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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Who Doesn’t Love a Killer Christmas Gift?

by Chautona Havig · 5 Comments

As often happens, the cover grabbed me—specifically, the title on that cover. A Duel for Christmas. I mean, how often do people associate a duel with Christmas? What about a duel to provide your loved one with what she desires most in the world? What a killer gift!

So, I requested a review copy and waited for the time to read it. That time was this week. Regency isn’t necessarily my favorite genre, although I do love some of it, so I was eager to see what happened. I mean, it has history, suspense, intrigue, a duel, and Christmas in it? How could I go wrong?

Who Doesn't Love a Killer Christmas Gift?

Note: links are affiliate links that provide me with a small commission but cost you nothing extra. I promise. I also requested a review copy of this book and chose to write this review as a result.

Who Doesn’t Love a Killer Christmas Gift?

Well, no one unless it’s literal. However, in A Duel for Christmas, I “literally” love the gifts offered by all. In the interest of expediency, I’ve decided to do a “quick” (for me) review.

What I loved:

One of the best things about this book is how the author took actual events from the medieval era and rewrote them in Regency times. She created interesting characters—ones who you really can’t help but loving. I found myself especially drawn to some of the minor characters, and I hope to see more of Ralph and Pevensey soon.

I also loved the author’s occasional turn of phrase. Seriously, she knew how and when to write a phenomenal line or two that really packed a punch. I interrupted my friend while she worked and made her listen to two of those. My friend enjoyed them too.

What I hated:

At first, I would have said the dialogue tags. The book opened with sentence after sentence ending in, “he said,” and “she said.” That said, that went away rather quickly. It isn’t that the author stopped using them, but she used them in a much less obtrusive way and I found myself not noticing unless I looked. I also didn’t like what felt like “tacked on” Christianity in spots. A convenient call to prayer and then nothing. Repeat a time or two. However, it really is just a personal thing and I doubt most people would notice.

Additionally, some may find a couple of passionate kisses and/or the subject matter at times to be a bit “much.” While I don’t care to read kisses, etc., I did think the author did a fabulous job at showing the danger of careless passion and the consequences without dragging us through much too intimate of scenes.

What made me laugh:

Not much that should. I found myself laughing at attitudes that confound and frustrate me—and my overtly-American responses to them. It’s really a good thing that time travel isn’t a thing. If I got stuck there, I’d be run out of the country on a rail… or in a boat. Preferably one with a hole in the bottom, or so I expect they’d think.

What made me cry:

Well, I’m not a crier, but my heart wept for those whose lives were ruined through no choice of their own because of those same attitudes that confounded and frustrated me. I wish I didn’t still see some at times.

Who do I recommend A Duel for Christmas for?

Any Regency or historical fiction lover. Those who love a bit of suspense and/or mystery. I even learned a thing or two when I looked up a couple of things I thought might be anachronisms. They were not. The only error that really jumped out at me was a slight twist on a well-known word. I can’t decide if it was deliberate or not.

I really did like the book, much to my delight. An easy four stars. 🙂   And Psst… as of today, it’s on sale for just .99!

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Comments

  1. James Robert says

    October 21, 2018 at 12:57 am

    I appreciate you taking the time to give us a great book description and giveaway as well. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      October 21, 2018 at 10:45 pm

      Thank you for being so thoughtful as to comment on so many reviewers’ blogs. We all appreciate it.

      Reply
  2. NZ Filbruns says

    October 19, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    This sounds good! I don’t read much Regency fiction, but might look for this one.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      October 20, 2018 at 5:40 am

      I liked it. I didn’t love it, but the concept was so unique and seeing the Regency portrayed as it was (a rather debauched era) without detailing the ugly bits was nice. We know about them but we don’t get steeped in them. However, for Regency for you, I’d recommend the Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep. I think you’d enjoy it more.

      Reply
  3. Amelia says

    October 19, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    It sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

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

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
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