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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The Best Reasons to Stop Everything & Read This Book

by Chautona Havig · 9 Comments

Jessie and James--clever title, don't you think? If it conjures up ideas of fun, feisty, formidable, then you've got a perfect picture of what's to come! via @chautonahavig

It had been years—a decade, even—since I’d read any Amish fiction. While I’d enjoyed the first few stories I’d read in the genre, it had gotten old… stale. And quickly. So, when a new friend mentioned loving a couple of Amish authors, I asked who she recommended. Why she recommended them.

She mentioned Jennifer Beckstrand.

I’d never heard of her. Still, I asked why—what about this Amish author stood out from the rest? The answer intrigued me.

“Because her books aren’t the same story you’ve read a hundred times. She does things that are different.”

I made a note to try something by Jennifer Beckstrand and promptly forgot all about it until last November when I discovered I’d be in a series of books with her.

And not for Amish fiction. Just clarifying that.

Additionally, I was the cover designer for the series, so I got to know each of the authors a bit as we hashed out the perfect girl, the perfect setting, the perfect… everything.

Beckstrand’s inspiration girl intrigued me. The picture came with hair spilling everywhere, wearing a white knit camisole, and with an expression I couldn’t resist.

We’d have to use her.

She just needed a dress—one that at least looked close to the right era. While not completely period correct, we found it in a late Victorian miss—one who was so bone-thin and with such narrow shoulders that I had to do some serious work to adapt her body to Miss Camisole’s head.

Then I discovered she needed a shotgun. The first attempts were terrible, but eventually, I found one that didn’t look “placed there” when I… well, placed it there!

By the time I had that cover done, I was half in love with the girl myself. And I hadn’t read Jessie and James yet!

Then came time to add a chapter to the back of my book. I read it. That’s all it took to know my friend had been right about Jennifer Beckstrand. I would definitely enjoy her book.

I’d just have to order me a copy.

That’s when I saw it—the chance to receive a review copy of Jessie and James. C’mon… even the title begs to be read. Although I knew I’d be in the trenches, fighting to get a book done right now, I almost didn’t hesitate.

Well, yesterday was the day to read. Am I glad I decided to review? Oh, yeah. Why?

The Best Reasons to Stop Everything & Read Jessie and James

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

The Best Reasons to Stop Everything & Read This Book

I’ve typed and deleted this first sentence a dozen times. Why? Well, everything I could say seems inadequate or overblown.

I think that’s because unlike Jessie in Jessie and James, this novel doesn’t take itself too seriously—or seriously at all.

Full of fun, lively banter, and a lovely twisty plot that kept things from becoming too predictable, this book offers a quirky escape into late 19th century Utah and the gold rush.

Jessie is not amused.

Instead, the girl would love nothing more than to see mining outlawed—or at least run out of town at gunpoint. She’d probably fling a warning to repent after the men as they fled her wrath. Just sayin’.

Then there’s James.

One of the most brilliant things about Beckstrand’s writing is that she managed to create a guy who is truly delighted with a character whom most men might find both a little intimidating and a whole lot annoying. I mean, let’s face it. The girl goes around threatening to shoot anything that annoys her. And everything annoys her!

This should be obnoxious and overblown, but instead, Beckstrand manages to turn Jessie into an intriguing and sympathetic character instead of a snotty “Nancy Oleson” (you know, Nellie’s replacement in the TV series based on Little House on the Prairie).

Even Jessie’s spiritual journey is angst-riddled, funny, and has a point to it.

It’s sincere, simple, and yet important. I think it could all be summarized in a verse that Beckstrand didn’t even use to “proof text” her point. Romans 2:4— “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

If I had any complaint about the story, and I really don’t, I’d say it was that elements regarding James’ past were resolved a little too neatly.

Realistically speaking, it’s not likely.

But frankly, any other way of handling the issue would have left that element feeling unresolved. Don’t know about you, but that’s um… not so good. So, as much of a complaint as it could be… it’s not. I’m glad she did what she did. I’d have been disappointed in anything less.

Look, I don’t know about Amish fiction–still haven’t tried hers yet.  However, I can say that if she writes more western fiction, it’ll be top of my list.

Recommended for anyone who loves western fiction with more than a little humor and strong female leads—especially when pitted against male leads who are just as strong. Jessie and James is sure not to disappoint.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews

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Comments

  1. TAMMY HUDSON says

    August 16, 2019 at 7:47 pm

    Sounds like a great read. I love that cover.

    Reply
  2. Caryl Kane says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    Wonderful review! This book sounds like one not to miss.

    Reply
  3. Emma says

    August 14, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    this book sounds wonderful.

    Reply
  4. Lori Smanski says

    August 13, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    So cool. Thank you for your thoughts. I used to love Amish books. Lately, they just seem to run the same. I need to try this book for this new to me author

    Reply
  5. Emma says

    August 13, 2019 at 12:19 pm

    I’ve been reading the reviews of this book, and they’ve all been so glowing that I’ve been a little suspicious. Now, though, I’m definitely intrigued!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 13, 2019 at 1:02 pm

      She’s feisty and full of spit and vinegar, but there’s more to her than independence and grit. You just have to work with James to find out what.

      Reply
  6. Amelia says

    August 13, 2019 at 11:09 am

    This sounds great!

    Reply
  7. Rita Wray says

    August 13, 2019 at 9:12 am

    Sounds like a great read.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer Beckstrand says

    August 13, 2019 at 8:59 am

    Chautona, I can’t tell you how much this review means to me–especially coming from a fellow author and one as talented as you. Thank you so much. I was thoroughly entertained just reading your review. I think I will always write Amish–I’ve got a contract for four more Amish books in the works–but this tale set in the Old West was so much fun to write. I will definitely be writing more Westerns and very soon, I hope. And I just have to say that you did an amazing job on the cover. You are so wonderful. Thank you for all your help with formatting and publishing and talking me down when I got frustrated. (Technology really frustrates me sometimes.)

    Thank you, my dear. You just made my whole week.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
byChautona Havig

When Lara d’Entremont began describing her YA portal fantasy, The Painted Fairytale, I knew this would be right up my alley. Listen in and see how art becomes the portal to other worlds!

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

Portal fantasy is my favorite, so I was crazy excited to learn about this one–especially the art tie-in. I can’t wait to dive in myself.

We chatted about her characters, the world, and the faith that connects them.

The Painted Fairytale by Lara d’Entremont

Seventeen-year-old Wren Devine refuses to share her art with anyone-other than her parents and her sister (who died three years prior). But when her mother submits her artwork to a mentorship program, and she gets accepted, Wren is forced to display her artwork for the eccentric Professor Hayes. Despite her fears, Wren hopes this mentorship will finally make her as worthy as her sister.

But this mentorship is about more than painting.

Wren soon learns that she has a magical ability to turn her paintings into portals to travel not only to other places but also to another world entirely. An eerie children’s book in the professor’s classroom reveals a wicked pirate with a vengeance who has her eye on Stefan Branson, a former student of Professor Hayes.

As all four of these lives intersect, it becomes apparent that everyone has a secret–some more deadly than others. The longer these secrets brew, the more deadly and heavy they become, and possibly lead to never seeing her former, earthly realm again. Wren must not only learn to release the shadow of her beloved sister but step boldly into her own world.

Learn more about Lara on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.or on Subtack.

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Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d'Entremont
October 27, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 481: A Chat with Patricia Bradley
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