• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Do You Know What I Know: a book review

by Chautona Havig · 19 Comments

Do you?  Do you know what I know?  I know about a great Christmas read that I can’t wait to share with you.  That’s what I know.

Becky Melby, author of quite a few books, including the “Lost Sanctuary” series, has come out with a Christmas novella that will make you want to curl up with a quilt and a mug of hot chocolate and read straight through.  No joke.  Really.  I meant to read just a bit to get a feel for the tone of the book and sank back in that “after book glow” just a couple hours later. So I was supposed to be writing.  Who cares?  Sometimes you need a book, and this book was “just the write escape” for me!

Do you know what I know Melby review

(Links in this post may be affiliate links and will provide me a tiny commission at no extra cost for you.)

My “Quick and Easy” Review:

If you recall, a couple of months ago I wrote a blog post about how to write a super-easy review when you’re in a rush.  Well, I’m racing through NaNoWriMo and need that super-fast review option! So I’m going to give an example here for you.  To read that post (and maybe encourage you to give your favorite author a review today), go HERE.

Do You Know What I Know?:

Do You Know what I know - melbyI loved everything about this book, but I think what I loved most was how perfectly the author managed a complicated plot in such a short book. Because I became so quickly invested in the characters, I found myself hating the pain simple misunderstandings and mix-ups caused them, but that’s what makes a story great, right?

Melby’s Do You Know What I Know isn’t a comedy, by any stretch, but seriously, who wouldn’t laugh at a chicken in church?  Think “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” meets Milwaukee!  And because I’m kind of a heartless creature, so I didn’t cry. But I guarantee you I would have cried for Elizabeth when she thought things were all wrong in her marriage. Don’t blame the author.  I just don’t cry.

All in all, Do You Know What I Know was a delightful read that I recommend.  Those with convictions against surrogacy and/or IVF may have a problem with one of the subplots, but it was quite tastefully done and gave an alternate perspective on something I’ve never been comfortable with.

So….

Have you read anything by Becky Melby?  If you haven’t, I think Do You Know What I Know is a great introductory book.

*giveaway ended. Congrats, Susan E.*

Share76
Pin
Post
Email
78Shares
Share
Pin
Post
Email
78Shares

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « NaNo’s Raven Is Rapping:
Next Post: Do You Know What I Know? I know the winner! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Lori D says

    November 4, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    I haven’t read it and would love to!!!

    Reply
  2. Andrea Stephens says

    November 4, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    I believe I’ve only read one of Becky’s books a long time ago. “Parting Secrets” is in my “books I’ve read” folder on my Kindle.
    Thanks for doing a giveaway. I’d love a chance to win this book.

    Reply
  3. MS Barb says

    November 4, 2016 at 9:25 am

    I haven’t read anything by Becky Melby, YET…but I WILL put this book on my Book request list for the next County Bookmobile visit! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Andrea Rossignol says

    November 4, 2016 at 8:48 am

    I haven’t read anything by her, but I would like to!

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    November 4, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Never heard of her. I’ll have to check her books out.

    Reply
  6. Sarah K says

    November 3, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    Becky is a new author to me. Guess I need to do some research. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Emma Filbrun says

    November 3, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Never heard of her. Sounds interesting.

    Reply
  8. Kathy says

    November 3, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    I have NOT read anything by this author yet, but if you say you love it, then I hope to win it or check it out soon.

    Reply
  9. Dacia says

    November 3, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    This is a new author to me, so hopefully I’ll win this book and if not I’ll be searching Amazon for her books on sale. =)

    Reply
  10. Lucinda says

    November 3, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    Not yet but I hope to win this so I can change my answer to yes?!

    Reply
  11. Melissa says

    November 3, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    I have not read any of her books but since I like to pack as many wintery books as I can into December, this sounds like a good one to start with!

    Reply
  12. Marleen Viola says

    November 3, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    No, but I will definitely look for this one!

    Reply
  13. Connie Tillman says

    November 3, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    I have not read anything by her. This looks like a good read.

    Reply
  14. Michelle Stewart says

    November 3, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    No I haven’t but you certainly have me intrigued! lol

    Reply
  15. Tina at Mommynificent says

    November 3, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    I’ve heard of her and might even have one of her books in my TBR pile but haven’t read any yet. Thanks for bumping her up on the list!

    Reply
  16. Alexandra says

    November 3, 2016 at 5:14 pm

    No, I haven’t, but I trust your judgment and thank you for the review – I will wait to see if I won the book 🙂 and, if not, will have to get it myself.

    Reply
  17. Sue Snyder says

    November 3, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    No I had never heard of her.

    Reply
  18. Susan (DE) says

    November 3, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    Well, I think the question above was, have I ever read anything by Becky Melby. No. I have not. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Colleen says

    November 3, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    Not yet! I have been intrigued with this story idea since I first saw it on Amazon!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 591: A Chat with Jenny McLeod Carlisle
byChautona Havig

There are just not enough “rodeo” books out there, but Jenny McLeod Carlisle has climbed into the saddle and… yeah. I tried to do something other than “stepped up to the plate,” but it didn’t work. Anyway, you get the gist. Listen in to get the story about the story!

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

Family relationships can be hard, so maybe that’s why stories that explore them resonate so well. Stepping up when things are falling apart means doing hard things, and hard things make great stories. Throw in a horse or three and…

Hope Takes the Reins by Jenny McLeod Carlisle

They’ve spent their lives in the middle—now everything is asking them to step up.

O.D. Billings has always lived in the shadow of his brothers. Even his name feels like something to hide behind. But when his family’s future begins to unravel, O.D. is forced to take the reins in ways he never expected.

Hope Caldwell is doing everything she can to hold her family together after the loss of her mother. The rodeo that’s been her whole world is slipping through her fingers, and the future she counted on is suddenly uncertain.

Because someone is ready to walk away. And everything she loves is at risk of disappearing.

As lifelong neighbors, O.D. and Hope have always known each other—but now they’re seeing each other in a whole new light. With pressure mounting from every direction, they find themselves leaning on each other in ways neither anticipated.

But stepping forward means facing fears they’ve spent years avoiding. And trusting that God’s plan might look very different than their own.

In a world of dust, determination, and second chances, Hope Takes the Reins is a heartfelt story of courage, calling, and discovering that sometimes the middle is exactly where you’re meant to be.

Will they keep running from who they’ve always been…or finally step into who they’re meant to become?

Find love, purpose, and the courage to take the reins. Start reading today.

Learn more on Jenny’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • and more!
Episode 591: A Chat with Jenny McLeod Carlisle
Episode 591: A Chat with Jenny McLeod Carlisle
October 12, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 590: A Chat with Shilo Creed
October 10, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 584: A Chat with James Finke
October 6, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 589: A Chat with Amanda Cabot
October 5, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 588: A Chat with Christine Suntz
October 3, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 587: A Chat with Four Authors
September 30, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 586: A Chat with Becca Kinzer
September 28, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 585: A Chat with Jenelle Hovde
September 26, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 583: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 21, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 582: A Chat with Terrie Todd
September 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Dying to Read

Dying to Read

Take Cover

Take Cover

CrossWords

CrossWords

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • So, There Was That Time I Forgot What I Knew…
  • “Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie
  • Why Romance Is a Hairy Proposition (or is that proposal?)

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Anne-tober is going strong. Up tonight... Continui Anne-tober is going strong. Up tonight... Continuing @laurieherlichauthor and her Peril in Potter Valley,  Kaylyn Josephson's Ravenfell, and @d.m.griffins Cerulean Rose. Whatcha readin'?
#AmReading
#ChristFic
#MiddleGradeFiction 
#ChristianFantasy
#Anne-tober
Reposted from @artisticnobody1996 Meet Abbigayl “A Reposted from @artisticnobody1996 Meet Abbigayl “Abbi” Byrne. ❄️🏰

At twenty-six, Abbi would much rather spend Christmas surrounded by history and art than dealing with another holiday full of family expectations.

So when she gets the chance to spend Christmas at Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, it feels like the perfect escape.

Snow. A magnificent castle. A celebration of Christmases past.

What could possibly go wrong?

Or perhaps the better question is…

**Who might she find there?** 👻❤️

*The Ghost of Christmas…* 
A Christian Christmas romance where love, faith, history, and a little Christmas magic collide.

🎄 Coming October 20 
📖 Available for pre-order now on Amazon (Link in bio)

#TheGhostOfChristmas #DeniseLBarela #ChristmasRomance #ChristianRomance #ChristianFiction ChristmasBooks HolidayRomance TimeSlipRomance CleanRomance SweetRomance RomanceBooks Bookstagram BookRecommendations IndieAuthor ChristmasReads
There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
#BecauseFiction
#ChristFic
#ChristmasRomance
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
#BecauseFiction
#ChristFic
#ChristmasRomance
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
#BecauseFiction
#ChristFic
#ChristmasRomance
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
#BecauseFiction
#ChristFic
#ChristmasRomance
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
There's nothing like a town that comes together to There's nothing like a town that comes together to take care of their own. When a local couple is scammed with a "defective" diabetic alert dog, Fairbury residents are ticked. Fundraisers abound, and one couple even writes a Christmas play. But without a Christmas miracle, it's not going to happen. God, however, is in the business of miracles. All they needed was for Him to agree.
FREE through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. https://amzn.to/4hMAcEF #Affiliatelink
#BecauseFiction
#ChristFic
#ChristmasRomance
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!