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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What’s Better Than a Great Christmas Romance Novella? So Much!

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Today marks the release of Christmas at Goddard Downs by Juliette Duncan, and boy it sounds like a great one! via @chautonahavig

For the last couple of months, I can’t blink without seeing the name Juliette Duncan, so when I saw her as next on my list for interviews, I was excited! And boy was chatting with her a delight. Juliette has TWO books releasing back to back almost, but the first one, Christmas at Goddard Downs releases… TODAY! So, listen in to learn more about her Christmas novella and a bit about the next book in her Waters Edge series.

Juliette Duncan

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

What’s Better Than a Great Christmas Romance Novella? So Much!

How about “mature romance”?  Oh, how I love that rather than “seasoned” as if everything else is somehow bland OR… it’s on the verge of “spicy.” EEEP!

Juliette Duncan, however, has created a wonderful cast of Characters in her Sunburned Land series taking place in northern Australia and on a cattle station, no less. We talked about formulaic romance, the lack of it, and what makes for good, realistic fiction.

I wanted to throw out here that when she talks about her books not being “squeaky clean,” I believe she’s talking about how the people are flawed rather than perfect and they make stupid mistakes like humans do rather than the books being full of things that would get them an R rating as a movie!  I think it’s just the Aussie/USA terminology difference–kind of like Merry Christmas vs. Happy Christmas which we ended with.

But we also talked about her Water’s Edge series!  Book five is coming out in just a few weeks, and it sounds delightful. I’m a sucker for a friends-to-more romance, and well… this is one! YAY! Think small-town romance, hang gliding, and the Australia coast. What more could you want?

When I asked about what she likes to read, she admitted she does read in her own genre, and likes women’s fiction by Aussie author, Lilly Mirren. I’ve never heard of Mirren, but since Juliette says she writes a clean book, I’m eager to give it a shot!

Furthermore, Juliette Duncan’s books can be listened to on audiobooks wherever you like to get yours–including from her WEBSITE.

Christmas at Goddard Downs Juliette DuncanChristmas at Goddard Downs by Juliette Duncan

A Christmas celebration, an engagement in doubt…

Maggie and Frank are excited to welcome the entire family home for Christmas. It’s been too long since they were all together, and since Frank’s heart attack, they cherish each moment spent with their family.

Plus, there could be two engagement announcements!

Janella’s bringing Wade to Christmas, and everybody’s expecting Sean to finally pop the question to Elizabeth.

The whole cattle station’s buzzing with anticipation.

But Sean still has niggling doubts.

Since Uncle Frank appointed him as co-manager of Goddard Downs, his life has changed for the better, and at last he feels like somebody, and yet, he can’t shrug off his father’s words.

Although he loves Elizabeth, how can he expect her to marry him when his dad could be right and he could fall into his old ways at any time?

Elizabeth Martin’s had enough of waiting for Sean to propose, and Bree’s offer to travel the world and nurse wherever the Lord leads holds appeal.

But can she leave Sean? The thought distresses her.

But does she love him enough to wait forever for him to propose?

What if he never does?

How can she join his family for Christmas when all eyes will be on them?

It’d be easier not to go.

She’ll pick up another shift, make her excuses.

Somebody needs to care for the sick while everyone else celebrates the birth of Jesus.

Can this impasse be broken? Can Sean find the courage to face his fears and commit to Elizabeth before he loses her?

Will Elizabeth choose to travel the world, or will this Christmas be one that will change her life forever?

Join the Goddard family for a Christmas to remember. Christmas at Goddard Downs is Book Six in the Sunburned Land Series, a contemporary Christian romance set in the beautiful, rugged and remote Kimberley area of northern Australia. Grab your copy now and be blessed.

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Comments

  1. Lilly says

    December 17, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    I think there could actually be a difference between a Christian book and a clean one.
    – A Christian book has a Christian worldview and biblical principles, the gospel and God are part of it.
    – A clean book is also usually the healthy kind without anything too horrible or bloody, profanity or sexual scenes (and there are arguments about what is clean).
    For example, there may be a Christian romance where one of the couple was unfaithful and the other was addicted to pornography and there may be several allusions to it in the story, some people would say that this is not “clean”.
    – A Christian thriller might have a cop chasing a serial killer who kills in some pretty gory fashion, but having violence in a book for many isn’t clean unless it’s only vaguely implied.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
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Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
byChautona Havig

The charming Amish district of Stoney Ridge has new residents. Listen in as Suzanne Woods Fisher and I chat about this latest book, A Hidden Hope, and the fun she had writing it.

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

Chats with Suzanne Woods Fisher are always lovely. We talked about this book and about her love of writing about outsiders and how they find their place in the world.

A Hidden Hope by Suzanne Woods Fisher

With the arrival of three unexpected newcomers to Stoney Ridge comes an array of secrets and emotions brewing just beneath the surface. Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed–though Dok isn’t convinced he’s got what it takes. Then there’s traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Wren. Boarding at Windmill Farm, the trio struggles to balance modern medicine with Plain living. Between medical emergencies, cultural misunderstandings, and brewing romantic tensions, Dok finds herself juggling far more than she bargained for. Soon the stage is set in the small Amish community of Stoney Ridge for plenty of professional and personal complications. PRAISE FOR A HEALING TOUCH “The author perceptively sketches her characters’ emotional arcs as life’s challenges yield unexpected gifts, speaking to the power of second chances, faith, and love.”–Publishers Weekly

You can learn more about Suzanne from her WEBSITE. Also, follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
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  • RSS
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  • and more!
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
January 12, 2026
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Episode:505 A Chat with Becca Wierwille
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Episode 504: A Chat with Julie Klassen
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Episode 503: A Chat with Megan Soja
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Episode 502: A Chat with Kelli Galyean
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Episode 501: A Chat with Heidi Gray McGill
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Episode 500: A Chat with Joy Crain
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Episode 499: A Chat with Jessica Wakefield
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Twice Sold Tales is hopping with fun characters and packed with fabulous books. FREE through 1/14/26 and always "free" through Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobook narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo coming soon!
#ChristFic
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https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Sold-Tales-Bookstrings-Book-ebook/dp/B0BLKCDYKR
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