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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

How Did One Author Go from Historical Romance to Fast-Paced Suspense?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Expired Hope by Megan Besing is finally here, and if the synopsis delivers what it promises, it may make of my top books of the year. via @chautonahavig

Expired Hope by Megan Besing just released today, and she chatted with me about how she went from writing a historical mail-order bride story to part of Lisa Phillips’ Last Chance County series with Last Chance Fire and Rescue (part of Sunrise Publishing). Listen in to see why I am CRAZY excited to read this book (hint: it’s the synopsis, guys. Killer synopsis!).

Expired Hope Megan Besing

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

How Did One Author Go from Historical Romance to Fast-Paced Suspense?

 

When I learned that Megan Besing had written a historical romance with a mixed-up mail-order bride who thought she was answering a teaching advert, I definitely wanted to read it. But just when I thought there’d be nothing like that going on in Expired Hope, I had to think again. Just reading the synopsis tells you that I was wrong, but know what else does?  Having Megan say she is the “Scooby Doo” of the Last Chance Fire and Rescue authors.

Bring it on!

This book promises everything I love–snappy dialogue, tension galore, and a race to save folks from more than just themselves (but that, too)

And then there’s more coming from her if you enjoy fiction from Annie’s Fiction (it’s not showing up yet, but give it time!).

I said at the end that I should’ve put suspense in my book releasing today… and I did. Just for you, Megan (I know that totally matters to you). Snort.

Expired Hope Megan BesingExpired Hope by Megan Besing

“Peter, you are not at war. Look for Joey in your backseat. Do you see him?” Natalie Atkinson gripped the steering wheel of her Volkswagen Beetle and put on her hazards. If only counselors had emergency lights.

“Stand down.” She spoke loud and clear over the phone connection. “There’s no enemy.”

Not one they could see.

She battled every fire she ever faced.

He’s risking everything for the chance to belong.

Veteran and therapist Natalie Atkinson watched her Army career explode in her face. All she ever wanted was to help people carry their burdens. Seeking a new future in Last Chance County doesn’t start so well when she’s the one being rescued from a client’s burning house. To make matters worse, now she’s stuck evaluating the truck and rescue squads for the fire department. When the chief overhears why she left her last job, she’s determined to prove to him and her boss that she’s still the right therapist to assess his crew.

You can learn more about Megan Besing on her WEBSITE.

You can also find the interview with Lisa Phillips about this series HERE.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
byChautona Havig

There aren’t enough authors willing to tackle the difficult stories. There just aren’t.  Many (guilty here!) feel inadequate to the task, want to escape the tough stuff rather than confront it–so many reasons. Listen in as I chat with D. T. Powell about what made her write, With Mercy’s Eyes.

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

 Loved chatting with Powell about her heart for those who often find it hard to interact with Christians–whose choices make others uncomfortable.  Powell shows love and compassion without ignoring Biblical truth, and the result is a powerful story we could all learn from.

With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell

He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.

Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he’s gay, it’s over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.

When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.

The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he’s gay. But this one is different. She doesn’t embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn’t she? – – – – – – – With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing, contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan.

Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

 

withmercyseyes.com

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

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Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
October 6, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 474: A Chat with Ann Swindell
October 4, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 473: A Chat with Jennifer Willcock
October 3, 2025
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Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
September 29, 2025
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Episode 471: A Chat with Heather Wood
September 27, 2025
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Episode 470: A Chat with JPC Allen
September 22, 2025
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Episode 469: A Chat with Niki Florica
September 20, 2025
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Episode 468: A Chat with Ann H. Gabhart
September 19, 2025
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Episode 467: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 15, 2025
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Episode 466: A Chat with Jennifer L. Wright
September 13, 2025
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