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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Making Her Debut: Meddlin’ Madeline!

by Chautona Havig · 28 Comments

Madeline's Debut

(links in this post may be affiliate links & I might receive a small commission at no extra expense to you)

Madeline’s Debut: Rockland, 1901!

Madeline Brown.  Just an ordinary girl in an ordinary Midwest city. But changes are coming her way.  She’s learning that she sees things others miss.  And in doing so, she has a different kind of debut in store.  While her friends are pairing off, she’s noticing things that just don’t sit right with her.

So, with a lot of boldness, and just a bit of fear and trepidation, she takes off on a new adventure to discover if her friend’s suitor is…well, suitable!

Lovers of the Rockland Chronicles will enjoy this foray into the early days–when streets and buildings mentioned in the contemporary books were just making their mark on the city and suburbs were tiny farming towns.

Madeline isn’t perfect.  

Madeline sweet on you debut book 1In fact, I was amused to discover that some of my readers saw similarities to Emma and Knightley of Jane Austen’s, Emma. I must confess that it wasn’t that far-fetched to me!

There are quite a few wonderful bloggers who will be sharing their take on it over the next couple of weeks.  Keep watch on these blogs for their thoughts, opinions, and even surprises for you!

  • Lots of Helpers: Missionaries in New Zealand!
  • Avid Readers Book Reviews: The title says it all.  They review multiple genres.
  • Lindsay Norton Writes:  A writer and reviewer in Colorado!
  • Funni-her:  A southern woman finding the funny in her crazy life.
  • Nourishing Simplicity: Living Simply by God’s Grace.
  •  Sarah Sarber:  Be Savvy, Serene, and Successful!
  • Learning Resource Directory: Book reviews!
  • Shine: Shining for the Kingdom
  • Quiet Workings:  Heart and home blog
  • Mommynificent: Magnificent ideas for your super family!

 

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Filed Under: New Release

Previous Post: « The Unofficial Glossary to Meddlin’ Madeline: Sweet on You
Next Post: Author Q & A: Stick-to-it-iveness? »

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Comments

  1. Sara Glaser says

    May 2, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    I read the first three chapters on Amazon and I’m hooked!

    Reply
  2. Audrey says

    May 1, 2016 at 8:39 am

    I get so tired of murder mysteries. …i hate the thought that someone brutally died, and the imagination of their pain and terror, even if only make- believe. The idea of adult- level non-murder mysteries is so refreshing. As a kid, I remember loving Encyclopedia Brown, The Three Investigators, Trixie Belden: none of which involved dead people.

    Reply
  3. Keri Delahay says

    April 29, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    I love to read and try to solve well-written, clean mystery novels. And, I don’t think they all need to be murder mysteries. While reading a series, it can sometimes get to be kind of humorous how many murders can happen in one town or be stumbled-upon by one person. So it’s great to be challenged by a different kind of literary brain-teaser. I’m really looking forward to reading Meddlin’ Madeline. I know I’m going to love it as much as I do the rest of Chautona’s books.

    Reply
  4. Alicia says

    April 29, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    Love the story, loved how it was written with time period take into consideration. The characters are wonderful and so enjoyable to read about and how they are all connected. The scenes come alive as they always do with your writing. 🙂

    I am so looking forward to reading the Bonus book!! That kid was one of those that stole my heart even in the short scenes she was in.

    Great series starter.

    Reply
  5. Brenda says

    April 28, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    A mystery without a murder….I like it and think it can work. Looking forward to it.

    Reply
  6. Andrea Rossignol says

    April 27, 2016 at 10:08 pm

    I like mysteries without murders! It makes me sad when fictional characters are killed – I’m still sad about the one in AFT. 🙁

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      April 29, 2016 at 1:40 am

      Me too!!! I wasn’t supposed to like her. But that comment in the elevator clinched it. She went from okay to favorite character of the book in a good one liner.

      Reply
  7. Deborah G says

    April 27, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Mystery doesnt always equal murder. I think it is great fun to try and solve a mystery.

    Reply
  8. Michelle says

    April 27, 2016 at 10:41 am

    So excited to get into this book….intrigued!

    Reply
  9. Bonny says

    April 26, 2016 at 3:30 pm

    murder mystery with no murder? sounds intriguing!!

    Reply
  10. nikki says

    April 26, 2016 at 11:02 am

    I like a nice, cozy, non-murder, mystery! Thank you!

    Reply
  11. Sylvia M. says

    April 26, 2016 at 7:55 am

    I’m all for it! One can still have suspects, clues, red herrings, etc., and still have a great mystery.

    Reply
  12. Cathy Higginbotham says

    April 26, 2016 at 6:47 am

    Love this author and can not wait for this new series!!!

    Reply
  13. Lindsay says

    April 26, 2016 at 6:05 am

    I love a good mystery, and think those without murder are great! Sometimes you just don’t want to read about a dead body. 😉

    Reply
  14. Emily H says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:55 am

    I love a good, clean and non-murderous mystery! Thanks Chautona and may God bless you and yours

    Reply
  15. Ava says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:49 am

    I love a good mystery and I love books set in different time periods. Enjoyed the book!

    Reply
  16. Susan (DE) says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:28 am

    I very much prefer a cozy mystery — WITH NO MURDER! That is my favorite!

    Reply
  17. Elisabeth says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:13 am

    Yes, great idea. It reminds me of many of the classic mysteries, which are either murder-free, or else are very focused on the sleuthing, rather than the gory details.

    Reply
  18. Amanda G. says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:02 am

    I popped over to your blog from twitter after watching the trailer for this book. I like the time period and I believe you can have tension in a mystery without it being centered around a murder. I’d love to read how you do it!

    @AmandaGeaney

    Reply
  19. Sophia Jordan says

    April 26, 2016 at 4:51 am

    I love a good mystery!

    Reply
  20. Ambriel says

    April 26, 2016 at 4:51 am

    I love a good cozy mystery! Murder isn’t necessary to a great mystery. I love a good fun read with twists and turns!

    Reply
  21. Ambriel says

    April 26, 2016 at 4:41 am

    Can’t wait for this new series!

    Reply
  22. Terresa says

    April 26, 2016 at 4:22 am

    Lots of possible mysteries (especially without a murder)!!! Eeekkkk!

    Reply
  23. Connie Bouldin says

    April 26, 2016 at 3:57 am

    I don’t like murder mysteries. I will read one when I know the author doesn’t get too gory, but most murder mysteries make me feel sick (even though I know I am reading fiction), so I tend to choose other genres.

    Reply
  24. Emma Filbrun says

    April 26, 2016 at 2:54 am

    Well, I love the book–but you already know that! Thanks for mentioning my blog, and for letting me help you with this launch–it’s been fun!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      April 26, 2016 at 3:30 am

      Happy to! You’ve bee a blessing!

      Reply
  25. Esther Filbrun says

    April 26, 2016 at 2:51 am

    Hmm…I’m not seeing a widget. Maybe need to reload?

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      April 26, 2016 at 3:30 am

      It’s showing now. I added a link, and every time I do that, I have to repaste in the code. GRRR

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
byChautona Havig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

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

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on her WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
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Episode 228: A Chat with Author Emilie Haney
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Episode 227: A Chat about the New Jewels of Kalispell Series
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