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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 541: A Chat with Demi Griffin
byChautona Havig

What happens when an author writes an intense epic fantasy and collapses exhausted at the end? She writes a romantasy trilogy, of course! Listen in as Demi Griffin and I chat about her newest series and why you should read it (I can’t wait!)

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

Okay, stop right now and head over and check out the hardback cover! Isn’t it FABULOUS?? EEEP!

This series has everything I think people are looking for, fantasy and romance combined without all the “spicy smut.” Add faith and… WHEEEEEEEEE!

Cerulean Rose by Demi Griffin

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORNS. Hidden in a tiny cottage away from the ordinary existence of Cerulean’s citizens, Aural lived a simple life with her father in Sabean Woods. When he is struck by a serious illness, that ordinary life suddenly became extraordinary.

In search of a physician, Aural breaks her promise never to leave the woods. When her path crosses with a Mystic, the manipulative Duchess, and the Prince of Cerulean, Aural realizes something beyond her simple quest to help her dying father has mapped out her journey.

An ancient legend about a brotherly rivalry that resulted in tragedy stirs up the Fates guarding Cerulean. If the Cerulean Rose doesn’t bloom again, the kingdom is destined to perish.

A wild path filled with romance, mystery, and intrigue shapes Aural’s heart in ways she could not have imagined as she gets sucked into the legend. Would it be enough to restore the foundation of true love that established the kingdom of Cerulean hundreds of years ago? Could a simple girl satisfy the Fates, capture a prince’s heart, overcome a king’s prejudice, and save Cerulean’s Rose?

Learn more about Demi 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
  • and more!
Episode 541: A Chat with Demi Griffin
Episode 541: A Chat with Demi Griffin
May 11, 2026
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Episodd 540: A Chat with Dana Mentink
May 9, 2026
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Episode 539: A Chat with Jane Kirkpatrick
May 4, 2026
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Episode 538: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
May 2, 2026
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Episode 537: A Chat with Meg Calvin
May 1, 2026
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Episode 536: A Chat with Samantha Roman
April 27, 2026
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Episode 535: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
April 25, 2026
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Episode 534: A Chat with Joanna Davidson Politano
April 20, 2026
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Episode 533: A Chat with Chawna Schroeder
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Episode 532: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn
April 13, 2026
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