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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

3 Compelling (if Ridiculous) Reasons to Avoid This Author

by Chautona Havig · 34 Comments

So Wednesday morning, at o’dark-thirty, I got horrible news.  The day only got worse from there.  What began with a publishing mess morphed into a missed deadline, compounded into wasted time, and finally ended with a helpful reminder email.You’ve got a book review due.Drat!If it didn’t mean breaking my word, I’d have said, “Forget it.”To a book that I’ve been looking forward to for months. Ever since I found out about it after reading 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (review HERE).Yeah.

I told myself I could skim it.  Just get the gist, see how I’d like it, immerse myself in a few spots so I’d really get the flavor, and review THAT. No, I am not proud that I considered it.

Guilt demanded I give the book my full attention. I hate guilt sometimes.  Just sayin’. And the more I read, the more irritated I got.  I should have known better than to sign up for this blog tour.  Anyone with any sense would have known that it would be trouble.  And here you have it.  Trouble with a capital T, and that rhymes with B, and that stands for BOOK!

Or something like that.  Anyway, here you have it.

3 Compelling (if Ridiculous) Reasons to Avoid This Author

Note: links in this post may be affiliate links. It won’t cost you anything extra, but I make a small commission if you do decide to purchase.  Additionally, I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit after requesting it to review, and obviously, I CHOSE to review it. Snort.

3 Compelling (if Ridiculous) Reasons to Avoid This Author

1—She’s a copycat.

Well, sort of. You see, when you read Michelle Griep’s work, she transports you into the past, down cobblestone streets, and into quaint shops with patrons wearing cloaks, muffs, and all the other Dickensesque finery—but this time before Dickens was even born.  Oh, yes. In Ms. Griep’s work, you’re transported to another world—one Dickens beckons us into—or rather, this time its grandmother’s world.

But she’s more than a copycat… she’s also a “one-upper.”  Probably more like a “ten-upper.”  Because you see, she’s better than Dickens in my opinion. Somehow, Ms. Griep manages to give you all the varied plots, delicious detail, twists and turns… without dragging.  Well, except for the beginning of The Innkeeper’s Daughter.

Yeah. I don’t like to say it, but the first of chapters dragged for me.  Still, once I got past them  (and I suspect it was my own issue rather than her writing that did it.  Like I said.  Bad day.), she kept me riveted to the page with rich language, engaging characters, intricate plots, and beautiful spiritual truths.

2— She’s a kidnapper.

Of minds.  She grabs your interest, holds it for ransom, and only once you’ve paid the debt of finishing her book will she release you. Of course, who cares?  I mean, it’s like a wonderful friend whisking you away for a weekend at the beach or the mountains and making you stay there and relax, read, soak in the richness.  Yeah. I’m telling you.  Watch out for Ms. Griep or she’ll whisk you to Regency England and not once will you think, “Where’s the talk of “the Season” or roll your eyes when some Baron or Earl or Darcy appears.  Nope.  Like I said. Everyone should be so kindly kidnapped.

3— She’s a tease.

Oh, yeah.  Ms. Griep knows how to tease you. I mean, in this book there are three stories.  I could SWEAR this book is the second.  But as far as I can see, it stands alone.  But I want to know his buddy’s story.  I want to know his boss’ story.  I want to know the Viscount’s story.

Ms. Griep captivated me with the storyline, the realistic characters, snappy but period correct dialogue, and just basic good writing.

If you want to be kidnapped, held for ransom, teased with hints of stories you might never get, and being given stories that would make Dickens green with envy, go ahead. Read the book.  But you’ll regret it…

Except you won’t.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, New Release

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Comments

  1. Amanda Holmes says

    March 19, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    I have to admit, your title did the job and grabbed my attention! I loved your review of The Innkeeper’s Daughter!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 19, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      It’s rather a boring reason. I had to come up with the title before I read it, so… in case it was riddled with smut or something (snort), I had to do something that could go either way.

      Reply
  2. Michelle Griep says

    March 18, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    HAHAHA! I LOVE this review! Thank you for taking time out of your horrible day to read every last word. I feel very honored!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 18, 2018 at 11:33 pm

      Best day sweetener EVER! So happy to have you here! 😀

      Reply
  3. Kathy Jacob says

    March 15, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    I love your book reviews, Chautona!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 16, 2018 at 8:21 pm

      Aw, thanks!

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:17 pm

      I love them too!

      Reply
  4. mommynificent says

    March 15, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    So I felt the same way as you did about this book on every count, including that it felt like a second book in a series. I went hunting and found that she has written Brentwood’s story: http://amzn.to/2HBTGJc and that, even better, I already had it in my Kindle library!!! Guess what I’ll be reading next?!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 16, 2018 at 8:22 pm

      In my cart! Thanks!

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      Yay! Love being on your Kindle! And yes, this is a very loosely connected book 2 (in which I update you on a few characters from Brentwood’s Ward). Good news . . . I’m working on the 3rd (and last) in this loose series, featuring Officer Thatcher (the shadow).

      Reply
  5. Faith Creech says

    March 15, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    I am really looking forward to reading this new book. I love all of her books and know this one will be just as good as the rest! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:26 pm

      I think you’ll really enjoy it. It was so fun to read a book that is a Regency book that doesn’t FEEL like the stereotypical one–seeing another side.

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      What a coincidence . . . I’m looking forward to you reading this book as well!

      Reply
  6. cherylbbookblog says

    March 15, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    Great blog post.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:26 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      It was a great post! I will have to be popping over here more often!

      Reply
  7. Paula Shreckhise says

    March 15, 2018 at 2:39 pm

    Thanks, I loved this book! I think you are funny.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      I really liked it–almost LOVED it. I loved a lot about it!

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:20 pm

      Huge smile over here as well. Chautona is funny!

      Reply
  8. NZ Filbruns says

    March 15, 2018 at 11:18 am

    Now you make me think I must bump this book to the top of my TBR list!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:28 pm

      It’s a lot of fun to see people debating over their choices in a realistic way.

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:20 pm

      I wouldn’t mind being at the top of your TBR pile (fluttering eyelashes as if that will help).

      Reply
  9. Courtney says

    March 15, 2018 at 9:23 am

    I love The Music Man reference! 😉

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:28 pm

      You know me… I can talk, talk, talk, talk, bicker, bicker, bicker!

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:21 pm

      Clever how she did that, eh? Methinks Chautona is quite the awesome writer herself!

      Reply
  10. Phyllis says

    March 15, 2018 at 9:09 am

    If it makes you feel any better, here I am reading your review when I should be reading your book so I can review it. 🙂

    I completely agree with you about this book, Chautona. It was great!

    Now off to see what Madeline is up to. 🙂

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:29 pm

      It does make me feel better! Happy reading!

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:22 pm

      It’s readers like you who make this writing gig all worthwhile!

      Reply
  11. Lori Smanski says

    March 15, 2018 at 8:19 am

    oh my you had me for a minute as to why to avoid her books. LOL thanks for your honest review of this book and this author.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      I had to set up the blog post before I read it, so I came up with something that would work even if I didn’t like it (because I loved Bleakly). Had fun with it.

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:23 pm

      Echoing your thanks, Lori!

      Reply
  12. Aimee says

    March 15, 2018 at 8:11 am

    Love your Reviews!! Now I wanna read this book!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts… even if it was at the last minute.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 15, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      Happy reading!

      Reply
    • Michelle Griep says

      March 18, 2018 at 1:23 pm

      Sweet! I want you to read this book as well because, well, ultimately, I did write this so that readers would have a great adventure back to the nineteenth century. Enjoy!

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

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

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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