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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Did You Know Opposites Attract—Even When They’re Great Books?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

These split-time novels share some important similarities and on the other hand, they are completely different stories! via @chautonahavig

Split-time novels are some of my favorites, and this year I discovered (and interviewed the authors of) two different World War II books with DNA connections. On the surface, you’d assume they’d be too alike to be interesting, but once you start reading, the similarities compound AND diverge at the same time, leaving inspiring stories that don’t feel like a duplicate AT ALL. Listen in to what I loved about Terrie Todd’s Lilly’s Promise and Liz Tolsma’s What I Would Tell You.

split-time novels

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Did You Know Opposites Attract—Even When They’re Great Books?

First up was Terrie Todd’s Lily’s Promise from Episode 190.

In this novel, we meet a young woman whose DNA test and genealogy research leave her with a name she can’t place, and when her father starts telling the story… whoa.  Much of the story focuses on the foolishness of decisions, trying to atone for one’s own sins, and skewed perceptions. Rich faith elements, finding our true identities, and seeing how the Lord does work good into our lives despite the messes we try to make of it make it one of my top books of 2022… like definitely the top 22. Probably top 5. Here’s my GoodReads review.

Next up was Liz Tolsma’s What I Would Tell You from Episode 195.

Again, we have a DNA test with unexpected results. Tessa and her cousin, Riley, find that though their grandmothers were supposedly twins… they don’t share the right DNA for that. Tessa has Sephardic Jewish DNA, but as far as she knows, she’s not Jewish. So… what gives? This sends her across the world to Thessaloniki, Greece and immerses her in a story that helps her discover her true identity, how the Lord will work this good into her life, all her own skewed perceptions and more!

Both books were five-star reads for me, and I highly recommend them. The funny thing is that they are such very different books that I couldn’t say which one someone should read first because it’s not like, “Oh, this one has more information” or “This one has a better story” or better characters or… or…

What is just wonderful is seeing how two people seemingly have the same idea for a split-time story and then end up writing such different books that you’d never know they started with the same premise unless you were thinking about it.

You can learn more about Terrie Todd on her website and about Liz Tolsma on hers. Note: Both authors have other split-time novels, so you definitely want to check out their books. I can think of The Silver Suitcase for Terrie Todd and A Promise Engraved for Liz Tolsma.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
byChautona Havig

I had another lovely conversation with Toni Shiloh last month. Her latest book, The Love Script released and boy does it promise to be another #BookTouchdown!  Listen in to what you’ll find in this Love in the Spotlight series and especially in The Love Script.

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

How Many Lies Does It Take to Expose the Truth That Love Brings?

Authors tell me over and over that they experience the same things I do when I’m writing. You start helping your characters work through their problems, and as you do, the Lord starts exposing your own.  He helps you understand where you need growth and helps pull weeds that try to choke out that growth.

The Love Script has a great twist of someone trying to use a lie to smooth over the gossipy ripples of false reporting (genius way to handle it, eh?) and oh the fall out.

Toni promises we’ll see some great wisdom from Lamont’s mother and some deep truths that Neveah discovers.

The Love Truth by Toni Shiloh

A Hollywood hair stylist.

Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood A-lister Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

The silver screen’s latest heartthrob.

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship–something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

A love that goes off script.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

You can find out more about Toni on her WEBSITE.  Follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

And don’t forget that you can get 30% off the book with free shipping at BakerBookHouse.com. And you can get You Make It Feel Like Christmas, too!

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
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  • and more!
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
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Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
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Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
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Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
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Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
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Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
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Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
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Episode 255: A Chat about He Should Have Told the Bees
August 25, 2023
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Episode 254: A Chat about Where the Wings rise with Ashlyn McKayla Ohm
August 22, 2023
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I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "A I love this book so much. And it wouldn't be an "Anne" story without Gilbert and Diana... meet Gage. He's not quite Gilbert, but he's got everything a Gilbert should have--including the ability to completely annoy Anne when he doesn't mean to. She's speaking to him here... barely.
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