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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Book Reviews

heart of a royal review

Who Is Your King, & Why Does It Matter?

About two chapters into the book, my server brought a fresh glass of Coke and said, "No good?" I shook my head.  "Well written, but I don't think the princess trope is my thing." Still, at least the book contained a plot.  So, I kept reading... Note: links may be affiliate links that Continue Reading

How Do You Comfort the Horror of Child Death?

How Do You Comfort the Horror of Child Death?

They knocked on the door just as I awoke from a nap--two women from my church.  One carried a ceramic teddy bear they'd both worked on. The other woman gave me a sympathetic smile and attempted to offer verbal comfort. "Perhaps the Lord was telling you that you have enough children Continue Reading

3 Reasons I'm Thankful for This New Release

3 Reasons I’m Thankful for This New Release

“Halstad House is like Grace Livingston Hill—you know, the good ones.” My daughter nodded. She knew exactly what I meant. “So like Found Treasure and The Obsession of Victoria Gracen?” Exactly like those two. We both realized that few people would understand what I meant, though. She threw out Continue Reading

My Dearest Dietrich: Is It My Favorite Book of the Year?

My Dearest Dietrich: Is It My Favorite Book of the Year?

It began with a little green book.  I liked the title. The Cost of Discipleship. A friend had given it to me with assurances that I’d love the book. Odd thing is, I don’t even remember the first part of it.  I only remember when I got to the contrast between “cheap grace” and “costly Continue Reading

Do You Have a Smoke Screen Killing Your Confidence?

Do You Have a Smoke Screen Killing Your Confidence?

"I can't do it." Across the room, my Uncle Lon looked up over his glasses and interjected himself into the conversation. "Can't usually means won't try." The words burned in my twelve-year-old heart because, well, I knew he was right.  I didn't want to try. Again. Fail. Again. After Continue Reading

Do I have Strong opinions on men's ministries?

Do I Have Strong Opinions on Men’s Ministries?

"Why don't they open the stupid Bible once in a while?" Okay, so calling the Bible "stupid" was probably not the best choice of words, but I understood my daughter's frustration. Seriously, didn't she have a point?  Who goes to Youth Group and expects not to at least hear a little something from Continue Reading

The Odd Things Books Make You Think of Sometimes

The Odd Things Books Make You Think of Sometimes

"I have to find my son!" How many times have I heard that line from Finding Nemo?  At first, I was bugged by the idea that, once again, the parents are wrong and the kid is right.  That's what I got out of it the first time I watched it.  But after a few more rounds, mostly skipping parts to see Continue Reading

Be Sure the Truth Will Find You Out

Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out

I'd like to apologize to both Robin Helm and the Celebrate Lit team for the lateness of this review of Lawfully Innocent. I'd signed up to have it posted on November 1, and here we are, half a month later. Things have been difficult lately, and I appreciate the grace both Celebrate Lit and the Continue Reading

What Do You Do When a Book Is Hard to Review?

Sometimes a book comes along that you just have to read. The Wonderful Yah is one of those for me. Despite a cover that didn’t appeal to me, any book that seeks to help readers understand the depths of Scripture is a book I want to dive into. The questions remain, then:  First, “Who is Yah?” and Continue Reading

The Painted Castle

The Painted Castle Review

Before I left Ridgecrest, I got a book I've been anxious to read since I read the last "castle book" by Kristy Cambron. Since I  didn't expect to be gone for SIX WEEKS, I left it there.  It's still there.  I'm still here in Missouri.  What does that mean?  Sorry, but no review yet. I'll do it as Continue Reading

Second Chances

Life Is Full of Second Chances What Was Yours?

We planned a fiftieth wedding anniversary party--across the miles and one we never actually held.  My parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary happened smack dab between #1son's and #5daughter's graduations from college.  Oh, and just after that, I had to teach at a conference. It would have been Continue Reading

Do I Think You Will Love Whats Next?

Do I Think You Will Love What’s Next?

Here at Mom's, it seems like every time we turn around, something else happens. I've caught both of us saying (with a little trepidation tiptoeing around the words), "What's next?" It started with medical records not being ready when promised... with the sale of the house falling through.  Continue Reading

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For example, while writing Meddlin' Madeline, I al For example, while writing Meddlin' Madeline, I always play @AdamGSwanson on YouTube so I can stay in touch with her favorite music: Ragtime (I still have CDs of his to use for giveaways with Looks Can Kill. Must get that written. Stay tuned for more about THAT.
While writing Be My Inspiration, I listened to every love song I could stomach (they get old fast. I don't know how Linus does it). I even listened to Taylor Swift's old break up songs (again, not my cuppa). But... at least I got to listen to Roger Miller's "That's Why I Love You Like I Do"  Now THAT is a love song.  hee hee.
If I'm in hyper Get-er-done mode, THEN... I put on a Hogwarts Pomodoro study session and type like the wind. Or get on Discord and join a few writing sprints.  It all depends.
If you have a question you want me to answer, leave it in the comments OR... zip me an email at chautona@chautona.com.  I'll try to work them in (and will probably combine those that are really similar.
#AuthorLife
#WriterLife
#AuthorsOfInstagram
#CharacterDevelopment
#AmWriting
Ever notice how you best know yourself--and know y Ever notice how you best know yourself--and know yourself the least?  We humans are weird that way. Sometimes I think the Lord allows us to be blind to parts of ourselves for a time so as not to drive us too crazy too quickly. Or something.
Characters most like me are hard because they're so very convicting to write AND... because I don't usually know it's me until that conviction its.  I tend to have an idealized picture of who I am until reality strips away those rosy glasses and leaves me with crystal-clear vision.  Blech.
Second to me... I'd say nasty people. They give me such an ick feeling. Sure, it's cathartic... but it's so hard because I want to redeem everyone, and that's just unrealistic and frankly, arrogant.  So... there you have it.
If you have a question you want me to answer, leave it in the comments OR... zip me an email at chautona@chautona.com.  I'll try to work them in (and will probably combine those that are really similar.
#AuthorLife
#WriterLife
#AuthorsOfInstagram
#CharacterDevelopment
#AmWriting
Okay, it's actually a short story, but... IYKYK. Okay,  it's actually a short story, but... IYKYK.
#AmWriting
Going nuts over here waiting for yet ANOTHER Lord Going nuts over here waiting for yet ANOTHER Lord Edgington by @benedictbrownauthor novel. Sigh. I dont think this is what Solomon was talking about when he said, "A virtuous woman, who can find?"
Clearly,  he wasn't talking about me, considering the whole patience being a virtue thing.
Sigh
#AmWaiting
#AmNotReading
#ChrissysFanClub
Life as a podcaster... #AmRecording #BecauseFictio Life as a podcaster...
#AmRecording
#BecauseFiction
Sometimes, things just combine in a way that make Sometimes,  things just combine in a way that makes my heart sing. Today, @archerandolive knocked it out of the park. I think this might be 3 different collections in a journal from a sub box. Well done, guys.
#journalsupplies 
#journaling 
#ArcherAndOlive
One of the best things I did for my prayer life wa One of the best things I did for my prayer life was to learn to "pray on the page." So glad the Lord showed me that. Seeing answered prayer weeks, months, even years later... so cool.
#Journaling
#PrayerJournal
#ArcherAndOlive
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