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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

3 Reasons I Need an Inspiring Summer Reading List

by Chautona Havig · 44 Comments

Ocean breezes mingle salt spray with the distinctive scent of Coppertone. Beneath an umbrella and a two-inch layer of said Coppertone when you have skin that pleads with the sun to lobsterize every half-exposed toe, she sips iced tea from an In-n-Out cup. With the gentle undulation of waves lapping the shore for ambiance, she turns the page… again.  And again.

Record scratches.

Yeah. I haven’t had that scene since I was THIRTEEN and living in Ventura, California.  Aaah… Ventura.

I digress.

No, since then, I’ve (mostly) been back in desert places.  California’s high desert, low desert, the town of Mojave.  The Eastern Mojave Desert.  Yeah.  All the deserted desertness.

I’ll admit it. One summer while the kids were napping, I went out, created my own “lounge chair” and improvised umbrella…(I think it was a blanket draped over the shortened free-standing basketball hoop thingie).  Then I grabbed my book (probably a Dee Henderson) and settled in.  Drink to one side (probably tea… PREGNANCY tea), and ready for comfort. I’d DO this beach thing again.

So, once all comfy, I plunged my feet into the water and jerked them right back out again.

For the record…

The Pacific Ocean is much cooler than a kiddie pool in mid-summer in the desert.  I’m not saying I scalded my feet.  No one, including myself, would believe that. But I am saying that when you expect refreshing coolness and you get very warm water instead, it FEELS like they should be bright red and in need of aloe.

I tried the hose.

That actually DID burn my feet.

Frustrated, I went and cleaned out a squirt bottle.  After an hour in the freezer, the water was cold enough (and frozen in the tube, of course), that once I defrosted the squirt tube under hot water, squirting myself out in the makeshift “beach” was mildly refreshing.

Except that I was exhausted and the kids were waking up.

So much for a beach read.

Seven Brides for Seven BrothersI’m pretty sure I came inside, put “Da-da-dum-dum” (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) on the VCR (remember those things?) and curled up in the corner of the couch to drown my sorrows… in that book.

It better have been a good one.  I don’t even remember.  I think my scalded feet really did a number on my brain.

So these days, I have a new way of enjoying my summer reads.

On my bed, fan blasting, squirt bottle with a tiny bit of salt in it…

No, just kidding.  But I do curl up in bed with a good book in summer.  Why?

3 Reasons I Need an Inspiring Summer Reading List

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

3 Reasons I Need an Inspiring Summer Reading List

  1. Adulting is hard.

No, really. This thing we call adulthood with all the bills, the dirty toilets, the dealing with ineptitude in every aspect of our lives… it’s hard.  Sure, there’s great stuff in the middle of it, but parts are just plain hard. Reading also soothes the pain of damaged relationships when you see how others (even fictional characters) work to repair and restore their friendships and family dynamics.

It’s my contention that even as adults, we need that feel of a “summer off” the pressures of life, right?   A lazy summer read does that for me.

  1. Escaping into a book is how my brain and body work to relax and inspire me.

Seriously! When I see how another author writes a beautiful line of description that encompasses what most would take a page to write… I’m inspired.  Sometimes, it’s a nugget of truth that pierces my heart and works it way deep into my soul.  That inspires me. And other times just seeing where an author takes something when I would have gone a different direction gets my creative juices flying!

Not to mention, once in a while, I get a cool idea to make a new shirt or a card, or some other odd bit of craftiness. Creativity is an amazing thing!

  1. It is a cheap vacation.

No, really! I mean, I’d love to visit all kinds of different places… New York City, Appalachia, Ventura (hey, it’s a weakness of mine), or even England, Germany, or Greece. But let’s face it. It’s cheaper to buy a $14.95 book for each escape than it is to even pay the tax on a trip to one of them.

And, when you’re home, home calls to you. But… it’s hard to let the guilt of a backyard that needs a good raking (not that I’m that person or anything) get to you when you’re reading about verdant meadows, sandy beaches, or even city streets.

Yep.  Cheap vacation and days off from household chores. Win/win!

So what am I reading this summer?

Oh, have I got a list for you! I tried to keep this list for NEW books, but a few I just heard of and I can’t wait for them.  So… here goes! My top 10, gotta-read-or-I’ll-go-crazy list for 2018.

The Yellow Packard- Ace CollinsTitle:  The Yellow Packard

Author:  Ace Collins

Micro Synopsis:  What does a car have to do with the recovery of a kidnapped child?  Well, I’m about to find out in this novel that takes place before WWII (or so I think the synopsis says).

Whee!


Title:  Send Down the Rain 

Author:  Charles Martin

Micro Synopsis: Two broken people must work together to overcome the troubles of their past until the past rears a second ugly head to smack them down again. Sounds light and fluffy, no?

Well, it takes place in Florida… total summer read right there.


Beach Rental by Grace Greene Title:  Beach Rental

Author: Grace Greene

Micro Synopsis: A marriage of convenience becomes heart-wrenchingly inconvenient—or so my daughter claims.

It’s a beach book. What’s more summer than a beach book?

Did you READ the stuff up there about how I made a fake beach?  Just sayin’!


Where the Fire FallsBook:  Where the Fire Falls

Author:  Karen Barnett

Micro Synopsis:  From the publisher’s synopsis, “…Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as ‘pervaded with divine light.'”

Look. I visited Yosemite for the first time the summer I turned 12. Therefore, what is a better summer read?


Facade Pepper BashamBook:  Facade

Author:  Pepper Basham

Micro Synopsis: What happens when you combine a reclusive academic, an agent whose heart she broke, and a missing brother over German-occupied France?  This book.

It’s Pepper Basham.  I’m gonna read it. I mean, duh! *fires up the freezer*  (See why, HERE)


No Less DaysBook:  No Less Days

Author: Amanda G Stevens

Micro Synopsis:  When a man can’t die, there’s only one thing to do.  Open a used bookstore!

Oh, and find some more people who can’t die.

Gotta do that, too.


Shallows by Denver EvansBook:  Shallows

Author:  Denver Evans

Micro Synopsis:  One man befriends a mermaid and begins a crusade to right injustices.

C’mon… mermaids?  Maybe if I love this it’ll redeem me with my dear friend, Marla, who loves all things Little Mermaid and I can’t really stand her.

*blush*


Still Life Louise PennyBook:  Still Life

Author: Louise Penny

Micro Synopsis:  While this isn’t listed as Christian Fiction on Amazon, book 13 of the series WAS in the best selling list in the Christian Fiction category. So I’m going to try this.  Because author April Hayman loves this gal.  So I will, too. It’s a mystery. Someone’s gonna die.  Someone’s gonna find out who did it and why. That’s good enough for me!


The Theory of Happily Ever After

Book:  The Theory of Happily Ever After 

Author: Kristin Billerbeck

Micro Synopsis: “…the search for happiness may be futile–because sometimes happiness is already out there searching for you.”


Book:  Lady Jane Disappears

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Micro Synopsis:  A young woman continues her father’s serial novel after his death in debtor’s prison.

Mystery ensues.


If you could win one of those books, which would it be? 

I ask because I was curious about which one appeals to more people and it came out as a giveaway before I realized what I’d done.  But I left it.

Because I roll that way.  I’ll draw a name on June 14.  It’s my husband’s birthday.  😀

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Comments

  1. Karla Cook says

    June 13, 2018 at 9:09 am

    Well… I just now added several to my TBR list from this list. Thank you for sharing them!

    I reviewed No Less Days this spring and I really liked it. I also have Send Down the Rain to review so that’s on my summer reading list.

    If I could win one I would probably go with The Yellow Packard just because the cover is so great and the story sounds intriguing! But then, Where the Fire Falls, would be a close second choice for the same reasons.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 13, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      RIGHT? That’s why I bought The Yellow Packard. It arrived yesterday. SQUEE!!!

      Reply
  2. 22annie says

    June 11, 2018 at 9:57 am

    I would choose “Send Down the rain”. It sounds like a good read that could take my mind off the fact my mother passed 10 years ago on June 14. By the way happy birthday to your husband. I love to read your books. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • 22annie says

      June 11, 2018 at 10:03 am

      Sorry to have commented twice. The first one and your reply didn’t show up until I posted the second one. Thanks for your prayers. I can never have too many of those.

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    June 11, 2018 at 7:50 am

    I would pick No Less Days because I completely LOVE bookstores now, and if you are unable to die…. And may I say, your #1 reason to need an inspiring summer reading list totally spoke to my heart.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 11, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Oh, I’m glad I encouraged you. And yeah, that one keeps dragging me back. I hadn’t heard of it until I went to write the post and checked out a thread I’d begun. That had been added since I last looked and WOW.

      Reply
  4. 22annie says

    June 10, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    The book I would choose is “Send Down the Rain”. It sounds like a really good read to take my mind off my mother passing 10 years ago on June 14. Happy birthday to your husband. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I love reading your books and your blog.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 10, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      so sorry for your loss. I’ll remember to pray for you as we celebrate Kevin’s birthday!

      Reply
  5. Pam says

    June 10, 2018 at 9:06 am

    The theory of happily ever after.

    Reply
  6. patty-anne Lea says

    June 9, 2018 at 11:12 pm

    I would like to read Beach Rental. I love the beach. I live on Vancouver Island. If I go any further west I get wet.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 11:15 pm

      That’s how it was when I lived in Ventura!

      Reply
  7. Ethel Korman says

    June 9, 2018 at 9:57 pm

    While they all sound good, I like the description of “No Less Days” the best.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 11:09 pm

      Doesn’t it sound amazing? SO COOL

      Reply
  8. Joy @ Real World Bible Study says

    June 9, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    I would choose Beach Rental, and I actually could go read at the beach. But I would actually read any of these and gobble them up. I signed up for a friend’s review team just so I could get an unlimited supply while I’m in Baby Step 2.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 11:10 pm

      Anytime you need a book… you email me.

      Reply
  9. Barbara Eward says

    June 9, 2018 at 6:54 pm

    I would choose Beach Rental. I think you will love Still Life. I have read all of the Inspector Ganache books and enjoyed each of them.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 11:14 pm

      YAY! Glad to know I’ll like ’em!

      Reply
  10. Carol Maldonado says

    June 9, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    I would choose Beach Rental. I love the cover, looks like a great place to get a way and read the book…

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 11:14 pm

      Doesn’t it look peaceful? I’m just dying to 😀

      Reply
  11. Kathryn A Mueller says

    June 9, 2018 at 10:35 am

    Where the fire falls, because it is based in Yosemite (I loved it there) and in the 1920’s (always wished I had been born in that era) and sounds interesting!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:34 pm

      I’ll be doing a review soon and giving away a paperback copy of it! I accidentally ordered two!

      Reply
  12. Michelle Kenworthy says

    June 9, 2018 at 10:09 am

    Beach Rental sounds good. As does Send Down the Rain and The Yellow Packard. But I’llgo with Beach Rental

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:35 pm

      #4daughter swears by it. I’d better like it.

      Reply
  13. Linda says

    June 9, 2018 at 8:11 am

    No Less Days sounds like a good read.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:35 pm

      Doesn’t it??? I saw that and went, WOW!

      Reply
  14. Joy says

    June 9, 2018 at 7:39 am

    I would pick Shallows as my free book. I read a lot of young adult/teen fiction to preview it for the younger readers in my sphere of influence, and I would love to find something new I could recommend!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      I suspect you’d like it. I know the author and she’s a conscientious writer.

      Reply
  15. April says

    June 9, 2018 at 6:48 am

    Well, i have to say Send Down the Rain really grabs my attention. I’ve read two of his books and loved them both! (It’s terrible what they did to The Mountain Between Us.) Beach Rental also intrigues me.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      What’d I miss on Mountain????

      Reply
  16. Emily Hayes says

    June 9, 2018 at 6:46 am

    I’d like No Less Days. I LOVED 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, I have it on VHS ?. Happy Birthday to Mr. Havig

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:37 pm

      He’ll be thrilled to hear it! And yes… #7daughter sang a parody of “Bless Your Beautiful Hide” for an audition last year. She sang it as if to an actual cow. Hee hee.

      Reply
  17. Charlotte says

    June 9, 2018 at 6:40 am

    I just finished lady Jane disappears. It was really good. Very Dickens. The others sound good as well. I will check them out.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:38 pm

      Oh, dear. I do prefer to enjoy Dickens in adaptations. His novels annoy me. Uh, oh!

      Reply
  18. marcy says

    June 9, 2018 at 5:44 am

    I’m torn between Still Life and Send Down the Rain…I’ll go with Still Life. (although I am going to go look at Beach Rental!)

    Reply
  19. Kamely Fessler says

    June 9, 2018 at 5:36 am

    I have to be honest with you. they all sound like great reads. However I have read some of Ace Collins books and i really like them. So if i had to pick one that will be the one. I also llike about the mand that can’t die and opens up an used bookstore.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:39 pm

      Doesn’t that sound cool? I need more hours!

      Reply
  20. Vanessa Jones says

    June 9, 2018 at 5:18 am

    Still Life and the rest of the Inspector Gamache mysteries do have quite a bit of language and I wouldn’t categorize them as Christian fiction. However, they are excellent and most have huge redemptive themes throughout.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      That’s good to know. The 13th was in 3 CF categories, so I just kind of assumed the others might fit. Glad to be aware. I’m not a big fan of language. Have you ever read the Aunt Dimity books? How does the language compare? (I always liked that most of it was on a page or two where that one bookshop owner was… Icould almost skip that part!)

      Reply
  21. Alesha K. Conklin says

    June 9, 2018 at 5:13 am

    You really, truly need to add Vikki Kestrell’s Nanostealth series to your list! She just release book #4, & I’m saving it for my next free day. Vikki convinced me that Christian sci-fi is a legitimate genre. Love this series!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      I’ve been meaning to. Almost added it to this list.

      Reply
  22. Lindsey says

    June 9, 2018 at 4:46 am

    You’ve got a lot of good ones there! I’m liking the Pepper Basham book or Kristen Billerbeck.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 5:42 pm

      Well, like I said. Pepper. ’nuff said. BUt… that cruise thing cracked me up. Soo….

      Reply
  23. sheila alford says

    June 9, 2018 at 4:15 am

    I love stories about a marriage of convenience and how they mostly turn into the best love stories

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 9, 2018 at 4:16 am

      This one sounds like a doozy. And it’s on KU!

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
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Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
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Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
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Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
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Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
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