover 'pirate treasure,' and test the mettle of true friendship. Shadows & Secrets is the first book in the Annals of Wynnewood

More info →
Buy This Book Online
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Shadows & Secrets
Buy now!

Sci-Fi: Yes! I have one!

Volition

Volition

$14.99eBook: $5.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Sci-Fi
Tags: Futuristic/Sci-Fi, Rockland

Andi Flanders planned a nice wedding, a happy life, and anything but being abducted to the future. What's with that?

More info →

And for favorite tropes and elements:

Most popular character: This one is tough. It’s pretty evenly split between Aggie and Willow AND… those series are kind of intertwined, so I’d start with Aggie only because it’s a traditional series instead of a serial novel.

Ready or Not

Ready or Not

14.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Aggie's Inheritance Series, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tag: Rockland

It's Mom's Night Out meets Cheaper by the Dozen when 22-year-old Aggie "inherits" her eight nieces and nephews.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
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Ready or Not
Buy now!

Most impactful: I don’t know if this still true, but it’s the one people refer to the most that I remember. Note: it does have a slow (deliberately so) beginning.

Prairie

Prairie

12.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Journey of Dreams, Book 1
Genre: Christian Fiction

Join Jessa Davidson as she wakes up in the land of her dreams, but is Prairie the dreams of her life come true--or her worst nightmare? Is it real? Is it permanent? Or will she awake to discover that she's lost her mind--or worse, her life?

And the biggest question on Jessa's heart? Does she care?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
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Prairie
Buy now!

Fun kids: If you want a series:

Ready or Not

Ready or Not

14.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Aggie's Inheritance Series, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tag: Rockland

It's Mom's Night Out meets Cheaper by the Dozen when 22-year-old Aggie "inherits" her eight nieces and nephews.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Purchase with Paypal
Ready or Not
Buy now!

if you want just one kid and one book:

{Operation Posthaste}

{Operation Posthaste}

$9.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Comedy/Humor, Mystery, Romance
Tags: Mystery, Novella, Rockland, Romance

In class, Dylan learns all about secret British operations to ensure the security of their homeland. Well, he's got one of his own now.

More info →

Mature-Age Romance:

Finding a Memory

Finding a Memory

$9.99eBook: $4.99Audiobook: $12.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Independence Islands: the Book Barrow, Book 5
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tag: Romance

The fifth book in the Independence Islands series focusing on Sparrow Island, Finding a Memory will touch your heart and fill it with hope and love.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
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Finding a Memory
Buy now!

Western: Technically, Penelope’s Pursuit is a western, but for straight-up western with just a little romance (and a lot of humor) in it…

The Trouble with Nancy

The Trouble with Nancy

$12.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Genres: Historical, Romance, Western
Tags: Historical, Romance

Nancy Harrison has finally stepped out of her prissy box and tried to do something helpful--but did she go overboard in her first self-less act?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
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The Trouble with Nancy
Buy now!

Marriage of Convenience: I have a couple, including a whole series devoted to that idea. But for straight up… I’d go with

Dual Power of Convenience

Dual Power of Convenience

Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Independence Islands: the Book Barrow, Book 2
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Collection, Romance

Richard Danforth--a brand, spankin' new (barely but it counts) billionaire and his new property manager, Lyla Santana. It was a match made on paper—never have to see each other again.

 

More info →

WWII:

Deepest Roots of the Heart

Deepest Roots of the Heart

12.95 / 5.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Legacy of the Vines
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance
Tags: Historical, Recommended Books, Romance

Avelino Carrillo returns home from WWII with one goal in mind--to regain his family's vineyards and preserve the legacy passed down for generations.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Purchase with Paypal
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Deepest Roots of the Heart
Buy now!

Bookish books:  I have a lot, but I recommend the Bookstrings series. Start with:

Spines & Leaves

Spines & Leaves

$7.99eBook: $2.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Bookstrings, Book 0
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction
Tags: Collection, Novella

One man, one store, thousands of books.  What'll it take to keep this bookstore from becoming a book ghost town... and what'll it take for Milton to tie two heartstrings together?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
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Spines & Leaves
Buy now!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
byChautona Havig

Christians are fond of saying that Christ has already defeated Satan, but sometimes, it sure doesn’t seem like it. Listen in as I chat with Paul Headworth about his novel exploring this in his book, Prophetic Redemption.

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

Headworth focuses on the difficulties of cases and what happens when things go wrong. By the time we got done talking, I knew I’d have to read it.

Prophetic Redemption by Paul Headworth

This special novel is geared for the believer and nonbeliever, providing an engaging murder mystery while sowing many positive and possibly life-changing messages.

A judge from the 32nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Publishing Book Award cited, “The masterful use of suspense is key to maintaining reader engagement and greatly enhances the story’s captivating appeal. Additionally, the rich character motivations and development, especially evident in Charlie’s relentless pursuit of justice for his wife and son, alongside Paul’s transformative journey, render these characters both believable and relatable. Moreover, this book defies the stereotype that inspirational works lack depth. Instead of burdening readers with recipes, it proves that such books can be emotionally resonant and deeply thought-provoking.”

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

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

  • Apple
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  • and more!
Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
November 9, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 601: A Chat with Glenn Patrick O’Turner
November 7, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 600: A Chat with JPC Allen
November 2, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 599: A Chat with Frank McKinney
October 31, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode : A Chat with L.J. Long
October 28, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 597: A Chat with Alison Treat
October 26, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 596: A Chat with Katheen Rouser
October 24, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 595: A Chat with Jeremiah Friedli
October 21, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 594: A Chat with Joy Crain
October 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 593: A Chat with Thomas Goodman
October 17, 2026
Chautona Havig
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G'night! G'night!
When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter an When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter and fry it. Yum.
With 45,000 words "on the page," it’s time to cele With 45,000 words "on the page," it’s time to celebrate with Box #3! 🎁☕

I am officially halfway through writing my upcoming historical Christmas novel, Dear Uncle Nick! Writing this story—which centers around a cozy, small-town advice column in a 1934 farming community—has been such an encouragement even to me!
To keep my momentum going so this book is ready for you by Black Friday, I’m treating myself to a little joy: opening a beautiful @ArcherandOlive Advent Box "gift" every time I complete 5,000 words. 45K means Box 3 is officially MINE! But now how to use this amazing journal? HELP!
Because this book releases on Black Friday without a preorder, I’d love for you to follow along here so you don’t miss the release day announcement. Your prayers and encouragement mean so much to me (and to Eddie Morten--I'm sure of it!)
#DearUncleNick #HistoricalFiction #ChristianFiction #ChristmasNovels #InspirationalFiction #AmWriting #CozyReads #BlackFridayRelease #HistoricalChristmas #AuthorLife #ArcherAndOlive
Dear Uncle Nick, Our town has a lot of people in n Dear Uncle Nick,
Our town has a lot of people in need—no mistake about that.
We can’t meet them all, but we can do what we can to help.
Everyone loves a good box social, but that can be expensive, especially this time of year.
I propose a “dessert social.” We apply the same premise, but the boxes only hold enough dessert for two. Penny bids can be augmented by work or other goods. Folks can even buy the “augments.”
What do you think?
Hungry for cinnamon rolls!

Ever heard of a box social? 📦✨ In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, communities had to get creative to help neighbors in need.
This "unprinted letter" from the archives of my upcoming historical Christmas novel, Dear Uncle Nick, shows the exact heartbeat of a small farming town trying to survive winter with a little sweetness and a lot of grit.
✍️ The Question: If you were bidding on a dessert box for two tonight... what dessert would you hope is inside? Let me know in the comments!
#HistoricalFiction #AuthorLife #DearUncleNick #FountainPen #1930s #ChristmasNovel #ChristFic #HistoricalRomance #BookReels
Awesome movie. Don't remember a single foul word, Awesome movie. Don't remember a single foul word,  despite rough subjects and scenes. Well done.
#jimmymovie
Writing with white gel ink on kraft paper just hit Writing with white gel ink on kraft paper just hits different. 🖊️🤎
I’m currently sitting at 42k+ words for Dear Uncle Nick, plotting a storyline that is giving me all the feels.
Meet our Banker dude. He can handle the town's finances under the pressure of the Great Depression, but put him in a social setting and he completely freezes up. He is incredibly shy. But winter is coming, and he's being pressured into a marriage of convenience to save his late friend's daughter from the freezing 1934 streets. ❄️💍
Despite his quiet, protective pining and our main couple's semi-secret admirer flirting through the newspaper columns, this book is more than just romance. It's a huge found family of cast that I'm loving.
Only a few thousand words left until the 45k milestone and Box #3! Let’s go! ⌨️✨
#archerandolive #writinggoals #historicalromance #blackfridayrelease #writingprocess #cozyvibes #stationery
From the unpublished archives of "Ask Uncle Nick". From the unpublished archives of "Ask Uncle Nick"...
Dear Uncle Nick,
Do you remember last year when the water main burst and flooded the picnic grounds near the town square? Everyone had so much fun skating on it once it froze over.
Why can't we do that again, but deliberately this time?
I enjoyed watching the little ones learning to skate and knowing there was something wholesome for the young folks to do on their "dates."
How can we make this happen again, (without costly pipe repairs)?

Be sure to leave your answers for "Hopeful" and stay tuned. I got to open another box today!
A Hopeful Citizen
#DearUncleNick
#ChristFic
#HistoricalFiction #ChristianFiction #ChristmasBooks #Bookstagram #WritingCommunity #BookLaunch #CozyReads #ItsAWonderfulLife
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