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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Is a Love Riot & Why Should You Want One?

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

If you wonder what on earth a love riot is, well... Sara Barratt will tell you. She'll do more than that, she'll inspire and challenge you to start your own. via @chautonahavig

This month’s TBR pile featured something I’ve never seen before. Two books by authors from the same family—The Barratt Sisters. Is it just me, or does that sound like a 1940s singing act? I expect to see them in victory rolls, chunky-heeled t-straps, and sensible suits. Red lipstick, if you please.

Oh, and can they sing “As Time Goes By?” Just in case not, I’ll stick one of my favorite renditions below. Gotta love good ol’ Jimmy Durante. The guy really can’t even sing, but you love to hear him anyway.

Here’s that picture of my pile, by the way.  Top book and bottom.  That wasn’t even planned!

love riot picture

But while Amanda Barratt wrote about the resistance group in Hitler’s Youth, her younger sister wrote a nonfiction call to the sold-out life for Christ.

For teens.

And I think every American old enough to read and comprehend half of it should read this book. Say age eight to a hundred eight. But we’ll get to that in a minute.

You know, Sara Barnett reminds me so much my #3daughter. That relentless passion for Jesus, the questioning of everything and holding it all up to the lens of Scripture. The why that came with not understanding how we could just accept status quo in the church. How we could just take what someone said at face value instead of comparing it to the Word of God and seeing if one person’s teaching aligned with the ONLY Person’s teaching that mattered.

I wrote a blog post about fifteen or so years ago.

Shocker, right? I need to post it over here. Bug me about that, will you? Anyway, in that post, I outed a phenomenon among young people—that tendency toward what I call being a “thunderpuppy.” You know, the all-knowing young person who is passionate about truth without care or concern for the people trampled under the weight of how that person wields said truth. For reference, thunderpuppies tend to be young people who are considered wise beyond their years and full of zeal. “On fire for the Lord.” They’re the ones other parents point to and say, “You should be more like…” Talk about a kick in the teeth to those other kids and a really good way to puff up the puppies.

A whole lot of adults applauded that post. I got tons of emails shouting support. Or, maybe it was just because I admitted to having been the “chief of the thunderpuppies” and was still battling the tendency. Maybe they thought there was hope for me…

Anyway, I got discouraged by that rally cry from adults. Because, you see, there’s a lot of good in what is behind “thunderpuppyitis.” Remember how Paul said, “Let no man despise your youth”? Yeah. So, I wrote a rebuttal to my own post—a balancing act, so to speak. (Need to move that one over here, too). Here’s the point of all this.

That book by Sara Barrett that I read (and reread last night)? 

The one I have filled with notes and highlights on every page? Love Riot? Yeah. Well, Sara is that balance. She has the zeal, fire, and wisdom of a thunderpuppy, but she also has the gentleness and humility we all need in the face of the hard truths she is so beautifully passionate about. She’s everything in her presentation that I never was.

I learned a lot while reading Love Riot. And I’ll be reading it again. As of right now, I’m trying to figure out how to convince the publisher to give me a discount on a case of them. I want to hand out several to every youth group in town. It’s simple. If the kid will read it, I will give it.

love riot

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, while I have already purchased three of copies of the book, I was provided with a review copy from the publisher and chose to share my very biased (but not because of the extra copy given) opinion. 😉

What Is a Love Riot & Why Would You Want One?

With the United States still reeling from devastating riots, this is not a frivolous question. Neither does author Sara Barrett give a frivolous answer. In fact, she couldn’t have known that her book would release in the midst of such chaos.

And yet, this book offers the very answers to the problems that rioters and opponents to those riots alike are protesting.

Love.

That’s it, pure and simple.

On the other hand, there’s nothing simple about the all-encompassing, life-changing, world-transforming love of Jesus. And yet, that’s exactly Miss Barratt’s point.

While written directly (and literally) to teens, I am of the opinion that there isn’t a Christian out there who could not benefit from the very real kick in the butler that this book is.

I’ll be honest. I half-expected several good nuggets and a lot of self-righteous “dos and don’ts.” Or, just as bad, a series of platitudes and buzzwords without any strength behind them.

She gives us none of that nonsense.

Instead, with refreshing honesty and humility, Sara Barratt lays out a vision for what she calls a “love riot.”

People sold out to Jesus—crying out to Him for the ability to love Him as He deserves.

Christians praying with effectual fervency even when they have no words.

Christ-followers doing just that. Picking up their crosses and following.

Could anything be more beautiful?

She begins by showing us the problem—apathy in the church at large and how it is driving our young people away from Christ. After that, she shows us the underlying problem of that—a lack of love for Jesus. Then, she gives us tools… not teens tools, but every Christian who has the humility to allow (forgive me the analogy, Miss Barratt…) “a little child [to] lead them.”

If you flip through my copy of Love Riot, you’ll see every page highlighted—sometimes half a dozen on a page. Several times, I wrote notes in margins. To be honest, a tiny part of me felt guilty. I mean, that’s what I do with my Bible. And yet should this surprise me?

After all, Sara Barratt is just pointing us to Scripture. Almost every single assertion she makes is backed by Scripture, used in context, and supported by examples of other Christians who have lived their faith in similar ways.

Seriously, most the very few, tiny places that I half-disagreed, aren’t worth noting.

I’ll only throw out one as an example to show you what I mean. She makes a strong argument for beginning your day in Bible reading and prayer. Not as a “checklist” but because she advocates cultivating a life that feeds on those things. My only itty-bitty caveat is that when she argues for “even if you’re not at your best,” she ignores that for some of us, we are absolutely never at our best first thing in our “morning” (mine is at 2 p.m. and I’m not really coherent and able to really dig deep into something before 9 p.m. It’s how my brain works). Still, the principle is there, even if she holds a little firm to her method. And I don’t fault her for that.

Frankly, the very vast majority of people do best doing exactly what she advocates. I just know the guilt and shame a lot of “not morning people” feel because they can’t possibly concentrate on anything right when they wake up. Ever.

The writing style is intelligent but casual. Never do I, as an adult feel talked down to. Also, I cannot imagine a teen feeling anything but comfortable reading the book.  Except that it will make you anything but comfortable—where it counts.

In fact, if Christians could only read one book in the next three years (outside the Bible, of course—gotta throw out the caveats in case the obvious isn’t obvious), I’d say Love Riot should be that book. It’s that good.

It’s that important.

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Comments

  1. James Robert says

    July 18, 2020 at 12:56 am

    Thanks much for sharing your book and a giveaway. Sounds great!

    Reply
  2. Caryl Kane says

    July 17, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    Wonderful review! Thank you for sharing this timely book.

    Reply
  3. Sara Barratt says

    July 17, 2020 at 10:11 am

    Chautona, I started reading this blog post laughing at your hilarious anecdotes about Amanda and I (believe me, the victory rolls and red lipstick are not just in your imagination! ;)) but I ended reading it crying, so extremely humbled and blown away that God could use my small offering to bless you! All glory and praise to Jesus! Thank you, thank you for your kind words! They truly mean so very much. I’m beyond grateful and I’m praising Jesus. <3 God bless you abundantly!

    Reply
  4. Emma says

    July 17, 2020 at 2:03 am

    This sounds like one I should get.

    Reply
  5. James Robert says

    July 17, 2020 at 12:35 am

    Your book sounds like a great read and thank you for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  6. Florence Wright says

    July 16, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    I really HAVE to check this out. My husband and I have been talking about this a lot recently. A couple weeks ago, the Lord started healing my grief and deep sadness about many things, including the death of my dear mommy last year, and most recently, the death of my number one favorite cat, who was my loyal friend and “shadow” for most of her nearly 18 years. Her death kind of brought to the forefront even more, all the hurts and sadnesses of losses I have had over the past 5 years. BUT one sweet morning, the Lord reminded me of how loved I am by Him and how He has loved me through my family and friends and people who may never have expressed love for me. If someone asked me if I knew God loved me before that morning, I would have said “Of course”, but something was disconnected, “unplugged”. That morning, He plugged it back in.

    I look forward to check out this book. BTW – there is another term called “cage stage”, usually relating to the “young, restless and reformed” movement. I think it’s part of what you are calling thunderpuppies

    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…

 

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

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
Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
February 7, 2023
Chautona Havig
BONUS Episode: The Bookish Podcast Tag!
February 4, 2023
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Episode 205: A Chat about Cold Light of Day with Elizabeth Goddard
February 3, 2023
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Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
January 31, 2023
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Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
January 27, 2023
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Episode 202: A Chat with Historical Christian Author, Laura Frantz
January 24, 2023
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Episode 201: A Closer Look at This YA Dystopian Series
January 20, 2023
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Episode 200: Comparing & Contrasting Two Split-Time Novels
January 17, 2023
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Episode 199: A Chat about Karl May with Robert Stermscheg
January 13, 2023
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Episode 198: A Chat about Everything Is Just Beginning with Erin Bartels
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A chance meeting. A hunky hockey player. A fake romance.
Hardly an ordinary day in the life of Poppy Hart.

My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
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!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
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Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADO Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADOW IN MOSCOW will be available on June 13, 2023!! I can’t wait for you to meet Cold War spies, Anya Kadinova and Ingrid Bauer. You can pre-order your copy today!!
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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
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!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
There's a link to how to find it in my bio.
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomCom
#InspiredByATrueStory
Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Ligh Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Light is now available from @revellfiction , and it received a starred review from Booklist!

In WWII Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt assumes the identity of a common shipyard worker, rowing messages to Sweden for the Resistance. His life depends on keeping his secret hidden--a task that proves challenging when he meets Else Jensen, an American physicist who seems to see right through him.

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