• 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

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

The first book in the Sweetheart Series by Shannon Sue Dunlap released this week, and Lone Star Sweetheart has me in stitches. via @chautonahavig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

shannon sue dunlap

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

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart DunlapLone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on 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 Made This Author Use Hell as Inspiration for His Novel?
Next Post: Why Losing Your Memory Makes You Feel Like You Lost Your Mind »

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 546: A Chat with Chuck Richardson
byChautona Havig

What if Earth had a twin planet, but the people God created there never sinned? Listen in as Chuck Richardson and I chat about his book and what it all could mean if it happened.

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

I’m still reeling from the idea that a sinless sacrifice is what was needed, so a sinless human (as Jesus was) could actually pay the price for sinful man in this fictional world he’s created. Assuming he even goes that route someday. Still fascinating.

Paradise Unfallen by Chuck Richardson

What if Adam and Eve had resisted the serpent? Welcome to Erimea-Earth’s twin world, untouched by original sin.

Solis and Livi, the first parents of Erimea, begin their lives in perfect fellowship with God. But their obedience does not end the war. Satan and his legions simply turn their fury upon the new world.

As the population of Erimea rises, tensions crack the harmony of paradise. A powerful life-giving resource becomes scarce. Rumors spread. God is silent. And a restless humanity flirts with fear, force, and false gods.

To save their descendants from repeating Earth’s tragedy, Solis and Livi must confront deception, division, and the relentless pressure of darkness. Their journey-from innocence to holiness-will determine the future of an unfallen world.

If you enjoy Christian fantasy, biblical what-ifs, spiritual warfare, and epic worldbuilding, you will love Paradise Unfallen.

Perfect for fans of: C.S. Lewis Ted Dekker

Step into the world that might have been-and the war that still rages.

Learn more on Chuck’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 546: A Chat with Chuck Richardson
Episode 546: A Chat with Chuck Richardson
May 30, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 545: A Chat with Gina Holder
May 25, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 544: A Chat with Nicholas Teeguarden
May 23, 2026
Chautona Havig
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
Chautona Havig
Episode 537: A Chat with Meg Calvin
May 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Pointed Suspicion

Pointed Suspicion
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Pointed Suspicion
Buy now!

Courting Miss Darling

Courting Miss Darling

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
For example, while writing Meddlin' Madeline, I al For example, while writing Meddlin' Madeline, I always play @AdamGSwanson on YouTube so I can stay in touch with her favorite music: Ragtime (I still have CDs of his to use for giveaways with Looks Can Kill. Must get that written. Stay tuned for more about THAT.
While writing Be My Inspiration, I listened to every love song I could stomach (they get old fast. I don't know how Linus does it). I even listened to Taylor Swift's old break up songs (again, not my cuppa). But... at least I got to listen to Roger Miller's "That's Why I Love You Like I Do"  Now THAT is a love song.  hee hee.
If I'm in hyper Get-er-done mode, THEN... I put on a Hogwarts Pomodoro study session and type like the wind. Or get on Discord and join a few writing sprints.  It all depends.
If you have a question you want me to answer, leave it in the comments OR... zip me an email at chautona@chautona.com.  I'll try to work them in (and will probably combine those that are really similar.
#AuthorLife
#WriterLife
#AuthorsOfInstagram
#CharacterDevelopment
#AmWriting
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.
If you have a question you want me to answer, leave it in the comments OR... zip me an email at chautona@chautona.com.  I'll try to work them in (and will probably combine those that are really similar.
#AuthorLife
#WriterLife
#AuthorsOfInstagram
#CharacterDevelopment
#AmWriting
Okay, it's actually a short story, but... IYKYK. Okay,  it's actually a short story, but... IYKYK.
#AmWriting
Going nuts over here waiting for yet ANOTHER Lord Going nuts over here waiting for yet ANOTHER Lord Edgington by @benedictbrownauthor novel. Sigh. I dont think this is what Solomon was talking about when he said, "A virtuous woman, who can find?"
Clearly,  he wasn't talking about me, considering the whole patience being a virtue thing.
Sigh
#AmWaiting
#AmNotReading
#ChrissysFanClub
Life as a podcaster... #AmRecording #BecauseFictio Life as a podcaster...
#AmRecording
#BecauseFiction
Sometimes, things just combine in a way that make Sometimes,  things just combine in a way that makes my heart sing. Today, @archerandolive knocked it out of the park. I think this might be 3 different collections in a journal from a sub box. Well done, guys.
#journalsupplies 
#journaling 
#ArcherAndOlive
One of the best things I did for my prayer life wa One of the best things I did for my prayer life was to learn to "pray on the page." So glad the Lord showed me that. Seeing answered prayer weeks, months, even years later... so cool.
#Journaling
#PrayerJournal
#ArcherAndOlive
  • 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!