• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

I Love This Author’s Work but It Makes Me Uncomfortable

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

This week, we have a long chat with L.K. Simonds about her books and about what she hopes readers will take away from her novels. via @chautonahavig

Why did I like the book?  The point-of-view character wasn’t likeable (for a LONG time), made stupid choices, used language I didn’t appreciate (not constantly but there were a few words here and there that made me squirm),  and basically made me uncomfortable.

Of course, that was the point. By the time I realized that, I also realized that readers of Christian fiction have expectations about what they read–understandable ones.  We don’t want to fill our minds with the things Jesus has freed us from!

That said, L.K. Simonds’ book taught me that we also need occasional reminders of what those things were and how many people are still slaves to their own sin natures.  A steady diet of “gritty” Christian fiction?  No, that’s not for me. An occasional dose of it to keep me grateful for the work God has done in my life and to give me compassion for those who reject the Savior who died for them?  A reminder to love those people sacrificially as Jesus did?  Yeah. I want that.

No. I NEED that.

I Love This Author's Work but It Makes Me Uncomfortable


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

I Love This Author’s Work but It Makes Me Uncomfortable

This week, I enjoyed a nice long chat with L.K. Simonds about her books All In and recent release, Stork Bite. From her exciting career in the aeronautics industry to the birth of her first book–twice (there’s a metaphor in that! Just thought of it)–to the inspiration for her second, we dig deep into the heart of Lisa’s writing and what she hopes readers will take away from her unconventional Christian fiction novel.

Lisa discussed her motivation for putting in the more difficult topics, and seeing her heart behind it is likely to help readers understand why she deviated from some expectations in Christian fiction.

One thing she made a point of sharing is how the point-of-view character is not the protagonist of the story.  In that regard, this novel really has an unreliable narrator for the Christian element for the majority of the book.

L.K. Simonds’ newest release, Stork Bite, is categorized as historical fiction rather than Christian fiction, but when you hear about the deep, redemptive quality of the story, I think you’ll agree that there’s a good chance it, too will fit in well among the edgier Christian fiction novels.

Thank you, Lisa, for your excellent novel as well as your time!

Just a bit more about Lisa’s books.

You can read my review of All In HERE.


About Stork Bite:

From the novel: “Everything has to be reconciled eventually.”

Caddo Parish, 1913. On an October morning, a Klansman confronts seventeen-year-old David Walker at a hidden oxbow lake where he has gone to hunt. David accidentally kills the man and hides the crime. His determination to protect his family from reprisal drives him far from home and into manhood.

Shreveport, 1927. Cargie (rhymes with Margie) Barre and Mae Compton are two vastly different young women, but both are defying convention to reach for their dreams. The men in Cargie’s and Mae’s lives help and hinder them in more ways than one. After years in hiding, David Walker finally resurfaces, and we discover the past is never as far from the present as it seems.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Related

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « Bookish Advent Giveaway: WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Next Post: Join Us for an Exciting Christmas Scavenger Hunt »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Comments

  1. Kathleen Robison says

    December 1, 2020 at 4:39 pm

    What an insightful post. Thank you for the truth you speak. I agree, sometimes we need this little dose of the world out there, not often or regularly by any means, but if it stirs me to compassion and a better understanding of someone’s pain, that’s a good thing. Thanks for the review, when I’m in the right place to read it, I may!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast
Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Podcast Subscription Menu

  • Visit Website
  • RSS Feed
Episode 43: A Chat with Allison Pearl
by Chautona Havig

Great Things Happen When You Mix Danger and Donuts

Suspense is a personal favorite genre, so when I heard about Allison Pearl’s series, I knew I wanted to read them and chat with her about them.  I only made it about a quarter of the way into the book before the interview, but that’s mostly because I spent way too much time deliberating over whether I should finish the book, Sprinkled with Sabotage, or set it aside and go read the first two.  

That’s actually a difficult thing about books in a series that stand alone.  You can read them out of order, so the dilemma begins–kind of like whether to read The Narnia series in order of publication or in chronological order.

Nah, everyone knows you need to read in order of publication.  Hmm… maybe that solves my question on Allison Pearl’s books, too.  Hmmm…

From the fun way she named the protagonists to our discussing the idea of a high-speed chase through the West Virginia mountains (I bet she could get those folks up to forty miles-per-hour! Trust me, if you’ve ever driven some of those roads, you’ll know that IS high speed in that area!), we talked about just about everything.  Faith in fiction, what got Allison writing suspense in the first place, locales for books, and… of course, what is coming next!

The Love and Danger in St. Claire series by Allison Pearl is full of danger, tension, and sprinkled with romance for the heart-throbbers among us.

Sprinkled with Sabotage

Synopsis: Lizzy Bennet loves life as a lawyer in the city. And not just because of the miles it puts between her and her ex. However, when she’s attacked on the street just hours after learning her identity was stolen, she tries to call home for help and ends up with the last person she expects: the very same high school boyfriend who broke her heart.

He says he’s there to help, but she’s not so sure, and now, all the endless questions and regrets are clouding her judgment and preventing her from seeing the dangerous saboteur closing in. Small-town auto mechanic, Koby Knightly, is looking forward to seeing a car show in the city. But when an unexpected call from his old girlfriend disconnects suddenly, he rushes to her aid. Throwing his plans out the window, Koby makes it his mission to protect her and discover the identity of the person trying to frame her.

Will he also be able to figure out what went wrong between them back in high school or will a killer get to her first?

Available in print, on Kindle, and also through Kindle Unlimited.  Or, read the first books in the series:

  • Glazed Suspicion
  • Dunked in Trouble

You can learn more about Allison Pearl, her upcoming books, and more on her website.

Find out what else her publisher, Anaiah Press has to offer HERE.

Episode 43: A Chat with Allison Pearl
Episode 43: A Chat with Allison Pearl
January 19, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
January 13, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 41: A Chat with Jennifer Pierce
January 5, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 40: My Favorite Book of 2020
December 8, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 39: A Chat with L.K. Simonds
December 1, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 38: Dan Smith & Saving Ebenezer
November 24, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 37: A Chat with Sara Beth Williams
November 17, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 36: A Chat with Jennifer Beckstrand
November 10, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 35: What Is This NaNoWriMo Thing All About?
November 3, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 34: 5 Cheap & Easy Ways to Feed a Book Habit
October 27, 2020
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Book 1 Now Available on Preorder!

independence islands series

Join My Birthday Club!

Featured Books

Not a Word

Not a Word
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from Book Depository
Not a Word
Buy now!

Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection

Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

  • The Best Marriage Advice We Got Accidentally (January 26, 2021)

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Great Things Happen When You Mix Danger and Donuts
  • My First “Top Book” of 2021 Begins HERE!
  • When Your Creativity Fails, Kill a Beloved Character:

Footer

What Am I Working On?

Ghosted at the Altar
Ghosted at the Altar
Phase:Writing
100%
The Bells of New Cheltenham
The Bells of New Cheltenham
Phase:Writing
100%
Get Book Updates

Featured

Oh, Gracious!

Oh, Gracious!

Disclosure:

Disclosure: Links on this website may or may not be affiliate links and as such, I may receive compensation from the retailer indicated for linking to their product. This money keeps me in Coke and chocolate and enables me to write more. It also helps me pay for the many Amazon Gift Cards I give away each month.

Note: I DO NOT link to products that I do not recommend.

Privacy & Cookies. This website uses cookies (not the delicious kinds that make life grand) to do stuff it needs to do. By staying on the site, you agree to this evil substitution of yummy cookies for internet calorie-free substitutes. For more info, click here and read the boring stuff. Cookie Policy
This week's free book... None So Blind! What would This week's free book... None So Blind!
What would you do if you woke up in a strange house, next to a strange man, and didn't know who you were or how you got there?
 Affiliate link is in my bio.

#ChristianFiction
#freekindle
#kindleunlimited
#indieauthor
#authorsofinstagram
This week's free book... None So Blind! What would This week's free book... None So Blind!
What would you do if you woke up in a strange house, next to a strange man, and didn't know who you were or how you got there?
 Affiliate link is in my bio.

#ChristianFiction
#freekindle
#kindleunlimited
#indieauthor
#authorsofinstagram
This week's free book... None So Blind! What would This week's free book... None So Blind!
What would you do if you woke up in a strange house, next to a strange man, and didn't know who you were or how you got there?
 Affiliate link is in my bio.

#ChristianFiction
#freekindle
#kindleunlimited
#indieauthor
#authorsofinstagram
Just two days before Bookers on the Rocks releases Just two days before Bookers on the Rocks releases!  I'm so excited about this book. It's probably one of the best I've written.  There's just something about a man who will step out of his comfort zone and edge his wife out of hers to do what's best for their marriage--so inspiring to write.
It's available for preorder for TWO DOLLARS off the retail price.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GFLZGG6?
Leave a comment if you'd like me to message you a direct link!  Happy to do it. :)
#newrelease
#independenceislands
#christianfiction
#christfic
#audiobook
#kindleunlimited
#preorder
This week's free book... None So Blind! What would This week's free book... None So Blind!
What would you do if you woke up in a strange house, next to a strange man, and didn't know who you were or how you got there?
 Affiliate link is in my bio.

#ChristianFiction
#freekindle
#kindleunlimited
#indieauthor
#authorsofinstagram
This week's free book... None So Blind! What would This week's free book... None So Blind!
What would you do if you woke up in a strange house, next to a strange man, and didn't know who you were or how you got there?
 Affiliate link is in my bio.

#ChristianFiction
#freekindle
#kindleunlimited
#indieauthor
#authorsofinstagram
This week's free book... None So Blind! What would This week's free book... None So Blind!
What would you do if you woke up in a strange house, next to a strange man, and didn't know who you were or how you got there?
 Affiliate link is in my bio.

#ChristianFiction
#freekindle
#kindleunlimited
#indieauthor
#authorsofinstagram
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!