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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

“Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Conversation Hearts by Marguerite Martin Gray released on Tuesday and the authors are chatting about chatty mishaps. OOPS! via @chautonahavig

It started out innocently enough. Just silly playfulness between my mother and me.

Now, before I tell you the story, it’s kind of important to point out something. I had no-nonsense parents. In fact, I would never have even considered talking back to either of my parents. I valued life too much.  And that’s really not much of an exaggeration, okay?

So picture it. Noel, Missour. 1984. It was the house on Lorene across from the bait shop and just down from the river. Mom sat in her chair knitting. I lounged on the couch, reading a book. Mom said, “You need to put the dishes away.”

As I rose and set my book down (note that I was already in obedience mode; this is important), I quipped in a sassy falsetto, “You need to put the dishes away.”

We laughed.  Looking back, I can’t recall what made us think it was fun or funny.  But we did. I almost wonder if I wasn’t imitating something from a movie.  Anyway, it became a thing with us.  I’d ask what was for dinner, and she’d mimic me.  She’d tell me to put my clothes away, and I’d snap back with the same silliness.

Conversation hearts

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

Oh, Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say.

For weeks this went on, just us being goofy. No disrespect or ugliness intended by either of us. You know what’s coming. You have to.

At that time, Mrs. Strickland used to pick me up every Sunday and Wednesday night on her way to church. It was literally a hundred yards out of the way. Well, one Sunday, she picked me up, then picked up Grandma Mary (right? You know where it’s going…). We parked and I got out. Mrs. Strickland said, “Can you help Grandma Mary out of the car?”

I’d mimicked her so fast it wasn’t even funny. The horror in my heart must have shown on my face, because the shock on hers turned to concern.  Fortunately (God is so good), Grandma Mary didn’t hear me. After dropping her off that afternoon, I explained and apologised. Returned home nearly in tears (that’s the Chautona equivalent of sobbing my heart out) and insistent that the game had to end.

Mom agreed.  She’s wise that way.

But it was a really good lesson for me–a lesson in how even something that is meant to be innocent and fun can hurt. It was the first time I really understood why the “Well, I didn’t mean for you to take it that way” apology just… isn’t.

So why am I telling you this embarrassing story?  Well, because Marguerite made me do it.

No really, she did!  You see…

Conversation heartsConversation Hearts by Marguerite Martin Gray released on Tuesday!

Will she be able to save her father from the island’s magic before she falls victim to it herself?

When Megan Standish finds out about her father’s new relationship, she storms into the Suamalie Islands to rescue her father and carry him home to New Mexico. He’s firmly planted on Alexandre, however, but she refuses to let the island’s magic cast a spell on her decision. Even when a handsome islander and his daughter knock at her heart.

Jean Girard is a local with a flourishing transportation business taking passengers from island to island. When he encounters Megan’s stormy tirade on his boat, he promises to shelter his daughter and himself from her negative vibes. His concern continues to grow as he watches his daughter get attached to the American.

Either Jean will have to create an even bigger hedge of protection around his daughter and his heart from this pouty, controlling woman, or he will have to trust God to peel back the stubborn, hurting layers of the past and allow the miracle of His love again.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

All the Suamalie authors are mortifying themselves, so don’t miss out! hee hee

Marguerite Martin Gray: July 30

Chautona Havig: July 31

Rachel Skatvold: August 1

Susan K. Beatty: August 2

Melissa Wardwell: August 4

And get your entries in!!!

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Comments

  1. Marguerite Gray says

    August 1, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    Thank you so much! I love your stories!!! Happy reading!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
byChautona Havig

 It may seem weird, but my favorite way to read Amish fiction is with mystery or suspense added. I think I like the juxtaposition of the “simple, quiet” life and the upheaval. Listen in to my chat with Shelley Shepard Gray about her newest book, Unshaken.

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

There are so many questions about the Amish, their ways of life, and their differences from us and from each other. We talked about the differences between people, sure, but we also looked at how the Amish look for the ways people are similar to them etc.

Of course, we also talked about the Rumors in Ross County series and how her newest book connects.

 Unshaken  by Shelley Shepard Gray

He helps her hide until danger has passed. She hopes her cover lasts long enough. When Stephanie Miller planned her visit to a dollar store in southern Ohio, she was expecting to pick up a few items she couldn’t find in her Amish community. She was not expecting to find herself an innocent bystander as a drug deal went horribly wrong. The sole witness to a murder, now Stephanie is targeted by the gunman. Hardy Anderson is always ready to help his social worker sister, Bev–which now includes hiding an Amish woman until a killer can be brought to justice. Surely if they dress her in English clothing, Hardy can hide her at the sprawling ranch where he works. But the killer is desperate–and there’s no telling what lengths he will go.

You can learn more about Shelley on her WEBSITE.  Don’t forget to follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

AND!!!  Don’t miss her Buggy Bunch group on Facebook, too! 

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

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Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
September 29, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 471: A Chat with Heather Wood
September 27, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 470: A Chat with JPC Allen
September 22, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 469: A Chat with Niki Florica
September 20, 2025
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Episode 468: A Chat with Ann H. Gabhart
September 19, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 467: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 15, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 466: A Chat with Jennifer L. Wright
September 13, 2025
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Episode 465: A Chat with DiAnn Mills
September 8, 2025
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Episode 464: A Chat with Amy R. Anguish
September 6, 2025
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Episode 463: A Chat with Jenelle Hovde
September 5, 2025
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