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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Adoring April

by ·

Adoring April

Since when is marriage a prerequisite for employment?

Can they pull off a marriage that will lead to a lifetime of true love and friendship? They're going to have to! May the H-E-A commence!

About the Book

? Since when is marriage a prerequisite for employment? ?

Jesse is convinced that the Lord has convicted him to serve in a small congregation instead of the mega-churches that keep making him almost-can’t-resist offers. That’s when he discovers the little church of Chapleford, Ohio is anxious to fill their pulpit and they couldn’t be more perfect if they tried.  Right up to the moment they told him they wanted a married minister serving in their pulpit.  What?

April has spent the past three years falling in love with a man she’s never met. So when April learns that her mentor plans to set her up with Jesse… object marriage, well… only if Mrs. Nesbit insists! *insert silent squeals here*

The marriage condition for employment has them both wondering, “Are we crazy to consider this?”

And there’s one more tiny glitch. Jesse needs to be married before he assumes his role as pulpit minister on May first, and April has always dreamed of being married in her namesake month. Can they pull off a nice wedding in six weeks?

Can they pull off a marriage that will lead to a lifetime of true love and friendship? They’re going to have to! May the H-E-A commence!

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Details
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, Marriages of Convenience, Book 0
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Novella, Romance
Publisher: Havilah Press Publications
Publication Year: 2021
Other Books in "Marriages of Convenience"
Blessing Bentley
Tempting Tait

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 283: A Chat with Debut Author Denise L. Barela
byChautona Havig

Having the chance to chat with a dear friend about her book is always a treat.  So when Denise L. Barela chatted to me about her mystery, Silencing the Siren, I knew we’d have a lot of fun. Boy, did we. From the first ideas on this mystery through the new series she’s considering, and where she wants to take her writing in the future, Denise has a lot to share.  Listen in to learn about her writing and how you can listen to her book free!

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

Why an Almost Love At First Sight Mystery Actually Works!

Denise L. Barela’s debut novel is the seventh in the Ever After Mysteries. These fairy-tale retellings set in the twenties (and now the forties!) feature fun mashups of those beloved tales with some kind of mystery. Denise chose “The Little Mermaid” and went to town combining 1920s New York City and Coney Island with that fairy tale and a freak show attraction that causes all kinds of trouble in various ways.

One thing I liked is how the “love at first sight” aspect of the original story played out in Denise’s. She focused on Annabel’s character and, being so different from the superficiality he lived with, it drew him in.  No, it’s not a romance, but this mystery does have romance in it, and Denise made that tough trope work.

The research Denise did involved widely differing topics–from novelty gifts (doorbells, folks!), to car technology advancements, to just how hard it was to find a map of New York City for the era!

Of course, that sparked a discussion on research for her other book and how she discovered rewritten history ruining her plans for it.  Enter rewrites. Sigh.

Finally, we discussed the sorts of books she wants to write, her conversation with Jaime Jo Wright, and where she plans to take things after she does one more mystery-themed series.  Clue is coming like you’ve never seen it.

Silencing the Siren by Denise L. Barela

Andrew Grayson thought he had everything… until he met her.

The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it—clothes, gadgets… even a car! What more could a young man desire?

Enter Annabel Thompson. Freakshow mermaid extraordinaire… in a wheelchair!

Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can’t help but fall for her.

Annabel’s connection with the freakshow repels his parents and their society friends. They want him to sever all ties with her and his new friends. Oh, and marry the “right” girl with the “right connections.” But he won’t do it. He’ll defy them and marry his little mermaid.

When Annabel turns up missing, declared dead, things don’t add up, Andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, “What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?”

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. Silencing the Siren offers a retelling of “The Little Mermaid” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold.

Learn more about Denise L. Barela on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.  You can listen to Silencing the Siren free on her YouTube Channel.

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

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  • and more!
Episode 283: A Chat with Debut Author Denise L. Barela
Episode 283: A Chat with Debut Author Denise L. Barela
November 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Because Fiction: A Chat with Split-Time Author, Melanie Dobson
November 25, 2023
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Episode 281: A Chat with Angela Hunt
November 23, 2023
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Episode 280: A Chat with Debut Author, Johanna Rojas Vann
November 21, 2023
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Because Fiction 279: A Chat with Amish Author, Leslie Gould
November 17, 2023
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Episode 278: A Chat with WWII Author, Amanda Barratt
November 14, 2023
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Episode 277: A Chat with M. D. House about Sophia
November 11, 2023
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Episode 276: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright about Her New Release
November 7, 2023
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Episode 275: A Chat about Knowing You by Tracie Peterson
November 3, 2023
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Because Fiction 274: A Chat with Sara Beth Williams about No Matter How Far
October 31, 2023
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