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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Our Smartest Dog Used to Do This Crazy Thing All the Time

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Footprints on Her Heart is a delightful story that will warm your heart. While not a "Christmas story" you'll find it a perfect holiday read. via @chautonahavig

I was torn between the names Kemper and Mitzi. In the end, I think Kemper won, but I can’t be sure. Why don’t I remember my own dog’s name?  My Christmas present in 1985?

Well, that Australian shepherd mixed mutt didn’t stay whatever I named her for long.

We’d just moved to “the property” in Mojave, California. That’s what we called the five acres we lived on in an 18′ travel trailer. No electricity. No running water (which we stole from the aquaduct, btw). My Uncle Lon and Aunt Marilyn had come to help us settle in, and when Uncle Lon was around, that meant beer.  Dad was a whisky guy himself, but Uncle Lon liked the tamer stuff.

After a week out there, they’d racked up quite a few beer cans, and I hadn’t blown them to smithereens yet. Maybe I was still a bit nervous after my near-fiasco about six years earlier. The puppy, however, didn’t mind a bit.  She’d root around in that bag of cans, lapping up every tiny drop of beer she could find.

Aunt Marilyn took to calling her “Boozer.”

That name stuck. Much to my fifteen-year-old, self-righteous chagrin. Look, when you attend Christian schools with people who often give you the stink eye if you even admit that anyone in your family has ever touched the stuff, you don’t like to have to say, “Boozer” anytime.  Yes, I probably called her “my dog” more than I usually would have for this reason. How ridiculous of me, but that’s who fifteen-year-old Chautona was. They didn’t call me “Evangeline” for nothing… or as a compliment. Just sayin’.

She was the smartest dog we ever had.  Mom would sit out in the sun in a patio chair and Boozer would sit at her side. The Mom would say, “Boozer?”  The dog’s ears would perk up.  She’d say, “I hear critters!”  The dog would jump up, poised.  Then, after a bit of hesitation, she’d say, “Boozer?  Clear the area!”  And that dog would do this racing sweep in a circle around our trailer.  Birds would fly, snakes would slither, rabbits and kangaroo rats would scatter.

Then she’d trot back over to where Mom sat, lie down, and rest.  It was hard work keeping the critters away from us.

Footprints on her heart

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

She also used to do this crazy thing. So crazy, I put it in a book!

I wasn’t a bright kid.  I know this because they say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again expecting a different result.  Well… I don’t know that I thought I was doing the same thing… I was just overly optimistic about how fast I could do it.

Homework in our school comprised of everything we didn’t finish during the day.  That’s it. I rarely had any, but every time I did, I’d be doing it in the car all the way home so I’d be done when I got there. Odd… I forgot about how I didn’t have it more than once or twice a week at most.  I digress.

By the time I hit the dirt roads, I didn’t have much time left, so I’d be scrambling to hurry up and finish.  Once we reached the corner of our property, Mom blaring the horn should have been a clue.

But that optimism thing…

Just one more sentence… I could do it before she got there!  By “she” I did not mean Mom getting home.  I meant Boozer getting to us.  She’d race straight up the road at a dead run, heading for the front of the car.  At the last possible second, she’d dart to the right, dash in an arc, jump THROUGH Mom’s window, across her, and into my lap. If I hadn’t been quick enough (and I rarely was), that now meant wrinkled workbooks.

I hated wrinkled workbooks.  Boozer’s antics were so hilarious that I even put that scene in one of my books. Argosy Junction. Yeah… crazy… running right at the car.  She did it all the time.  And I ended up with wrinkled pages… all the time.

What’s all this got to do with anything?

Footprints on her heartThis week we’re celebrating the release of Footprints on Her Heart by Tabitha Bouldin

And she asked us to share a funny pet story in honor of her release!

He’s saving the world, one animal at a time.

Trent Raines’ opinion, happily ever after has four paws and doggy breath. He spends his days isolated at the shelter, taking care of animals. Especially now that romance seems to be spreading across the islands faster than fleas in summer.

She lives a safe life behind the camera lens.

Kara Parker’s job at the animal shelter keeps her too busy to worry about romance. Sure, the boss is cute and all, but her introverted nature is perfectly happy as a photographer and website designer, thank you very much.

Even a quick trip to the mainland to retrieve a truckful of animals won’t change their minds.

Or so they think.

As Trent comes to understand Kara, he discovers there’s more than meets the eye in his quiet employee. Together, they plan a Christmas adoption festival that’s certain to empty the animal shelter in record time. Until a blast from Trent’s past puts all the animals in danger.

Sure, Trent and Kara are fine on their own, but they’re even better together.

What will it take for these soulmates to conquer their fears and rescue the animals before it’s too late?

Footprints on Her Heart continues the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Get your entries in for the giveaways for this release!

Tabitha Bouldin: Nov. 23

Carolyn Miller: Nov. 24

Chautona Havig: Nov. 25

Melissa Wardwell: Nov. 26

Kari Trumbo: Nov. 27

Rachel Skatvold: Nov. 28

Sandy Barela: Nov. 29

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
byChautona Havig

Last fall, I talked with several authors about their novella collection (Episode 177) and learned about a new series they’d planned for 2023. Well, of course, I wanted to talk with them about it, and last week I “sat down” (I stand while recording, but you get my drift) with Heather Greer to talk about her book in the Stained Glass Legacy Series, Window of Opportunity.  I’ve been reading her book and am really enjoying it, so I was excited to talk about this 1920s story of friendship, romance, corruption, and more!  Listen in to find out what to expect from Heather Greer’s first historical romance!

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

Why Doing the Right Thing at the Wrong Time Is No Picnic!

Okay, you have to read the book to “get” that title, for the post, but I figured it’d make Heather smile.

Heather and I talked about the differences in writing contemporary versus historical fiction–including all the work that goes into research!  Did they have this thing or that then? Are we assuming too advanced or not advanced enough?  Did people actually use this word or that? It’s a complicated process, and it slows down the writing when you have to figure out if a train even went through that area and if so, which direction did it go?!  Not that this has ever happened to me!

But first, Heather told the story of how she met the other authors in this series at a writer’s retreat, and the idea for this entire four-book series (all releasing THIS YEAR) sparked conversations until they couldn’t not write it.  With each book being written in a different era (1920s, 1970s, contemporary, and future dystopian) AND with not only this stained-glass window but also the family of the young men we’ll meet in Heather’s book, Window of Opportunity.

Stay tuned for more interviews with other Stained-Glass Legacy authors. I hope to chat with all of them!

Window of Opportunity by Heather Greer

Faith and duty drive Evangeline Moore to protect her father’s pristine image as a judge in Harrisburg, Illinois. Her resolve’s biggest test? Dot, her childhood friend. With Evangeline beside her, Dot’s desire for the Roaring Twenties’ glitz and glamor leads the pair into questionable situations.

Born into a Chicago mob family, Brendan Dunne understands duty, but faith puts him at odds with his father’s demands. Even when his brother James’s propensity for trouble lands them in Harrisburg, the truth is undeniable. To their father, the lines he won’t cross mean Brendan will never measure up.

When circumstances push Brendan and Evangeline together, unexpected events create opportunities to break free of family expectations. Will they be brave enough to forge their own path before the window closes on their chance to change?

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

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Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
January 27, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 202: A Chat with Historical Christian Author, Laura Frantz
January 24, 2023
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Episode 201: A Closer Look at This YA Dystopian Series
January 20, 2023
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Episode 200: Comparing & Contrasting Two Split-Time Novels
January 17, 2023
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Episode 199: A Chat about Karl May with Robert Stermscheg
January 13, 2023
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Episode 198: A Chat about Everything Is Just Beginning with Erin Bartels
January 10, 2023
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Episode 197: A Chat with Amish Author, Shelley Shepard Gray
January 6, 2023
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Episode 196: A Chat with Rom-Com Author by Becca Kinzer
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Episode 195: A Chat about What I Would Say with Liz Tolsma
December 23, 2022
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Episode 194: Reading Challenges and The Space Between Words Gush
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Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit t Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit to our newest set of islands – The Suamalie Islands! These islands are very different from the Independence Islands because they are touristy. Another way this series is different is we have added more authors. You will see some familiar Independence Islands authors but will also see some brand-new ones. Just like with our Independence Islands, each author will follow a type of business that goes across all the different islands.

There is a Giveaway of a $50 Amazon card to celebrate this new series. Enter January 28-February 5. https://promosimple.com/ps/245c3/suamalie-giveaway

Find out more about each book and author in the series by going to the publisher’s page: http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/suamaliegiveaway/

#giveaway #suamalieislands #celebratelit
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally have been run into by a limb or two...

#funny #tree #blind #visuallyimpaired #blindauthor #authorsofinstagram #christianauthor #fictionauthor #historicalfictionauthor #romanticfiction #romancenovel
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutore Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutoread for this fun graphic!! #thecairocurse #freddieandgrace4ever @barbourbooks #historicalromance
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