• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

An Unusual Way to Examine What Makes a Great Marriage

by Chautona Havig · 3 Comments

Nothing sounds more horrible to me than a "house with holes." EEEP! We had a hole in our house once. Mice loved that hole. So what's so great about it? via @chautonahavig

I’ll admit, I winced when I called my husband to tell him that Mom was moving home with me. It wasn’t that he’d object to her presence, but it would only take a few seconds for him to realize what it meant.

We live in a three-bedroom, one bath, 1100 sq. ft. home.  When you leave our living room, you have two options.  Our room, or “the boys’ room.”  If you want to get to the “girls’ room,” you have to walk through the boys’ room. For what it’s worth, that boys’ room has housed our two sons and two other young men who have lived with us over the past few years.

To move Mom into the back room meant she’d have to go up and down steps.  Considering she was walking around her house with a walker at that point, even the two WIDE steps weren’t going to work.  That meant the boys’ room had to become Mom’s room.

So where would #2son go?  

That was Kevin’s first question.  I heard the dread in his tone.  He knew what it meant, and it’s his least favorite thing in the world to do–almost.  At least it wouldn’t involve plumbing.  But it did mean…

A project.

Look, for what it’s worth, I looked for small travel trailers and all kinds of things as an alternative, but it became obvious that we had no choice but to buy a wooden shed with a foundation and turn it into the boys’ “Shed-room.” He forgave me.

And he still wanted me to come home. A miracle.

So, while I tried to sell Mom’s house, he tried to figure out how to run electrical to it.  While I was at Loma Linda University Hospital with Mom, he ran the wire.  When I got home, he took his month off work and used it to put up drywall and finish it instead of cycling 750 miles like he does most years.  I know this because he keeps a chart. No joke.

As I write, he’s sleeping in preparation for putting in the floor. On his first weekend off after going back to work this week.

Did I mention this man hates doing stuff like this?  We can’t afford to have it done for us, so it means he has to do it.  Did I mention…?

Know why he does it?

For reasons I still cannot fathom, this man loves me. If I need a room for my mom, and that displaces our son, he’ll provide something so his son is taken care of.  Even if it means dealing with the dreaded plumbing, he’d still do it.  #becauselove.

I’ve seen huge renovation and construction projects destroy marriages and health. More than one man I know has built his family a home only to come down with cancer or heart trouble afterward.  It’s a huge strain on the body.

It’s also a huge strain on marriages.

I had no idea what I’d requested when I saw the book, A House with Holes, but I decided it looked interesting, so I requested a free review copy. It came up on this week’s editorial calendar, so I pulled it out and started reading…

An Unusual Way to Examine What Makes a Great Marriage a house with holes

Note: links are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Additionally, I received a free review copy of this book and chose to share my thoughts.

An Unusual Way to Examine What Makes a Great Marriage

I’ll be honest.  When the first chapter had this weird block of text relating what we were reading about this house renovation to building a strong marriage, I groaned.  I was confident that I would not like this book.  Though disappointed, I kept reading.

Glad I did. When you consider how many metaphors for marriage include construction and architectural terms, it makes sense.  I just didn’t expect it at first, but by chapter three, I found myself looking for them.

Denise Broadwater offers a glimpse into a real marriage–and the effect that marriage had on others as they watched it play out.  We see a bigger picture than her neighbors did, but even with their personal flaws, the Broadwaters show a beautiful picture of what a loving marriage is. And they do this even at times where it feels like anything but.

Questions at the end of the chapters make A House with Holes suitable for individual, couple, and group study.

You won’t find earth-shattering new thoughts or concepts in here.  I don’t recall reading any scripture. There aren’t even heavy doses of spiritual insights.  Instead, the book is more of a look at how one (obviously Christian) couple’s experience in renovating a home illustrated how they’d built their marriage–where it worked. Where it didn’t.

If you enjoy Emily P. Freeman’s podcast, The Next Right Thing, you might love this book.  Something about Denise Broadwater’s writing style reminds me of Emily’s podcasting style.  It’s personal and conversational, and it draws you into her world without making you feel like you’re intruding.  This is one of those books that I requested and received a free review copy… and I’ll be buying a paperback ASAP.  I want to have it on hand to share.

a house with holesAbout the Book

Book: A House with Holes

Author: Denise Mast Broadwater

Genre: Christian Memoir, Marriage

Release Date: October, 2019

Hole in the brick wall shaped as a heart
Hole in the brick wall shaped as a heart

Seasoned renovators Greg and Denise Broadwater dream of owning and restoring a historic home in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. What follows are six years of unimaginable challenges and successes concerning the renovation of their condemned 1920s Charleston Cottage, their place in a transitional neighborhood on Congress Street, and their thirty-year marriage.

In a community that struggles to feel like home, alongside normal stressors of full-time work and family weddings, the heightened tension taxes the Broadwaters to the brink. Nothing is left untouched in their hundred-year-old cottage full of architectural and historical details, from the rotted floorboards to the hole in the roof and the knob-and-tube wiring that causes a fire. But through Denise’s fascinating memoir, A House with Holes, the Christian author and therapist shares how she and her craftsman-architect husband strengthened the holes in both their home and their relationship during this wearying time in order to survive and thrive.

Using Broadwater’s counseling experience, marriage principles have been woven seamlessly into the text, demonstrating ways to maintain relationships in the midst of struggles. Reflective questions close each chapter so that readers may ponder their own relationships with growth and understanding.

Share471
Pin
Tweet
Email
473Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
473Shares

Related

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « Just What’s So Great about Sex?
Next Post: What Happened When King Met the King of Kings? »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Emma says

    January 11, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    I thought this was a very good book, too!

    Reply
  2. Joan Ricken says

    January 11, 2020 at 9:34 am

    Your next book should be “How to Survive with 9 Kids in a Tiny House”.

    Reply
  3. Andrea Stoeckel says

    January 11, 2020 at 8:50 am

    I collect art. I love Reno stories. And I love the update on your son’s “room”

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
byChautona Havig

Finally getting a chance to chat with Sarah Monzon was a total delight, and learning all about her latest release, All’s Fair in Love and Christmas was equally awesome.  My copy is here and waiting for me to dive into the battle of the celebrations!  EEEP! Listen in to see what that even means!

Note: I sound like I’m underwater. We heard it during our interview, but I couldn’t make it behave and couldn’t fix it. Sorry!

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

How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?

All’s Fair in Love and Christmas has so much going for it that I don’t know where to start! Fun mom who made our heroine’s childhood Christmases an international delight without ever leaving home?  Check!  Social anxiety adding to the stress of competing for a promotion?  Check?  Romcom hilarity?  Check, check?  And add to all that Sarah’s wonderful writing and delightful characterization?  I’m all in.

We also chatted about why she chose to write about a woman with social anxiety, her preferred reading methods, and some of my favorite books by her. For a refresher, those are The Isaac Project, 12 Days of Snowmen, and Book Nerds & Boyfriends (a collection of three novellas).

All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Two workplace rivals. One festive competition. And a romance that upends it all.

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham–Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they’ll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she’d be a contender in her company’s holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher’s life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year’s promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she’s his rival, he can’t stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he’s afraid that if he can’t get his head on straight, the promotion isn’t the only thing he’ll end up losing to Mackenzie.

“Inspirational rom-com readers are going to love this one.”–BETHANY TURNER, bestselling author of The Do-Over

You can learn more about Sarah on her WEBSITE.  Also follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 255: A Chat about He Should Have Told the Bees
August 25, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?
  • How Many Lies Does It Take to Expose the Truth That Love Brings?
  • What Heart Issues Connect These Two Troubled Women Together?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release day, @lovereadwriterepeat
What are you reading tonight? #AmReading #MiddleG What are you reading tonight?
#AmReading 
#MiddleGradeFiction 
@julieandrews
Squeee! The Chosen Kids Saga. Book 3 is coming, bu Squeee! The Chosen Kids Saga. Book 3 is coming, but for now, these two will be part of the next #Bookstrings book.
Oh, and, "Me and my cousins "? I wouldn't have said that as a kid, much less now. Maybe it's time for bed! Snort!
@thechosenkidssaga 
#ChristFic
#MiddleGradeFiction
When a long-anticipated book arrives and you are o When a long-anticipated book arrives and you are on a tight deadline.
Aaaaakkkk
#AmWriting
#HistoricalChristianFiction
#AprilsPromise
Reposted from @celebratelit ONE MORE WEEK! ⁠ ⁠ Reposted from @celebratelit ONE MORE WEEK! ⁠
⁠
Just ONE MORE WEEK until the release of Tropical Target by Jennifer Pierce! Preorder now to get 30% off the paperback plus free shipping or the ebook for only $2.99. Don't wait, you only have one more week!⁠
⁠
Click on the publishing page in the linktree in our bio then the 30% off page in the menu! ⁠
⁠
⁠
#suamalieislands #celebratelit #christianfiction #contemporaryfiction #romance #christianromance #contemporaryromance #fiction #bookstagram #booklovers #bookloversofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #jenniferpierce #tropicaltarget
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks As summer is coming Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks As summer is coming to a close, what better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than with the Summer Heat: Christian Romantic Suspense Anthology?! 🍁 All 3 volumes are OUT NOW for a LIMITED TIME ⏰ Don't miss this unique collection of 12 novels by 12 authors! Because when these volumes are gone, they won't be coming back 😭 Check out my link in bio to find out more today!

🧡📖📱Stay With Me - Volume 1: Liz Bradford, Sara Blackard, Jennifer Pierce, Kari Trumbo
💙📖📱Through Every Danger - Volume 2: Lisa Phillips, Lynn Shannon, Michelle Aleckson, Rebecca Hemlock
💜📖📱Come What May - Volume 3: Emilie Haney, Cara Putman, Chautona Havig, Katy Lee

#staywithme #througheverydanger #comewhatmay #SummerReading2023 #summerreading #summerheatseries #avidreadersofchristianfiction #amazing #Amazing #deals #shopping #bookseries #bookshelf #christianauthorsofinstagram #firstresponderromance #newreleases #authorlisaphillips #ebooks #newbooks2023 #newbookalert #readerlove #christianromanticsuspense #christianfiction #romanticsuspenseseries
I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "A I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "Anne" story without Gilbert and Diana... meet Gage. He's not quite Gilbert, but he's got everything a Gilbert should have--including the ability to completely annoy Anne when he doesn't mean to. She's speaking to him here... barely.
Coming October 3 (I hope!)
#Bookstrings
#ClockTowerBound
#BerneIndiana
#BookishBooks
#ChristFic
#AmWriting
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!