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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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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 543: A Chat with Stephanie Cardel
byChautona Havig

I love it when YA deals with real issues kids face, so I was crazy excited to hear about Stephanie Cardel’s This Isn’t Shakespeare. From what direction her life should go to peer pressure of various kinds, Cardel weaves a story that I feel is important. Listen in and learn why.

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

This Isn’t Shakespeare by Stephanie Cardel

To be or not to be…a professional dancer. Seventeen-year-old Madison is a hopeless romantic who loves quoting Shakespeare and dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer—a dream she hides, afraid of disappointing her mom and her boyfriend. But when her dreams fall apart, she believes it’s a sign from God that she should commit to her boyfriend and make a new dream. When she realizes God wouldn’t give her a sign that points her to sin, the happily-ever-after she’s planned crumbles. Now Madison must confront the lies she’s told herself and all the red flags she’s ignored. In the process, she begins to understand that seeking God’s will may not lead to a perfectly scripted ending—but it might just lead to something real.

Learn more on Stephanie’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
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 543: A Chat with Stephanie Cardel
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May 19, 2026
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