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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

A Beautiful Historical Romance Set in an Unusual Part of California

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Kathleen Denly has written a fabulous series, The Chapparal Hearts, and her latest release, Harmony on the Horizon is the best yet! via @chautonahavig

Author of the Chapparal Hearts series, Kathleen Denly talks about her series, the books, and the wonderful stories of San Diego during the Gold Rush era.

Don’t miss my review of Harmony on the Horizon. I hadn’t read it as of this interview, but I did after it was over and wow…. Just wow.

Kathleen Denly

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

A Beautiful Historical Romance Set in an Unusual Part of California

After finding Kathleen Denly’s website a few years ago, I knew I wanted to read her books, but I had no idea what I was in for.

This series features an underrepresented part of California–San Diego county. Most historical California fiction features the areas north of Monterey, but not Kathleen’s.  And in this book, you find so much that is relative to today’s issues, just dressed in the world of yesteryear.

Kathleen discusses what parts of her books she personally relates most to and she even gives us a bit about what’s coming up next!  Great news. It’s more books.

Harmony on the Horizon denlyHarmony on the Horizon by Kathleen Denly

Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.

On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.

After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.

As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.

You can learn more about Kathleen (and all her amazing stuff) on her WEBSITE.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 556: A Chat with Sharon Wilharm
byChautona Havig

Three Women. One Unlikely Mission. One Town Forever Changed. If that doesn’t grab you, nothing will! Listen in as I chat with Sharon Wilharm about this intriguing book.

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

Loved our conversation–life in Florida during the late 19th century, authors, books, and movies she reminded me of, and even…

THE NEXT BOOK! Can’t wait to see what publisher snaps that one up! EEEP!

The Amazing Crab Alley Revival by Sharon Wilharm

In 1897 Florida, a widowed woman searching for purpose finds herself drawn into an unexpected friendship—and a revival that will transform an entire town.

The year is 1897 and wealthy widow Lydia Culpepper is evaluating her mundane existence. For sixty-three years, she’s faithfully gone through the motions of fulfilling everyone else’s expectations for her life, but nothing she does is ever enough. She longs for something more.

When a young boy comes to her house in search of his missing coon dog, she gets her wish. She meets Emily Reed, a young finishing school instructor, and Opal Jackson, an Irish single mother, and the three women join together on a mission that turns the First Baptist Church on its head.

Suddenly, the town is in an uproar as lives are being changed. When Yellow Fever hits, it looks like their efforts may have been in vain, but the epidemic isn’t enough to thwart the fruits of the Crab Alley Revival.

Learn more on Sharon’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 556: A Chat with Sharon Wilharm
Episode 556: A Chat with Sharon Wilharm
June 29, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 555: A Chat with Jil Koller
June 27, 2026
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Episode 554: A Chat with Gloriaea
June 22, 2026
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Episode 553: A Chat with Chris Underwood
June 20, 2026
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Episode 552: A Chat with Laura Ashwood
June 17, 2026
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Episode 551: A Chat wth Kayla E. Green
June 15, 2026
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Episode 550: A Chat with Joan Lovestrand Farley
June 13, 2026
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Episode 549: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
June 8, 2026
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Episode 548: A Chat with Sarah Heatwole
June 6, 2026
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Episode 547: A Chat with Terri McAdoo
June 1, 2026
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