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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What’s Wrong with This Sequel & How to Fix It?

by Chautona Havig · 16 Comments

I remember everything my favorite music teacher taught me about music.  Odd, though, I don’t remember her name or anything she told me about my own playing, but about music, I remember.  I can hear her as if I’m still standing in her little studio, violin tucked under my chin, wrist hanging from the neck, never resting on it, and my bow pointed down “so you don’t take out someone’s eye as they pass by.”

She said it often, I think.  At least, I hear it often when I think of different pieces I worked on.  “Barcarole,” “Greensleeves,” “Bunessan” (often known as “Morning Has Broken”).  She’d say,

“Make every note count, Chautona.  Every note must count.”

You know, that advice translated to words when I began to write.  I can hear her voice again, but this time she whispers,

“Make every word count, Chautona.  Every word must count.”

[clickToTweet tweet=”Books should do that, you know. They should use words in such a way that each word serves a magnificent purpose.  Each word should count. ” quote=”Books should do that, you know. They should use words in such a way that each word serves a magnificent purpose.  Each word should count. “]

When they don’t, you’re left dissatisfied—empty.What's Wrong with This Sequel & How to Fix It-- A Song Unheard

Note: links in this post may be affiliates that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense for you.

Thankfully, that didn’t happen to A Song Unheard.

Whew! Instead, in a sequel even better than the first book, A Name Unknown, Roseanna M. White has given us everything you could want in a book.  Characters that dance off the page—sometimes marching to the beat of their own inner-drummer and other times waltzing across to the tune that only they can hear.  The rest weave in and out with perfectly synchronized movements to the melody of the plot and the harmony of the setting.

I said A Song Unheard was my most anticipated read of 2018.  Yeah.  It didn’t disappoint.

So often in fiction, particularly historical fiction, description destroys that ideal of each word holding meaning.  Instead, they drip from the page with excess floridity. Loquaciousness becomes verboseness until the story is weighed down with details that while interesting alone, do nothing to serve the story.  And at that point, they no longer become interesting.

This book has so much to recommend it—great attention to detail without excess verbiage to begin with.  Characters who steal your heart and never waver from who they really are.  An interesting plot with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing without making it ridiculous or implausible.

Basically, I think I have my first book to make my 2018 awards.

So, What’s Wrong with This Sequel?

Book three—it’s not available.  That’s a problem.  There’s just something wrong about not having Barclay’s story.  As I got to about chapter three, I realized that I’d not be satisfied with this story.  I’d need more. Let’s face it; I’d need his.

And I do.

So how do we fix this lack of a sequel?  I appeal to Bethany House.  Release that sucker.  Yesterday would be preferable, but I’ll settle for today.  Or tomorrow.  I’m okay with that, too.

No really.  I have almost no qualms about this book.  And considering that I read an ARC that might not have final edits in it, my tiny quibbles might not even be in the final thing.  A few mixed pronouns and such… who cares?  You have characters like Willa—someone I totally get, by the way.  Wales!  The book is set in Wales!

And, then Margot… oh, how I loved that little girl who didn’t know how to be a little girl.  I understood her so.

Recommended? 

Um, yeah!  If you like a bit of intrigue, a lot of verbal sparring, a romance that isn’t drippy… Wait.  I have to say something else there, too.  The romance in this?  It got me.  Not only that, it held me.  I cared about it—as an element by itself.  Cheering for a couple, ranting when they are being stupid.

There wasn’t any of it I didn’t love.  Even the stupid kisses didn’t get to me, but then Lukas had the decency not to require my freezer to get through them.  😉

You know what?  I’m going to redo my recommendation.  If you like Christian fiction with a genuine, slow grasp and acceptance of faith, just get the book.  Seriously.  I can’t imagine how you would regret it.  I just loved every minute, and I really didn’t have TIME to read it.  Sometimes, who cares what other things are getting neglected in favor of it.  Just sayin’.

Thank you to Celebrate Lit for the opportunity to review this book. 

I requested it, I read it.  Opinions are my own and uninfluenced by the receipt of a review copy.  (And c’mon, anyone who has read my reviews KNOWS I don’t let a free book influence what I say about it.  🙂 )

A Song Unheard - Shadows over England - Roseanna M. WhiteTitle: A Song Unheard

Author: Roseanna M. White

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: January 2, 2018

Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I—to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales.

Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he’s won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father’s work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price.

The only light he finds is meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe.

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn’t—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

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Comments

  1. bigreadersite says

    January 17, 2018 at 3:30 pm

    Loved this book. So looking forward to another.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 17, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      I really hope she’ll consider doing Margot in WWII!!!!!

      Reply
  2. lynnuwatson says

    January 15, 2018 at 4:55 pm

    Keep seeing such wonderful things being said about this book. I’m looking forward to reading it very soon.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 15, 2018 at 10:16 pm

      I believe you’ll love it. I do.

      Reply
  3. margaretkazmierczak.com says

    January 14, 2018 at 1:03 pm

    Brilliant review Chautona. I have just read this book and have gone from one incredible writer to another. I am buzzing! I like you want the next book – now!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 14, 2018 at 1:43 pm

      Right? Fork it over, Bethany House!

      Reply
  4. Kathy Jacob says

    January 14, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    What a review! I loved it! I am reading this now, and looking forward to digging in!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 14, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      I can’t imagine you won’t love it, but I did see one one-star review. That person had a 100% opposite opinion from mine. Love how that works!

      Reply
  5. Paula Shreckhise says

    January 14, 2018 at 10:58 am

    You SO hit the right note with this one ! I absolutely love Roseanna’s writing and this was just exceptional! Her reasearch couldn’t be better! I loved the music talk in Willa’s head and the math talk in Margot’s! And a sympathetic villain! Sooo good! Yes! Bring on Barclay! I know she’s done with it. Come on Publishing! Get with it! I, too received an ARC copy but Roseanna assured me there was negligible difference in the finished book. Thanks for a stupendous review!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 14, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Even the small things I found, if they were not fixed, would not have affected my rating. Even the mixed pronouns didn’t confuse me. I knew who she meant.

      Reply
  6. Alesha K. Conklin says

    January 14, 2018 at 6:29 am

    I don’t know when – if ever – a book description has brought me to tears. Music is so incredibly powerful, and the author has described that so beautifully. I cannot wait to read Willa’s story.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 14, 2018 at 6:57 am

      Yep. I know how you feel.

      Reply
  7. Jessica Baker says

    January 14, 2018 at 6:29 am

    I always love your headlines and reviews! This book is shortly on my list to read and I can’t wait!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 14, 2018 at 6:47 am

      I think it was even better than the first–by far! 😀

      Reply
  8. Connie Scruggs says

    January 14, 2018 at 6:25 am

    I’m very excited about this book. Can’t wait to read it!!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 14, 2018 at 6:46 am

      I couldn’t wait to read it and it did NOT disappoint.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
byChautona Havig

I had another lovely conversation with Toni Shiloh last month. Her latest book, The Love Script released and boy does it promise to be another #BookTouchdown!  Listen in to what you’ll find in this Love in the Spotlight series and especially in The Love Script.

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

How Many Lies Does It Take to Expose the Truth That Love Brings?

Authors tell me over and over that they experience the same things I do when I’m writing. You start helping your characters work through their problems, and as you do, the Lord starts exposing your own.  He helps you understand where you need growth and helps pull weeds that try to choke out that growth.

The Love Script has a great twist of someone trying to use a lie to smooth over the gossipy ripples of false reporting (genius way to handle it, eh?) and oh the fall out.

Toni promises we’ll see some great wisdom from Lamont’s mother and some deep truths that Neveah discovers.

The Love Truth by Toni Shiloh

A Hollywood hair stylist.

Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood A-lister Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

The silver screen’s latest heartthrob.

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship–something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

A love that goes off script.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

You can find out more about Toni on her WEBSITE.  Follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

And don’t forget that you can get 30% off the book with free shipping at BakerBookHouse.com. And you can get You Make It Feel Like Christmas, too!

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Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
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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.
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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.
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