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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why I Knew I’d Love This New Series Reading the Cast of Characters

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Lisa E. Betz wrote a fabulous first-century mystery including a hilarious cat of characters & a sausage-stealing cat. What could be better? via @chautonahavig

If there would be any point in history that I would not enjoy reading about, it’s usually the first three centuries AD.  So, of course, what do I do?  I fall in love with a historical mystery by Lisa E. Betz taking place in mid-first-century Rome.  #becausereasons

Death and a Crocodile by is seriously my biggest reading shock of 2021.  Hilarious book, great mystery, and fun settings that have me rooting for people from the first page. What’s not to love?

Lisa E. Betz Death and a Crocodile

 

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

Why I Knew I’d Love This New Series Reading the Cast of Characters

I’ll confess. I opened the Kindle and swiped with lots of fear and even more trepidation.  Just keepin’ it real. We all know I love historical mystery.  Proof HERE.  But…

First-century Rome. Oh. Joy. When the cast of characters stretched out past page one, I actually started reading it.  Then I started laughing. Seriously, guys. SO funny.  That was my first inkling that I might like it.

By the end of the first page or two, I was hooked.

Before I finished recording the podcast, I’d ordered a paperback.  Seriously, guys. This book is this good.

Lisa E. Betz has seriously pulled me into a fascinating world with amazing characters and an intriguing, multi-layered plot. Perhaps that’s why Lisa won the Illumination Book Award in her category!  If you love historical fiction, you might want to snag this book.

Forget that, if you love Elizabeth Peters and her delightful Amelia Peabody… don’t hesitate. Run, don’t walk those fingers across the keyboard and snag your copy.  The Kindle price is just 2.99.  Can’t complain about that.

Lisa E. Betz also has great taste in reading material.

She and I agree on Elizabeth Peters, Dorothy Gilman, and Barbara Rosenblat as a great narrator for both of those. We also agree on more historical and mystery and less romance.  WOOT!  In fact, she joked that if there’s a pretty girl in a historical dress, she won’t bother with the book. However, give her a guy with a sword, and she’s all over it.

Is it any wonder I like this gal?

She also recommended Linda Davies as a mostly clean author to try.  Do you guys have any great Christian historical authors she needs to try?  Preferably heavy on the mystery and adventure and light on the romance?

Here’s more about her book.

Lisa E. Betz Death and a CrocodileDeath and a Crocodile

Sensible women don’t investigate murders, but Livia Aemilia might not have a choice.
Rome, 47 AD. When Livia’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, she sets out to find the killer before her innocent brother is convicted of murder. She may be an amateur when it comes to hunting dangerous criminals, but she’s determined, intelligent, and not afraid to break a convention or two in pursuit of the truth.

Plus, she’s adopted a radical new faith that encourages her to believe a woman and a handful of servants can actually solve a murder. Can she uncover the culprit before powerful men realize what she’s up to and force her to stop? Or will her snooping land her in deadly peril?

A lighthearted historical mystery set in first-century Rome, featuring a feisty amateur sleuth, a cast of eccentric characters, and an unrepentant, sausage-snatching cat.

You can find Lisa E. Betz at her WEBSITE where she also blogs about intentional living, authenticity, standing up for your values, pursuing your dreams, and more. There you will also find her social media and such!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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

  • Apple 
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  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
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Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
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Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
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Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
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Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
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Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
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Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
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Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
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Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
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