• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • 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
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

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

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

All Great Historical Fiction Has One Thing in Common

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Historical fiction comes from many eras. In today's episode we look at Biblical fiction, the War for Independence, and US antebellum period. via @chautonahavig

The second of our compilation interview episodes (first HERE), this episode features three historical fiction authors. Join me as I chat with Amanda Cabot about her latest release, Dreams Rekindled.  I also spoke with Jill Eileen Smith about her latest release, Miriam’s Song. Marguerite Martin Gray discusses her Revolutionary Faith series as well as upcoming new series.

Three authors, three very different writing styles and time periods, and three great books or series to keep you entertained and encouraged for hours!

And as I studied the different stories,  time periods and themes, I realized something important about historical fiction.

historical fiction

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

All Great Historical Fiction Has One Thing in Common

It teaches us how no matter how different times and places are, people remain the same.  We love, grieve, hate, fear… People wage war and reconcile.  We sin and repent. In the end, all we have is faith or we flounder trying to understand why life is the way it is.

In today’s episode, I spoke with three authors and learned what they wrote, why, and got to know a little bit about each of them.  First up:

Amanda Cabot and her Mesquite Springs Series

Dreams Rekindled Historical Fiction

Though she hopes for a quiet, uncomplicated life for herself, Dorothy Clark wants nothing more than to stir others up. Specifically, she dreams of writing something that will challenge people as much as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin seems to have. But in 1850s Mesquite Springs, there are few opportunities for writers–until newspaperman Brandon Holloway arrives, that is.

Brandon Holloway has seen the disastrous effects of challenging others and has no intention of repeating that mistake. Instead of following his dreams, he’s committed to making a new–and completely uncontroversial–start in the Hill Country.

As Dorothy’s involvement in the fledgling newspaper grows from convenient to essential, the same change seems to be happening in Brandon’s heart. But before romance can bloom, Dorothy and Brandon must work together to discover who’s determined to divide the town and destroy Brandon’s livelihood.

With this second novel in the Mesquite Springs series, bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you to discover the healing power of truth.

You can find out more about Amanda, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on social media from her WEBSITE.

Next up!  Jill Eileen Smith and her Biblical Fiction in Miriam’s Song

Miriam's song historical fictionIn her eventful lifetime, Miriam was many things to many people: protective older sister, song leader, prophetess, leper. But between the highs and the lows, she was a girl who dreamed of freedom, a woman who longed for love, a leader who made mistakes, and a friend who valued connection.

With her impeccable research and keen eye for detail, bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith offers this epic story to fill in the gaps and imagine how Miriam navigated the challenges of holding on to hope, building a family in the midst of incredible hardship, and serving as a leader of a difficult people, all while living in her brother’s shadow. Follow Miriam’s journey from childhood to motherhood, obscurity to notoriety, and yearning to fulfillment as she learns that what God promises he provides–in his own perfect timing.

You can find out more about Jill, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on social media from her WEBSITE.

And last but not least, Marguerite Martin Gray and her Revolutionary Faith Series

Wait for Me Historical fictionA town besieged by the enemy with just one Sovereign order: wait.

Charles Town, South Carolina, 1780

With the inevitable occupation of Charles Town by the British pounding at the gates, Louis Lestarjette braces for possible imprisonment or worse. How can he provide for his growing family with the evil chains of the enemy binding his source of existence? The scenarios of imprisonment and starvation force him to realize he has no control over the outcome of the stronghold of the British. All that remains is a sense of survival at almost any cost.

Elizabeth Lestarjette faces looming confinement with both a drive to protect her children and a desire to do her part to undermine the enemy.  They must thwart the British plans to imprison more men, but how?  Who can they trust?

Just how long will Elizabeth’s confidence in justice withstand the constant battering of war and circumstance?

Discover the destiny of the Lestarjette family in the final book of the Revolutionary Faith Series as they hope and wait upon deliverance from a world under siege.

You can learn more about Marguerite, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on social media from her WEBSITE.

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

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

And many more!

Share
Pin
Post
Email
Share
Pin
Post
Email

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast, Interviews

Previous Post: « 3 Solid Reasons I Hate Saying Goodbye to a Great Series
Next Post: I Love Being Totally Surprised in Romantic Suspense »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Katie says

    May 28, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    This was a lovely podcast! I really enjoyed listening to various authors and am interested in reading all of their work! Thank you for putting this together for readers!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 489: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
byChautona Havig

What’s better than a second-chance romance? Maybe one wrapped in a beautiful women’s fiction story? Listen as Rachel Hauck and I chat about her latest book, The Sands of Sea Blue Beach.

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

Loves writing about characters healing their wounds and coming to the knowledge of Truth.

Psst… don’t miss Meet Me at the Starlight Inn, too!

Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck

Can anything rekindle the summer love between former sweethearts facing old wounds and a divided town? Emery Quinn finds herself at a crossroads between her career and complex family dynamics. Struggling to connect with her blended family and ready for a fresh start, Emery accepts the position of editor-in-chief at the Sea Blue Beach Gazette. Upon her return to the Sands Motor Motel, she is flooded with bittersweet memories of her late mother and past regrets from a long-ago summer. Architect Caleb Ransom has returned home to Sea Blue Beach, a place filled with cherished memories and potential opportunities. He means to make a difference for his family and his hometown by caring for his troubled sister’s son and preserving the history of the town as the leader of the new Main Street initiative. He certainly never expected to run into Emery Quinn, the girl who captured his heart sixteen summers ago. As Emery and Caleb revive their friendship, they find themselves facing a bitterly divided town. Together, they navigate family challenges, professional setbacks, and a high-stakes royal visit to discover how forgiveness and love can reshape their hearts and their destiny.

You can find out more about Rachel on her WEBSITE. Follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

And don’t forget that you can get 30% off the book with free shipping at BakerBookHouse.com.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 489: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
Episode 489: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
November 14, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 488: A Chat with Jane Kirkpatrick
November 10, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 487: A Chat with Jenny Marceline
November 8, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 486: A Chat with J. L. Burrows
November 7, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 485: A Chat with Katie Powner
November 3, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 484: A Chat with Taylor S Newport
November 1, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 483: A Chat with Sarah Loudin Thomas
October 31, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d’Entremont
October 27, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 481: A Chat with Patricia Bradley
October 25, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 480: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
October 20, 2025
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Pointed Suspicion

Pointed Suspicion
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Pointed Suspicion
Buy now!

Courting Miss Darling

Courting Miss Darling

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • So, There Was That Time I Forgot What I Knew…
  • “Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie
  • Why Romance Is a Hairy Proposition (or is that proposal?)

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Bookish Gratitude Day 13: Grateful for studies tha Bookish Gratitude Day 13: Grateful for studies that show I should live longer because I read.  No clue if it's true for me, but Ill give it my best. 
#BookishGratitude 
#AmReading
The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of my books, and now she's on the first book (after the prequel, Induction) of The Agency Files.
When Erika is ripped from her bed (literally) by strangers claiming to be doing it for "her own safety," she's not convinced. Can you blame her? Listen in to learn more. One chapter a day throughout the month and the whole book will be uploaded as one video at the end. So listen FREE daily (or to each chapter so you can find your place easily), or all at once on a long car ride or decluttering binge (oh, wait. Is that just me?).
Check out the other books she has on her channel... also free! AND, please subscribe and make her day (it's a lot of work!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hnf_Ztodag&list=PLGJaJiSo6mQ2CQxqZjoGUiFK5mPPbJIbb

OR

You can also get Justified means and several of my other titles on popular retailers like Audible, Spotify, Everand, and more!
#Audiobooks
#FreeAudiobooks
#ChristianRomanticSuspense
14h
Bookish Gratitude Day 12: Johannes Gutenberg. He Bookish Gratitude Day 12: Johannes Gutenberg.  He started the trend toward affordable books and ended up helping the Reformation.
#BookishGratitude
Reposted from @catheswanson The 10th annual Christ Reposted from @catheswanson The 10th annual Christmas Lights Collection - Lovelight Gleams
Available now in Kindle, paperback, and free to read with Kindle Unlimited! 
#catheswanson #chautonahavig #jayceeweaver #lainaturner #contemporarychristianromance #christianfiction
Hiding from the gang that tried to kill him, Leo j Hiding from the gang that tried to kill him, Leo just wants to keep a low profile and start over. He didn't count on his first friend being someone like Allison.
The Kasimirs won't let him go unpunished.
Allison won't let him go unfriended.
What's a guy to do?
Listen FREE to a new chapter every day in November AND the complete book after the end of the month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eLI5ZH6YUk&list=PLGJaJiSo6mQ2dDLCnbGRORVFd5Rg1y7rR&pp=iAQB
Also available on all major audiobook platforms AND on Kindle Unlimited.
Narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo
#Audiobooks
#YouTube
#FreeAudiobooks
#KindleUnlimited
#ChristianRomanticSuspense
Bookish Gratitude Day 11: Bookish mail!!! And espe Bookish Gratitude Day 11: Bookish mail!!!
And especially for getting to know @laurieherlichauthor last month. Can't wait to get to know her better (and through her books!!!)
Do you love bookish mail???
#BookishGratitude 
#Mysteries
The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of my books, including TheNutcracker's Suite--a mystery set among the mob activity during the Prohibition era.
You can listen FREE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos
Check out the other books she has on there... also free!

OR

You can also get The Nutcracker's Suite and several of my other titles on popular retailers like Audible, Spotify, Everand, and more!
#Audiobooks
#FreeAudiobooks
#ChristianMystery
#HistoricalMystery
#FairyTaleRetelling
3d
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

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