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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Don’t You Think Spies Are Kind of Questionable?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

After a week of hearing bits about Perry Kirkpatrick’s awesome series, I figured you’d all be kind of curious about what she has to say about it all. So, for this review of A Spying We Will Go I bullied her into giving me a super-short interview.

No, really. I did.

The poor girl has several small children, is trying to sell one house and move into another one (this week!), and is fighting some health issues, and I said, “Do you want to answer a few interview questions?”

Pretty sure I told her we could record a video if it was easier for her.

I think that’s what did it, folks. Without that final nail in the, “Oh, I so do not want to do this” coffin, we might not have this interview. Introverts know how to get what they want from other introverts.

Okay, okay. I didn’t know any of that other stuff up there when I asked and when I offered to do the video chat.

Although, I did suspect she might jump at the lesser of two evils—the written one. I mean, I may not be cruel, but I’m not stupid, either.

Oh, and another thing…

Don’t You Think Spies Are Kind of Questionable?

C’mon… that was mildly amusing. But seriously, let’s get to the questions, okay?

Q: What made you set your series in a coffee shop in Phoenix?

This time last year I spent time in downtown Phoenix for a conference and enjoyed observing how it differed from my side of town. The bustling downtown feel was fascinating, and it was SO HOT OUT. I’d been wanting to set a story in a coffee shop for a while (I love the atmosphere).

I combined the two and Sunrise Coffee, a fictional, high-end coffee shop was born. Add one very ordinary barista and one friendly neighborhood spy, and you have the recipe for a quirky, upbeat series with lots of coffee references.”

Q: If Emily could go anywhere in the world right now, all expenses paid, for two weeks, where would that be and why?

She’d go to Washington, D.C. No doubt about it. For one thing it’s about 25 degrees cooler than Phoenix at this exact moment (I checked), and for another it’s where all the cool spy stuff normally happens. (If the movies are to be believed.) She’d likely spend a lot of time sitting in parks playing Spot-the-Spy. This is a next-gen version of ordinary people-watching.”

Q: Since I know you’ve never read Harry Potter, where’d you get the “bathroom transport” idea?

The 1980s TV show, Scarecrow and Mrs. King was a huge inspiration for my series, and I wanted to give a veiled nod to the coat-closet elevator in that show while still putting my own humorous spin on it. The shower seemed like the perfect, bizarre place to disguise an elevator.”

Q: I know you’ve lived in the Phoenix area for a long time, so I’m curious. Have you ever gone searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine?

I’ve lived in Phoenix almost my entire life, and I’ve done a terrible job of seeing the state’s sights. (I didn’t make it to the Grand Canyon until I was 16. So, yeah.) With that kind of track record, no, I haven’t looked for the Lost Dutchman Mine… unless reading all about it online and then looking through the Superstition Mountains with Google Earth counts.”

Q: How many books do you want in the Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott, and how many do you think you’ll actually write?

I’m looking at this series like a TV show: individual episodes telling a complete story, grouped in seasons of 6 books, with each season containing its own overarching plot. I’m doing at least 12 books (2 seasons). If people are loving it and I’m not out of ideas, I’d totally be open to the idea of additional seasons.”

Note: I vote for at least 5 seasons if they’re all like A Spying We Will Go.  Who’s with me?

Bio: Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick lives in an undisclosed location outside of Phoenix where she and her husband chase their four little boys and an escape-artist dog. They don’t chase their cats, however, because cats hate that. She is the author of “The Kitten Files” mysteries, “The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott” spy series, and multiple short stories.

In addition to her writing, Perry enjoys graphic design, playing a number of musical instruments, and watching movies that make her laugh.

Find her books, newsletter, and free stories at perrykirkpatrick.com.

Perry’s fantastical alter-ego is Denver Evans, author of the Shallows trilogy.

And What’s the Verdict on A Spying We Will Go?

Oh… where to begin and how to get this into my five-answer review? EEP! Okay… I loved that this “episode” ramped up the tension exponentially—in all directions. I hated that I didn’t get to find out something I am becoming curious about (but I loved it, too! Squee!). Additionally, I laughed at myself for all the episodes I kept coming up with for Ms. Kirkpatrick, and I “cried” at the thought of having to wait a whole month to read the next one. Seriously, torture, folks!!!

This is going to sound redundant, but I can’t help it. I recommend A Spying We Will Go and the rest of this series to anyone who just loves good, fun reading that doesn’t take itself too seriously. No, it’s not realistic, but yes, you can so easily suspend that disbelief and become wrapped up in the world of Phoenix spies and baristas who are almost a little too enthusiastic about “helping out” now and then.

I’m sending my Kindle loaded with them with my 14-year-old daughter on Saturday so she can read them on vacation. She’s going to love them!

A Spying We Will GoTitle: A Spying We Will Go

Author: Perry Elizabeth Kirkpatrick

Synopsis:  Camping doesn’t lead to kidnapping… usually.

When Emily goes on a group camping trip in Northern Arizona, she suspects her biggest danger will be mosquito bites and bear-sightings. The trip becomes far from relaxing, however, when she hears from a family friend that they can’t get in touch with her dad. Unable to call, due to spotty cell phone reception, she manages to send a text asking for Brent’s help in checking on her dad.

But the spy has been incommunicado for several days, and it turns out he’s up North too–trying to locate a missing ICS agent with information about the Ten Thousand.

Not everything is as it seems. More than bears roam the woods, and information could cost a life.

the accidental cases of Emily Abbott

“The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott” is a series of clean spy-comedies set in Phoenix, Arizona.

1. Red Rover, Red Rover – (Review HERE)
2. Plan to Fail – (Review HERE) 
3. Bad Things, Small Packages – (Review HERE)
4. Tutor, Nanny, Spit-up, Spy – (Review HERE)
5. A-Spying We Will Go –
6. Once Upon a Dime – August 26, 2019  (Review coming)

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
byChautona Havig

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore has been released, and I got to chat with them about it last week. Guys, this series!  If the Christian influence on Viking history isn’t enough, what about adventure, fight scenes, and romance that won’t make you blush? How about that a damsel is in distress and… gets rescued by another woman instead of the stereotypical DUDE! Listen in!

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

Are You Ready for an Exciting New Viking Series from 2 Great Authors?

 

One of the biggest surprises I recall from researching books by different authors was that the cozy mystery and suspense author I liked and respected, Heather Day Gilbert, had also written historical Viking books! I made the erroneous assumption that they were romance and skipped them (for the time being… I knew I’d read them some day), and then something happened.

A few months ago, I saw this cover.  With Heather’s name on it.  And some other gal I hadn’t heard of–Jen Cudmore.  What is this deliciousness?  The cover was AMAZING… not stereotypical nor was it inauthentic.  It was just GOOD (not to mention gorgeous) and with the Celtic frame (the Vikings did go over to Scotland/Ireland after all), I just felt like it hit all the sweet spots.

Well… the book is here, folks.  And I’ve got a copy in my hot little hands.  No, really. It’s July. And I live in the desert.  My hands are totally hot and in totally all the wrong ways. Just throwin’ that out there.

Anyway, Heather and Jen chatted with me about To Love a Viking, and oh my!  This book sounds fabulous. We know Viking women were strong. Even those that weren’t warriors had to survive Nordic winters. Ergo, strong.  But what about strong enough to build a new society with people they’d once fought against. Oh, and rescue a damsel in distress #BecauseYeah!

I’m ready to dive in to To Love a Viking myself, and I hope you’ll grab a copy, too. It promises to be incredible.

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore

Get swept up in an enthralling new romance series featuring women who rule the hearts of Viking men.

ELLISIF Forced into a financially advantageous marriage that spirals into a nightmare, Ellisif cannot help but imagine what might have been and ache for what was lost. The only lights in her life are her daughters and the friendships she’s forged with the household servants.

Though seven years have passed since Ellisif wed another man, Dagar still cannot forget the woman who captured his youthful heart. As the Viking warrior battles for his country’s future, he finds himself entangled in a personal war for Ellisif’s freedom that could cost his family their reputation and standing with the king. If he risks all, can he save the woman whose face still haunts his dreams? And if given another chance, will she choose him?

INARA Escaped slave Inara is determined to start a new life. Under the guidance of warrior and shipbuilder Håkon, her sword skill grows, as does her confidence that the Viking men will accept her as a warrior in her own right.

When she is selected to lead a perilous rescue mission to protect Ellisif, Inara finds herself blindsided by feelings for Håkon…and by threats to her freedom far closer than she feared. As dreams and desires collide, she wrestles against the lies holding her captive. Can she conquer her doubts before all that she’s hoped for slips from her hands?

Written by award-winning historical author Heather Day Gilbert and fresh voice Jen Cudmore, two love stories entwine in this sweeping Viking-era romance, the first novel in the Tavland Vikings series.

You can find out more about the series and the authors on Heather’s WEBSITE.

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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
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Episode 152: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Amy Anguish
June 14, 2022
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Episode 151: A Chat with Christian Romance Author, Carrie Padgett
June 10, 2022
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Episode 150: A Chat with Mystery/Thriller Author, Steven C Harms
June 7, 2022
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Episode 149: A Chat with Jennifer Sienes about Night Songs (and more!)
June 3, 2022
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Episode 148: A Chat with Author, James R. Hannibal
May 31, 2022
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Episode 147: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Jubilee Lipsey
May 27, 2022
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Episode 146: A Chat about The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher
May 24, 2022
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