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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

This Unique New Book Will Excite You about Politics Again

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

One of the best things about Dave Milbrandt is that every conversation with him is a joy. Today, we chat about Fool's Luck! via @chautonahavig

When you meet a new friend at a murder, you know you’ve made a friend for life–or death.  Today’s guest, Dave Milbrandt, and I met at an interactive murder mystery fundraiser and I immediately wanted to know more about his Jim Mitchell series.  I reviewed the third in that series back then, but now…

We can thank the pandemic for a fabulous book (endorsed by Thomas Locke, no less) that releases July 13, Fool’s Luck! Guys, this BOOK!

Dave Milbrandt

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

 

This Unique New Book Will Excite You about Politics Again

Author of the Jim Mitchell series (my review of book three is HERE), Dave Milbrandt used his “shelter at home” time to write a book, and wow! What a book!  When a guy wins the lottery, he doesn’t buy a new car or house–doesn’t go on trips or even invest it in the stock market.  Nope.

He announces his bid for the presidency… of the United States.

Oh, and he wins that lottery on April Fool’s Day, no less.

If that’s not a brilliant premise for a book, I don’t know what is.

Dave and I chatted about his writing process.  For the record, Fool’s Luck was written to the Poledark soundtrack for hours upon hours at a time. He also names characters after specific places and really loves to get into local flavor with his settings.Not only that, but even his dedication has significance to his life and writing.

Dave Milbrandt teaches (or has taught) literature (he’s one of those meanies who makes kids read F. Scott Fitzgerald), government, and related topics. He, like I, loves teens and is invigorated by interaction with them.

We also discussed the differences and similarities of indie vs. traditional publishing and what Dave and I like and dislike about both. As Dave pointed out, if he hadn’t gone traditional this time, he might not have the delightful endorsement he received from Thomas Locke.

Obviously, we had a great talk!

And we talked a lot! That happens when you get two people–erm, troublemakers–together and let them loose on a conversation.

Note: I was wrong, Bradford did not name a son Miles after Miles Standish. I thought he had but… nope. Maybe it was a grandson… or maybe it was something I read in a book that was fictionalized. Who knows where I got the nutty idea, but hey.  Dave has the real dudes in his family tree, so woot!

Fool's Luck by [Dave Milbrandt]About Dave Milbrandt’s Fool’s Luck

“What an unexpected delight. The concept is fresh and original, the writing solid, the story – well, I’m still smiling.”
Thomas Locke, Bestselling Author

When high school teacher Myles Bradford wins the Powerball lottery, he decides to do something truly unexpected: run for President of the United States.

Bradford is eager about the opportunity, but his family clearly is not. With little time to sway them to his side, he’s thrust into running a quarter-billion-dollar nationwide campaign, complete with cross-country flights and road trips, expert staff, and armed security. But like most dreams, Bradford soon finds that what he imagined is completely different from what is real.

Thrust into the spotlight, he faces attacks from newfound political enemies and false accusations while striving to climb the ladder of success. As Bradford gets closer to achieving his dreams, danger lurks on the home front. As his attention is pulled farther away from the things that matter most, Bradford may learn that even success has its price.

Will he be able to have it all? Or will his thirst for power come at a tremendous cost?

You can find more of Dave Milbrandt and his works on his website, davemilbrandt.com

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
byChautona Havig

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good heart-rending story, and To Fly on Broken Wings by Fayla Ott sounds like the best kind–one with hope even in the difficult things. Listen in and see why it reminds me of Patti Paige!

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

Oh, boy. No way can I not read this book ASAP!

To Fly on Broken Wings by Fayla Ott

Mississippi Delta, 1941

Lila Rose never expected life to offer her more than the quiet rhythm of cotton fields and small-town whispers. Raised in poverty and caring for an alcoholic father, she’s learned not to hope for much.

Then she meets Graham, a young pilot from one of Mississippi’s wealthiest families. Their unlikely love changes everything.

But when war tears them apart and Graham is reported killed in action, Lila believes the future she’d dreamed of has died with him. Determined to move forward, she remarries and begins building a new life.

Until Graham comes home.

Now the man she buried in her heart is standing before her, and the life she’s fought to rebuild hangs in the balance. Faced with an impossible choice between the love she lost and the promises she’s made, Lila must discover whether faith can guide her when every path leads to heartbreak.

To Fly on Broken Wings is a moving Christian historical novel about love, loss, impossible choices, and the quiet courage to trust God when the path ahead is anything but clear.

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

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
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  • RSS
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  • and more!
Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
August 10, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 568: A Chat with Chelsea Bobulski
August 8, 2026
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Episode 567: A Chat with Roseanna M. White
August 5, 2026
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Episode 566: A Chat with Clint Hall
August 3, 2026
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Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
August 1, 2026
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Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
July 27, 2026
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Episode 563: A Chat with Stephanie Mack
July 25, 2026
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Bonus Episode: A Chat with Becca Wierwille
July 21, 2026
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Episode 562: A Chat with Laura Thomas
July 20, 2026
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Episode 561: A Chat with Laura Frantz
July 18, 2026
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Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
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One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
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Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores? Of course, not. Does that stop Anne Montgomery from opening one practically next door to the other one? It does not. Their friendship may be dead, but nothing will stop her from running her dream bookstore. And... she got the prime location. It's perfect!
Except it isn't. If something doesn't change, she'll flop faster than this year's over-hyped novel. After much pleading (and some interfering), Milton and his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch) arrive to help.
Book two in the Bookstrings series (aside from the two prequel novellas), Clock Tower Bound is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and coming soon to audiobook (and @ChristaDelSorbo's) YouTube Channel (where you can listen free!).
https://amzn.to/4xrzgvt #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#BookishBooks
#Bookstrings
Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores? Of course, not. Does that stop Anne Montgomery from opening one practically next door to the other one? It does not. Their friendship may be dead, but nothing will stop her from running her dream bookstore. And... she got the prime location. It's perfect!
Except it isn't. If something doesn't change, she'll flop faster than this year's over-hyped novel. After much pleading (and some interfering), Milton and his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch) arrive to help.
Book two in the Bookstrings series (aside from the two prequel novellas), Clock Tower Bound is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and coming soon to audiobook (and @ChristaDelSorbo's) YouTube Channel (where you can listen free!).
https://amzn.to/4xrzgvt #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#BookishBooks
#Bookstrings
The introduction to the Bookstrings series, Spines The introduction to the Bookstrings series, Spines & Leaves takes you near Joshua Tree National Park and a tiny bookstore desiccating in the heat. But Milton Coleridge and his love of books sees potential--and another kind of love. For someone else. Again. Still, with his trusty parrotlet Atticus (not Finch) by his side, he's turning his business skills in a new, more rewarding direction. Jump into the first Bookstrings novella today. Available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited) and audiobook, as well as able to be listened to FREE on YouTube. https://amzn.to/3U2Smtn #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#BookStrings
#BookishBooks
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores? Of course, not. Does that stop Anne Montgomery from opening one practically next door to the other one? It does not. Their friendship may be dead, but nothing will stop her from running her dream bookstore. And... she got the prime location. It's perfect!
Except it isn't. If something doesn't change, she'll flop faster than this year's over-hyped novel. After much pleading (and some interfering), Milton and his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch) arrive to help.
Book two in the Bookstrings series (aside from the two prequel novellas), Clock Tower Bound is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and coming soon to audiobook (and @ChristaDelSorbo's) YouTube Channel (where you can listen free!).
https://amzn.to/4xrzgvt #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#BookishBooks
#Bookstrings
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