Biblical fiction, first-person perspective. The books have everything against them, but M.D. House got me excited about reading The Barabbas Trilogy before we'd spoken for five minutes. House offers us a look at what could have been based on what we know of what was. Just reading the "Look Continue Reading
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Looked Forward to It, but Was the Book Worth the Wait?
So I was planning my week a couple of weeks ago, and put in the back-to-back reviews I had. At the end of the session, I double-checked everything and found that I'd switched one book with another--opposite dates. OOPS. So, I covered them up with white stickers and rewrote. One of them. Only Continue Reading
How an Unfortunate Time in History Inspired a Fabulous Series
In this episode, I chat with historical romance author, Carrie Turansky about her McAlister series and the British Home Children who came over from England to Canada. This series began with No Ocean Too Wide and continues in her June release, No Journey Too Far. Learn what inspired this story and Continue Reading
Friendship, Family, & Romance: What More Could You Want from Summer Reads?
The cover grabbed me and wouldn't let me go until I'd filled out the form requesting my review copy. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a great cover. The synopsis--too funny for words. I had to give this book a shot. I mean, what could be better than a fiercely independent single mother, an Continue Reading
This Author Gives Us Excellent Historical Fiction
A master of creating relatable situations and characters you feel as if you'd know if you met them on the street, Rachel Fordham began writing at the advice of her husband for a "creative outlet" and hasn't stopped since! Her latest release, A Lady in Attendance, releases today and you won't want Continue Reading
How Was My Nightly Walk after Reading This Riveting Book?
Got an email tonight. It asked about my review of The Silver Shadow. I was confused What about it? Then it hit me. Yeah. I was supposed to have read and reviewed it for Saturday morning. As you can see, it is not Saturday morning. UGH. Last night I got busy cleaning and completely forgot to Continue Reading
Are There Pitfalls to Using Your Life as Inspiration for Your Books?
Romantic women's fiction author, Lila Diller had a short chat with me about her "Love Is" series. Beginning with a contemporary romance through the first year of marriage, this four-book (so far) series is a labor of love placed on Lila's heart by the Lord. We had a quick chat the other day and Continue Reading
Why I Think Friends are Some of Life’s Best Blessings
I sat at my desk and looked around me. The new kid. Again. There were only about six other kids in the school. Only one anywhere near my age. At eight, I'd never had a "best friend." Honestly, I'd never had a real friend--just friendly classmates and a neighbor girl who was friendly unless her Continue Reading
Guess What! I Found My Name in a New Favorite Author’s BOOK!
It all started with a joke. Lisa Phillips (not Harris) and I were teasing each other on Avid Readers of Christian Fiction one day, and we challenged each other to use the other's name in a book. Well... Let's face it. I got the easy job I mean, Lisa Phillips... or Chautona Havig. Which is easier to Continue Reading
Did You Know There’s Actually a Lucky Penny Day?
I have a confession to make. When I was a girl, I didn't like pennies. Somewhere around age eleven, I got the idea that they weren't worth the trouble. If I found one on the floor in my room, I'd vacuum it up. I know... I know... Then one day about twenty years ago, I was reading an article Continue Reading
Why I Knew I’d Love This New Series Reading the Cast of Characters
If there would be any point in history that I would not enjoy reading about, it's usually the first three centuries AD. So, of course, what do I do? I fall in love with a historical mystery by Lisa E. Betz taking place in mid-first-century Rome. #becausereasons Death and a Crocodile by is Continue Reading
I Love Being Totally Surprised in Romantic Suspense
What does a reader do when she thinks an author writes historical fiction and opens her Kindle to find herself in the middle of nail-biting romantic suspense? SHE SQUEALS! Or, at least this reader did! For reasons I cannot fathom, I've always thought Elizabeth Goddard wrote historical romance, Continue Reading