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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Sometimes We Need the Ugly to Embrace the Beautiful

by Chautona Havig · 13 Comments

"All In" offers a look at a life some Christians can't imagine and explores what it takes for someone to get there and what it might take to get out. via @chautonahavig

“I’m sick of it.”

Okay, here’s the thing. When my daughter says those four little words, I know a gem is forming behind those lips. As expected, the rest came a moment later.

“I’m sick of people acting like God’s saving work in people is only amazing if the person used to be involved in ‘really bad stuff.’” Air quotes shot into the air with that one. She almost shook with repressed anger. “It’s like you have to be an ex drug addict, murderer, prostitute… or at least a politician for what Jesus did for your soul to really mean anything.”

Before I could agree, and I did, she continued as if she couldn’t stop talking. “People who ‘just,’” there went those air quotes again, “—told a lie or disrespected their parents or… gasp gossiped about the woman at church… God didn’t do much for them. We believe that lie, and it’s sickening.”

And she’s right.

Seriously. We do have—all of us to a degree, I suspect—this attitude that people with so-called “big” sins are the real conversion stories. It’s a lie. A big, fat, hairy lie singed by the pit of hell.

In fact, sometimes I think “church people” are the hardest to convert—to really see their sin for the black ugliness that it is. I know it was for me. Just sayin’. A book I read recentley reminded me of something Nancy Leigh De Moss said in her book, Lies Women Believe:

Nancy Leigh Demoss quote for All In Reveiew

Still… on the other side of that coin? Those “big change” conversions? There is something uniquely beautiful about them. Through them, we see a picture of what God does in every single heart He regenerates. Because we can see the outward change, we get a glimpse of what happens in the heart of every Christian on the planet.

When I requested and received a free review copy of All In a few months ago, I assumed I’d be writing about cards, gambling, and how one of my grandfathers used to work two jobs—one to support the family and one to support the gambling. But then I read the book…

Sometimes We Need the Ugly to Embrace the Beautiful All In Review

Note: links are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission but cost you nothing extra. Additionally, I was given a free copy of this book and chose to share my opinion.

Sometimes We Need the Ugly to Embrace the Beautiful

When I read the synopsis for All In, I was. All in. I pictured a book pretty much like I got. The synopsis is spot-on without giving away the whole plot, either.

I didn’t like Cami at first, and I don’t think I was supposed to. However, like I was supposed to, I did feel sorry for her. I even wanted to pray for her.

Told in first-person present tense (and better than most with that style), the story keeps you engaged as you almost plead with her to give up a life that from the outside, looks soooooooooo empty. Seriously, I just ached for her. Ached.

L.K. Simonds can write… and well. She kept me riveted to pages of a life that shouldn’t have interested me. It did, because, as I said, Simonds made me care about Cami—even when I didn’t like her.

This isn’t your typical Christian fiction. In fact, I suspect many Christians (and a significant number of my readers) wouldn’t enjoy this book. It’s raw, real, and shows a side of life we like to pretend doesn’t exist. I feel a little like Jack Nicholson right now—like I should warn that the book reaches… “deep down in places you don’t talk about at [church].”

She addresses irresponsible and selfish sex. Blatantly. She doesn’t pretend it’s anything but what it is. We aren’t treated to details that don’t belong in our minds, but Simonds does leave no doubt in those minds of exactly what and why what happened… did. From recreational sex with just anyone in the past to one-night-stands and seduction, it’s all in here and yet, I don’t feel like I’m soiled for reading it.

That takes skills.

Drugs—why and why not. How. The desperation. The reasons people go after them and why they shouldn’t—all without preaching. Not even once.

Excessive alcohol, cigarettes smoked like nobody’s business, deception, blatant lies… they’re all in here without apology… I hope I don’t give away spoilers when I say, but not without redemption.

A few things I must mention. There are a few words in All In that many readers will object to. Yes, they’re what the character would have said. No, I don’t think they should have been included. Yes, I’d still buy the book knowing they were there. They weren’t gratuitous on the part of the author—just on the part of the character. And in some English-speaking cultures, they aren’t considered foul words. Just throwing that out to give an idea of which ones they might be.

No, I’m not writing them down. 😉

Additionally, I cannot say what it was without giving away plot points and stuff, but I will say that the author believes things I do not. As a result, there are a few things near the end (they are alluded to in the last third of the book or so) that I disagree with theologically. However, they aren’t pushed. I can’t decide if I like what she did with that or not. Part of me wishes she hadn’t… another part… I don’t know. I’m torn.

Recommended to people who aren’t afraid to deal with “edgy” fiction, people who love deeply redemptive stories, and who need a beautiful picture of the mess God has cleaned out in their hearts.

And, I’m going to make an unexpected recommendation for certain teens. If you’ve got a teen who cannot see the dangerous path they crave for the glittering lights covering it, this might be a realistic eye-opener. It’s not preachy, but it does wrap a dose of Biblical medicine on every page.

Do not regret requesting a review copy, grateful for the free one I received, and this one I’m keeping. Not only that, I think it might make my top books of 2019.

I think All In is an important book.

For where I see Christian fiction going in the future, try THIS post.  I think All In would fit well in the future of Christian fiction.

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Comments

  1. Patty says

    July 21, 2019 at 5:42 am

    I do love the The honesty in your reviews. Some people might not like edgier Christian fiction, but I don’t mind it if I know what to expect going in.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 22, 2019 at 11:16 am

      I don’t always, but I do like it to a purpose. And this definitely has a purpose.

      Reply
    • L. K. Simonds says

      July 24, 2019 at 7:08 pm

      Thank you, Patty, for commenting If you read ALL IN, I hope you enjoy following a journey from agnosticism to faith. Grace to you! Lisa

      Reply
  2. Caryl Kane says

    July 20, 2019 at 5:56 am

    Thank you for your honest review!

    Reply
  3. James Robert says

    July 19, 2019 at 2:19 am

    Good Morning! Thank you for the book description.These tours are great and we have found some terrific books so thanks so much.

    Reply
  4. Dianna says

    July 18, 2019 at 10:55 pm

    At first I wasn’t sure if this was fiction or an inspirational book. Now I think it might be a little of both.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 19, 2019 at 12:21 am

      It’s supposed to be total fiction, but you learn a LOT of good lessons in what not to do and why we need Jesus.

      Reply
      • L. K. Simonds says

        July 24, 2019 at 7:13 pm

        Thank you, Chautona!

        Reply
  5. Debbie P says

    July 18, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    This book sounds like a very interesting and intriguing read.

    Reply
    • L. K. Simonds says

      July 24, 2019 at 7:20 pm

      Debbie, I believe the story will hold your interest! Lisa

      Reply
  6. Andrea Stoeckel says

    July 18, 2019 at 12:01 pm

    Hi Chautona and Ms. Simonds! I love your essay site…leaves of grace. And I’m signed on for the contest!

    Reply
    • L. K. Simonds says

      July 24, 2019 at 7:11 pm

      Andrea, thank you for checking out LOG! Godspeed on the contest. I apologize for the late reply. I’ve been tied up helping a friend who had surgery. Lisa

      Reply
  7. Amelia says

    July 18, 2019 at 11:45 am

    Thanks for the review!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
byChautona Havig

Debut Author, Sara Brunsvold, is bursting on the Christian Women’s fiction scene with an amazing book, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. With characters who have captivated my heart from page one (and enough quirkiness to keep my attention to the last), Sara Brunsvold is sure to become a favorite author, and this book is already on my top five of the year before it’s even released!

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

This Novel Isn’t Even Available Yet, and It’s in My Top 5!

If you’d told me that I’d fall so in love with two chapters of a book that it would push that book into my top five of the year so far, well… I’d have laughed.

The joke’s on me because it happened with Sara Brunsvold’s The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. This debut women’s fiction novel has a bit of a split-time element and is set in Kansas City. Trust me when I say that meeting Clara was one of the most fun introductions to a character I’ve ever had. I just love this woman, and I’m drumming my fingers to get to read more about her.  Not surprising considering it won the ACFW Genesis’s award a couple of years back. 😀

Sara says her passion is intergenerational stories, and you definitely get this with Aidyn and her “assignment,” Mrs. Kipp.  But you also get inter-cultural and ideological influences in this book as well.

And then there’s that next book she has coming out.  You know, the one about a gal cooking her way through her grandma’s German cookbook?  Yeah.  The one we have to wait until early 2024 for?  Yeah. That one.  Sigh.

When Sara told us about her favorite authors, a lot of things made sense.  Just sayin’. Find out which of Katherine Reay’s books are her favorites and how she fangirled over Reay’s response to an email (and why you should email your favorite author!).

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care.

But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her–but she’s going to have to work for it.

Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You’ll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!

This book is 40% off with free shipping from Baker Book House. That’s less than the Kindle version if you like paper!

You can learn more about Sara at her WEBSITE (and sign up for that newsletter so you can get Mrs.Kip’s 8 Rules to Live By). Oh, and if she does those videos of her cooking through that book, you’ll want to know when/where to find them.

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

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Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
May 20, 2022
Chautona Havig
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