• 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
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What’s Better Than a Great Novel? How about THIS?

by Chautona Havig · 3 Comments

Joiya Morrison-Efemini and I talk about writing dreams, styles, and habits, and also diverse fiction, recommended books, and her new release, Petrified Flowers via @chautonahavig

Here’s the deal. I get emails requesting to be on the show, and I’m always eager to make it happen if I can. So when I got the opportunity to have Joiya Morrison Efemini on the podcast, I jumped at it.

Did I know anything about her? Nope. Had I ever read anything by her? Nuh-uh. Did I panic when I read about her unique writing style?

Maaaybeee…

Still, I plunged into reading her book and “hoped for the best.” What I found was something surprisingly poignant and powerful.

What's better than a great novel episode 22

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

What’s Better Than a Great Novel? How about THIS?

A novel written in verse. Yeah, I dreaded it. What if I didn’t like it? What if it was—oh, Lord, please no—in free verse. What if it wasn’t and it read like a children’s rhyming book until I wanted to tear out my hair? What if…

The world is full of what-ifs, but one I didn’t have to worry about was “what if I don’t like Joiya Morrison-Efemini’s book, Petrified Flowers. After a couple of swipes of the Kindle page, I was hooked. On the line. Sunk into the depths of a story so rich it wouldn’t let me go.

And here’s where I confess even more.

Yes, the book is written in a hybrid of rhyming and free verse. Yes, I fully expected not to like it. And of course, I was absolutely wrong.

petrified flowers cover joiya morrison efeminiAlso in This Episode:

Joiya and I talk about her journey from lawyer to stay-at-home-mom and author, how she got started writing novels in verse, and about her new work-in-progress that isn’t in verse. We get the story behind her three books:

  • The Notes They Played
  • The Impossible (you want this NOW. And I haven’t even read it yet)
  • Petrified Flowers 

Petrified Flowers is her most recent release, and Joiya talks about how an HBO documentary, Class Divide, that discusses an elite private school in NYC situated directly opposite a housing project. That story stayed with her until she just had to write the story that kept me ignoring my own work. Thanks a lot, Joiya. No, really. I needed a break. Now I’m using the second half as my reward when I finish this book!

I was fascinated to discover that our writing processes look quite similar (and completely opposite).

While she dons running shoes to do her brainstorming, I jump behind the wheel of our car and toodle on down the road. Still, she’s probably much healthier than I am, but I think I’m okay with that.

Seriously, though, we had a great time, laughing and joking. I get this gal—just the kind of person you hope to have as your neighbor. As we talked about her favorite books as well as the racial issues in her books, she shared several books she thought would be beneficial to people hoping to understand the turmoil in our world today.

They’re top of my non-work TBR pile now. Because after talking with Joiya, I’m ready to listen much more than I ever have been before. It’s not that I’ve never cared about racial inequality and ugliness. I hate it. However, sometimes it comes at you in the form of an attack that puts you naturally on the defensive. Joiya came at it from a different angle that drew me into a conversation and made me eager to listen, to understand.

be the bridge The books Joiya recommended were:

Out of Dust by Karen Hesse (a beautiful example of novels in verse)

Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison

So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Uluo

To learn more about Joiya, visit her at her WEBSITE.

And seriously, pray for her physician husband and Joiya’s family. Being on Covid frontlines can’t be easy for any of them.

*** Congrats to Faith for winning the book!**

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Related

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « Some of the Best Christmas Reads Coming in 2020
Next Post: Will This Book Be a Direct Threat to Your Weekend? »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Comments

  1. Faith says

    August 6, 2020 at 8:30 am

    I’ve never read her books. I would love to win this one to read!

    Reply
  2. Tabitha Trudeau says

    August 5, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    Sounds like a veey unique book. Would love to read and I’ll look her up even if I don’t win.

    Reply
  3. Andrea Stoeckel says

    August 4, 2020 at 9:52 am

    Chautona, the links to share aren’t working (I get a 202 found message)

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
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
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Would Make a Tropical Vacation More Exciting? Find Out!
  • Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart
  • How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Just another hour... Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai fr Just another hour...
Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai from Marcella's Enchanted Cottage and blueberry cinnamon roll courtesy of #6daughter
, @andralane0129 
#AmReading 
#AnnetoberReadAThon 
@teri_blake_author 
#womensfiction
Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we go Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we got some,  but so many missed out. 
Thanks @robsogbbq
Instagram post 18282011413151971 Instagram post 18282011413151971
If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagsteve If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagstevens , stop everything and order this book. Then schedule dinner delivery the day it arrives and dive in. Chilling,  inspiring,  and proof that Amanda is a stellar Storyteller.
#AmReading 
#ChristFic
Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month until release day for Road Trip Rescue! 🚘 🐶 Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 24 to help me celebrate sending this story into the world. 

Also, prepare for more posts than normal. I’m excited to launch this book. 🥳
I think the moon is embracing autumn, too. I think the moon is embracing autumn,  too.
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release day, @lovereadwriterepeat
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

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