• 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
    • Podcast Guest Information
  • 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

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

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

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!

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: « Great Things Happen When You Mix Danger and Donuts
Next Post: The Best Marriage Advice We Got Accidentally »

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. 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

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 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
by Chautona Havig

What happens when you combine domestic violence with suspense?  A hair-raising ride you won’t want to miss.

On March 2, T.E. Price ‘s book, Take Flight, releases on eBook, and boy is this one excellent story.  Join me as I talk with Tiffany about her book, the inspiration, and all the excellence you’ll find within the can’t-put-it-down pages.

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

The 3 Best Things about This Domestic Abuse Suspense Novel

A new author to me, T.E. Price knocked her suspense (and almost thriller) out of the park with three excellent elements to the book.  

Aside from wonderful and realistic characterization and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, T.E. Price also digs deep into a subject Christians sometimes like to pretend isn’t a thing.  And boy does she do it well. 

So if a great story that grips you and won’t let you go isn’t the best thing, what is?  Well… I’ve got three.

First, the writing is stellar.

Let’s face it, domestic abuse victims have cyclical thought patterns and actions that can feel redundant and become boring when you see it on the page, but Tiffany managed to avoid that while still showing how real and confusing it can be both for the person going through it and for those watching from the outside.

Second, her laser focus on her subject.

Domestic abuse is a multi-layered and faceted subject that spans so many different aspects of life. It would be easy and natural, even, to try to show it all with the one person who experienced it all, but T.E. Price keeps her focus on one woman’s escape from that life and how it affects her relationship with the Lord and others. That’s it.  

Third, T.E. Price shows her heart for the Lord and His people in every word on the page.

While not preachy at all, and while often just the undercurrent of the story, there is no doubt in the reader’s mind that Price wants the reader to learn both how to overcome as the victim of domestic violence and how to aid others in the church going through it.  Additionally, that steady reminder of Who the only true support we truly have touches every aspect of Hallie McClain’s life.

There are so many other excellent elements to Take Flight, but I’d be chatting all day with Tiffany (and nearly did!) if I kept going.

Don’t forget!

T.E. Price’s book releases March 2, 2021 and on March 5, 2021  from 7-8 pm (EST) she is having a Facebook launch party with prizes and lots of information about it.  HERE is a link to that party and I hope to be there to celebrate with her!  Please join her and maybe you’ll win an eBook copy of Take Flight!

You can find more about T.E. Price (Tiffany) at her WEBSITE where you can also find her other novel, Love’s True Colors.

Title:  Take Flight Author: T.E. Price Synopsis:  

Within Take Flight, readers follow Hallie McClain as she is faced with numerous fight-or-flight decisions in her attempt to escape her abusive husband, Jonathan McClain.

Hallie has made the decision to leave him for good, but Jonathan has no intentions of complying. During their separation, Hallie grapples with trusting those closest to her, the gossip-mill of her small town, and her wavering trust in God. Living alone in a secret, secluded cabin in the woods, she is thrust into multiple circumstances where she has to balance her safety with the reality of inescapable encounters with her soon-to-be ex-husband. Jonathan soon discovers Hallie’s whereabouts, forcing her to escape to the city while awaiting the divorce, but her move isn’t the solution as her safety is still compromised.

Hallie has to learn to trust God with her safety while leaning on the church body for support. The tantalizing storyline of Take Flight weaves through one “fight-or-flight” scenario after the next, filling Hallie with angst regarding her constant need for escape. Take Flight addresses the ugliness of domestic abuse and the need for support from the church community. Furthermore, it affirms God’s trustworthiness in the midst of difficult, sometimes even life-threatening, situations.

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

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher

You can find the Blog post HERE.

Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
February 23, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 47: The Drew Farthering Mysteries
February 16, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 46: What Romances Do I Think Are Perfect for Valentine's Day?
February 9, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 45: A Gush about Things We Didn't Say
February 2, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 44: A Chat with Carolyn Miller
January 26, 2021
Chautona Havig
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
Search Results placeholder

Preorder Save the Date and Get FREE Books!

Save the Date

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

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • The Best Combo Is a Great Book, a Delicious Cookie, & Sweet Tea
  • The 3 Best Things about This Domestic Abuse Suspense Novel
  • Why This Mystery Series Is One of My Favorites

Footer

What Am I Working On?

Flipping Hearts
Phase:Writing
100%
Penelope's Pursuit
0%
Get Book Updates

Featured

Bookers on the Rocks

Bookers on the Rocks
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Bookers on the Rocks
Buy now!

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
Reposted from @christianbookandgiftgrv Go to our F Reposted from @christianbookandgiftgrv Go to our Facebook page now and check out the events happening in-store over the next 4 Saturdays! Good stuff, peeps!
Come meet the fabulous narrator of the Independenc Come meet the fabulous narrator of the Independence Islands Series at @christianbookandgiftgrv this Saturday!!!

#christianbookstore 
#audiobook
#christianfiction
I love this window at the local Methodist church. I love this window at the local Methodist church. At night, it feels a little like stepping through brambles in England and finding a chapel there... Or maybe that's the audiobook with it's British narrator.

#audiobook
#midnightstroll 
#mysteries
Reposted from @mwardwellwrites Today is the day!!! Reposted from @mwardwellwrites Today is the day!!!!
“Heart Pressed” my 8th book to ever have published and the 8th book in the Independence Islands collection. This journey has become such an awarding experience. Thank you @celebratelit and @chautonahavig  for inviting me to be part of this and thank you @tabithabouldin  @carolynmillerauthor  @karitrumbo  and @rachelskatvold77  for being such wonderful women to work with. 
https://amzn.to/3bhwXCO

#IndependenceIslands
#RivalsToLovers
#heartpressed
#books
#Amazon
#Christfic
#NewRelease 
#affiliatelink
Where I met my husband over 33 years ago. We used Where I met my husband over 33 years ago. We used to stand out there, parked between those two lights and talk for hours. 

#bestfriends 
#godisgood
Narrated by the fabulous @christadelsorbo , Christ Narrated by the fabulous @christadelsorbo , Christmas on Breakers Point kicks off the Independence Islands Series with a book perfect for any time of year. Bring tissues.

#independenceislandseries 
#Christfic
#christianfiction
#beachread 
#audiobook
Reposted from @halleebridgeman One epic collection Reposted from @halleebridgeman One epic collection. Twelve weddings to remember. RSVP for your front-row seat to inspirational romances that last a lifetime.
Releases September 14, 20201. Preorder your copy today!
https://www.halleebridgeman.com/sd
  • 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!