Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

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Here’s My Verdict on The Mending of Lillian Cathleen

The story gripped me—held me fast. Horrors that no one wants to think about played across the page and all without giving the kinds of details that readers don’t need. For that, I was grateful. So with all that, why did I find it hard to read such a fabulous story? Note: Links in this post Continue Reading

What about A Sparkle of Silver Shines Bright?

It happened again. If past experiences hadn’t worked out so well, I might have cried.  Okay, if I was a crier. I suppose there is that. Liz Johnson started talking about her upcoming book—a mystery that takes place in Savannah, Georgia.  In the 1920’s. Being solved today.  Big old house. The Continue Reading

Why You Need to Dare to Dream Again

I saw the name—Alana Terry.  Without even reading the synopsis, I filled out the form to request a review copy.  See, I’ve learned something in the past year or so.  If Alana has written it, I want to read it. Dare to Dream Again would be no exception. Two months passed. Then the moment came.  Continue Reading

Who Doesn’t Love a Killer Christmas Gift?

As often happens, the cover grabbed me—specifically, the title on that cover. A Duel for Christmas. I mean, how often do people associate a duel with Christmas? What about a duel to provide your loved one with what she desires most in the world? What a killer gift! So, I requested a review copy Continue Reading

The First Exclusive Glimpse of the Next Not-So Fairy Tale

What began as a "short story" became a series beginning with Princess Paisley. Not satisfied with that story (a rather silly and ridiculous tale), I embarked on a journey to tell a real fairy tale--one full of adventure and courage.  One that cost the hero dearly if he dared to be the hero.  I think Continue Reading

What I Thought of Indivisible & Should I See the Movie?

“The book’s always better than the movie.” How many times have we heard that?  And it’s almost always true  I actually liked the end of The Count of Monte  Cristo in the movie better than the book.  The movie offers redemption that isn’t in the book. But mostly, yeah.  If there’s a book, I’m Continue Reading

Why Sometimes Awful Books Are the Best

Have you ever noticed how legal novels tend to have black, gray, and red covers?  Sometimes dark browns and golds. Sometimes dark blues. But seriously, though. I went looking on Amazon to see, and almost all of them were either some version of black and red or browns and golds. I think that’s Continue Reading

What Did I Learn about the Seven Deadly Friendships?

An auditorium of expectant people waited for Kathy Ide to finish introducing our keynote speaker that morning. As the smiling woman stepped up and made a joke, I think we all relaxed. She was real—authentic. Not stuck up in some lofty place. So not unreachable. The people around me were comprised Continue Reading

Why Should You Dare to Begin Again Right Now?

“So, want to rent that storage unit?” My friend and I sat on my couches and dreamed once more of starting life all over.  No “stuff” dragging us down.  Clean, organized houses. It would be glorious. I’m pretty sure we called for prices. Alas, somewhere in the mix, our more sane husbands put Continue Reading

Which Author Writes the Best Novellas Ever?

Deadline looming, I had one thing and one thing only on my mind.  No, it was not, “Get that book done.”  It should have been. This I admit.  Cathe Swanson is probably going to throttle me for this, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t even, “Set up the order page” or “Tweak the cover.” Nope.  It was, “How Continue Reading

Why This Is a Perfect October Christmas Read

Near the end of September, the air grows a little cooler and crisps like the ripened apples on trees. It announces one thing. October is just around the corner. As Anne Shirley said, “I’m glad to live in a world where there are Octobers.” But for the bookworm, October brings more than cooler Continue Reading