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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Lizards in Holland? WHAT?

by Chautona Havig · 13 Comments

I don’t know about you, but as a desert dweller, when I hear “lizard garden” and Amsterdam in the same sentence, it seems a little… incongruous.  So, when author Anne E. Phillips (who happens to be a dear friend of mine) wrote a children’s novel, The Lizard Garden,  that takes place in The Netherlands and involves, among several things, this not-famous-enough-in-my-opinion Lizard Garden, well… I wanted to know more.

Lizard Garden by Anne Siglin

Anne’s book is told from the perspective of twelve-year-old Charlotte.  One of the best things about this book is Anne’s characters.  She writes with a crisp, clean authenticity that makes the story come alive in a fresh, inviting way.  You immediately connect with Charlotte, Milo, and Alice and their family.

The Lizard GardenBut what I love most about this book is how, as an American, I am immersed in Dutch culture in a way I can relate to.  Rather than reading a guidebook to “living in Holland,” I’m living in Holland with another American family.  It’s a learning experience that doesn’t feel like a lesson.

Anne draws you into another world, sets you on an adventure, teaches you things you didn’t know about Dutch culture, art, and travel, and all in a way that makes you feel like you’re experiencing them rather than sitting in a classroom.

It’s hard to write this review–not because I have any criticism that I want to downplay, but rather the opposite.  I have so much I want to say about the book, but in doing so, I’ll spoil it.  And as we all know, River Song would never approve of “Spoilers!”

So, I’ll just say this. 

I loved it.  It is a well-written, engaging story that, while written for the youth market, is actually ageless.  Younger children will love to have the book read to them and adults will enjoy it because it is simply a good story.  I’m dying to read her next art-inspired youth novel–rumor has it that it takes place in Italy!

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, New Release

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Comments

  1. Andrea says

    February 16, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    I’ve never heard of it. The book sounds so interesting!

    Reply
  2. Eileen says

    February 16, 2015 at 5:08 am

    No, I’ve never heard of the Lizard Garden.

    Reply
  3. Julie Carns says

    February 13, 2015 at 10:18 pm

    I cannot wait to read this book the minute it arrives! Thank, Amazon, for Prime shipping!

    Reply
  4. bn100 says

    February 13, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    No, I haven’t

    Reply
  5. Terresa Mountain says

    February 13, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Pinned the cover, liked the author on fb, posted the amazon link on my fb, and my comment is: Never heard of it, but from your description, sounds like a delightful read!

    Reply
  6. Julie says

    February 13, 2015 at 8:03 am

    Never heard of it – but I am intrigued! Thanks for sharing and holding a giveaway.

    Reply
  7. Jessica S says

    February 12, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    I have never heard of the Lizard Garden. I am intrigued by the story, and I will look forward to reading it!

    Reply
  8. Sunshine says

    February 12, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    Just heard about it through this site.

    Reply
  9. Tanya says

    February 12, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    No, but I’m going to check it out.

    Reply
  10. Jenn says

    February 12, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    I have only heard of it because of Anne. 🙂 The book is amazing, and I’d love to have a print copy!

    Reply
  11. Cari says

    February 12, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    No, I haven’t ever heard of the Lizard Garden and like you I wouldn’t naturally think Holland = lizards. You’ve got me intrigued.

    Reply
  12. Emma says

    February 12, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    No, I haven’t but it does sound intriguing from your review 🙂

    Reply
  13. Beth says

    February 12, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    I can’t wait to read the book. I am so excited for Anne to be at this point in the process.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 162: A Chat with Author, Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

Hey, we’re back after a couple of weeks of vacation, and boy did I need it. And, have I got a fabulous interview for you. Nancy Naigle and I talked about her books, her most recent release, What Remains True as well as her Christmas books and the one I’m most anxious to read, The Shell Collector. Listen in and learn about what Nancy says about this bet she has going on in What Remains True. Great stuff!

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

Need a Great Romantic Read to Wind Up Your Summer Reads?

As I said in the podcast, a while back, someone told me I’d LOVE The Shell Collector–one of those people who recommends books you HAVE to read if they say you do.  So I bought it and it’s been sitting on my shelf ever since. Well, now it’s on my GoodReads shelf, and I’m about to start it (and I optimistically thought I’d be done with it by the time this episode released. Oh, me of too much faith in myself and my time management!)

Author of over thirty books, not to mention a bestselling author who also has movies made of her novels (And The Shell Collector has been optioned! EEEP!), Nancy loves to write Christmas books and small-town stories. Seriously, as we talked, I felt like she was talking about me half the time. We’re so very alike in so many ways. It was fun.

Nancy also pointed out that her first books (if you go WAY back) are not Christian fiction and are a bit spicier than she prefers to write and definitely more than she writes today. So be warned there, but she did assure us that they are all closed-door books.

What Remains True by Nancy Naigle

One woman wants to win a bet. One man wants to become a rodeo champion. One little girl may give them both something even better—from USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle.

“A commitment-phobic rodeo star and a divorcée with secrets find love in this wholesome romance. . . . As uplifting as it is sweet.”—Publishers Weekly

Working at a little shop on Main Street in a small town is exactly the break that executive Merry Anna Foster needs following her divorce. She’s made a bet with her ex-husband that she can live on the amount of money she’s giving him in alimony. If she can do it, then Kevin will have to stop complaining and leave her alone. But after three months of this new life, will she even want to leave Antler Creek?

Adam Locklear, bull rider and owner of the local feedstore, is having the best year of his rodeo career. He’s also a bit distracted by the pretty new neighbor living in his old bunkhouse. But Adam has no time for matters of the heart. He’s got his future all mapped out, and that future doesn’t involve a woman just yet. It doesn’t involve parenting a little girl either. However, Carly Fowler still suddenly leaves five-year-old Zan—the daughter Adam didn’t know he had—in his care.

Is it possible that the future holds a life even better than what Merry Anna and Adam had each dreamed of? One that includes both tenderness and even love—not just for each other but for Zan too?

You can learn more about Nancy’s books and movies on her WEBSITE.

Oh, and PSST… I’m loving the audiobook of this one!

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Episode 162: A Chat with Author, Nancy Naigle
Episode 162: A Chat with Author, Nancy Naigle
August 9, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
July 26, 2022
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Episode 160: A Chat with Liz Johnson about The Last Way Home
July 22, 2022
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Episode 159: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Mesu Andrews
July 19, 2022
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A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Stephanie Landsem
July 12, 2022
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Episode 157: A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Lynn Austin
July 8, 2022
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Episode 156: The Fragrance of Violets by Susan K. Beatty
July 5, 2022
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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
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Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
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