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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

This New Contemporary Romance Has Southern Charm from Down Under

by Chautona Havig · 12 Comments

This week, I chatted with author, Carolyn Miller about her Regency novels, her Independence Islands books, and her upcoming contemporary romance series! via @chautonahavig

I’d seen the covers of her books–lovely Regency titles that intrigued me.  However, when we put out the call for authors in our upcoming series, The Independence Islands, I never imagined I’d see her name among the applicants.

Well, let’s just say that not only was Carolyn Miller an excellent addition to the team, her books… guys, her books!  I’ve read two of the island books now, and I hear the third is winging its way to my inbox.  And well… what do I think?  I think…

carolyn miller

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This New Contemporary Romance Has Southern Charm from Down Under

It can’t be easy for an Aussie to transition from contemporary Australia to Regency England, but I bet it’s even harder to transition from that to contemporary Southern USA.  Well… If it is, you’d never know it, because Carolyn Miller has mastered it.

In this interview, we chatted about her original contemporary works (did you know she wrote romantic suspense?  Was that the one she won awards for?  I don’t know.  Here’s the thing.  I should have known.

Because her second islands book?  Yeah.  Definitely romantic suspense in it.  With just a bit of tweaking it would have been classified as Romantic suspense.  How awesome is THAT?

Well, last month was her debut contemporary novel as well as her first one of the Islands series, Restoring Fairhaven.

restoring fairhaven carolyn millerJust as an overview of the story, Samantha (Sam) Greene takes over her father’s landscaping business and has to deal with quite a bit of pushback from the men of the business but even more, a man whose assistant hires her to tackle the enormous grounds at the Fairhaven estate.

This poor guy is grieving and brooding, which works for the kind of books he writes.  Yep, he’s an author (think Nicholas Sparks novels on steroids).  Of course, personalities clash, and things just get really interesting.

This book has three primary things going for it.

  • Characterization:  Miller writes lovely flawed characters who you can relate to and watch grow and stretch.  I loved liking and disliking people and the works.  It was great.
  • Plot:  Her story is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time, so it’s really cool to see how she handled those.
  • Spiritual aspects:  She didn’t get all preachy, but she did have a few spots where my brain went, “Hmm… what does the Bible say about that… cool…” and off I went to study, which is my favorite.

But as we said, Carolyn Miller got her start in Regency Romance.

With three series out and one beginning soon, she has quite a list ready for you.

  • Regency Brides (A Legacy of Grace)
  • Regency Brides (Daughters of Aynsley)
  • Regency Brides (A Promise of Hope)
  • Regency Brides (Regency Wallflowers–coming  April 2021)

I am most interested in the one about the girl who went to Gretna Green and the “after the wedding” story, so I’ll be reading that, but since I can’t remember which one it is, I’m going to start with her first book and work my way through until I can find it.

But she joined the Independence Islands series to dip her toe into the contemporary waters because…

She has a contemporary “hockey” series coming out next year (just in time for the winter Olympics) and readers need to know she can do this!  Seriously, hearing the story of the closing ceremonies in Vancouver that inspired Carolyn’s first book… I’m so excited about her hockey series, so check that out next year!

You can find more about Carolyn Miller on her WEBSITE where you can also find her social media links as well as fascinating photos of her trips to England (Bath, the Peak District, Scotland, etc.) as well as gardens on the Independence Islands page (she cheats. Her husband is a horticulturist… just sayin’).

And I’m going to give away a copy of Restoring Fairhaven to one commenter!

US residents will receive a paperback, and international will receive an eBook (sorry!).  Just leave a comment about an interesting garden you visited and why you found it interesting.  I loved the gardens at the Bellagio in Las Vegas a few years ago!

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Comments

  1. Joy Suzanne Hunt says

    February 1, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    The most interesting garden I’ve visited was my sister’s “chickadee cafe.” You know my parents got chickens last year – they are pen pals with Neville. Well, apparently there are certain plants that are good for chickens, so my sister planted a little garden in the chicken run with chicken-friendly plants.

    That has not, of course, stopped the chickens from getting out and getting into the “not for chickens” plants on the other side of the yard!

    Reply
  2. Linda Palmer says

    January 28, 2021 at 4:31 am

    Interesting transition for Carolyn Miller. I’ve not read much by her as I don’t care for regency stories. But I love the Independence Island stories!

    Reply
  3. Elissa says

    January 27, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    The most interesting garden I’ve visited would be the golf course turned botanical gardens that my husband worked at when he was in high school/college. It was across the street from his house and the owner is a Japanese man who came to America with the dream of having a botanical garden. It wasn’t complete when my husband was still working there, but perhaps is now? We live across the country and can’t go check it out, but we should really ask his parents!

    Reply
  4. Linda Palmer says

    January 27, 2021 at 5:44 am

    I have visited a few rose gardens in parks. Those have always been fun. It’s always good if the plants are labeled.

    Reply
  5. Carolyn Miller says

    January 26, 2021 at 8:11 pm

    Thanks so much for having me, Chautona! It was heaps of fun! xx

    Reply
  6. MS Barb says

    January 26, 2021 at 8:45 am

    There are beautiful gardens at the conservatory at Como park, in St. Paul, MN (Decades ago, I had wedding pictures taken there (August 1973) & then I visited again w/ my 2 daughters, in 2014 after a niece’s wedding!

    Reply
  7. Lindsay says

    January 26, 2021 at 6:27 am

    ( Scotland resident here! ) A couple of years ago we ventured south to Derbyshire, in England and visited Chatsworth House. I was in my element and managed to drag 2 young children and a semi-reluctant but considerate hubby round the house. However it was when we all ventures into the gardens that the children became alive! A huge hedge maze, tiered water features, old pump buildings, great trees to scramble over, beautiful flowers and bushes, but most impressive was the huge football pitch sized lake/pond with a water fountain that uses natural deep pressure to spout forth and look majestic. It was truly wonderful day of exploring.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 26, 2021 at 8:18 am

      Aw, that sounds wonderful!

      Reply
  8. Michelle L. says

    January 26, 2021 at 6:00 am

    We have a local garden called Longwood Gardens. I believe it may be nationally known. I love it! It’s huge it has some of everything and I try to get there as often as I can.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 26, 2021 at 8:18 am

      That sounds beautiful–just the name.

      Reply
  9. Cheryl Arcemont says

    January 26, 2021 at 5:06 am

    I remember as a child visiting the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis, Missouri. My grandmother showed me new plants that I haven’t seen since. Truly a wonderful memory!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 26, 2021 at 8:18 am

      Oooh, that sounds like a must-see place!

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
byChautona Havig

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to help with whatever the family was doing, so Great Aunt Tissy gave you a stack of napkins and told you to put one at each plate? Remember how she commented on what a  “big girl” you were?  And then, as if that weren’t bad enough… remember how you were fourteen and a “big girl” was the last thing you wanted to be? 

RM Ruiz’ The Chosen Kids Saga does just the opposite. She has a cast of related characters who are given real work by God–important work. They’re pulling on the armor of God and doing real battle with real enemies of the Kingdom of God and all while He works out their sanctification. Listen in to where she got the idea and where the Chosen Kids are going next.

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

What if God Decided to Use Ordinary Kids to Battle the Underworld?

Can I just say that I love the respect Rosemary shows her characters? These kids, as young as eleven, aren’t told to fold napkins and praised as if they saved the world. They’re given tools and assignments and do save the world… or at least a piece of it and with the real help of the Holy Spirit. How cool is that?

And she does it with a tortilla in one hand and some eye and mouth-watering chili stuffs in the other.

Oh… and don’t forget the research for Encounter at Paradise that sent her up a literal slippery slope into frozen tundra. In July. #BecauseResearch.

And the result is book two of the Chosen Kids Saga! (To listen to the first episode where we talked more about the first book, go HERE.)

The Chosen Kids: Encounter at Paradise by RM Ruiz

A thrilling adventure for middle-grade readers, showcasing the supernatural powers of God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.This is the second book of The Chosen Kids Saga.The Chosen Kids are ready for their second mission!

It’s been two weeks since Caiden and his family’s summer of fun turned into a secret quest for God. After their first mission, the Chosen Kids step into their new roles without fear or reluctance. With revived faith and God’s blessed tools, they embark on their second hunt—ready to track, capture, and expel the enemy.

But the day turns into a tedious game of hide-and-seek as the family races to get ahead of the fiend. When the unthinkable happens, and their mission becomes personal, they must keep the faith and trust God’s plan. They could set things right with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but only if they obey His commands completely. Caiden thinks he’s uncovered the answer, but no one ever listens to the youngest cousin…

With nightfall quickly approaching, the Chosen Kids set a trap.

But if their plan fails, they could lose one of their most valuable assets, and their quest will end in heartbreak and disaster.

In this next chapter of the Chosen Kids Saga, readers will see the cousins in action as they take on their new roles with renewed spirits. Just like the first book, this fast-paced adventure includes family love, kid banter, and humor with even more adventure, danger, and spiritual growth!

This series mixes fantasy and adventure elements with transparent Christian themes for young believers who want a story that includes gospel truths without reading through symbolism.

Middle-grade readers will follow along as these flawed, relatable characters—still finding their way in Christ—embark on a life-transforming quest to save humanity. With family love, spiritual growth, kid banter, and humor all mixed in for a fun and exciting journey.

The adventure starts with Encounter at the Dunes and continues in Encounter at Paradise. Grab a copy of both to begin the redemptive journey today! Book three, Encounter At Ambrose, coming summer 2024.

Learn more about the series, the characters, and Rosemary at TheChosenKids.com

And the series she mentioned was The Son of Angels.

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Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
June 6, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 233: A Chat about In Feast or Famine with Mesu Andrews
June 2, 2023
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Episode 232: A Chat with Janine Rosche
May 30, 2023
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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
May 26, 2023
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Episode 230: A Chat with Bryan Timothy Mitchell
May 17, 2023
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Episode 229: A Chat about Murmur in the Mud Caves with Kathleen Denly
May 12, 2023
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Episode 228: A Chat with Author Emilie Haney
May 9, 2023
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Episode 227: A Chat about the New Jewels of Kalispell Series
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Episode 226: A Chat with Archaeological Thriller Author, Doug Powell
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Episode 225: A Chat with Dani Pettrey
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