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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Deep Subjects Did We Tackle with Laugher in Our Book Battle?

by Chautona Havig · 11 Comments

Angela Ruth Strong and I continue our so-called Battle of the Books in part two of this episode. Here we go deeper... but we don't stop laughing! via @chautonahavig

In this second “Battle of the Books” episode, Angela Ruth Strong and I “battle out” our takeaways and insights into the books we read, what we imagine about each character, and so much more.  Basically, I begged shamelessly for MORE of all the stuffness, but while we won’t get a series out of this book, she is writing a football-themed rom-com next and a bit of flash fiction!.

It’ll be a kick in the pants… or the ball.  Or a ball.  Or something!  I can’t wait, how about you?

battle of the books

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

What Deep Subjects Did We Tackle with Laugher in Our Book Battle?

Just a few minor things like submission, divorce, pain in marriage, the seven-deadly sins… Nothing too deep. Ahem.

One thing I mentioned in the episode is a favorite poem of mine.  I’m sharing it here.

The Fool’s Prayer by Edward Rowland Sill

The royal feast was done; the King
Sought some new sport to banish care,
And to his jester cried: “Sir Fool,
Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!”

The jester doffed his cap and bells,
And stood the mocking court before;
They could not see the bitter smile
Behind the painted grin he wore.

He bowed his head, and bent his knee
Upon the monarch’s silken stool;
His pleading voice arose: “O Lord,
Be merciful to me, a fool!

“No pity, Lord, could change the heart
From red with wrong to white as wool:
The rod must heal the sin; but, Lord,
Be merciful to me, a fool!

“’T is not by guilt the onward sweep
Of truth and right, O Lord, we stay;
’T is by our follies that so long
We hold the earth from heaven away.

“These clumsy feet, still in the mire,
Go crushing blossoms without end;
These hard, well-meaning hands we thrust
Among the heart-strings of a friend.

“The ill-timed truth we might have kept—
Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung!
The word we had not sense to say—
Who knows how grandly it had rung!

“Our faults no tenderness should ask,
The chastening stripes must cleanse them all;
But for our blunders—oh, in shame
Before the eyes of heaven we fall.

“Earth bears no balsam for mistakes;
Men crown the knave, and scourge the tool
That did his will; but Thou, O Lord,
Be merciful to me, a fool.”

The room was hushed; in silence rose
The King, and sought his gardens cool,
And walked apart, and murmured low,
“Be merciful to me, a fool!”

Here’s a great reading

Since we already hashed out all the spoiler warnings, the main idea of what this “battle of the books” thing is all about in our last episode show notes HERE, I decided just to put the Blessing Bentley synopsis in and… tell you about our giveaway!

Blessing Bentley (book 1 of the Marriages of Conviction series)

Blessing Bentley

Blessing Bentley

First comes marriage, then comes love... Wait, how does that go again?

Bentley Girard's about to propose... to a guy she doesn't even love.

Not THAT way anyway.

After studying everything the Bible has to say about marriage, she's decided she wants in. Now. So who's going to take her up on that offer?

And just why did no one remind her that those vows include that little word, "love?"

Blessing Bentley:  The first book in the Marriages of Conviction series.

Order Now!
About the Book

Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she doesn’t even love.

Not THAT way anyway.

After studying everything the Bible has to say about marriage, she’s decided she wants in. Now. So who’s going to take her up on that offer?

And just why did no one reminded her that those vows include that little word, “love?”

Oops!

With her Bible in her hip pocket, and a shiny new ring on her finger, Bentley navigates this new world of marriage with grace and… oh, who is she kidding? She flounders until she gets a sure footing and hangs on tight.

Details
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, Marriages of Convenience, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Comedy/Humor, Romance
Tags: Rockland, Romance
Publisher: Havilah Press Publications
Publication Year: 2019
ASIN: B07RB2WMXM
ISBN: 1072633906
List Price: 12.99
eBook Price: 4.99
Order Now
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon
Other Books in the "Marriages of Convenience"
Adoring April
Tempting Tait
Preview
View Book Sample

GIVEAWAY!

Angela and I are each giving away a prize box of books and whatever else we think of to throw in.  These will be UNIQUE (what each one comes up with and does) so I decided to do two unique giveaways.  Here’s how to enter.

First, comment below.  Tell me which of the books you have read or want to read first.

THEN… go HERE and follow ANGELA’s instructions there).  And here’s the official disclaimer that only Angela and I are responsible for this giveaway and it isn’t sponsored by anyone but us.

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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Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « Join This “Battle of the Books,” A Look at 2 Different Romances
Next Post: If You Love Suspense or a Great Mystery, You’ll Love This Author’s Books »

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Comments

  1. Jennifer Morin says

    August 24, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    I would like to read either. Both sound good. That poem made me cry though guys!??

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    August 23, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    I LOVE blessing Bentley!

    Reply
  3. Rebekah Deedrick says

    August 21, 2021 at 6:40 am

    I loved Blessing Bentley. I would love to read the other, but it is currently priced out of my budget. Good to know it’s a good one though!

    Reply
  4. She S says

    August 21, 2021 at 3:53 am

    How fun! I think Bentley’s book sounds really good!

    Reply
  5. Rachel Gould says

    August 20, 2021 at 8:20 am

    I have read all of the marriage of convenience books. I want to read anything new that you have. If I were to win something I have read I will just pass it on. I am always recommending your books to friends because I love them all (the friendsAND the books).

    Reply
  6. Michelle L. says

    August 20, 2021 at 7:26 am

    I have already read Blessing Bentley and loved it! I can’t wait to read Husband Auditions so I asked my library to buy it and they said yes. I will be reading it as soon as it arrives.

    Reply
  7. Joanne Hios says

    August 20, 2021 at 7:05 am

    I love reading your books Chautona, so that’s my choice.

    Reply
  8. Carrie says

    August 20, 2021 at 7:01 am

    I want to read all of them! I would like to start with The Husband Auditions because I have not read many of Angela’s books yet.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 21, 2021 at 5:22 am

      She’s a phenomenal author

      Reply
  9. Andrea Conner says

    August 20, 2021 at 6:57 am

    I want to read Husband Auditions

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 21, 2021 at 5:22 am

      It was so hilarious!

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

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

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

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Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
July 19, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan
July 14, 2025
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Episode 446: A Chat with Rachel Chamberlayne
July 12, 2025
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Episode 445: A Chat with Michelle Griep
July 7, 2025
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Episode 444: A Chat with Rosey Lee
July 5, 2025
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Episode 443: A Chat with Yvonne M. Morgan
June 30, 2025
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Episode 442: A Chat with Liz Johnson
June 28, 2025
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Episode 441: A Chat with Shannon Sue Dunlap
June 23, 2025
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Episode 440: A Chat with Jordan Millsaps
June 21, 2025
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Episode 439: A Chat with Laura Thomas
June 16, 2025
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