• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Does DIY Have to Do with Love & Romance?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Flipping Hearts releases today, and the authors are all sharing their favorite DIY projects with you. First up, me and my kitchen! via @chautonahavig

“What are we writing about for the release of Flipping Hearts?”

I think that’s when I went, “Um…” for about half an hour.  But then it hit me.  Flipping Hearts is about the aftermath of Hurricane Arley and its destruction on Hopper Island.  Now, no, it wasn’t a devastating hurricane. Only a few ruined houses. Mostly cosmetic damage and a lot of clean-up.  I mean, really, they got off easy.

However, a home show, Barret’s Bailey-wick, offers to come on down and help with the cleanup, and Brooks Crawforth has to accept, right?  I mean, they need the help. What they didn’t need was a bait and switch.  Still, it gave the obvious answer.

For this book, we’re going to talk about our DIY projects.  I don’t know what the other authors are doing, but I just happened to have a big project to share.

See, during our big earthquake a couple of years ago, our butcherblock countertop got damaged.

We put it in almost fifteen years ago, and for my birthday, my kids bought me a new section to replace the big cracked piece.  This Saturday was showtime.  #4daughter even brought a friend from church over to do the heavy grunt work.  So, it was a gift for me AND one for Kevin, because he can’t do heavy lifting like that anymore–not since his back surgery.

BUT… he did do the original kitchen work–or a lot of it. And he should get credit for that.

Well… this DIY project ended up being a lot of DIT (do it themselves) with #4daughter and friend duking out the hard stuff, but hey. I moved stuff out of the rain and got screws to work and bought stuff we needed and…. something else, I’m sure.  It counts! And lookie here!

DIY Flipping hearts

New sink, faucet, and backsplash with the new countertop.

flipping hearts diy

It’s looking nice now. We had to put all our castiron in and around the sink to weigh it down for the silicone while we waited for new screws to arrive. The ones they gave us were too short.  Guess it’s time to do those dishes, no?

We’re ripping off that tile and doing a backsplash up to the (now slightly battered after 15 yearsish of hard use by tons of people)cabinets.  We may buy new doors someday.  But seriously, I am a HUGE fan of Ikea cabinets.  And countertops.  Just not their sink style.  We followed their recommendation.  We should not.  BLECH.  Bad design.  But that’s been fixed, now. YAY!

Bailey might even approve.

flipping hearts release

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

What Does DIY Have to Do with Love & Romance?

Well… in this sorta “enemies-to-romance” book, Bailey Barret and Brooks Crawforth have to get past their issues and work together to figure out who is sabotaging the work on the islands.  And well, when folks work together, they either learn to hate each other or respect each other, don’t they?

And today is the release of Flipping Hearts.  

Many of my Independence Islands books have had heavier themes, but this one is a lot more lighthearted.  And we really needed that.  This release is timely, because I just finished my next book in the series, Finding a Memory. 

Each author is sharing their DIY projects this week, starting with me today and then:

  • Melissa Wardwell (7/27)
  • Kari Trumbo (7/28)
  • Rachel Skatvold (7/29)
  • Tabitha Bouldin (7/30)
  • Carolyn Miller (7/31)
  • Sandy Barela–Celebrate Lit Publishing (8/1)
Flipping Hearts

Flipping Hearts

$12.99eBook: $4.99Audiobook: $12.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Independence Islands: the Book Barrow, Book 4
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tag: Romance

Brooks Crawforth agreed to volunteer crews helping to clean up and repair things on the island, not a whole home and garden series on the total renovation of several houses and a bit of cleanup on the side.  He's livid, and the show host is spitting nails at the person who blew it in the first place.

 

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Flipping Hearts
Buy now!

And don’t forget the giveaway!

 

 

Share331
Pin
Post
Email
334Shares
Share
Pin
Post
Email
334Shares

Filed Under: Giveaways, New Release

Previous Post: « Why Is There So Little True, Great Steampunk in Christian Fiction?
Next Post: Why Authors Like This One Are Destroying My Productivity Goals »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
byChautona Havig

I feel like Christian fantasy is really exploding. So when I read about Cheryl Weber’s Never Forsaken, I knew I’d have to read it. Listen in as we chat about the world, the faith, and the story.

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

Never Forsaken by Cheryl Weber

Giant snake gods. Worshippers of sensuality. A jealous rebel. A failing king.

A courageous, young prince who struggles to uphold truth and justice.

Caught in the middle, one young woman fights for her future and the very destiny of her soul.

Ariel Summerfield was a girl when tragic loss, followed by a devastating betrayal, broke her heart and robbed her and her family of wealth and prestige. Ten years later, she is still struggling to hold them all together.

Can what was lost be restored? Will she ever be free to pursue her dreams?

But those with vile intentions for Ariel lay in wait. And one terrible day, she finds herself captive to a fate she never would have chosen. Will she yield to the voice that promises victory over her enemies but leads to the ultimate destruction of body and soul?

Or will she entrust her life and dreams to the all-powerful One who cherishes her like no other and can redeem the shattered remnants of her life? Even when all seems lost.

Learn more on Cheryl’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
August 22, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 572: A Chat with Kari Trumbo
August 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 571: A Chat with Lucas and Shauna Fischhaber
August 17, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 570: A Chat with Niki Florica
August 15, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 569: A Chat with Fayla Ott
August 10, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 568: A Chat with Chelsea Bobulski
August 8, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 567: A Chat with Roseanna M. White
August 5, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 566: A Chat with Clint Hall
August 3, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
August 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
July 27, 2026
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Take Cover

Take Cover

CrossWords

CrossWords

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • So, There Was That Time I Forgot What I Knew…
  • “Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie
  • Why Romance Is a Hairy Proposition (or is that proposal?)

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of books, right? Nine authors, nine stories, more matches than we may ever know. My contribution to the anthology is Turnabout Is Fair Match. One good thing came out of the trauma in Dying to Read: Olemann's Books now has a reputation for having "matchmaking" book clubs. And that's something Imogen Stokes is very interested in--not for herself, of course. She has a grandson to match up, and Olemann's is the place to get it done.
Preorder your copy before the price goes up! https://amzn.to/4hxAwIO #affiliatelink
#IvoryKeysPress
#BookedForLoveAnthology
#ChristFic
#Kindle99
#Preorder
#KindleUnlimited
Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores Can the small town of Berne support two bookstores? Of course, not. Does that stop Anne Montgomery from opening one practically next door to the other one? It does not. Their friendship may be dead, but nothing will stop her from running her dream bookstore. And... she got the prime location. It's perfect!
Except it isn't. If something doesn't change, she'll flop faster than this year's over-hyped novel. After much pleading (and some interfering), Milton and his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch) arrive to help.
Book two in the Bookstrings series (aside from the two prequel novellas), Clock Tower Bound is available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited), and coming soon to audiobook (and @ChristaDelSorbo's) YouTube Channel (where you can listen free!).
https://amzn.to/4xrzgvt #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#BookishBooks
#Bookstrings
The introduction to the Bookstrings series, Spines The introduction to the Bookstrings series, Spines & Leaves takes you near Joshua Tree National Park and a tiny bookstore desiccating in the heat. But Milton Coleridge and his love of books sees potential--and another kind of love. For someone else. Again. Still, with his trusty parrotlet Atticus (not Finch) by his side, he's turning his business skills in a new, more rewarding direction. Jump into the first Bookstrings novella today. Available in print, on Kindle (and Kindle Unlimited) and audiobook, as well as able to be listened to FREE on YouTube. https://amzn.to/3U2Smtn #affiliatelink
#ChristFic
#BookStrings
#BookishBooks
Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of Nothing says true love like a mutual admiration of books, right? Nine authors, nine stories, more matches than we may ever know. Preorder your copy before the price goes up! https://amzn.to/4hxAwIO #affiliatelink
#IvoryKeysPress
#BookedForLoveAnthology
#ChristFic
#Kindle99
#Preorder
#KindleUnlimited
Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things Judah Hensley knows three underacknowledged things. 1. Alpacas are gross. 2. Family is complicated. 3. Faith is even worse. He might have to spend his summer hawking devotionals and enduring yet another, "Have a blessed day," but he'll survive by driving his coworker crazy and trying not to annoy his parents. Much.
Panda Marie knew working with Judah would be awful, but finding out he's lost his faith? Now what?
One old bookstore, one new location, one last summer to survive and then they all get a new start on life. Question is, will it really be better?
https://amzn.to/4hveztT #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#Bookstrings
#BookishBook
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!