• 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
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • New & Coming
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.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Share93
Pin
Post
Email
96Shares
Share
Pin
Post
Email
96Shares

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « What Happened to the Little Mermaid?
Next Post: 5 Ways to Better Engage Your Readers »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Bonus Episode: A Chat with Becca Wierwille
byChautona Havig

I can’t be the only person who cut her reading teeth on mysteries, and author Becca Wierwille has a great series for young readers with THREE new books coming out. Listen in and learn all about the new Scout & Barnaby books AND how you can get them early!

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

Don’t miss Becca’s Kickstarter! You only have a couple of days left! Find that HERE!

Also, don’t miss the first interview about this series HERE.

Scout & Barnaby Series by Becca Wierwille

The Scout and Barnaby Mysteries are funny, heartwarming Christian chapter books for kids ages 6-10 by award-winning children’s author Becca Wierwille. These lightly illustrated mysteries star a girl named Scout and her unusually perceptive dog, Barnaby. They team up to solve mysteries at a Christian wilderness camp using her love of big words and his super sniffer.

The series begins when Barnaby eats Scout’s dictionary—and after that, he can understand words!

Written as a bridge between chapter books and longer middle grade works, these books combine fun whodunit mystery elements with faith and humor. Books feature a larger font for emerging readers, stay short at approximately 15,000 words, and include illustrations by award-winning illustrator Brad Smith.

This campaign is not just for one book, but for the next THREE books in the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries (books 4-6)!

Learn more about Becca on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

And listen to her PODCAST HERE.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Bonus Episode: A Chat with Becca Wierwille
Bonus Episode: A Chat with Becca Wierwille
July 21, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 562: A Chat with Laura Thomas
July 20, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 561: A Chat with Laura Frantz
July 18, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episod 560: A Chat witih Melanie Dobson
July 13, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 559: A Chat with Lisa Phillips
July 11, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 558: A Chat with Felicia Hurd
July 6, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 557: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
July 4, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 556: A Chat with Sharon Wilharm
June 29, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 555: A Chat with Jil Koller
June 27, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 554: A Chat with Gloriaea
June 22, 2026
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Take Cover

Take Cover

CrossWords

CrossWords

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • So, There Was That Time I Forgot What I Knew…
  • “Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie
  • Why Romance Is a Hairy Proposition (or is that proposal?)

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
It's her last Christmas with her favorite person i It's her last Christmas with her favorite person in the world. All he wants for Christmas? A second-chance romance between Joanie and Jesus... oh, and Geoff. Simple, right? But how do you tell a man like Uncle Bud it can't be done? You don't. You trust Jesus and get to work. The first book in the Independence Islands: The Book Barrow, Christmas on Breakers Point is available in print, Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and audiobook (listen free on YouTube. Search Christa DelSorbo). https://amzn.to/3ReBgrr #affiliatelink
#ChristianFiction
#ChristianRomance
#ChristmasFiction
He's the world's most recent billionaire. She's ju He's the world's most recent billionaire. She's just glad he lives on the other side of the world. Their "paper marriage" makes both their lives easier. Until he shows up on her... um, that is HIS doorstep, injured and with his net worth significantly reduced. She doesn't trust men. He's sick to death of fawning women. And now they're stranded together in the family mansion alone. Mostly. There is the cat. Zyrtec.
Book two of the Independence Islands: The Book Barrow series, Dual Power of Convenience includes a contemporary marriage of convenience combined with a semi billionaire romance. Available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), as well as audio (which is also free on YouTube on Christa DelSorbo's channel). https://amzn.to/3SDXwvd #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#ContemporaryChristianRomance
She just wants a chance to film helping restore th She just wants a chance to film helping restore the islands in the wake of a hurricane. He just wants to keep his job when the islanders find out they're going to be on TV. This loathe to love romance includes a found dog, a found family, and a bit of a mystery, too. Book four of the Independence Islands: The Book Barrow series, Flipping Hearts is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), as well as audio (which is also free on YouTube on Christa DelSorbo's channel). https://amzn.to/3R6OcQ6 #Affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#ContemporaryChristianRomance
#KindleUnlimited
It's bad enough to discover that someone murdered It's bad enough to discover that someone murdered your wife, but it's even worse not to know if you killed her. Simon doesn't remember, and the police don't believe him when he says he couldn't have done it. "I just know" doesn't cut it.
Book three of the Sight Unseen Series, Ties That Blind throws Ella, Vikki, and Simon into a race to prove his innocence and discover just what happened to them before things become deadly. Check it out in print or Kindle/Kindle Unlimited : https://amzn.to/44qJEHc
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomanticSuspense
#KindleUnlimited
Bible Study can be life changing. Just ask Bentley Bible Study can be life changing. Just ask Bentley. Okay, so maybe her conclusions about how we glorify God might be a bit extreme, but no one can argue that it worked out well for her. Proposing to a guy she's not in love with (yet!)? Not easy, but no one said living to the glory of God would be easy, right?
Book one in the Marriages of Conviction series, Blessing Bentley explores one woman's approach to a happy marriage--start with God!
https://amzn.to/4prbRYd (#affiliatelink)
#ChristianFiction
#ContemporaryChristianRomance
#MarriageOfConvenience
#KindleUnlimited
Bible Study can be life changing. Just ask Bentley Bible Study can be life changing. Just ask Bentley. Okay, so maybe her conclusions about how we glorify God might be a bit extreme, but no one can argue that it worked out well for her. Proposing to a guy she's not in love with (yet!)? Not easy, but no one said living to the glory of God would be easy, right?
Book one in the Marriages of Conviction series, Blessing Bentley explores one woman's approach to a happy marriage--start with God!
https://amzn.to/4prbRYd (#affiliatelink)
#ChristianFiction
#ContemporaryChristianRomance
#MarriageOfConvenience
#KindleUnlimited
Reposted from @authorjoycrain Culture runs deep—an Reposted from @authorjoycrain Culture runs deep—and so do the ways we define family. 🌏✨

When looking at child welfare globally, a question that often comes up is why domestic adoption has historically faced unique hurdles in many traditional Asian communities. It’s a complex topic rooted in history, philosophy, and deeply ingrained societal structures rather than a lack of compassion.
Here are a few key reasons behind the traditional stigma:

The Weight of Lineage: In Confucian-influenced societies, identity and duty are heavily tied to ancestral bloodlines. Traditionally, the sacred responsibility of honoring ancestors was believed to belong strictly to biological heirs.

The 'Secret' Adoption: Because of the intense societal pressure to maintain a biological lineage, families who did adopt historically hid it—sometimes moving away or faking pregnancies to protect the child and the family from being treated differently by the community.

Legal Hurdles: In some countries laws heavily favor biological parents over the state make permanent domestic adoption incredibly difficult, leaving many children in institutional care rather than foster homes.

The Narrative is Shifting. ⏳
Younger generations, diaspora communities, and changing global policies are actively rewriting these scripts. The definition of family is expanding past DNA, focusing instead on love, choice, and creating safe spaces for children to thrive.

Let’s talk in the comments: How has your cultural background shaped the way you view adoption and family building? 👇💭

#CultureAndFamily #AdoptionAwareness #bookstagram #fyp
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

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