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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 543: A Chat with Stephanie Cardel
byChautona Havig

I love it when YA deals with real issues kids face, so I was crazy excited to hear about Stephanie Cardel’s This Isn’t Shakespeare. From what direction her life should go to peer pressure of various kinds, Cardel weaves a story that I feel is important. Listen in and learn why.

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

This Isn’t Shakespeare by Stephanie Cardel

To be or not to be…a professional dancer. Seventeen-year-old Madison is a hopeless romantic who loves quoting Shakespeare and dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer—a dream she hides, afraid of disappointing her mom and her boyfriend. But when her dreams fall apart, she believes it’s a sign from God that she should commit to her boyfriend and make a new dream. When she realizes God wouldn’t give her a sign that points her to sin, the happily-ever-after she’s planned crumbles. Now Madison must confront the lies she’s told herself and all the red flags she’s ignored. In the process, she begins to understand that seeking God’s will may not lead to a perfectly scripted ending—but it might just lead to something real.

Learn more on Stephanie’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
  • and more!
Episode 543: A Chat with Stephanie Cardel
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
Episode 539: A Chat with Jane Kirkpatrick
May 4, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 538: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
May 2, 2026
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Episode 537: A Chat with Meg Calvin
May 1, 2026
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Episode 536: A Chat with Samantha Roman
April 27, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 535: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
April 25, 2026
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Episode 534: A Chat with Joanna Davidson Politano
April 20, 2026
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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.
Characters most like me are hard because they're so very convicting to write AND... because I don't usually know it's me until that conviction its.  I tend to have an idealized picture of who I am until reality strips away those rosy glasses and leaves me with crystal-clear vision.  Blech.
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.
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A quote from Old Herbaceous.#readmorebooks A quote from Old Herbaceous.#readmorebooks
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