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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 512: A Chat with Tim Bishop
byChautona Havig

I had the best time chatting with Tim Bishop about his book, The Road Unveiled. If you want to learn about the phobia that I never knew I had, listen in. I mean, there’s a great story you won’t want to miss learning about as well.

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

I loved Tim’s heart for people, cycling, and the Lord as we chatted about his books, his later-in-life marriage, and their own long cycling trips!

And I’m really glad my husband likes to cycle alone! Far away from tunnels.

The Road Unveiled by Tim Bishop

Two wounded hearts. Long, winding roads. And second chances neither saw coming. Lauren Baumgartner pedals toward Yellowstone National Park, anticipating a grand celebration when she reaches the Atlantic Ocean. But when her wedding plans collapse, old wounds resurface—and a haunting secret still holds her heart hostage. Traveling alone with bear spray and a one-woman tent, she shares the highway with motorcyclists bound for a massive rally, including gang members who eye her as theirs for the taking. Doug Zimmer, another lone cyclist, is grappling with loss and wondering if anyone will be alongside him when he figures out what’s next. He isn’t the only one drawn to Lauren’s vitality and spirit. But Lauren may already be in too deep. What she faces on the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation tests her courage—and her faith—more than anything she encountered as a missionary in Uganda. A woman with a secret and a man healing from loss pedal the rugged roads of the American West on a quest for love and purpose that leads to unexpected horizons.

Visit Tim’s online store HERE and put in code: FRIEND for 25% off your order!

Learn more about Tim on his 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
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 512: A Chat with Tim Bishop
Episode 512: A Chat with Tim Bishop
February 2, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 511: A Chat with Tessa Afshar
January 31, 2026
Chautona
Episode 510: A Chat with Sarah Sundin
January 26, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 509: A Chat with Stacy J. Ladyman
January 24, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 508: A Chat with Katelyn Pfeiffer
January 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 507: A Chat with Sarah Hanks
January 17, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
January 12, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode:505 A Chat with Becca Wierwille
January 10, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 504: A Chat with Julie Klassen
January 5, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 503: A Chat with Megan Soja
January 3, 2026
Chautona Havig
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Not all romance soars on silver-lined clouds with Not all romance soars on silver-lined clouds with a #9 dangling from it. Some people can't get it right no matter how hard they try. Meet Heath Karras. Bless him, he's about as awkward with women as they come. Need proof? How about the fact that he has a string of first dates and no second dates.  Or what about the gal who went home and informed her mother that he'd be single for the rest of his life?
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After studying everything the Bible has to say about marriage, she’s decided she wants in. Now. So who’s going to take her up on that offer?
And just why did no one remind her that those vows include that little word, “love?”
Oops!
With her Bible in her hip pocket and a shiny new ring on her finger, Bentley navigates this new world of marriage with grace and… oh, who is she kidding? She flounders until she gets a sure footing and hangs on tight.
Grab the first book of this unusual series today! https://amzn.to/49UP8Oh #affiliatelink
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Listen to the whole book FREE, narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo (don't forget to subscribe!!!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TZlGhUFcE&list=PLGJaJiSo6mQ1Cg738W1MSQlHIuFe45v_WListen Available as individual chapter videos or the entire book in one video The previous four Agency books are also available to listen to FREE.
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And if only Christian Books & Gifts would create that Airbnb for me... because it's all about me, right?  WRONG! It's about the lovely folks @christianbookandgiftgrv.  Thanks for letting me fictionalize you! I'm having a blast!
#ChristFic
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Not all romance soars on silver-lined clouds with Not all romance soars on silver-lined clouds with a #9 dangling from it. Some people can't get it right no matter how hard they try. Meet Heath Karras. Bless him, he's about as awkward with women as they come. Need proof? How about the fact that he has a string of first dates and no second dates.  Or what about the gal who went home and informed her mother that he'd be single for the rest of his life?
https://amzn.to/45Vo3rV
#AffiliateLink
#ChristianFiction
#ChristianRomCom
#AwkwardRomance
#KindleUnlimited
Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she do Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she doesn’t even love.
Not THAT way anyway.
After studying everything the Bible has to say about marriage, she’s decided she wants in. Now. So who’s going to take her up on that offer?
And just why did no one remind her that those vows include that little word, “love?”
Oops!
With her Bible in her hip pocket and a shiny new ring on her finger, Bentley navigates this new world of marriage with grace and… oh, who is she kidding? She flounders until she gets a sure footing and hangs on tight.
Grab the first book of this unusual series today! https://amzn.to/49UP8Oh #affiliatelink
Available on Kindle Unlimited, too!
#Christfic
#ContemporaryChristianRomance
#MarriageOfConvenience
CrossWords--an absolutely fictional store inspired CrossWords--an absolutely fictional store inspired by a real and lovely treasure in Greeneville, Tennessee.  Have a slice of pizza at The Gentry with Milton and Atticus, grab a cup of coffee from Catalyst or Iris Books and Coffee, but whatever you do, don't leave town without grabbing a salted caramel bachelor's button from Peggy Ann's Bakery. YUM.
And if only Christian Books & Gifts would create that Airbnb for me... because it's all about me, right?  WRONG! It's about the lovely folks @christianbookandgiftgrv.  Thanks for letting me fictionalize you! I'm having a blast!
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
#CrossWords
#Bookstrings
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