• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • New & Coming
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.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Share
Pin
Post
Email
Share
Pin
Post
Email

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « What Is Better Than an Exciting New Portal Fantasy? How about Steampunk?
Next Post: Why Did I Love These Two 1930s Novels Set in Hollywood? »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
byChautona Havig

Mystery is my absolute favorite genre, so when I heard that Kari Trumbo had taken her Wayside Ranch and spun it off into a mystery series, you know I was excited. Kari? Plus mystery? Listen in and hear why Beneath Still Waters is next on my “must read” list!

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

Okay… mystery that isn’t focused on romance? That’s like this book was tailor-made for me! EEEP!

I love what Kari is doing with this series and now this spin-off. This is gonna be great!

Beneath Still Waters by Kari Trumbo

Fresh out of training and still haunted by a near-fatal shootout, Ferd Kincade retreats to Wayside Ranch to heal.

She expects quiet. Instead, she finds a body. When she discovers a mysterious boat washed ashore on a nearby lake, nothing about the scene makes sense and Ferd can’t walk away. Pulling Piper’s Ridge detective Duke Campose into the investigation, she soon uncovers signs of something far more dangerous than a simple murder.

Someone is hiding a deadly secret.

And they’re willing to kill again to keep it buried.

As the truth points to a ruthless drug operation, Ferd becomes the next target. Now, she’ll need every ounce of her training, and a lot of faith, to survive long enough to bring a killer to justice.

Don’t miss the giveaway that ends September 7th. Books will be shipped to US addresses, but feel free to enter from anywhere and have the book sent to a friend! No purchase necessary! Just click HERE to enter.

Learn more on Kari’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 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
Episode 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
August 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 571: A Chat with Lucas and Shauna Fischhaber
August 17, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 570: A Chat with Niki Florica
August 15, 2026
Chautona Havig
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
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Take Cover

Take Cover

CrossWords

CrossWords

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • So, There Was That Time I Forgot What I Knew…
  • “Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie
  • Why Romance Is a Hairy Proposition (or is that proposal?)

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
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?
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
Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of books, right? Nine authors, nine stories, more matches than we may ever know. My contribution to the anthology is Turnabout Is Fair Match. One good thing came out of the trauma in Dying to Read: Olemann's Books now has a reputation for having "matchmaking" book clubs. And that's something Imogen Stokes is very interested in--not for herself, of course. She has a grandson to match up, and Olemann's is the place to get it done.
Preorder your copy before the price goes up! https://amzn.to/4hxAwIO #affiliatelink
#IvoryKeysPress
#BookedForLoveAnthology
#ChristFic
#Kindle99
#Preorder
#KindleUnlimited
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
#Christfic
#BookishBooks
#Bookstrings
The introduction to the Bookstrings series, Spines The introduction to the Bookstrings series, Spines & Leaves takes you near Joshua Tree National Park and a tiny bookstore desiccating in the heat. But Milton Coleridge and his love of books sees potential--and another kind of love. For someone else. Again. Still, with his trusty parrotlet Atticus (not Finch) by his side, he's turning his business skills in a new, more rewarding direction. Jump into the first Bookstrings novella today. Available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited) and audiobook, as well as able to be listened to FREE on YouTube. https://amzn.to/3U2Smtn #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#BookStrings
#BookishBooks
Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of books, right? Nine authors, nine stories, more matches than we may ever know. Preorder your copy before the price goes up! https://amzn.to/4hxAwIO #affiliatelink
#IvoryKeysPress
#BookedForLoveAnthology
#ChristFic
#Kindle99
#Preorder
#KindleUnlimited
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?
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?
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
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!