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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Is There Anything Better Than a Good Life’s Story?

by Chautona Havig · 3 Comments

Full Circle by Athena Dean Holtz wasn't what I expected, but no one can deny that God has redeemed His daughter for Himself after reading this book. via @chautonahavig

The Crime of Innocence.

It was an assignment. I can’t remember if it was youth group in high school or the first weeks of Bible school afterward, but the instructor/leader told everyone to come up with a title for their life’s story.

That was mine. The Crime of Innocence. I thought it told the messed up story of my life quite well.

A few people have suggested I write a fictionalized version of my life. I always refuse. The reason I give most often is that some truths in my life would hurt people still living, and I won’t do that to people who love me.

People are more important than my “right” to “tell all” so to speak.

Just for clarity, there’s so much more beautiful than ugly in my past. And the ugly… well, that’s par for the course in a world at odds with Jesus.

There’s another reason, though. As I usually tell people who press me, any book I wrote based on my life would be considered too “implausible.” It’s just not common for someone to have such a bizarre and totally normal upbringing all at once.

Instead, I tell the stories that won’t hurt others… one at a time, disjointed sometimes, but it’s what I have to do to show love.

However, I do love to read redemption stories of what amazing ways God has shown Himself faithful in the lives of those He calls His own.

Is There Anything Better Than a Good Life’s Story? Full Circle review

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Is There Anything Better Than a Good Life’s Story?

Yep. There sure can—a good redemption story. The recipe only requires one sin-filled, messed up person set in this bowl of life to stew for a bit. Stir in Jesus and bam! Instant redemption.

Seeing that play out, on the other hand, takes time as Athena Dean Holtz’s book demonstrates.

Written in a conversational tone, Full Circle seems to be inspired by a quote from author Beth Moore:

We know we’re coming full circle with God when we stand at a very similar crossroad where we made such a fine mess of life before, but this time we take a different road.”

Because of this circular emphasis, the book reads a little like a spirograph, each loop of her story overlapping the last, but always meeting at the same point in the center eventually.

This seems to be used to show the author’s repeated cycles of mistakes—same song, different verse.

While I understood the reason she chose that style, it did become difficult to follow.

I was most intrigued by the book because the synopsis mentioned her past in “Scientology, forays into mysticism, and twelve years in a restrictive and legalistic cult.” My mind combined all of that into “Scientology” and so I was surprised and disappointed to find just a couple of pages dedicated to her Scientology life. Seeing someone come out from something so destructive and oppressive promised to be exciting and different from anything I’d read.

It was only a small portion of the book, and while it was not fair of me, I felt for a bit like I got a bait and switch when the book shifted to her years with a cult (that was not Scientology). Once I got through that, I reread the synopsis and saw that my expectation was not what they’d promised. It was my mistake. I’d lumped together what they had separated.

The bulk of the book chronicles her time in an abusive cult—one that was responsible of stripping her personality, her marriage, her business, and even, to a certain extent her faith from her.

Here’s the thing.

The book was interesting enough. It was. If I knew Athena Holtz, I’d be much more invested in it, I think. My problem with it mostly is that I don’t know her or anything about her. I expected something completely different (my fault), but despite not getting that, I still am left with a book full of information that I’m not sure what to do with.

Praise the Lord, she’s redeemed and rescued from her self-destructive decisions. Hallelujah that God drew her safely out of that path and closer to Himself. I mean both of those will all my heart.

It’s just that I read a lot of very personal information about someone I don’t know to get a vague picture of God’s hand in her life. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve no doubt that Athena Dean Holtz’s story blesses people whenever she shares it. Not only that, I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy a nice long chat over coffee (Coke for me, please!). Alas, I suspect that I’m not her target reader.

I’m not sorry I received a free review copy, but I am sorry I can’t say I just loved every bit of it.

Full Circle 

Full Circle by Athena Dean HoltzAbout the Book

Book: Full Circle

Author: Athena Dean Holtz

Genre: Memoir

Release Date: February 11, 2017

Athena’s driving desire for affirmation and attention pulled her away from her family, husband, and children into what she thought would bring happiness. Deceived by Scientology, forays into mysticism, and twelve years in a restrictive and legalistic cult, she lost everything—her marriage, relationships, home, business, money, and reputation.

This is the candid and inspirational story of how her eyes were opened, how God restored what had been lost, and gave her the desires of her heart, including a new love.

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Comments

  1. patty-anne Lea says

    August 23, 2019 at 12:45 am

    I wonder why we say” Fact is Stranger than Fiction”, and then not believe it. You spoke of your unconventional life and upbringing and choose some facts to dramatise into fiction in most books you write. I plan books, make rough drafs and then thing Naaaaaaa … no one would believe a single person could do all that and have that many misadventures.
    I think I told you once ,we had won a $50,000 grant for a TV special called “No bucket list, we ain’t finished “yet ( tittle under review) About how we are not burdens to be endured, soaking up medical and pensions.
    We shot several parts off it and then my best friend got an agressive form of cancer and died 1 week before we were going to sky dive.
    I watched a documentary tonight done by an 81 year old lady who attained her masters in Education. Her thesis was the fact that as Seniors, we are not a burden. But, occasionally we need a workaround on a physical plane to manage on our own.
    Looking for your next Jenny Wren,
    love patty-anne,
    ps. Thanks for mentioning the dryer balls again. Hope yours are doing their job.

    Reply
  2. Amelia says

    August 19, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Andrea Stoeckel says

    August 19, 2019 at 4:17 pm

    Interesting interview and review

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
byChautona Havig

Fans of Lisa Phillips’ Last Chance County series are doing happy dances following the release of an exciting new spin-off series, Last Chance Fire and Rescue. Expired Return brings back a few favorite characters and kicks off another of Sunrise Publishing’s author/mentor led fiction seasons! Listen in to find out what happens when an author brings back a guy she dropped a building on a couple of books back…

 

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When Fans Want More Exciting Stories, Smart Authors Listen and Deliver!

Let’s face it. Authors might SOMETIMES be “done” with a series, but readers often want more… indefinitely. Well, with the brilliance of Sunrise Publishing’s mentor model, authors get to collaborate with authors they trust to do their “worlds” proud while still having time to write new, exciting things as well. And some of the Sunrise lead authors even write in the spin-off series–like Lisa Phillips and Trisha Goyer!

This new Last Chance County series promises everything we love about Lisa Phillips’ world–danger, intrigue, heart-stopping suspense, drama… you know… all the feels. But in addition to her own release, Expired Return, this series also introduces us to new authors who have been carefully vetted and selected to ensure they do justice to Lisa’s Last Chance characters. I, for one, can’t wait to check it all out.

Lisa and I chatted about what she plans for the series,Lisa hinted about a possible super-secret reveal coming soon, and I even poked her with the idea of a Last Chance Christmas.

Help me convince them on that, will ya?

But this new book… Whoa…

Expired Return by Lisa Phillips

Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

As far as she’d been able to tell, it barely slowed him down.

She’ll give everything to protect her family.

He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

Last Chance County returns in this blazing new series from Sunrise Publishing.

Last Chance Fire and Rescue

  • Book 1: Expired Return
  • Book 2: Expired Hope (coming soon)
  • Book 3: Expired Promise (coming soon)
  • Book 4: Expired Vows (coming soon)

Last Chance County

  • Book 1: Expired Refuge
  • Book 2: Expired Secrets
  • Book 3: Expired Cache
  • Book 4: Expired Hero
  • Book 5: Expired Game
  • Book 6: Expired Plot
  • Book 7: Expired Getaway
  • Book 8: Expired Betrayal
  • Book 9: Expired Flight
  • Book 10: Expired End

Learn more about Lisa and her books on her WEBSITE.

Learn more about the different seasons (series) offered by Sunrise Publishing or how to audition with them on the Sunrise Publishing WEBSITE.

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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
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February 7, 2023
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His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
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