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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Are There Pitfalls to Using Your Life as Inspiration for Your Books?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Author Lila Diller has written a four-book (more to come!) series focusing on the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Learn more now! via @chautonahavig

Romantic women’s fiction author, Lila Diller had a short chat with me about her “Love Is” series. Beginning with a contemporary romance through the first year of marriage, this four-book (so far) series is a labor of love placed on Lila’s heart by the Lord.

We had a quick chat the other day and it was a delight to get to know her better.

Lila Diller

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

Are There Pitfalls to Using Your Life as Inspiration for Your Books?

Lila Diller can tell you.  Yes.  Author of four books in romantic women’s fiction, Lila has used her own life and marriage in a fictional way.  No worries–names and other things have been changed to protect the innocent?  The guilty?  Both?  Something like that.

I’m excited to read this series. Lila has infused her books with the themes from I Corinthians 13, and considering the themes of the books, I’m pretty sure I’m going to love the depth and richness that Diller puts in them.  The characters sound amazing–especially the mentor in book four, Her Heart’s Disappointment, is a hoot. Even if I wasn’t already excited about the series, anytime an author says he or she had “so much fun” writing said character, I know it’s a killer.

And let’s face it, as I said in my blog post here, mentors can be good and bad–even the bad ones who were also… good!

lila diller her heart's disappointmentAbout Lila Diller’s Her Heart’s Disappointment.

A disappointed newlywed. A confused husband. Will Morgan learn how to communicate her true feelings or drive Jason away for good?

Her Heart’s Disappointment continues Morgan’s search for agape love in the newlywed phase. Now that the honeymoon is over, Morgan finds her newlywed life turning out to be less perfect than she expected. Now all the statistics about most divorces happening in the first two years suddenly seem realistic.

Morgan wants the perfect fairy-tale marriage but was unprepared for how much hard work it takes for a marriage to just survive. All the little annoyances and disappointments take their toll, leaving Morgan blindsided by the big problems — a friend’s failed marriage and possible infertility. She tries a mentor, a marriage conference, and a baby to right their relationship. But she’s forgetting one thing.

Will Morgan save her marriage?

Find Lila Diller at her website where you can get the first book FREE when you sign up for her newsletter.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 597: A Chat with Alison Treat
byChautona Havig

Nothing says Christmas novel like a second-chance romance unless maybe a historical Christmas romance WITH children. EEEP! Listen in as Alison Treat and I chat about her new release, When Sleigh Bells Ring.

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

I loved chatting about Alison’s new book. I knew the minute we started talking that this was my kind of book. And yes, I will be reading it on my flight on Tuesday. EEEP!!!

Annie and Willie’s Prayer.

When Sleigh Bells Ring by Alison Treat

With the glitter of the Gilded Age and the timeless appeal of a second-chance, homespun romance, When Sleigh Bells Ring delights from the opening page. Tender, heartfelt, and beautifully nostalgic, it’s a reminder of what truly matters at Christmas and always. A delightful holiday escape. —Laura Frantz, Bestselling Author

It’s November of 1879, and New York socialite Maggie Lawrence has lost her beau to a wealthy heiress. When her parents leave to spend the entire Christmas season on a European tour, she takes refuge at Brook Haven, her aunt and uncle’s farm, where she summered as a child. She soon discovers that her old flame, Walter Jenkins, has lost his wife in childbirth. Walter’s eighteen-month-old twins find their way into Maggie’s heart. Perhaps there’s room for Walter there as well, if Maggie can rebuild her shattered dignity and accept the winding road that has brought them together again. Walter is finally rebuilding his life after becoming a widower. He’s taken over his father’s mercantile, and the twins are happy with their aunt caring for them while he works. At least, that’s what he tells himself. Nosy neighbors think he needs another wife, but there’s nobody in town he’d even think about marrying…until Maggie comes back to Brook Haven for Christmas. Still, he lost her once before. Should he risk his heart again?

Find out what happens in this second-chance historical romance.

Learn more on Alison’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

  • Apple
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  • and more!
Episode 597: A Chat with Alison Treat
Episode 597: A Chat with Alison Treat
October 26, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 596: A Chat with Katheen Rouser
October 24, 2026
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Episode 595: A Chat with Jeremiah Friedli
October 21, 2026
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Episode 594: A Chat with Joy Crain
October 19, 2026
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Episode 593: A Chat with Thomas Goodman
October 17, 2026
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Episode 592: A Chat with Heidi Main
October 14, 2026
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Episode 591: A Chat with Jenny McLeod Carlisle
October 12, 2026
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Episode 590: A Chat with Shilo Creed
October 10, 2026
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Episode 584: A Chat with James Finke
October 6, 2026
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Episode 589: A Chat with Amanda Cabot
October 5, 2026
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Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the nose, but come on! I had to!). He's a great guy, if a bit of a drifter. But he has a storytelling degree, and an inheritance--under one condition. He must participate in the New Cheltenham Annual Christmas
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Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the nose, but come on! I had to!). He's a great guy, if a bit of a drifter. But he has a storytelling degree, and an inheritance--under one condition. He must participate in the New Cheltenham Annual Christmas
Storytelling Contest to receive said inheritance. What could go wrong? Get it FREE through Wednesday, October 21st HERE: https://amzn.to/3WfPj22 #Affiliate
#ChristFic
#ChristianFiction
#ChristmasFiction
#Matchmaking
Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the nose, but come on! I had to!). He's a great guy, if a bit of a drifter. But he has a storytelling degree, and an inheritance--under one condition. He must participate in the New Cheltenham Annual Christmas
Storytelling Contest to receive said inheritance. What could go wrong? Get it FREE through Wednesday, October 21st HERE: https://amzn.to/3WfPj22 #Affiliate
#ChristFic
#ChristianFiction
#ChristmasFiction
#Matchmaking
Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the nose, but come on! I had to!). He's a great guy, if a bit of a drifter. But he has a storytelling degree, and an inheritance--under one condition. He must participate in the New Cheltenham Annual Christmas
Storytelling Contest to receive said inheritance. What could go wrong? Get it FREE through Wednesday, October 21st HERE: https://amzn.to/3WfPj22 #Affiliate
#ChristFic
#ChristianFiction
#ChristmasFiction
#Matchmaking
Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the Meet Mitchell Bogaert (yes, that was a bit on the nose, but come on! I had to!). He's a great guy, if a bit of a drifter. But he has a storytelling degree, and an inheritance--under one condition. He must participate in the New Cheltenham Annual Christmas
Storytelling Contest to receive said inheritance. What could go wrong? Get it FREE through Wednesday, October 21st HERE: https://amzn.to/3WfPj22 #Affiliate
#ChristFic
#ChristianFiction
#ChristmasFiction
#Matchmaking
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