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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why A Magnifying Glass Is the Perfect Christmas Gift

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

I don’t remember how old I was, but it had to be after I was ten or so. I’d just read another three or four Nancy Drews—the old pink, library hardbacks, in fact—and something about the books bugged me.

Nancy Drew books always had a magnifying glass somewhere inside. But why? She never used the things. I mean, there were pictures of her walking along, peering through it at the ground. And for what?

So, I did what all smart girls do (sometimes I was, you know–smart.  Sometimes).  I went and asked Mom about it. That’s when I learned about symbolism—the use of objects to trigger an expectation. That magnifying glass meant she was trying to solve a case—even if it didn’t mean anything to the actual story.

Kind of like me taking a trash bag up to my room to clean… it didn’t mean I’d actually do anything with it… just kidding.

Why A Magnifying Glass Is the Perfect Christmas Gift

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

Why A Magnifying Glass Is the Perfect Christmas Gift

So why am I nattering on about magnifying glasses? Why would they be a great gift?

Symbolism, people. Remember? I’m talking about Angela Ruth Strong’s A Caffeine Conundrum.

If you love Nancy Drew, ridiculously realistic characters, and a plot that keeps you tumbling from one mess to the next, you’re going to love this book. Coffee? Check! Tea? Check!

How about an adorable little dog who fails miserably at the guard dog job but makes up for it in comfort and cuddles? Ex-boyfriends who may or may not be guilty of everything from growing into hunky dudes when you weren’t looking to oblivion and possibly even murder?

Poison? Explosions? “Avalanches?”

Yeah, this book has it all, from the klutzy girl who could give Miss Congeniality a run for her money to murder, theft, and mayhem.

The best part is probably how neither girl is actually any good at this sleuthing thing. It’s kind of refreshing after the Nancys, the Miss Marples, and the Miss Fishers of this work, you know?

Seriously, just typing it all out—and avoiding typing too much—I should be telling you what a terrible book it was. But it wasn’t. Somehow Ms. Strong makes it work. How is that even possible?

All I know is if you like cozy mysteries with quirky characters and a less-than-obvious plot, you’re sure to love A Caffeine Conundrum. It seriously was just too much fun.

The good news is, it’s the first book in the CafFunated Mysteries.

And that’s why a magnifying glass is a perfect gift–and by magnifying glass, I mean A Caffeine Conundrum. Zip it to someone’s Kindle as a surprise if you need a last-minute gift or “stocking stuffer” or let Prime have it to your door before you leave on Saturday for cousin Hilda’s house.  You know how she loves a fun mystery…

Here’s a bit more about it.

A Caffeine Conundrum by Angela Ruth StrongTitle: A Caffeine Conundrum

Author: Angela Ruth Strong

Synopsis:  Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don’t trust your partner…or their taste in beverages.

Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she’ll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects.

The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy’s past and Marissa’s infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills.

Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail…or worse?

Has anyone else read this book?  Any of her others I should read while I wait for the next?

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Comments

  1. Phyllis says

    December 25, 2018 at 8:23 am

    I have read many of her books and love them. She loves to be over-the-top funny and somehow just makes it work. I recommend you read Dead on Arrival and False Security next. And probably throw in The Princess and the PI for mystery/suspense. Her other books are great as well. 🙂 I have reviews (and quotes from the books) on my site if you want to see more of my thoughts on them.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
byChautona Havig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

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

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on her WEBSITE.

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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
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