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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Don’t You Just Love a Brilliant, Intriguing, and Surprising Synopsis!

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Debut author, Sarah Anne Crouch, takes us to the little town of Shady Springs, Arkansas and gives us a glimpse of hope, joy, faith, and love. via @chautonahavig

Debut author, Sarah Anne Crouch, takes readers on a journey to the town of Shady Springs, Arkansas and a church that is home to a handsome youth minister and the last place Madeleine Mullins wants to be.

We talk about the book, the series I want this book to kick off, and an upcoming novella collection next year. Add to that some of Sarah Anne’s favorite books and let’s just say I had a great time chatting with her!

 

Sarah Anne Crouch

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

Don’t You Just Love a Brilliant, Intriguing, and Surprising Synopsis!

One of the most delightful things about this book (before I read it anyway!) is an unexpected little twist in the synopsis.  Knowing that the main character has rejected God, this little line about how she helps someone else rekindle his love for his job takes it out of the predictable and into the delightful.

I had a blast discussing not only the synopsis with Sarah but also her characters.  Aunt Clara sounds awesome, and I can’t wait to meet her.  A.J. sounds like exactly what Madeliene needs to see where her view of the Lord is skewed, and I don’t know. I’m just a sucker for a character who is honest about his or her issues with God.  Too often authors (and I’m including me!) act like it’s not really a thing. We tend to focus on our unworthiness instead of maybe… just maybe… our idea that God isn’t worthy of us.  I don’t know if that’s Madeliene’s issue, but it kind of sounds like it.

I really need to read this book!

A Summer in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne CrouchA Summer in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch

The last place Madeleine Mullins wants to be is back in Shady Springs, Arkansas—the town where her whole world fell apart. But when her beloved Aunt Clara begs her for help, Madeleine reluctantly takes a job painting a mural at her aunt’s church. Her plan is to finish quickly and leave her bad memories behind. But the more time she spends with the handsome youth minister and the more she reads her Bible, the more she wonders if she has been wrong about God and the Church all along.

Three years out of college and A.J. Young still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. He knows he wants to settle down and build a family but hasn’t found the wife he’d like to share his life with. Then Madeleine comes to town. Their friendship buds quickly, although it can never be anything more as long as she isn’t a Christian.

An undeniable attraction grows between A.J. and Madeleine, but she’s only in town for a few weeks, and he can’t date someone who doesn’t share his beliefs. How can Madeleine help A.J. discover a passion for the career he’s always wanted? And how can A.J. convince Madeleine to give God and Shady Springs a second chance?

Readers can find out more about Sarah Anne Crouch on her WEBSITE.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
byChautona Havig

Love a fast-paced suspense novel? Listen in as I chat with Taylor Newport about her newest release!

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

Don’t know about you but this series sounds AWESOME.

Overdrive by Taylor S. Newport

The mission looked simple. But the enemy is closer, faster, and deadlier than they imagined.

Tyler Reid needs a break, but trouble finds him first. A call from London pulls him into a missing-person case linked to a powerful surveillance project that’s suddenly worth killing for. The deeper he digs, the more bodies he finds—and the more obvious it becomes that someone wants the entire system for themselves.

Alexandra “Alex” Romanova is looking for an escape from Veritek and the weight waiting for her back home. A trip with Tyler should’ve been the break they both needed. But when the case escalates and puts her company in the crosshairs, she goes with him—trying to keep him grounded even as the danger forces him to speed up.

The investigation spirals into a breakneck pursuit, ambushes snapping at their heels as their unknown enemy stays one move ahead. Someone is erasing anyone tied to the project, leaving bodies instead of answers. With the elusive threat closing fast, Tyler and Alex are fighting to get ahead long enough to expose who’s hunting them.

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

Don’t miss the first episode HERE.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
August 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
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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Episod 560: A Chat witih Melanie Dobson
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Episode 559: A Chat with Lisa Phillips
July 11, 2026
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Episode 558: A Chat with Felicia Hurd
July 6, 2026
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Episode 557: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
July 4, 2026
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