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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why It’s Always Good to Make Dreams Come True

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Sometimes, authors need variety to write the best they can, and I always love it when I find another author who "gets me." Laura Thomas certainly does. via @chautonahavig

On Amazon, every time I went looking for a book, there it was. The Orphan Beach.  I’d not read anything by the author, Laura Thomas.  Each time I started to click through, something distracted me. Then, I had an opportunity to interview her, and when I discovered that it was that Laura Thomas, well… DUH!

Discussing her writing and publishing journey, the books in print and those to come, by the time I finished chatting about all things books, I felt like I’d made a new friend.  Laura Thomas is a fascinating and delightful woman, not to mention an eclectic author!

laura thomas

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

Why It’s Always Good to Make Dreams Come True

The moment Laura said hello, I had to ask about her accent. See, I knew she lived in Canada, but the accent said otherwise. So, English/Canadian author, Laura Thomas tells us about her childhood dream of being the next Beatrix Potter–a dream she’d never told anyone until, after decades of marriage, her husband winkled it out of her!

Still in the throes of homeschooling, Laura began taking correspondence courses to become a writer and eventually published her YA series, the Tears Trilogy.

Of course, picture books were still the dream, but she continued on to writing a middle-grade short novel, The Candlemaker.

Being the eclectic author she is, Laura then turned to non-fiction as a gift for her daughter, Pearls for the Bride.

It may seem an unexpected progression from those to romantic suspense, but…

A vacation, a lifelong fear, and a disappointment inspired Laura’s first romantic suspense novel, The Glass Bottom Boat.  Intended to be a stand-alone, an agent’s request turned it into a series, Flight to Freedom.

See?  Eclectic!  At least another author gets it.  And I wrote a whole blog post about all the genres once. You can read that HERE.

And this series is this week’s featured book!

There is supposed to be a box set, but I didn’t find it on Amazon. Still, all three books can be had for under six dollars, and two are on Kindle Unlimited!

the orphan beach laura thomasAnd the third book in the series is The Orphan Beach.

This book starts off with a bang!

  • the death of a loved one
  • reeling from a failed romantic relationship
  • struggling with her faith and
  • targeted by a crazed killer
  • About Orphan Beach

I haven’t finished the book (and much to my disappointment!) but it has several key strengths.

  • characters–I cared about them almost (if not) from the first word
  • the covers (they grab you)
  • in particular, the title of The Orphan Beach.

Although Laura doesn’t say she’ll never write more in the series, but a vacation to visit family in England last year inspired a new series–suspense. Set in a small village in England.  Stick me in a suitcase, I’m going with her!

And coming full circle, those picture books she mentioned? 

Well, two are being shopped to publishers.  One is about a French bulldog and her adventures, while the other is about an octopus making friends with a tea party!

Laura is about to get herself a French bulldog puppy of her own, and plans to name her “Lulu.”  That prompted me to share a song from the 1920s that I loved as a girl, and I’ve added it here for your fun, too.  🙂

And Frank Sinatra did a fun parody of this with Bing Crosby for those who love the oldie moldie!

If you’d like to learn more about Laura, visit her at:

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 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
byChautona Havig

Christians are fond of saying that Christ has already defeated Satan, but sometimes, it sure doesn’t seem like it. Listen in as I chat with Paul Headworth about his novel exploring this in his book, Prophetic Redemption.

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

Headworth focuses on the difficulties of cases and what happens when things go wrong. By the time we got done talking, I knew I’d have to read it.

Prophetic Redemption by Paul Headworth

This special novel is geared for the believer and nonbeliever, providing an engaging murder mystery while sowing many positive and possibly life-changing messages.

A judge from the 32nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Publishing Book Award cited, “The masterful use of suspense is key to maintaining reader engagement and greatly enhances the story’s captivating appeal. Additionally, the rich character motivations and development, especially evident in Charlie’s relentless pursuit of justice for his wife and son, alongside Paul’s transformative journey, render these characters both believable and relatable. Moreover, this book defies the stereotype that inspirational works lack depth. Instead of burdening readers with recipes, it proves that such books can be emotionally resonant and deeply thought-provoking.”

Learn more on Paul’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
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  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
Episode 602: A Chat with Paul Headworth
November 9, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 601: A Chat with Glenn Patrick O’Turner
November 7, 2026
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Episode 600: A Chat with JPC Allen
November 2, 2026
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Episode 599: A Chat with Frank McKinney
October 31, 2026
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Episode : A Chat with L.J. Long
October 28, 2026
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Episode 597: A Chat with Alison Treat
October 26, 2026
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Episode 596: A Chat with Katheen Rouser
October 24, 2026
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Episode 595: A Chat with Jeremiah Friedli
October 21, 2026
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Episode 594: A Chat with Joy Crain
October 19, 2026
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Episode 593: A Chat with Thomas Goodman
October 17, 2026
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When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter an When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter and fry it. Yum.
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To keep my momentum going so this book is ready for you by Black Friday, I’m treating myself to a little joy: opening a beautiful @ArcherandOlive Advent Box "gift" every time I complete 5,000 words. 45K means Box 3 is officially MINE! But now how to use this amazing journal? HELP!
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Dear Uncle Nick, Our town has a lot of people in n Dear Uncle Nick,
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We can’t meet them all, but we can do what we can to help.
Everyone loves a good box social, but that can be expensive, especially this time of year.
I propose a “dessert social.” We apply the same premise, but the boxes only hold enough dessert for two. Penny bids can be augmented by work or other goods. Folks can even buy the “augments.”
What do you think?
Hungry for cinnamon rolls!

Ever heard of a box social? 📦✨ In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, communities had to get creative to help neighbors in need.
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✍️ The Question: If you were bidding on a dessert box for two tonight... what dessert would you hope is inside? Let me know in the comments!
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Awesome movie. Don't remember a single foul word, Awesome movie. Don't remember a single foul word,  despite rough subjects and scenes. Well done.
#jimmymovie
Writing with white gel ink on kraft paper just hit Writing with white gel ink on kraft paper just hits different. 🖊️🤎
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From the unpublished archives of "Ask Uncle Nick". From the unpublished archives of "Ask Uncle Nick"...
Dear Uncle Nick,
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How can we make this happen again, (without costly pipe repairs)?

Be sure to leave your answers for "Hopeful" and stay tuned. I got to open another box today!
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October 1939. They fled Vienna looking for sanctuary.
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Following the Anschluss, Austria is no longer recognizable.
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have to find a glimmer of faith to guide them out of the darkness—before the
killer strikes again.
https://link.amazon/B04ONq0y4 #AffiliateLink#ChristFic
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#FairytaleRetelling
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