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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Does Christian Romance Offer That Readers Need?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Christian romance author, Sara Beth Williams, has a series of second chance romances that really has depth, interesting characters, and important relationsihps. via @chautonahavig

One of the coolest things about having this podcast is the opportunity to talk with authors, see what inspires them, discover how they fell in love with writing. Some people decided to write as a child. Others had a teacher who inspired them. But I’ve noticed one common thread despite the differences in original inspiration.

Every author has something to say. Some writers have a unique perspective, while others forge paths in directions no one has explored. There may be “nothing new under the sun;” however, authors often see the old in new ways.

What Does Christiian Romance Offer That Readers Need?

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

What Does Christian Romance Offer That Readers Need?

In this week’s episode, I chat with author Sara Beth Williams about her books, how she started writing, what inspired her first Christian romance book, and more.

One of the greatest things we talked about was how so much secular fiction gets stuff backward.  And in Christian fiction, we might deal with the gritty side of life, but even in all that, we see the emphasis on what is good and right even when people don’t get it right.

But first, Sara’s writing process.

This woman is amazing. Her books have approximately a DOZEN drafts.  She tells us how she writes the emotionally charged scenes first, and then she writes in the rest of it. While she tries to keep those in order, she just writes them all and then creates an outline to help her fill in everything.  Wow!

This reminded me a bit of Hallee Bridgeman’s “layer” system of writing.

Sarah Beth also writes a ton of backstory before she really gets going.  I hope I convinced her to take all that backstory and write another story for newsletter subscribers, so you might want to head over to her WEBSITE and sign up in case she really does.

Oh, she’s going to be offering spots on her launch team (can you say FREE BOOK as I mentioned in THIS episode).

While she didn’t plan to write a Christian romance series, research showed it was a good idea, and what she’d already done set it up for one, so she created a Second Chance Novel series.  All three books have titles with double meanings, and I LOVE that I caught it as I was reading.

Sara Beth’s books:

when hearts collideHer first book, When Hearts Collide, is not a Romeo and Juliet retelling, however, there are hints of undertones from that play in the book.

Guys, I’m in the middle of this book and I’m loving it.

Additionally, I saw parallels between this book and Tammy L. Gray’s, Mercy’s Embrace. So, if you enjoyed that book, you’ll probably love this!

Not only that, but her publisher, Anaiah Press has a bunch of their books on SALE right now, so you might want to dash over and get your copies.  I’m going to get this book as a series. You can shop HERE.

Meanwhile, the second book in this Christian romance series, A Worthy Heart, is a Selah Award finalist. We’ll learn tomorrow if she wins.  Praying for  all the finalists today!!

The third book comes out in March of 2021, and it deals with mental health, grief, and of course, romance! 😀 She’s writing a lot of depth into this series without making it heavy, and I’m impressed.

Oh, and for a fun light read, she recommends Candee Fick!

When Hearts Collide is similar enough to Nicholas Sparks’ book, A Bend in the Road, that if you enjoyed that book, youll probably love Sara’s!  😀

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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

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  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
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Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
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