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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!

 

 

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 554: A Chat with Gloriaea
byChautona Havig

I really love a good book with broken people finding redemption. So when I got to chat with Gloriaea about her book, Broken Algorithm, I knew this was going to be right up my alley. Listen in and see why I’m so excited.

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

We chatted about so many things, including the inspiration for the book, her setting–all the things!

Broken Algorithm by Gloriaea

All she wanted was a home…

Brit has moved from one prison to another since she was eight. Now she’s free, and nothing will stop her from getting back her family. Nothing…except the people who tore her life apart.

She didn’t need his help. So why was he everywhere?

Sam finally has his life on track. Working for the Canadian federal police is miles away from his teenage rebellion. Nothing could prepare him for the petite ex-convict with magnetic coffee eyes.

The clock is ticking for Brit’s family reunion and shadowy figures haunt her steps. Will Brit discover the true meaning of home? Or will she lose the family she has sacrificed everything to save?

Learn more on Gloriaea’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

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Episode 554: A Chat with Gloriaea
Episode 554: A Chat with Gloriaea
June 22, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 553: A Chat with Chris Underwood
June 20, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 552: A Chat with Laura Ashwood
June 17, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 551: A Chat wth Kayla E. Green
June 15, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 550: A Chat with Joan Lovestrand Farley
June 13, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 549: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
June 8, 2026
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Episode 548: A Chat with Sarah Heatwole
June 6, 2026
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Episode 547: A Chat with Terri McAdoo
June 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 546: A Chat with Chuck Richardson
May 30, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 545: A Chat with Gina Holder
May 25, 2026
Chautona Havig
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Reposted from @catheswanson If you're looking to a Reposted from @catheswanson If you're looking to add a few more Christian romances to your TBR, I have something fun to share 😊
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For ages, None So Blind was my favorite book. I un For ages, None So Blind was my favorite book. I understood Ella in a deeper way than most of my characters. BUT... then I wrote Will Not See. And it became suspense rather than women's fiction with a mini-mystery (how did she lose her memories?). But people going after Vikki? Didn't see that coming. Nor did I see a guy waking up with no memories and a murdered wife (the spouse always does it, right?). Sooo... women's fiction to romantic suspense? Not normal, but let's face it. Whenever have I been normal?
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Preorder your copy today!

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