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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

This Author Does One Really Brilliant Thing with Her Books

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

J.L. Crosswhite writes more than brilliant Christian romantic suspense, she also writes a killer synopsis. Find out about her latest book! via @chautonahavig

J.L. Crosswhite and I had a chat about her books, specifically her romantic suspense series–the Hometown Heroes and the In the Shadows series both!

We also digressed and talked about readership, publishing, and the pros and cons of traditional and indie publishing. All with tons of laughter!

While Jennifer is part of my ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) chapter, I couldn’t remember if we’d actually met before ( #Becausethatplaguewhichshallnotbenamed ), but then Jennifer reminded me of a jaunt through Fullerton, California from Hope International University to a yogurt shop where I had some amazing blueberry lavender yogurt (and became obsessed with making it myself.  Let’s just say it’s amazing and leave it at that.

That’s when I recalled that I liked her in person, too.  Always a blessing.  I just didn’t know what kind of books she wrote but now…

J.L. Crosswhite

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

This Author Does One Really Brilliant Thing with Her Books

It’s my favorite thing authors do, and when they do it right and find a different take on it, the books come alive in super cool ways.  What is it?

Spin-offs.  “What’s so brilliant about that?” you ask? “Don’t lots of authors do spin-offs? Haven’t you done spin-offs?” The answers are, in order: lots, yes, and yes.  But in her spin-off from her Hometown Heroes series, J.L. Crosswhite is particularly clever.  She looked at what makes a hero, how folks react to those heroes, and then dug deep and found a nugget.

Heroes often have siblings, friends, someone who lives in their shadows. What happens when their lives become stories that keep you on the edge of your seat?  Jennifer explores that.

I’m going to mix things up and share her book next before I go on about our interview, because seriously–brilliant synopsis.

Over Her Head J.L. CrosswhiteAbout Over Her Head by J .L. Crosswhite

She’s working on a new start…

…He’s better with computers than people.

Can they build a relationship that fits their new life?

Fresh-out-of-cosmetology-school Jessica and whiz-software-engineer Austin have been thrown together by mutual friends. They even escaped a wildfire together.

But do they have something more than friendship?

Maybe a singles’ camping trip will make their future clear.

When they encounter someone who needs their help, the relaxing weekend away becomes anything but. As the danger mounts and the challenges reveal who they truly are, will it pull them together or push them apart… for good?

You will get lost in Over Her Head because the biggest adventure is falling in love.

Guys!  That synopsis!

This is Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed meets the church singles group! EEEP!

I was sold on the books from that alone. And Jennifer knows her stuff. We spent a good amount of time talking about the indie market and what makes it such a great place for authors to be.  We also discussed some of the limitations of traditional publishing and why it’s a great choice for some and not so great for others.

And we laughed.  Oh, my goodness did we laugh.  Jennifer is a fun woman full of excellent ideas and excellent romantic suspense books, but more than that…

She’s a history buff.  Know what that means?  YEP! You’ve got it.  She also has a historical romance series! You won’t want to miss out on those, either. The Route Home series takes you way back to the Oregon Trail!

You can find J.L. Crosswhite on her website for all things romantic suspense.

You can find her on her other website for all things historical romance.

And you can find her at Tandem Services Ink to find out more about her author services.

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

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If you’d like to be on the Because Fiction Podcast, please go HERE and submit your topic idea! I’d love to hear about it.

 

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
byChautona Havig

I love a good Christmas novella collection, and Lighting Up Christmas promises to be a fabulous one. Listen in as I chat with four Scrivenings authors about the collection and their books!

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

If you knew the craziness that was this recording! Those poor women! Meanwhile, we managed, and now, I don’t know about you, but I’m dying to get to it! :D

Lighting Up Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Heather Greer, Mary Pat Johns, and Regina Rudd Merrick

Four Christmas lights. Four love stories. One season filled with faith, hope, and happily-ever-afters.

In Lighting Up Christmas, four heartwarming holiday romance novellas shine with cozy charm, clean romance, small-town warmth, and the gentle reminder that God can bring light to even the dimmest season.

In The Bright Side of Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Holly Belle loves Christmas, holiday décor, and twinkling lights. Her new neighbor, Robert Bradshaw, prefers peace, quiet, and keeping her Christmas cheer firmly on her side of the duplex. But when Holly decides his grinchy heart needs a little holiday help, their battle over lights may lead to something brighter than either one expected.

In The Light of a Christmas Star by Heather Greer, Elena Bell is determined to make Tannenbaum’s Festival of Lights a success for the families depending on it. When rising Hollywood star Trenton Wills arrives at her B&B, he may be the answer to the town’s needs—and the beginning of Elena’s own Christmas romance. But Trenton has secrets that could dim more than the festival lights.

In ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas by Mary Pat Johns, Cooper Blackmon enters the region’s biggest Christmas lights competition determined to win. Mandy Alvarez needs the prize money to save her family’s beloved Christmas Village. As rivalry turns to friendship and friendship glows into something more, only one can claim the prize. But both may have far more to lose than money.

In Pitch Perfect Lights by Regina Rudd Merrick, Holly Shepherd is facing her family’s first Christmas after loss while trying to create joy for her young siblings. When author Paxton Hollis returns home and quietly helps revive her father’s beloved light display, Holly discovers that hope can still shine, even through grief.

A charming choice for readers who enjoy clean, faith-friendly romance wrapped in Christmas lights, small-town warmth, and happily-ever-after hope.

Read Lighting Up Christmas and discover four faith-filled holiday love stories that glow with joy, hope, and the true light of Christmas.

Visit Amy at her WEBSITE or on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

Learn more about Mary on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

You can learn more about Regina and her books on her Website and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
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