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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why This Book Is One of My Top Anticipated Fall Reads

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

M. D. House's recent release, Sophia: Daughter of Barabbas, promises to take the series in exciting new directions. via @chautonahavig

Any time you get a chance to chat with M.D. “Mike” House, you’re in for a treat, and this week’s interview about his next book in the Barabbas series, Sophia, is no exception. Listen in as he talks about where he sees the series going, the research he’s done, the Bible truths he shares and learns, and a whole lot more.

Sophia

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

Why This Book Is One of My Top Anticipated Fall Reads

Mike House’s Barabbas series is one of the series that prompted my return to Biblical fiction a couple of years ago. I love seeing the deep dives he does into Biblical history to ensure we don’t just touch on the commonly assumed things. He looks at what we know about them, what is believed, and compares that with other facts of the time to make an educated guess where facts aren’t set in stone.  That’s a whole lot of work, but it sure does ensure that we get a rich story that combines the “what is” with reasonable “what ifs”.

In this conversation, we look at the series, the characters, and everything in between. Mike gives us a hint of where the series might go after Sophia and I was excited to hear he might even go past the second and third centuries.  SQUEE!  Who might be part of Barabba’s family far into the future… say during the time of the Reformation?

We also chatted about a lot of other things, because that’s what happens when you get to talking to someone who loves the Lord, loves fiction, and loves people like Mike does.

SophiaSophia: Daughter of Barabbas by M. D. House

After her miraculous rescue by the angel Raphael, Sophia, daughter of Barabbas and Chanah, sets out with the former slave Onesimus to find the elusive and itinerant apostle John. Once they find him, an unexpected trip outside the Roman empire into the mysterious northern nation of Sarmatia expands her understanding of God’s global efforts to gather his children to their Savior.

It also reveals in starker detail the pernicious, pervasive attempts by the adversary to disrupt the work and turn the children of God toward evil and superstition. Pride is her own weakness, and she must learn how to temper and control it, so that her mind might be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

What surprises await her as she travels great distances with the Lord’s beloved apostle to spread the message of the gospel? How differently does God see her life than what she has assumed? What will happen to the growing church’s relationship with Rome when Emperor Vespasian dies and his sons pick up the mantle? And how does John continue to have so much energy and faith?

You can learn more about Mike on his WEBSITE.  Follow him on BookBub and GoodReads.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
byChautona Havig

When Lara d’Entremont began describing her YA portal fantasy, The Painted Fairytale, I knew this would be right up my alley. Listen in and see how art becomes the portal to other worlds!

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

Portal fantasy is my favorite, so I was crazy excited to learn about this one–especially the art tie-in. I can’t wait to dive in myself.

We chatted about her characters, the world, and the faith that connects them.

The Painted Fairytale by Lara d’Entremont

Seventeen-year-old Wren Devine refuses to share her art with anyone-other than her parents and her sister (who died three years prior). But when her mother submits her artwork to a mentorship program, and she gets accepted, Wren is forced to display her artwork for the eccentric Professor Hayes. Despite her fears, Wren hopes this mentorship will finally make her as worthy as her sister.

But this mentorship is about more than painting.

Wren soon learns that she has a magical ability to turn her paintings into portals to travel not only to other places but also to another world entirely. An eerie children’s book in the professor’s classroom reveals a wicked pirate with a vengeance who has her eye on Stefan Branson, a former student of Professor Hayes.

As all four of these lives intersect, it becomes apparent that everyone has a secret–some more deadly than others. The longer these secrets brew, the more deadly and heavy they become, and possibly lead to never seeing her former, earthly realm again. Wren must not only learn to release the shadow of her beloved sister but step boldly into her own world.

Learn more about Lara on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.or on Subtack.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
October 27, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 481: A Chat with Patricia Bradley
October 25, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 480: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
October 20, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 479: A Chat with Connilyn Cossette
October 18, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 478: A Chat with Julie Klassen
October 17, 2025
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Episode 477: A Chat with Kate Angelo
October 13, 2025
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Episode 476: A Chat with Katie M. Reid
October 11, 2025
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Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
October 6, 2025
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Episode 474: A Chat with Ann Swindell
October 4, 2025
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Episode 473: A Chat with Jennifer Willcock
October 3, 2025
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