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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Just What Does God Have to Do With Her Love Life, Anyway?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

If you're looking for rich Christian fiction with diverse cultures and relatable topics then look no further than Joan Embola! via @chautonahavig

Sovereign Love. The words evoke that rich, deep, faith-filled fiction I love so much, and Joan Embola has a whole series focused on God’s sovereignty in all areas of our lives–even love. What more could a romance lover ask for? Rich characterization? Got it. Diverse cultures? Yep. More books to come?  Mmm…hmmm… Listen in and learn why I opened the first book on my Kindle tonight.

Joan Embola

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

Just What Does God Have to Do With Her Love Life, Anyway?

Look, life is too short and love is too important to get it wrong, right? Yet how often do we dive into it without even considering what the only omniscient Being in history might think about it? Just throwing that out there!

Joan Embola has a series of Christian romances that deals with much more than warm fuzzies and “following your heart” (thank the Lord for that!). Instead, she deals with some pretty deep topics, adds some rich African culture, and weaves it all through the threads of faith. What more could you want from Christian fiction?

I’ve only read the first chapter, but I’m already hooked, so there’s that!

Joan’s books deal with the after-effects of high school bullying, family expectations, floundering faith, and so much more. Even better… get this. Joan (a Brit from London), wrote these books and set them in America and added West African culture in to spice things up for us. How cool is that?

One of the things we talked about was how the darker times are often when we learn to rely on the Lord (or we run from Him) the most. It reminded me of this song here, and I was so excited to find this acapella version.  The words to one line go, “The darker the valley the more I learn to pray.”

There is another line that these guys seem to sing a bit differently from the words I know, but I can’t quite understand what they say. The words go, “Thank You for every hill I’ve climbed–for every time that the sun didn’t shine. Thank You for every lonely night I prayed ’til I knew everything was all right.”  But I don’t quite understand the word they use instead of “climb.” Can you tell?

 

Joan Embola The one who sees meThe One Who Sees Me: A Contemporary Christian Workplace Romance by Joan Embola

IS GOD SOVEREIGN OVER MISTAKES AND FAILURES?

Heather Osborne’s past consisted of partying, drugs, and thriving on the attention of men… until her cycle of pain and rejection brought her to the feet of Jesus. For four years, she has been struggling to shake off her demons, and when her business fails, she returns home to start a marketing internship. But Heather gets more than she bargained for when she is assigned to work with the handsome son of the CEO.

Emmanuel Madu, the managing director of Madu Health, is not sold on his father’s plan for him to take over the family business. When he is coerced to supervise the new marketing intern, he accepts it for fear of disappointing his father. But when the red-haired, green-eyed intern walks into his life and challenges his cowardice, their budding friendship forces Emmanuel to reassess his values and convictions.

When Heather starts developing feelings for Emmanuel, she finds herself torn between returning to her old habits and fighting to embrace her new life of faith in God. And with time running out for Emmanuel, he must decide whether to continue living in his father’s shadow or break up his family by walking away.

The One Who Sees Me, book three in the Sovereign Love series, is an uplifting standalone novel about forgiveness and learning to take comfort in the sovereign goodness of a loving God who sees all our struggles.

Learn more about Joan Embola on her WEBSITE.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
byChautona Havig

I love a good Christmas novella collection, and Lighting Up Christmas promises to be a fabulous one. Listen in as I chat with four Scrivenings authors about the collection and their books!

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

If you knew the craziness that was this recording! Those poor women! Meanwhile, we managed, and now, I don’t know about you, but I’m dying to get to it! :D

Lighting Up Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Heather Greer, Mary Pat Johns, and Regina Rudd Merrick

Four Christmas lights. Four love stories. One season filled with faith, hope, and happily-ever-afters.

In Lighting Up Christmas, four heartwarming holiday romance novellas shine with cozy charm, clean romance, small-town warmth, and the gentle reminder that God can bring light to even the dimmest season.

In The Bright Side of Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Holly Belle loves Christmas, holiday décor, and twinkling lights. Her new neighbor, Robert Bradshaw, prefers peace, quiet, and keeping her Christmas cheer firmly on her side of the duplex. But when Holly decides his grinchy heart needs a little holiday help, their battle over lights may lead to something brighter than either one expected.

In The Light of a Christmas Star by Heather Greer, Elena Bell is determined to make Tannenbaum’s Festival of Lights a success for the families depending on it. When rising Hollywood star Trenton Wills arrives at her B&B, he may be the answer to the town’s needs—and the beginning of Elena’s own Christmas romance. But Trenton has secrets that could dim more than the festival lights.

In ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas by Mary Pat Johns, Cooper Blackmon enters the region’s biggest Christmas lights competition determined to win. Mandy Alvarez needs the prize money to save her family’s beloved Christmas Village. As rivalry turns to friendship and friendship glows into something more, only one can claim the prize. But both may have far more to lose than money.

In Pitch Perfect Lights by Regina Rudd Merrick, Holly Shepherd is facing her family’s first Christmas after loss while trying to create joy for her young siblings. When author Paxton Hollis returns home and quietly helps revive her father’s beloved light display, Holly discovers that hope can still shine, even through grief.

A charming choice for readers who enjoy clean, faith-friendly romance wrapped in Christmas lights, small-town warmth, and happily-ever-after hope.

Read Lighting Up Christmas and discover four faith-filled holiday love stories that glow with joy, hope, and the true light of Christmas.

Visit Amy at her WEBSITE or on GoodReads and BookBub.

Learn more on Heather’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

You can learn more about Regina and her books on her Website and follow her 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 587: A Chat with Four Authors
Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
September 30, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 586: A Chat with Becca Kinzer
September 28, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 585: A Chat with Jenelle Hovde
September 26, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 583: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 21, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 582: A Chat with Terrie Todd
September 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 581: A Chat with Bethany Crigger
September 14, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 580: A Chat with R. T. Ward
September 12, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 579: A Chat with Lauren Smyth
September 9, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 578: A Chat with Carolyn Bourke
September 7, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 577: A Chat with Denise M. Colby
September 5, 2026
Chautona Havig
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Book clubs can be murder. Well, at Olemann's Books Book clubs can be murder. Well, at Olemann's Books. Twelve people signed up for twelve months of reading fun. No one told them that signing up was signing on for life-or-death stakes. Take a prompt, figure out a riddle, read a book, arrive at all meetings. Or die. WHAT???

https://amzn.to/3TGmHhD
#BookClubFiction
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Book clubs can be murder. Well, at Olemann's Books Book clubs can be murder. Well, at Olemann's Books. Twelve people signed up for twelve months of reading fun. No one told them that signing up was signing on for life-or-death stakes. Take a prompt, figure out a riddle, read a book, arrive at all meetings. Or die. WHAT???

https://amzn.to/3TGmHhD
#BookClubFiction
#ChristFic
#ChristianMysteries
#KindleUnlimited
Book clubs can be murder. Well, at Olemann's Books Book clubs can be murder. Well, at Olemann's Books. Twelve people signed up for twelve months of reading fun. No one told them that signing up was signing on for life-or-death stakes. Take a prompt, figure out a riddle, read a book, arrive at all meetings. Or die. WHAT???

https://amzn.to/3TGmHhD
#BookClubFiction
#ChristFic
#ChristianMysteries
#KindleUnlimited
Picture it. You decide that this is the year for b Picture it. You decide that this is the year for book clubs. This is the year you're going to move off your "favorites shelf" explore new horizons (or at least a new author or two). It's gonna be great (why do I want to add, "they said"?). Maybe you're an introvert who knows that peopling for an hour or two is going to drain you, but for a good book? You've got this. You square your shoulders, open the bookstore door, inhale the vellichor (unless you're a Harper Brevig--then you're totally down for BIBLIOchor), and step into your new life--as a book club person. Oh, yeah.
You meet new people. Grab a snack. Sit down to find out what book you're going to read first and...
Discover that your life has been taken hostage. Because if you and your new book club friends don't solve a riddle, read the right book based on that riddle, and show up to every meeting? One or more of you won't be alive to attend the next.
WHAT???
It's basically @Chantelreadsallday 's Read Your Bookshelf Challenge in a book.
Dying to Read: their inciting incidents might be deadly. Available now in paperback and eBook (and on Kindle Unlimited!) The audiobook is coming soon! Don't miss more about the bookstore in the Booked for Love anthology releasing October 1!
https://amzn.to/3TGmHhD (#affiliatelink)
#BookishBook
#ChristFic
#ChristianMystery
#BookClub
Picture it. You decide that this is the year for b Picture it. You decide that this is the year for book clubs. This is the year you're going to move off your "favorites shelf" explore new horizons (or at least a new author or two). It's gonna be great (why do I want to add, "they said"?). Maybe you're an introvert who knows that peopling for an hour or two is going to drain you, but for a good book? You've got this. You square your shoulders, open the bookstore door, inhale the vellichor (unless you're a Harper Brevig--then you're totally down for BIBLIOchor), and step into your new life--as a book club person. Oh, yeah.
You meet new people. Grab a snack. Sit down to find out what book you're going to read first and...
Discover that your life has been taken hostage. Because if you and your new book club friends don't solve a riddle, read the right book based on that riddle, and show up to every meeting? One or more of you won't be alive to attend the next.
WHAT???
It's basically @Chantelreadsallday 's Read Your Bookshelf Challenge in a book.
Dying to Read: their inciting incidents might be deadly. Available now in paperback and eBook (and on Kindle Unlimited!) The audiobook is coming soon! Don't miss more about the bookstore in the Booked for Love anthology releasing October 1!
https://amzn.to/3TGmHhD (#affiliatelink)
#BookishBook
#ChristFic
#ChristianMystery
#BookClub
Picture it. You decide that this is the year for b Picture it. You decide that this is the year for book clubs. This is the year you're going to move off your "favorites shelf" explore new horizons (or at least a new author or two). It's gonna be great (why do I want to add, "they said"?). Maybe you're an introvert who knows that peopling for an hour or two is going to drain you, but for a good book? You've got this. You square your shoulders, open the bookstore door, inhale the vellichor (unless you're a Harper Brevig--then you're totally down for BIBLIOchor), and step into your new life--as a book club person. Oh, yeah.
You meet new people. Grab a snack. Sit down to find out what book you're going to read first and...
Discover that your life has been taken hostage. Because if you and your new book club friends don't solve a riddle, read the right book based on that riddle, and show up to every meeting? One or more of you won't be alive to attend the next.
WHAT???
It's basically @Chantelreadsallday 's Read Your Bookshelf Challenge in a book.
Dying to Read: their inciting incidents might be deadly. Available now in paperback and eBook (and on Kindle Unlimited!) The audiobook is coming soon! Don't miss more about the bookstore in the Booked for Love anthology releasing October 1!
https://amzn.to/3TGmHhD (#affiliatelink)
#BookishBook
#ChristFic
#ChristianMystery
#BookClub
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