• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The 3 Most Interesting Things about Atoning for Ashes

by Chautona Havig · 9 Comments

Continuing with: For the Love of Books: A Valentine’s Week Book Extravaganza! we have, Atoning for Ashes!

When Kaitlin Covel emailed and offered a review copy of her upcoming debut novel, a Regency romantic suspense, I had to try it. I mean… Regency. Suspense! I can suffer through a bit of romance for that, right? 😉

Since it releases on Valentine’s Day, I requested a few interview questions as well. I mean, who doesn’t love to get to know a new author, right?

Let’s get to that first.

1. What made you choose Regency over another era for the setting of your story?

I’ve always been fascinated by the Regency era, and I adore Jane Austen’s books and characters!

2. Who is your favorite minor character?

Esther MacAllister is my favorite secondary character in Atoning for Ashes.

3. If you could have one of these three authors review your book, which one would it be? Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Ann Radcliffe?

Wow, that is a tough question. My first instinct would be to say Jane Austen, of course, but I’m going to say that I would want Charlotte Bronte to review my book because I feel like she would appreciate the emotional depth of Atoning for Ashes. I think Jane Eyre and Josie share many traits in common as heroines. Jane Eyre also inspired the suspenseful flavor of Atoning for Ashes!

4. If you could move to Regency England, what part would you want to live in?

I would want to live in London for the winter season, and Bath for the summer season.

5. Please tell us about your next character and when we can expect to get to know him or her.

My next heroine is Sylvia Beckett. She is a spirited little thing with raven black hair, midnight blue eyes, creamy skin, and a few freckles from assisting her father who is a fisherman. At this point in time, I cannot say when my readers will get to meet her, but Sylvia’s story is a work in progress!

Note: links are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense for you!

The 3 Most Interesting Things about Atoning for Ashes.

Style

Unlike your traditional romance, Atoning for Ashes does not begin when boy meets girl, they have trouble along the way, and then end with boy proposing to and/or marrying girl. Instead, the wedding happens very near the beginning, and instead, we get a “love story” about our main characters after the wedding, which happened more often among wealthier classes during the Regency era, one presumes. It also reads much like the gothic novels of the day which, considering the suspense element, makes perfect sense.

Heroine

You can’t help but be drawn to Josie Chadwick, but as much as I liked her, she also annoyed and irritated me. This is a good thing. I wouldn’t have liked her nearly as much if she hadn’t had the grit and fire in her that occasionally made her a bit ridiculous.

Look, there were a few times around the middle that I wanted to slap the girl. Again, this is a good thing. However, at that time it didn’t feel like a good thing. It felt like she was being overly-dramatic and a stereotypical twit. And then I remembered.

The kid is eighteen. She may be a married woman for most of the book, but she’s a girl. Even in a day when they didn’t have adolescence as we do today, girls that age were often ridiculous and silly. I offer Lydia and Kitty Bennett and Emma Woodhouse as proof. Just sayin’. Oh, and let’s not forget Catherine Moreland. *rolls eyes*

When I recalled her very young years, suddenly, it all fit. I liked her again. Even when she made me want to shake her in the next chapter.

Spiritual Content

This isn’t a “token” Christian book. Not by a long shot. Ms. Covel weaves—and sometimes digs a deep hole and plants—the spiritual content through nearly every chapter. In most places, it’s a natural outpouring of the character’s life or an understandable recognition for the need of it.

Josie’s faith is natural, genuine, and constant—even when she wavers. Considering some of the darker themes in this book, having the light of Scripture and truth to balance that was, in my opinion, the most brilliant thing the author could have done.

But more on that in a minute.

Did I like the book?

I’m going to give you raw honesty. I don’t know. As I was reading the first couple of chapters, I pointed out a few things to my daughter. She was like, “Nope! Not for me.” And the truth was, I could see why. There were phrasings that were rough to follow (not often, but a time or three) and a few that were meant to paint a vivid picture and failed, in my opinion. The one that stands out read something like, “the fingers of dawn groped across the sky and caressed her face.” Um… groping fingers do not caress. I wanted to say, “So, Sebastian is now the dawn?”

What does that even mean, you ask? You’d have to read it to find out. 😉

But no, seriously. I sent my Regency expert editor a few rapid-fire questions. See, based on the cover, I assumed late 19th or early 20th Century fiction. Yes, I thought I remembered Regency but assumed I was wrong. A bit later, and I went back to more the mid 19th Century. Then the high-waisted dress was mentioned and I gave up and wrote the author.

Regency.

We’ll get back to this in a minute. I’m supposed to be telling you if I liked it.

At that point, I wasn’t sure. I was hovering around three stars—unwillingly. I wanted more. But I couldn’t say I liked it.

By halfway, I told my daughter, “Hey, there are things about this book that bug me, but I still like it. Right now… it’s a four-star book just because I like the story.” My daughter was thrilled.

By the two-thirds or three-quarter mark, my heart sank again. I wanted to skim. I wanted to slap the couple for their very purply prosy declarations of love and adoration. It. Was. Excessive.

And by the end, I didn’t know what I thought. I still don’t.

As you’ve probably surmised, there are problems.

People who read a great deal of historical fiction will likely be bothered by a few inaccuracies. Second unmarried daughters were not “Miss Surname.” They were “Miss Firstname.” Stewards were highly paid, gentleman-like employees rather than typical servants—much higher than a butler or valet. They didn’t have rough hands, didn’t work about the stables, and they would never request that the daughter of the house use their first names.

Some of these things are glossed over by talking about how unusual xyz choice is, but they just can’t help but… Um, no. Those exceptions were so rare it wasn’t funny. Mostly, because people didn’t think there was anything unusual about it. It wasn’t uncomfortable for a child to call an older servant by a familiar name or for a man of fifty to still call his nanny, “Nanny.” There were stations. You stuck to them. The rare exception made everyone around you uncomfortable.

The marriage is wonderfully messed up.

It really is. Charles is a hot mess of a person, and it comes out in drinking, coldness, and outright abuse of his wife. I have to add a warning. While the author never takes it across the line to outline horrible actions in detail, I consider this book to have a rape and an attempted rape. I don’t know if she meant for the first one to be so, but I absolutely do. I would not give this novel to an unmarried girl.

Note: while I expected to have to put the book aside, I did not. She really did handle the ugly scenes beautifully.

The spiritual content does get really dense in parts.

I happen to prefer a book where most of it is woven through the narrative so that you couldn’t skip it without losing part of the story. I found myself wanting to skip stuff when it went on for paragraphs and pages. That would have been my loss, by the way. There are rich truths and nuggets in these pages. I expect that I’ll reread them just for those parts, even. But it does bog the story down. Basically, it’s a spiritual info dump.

And for that matter, some of the history of things gets dumped out a bit thickly, too. It’s disguised in conversations, but we’re talking some serious monologues.

I don’t want to end on a negative note.

This is Kaitlyn Covel’s debut novel. It’s wonderfully edited with very few typo issues at all (only one specific one that I can recall, and I suspect it’s me rather than her, and a need for knowing how to continue a conversation to a new paragraph when there is no break in the speaker). A few sentences could be adjusted for mixed pronouns etc. or to correct things like groping caresses… 😉 Still, it’s really well written. She has an interesting plot, brilliant characters (really, they are truly believable), and a writing style that keeps you wanting to read. When I think of all the positive points, I could easily give this book five stars. Unfortunately, I can’t forget the parts that aren’t amazing… and I don’t know what to do then.

I ABSOLUTELY look forward to her next book, and I think Kaitlyn Covel is an author to watch. I suspect we’re going to see great things from her.

So, stars-wise, I’ve got no clue. I’ll just say this. If you love Jane Eyre, you’ll love this one. However, if you are picky on historical/English societal rules accuracy, don’t like heavy-handed romantic protestations, or if you are sensitive to domestic violence of many kinds (parental/spousal/extended family), this isn’t likely the book for you.

And on that cheery note, I’ve got a giveaway for you!

Sorry. I couldn’t resist.

But really, to celebrate Ms. Covel’s release, and Valentine’s Day, I’m giving away one copy… to someone. All you’ve got to do to enter is leave a comment and tell me if you like Jane Eyre or Anne Elliot (of Persuasion) best. Or, if you haven’t read either or don’t like either, who is your favorite 19th-century heroine?

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Related

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « How to Bless Your Husband for Valentine’s Day
Next Post: Novelly Upon A Time is the Best Book I Read Last Month »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Susan (DE) says

    February 22, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    Well, I do think Jane Eyre is pretty great, but I guess I have to go for Anne Elliot. I may be getting Jane (who is wonderfully godly) all mixed up emotionally with Mr. Rochester, whom I do NOT especially like (even after his “conversion,” he’s still sort of…iffy) — but really, I think there’s still too much emotionalism in Jane Eyre for my taste. Anne is just…wonderful.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 22, 2019 at 2:06 pm

      I love Anne. She’s just such a dear.

      Reply
  2. Patty says

    February 16, 2019 at 6:37 am

    I haven’t read with of the books that you mentioned, but I have seen a movie version of Persuasion and really enjoyed it. So I guess I would say Anne Elliot.
    Thanks for you honest review of Atoning for Ashes, I always appreciate you refreshing honesty!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 16, 2019 at 3:19 pm

      I can’t wait to see what she does next. I think she’s someone to watch. I didn’t love this, but I am still intrigued by it.

      Reply
  3. Melissa Kiergaard Smith says

    February 14, 2019 at 10:08 am

    Her book sounds intriguing. I can’t decide if I want to read the “messier” parts or not. I think my favorite heroine from this era would be Emma.

    Reply
  4. Shelia Garrison says

    February 12, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    I really don’t know the labels put on books. Be it Regence, Goth ECT. I don’t know and really only care that it is a clean read with an inspirational story. I have read some Jane Eyre like books, but not her books. I love reading but not violent and/or vampire/zombie/witch themes.

    Reply
  5. April Gebhard says

    February 12, 2019 at 7:39 am

    Sadly, i have never read Jane Eyre or even watched a full Jane Eyre movie. I do love Anne Elliott. I completely understand how she could be convinced not to follow her heart and I love that she got a second chance!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 12, 2019 at 2:10 pm

      I’m not a big fan of Jane Eyre, so I’d say you didn’t miss anything. *whistles

      Reply
  6. Melissa W says

    February 12, 2019 at 7:07 am

    I loved Jane Eyre when I read it years ago. l keep thinking I should reread it but there are so many “new” books I need to read!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
byChautona Havig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

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

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on her WEBSITE.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!

 

Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
May 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 230: A Chat with Bryan Timothy Mitchell
May 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 229: A Chat about Murmur in the Mud Caves with Kathleen Denly
May 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 228: A Chat with Author Emilie Haney
May 9, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 227: A Chat about the New Jewels of Kalispell Series
May 5, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 226: A Chat with Archaeological Thriller Author, Doug Powell
May 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 225: A Chat with Dani Pettrey
April 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 224: A Chat with Author Megan Besing
April 25, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 223: A Chat with Tosca Lee about A Long March Home
April 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 222: A Chat with Regina Rudd Merrick
April 18, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?
  • What Made This Author Use Hell as Inspiration for His Novel?
  • Rumor Has It, Murmur in the Mud Caves Promises to Be Excellent!

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
This book by @chantelreadsallday 's daughter is de This book by @chantelreadsallday 's daughter is delightful. The writing style is both whimsical and mature,  direct and nuanced. Probably the easiest 5-star rating I've ever given ( to be fair,  it's a really short book). Oh! That was another great thing.  The TEEN author also tells a complete story in few words and with subtle (and not-so-subtle) sarcasm. Laughed aloud. 
I'll add a link on my bio link.
#MiddleGradeBooks
#YoungAuthors
#AmReading
Reposted from @lianaygeorge Authors love getting r Reposted from @lianaygeorge Authors love getting reviews! This one particularly warmed my heart because Erin emailed directly and had such lovely things to say.…
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales while I write and send Atticus and Milton down to Berne, Indiana to help Cezanne with he new and dying bookstore. 

Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
My next book in the Suamalie Islands series is on My next book in the Suamalie Islands series is on tour with @celebratelit .

Ezra has started her business, is elbow-deep in wedding prep for her father, and gets roped into helping an old friend fight off the eligible females of Lafoina. 
And frankly, she's tired of it all--except the fighting off females thing. The women can just back off. Henri is hers... not that she'd admit that. Yet.
A combination second-chance romance and fake relationship (but not) surrounded with tropical breezes, sandy beaches, and ocean waves lapping against the side of a floating bookstore--perfect for this summer's TBR!
Just check out the link in my bio for a list of blogs and my panic momentwith how the romance wouldactuallywork!
Available on KindleUnlimited
#SuamalieIslands
#ChristianRomance
#ChristFic
#PreorderSpecial
Guys, this book!!! Loving! Reposted from @shannon Guys, this book!!! Loving!

Reposted from @shannonsuedunlap I had a blast with Chautona on the Because Fiction podcast. (Link to the episode in the bio.)
Reposted from @thechosenkidssaga <title>“The Kin Reposted from @thechosenkidssaga <title>“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’… | Instagram</title>
Reposted from @shannonsuedunlap Lone Star Sweethea Reposted from @shannonsuedunlap Lone Star Sweetheart has launched! (Link in bio.)
#happybookbirthday #cfauthors #romcom #launchparty
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!