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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Book Jumped to the Top of my 2018 Wish List?

by Chautona Havig · 28 Comments

 

How the conversation with myself goes when I have a book I’ve been dying to read.

Me: Just one more chapter.

Conscience: Why? You know how it’s going to play out.

Me: Because it doesn’t feel like I know.

Conscience: That makes no sense. Besides, you have a novella to finish.

Me: I owe them this review.

Conscience: That’s just an excuse.

Me: I know. But the book is so good.

Conscience: You already read a book today.

Me: But I still owe them this review.

Conscience: You know what’ll happen. In fact, you know what you can write. Just write it now and finish later:

Me: Who’s the conscience here? I have to finish before I can review.

Conscience: Sigh. Here we go again. Look, you have a novella due.

Me: And you need to sleep. You’re confused. Go away and let me finish.

Conscience: Fine. Whatever. But don’t come whining to me when you’re in a time crunch.

What Book Just Jumped to the Top of my 2018 Wish List?

Note: links in this post may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. I requested to review this book through the Celebrate Lit program and received the copy without charge, so I offer my opinions also without charge.

It went just about like that.

A few weeks ago, I was supposed to have read a book and reviewed it. The problem? It hadn’t arrived. Well, it came that day. Murphy’s law and all. But I’d scheduled myself pretty tightly, and I didn’t have time to read it. But I’d peeked. Oh, yeah. I’d peeked. And it looked good.

Well, yesterday, was still on a reading high from Kerfuffle, (link good 8/19) and grabbed this one. My conscience protested. I had things to do. Yeah. Well, I had this book to read as well. And you know what? I’m not sorry I did. A Name Unknown is that good.

And now, the sequel has just Jumped to the Top of my 2018 Wish List.

Yep, I’m dying to read the sequel.

A Name UnknownHere’s the thing. This book isn’t a surprise on every page. And yet it is. I could have told you from the synopsis almost everything that would happen. None of it was a surprise.

But you know what? It all was. Roseanna White is that good.

The characters, the plot, the twists, everything—I called them. I think anyone could, really. But Ms. White sends you on a journey through this story that makes you surprised at what you already expected. That is some seriously good writing. She gives you just enough description to hold you in place but without so much that your senses are overwhelmed with it to the detriment of the story.

Characterization? SPOT ON. I loved what she did with all of the characters. They were perfectly imperfect, wonderfully original, yet relatable and sympathetic.

But the spiritual element is what I want to focus on most in this book.

Ms. White does a beautiful job of showing a man whose heart is completely in the hands of the Lord, who is a “good” man because of the Lord, and a flawed man because of himself. She shows faith and love for the Lord as interchangeable elements of trust in Jesus—of yielding our wills to His.

And she does every single bit of it so naturally, so beautifully, that not once did I rush reading through it.  I lingered, absorbed, savored.

Historical anachronisms?  None. Boring bits?  Nada. Critique?  Only one. The next book isn’t out yet.

I think what is so beautiful about this book is that it opens with an unreliable narrator and closes with that problem solved.  Recommended for everyone who just loves good fiction. As for me, I’m dying to read the sequel.

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Comments

  1. Andrea Stoeckel says

    August 19, 2017 at 5:21 am

    You have YET to steer me wrong Chautona….on to the TBR list it goes

    Reply
  2. Alicia Klick says

    August 18, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    I loved it also. Was just as magnificent as you have said. Perfect review for this book. The problem with sequels…they usually are about a year away!! :s

    Reply
  3. Paula says

    August 18, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    I just finished A Name Unknown and I absolutely loved it. I haven’t read anything by Roseanna that I haven’t loved . She writes so well!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 18, 2017 at 10:15 pm

      I’ve never read her before, but I’ll be reading more, that’s for sure!

      Reply
  4. Alecia says

    August 18, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    Oh my goodness I sooo loved this book too!! And I love the convo with your conscience!! I know I’ve had those type of convos before too 😉

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 18, 2017 at 10:17 pm

      My conscience is loud and brash–like a New Jersey Italian mama on a mission! It keeps me in line. Usually.

      Reply
  5. NZ Filbruns says

    August 18, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    Esther reviewed this one for LitFuse. She read it while she was in the hospital keeping me company, so I heard her opinion blow-by-blow! Fun to hear from her, read her review, and now read yours. Glad there’s a copy of the book in our house so I can read it! By the way, I love reading your reviews.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 18, 2017 at 10:18 pm

      Off to check out hers. It’s really a beautifully written book in every way.

      And thank you. I appreciate your encouragement.

      Reply
  6. Erica Pait says

    August 18, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    Oh! I LOVED this book! I couldn’t put it down…. even after I finished it ? In fact, one of my friends asked for me to pick out a contemporary mystery to lend them and I just went “Oh I just finished the best book” before realizing that A Name Unknown isn’t in the suspense genre. I just got so excited to share. I can’t wait for the sequel!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 18, 2017 at 5:30 pm

      I completely agree! And it’s not contemporary, either! But really, who cares? It’s awesome!

      Reply
  7. Jessica Baker says

    August 18, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    Reading this now and loving it!!!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 18, 2017 at 5:29 pm

      SO WORTH THE WAIT, right?

      Reply
  8. Jonathan says

    July 20, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    Not generally a fan of romance (you and I had that conversation one time 😉 ) but that synopsis has me hooked! Gonna definitely check this one out.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 10:01 pm

      Well, the good news is, now that it’s here, I can tell you what I think in a day or five.

      Reply
      • Jonathan Taylor says

        August 20, 2017 at 6:29 pm

        Loved loved loved it!!! Bought the audio version so I could listen on my commute and never wanted to get out of the car. The only thing that disappointed me is book 2 is about Willa and not more Rosemary!

        Reply
        • Chautona Havig says

          August 20, 2017 at 10:05 pm

          I’m hoping that we’ll get a lot in there. AND… if I’d seen Rosemary showcased in another book, I might not have liked her as much as I did. So…. I’m hoping that this means I’ll like Willa more on her own, too. Because frankly, I didn’t like her. But I was so impressed by everything she did with making Rosemary a great character that I’m hoping…

          Reply
  9. Rebekah says

    July 20, 2017 at 6:46 pm

    I need to stop reading your reviews. You make me want to spend money. But if I can win the book… ?

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 10:01 pm

      I’d apologize, but well… um… And RIGHT?

      Reply
  10. Alison says

    July 20, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    It looks like a great story.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 3:19 pm

      Right? And I called it. Book was on my desk when I woke up.

      Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 10:02 pm

      Doesnt it?

      Reply
  11. Kathy says

    July 20, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    You got me, Chautona! I will start reading it as soon as it hits my mailbox!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 3:19 pm

      Mine arrived today! I knew it would if I did this. Murphy likes to make me look dumb.

      Reply
  12. Christina Myerly says

    July 20, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    Haha.I’m reading this book right now. So good. I hope you get your book soon and happy birthday!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you! And yep! It arrived today! LOL

      Reply
  13. Rachel D says

    July 20, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Hahahahahahaha! You are too funny! I adore this book! Hope you get it soon. (I had an ebook copy)

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 8:32 am

      I just had to have a little fun with it since it wasn’t there…

      Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 20, 2017 at 3:21 pm

      It was on my desk when I woke up! 😀

      Reply

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