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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Awesome Book Did I Drown My Literary Sorrows In?

by Chautona Havig · 20 Comments

The book wouldn’t leave me. I’d finished reading, despite not wanting to, wrote the review, also despite not wanting to, and moved on.

Except I couldn’t. The book haunted my thoughts.

Among the Poppies
Psst… that girl? That is Madeline!

A friend said, “What you need is another book. I just finished a great one. Among the Poppies. Try it.”

I went to Amazon and read the synopsis:

The ideal lady wears lace, speaks quietly, and never under any circumstances fixes an automobile. But Gwyn Ruthers has never cared two snaps about being the ideal lady. With the war to end all wars exploding across the English Channel, she leaves behind her restrictive life as a chauffer’s daughter to serve in an all-female ambulance unit in France. She’s not about to let her social status or gender prevent her from serving her country. Not even a handsome captain can distract her from her mission. Most of the time.

Captain William Crawford wouldn’t wish the ravages of war on any man, much less the captivating woman who insists on driving into battle instead of staying safely at home. He can’t deny that the troops need more medical help, but not when it puts innocent women in danger. How can he lead his men against the Jerries while worrying about Gwyn’s safety?

… and promptly popped it in my Kindle Unlimited.

After that, I went to look up more by that first author of that book. It still bothered me that I hadn’t been able to leave a good review for it. You see like I said in that review the author is a good writer—actually, she’s a great one. I wanted more. I wanted something I could rave about.

But there wasn’t another Christian fiction book by her on Amazon.

So…I closed my laptop and went to bed.

Still, by ten o’clock last night, I opened my Kindle account and tapped on the book. Among the Poppies. One thing it had going for it was that it was historical. War-time. Third-person perspective. It wouldn’t compete with what I had hoped to read.

Look, I have a book due. I didn’t have time to read another book right now. But I decided to read the first chapter. Just to see if it was going to be good, you know.

At chapter six, I closed my Kindle and wrote a sentence in Ties That Blind.

And then I opened it again.

What Awesome Book Did I Drown My Literary Sorrows In?

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission—doesn’t cost you anything extra.

I went back and drowned my literary sorrows in Among the Poppies.

Where do I begin to describe the beauty and wonder of this book? How about with the fact that Ms. Ciesielski is a debut author. That’s right. This is her first book, and I’ve got to be honest. It’s better than most authors’ fifth, tenth, fiftieth. I asked about her next. Yeah. February of 2019.

I’m pretty sure that wasn’t rain on my face here in the 106 degree-Mojave Desert. Just sayin’.

So what did she do that was so amazing?

Plot: She took a common storyline—an English girl in WWI goes to France as a nurse—and made me feel like it was new, fresh, original. I didn’t once think, “Oh, this was like so and so’s book.” Not once. The book stands alone, tall and proud.

She paid careful attention to all details.

Setting? Check! I could feel the snow, breathe the musty-leafed air, choke at the stench of unwashed bodies & infection. I basked in the beauty of a French mansion and winced at the horrors of a German “prison.”

History? Check! All the details I needed to really understand what happened around us, I got. Every one. Not only that, but Ms. Ciesielski wove them in so seamlessly that I never once felt like it was added in as a lesson. I abhor preachiness in fiction—whether beating the reader over the head with the Bible or a history/science/psychology etc. Textbook. She didn’t do it. And it would have been sooo easy!

“Easter Eggs?” Yep. I spotted Walt Disney in it. See if you can.

Personality? Yep! But I’ll get to that in a minute.

Ms. Ciesielski provides rich attention to detail without dragging the reader through page after page of unimportant things that serve only to bog down the story. She framed this story in her details, but she didn’t create a Taj Mahal of them. THANK YOU!

One of the best parts, if not the best, has to be the characters, though.

Gwyn Ruthers is plucky, strong, and independent without being obnoxious or too “Mary Sue” about it. She has her weak moments that make you realize that there’s a flaw in her character that actually makes her so strong.

William Crawford, on the other hand, openly covers his insecurities—such as they are—in duty, honor, and obedience to his commands. What he sees in Gwyn, both inspires and prods him to grow as a person. In fact, their weaknesses and strengths weave a unique bond between them that creates a beautiful tapestry of a story.

Even her supporting characters help one another grow as people.

Truthfully, it’s probably the best character growth of the whole cast that I’ve ever seen in a single book. Each character stayed consistent to who they were as a person even while growing and changing in their character arc. Phenomenal.

And then there were the spiritual lessons.

I was almost afraid of these. I wondered if, the farther I got into this wonderful tale, if I’d finally find the flaw in Among the Poppies. Would the author be able to weave in those spiritual truths with the skill wielded with description and historical details? Or, would I find chopped up mini-homilies designed to tack on a lesson?

I shouldn’t have worried. This book contains rich, spiritual truths, sometimes in overt conversation, most often woven through the fabric of the story that you almost don’t even notice.

Ms. Ciesielski planted many beautiful seeds with each spiritual nugget, and I’ve no doubt they’ll sprout as a whole sea of poppies… much like the ones in “Flanders Fields.”

Someone asked me if this was just a “rebound” book.

Was I so brokenhearted over not loving a book that I wanted to love that I just latched onto the next thing?

It’s a valid question. And I have an equally valid answer.

Not a chance.

Because you see, if anything, me wanting another book by that other author so much meant that this one already had a strike or two against it. But J’nell Ciesielski hit it out of the park with a home run on the first swing.

And that’s all the baseball you’re ever gonna get out of me. Want to know why? Check out THIS post.

If all that doesn’t convince you how great the book is, I read Among the Poppies through Kindle Unlimited. And immediately, I went and added the paperback to my shopping cart. It’s that good.

Note:  there are about half a dozen tiny typo/formatting issues that might annoy a few people.  However, they may be fixed by the time you read this.  Just warning for those whose reading experience is ruined by typos. Then again, you’re probably not reading this… because of the typos!  😀

You know what?  I want to give one away.

Tell me who your favorite WWI author is (since we can’t ask if J’nell Ciesielski is… Unless you read this already!

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Comments

  1. 22annie says

    June 18, 2018 at 2:36 am

    I have never read a WW1 novel. But, I am totally in awe of Corrie and Betsey TenBoom in The Hiding Place. Now that family was “Christ” ians. What an awesome story. The descriptions were so intense.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 30, 2018 at 1:41 pm

      The Hiding Place broke my heart as a girl. That’s when I really “got” how horrible the holocaust was.

      Reply
  2. Esther Filbrun says

    June 13, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    The first one that pops to mind is Roseanna M. White. But that’s because I’m to lazy to go look at our shelves and see if there are any others I enjoy more. Still–Ms. White’s Shadows over England series is one I’m still enjoying (well, the first two, because as you know the third book isn’t out yet!).

    Glad you enjoyed this! And thanks for the recommendation! It’s definitely going on my read-later list!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 14, 2018 at 5:26 pm

      Isn’t that series awesome? Did you know she’s already written Margot’s story???? SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

      Reply
      • Tina at Mommynificent says

        December 30, 2018 at 8:14 pm

        Roseanna White is my favorite WW1 author as well, but I have to give a little nod to Gilbert Morris since he was the first I ever read and the one who made me love historical fiction in the first place.

        Reply
        • Chautona Havig says

          December 30, 2018 at 8:55 pm

          I didn’t read his WWI ones. I read Winslow and it read like the Old Testament to me. REALLY good “allegory” of it so to speak. Family is strongly Christian. Kids become weak. Lose their kids. Repent. Grow strong again. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Broke my heart to read it, but it is such a GREAT picture of the Israelites

          Reply
  3. Helen Carol Collett says

    June 13, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    I usually don’t care for war stories, but this one sounds fascinating. I would love to win and read it. Thanks.

    Reply
  4. Joy @ Real World Bible Study says

    June 13, 2018 at 7:54 pm

    I haven’t read a ton of WWI fiction…everything seems to be before or after! I really love Cold War era suspense. But I really enjoyed the Heirs of Anton series by Susan K Downs & Susan May Warren. “Ekaterina” is present day, “Nadia” is cold war era, and “Marina” is WWII.

    Reply
  5. Vivian Furbay says

    June 13, 2018 at 2:57 pm

    Brock and Brodie Thoene
    t

    Reply
  6. Cheryl M says

    June 13, 2018 at 10:23 am

    Favorite WW2 writer is the husband/wife team, Brock & Bodie Thoene. Loved the 2 series about both WWs, and the Saga of the Sierras, all historical fiction about her family, I think, though interestingly I’ve not gotten into much of the rest of their writing.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 13, 2018 at 2:34 pm

      I remember reading some of their work YEARS ago. Trying to remember what I read! I do remember reading how to pronounce their name. Weird things we remember, no?

      Reply
  7. Colleen McGarry says

    June 13, 2018 at 6:18 am

    Sheldon Van Auken

    Reply
  8. Patty says

    June 13, 2018 at 5:44 am

    I don’t read a lot of friction from this era, or war era’s in general, but I’ve read several glowing reviews of this book lately and would love to give it a try.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 13, 2018 at 6:26 am

      It’s really one of the best ever. 😀

      Reply
  9. Natasha Metzler says

    June 13, 2018 at 5:12 am

    I actually don’t usually like WWI fiction, but this book sounds really good!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 13, 2018 at 6:27 am

      It doesn’t pull punches at the atrocities of war but neither does it glorify or drown you in them. You see the effects of them rather than them play out for the most part.

      Reply
  10. Joy says

    June 13, 2018 at 4:42 am

    Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson was fascinating. It was remarkable how much tension Mr. Larson could create in a book when there ending was known from the title page.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 13, 2018 at 6:28 am

      OOOH! That’s going on my list right now!

      Reply
  11. Deb Jones says

    June 12, 2018 at 11:32 pm

    Sounds like it might be a good book. My favorite WWII author is Helen MacInnes. She isn’t a Christian author and there isn’t much romance in most of her books but she sure kept my attention.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 13, 2018 at 4:15 am

      Not much romance? SCORE! Off to check her out!

      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.

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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
Episode 144: Chatting about Restored Grace with Kathleen J. Robison
May 17, 2022
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Episode 143: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Mary Alford
May 13, 2022
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Episode 142: A Chat about A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma
May 10, 2022
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Episode 141: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard about Critical Alliance
May 3, 2022
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Episode 140: A Chat about When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart
April 29, 2022
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Episode 139: A Chat with Middle-Grade Author, RM Ruiz
April 26, 2022
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Episode 138: A Gush about a Good (more like GREAT) Read & GoodReads
April 22, 2022
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Episode 137: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Mandi Blake
April 19, 2022
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Episode 136: A Chat with Middle-Grade Historical Author, Marie Sontag
April 15, 2022
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Reposted from @beckylewis345 Life can be hard. Ent Reposted from @beckylewis345 Life can be hard. Enter cozies like A Sprinkle in Time by Dana Mentink. Clean, with a sweet romance, whose amateur sleuth runs a delectable shake shop. A dog, a child, precocious twins who work for the shake shop, and lovable Papa Luis. Plus, of course, plenty of suspects. “Murder, mayhem, and milkshakes. Who’d a thunk it?”

Trinidad Jones becomes someone I truly care about in this book. I am amazed at how she and Gabe’s two other former wives forgive each other and actually become friends. Not just friends, but family, as thick as blood. Now there is a small cluster of characters to follow and enjoy in this town of Upper Sprocket. Fun!

I enjoy the inclusion of dogs, children, and special-needs people, and Dana Mentink brings them all to our Shimmy and Shake Shop story. Noodles is old, but what a loyal companion, and, wow, does he have an amazing ability or two! Little  Felice adds warmth and vulnerability to the tale. Doug, the special-needs brother of Trinity’s love interest, Quinn, adds reality and complexity to the novel. 

Mentink has a good sense of humor and I laughed out loud several times. Just what I want out of a cozy. Mystery, romance, great characters, laughter. A fun occupation that the sleuth actually works at. I am happy to report I made it through the book without indulging in ice cream! But, can you?

I am looking forward to more murder and mayhem in Upper Sprocket! Plus more Freakshakes! 

———————————————————————
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. (I also bought my own copy.) No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
———————————————————————
Notable Quotables:
“He was merely a friend the way a Ming vase was just an old pot.”

“There’s your plan and God’s plan, and your plan…” “Doesn’t count,”

“Maybe it’s one of those weird small-town happenings.” “A body in your trunk isn’t a happening, it’s a horror movie,”

“It wasn’t an easy thing to command the heart to feel what the brain ordered.”

“Rumors carry so much more weight than the truth, sometimes.”
Giveaway on blog in bio.
#celebratelit
#danamentink
#frozendesserts
#justdeserts 
#justiceforsprockett
#amreadingcozies
Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know that When Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know that When the Pilot Falls by April Hayman from the Ever After Mystery series is 25% off with the Celebrate Lit Summer Sale? 

More about the book: 
In 1923, there aren’t many pilots, but Willie Labeau didn’t let that stop… her.

A bear of a man, Hugh Taylor, needs a stunt plane pilot, and despite their rocky introduction, Willie sets off for golden California and a new life as his pilot. There’s just one little thing she has to do in addition to flying.

Leave his past alone. Period.

When the flame of her own curiosity becomes fanned by encouragement from Willie’s sister, the feisty pilot can’t help but do just a little investigating.

And Hugh vanishes.

Friends rally around her, and with all the information she can find in hand, Willie sets off to rescue Hugh and battle the evil family holding him hostage.

A fierce air race, a sincere act of humility—are they enough to free Hugh and give Willie a chance to be with him… forever?

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. When the Pilot Falls offers a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch hearts soar and daring dos.

Link in bio! 

#aprilhayman #whenthepilotfalls #everaftermysteries #celebratelit #christianfiction #historicalfiction #bookstagram #bookloversofinstagram #readersofinstagram
Dial W for Wrangler: Vi's just trying to sell used Dial W for Wrangler: Vi's just trying to sell used recliners and old, broken wagon wheels.  She can't help it if folks keep asking for help with their love lives... can she?
See the lengths Wade goes to in his quest to behave like a rational guy.
Releases Tuesday, May 24. Available on 
#Kindle
#KindleUnlimited
#PaperbackBooks

#ChristFic
#YouAreOnTheAir
#ContemporaryChristianSweetRomance

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And tomorrow the GoodReads Giveaway begins!
How does this author celebrate a finished book? By How does this author celebrate a finished book? By reading someone else's finished book. 😀 
#amending
#needicecream 
#onthemenu
#freakshakes
"Murder, mayhem, and milkshakes. Who'd a thunk "Murder,  mayhem,  and milkshakes.  Who'd a thunk it?"
@dana_mentink 
#shimmyandshakeshop
#cozymystery 
#needicecream
Love it when publishers use plays on words. #amend Love it when publishers use plays on words.
#amending
#cozymysterybooks 
@dana_mentink
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