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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:

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Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast, Interviews

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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

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
byChautona Havig

If you love fantasy and allegory as much as I do, The Chosen One might just be the book for you. Listen in as I chat with Sheri Bradley about her novel and all that went into it.

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

I had a lovely time chatting about the world Sheri has created. I haven’t read the book yet but that will be rectified posthaste.

The Chosen One by Sheri Bradley

Before Bara was born, a royal decree sealed her destiny: she would one day marry the prince and reign as queen. But as years pass without a word from the palace, doubt creeps in. When betrayal strikes and Bara is torn from her home in a violent abduction, her world spirals into chaos.

Amid shadowed forests, whispered secrets, and a priceless sapphire that holds the promise of a future, Bara faces the ultimate question-does she truly have a choice, or has her path been written all along?

The Chosen One is a sweeping allegory of love, sacrifice, and redemption, inviting readers to wrestle with the tension between free will and destiny. Will Bara embrace the role she was created for, or forge her own way in defiance of the king’s plan?

Learn more on Sheri’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
July 27, 2026
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Episode 563: A Chat with Stephanie Mack
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Episode 562: A Chat with Laura Thomas
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Episode 561: A Chat with Laura Frantz
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Episod 560: A Chat witih Melanie Dobson
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Episode 559: A Chat with Lisa Phillips
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Episode 558: A Chat with Felicia Hurd
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Episode 557: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
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Episode 556: A Chat with Sharon Wilharm
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