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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

You’re Going to Love the Unique Story Behind this Historical Romance

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

A new author to me, Valerie Fraser Luesse writes brilliant historical Southern romance with a unique perspective and delightful story ideas.  via @chautonahavig

A new author to me, Valerie Fraser Luesse writes brilliant historical Southern romance with a unique perspective and delightful story ideas.

We chatted about where she gets her ideas, how her role as Senior Travel Editor for Southern Living Magazine gives her fun insights into books, and all from the hospital where her husband was a patient!  That’s dedication, folks!

Valerie Fraser Luesse

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

You’re Going to Love the Unique Story Behind this Historical Romance

My first taste of Valerie Fraser Luesse’s writing came with The Key to Everything. That book… oh, man that book. It opened with a scene where the main character, Preston, sees his parents in an intimate (no not that kind of intimate) moment and it changes him… and doesn’t at the same time. It just makes him a  richer person for it. You see who he’s going to become just from his reaction.

Learning that this book came from a true story about a young man who rode his bicycle down the east coast Route 1 Highway to Key West from Savannah.  The reasons and impetus in that book are different from the original story, but the book… wow. I just have to say, wow!

And you don’t want to miss Valerie’s tale about a few interesting reviews she got about it. Hint: if you’re looking for an erotica collection, you won’t find it here.  That’s all I’m sayin’.

We chatted about a few of her other books (guess what, I had one on my shelf and didn’t even know it was hers! EEEP!) .

But that’s not telling you about Under the Bayou Moon

Seriously, the story about how she got the idea for the book and the research she did.  You don’t want to miss it. I think being that Senior Travel Editor for Southern Living Magazine gives her a great opportunity to find unique settings and hear wonderful stories that spark exciting ideas.  This one is no exception.

Oh, and don’t forget to pay attention the ‘gators.  Just puttin’ that out there.

Under the Bayou Moon Valerie Fraser LuesseAbout Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She’s soon teaching just about everyone–and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.

Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.

A master of the Southern novel, Valerie Fraser Luesse invites you to enter the sultry swamps of Louisiana in a story that illuminates the struggle for the heart and soul of the bayou.

Releases August 5, so get your preorders in!

You can find more about Valerie on the “About” page of her website.

That’s also where you can also find her links to social media about halfway down the page or so.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

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

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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

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  • and more!
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
February 10, 2023
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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
February 7, 2023
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