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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What I Absolutely Love about Darlene (& in her own words!)

by Chautona Havig · 3 Comments

“Oh, I’d better go set up the classroom.”

A voice answers. “Oh, Joe did it.”

Later, someone mentions needing to order the case of New Testaments. The reply comes again, “Oh, I think Joe took care of that last week.”

You don’t always see Joes, but you always feel the effects.  The coffee going when you arrive, the litter picked up before you can return from walking sweet Miss Mary to her car, the encouraging note when no one knew you needed one. Yeah.   That person.

My launch team has one of those–one of those “Get the job done” gals. 

Darlene involves herself, but she’s always a little on the periphery… as if she’s more comfortable that way.  Maybe it’s a misconception of mine, but I try not to push her too much.

Still… Darlene is always right there.  Need a post shared?  She’s got it.  Time to review the book?  She’s on it. And I so appreciate her for it!

What I Absolutely Love about Darlene (& in her own words!)

Note:  links in this post are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Meet Darlene!

I’m going to let her do a lot of the talking for herself, so here goes!

I don’t know how you do all you do, Chautona! I’m so thankful the Lord has given me my health back and that I am able to be involved more in my family with my grandkids and with my church. I’m so thankful the Lord let me find you and that you accepted me into the advanced readers group.  It came at a very low point of my health and helped me tremendously to focus on something other than my bad health.

One thing that helped Darlene over her health problems was when she found Plexus.

About Plexus, Darlene says:

These natural supplements that help to balance blood sugars, lipids and heal the gut have changed my life after 11 years struggling with two autoimmunes. I now have a wonderful life again with renewed vigor and excitement.

Sounds to me like there’s no reason not to give Plexus a shot if you have struggled with similar issues. You can find her site HERE.

Darlene says:

I don’t even know how to describe my life now. I’m so involved in church matters that my mom said I had become the Pastor’s wife…lol. our Pastor’s wife is such a blessing to us all but she has had leukemia for 46 years and isn’t able to do what she used to do.

I teach the Ladies Bible Study and most of them are much older than me, but I love them all so much! I love to sing and am involved in the choir and do many specials. I also take care of all the social media for our church.”

I misread her words up there at first. I thought her mom said she’d become the pastor’s wife’s wife. And really, that’s sort of what happened, no?

But she also has other loves… sounds like six of them to be exact.

I love being a grandma…they call me “Mimi.” I have 5 boys and 1 girl. I love spending time with them and being involved in their lives.

Darlene also had a few things to say about books and reading:

Reading is my passion!! Has been since I can remember. Growing up on the mission field I read any and all books anyone had. When I came back to the states as a teenager and went to the library I was in awe!! Now I feel that way about my Kindle, because it can hold so many books, I will never run out, and I can take them all with me everywhere I go!!”

Anyone else dying to know what country she was in on the mission field?  *raises hands*

As to which of my books introduced us, Darlene said:

I actually read the None so Blind book first, but didn’t realize it was your book until I had read Past Forward. 

*insert total guilt here since it’s now been just shy of four years since None So Blind and here we are celebrating the release of Will Not See.*

And I think she’s my favorite now.

When I asked which one she’s looking forward to most, Darlene gave this rather brilliant and flattering answer:

I’m looking forward to each and every book you finish! Thanks for all you do and keep those books coming!

Yep… those are just a few things I absolutely love about Darlene… and she did the hard work for me! Like I said, she’s a “get the job done” kind of gal. Thanks!  Psst… I told them they could send me a picture of them with a bag on their heads if they wanted.  Well, since Darlene didn’t send a picture, I went with the bag lady look.  I think she totally rocks it!

And you know, now that I think of it, she’s a quieter version of Alicia... always working, always there, always engaged… but quiet.

Next up:  Ruby!

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Filed Under: Guest Post, Interviews, New Release

Previous Post: « What Happens When Someone Will Not See?
Next Post: 3 Unexpected Lessons You’ll Love in Will Not See »

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Comments

  1. Lucinda says

    August 30, 2017 at 5:19 am

    For sure would love to hear about life on the mission field. Chautona gave just enough information to whet the appetite…she is really good at tossing out teasers and making me want to know the rest of the story!

    Reply
    • Cathe Swanson says

      August 30, 2017 at 6:08 pm

      Darlene is amazing! <3

      Reply
      • Chautona Havig says

        August 30, 2017 at 6:13 pm

        Right?

        Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
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Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 584: A Chat with James Finke
byChautona Havig

If you love spiritual warfare with a bit of Screwtape Letters thrown in, then listen in as James Finke and I chat about his Dear Judas. This is one I do NOT want to miss.

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

James FInke started out writing apologetics and during Covid, shifted to apologetics-infused fiction. And if you don’t follow him on Instagram, you should! He’s brilliant.

Dear Judas by James Finke

Christians are binging this in a weekend. Not your typical Christian fiction. This one will impact your walk with Christ. From James Finke, author of the bestselling Christianity Uncomplicated series, comes Dear Judas, a gripping Christian novel where love, apologetics, and spiritual warfare collide.

Tommy Finch has built his life on evidence, logic, and measurable results.

A successful medical device salesman in a demanding corporate world, he has no need for God.

Until his heart stopped.

After a near-death experience shatters his disbelief, Tommy finds himself confronting questions his rational worldview cannot explain. But as he searches for answers, he becomes the target of unseen forces determined to lead him to “their father’s house below.”

There is just one problem for hell’s strategy team.

Tommy is married to Elizabeth, a devoted Christian whose persistent prayers and unwavering faith make him far more dangerous than he realizes.

Through chilling letters between a junior demon and his calculating supervisor, Dear Judas reimagines the themes of The Screwtape Letters in a contemporary setting, blending spiritual warfare, thoughtful apologetics, humor, heart, and eternal stakes.

As Tommy wrestles with skepticism, truth, and the unseen battle unfolding around him, one question becomes unavoidable:

What if the evidence actually points toward God?

Perfect for readers of C. S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, and Francine Rivers, especially those who enjoy Christian fiction filled with spiritual conflict, emotional depth, and faith that refuses to separate reason from belief.

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