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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 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
byChautona Havig

The charming Amish district of Stoney Ridge has new residents. Listen in as Suzanne Woods Fisher and I chat about this latest book, A Hidden Hope, and the fun she had writing it.

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

Chats with Suzanne Woods Fisher are always lovely. We talked about this book and about her love of writing about outsiders and how they find their place in the world.

A Hidden Hope by Suzanne Woods Fisher

With the arrival of three unexpected newcomers to Stoney Ridge comes an array of secrets and emotions brewing just beneath the surface. Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed–though Dok isn’t convinced he’s got what it takes. Then there’s traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Wren. Boarding at Windmill Farm, the trio struggles to balance modern medicine with Plain living. Between medical emergencies, cultural misunderstandings, and brewing romantic tensions, Dok finds herself juggling far more than she bargained for. Soon the stage is set in the small Amish community of Stoney Ridge for plenty of professional and personal complications. PRAISE FOR A HEALING TOUCH “The author perceptively sketches her characters’ emotional arcs as life’s challenges yield unexpected gifts, speaking to the power of second chances, faith, and love.”–Publishers Weekly

You can learn more about Suzanne from her WEBSITE. Also, follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

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

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  • Castbox
  • Google Play
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  • RSS
  • Spotify
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  • and more!
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
January 12, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode:505 A Chat with Becca Wierwille
January 10, 2026
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Episode 504: A Chat with Julie Klassen
January 5, 2026
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Episode 503: A Chat with Megan Soja
January 3, 2026
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Episode 502: A Chat with Kelli Galyean
December 1, 2025
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Episode 501: A Chat with Heidi Gray McGill
November 30, 2025
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Episode 500: A Chat with Joy Crain
November 29, 2025
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Episode 499: A Chat with Jessica Wakefield
November 28, 2025
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Episode 498: A Chat with Sarah Hanks
November 27, 2025
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Episode 497: A Chat with Michael E. Cafferky
November 26, 2025
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One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather harsh curmudgeon who shows up in quite a few Fairbury books. Neal Kirkpatrick. I told his story in New Year's Revolutions, but that cover and title never worked for the story, so he got a makeover. We all need a refresh now and then, right?
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When a dream come true (her own bookstore, YES PLE When a dream come true (her own bookstore, YES PLEASE!) turns into a money pit (no thank you!), Harper Brevig concedes impending defeat and calls the "bookstore doctor" to help her figure out why a bustling business is bleeding money and how to fix it. From snarky bookish T-shirts (Harper) to "parenting tips" learned on the fly (Noah--a new friend and reluctant store patron), to book recommendations (from Milton, of course),
Twice Sold Tales is hopping with fun characters and packed with fabulous books. FREE through 1/14/26 and always "free" through Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobook narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo coming soon!
#ChristFic
#BookBub
#BookishBooks
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Sold-Tales-Bookstrings-Book-ebook/dp/B0BLKCDYKR
One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather harsh curmudgeon who shows up in quite a few Fairbury books. Neal Kirkpatrick. I told his story in New Year's Revolutions, but that cover and title never worked for the story, so he got a makeover. We all need a refresh now and then, right?
Redeeming Neal Jerk-Patrick is more than a comedic look at one man's entire life overhauling because he fell for a gal who loves Jesus before all else. But that's a pretty fun part of it.
If you've read Christmas Stalkings and ever wondered how Neal got those kittens... it's all in here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N001JDC/
#KindleUnlimited
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomance
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Twice Sold Tales is hopping with fun characters and packed with fabulous books. FREE through 1/14/26 and always "free" through Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobook narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo coming soon!
#ChristFic
#BookBub
#BookishBooks
#KindleFree
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https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Sold-Tales-Bookstrings-Book-ebook/dp/B0BLKCDYKR
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