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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why Would Anyone Send Beautiful, Thorny Roses with Strange Messages?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

What do roses and creepy messages have to do with Marji Laine's recent mystery, A Troll Falls? I don't know! via @chautonahavig

a troll falls

The call from Marji had unsettled me all day, but I couldn’t figure out why. She’d wanted to ask something. I knew it. What it was, however, she never said. I was just about to ask if I’d offended her or something when the dogs started barking like crazy. The mail guy had already been here, so it wasn’t his fault. So, I’d said goodbye and went to calm them down.

It took bonz… two of ‘em each. Spoiled drats.  That’s what I’ve taken to calling them at times like this. Dog brats = “drats.” Cute, eh?  Yeah… they are.

After that, I’d forget about the call for a bit, but something would bring it to mind. Putting away books I’d just finished reading. Roses for Regret by Audrey Stallsmith. Marji had mentioned getting a lovely rose earlier—probably a congratulatory gift from our publisher, but if Sandy didn’t send a note with it, I wasn’t giving it away. Or maybe Marji knew and didn’t want to say so in case I hadn’t gotten one for A Ransomed Grete. Probably that.

The temptation to rub rosemary over our pork tenderloin brought it back to mind, but I got distracted again. Yes, I put the herb back in the cupboard. No, I did not sully my husband’s dinner with herbs he’d die before eating. Let’s face it. After knowing the guy for over thirty-five years, I know what he will and won’t eat.

Look, references to the War of the Roses in my current read pretty much pushed me over the top. I tossed aside my book and went to take my nap. Trust me. Sometimes sleep is the only thing that’ll give you peace!

As always, when I awoke, it was Shed-i-ffice time.

For those who don’t know, I have a shed in my backyard. Actually, I have two, but one is a real shed that holds miscellany like Christmas ornaments, the shop vac, and all of #2son’s um… stuff. TONS of art canvases, if anyone wants to come steal a few and get painty.

The other shed was #2son’s shed-room. When my mom came to live with us, #2son moved out of his room so Mom could have a room in the house near the bathroom. #becausegreatkid. We bought him a shed, finished it inside with drywall, insulation, flooring, and dark blue and gray paint. It was like a cave. Then he moved out. So his shed-room became my shed-i-ffice. It’s a shed. It’s an office. And if you’ll allow the stretch, it’s an edifice of sorts, so… Shed-i-ffice.

Well, I painted the walls a lovely, pale sea-glass blue, put up curtains, brought in bookshelves and books and… well, let’s just say I have a little retreat out in the backyard. Some people like to call it a “she-shed.” I do not. It’s my office. It’s a shed-i-ffice!

After my evening naps, I make myself a cup of tea and head out there. It’s about oh.. twentyish feet from the back door. Thirty in a pinch. As always, I went inside, turned on a light, gave the boys their bonz, plugged in my fairy lights, set up my reading chair with tea nearby, my book at the ready, and turned on the heater (it’s the desert, there’s snow on the mountains, so it’s still cold!).

I’d just taken my first sip of tea when I saw it. A rose lying on the bookshelf by the door—right beneath my “Read your bookshelf challenge” sign. Ever get that sick, foreboding feeling that something is all wrong? Yeah. Got that.

Something told me I was about to find out what Marji had really called about. It sure wasn’t to ask what I was going to do with “The Elves and the Shoemaker” for my next Ever After Mystery.

That was for sure.

My dogs jumped up when I did, certain it was time to go back inside. They like that because it means more bonz when we get back. So, they were all for it… and were all confused when I went straight to the bookcase that houses the bonz. Right above… you guessed it. The rose.

I shuddered. Seriously, I actually did the whole bookish thing and shuddered. Pierced with the stem of the rose was a note. “You’re next.”  The creepiest thing wasn’t the message (although that’s pretty creepy, don’t you think?). No, the creepiest part is that the handwriting looked JUST like mine. What on earth?

a troll falls rose

After shaking myself free of all the ridiculousness that tried to take over my mind, I picked it up and promptly dropped it on the floor. Blood pooled on my thumb—right where I’d impaled it on a thorn. Bet Marji’s had thorns, too. Bet she got jabbed. For that matter, I bet she was trying to work up the courage to find out if I’d gotten one. Maybe I should call her back. I glanced at the clock. It would have to be tomorrow—nearly midnight in Texas. She was probably asleep. If she could sleep. Don’t ask me how I knew, but I just did. She’d gotten that message, too.

But who sent it?

A shudder ran through me again. This was getting old. Fast. What if Marji sent it! What if she just passed her creepy rose onto me? After all, her new mystery was about “Snow White and Rose Red.” My rose was white, so… I mean, come on. Snow White and Rose Red?  Coincidence?  I think not!

Or… Maybe… no… or could it be? Liz? I’d have to call Liz in the morning and try to draw her out… get a feeling for what’s going on. She’s writing about Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Maybe they started stealing roses! Gold ones on that train in Poland or something.

“Come on, boys!” I called to Neville and Toothless. “The game is afoot! …or something.

A Troll Falls LaineA Troll Falls by Marji Laine (the first 1940s book in the Ever After Mysteries) released yesterday!

Murder. Even the word sounds ugly. Almost as ugly as the corpse on the shore.

Dallas, Texas 1948

Opal Stedman enjoys caring for old Mrs. Farnesworth. But keeping her sister Ruby out of trouble, well that is another issue entirely. Especially now that Ruby has stepped into high society with her new beau. A dubious man. Maybe even duplicitous.

Even the handsome security guard warns her sister about him.

When a body is dragged onto the shore of the lake that borders their home, rumors and worries over the new man become assurances. But why has he involved her household in these gruesome shenanigans?

And why are Opal’s loved ones suddenly having “accidents”?

Loosely based on the little-known fairy tale of “Snow White and Rose Red” this mystery twists its way all along the banks of White Rock Lake during its heyday.

PSST… Head over to Liz Tolsma’s website tomorrow and see what she knows!

Also, when you ORDER A Troll Falls, send your receipt and US shipping address to [email protected] for a special gift with purchase while supplies last!

Finally, don’t forget to enter the A Troll Falls release giveaway!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
byChautona Havig

When Lara d’Entremont began describing her YA portal fantasy, The Painted Fairytale, I knew this would be right up my alley. Listen in and see how art becomes the portal to other worlds!

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

Portal fantasy is my favorite, so I was crazy excited to learn about this one–especially the art tie-in. I can’t wait to dive in myself.

We chatted about her characters, the world, and the faith that connects them.

The Painted Fairytale by Lara d’Entremont

Seventeen-year-old Wren Devine refuses to share her art with anyone-other than her parents and her sister (who died three years prior). But when her mother submits her artwork to a mentorship program, and she gets accepted, Wren is forced to display her artwork for the eccentric Professor Hayes. Despite her fears, Wren hopes this mentorship will finally make her as worthy as her sister.

But this mentorship is about more than painting.

Wren soon learns that she has a magical ability to turn her paintings into portals to travel not only to other places but also to another world entirely. An eerie children’s book in the professor’s classroom reveals a wicked pirate with a vengeance who has her eye on Stefan Branson, a former student of Professor Hayes.

As all four of these lives intersect, it becomes apparent that everyone has a secret–some more deadly than others. The longer these secrets brew, the more deadly and heavy they become, and possibly lead to never seeing her former, earthly realm again. Wren must not only learn to release the shadow of her beloved sister but step boldly into her own world.

Learn more about Lara on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.or on Subtack.

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

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Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
October 27, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 481: A Chat with Patricia Bradley
October 25, 2025
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Episode 480: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
October 20, 2025
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Episode 479: A Chat with Connilyn Cossette
October 18, 2025
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Episode 478: A Chat with Julie Klassen
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Episode 477: A Chat with Kate Angelo
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Episode 476: A Chat with Katie M. Reid
October 11, 2025
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Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
October 6, 2025
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Episode 474: A Chat with Ann Swindell
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