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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What do Alpacas & the Cascades Have to Do with Christmas?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Well, on today’s (almost last) Wonderland Wednesday post, I’m here to share with a guest post from the Wonderland Wishes’ debut author, Dori Harrell!

Don’t miss her novella in the collection and, knitters! She included a pattern for the hat the cover model wears! Isn’t that super cool?

What do Alpacas & the Cascades Have to Do with Christmas?

So, What do Alpacas & the Cascades Have to Do with Christmas?

Let’s ask Dori!

A Reason to Shout Hallelujah

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my life is…messy. Sometimes it’s downright stormy, like when my beautiful, amazing mom was diagnosed with cancer or when my father-in-law, who treated me like his own daughter, had a stroke.

Those are times when you don’t understand what’s going on but you draw closer and closer to the One who does understand, the One who hears the cries of your broken heart, the One whose grace makes your heart whole again.

So when I was asked if I would join the Wonderland Wishes e-book boxed set, I knew my story would be a drama, but with lighthearted moments, because isn’t that exactly how life is? Even in the midst of our deepest trials, God bestows upon us gifts that bring out smiles and laughter.

What do Alpacas & the Cascades Have to Do with Christmas?

I also knew my story, A Christmas Hallelujah, would be based on the song “Better than a Hallelujah,” with characters dealing with life-changing, heart-breaking circumstances that would eventually draw them closer—and hopefully, the reader too—to the heavenly Father, because who else could heal them?

My main female character, Piper, finds her life turned upside down when her mom takes off to find herself. Piper is left to manage her family’s alpaca farm and to raise her troubled teenage sister, and Piper feels like she’s failing.

Alex, my male character, has a son who sticks to him 24/7—he has severe separation anxiety disorder and panics if he can’t see his dad.

And standing as a physical barrier between Alex and Piper is the Cascade mountain range—Alex lives on the west side of the Cascades and Piper on the east.

As I was researching the story elements of the alpaca farm, one discovery led to another about the sweet-faced creatures, and I stumbled upon something that draws my main characters, and the children, closer to each other and fills them with hope even as the outcome is uncertain.

And out of that hope comes healing for their hearts, healing that’s based on God’s grace rather than the hoped-for outcome. And out of the knowledge that God’s grace is at work in the beautiful messes that are their lives comes a reason to shout hallelujah.

(my note: super cool, right?)

I’ve read every book in the Wonderland Wishes boxed set, and I appreciate that each story has a fully developed theme-based plot that focuses on faith, and you’ll find evidence of God’s grace in every story. These short novels will help set your mood for the holidays. They had that effect on me!

May the grace of God abound in you this Christmas season!

You can find Dori on the following social media sites.

I recommend following her and getting to know her. She’s a real sweetheart.

  • Facebook
  • Website
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

If you missed the previous weeks’ posts from the other authors in the collection, you can find them here:

  • Lynnette Bonner
  • Jan Cline
  • Lesley McDaniel
  • Sylvia Stewart
  • Kathleen Freeman

Next week… the story behind my novella in the collection, The Second Noel!

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Previous Post: « 3 Simple Reasons I’m Thankful for Love’s Thankful Heart
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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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  • and more!
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
Chautona Havig
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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