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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 ATROLLFALLS@gmail.com 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 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
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Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
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Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
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Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
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Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
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Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
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Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
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Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
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Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
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