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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What More Could You Want This Weekend Than an Exciting New Thriller?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

A Cry in the Dark by Jessica R. Patch promises to combine police procedural fiction with a psychological thriller. via @chautonahavig

While a nice, sweet escape from reality can be a great read, so can a read about a fictional character having to escape from their horrible reality and get help from the folks who will bring bad guys to justice–if they can catch those guys in time, that is. Jessica R. Patch is one author you won’t want to miss if you like your toes to tingle for reasons other than swoony heroes and all the liplock that can go with that nonsense–I mean romance.  Ahem. Yeah. Well, Jessica might have romance in her books, but it definitely plays second fiddle to a whole different kind of heart thumping! Listen in to find out more!

A Cry in the Dark Jessica R. Patch

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

What More Could You Want This Weekend Than an Exciting New Thriller?

Whooeee! Just before the interview, I was listening to the opening of Jessica R. Patch’s latest release, A Cry in the Dark, and man! If it wouldn’t have been rude, I’d have been tempted to beg off the interview and just listen.  Well, and I was in the middle of another book at the time anyway, so… sigh.

Jessica and I had a great time chatting about her love for justice, showing the beauty of redemption against the backdrop of man’s depravity, and all without going overboard. She’ll do her best to scare the hair off your head, but she’s not interested in throwing out just anything for shock value.

Is it just me, or is that beautiful news? Honestly, I probably should’ve cheered more.  Full disclosure: I was probably bobbing my head off in agreement.

In addition to her latest release, we also chatted about Jessica’s first book with Love Inspired Trade, Her Darkest Secret, her other Love Inspired books, and her next Love Inspired Trade novel… I think it was something about Garden Girls. My brain is shutting down.

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m crazy excited to read all of them! Jessica did say that while her books could be read in any order, it is a better reading experience to start with the first in this series, so I ordered Her Darkest Secret and it should be here any day now. EEEP!

A Cry in the Dark by Jessica R. Patch

Deep in the Kentucky hills, three women have been found brutalized and murdered.
But the folks in Night Holler have their own ways and their own laws.
And they’re not talking…

Led to an isolated Appalachian Mountain town by a trail of disturbing murders, FBI special agent Violet Rainwater’s determined to catch a serial killer with a twisted agenda. With locals refusing to reveal their secrets, Violet’s only ally is Detective John Orlando. But even John has an ulterior motive—he’s convinced this case is connected to his wife’s murder.

As they dig deeper, Violet uncovers a link to her own unresolved past. For years she’s worked the cold case of her mother’s abduction, which had led to her birth. The need to look into the eyes of the sinful man who fathered her consumes Violet. Until she can, she’ll never have peace. Because she’s terrified she might be exactly like him.

In this chilling novel, when the present collides with Violet’s mysterious past and John’s tragic loss, they must unravel the warped, sinuous connections before the killer strikes again. But solving the case might not be nearly as terrifying as the possibility that Violet’s finally found her roots…

You can learn more about Jessica and her books (and get the first sneak peek at that new cover) by heading over to her WEBSITE.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 549: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
byChautona Havig

I’ve been anxious to read this one since the moment I saw it. I mean, come on! Secrets are always cool but then Frank L. Baum? And The Pilgrim’s Progress? WHAT? Listen in as Laura DeNooyer and I chat about A Hundred Magical Reasons.

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

The L. Frank Baum connection was a draw, but then she brought in The Pilgrim’s Progress, and it took the whole story idea to a new level!

I had a blast chatting with Laura and I’m excited to read this one. It’ll probably be my flight read tomorrow. EEEP!

A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer

Some fairy tales don’t end when the story is over…they begin when the truth is finally told.

At eighty-eight, Charlotte Rose Gordon has spent a lifetime guarding secrets—burdens that have turned her into the town’s most notorious recluse. But before her story ends, she has one final quest: to set the past right and clear her husband’s name.

Even if it means facing the dragons she’s spent decades avoiding.

Carrie Kruisselbrink is fighting dragons of her own. Fresh out of college and desperate to escape the weight of her parents’ expectations, she risks everything to chase a dream that feels just out of reach.

An unlikely job with the reclusive Mrs. Gordon seems like a temporary solution. Until it becomes something much more.

As Charlotte begins to unravel her past—from a stifling childhood to an extraordinary friendship with author L. Frank Baum—Carrie is drawn into a story filled with imagination, loss, and long-buried truth.

But the deeper Carrie digs, the more she’s forced to confront her own fears, her own choices… and the cost of living someone else’s life.

Because some stories were never meant to stay hidden.

Spanning generations and woven with echoes of a beloved literary legacy, A Hundred Magical Reasons is a moving tale of courage, identity, and the kind of hope that only comes when truth, grace, and imagination collide.

Can two women from different generations find the strength to rewrite their stories—before time runs out?

Step into a story of secrets, second chances, and the courage to believe again.

Learn more on Laura’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
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  • RSS
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  • and more!
Episode 549: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
Episode 549: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
June 8, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 548: A Chat with Sarah Heatwole
June 6, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 547: A Chat with Terri McAdoo
June 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 546: A Chat with Chuck Richardson
May 30, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 545: A Chat with Gina Holder
May 25, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 544: A Chat with Nicholas Teeguarden
May 23, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 543: A Chat with Stephanie Cardel
May 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 542: A Chat with Megan Schaulis
May 16, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 541: A Chat with Demi Griffin
May 11, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episodd 540: A Chat with Dana Mentink
May 9, 2026
Chautona Havig
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Ever notice how you best know yourself--and know y Ever notice how you best know yourself--and know yourself the least?  We humans are weird that way. Sometimes I think the Lord allows us to be blind to parts of ourselves for a time so as not to drive us too crazy too quickly. Or something.
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Second to me... I'd say nasty people. They give me such an ick feeling. Sure, it's cathartic... but it's so hard because I want to redeem everyone, and that's just unrealistic and frankly, arrogant.  So... there you have it.
If you have a question you want me to answer, leave it in the comments OR... zip me an email at chautona@chautona.com.  I'll try to work them in (and will probably combine those that are really similar.
#AuthorLife
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#AmWriting
Okay, it's actually a short story, but... IYKYK. Okay,  it's actually a short story, but... IYKYK.
#AmWriting
Going nuts over here waiting for yet ANOTHER Lord Going nuts over here waiting for yet ANOTHER Lord Edgington by @benedictbrownauthor novel. Sigh. I dont think this is what Solomon was talking about when he said, "A virtuous woman, who can find?"
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Sigh
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