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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Hidden Treasures, a Mystery, and a Lonely Girl: What Isn’t to Love?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

It's release day for The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel, and we chatted about what readers will find in this book! via @chautonahavig

Happy Book Release Birthday to Jennifer Deibel and her newest historical romance, The Maid of Ballymacool. I chatted with her about this book a while back and have been biting my nails for release day. My book arrived a couple of days ago, and I’ve been anxious to start reading.  Listen in to learn about why I’m going to love the bits of her in the forest (that’s what Jennifer said!).

the maid of ballymacool

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

Hidden Treasures, a Mystery, and a Lonely Girl: What Isn’t to Love?

So, I’m about to utter a bit of literary blasphemy here, but when Jennifer described the background of The Maid of Ballymacool, it struck a familiar cord.  I mean… a small child dropped off at a school and just left there for life. Yeah. Am I the only one who thinks, “Okay… so like Jane Austen’s Emma?”

Here’s the thing, though. Even if that’s the only similarity the two stories have, I’m already predisposed to love this book more. Why?

How about the fact that Brianna of Ballymacool had to put herself into God’s hand and trust His creation for her instruction in Him since she wasn’t given any other? I can’t wait to see what that looks like!  How about No Frank Churchill?  That’s gotta be an improvement! And while I’ll miss the silly Miss Bates… well, I think I can manage. I’ll have Brianna after all. 😉

Jennifer gave us a lovely rundown of her first two books, but… shhh…

**looks around to make sure no one is listening too closely**

I think I’m even more excited about her next one!  Then again, Jennifer might be mad at me for giving her an idea too late. Oh, well. I have every confidence her marketplace matchmaker book will be perfect the day it releases.

Next year. Sigh.

The Maid of BallymacoolThe Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.

When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.

Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.

Learn more about Jennifer (and get the first bits of news… you know, like the COVER REVEAL) on her WEBSITE.

Note: The book IS 30% off and DOES have free shipping as of today over at Baker Book House.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
byChautona Havig

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good heart-rending story, and To Fly on Broken Wings by Fayla Ott sounds like the best kind–one with hope even in the difficult things. Listen in and see why it reminds me of Patti Paige!

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

Oh, boy. No way can I not read this book ASAP!

To Fly on Broken Wings by Fayla Ott

Mississippi Delta, 1941

Lila Rose never expected life to offer her more than the quiet rhythm of cotton fields and small-town whispers. Raised in poverty and caring for an alcoholic father, she’s learned not to hope for much.

Then she meets Graham, a young pilot from one of Mississippi’s wealthiest families. Their unlikely love changes everything.

But when war tears them apart and Graham is reported killed in action, Lila believes the future she’d dreamed of has died with him. Determined to move forward, she remarries and begins building a new life.

Until Graham comes home.

Now the man she buried in her heart is standing before her, and the life she’s fought to rebuild hangs in the balance. Faced with an impossible choice between the love she lost and the promises she’s made, Lila must discover whether faith can guide her when every path leads to heartbreak.

To Fly on Broken Wings is a moving Christian historical novel about love, loss, impossible choices, and the quiet courage to trust God when the path ahead is anything but clear.

Learn more on Fayla’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 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
August 10, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 568: A Chat with Chelsea Bobulski
August 8, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 567: A Chat with Roseanna M. White
August 5, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 566: A Chat with Clint Hall
August 3, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
August 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
July 27, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 563: A Chat with Stephanie Mack
July 25, 2026
Chautona Havig
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
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Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores? Of course, not. Does that stop Anne Montgomery from opening one practically next door to the other one? It does not. Their friendship may be dead, but nothing will stop her from running her dream bookstore. And... she got the prime location. It's perfect!
Except it isn't. If something doesn't change, she'll flop faster than this year's over-hyped novel. After much pleading (and some interfering), Milton and his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch) arrive to help.
Book two in the Bookstrings series (aside from the two prequel novellas), Clock Tower Bound is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and coming soon to audiobook (and @ChristaDelSorbo's) YouTube Channel (where you can listen free!).
https://amzn.to/4xrzgvt #affiliatelink
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One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
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https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
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https://amzn.to/4xrzgvt #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#BookishBooks
#Bookstrings
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