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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 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
byChautona Havig

The charming Amish district of Stoney Ridge has new residents. Listen in as Suzanne Woods Fisher and I chat about this latest book, A Hidden Hope, and the fun she had writing it.

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

Chats with Suzanne Woods Fisher are always lovely. We talked about this book and about her love of writing about outsiders and how they find their place in the world.

A Hidden Hope by Suzanne Woods Fisher

With the arrival of three unexpected newcomers to Stoney Ridge comes an array of secrets and emotions brewing just beneath the surface. Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed–though Dok isn’t convinced he’s got what it takes. Then there’s traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Wren. Boarding at Windmill Farm, the trio struggles to balance modern medicine with Plain living. Between medical emergencies, cultural misunderstandings, and brewing romantic tensions, Dok finds herself juggling far more than she bargained for. Soon the stage is set in the small Amish community of Stoney Ridge for plenty of professional and personal complications. PRAISE FOR A HEALING TOUCH “The author perceptively sketches her characters’ emotional arcs as life’s challenges yield unexpected gifts, speaking to the power of second chances, faith, and love.”–Publishers Weekly

You can learn more about Suzanne from her WEBSITE. Also, follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
January 12, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode:505 A Chat with Becca Wierwille
January 10, 2026
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Episode 504: A Chat with Julie Klassen
January 5, 2026
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Episode 503: A Chat with Megan Soja
January 3, 2026
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Episode 502: A Chat with Kelli Galyean
December 1, 2025
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Episode 501: A Chat with Heidi Gray McGill
November 30, 2025
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Episode 500: A Chat with Joy Crain
November 29, 2025
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Episode 499: A Chat with Jessica Wakefield
November 28, 2025
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Episode 498: A Chat with Sarah Hanks
November 27, 2025
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Episode 497: A Chat with Michael E. Cafferky
November 26, 2025
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One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather harsh curmudgeon who shows up in quite a few Fairbury books. Neal Kirkpatrick. I told his story in New Year's Revolutions, but that cover and title never worked for the story, so he got a makeover. We all need a refresh now and then, right?
Redeeming Neal Jerk-Patrick is more than a comedic look at one man's entire life overhauling because he fell for a gal who loves Jesus before all else. But that's a pretty fun part of it.
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When a dream come true (her own bookstore, YES PLE When a dream come true (her own bookstore, YES PLEASE!) turns into a money pit (no thank you!), Harper Brevig concedes impending defeat and calls the "bookstore doctor" to help her figure out why a bustling business is bleeding money and how to fix it. From snarky bookish T-shirts (Harper) to "parenting tips" learned on the fly (Noah--a new friend and reluctant store patron), to book recommendations (from Milton, of course),
Twice Sold Tales is hopping with fun characters and packed with fabulous books. FREE through 1/14/26 and always "free" through Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobook narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo coming soon!
#ChristFic
#BookBub
#BookishBooks
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Sold-Tales-Bookstrings-Book-ebook/dp/B0BLKCDYKR
One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather harsh curmudgeon who shows up in quite a few Fairbury books. Neal Kirkpatrick. I told his story in New Year's Revolutions, but that cover and title never worked for the story, so he got a makeover. We all need a refresh now and then, right?
Redeeming Neal Jerk-Patrick is more than a comedic look at one man's entire life overhauling because he fell for a gal who loves Jesus before all else. But that's a pretty fun part of it.
If you've read Christmas Stalkings and ever wondered how Neal got those kittens... it's all in here!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N001JDC/
#KindleUnlimited
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomance
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Narrated by the FABULOUS Christa DelSorbo, Spines & Leaves is availble FREE on YouTube at  and on all major audiobook retailers.
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Twice Sold Tales is hopping with fun characters and packed with fabulous books. FREE through 1/14/26 and always "free" through Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobook narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo coming soon!
#ChristFic
#BookBub
#BookishBooks
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Sold-Tales-Bookstrings-Book-ebook/dp/B0BLKCDYKR
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