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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Do You Know What I Know: a book review

by Chautona Havig · 19 Comments

Do you?  Do you know what I know?  I know about a great Christmas read that I can’t wait to share with you.  That’s what I know.

Becky Melby, author of quite a few books, including the “Lost Sanctuary” series, has come out with a Christmas novella that will make you want to curl up with a quilt and a mug of hot chocolate and read straight through.  No joke.  Really.  I meant to read just a bit to get a feel for the tone of the book and sank back in that “after book glow” just a couple hours later. So I was supposed to be writing.  Who cares?  Sometimes you need a book, and this book was “just the write escape” for me!

Do you know what I know Melby review

(Links in this post may be affiliate links and will provide me a tiny commission at no extra cost for you.)

My “Quick and Easy” Review:

If you recall, a couple of months ago I wrote a blog post about how to write a super-easy review when you’re in a rush.  Well, I’m racing through NaNoWriMo and need that super-fast review option! So I’m going to give an example here for you.  To read that post (and maybe encourage you to give your favorite author a review today), go HERE.

Do You Know What I Know?:

Do You Know what I know - melbyI loved everything about this book, but I think what I loved most was how perfectly the author managed a complicated plot in such a short book. Because I became so quickly invested in the characters, I found myself hating the pain simple misunderstandings and mix-ups caused them, but that’s what makes a story great, right?

Melby’s Do You Know What I Know isn’t a comedy, by any stretch, but seriously, who wouldn’t laugh at a chicken in church?  Think “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” meets Milwaukee!  And because I’m kind of a heartless creature, so I didn’t cry. But I guarantee you I would have cried for Elizabeth when she thought things were all wrong in her marriage. Don’t blame the author.  I just don’t cry.

All in all, Do You Know What I Know was a delightful read that I recommend.  Those with convictions against surrogacy and/or IVF may have a problem with one of the subplots, but it was quite tastefully done and gave an alternate perspective on something I’ve never been comfortable with.

So….

Have you read anything by Becky Melby?  If you haven’t, I think Do You Know What I Know is a great introductory book.

*giveaway ended. Congrats, Susan E.*

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Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « NaNo’s Raven Is Rapping:
Next Post: Do You Know What I Know? I know the winner! »

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Comments

  1. Lori D says

    November 4, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    I haven’t read it and would love to!!!

    Reply
  2. Andrea Stephens says

    November 4, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    I believe I’ve only read one of Becky’s books a long time ago. “Parting Secrets” is in my “books I’ve read” folder on my Kindle.
    Thanks for doing a giveaway. I’d love a chance to win this book.

    Reply
  3. MS Barb says

    November 4, 2016 at 9:25 am

    I haven’t read anything by Becky Melby, YET…but I WILL put this book on my Book request list for the next County Bookmobile visit! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Andrea Rossignol says

    November 4, 2016 at 8:48 am

    I haven’t read anything by her, but I would like to!

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    November 4, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Never heard of her. I’ll have to check her books out.

    Reply
  6. Sarah K says

    November 3, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    Becky is a new author to me. Guess I need to do some research. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Emma Filbrun says

    November 3, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Never heard of her. Sounds interesting.

    Reply
  8. Kathy says

    November 3, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    I have NOT read anything by this author yet, but if you say you love it, then I hope to win it or check it out soon.

    Reply
  9. Dacia says

    November 3, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    This is a new author to me, so hopefully I’ll win this book and if not I’ll be searching Amazon for her books on sale. =)

    Reply
  10. Lucinda says

    November 3, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    Not yet but I hope to win this so I can change my answer to yes?!

    Reply
  11. Melissa says

    November 3, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    I have not read any of her books but since I like to pack as many wintery books as I can into December, this sounds like a good one to start with!

    Reply
  12. Marleen Viola says

    November 3, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    No, but I will definitely look for this one!

    Reply
  13. Connie Tillman says

    November 3, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    I have not read anything by her. This looks like a good read.

    Reply
  14. Michelle Stewart says

    November 3, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    No I haven’t but you certainly have me intrigued! lol

    Reply
  15. Tina at Mommynificent says

    November 3, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    I’ve heard of her and might even have one of her books in my TBR pile but haven’t read any yet. Thanks for bumping her up on the list!

    Reply
  16. Alexandra says

    November 3, 2016 at 5:14 pm

    No, I haven’t, but I trust your judgment and thank you for the review – I will wait to see if I won the book 🙂 and, if not, will have to get it myself.

    Reply
  17. Sue Snyder says

    November 3, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    No I had never heard of her.

    Reply
  18. Susan (DE) says

    November 3, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    Well, I think the question above was, have I ever read anything by Becky Melby. No. I have not. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Colleen says

    November 3, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    Not yet! I have been intrigued with this story idea since I first saw it on Amazon!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 576: A Chat with Ann Swindell
byChautona Havig

Have you been longing for a trip to Leathersby? Well, Ann Swindell promises to take you there AND reveal what a hundred years has hidden in her upcoming release, Secrets in the Castle Library. Listen in for all the news!

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

Love that we talked about stereotypes and how they relate to our pasts and when they don’t.

Also love how she focused on sanctification of believers who don’t know how that’s going to look.

Don’t miss how she talks about how God has a great ending for each of our stories.

Secrets in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell

The past year of Melanie Tallebois’s life has unraveled, both professionally and personally. Usually unflappable, she can’t understand why life isn’t going to plan. So when she’s offered a professorship at the University of Lethersby, she seizes it as her chance to find the happiness that has eluded her for as long as she can remember. The fact that her best friend is the nation’s princess and has invited her to live in the castle for the summer doesn’t hurt, either.

The only thing eluding Eddie Canon are answers. As director of the National Museum of Lethersby, he’s spent years chasing the truth behind Queen Alma’s disappearance over a century ago. Now, tasked by the royals to tie up the loose ends of the national mystery, he’s studying in the castle library and still coming up empty-handed.

The last person Eddie wants to work with is Melanie, who inserts herself into his research—and his life. She’s brash, annoying, forthright…and altogether brilliant. Eddie thinks it wise to push her away, but as the research continues to stall, he can’t ignore that their friendship has begun to blossom.

When the long-lost queen’s mysteries finally come to light, Melanie is plunged into darkness—and Eddie questions everything he thought he understood about faith and love. Together, they must uncover the secrets in the castle library and decide whether they’re willing to trust God with a story far greater than their own.

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

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Episode 576: A Chat with Ann Swindell
Episode 576: A Chat with Ann Swindell
August 31, 2026
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Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
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Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
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