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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why Are Avid Suspense Readers Looking Forward to Summer Heat?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Summer Heat is a twelve book series released in three box sets for a limited time. Listen in to learn all about it! via @chautonahavig

Twelve authors, twelve novels, one sizzlin’ summer! What’s not to love?

I don’t know about you, but usually, when someone says they’re turnin’ up the heat this summer, I picture someone who needs a nice padded room somewhere. This time, however… I’m all in. Literally. I mean, Lisa Phillips sent an email asking if I wanted to be a part of a twelve-author, three-box set series, and it was a no-brainer for me! With authors like Lisa, Sara Blackard, Liz Bradford, Cara Putman, Kari Trumbo, Jennifer Pierce, Katy Lee, Michelle Aleckson, Lynn Shannon, Rebecca Hemlock, and Emilie Haney, how could the series not be a heap of fun? Listen in to learn what to expect and to find out about fun giveaways coming your way!

Summer heat

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

Why Are Avid Suspense Readers Looking Forward to Summer Heat?

Because Summer Heat offers a summer full of fast-paced stories that’ll keep you fanning the pages of that book to find out what happens next! (read with the AC on maybe…)

Many of our authors have set their books in the worlds that their readers are already familiar with. Lisa Phillips has hers in her Bedford County series. Mine is the prequel to The Agency Files, and so forth. So… if you don’t know anything about an author or their series/world… well, you’ve got an inexpensive way to find out. Not only that, but these books aren’t snacks. They’re full-length (although shorter) novels that will both leave you satisfied and ready for more at the same time!

The Summer Heat Series:

summer heat

summer heat stay with meStay with Me

Abandoned – Liz Bradford

Police officer Zara Grant is new to Hazel Hill, and despite her attempts to keep people at arms-length, she’s connected with the strong and steady, Officer Will Cooper. But how long will he stay around? Everyone else in her life leaves, why not him? Especially when her past creeps up on her in the form of a previous arrestee coming to town and making threats. Can she trust Will to stick around? And how serious are those threats?

Will Cooper always dreamed of becoming a detective. Not that he’ll admit that to anyone, especially Zara. Not when he’s content enough being a uniformed officer instead. Why take the risk of failure? But when Zara finds out he’s abandoned his dream, her own fears of abandonment rise up between them. Is this something they can overcome or will fear—and outside threats—destroy what they have?

As the threats turn into a break-in at Zara’s house while she’s gone, she’s left to wonder what the invader will do if he comes back? Can she trust Will to help protect her, or will he abandon her to face this alone?

Ascending Hope – Sara Blackard

Emmy’s thirst for adventure takes her to new heights in Ascending Hope, a heart-stopping romantic suspense by Sara Blackard. As a product tester for a top mountaineering equipment company, Emmy’s latest test is a perilous climb up a dangerous Alaskan mountain with her enigmatic boss, Bradley. As they face the sizzling heat and treacherous conditions, their attraction ignites, but the mountain has other plans. Will their love survive the deadly journey, or will their pasts come back to haunt them? Find out in this thrilling page-turner that’s sure to leave you breathless.

Runaway – Jennifer Pierce

Ryan McGregor is on the run from a deadly family and hiding out in a small town thanks to extended family he’s never met. Bethany Wilkinson always comes second but now she’s number one on a hit list. Bethany will have to risk it all on a runaway and her faith in the plan God has for her if she’s going to stay alive. And if Ryan can do the same, it might be the one shot he has to finally be free.

Rodeo Sabotage – Kari Trumbo

Jase Wheaton has one thing on his mind, a perfect 8-second ride—until someone in the crowd sends his bull into a fury. Twice. No one believes his life is in danger except the EMT who saved him. The clock is ticking before his final ride of the season, but will it be the last of his life? Everyone’s a suspect when the threat could come from anyone in the crowd. Even his best friend might be his worst enemy.

Summer Heat: Through Every DangerThrough Every Danger

Undertow – Lisa Phillips

Selena is ready to retire from her career as a social media stunt star. After a disastrous breakup, one last job—on a cruise—will give her the cash to take charge of her future. Peter wants to make full operative at Vanguard Security. After breaking the law in his teens he needs to succeed at the straight and narrow, and that means keeping his personal feelings for Selena under wraps. When a dangerous foreign general and more than one spy prove they have other plans for both Selena and Peter, they have to band together to stay alive. Or they’ll be sucked beneath the undertow.

Swept Away – Michelle Aleckson

California science teacher and ocean lover, Malani Davis, is only stepping in for another surf instructor. However, she’s not sure this Minnesota deputy, Lukas Berglund, has what it takes to catch waves. Who shows up to the beach in cowboy boots?

But when Luke saves her life, she realizes he’s more than capable and accepts his help in her search for her foster sister. Besides, he won’t be sticking around, so maybe she can keep guard over her heart, and they’ll find the missing teen quickly.

Instead, it will take the help of their friends and a whole lot of grit to face their worst fears and survive as they’re swept away in a wave of danger.

Fractured Memories – Lynn Shannon

As a teen, Texas Ranger Felicity Capshaw witnessed a murder. The traumatic incident—and the accompanying amnesia—has affected her entire life. She reopens the cold case, but the investigation is cut short when she’s assaulted and nearly killed.

Detective Noah Hodge is no stranger to loss. He’s buried his parents and his wife. All he wants is to raise his daughter and keep his hometown safe. When the killer targets Felicity, Noah commits to protecting her, even though each second in her presence makes him question why he’s locked away his battered heart.

As Felicity’s memories return, the threats escalate. Can Noah help her uncover the truth? Or will the killer silence her forever?

Lethal Inheritance – Rebecca Hemlock

K-9 Officer Kelly Blithe is on the job when she discovers her brother Scott has been murdered. With her other brother Chris named as the chief suspect, Kelly is forced to trust a man she barely knows to solve the case.

Detective Harry Miller’s life was changed forever when a suspect attack left him scarred. After another murder case lands on his desk, he’ll have to convince Kelly that her living brother really did commit this murder.

Neither wants the attraction that quickly overrides their growing friendship. When they discover a massive inheritance is involved, they’ll have to finish the work of a dead man to find out who killed Scott.

summer heat; Come what mayCome What May

Serial Heat – Emilie Haney

Former cop turned Private Investigator, Clancy Sullivan, is on the case to find yet another missing girl. After his last investigation ended badly, he’s determined this time will be different.

Dispatcher and aspiring forensic artist Willa Martin won’t give up the hope that her friend Anna will be found—alive. All clues point to the fact that she’s run off, leaving Willa and her newfound faith behind, but Willa knows better.

Following a lead in the drought-ridden wilderness of Washington State, Clancy stumbles upon a dead body unconnected to his case. Little does he know that when his 911 call connects to Willa, a chain of events is set into motion that will draw them toward one another but also toward a killer.

Thrown together in a race against the clock, Clancy and Willa battle through wildfires and misdirection as they chase a killer through the heat of summer.

Art of Deception – Cara Putman

Eight years ago she ran to safety. Now Charlotte Montgomery’s past has caught up with her.

Artist Charlotte Montgomery lost everything eight years ago to protect her son. She’s built a safe life to protect him, and now her past has caught up with her

She’ll do anything to bring down her ex.

When an Italian crime family reappears in her life determined to make her participate in their money-laundering scheme, she’s determined to end it even if it means pretending she’s a willing participant. When Charlotte’s past and present collide, it threatens everything she’s built and it’s a race to survive.

Real Justice – Katy Lee

Her days of hiding are over.

A ransom note left in her apartment tells Christina Depalo that changing her name and hiding in the big city hadn’t been enough to escape her dangerous family. The Morans have kidnapped her roommate, demanding Christina return to Georgia. But that will mean facing the cutthroat attorney Marcus Cartwright, a man she once loved but who only wanted to take down her family.

Marcus had started a coalition with his friend to crack down on organized crime in Savannah. But when his friend loses his life in a supposed accident, nothing will stop Marcus from seeking justice, not even the Moran’s prodigal daughter who left town twelve years ago. Nobody will derail him this time.
But then Christina never was a nobody.

Induction – Chautona Havig

Someone wants her dead. Not happening on his watch.

When Ramon Simon goes missing, the small town of Fairbury burns with rumors hotter than the sidewalk in July. They’re certain he’s either left his wife, or she killed him (not that they’d blame her). As the weeks pass and the police fail to find answers, things heat up more when Anna Simon disappears, too. If that’s not strange enough, the chief of police orders his officers to leave Anna out of their investigation.

As a new recruit into a secret protection service known only as The Agency to the few who know it exists, Keith Auger doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he’s determined to do his new job well. But when he finds himself guarding a woman before he’s fully trained, he already begins to doubt the wisdom of this career path.

Pressure mounts as Keith tries to stay one step ahead of the men out to kill Anna and another step ahead of Anna who is determined to find answers no one will give her.

Keith can’t help but wonder: will his first assignment with The Agency be his last?

Where’s the best place to find more information about Summer Heat?

You can learn more about the series on the Amazon page OR… by checking out any of the authors’ social media. We’re sharing it like crazy these days!

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

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 553: A Chat with Chris Underwood
byChautona Havig

A chilling read from Chris Underwood… literally. What happens if you’re in the Midwest in winter and the power goes out? Listen in as I chat with Chris Underwood about his Cold Winter series.

Content warning: While these books do have characters who are Christians and live their faith, the first book (not sure about the rest) does include a few instances of foul language in the first few chapters. I’m switching from audio to print to finish.

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

Talking about all the research he did for this series was a blast. I loved hearing about his travels with the crew and the prepper side–everything.

The Cold Winter Grid-Down Series by Chris Underwood

The Cold Winter Series begins with a power grid failure at Niagara Falls three days before Christmas, as a snowstorm approaches.

Welcome to The Cold Winter. It follows a group of families in Central Ohio who want to help stranded motorists who end up on their porch. Even when doing the right thing doesn’t work out, they keep on trying. There is a sense of morality and faith as the emergency continues to worsen.

In the second book, they learn that the power outage is an attack on the nation, and join a civilian minuteman militia to fight back.

The third book of the series ramps up the action and features the first major battles of the minutemen militia. Since modern machinery cannot be trusted, vintage military equipment is utilized by the militia, such as a Huey Helicopter and a WWII Landing Ship, the LST-325.

This ship is an actual floating museum on the Ohio River and is used by this militia to go upstream to rescue a VIP and bring him to safety. River locks are liberated from the enemy, and a dramatic battle is staged on Wheeling Island, where the landing ship performs much as it did on D-Day in Normandy: Landing aground with troops and equipment pouring out the front for battle!

The fourth installment of the series introduces more vintage equipment, including a Cobra Attack Helicopter and a P-47 Thunderbolt, to fight modern naval ships in an effort to liberate the Niagara Falls power station from the enemy.

Even the WWII Destroyer, USS The Sullivans, in its current engineless state at the Buffalo Naval Museum, is somehow used in the battle! It’s an epic showdown of antique airpower against modern naval might!

Learn more on Chris’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
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 553: A Chat with Chris Underwood
Episode 553: A Chat with Chris Underwood
June 20, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 552: A Chat with Laura Ashwood
June 17, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 551: A Chat wth Kayla E. Green
June 15, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 550: A Chat with Joan Lovestrand Farley
June 13, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 549: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
June 8, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 548: A Chat with Sarah Heatwole
June 6, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 547: A Chat with Terri McAdoo
June 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 546: A Chat with Chuck Richardson
May 30, 2026
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Episode 545: A Chat with Gina Holder
May 25, 2026
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Episode 544: A Chat with Nicholas Teeguarden
May 23, 2026
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Preorder your copy today!

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