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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Better Way to Start the New Year Than a Great Rom-Com?

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer is just as delightful as its eye-catching cover. Start 2023 off with a wonderful rom-com... this one! via @chautonahavig

So… ever wondered if I’m really as weird as I seem? Here’s proof for ya! While normal people were gearing up for a lovely holiday with their families, I rushed AWAY from mine to my hotel room in Irvine, California to have a chat with debut romantic comedy author, Becca Kinzer about her book, Dear Henry, Love Elizabeth. Boy, am I glad I did! Guys! This book!  Listen in to find out how Becca went from writing romantic suspense to rom-com and learn why I’m pushing for a new genre–rom-com suspense!

Becca Kinzer Dear Henry, Love Edith

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, Becca Kinzer kindly sent me a copy of her book. That was after I ordered my own copy, though for what it’s worth. 🙂

What Better Way to Start the New Year Than a Great Rom-Com?

As I said in the episode, I read the first chapter…ish of Dear Henry, Love Edith before we got on the air, and once I disconnected the call, I plopped down and finished all that the “Look Inside” on Amazon allowed.  Yes, yes I did!  And when I got home from my trip BACK to Irvine (yes, I’d driven home for a few days and went back…) I found a copy of the book waiting for me.  Thank you, Becca!

Well, last night I settled in to get through chapter four. Goodness, that makes it sound like I expected it to be a slog or something! Far from the truth, I assure you. I just meant that I only allow myself five chapters a night before I have to work, and the first chapters of a book end at the end of chapter 4 for me.  *insert sniffles here*

Well, let’s just say that I’m working REALLY hard tonight so I can sneak in another set of five chapters before I have to go to bed. Guys! This book! If you love Bethany Turner, you’re going to love this book. We’ve already had the meet cute (unbeknownst to the characters), we’ve already begun the epistolary part (“notes” that really are more like short letters), and… then there’s the genius.

I wondered how Becca Kinzer would handle the fact that just because two people have names that sound older doesn’t mean they’ll speak or act older–write older!  Well, so far, it’s all working like a charm. The love of older movie actors helps some, BUT… even Henry noticed that Edith actually sounds like his niece, Kat, sometimes. YES!  YES YES YES!

So… does it work?

Yep. It sure does. I really shouldn’t be reading this book. I’ll just put that out there. I shouldn’t. I have a ton of other books in line ahead of it, but everyone gets to have a mood read now and then, and I’m most definitely in the mood for this read! Fun characters, quirky situations, awkwardness galore, and butter pecan ice cream. It’s a quadruple play in my book!

And… she’s working on a rom-com about two people riding a tandem bike in a race.  COME ON!  I’m dying for this book, too!  It just won’t come out until… forever!  So, in the meantime, don’t forget the TWO free novellas you can get if you head over to Becca Kinzer’s WEBSITE and sign up for her newsletter.  I did. EEEP!

Just a few weeks before it releases on January 31, 2023

Dear Henry, Love Edith Becca KinzerDear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer

He thinks she’s an elderly widow. She’s convinced he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further from the truth.

After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn’t exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he’d do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes, short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake?that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town?their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry’s roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

Reminiscent of the beloved classic You’ve Got Mail comes a delightful new romantic comedy about mistaken identities, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places.

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Comments

  1. Cindy Davis says

    January 7, 2023 at 9:07 am

    I have this one on Net Galley and plan to read it this month! I am excited about it and your review makes me even more so! I love the idea of rom-com suspense, yes please!! I LOVE humor in the books I read. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
byChautona Havig

Last fall, I talked with several authors about their novella collection (Episode 177) and learned about a new series they’d planned for 2023. Well, of course, I wanted to talk with them about it, and last week I “sat down” (I stand while recording, but you get my drift) with Heather Greer to talk about her book in the Stained Glass Legacy Series, Window of Opportunity.  I’ve been reading her book and am really enjoying it, so I was excited to talk about this 1920s story of friendship, romance, corruption, and more!  Listen in to find out what to expect from Heather Greer’s first historical romance!

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

Why Doing the Right Thing at the Wrong Time Is No Picnic!

Okay, you have to read the book to “get” that title, for the post, but I figured it’d make Heather smile.

Heather and I talked about the differences in writing contemporary versus historical fiction–including all the work that goes into research!  Did they have this thing or that then? Are we assuming too advanced or not advanced enough?  Did people actually use this word or that? It’s a complicated process, and it slows down the writing when you have to figure out if a train even went through that area and if so, which direction did it go?!  Not that this has ever happened to me!

But first, Heather told the story of how she met the other authors in this series at a writer’s retreat, and the idea for this entire four-book series (all releasing THIS YEAR) sparked conversations until they couldn’t not write it.  With each book being written in a different era (1920s, 1970s, contemporary, and future dystopian) AND with not only this stained-glass window but also the family of the young men we’ll meet in Heather’s book, Window of Opportunity.

Stay tuned for more interviews with other Stained-Glass Legacy authors. I hope to chat with all of them!

Window of Opportunity by Heather Greer

Faith and duty drive Evangeline Moore to protect her father’s pristine image as a judge in Harrisburg, Illinois. Her resolve’s biggest test? Dot, her childhood friend. With Evangeline beside her, Dot’s desire for the Roaring Twenties’ glitz and glamor leads the pair into questionable situations.

Born into a Chicago mob family, Brendan Dunne understands duty, but faith puts him at odds with his father’s demands. Even when his brother James’s propensity for trouble lands them in Harrisburg, the truth is undeniable. To their father, the lines he won’t cross mean Brendan will never measure up.

When circumstances push Brendan and Evangeline together, unexpected events create opportunities to break free of family expectations. Will they be brave enough to forge their own path before the window closes on their chance to change?

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

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Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
January 27, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 202: A Chat with Historical Christian Author, Laura Frantz
January 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 201: A Closer Look at This YA Dystopian Series
January 20, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 200: Comparing & Contrasting Two Split-Time Novels
January 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 199: A Chat about Karl May with Robert Stermscheg
January 13, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 198: A Chat about Everything Is Just Beginning with Erin Bartels
January 10, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 197: A Chat with Amish Author, Shelley Shepard Gray
January 6, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 196: A Chat with Rom-Com Author by Becca Kinzer
January 3, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 195: A Chat about What I Would Say with Liz Tolsma
December 23, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 194: Reading Challenges and The Space Between Words Gush
December 20, 2022
Chautona Havig
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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?

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Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit t Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit to our newest set of islands – The Suamalie Islands! These islands are very different from the Independence Islands because they are touristy. Another way this series is different is we have added more authors. You will see some familiar Independence Islands authors but will also see some brand-new ones. Just like with our Independence Islands, each author will follow a type of business that goes across all the different islands.

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#giveaway #suamalieislands #celebratelit
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 which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
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 which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally have been run into by a limb or two...

#funny #tree #blind #visuallyimpaired #blindauthor #authorsofinstagram #christianauthor #fictionauthor #historicalfictionauthor #romanticfiction #romancenovel
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 which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutore Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutoread for this fun graphic!! #thecairocurse #freddieandgrace4ever @barbourbooks #historicalromance
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