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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

My Top 10 Genre Picks for Gift Giving This Year

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

“My wife [daughter, sister, brother, husband, uncle, aunt, friend, cranky neighbor, insert other person here] loves to read, but all I know is they like Christian fiction.”

A question like that just begs one more. “Do you know their favorite subgenre?”

Insert blank look here. “What’s a subgenre?”

“It’s like the back of the book where it says Fiction / Christian / and then something like… Mystery or Romance or Thriller…?”

That’s usually when light bulbs fire up and helpfulness commences.

I get asked the question a lot. “What do you recommend for…” So, I thought I’d anticipate this year and maybe help get a few of those folks knocked of your lists in a hurry. And if by “your list” you mean, “a list of books you want to buy yourself,” I’m okay with that. You should be, too. 😉 So, without further ado…

My Top 10 Genre Picks for Gift Giving This Year

Note: links are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, a few of the reviewed books mentioned may have been complimentary review copies.

My Top 10 Genre Picks for Gift Giving This Year

Let’s get right to it!

Drew Farthering SeriesMystery/Suspense

Julianna Deering 

The Drew Farthering Mysteries are a perfect choice for Golden Age mystery lovers. Taking place in 1930s England, you have all the classic elements of a solid mystery wrapped in a faith-based package. Although the last one was released in late 2017, I had to count this one as my first choice because they’re so good.

Alana Terry 

For suspense, I’d recommend the Kennedy Stern series. Nine books and the most recent came out in April. I’ve only read bits of them, but what I’ve read is excellent and I’ve got them on my 2019 (I cannot believe I just typed that number!) reading list.

Shadow Sister by Katherine Scott JonesWomen’s Fiction

Katherine Scott Jones

Shadow Sister

Although I tried not to add a bunch of books that I’ve reviewed in this list, this one had to make it. It’s one of the best women’s fiction books I’ve ever read, and I think it’s underappreciated. So, give it a shot for women’s fic lovers AND for those romance lovers who are fine with a little understated romance. Because it has a little. It also has a small mystery, so it ticks three boxes. I’m just sayin’!

Room on the Porch SwingAmish

Amy Clipson

Room on the Porch Swing 

Not being a connoisseur of Amish fiction, I took to my trusty friends over at Avid Readers of Christian Fiction on Facebook and nearly every single post said, “Amy Clipson!” I took that as a good sign that Amish lovers would love her books. This book was released in 2018 and there’s another in the An Amish Homestead series coming in 2019 that is available for pre-order if you’d like to save the risk of getting a book your Amish loving reader already has!

When You Look at Me -- BashamRomance

Pepper Basham

When You Look at Me

Here’s the thing. I haven’t read this yet. Still, it made the list because this is what I do know. I’m going to love it. What I don’t know yet is why. So if you want to give her romance-loving heart a workout (or his… guys read romance, too!) then you can’t go wrong with Pepper Basham. Hint, if you know your giftee hasn’t read the first book in the series, Just the Way You Are, I recommend starting there. HERE is my review on that puppy!

Bookishly Ever After by Sarah MonzonSarah Monzon’s Bookish series

Bookishly Ever After 

Seriously. There’s not enough good to say about this wonderful little set of novellas. And, the best news, her next one is coming out in January! So, get books one and two (on Kindle only, so a great stocking stuffer gift—super cheap! Just print out the covers, slip into an envelope, and bam! Done. You can’t go wrong. I even reviewed these HERE and HERE.

A Light on the Hill- CossetteBiblical

Connilyn Cossette

A Light on the Hill

Book one in the Cities of Refuge series, I haven’t read this one either. However, I just read and reviewed book two HERE and can’t say enough good things about it. Considering I’ve heard several people say that book one was even better, I think it’s a safe recommendation. It’s also on the way to my house. I’ll review once I have a chance to read.

A Caffeine Conundrum

Christmas

Angela Ruth Strong

A Caffeine Conundrum 

I’m in the middle of this one right now and am loving it, so stay tuned for a review. Meanwhile, if you want a fun Christmas book with a mystery twist, this is the one for you.

Christmas at the Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

However, if you are afraid that Christmas dinner won’t happen if she gets lost in a good book, then go with Christmas at the Red Door Inn. It’s a fabulous book that can easily hook a reader and keep her attention, but it’s short. No worries about her forgetting the roast, ham, turkey, or whatever it is on your Christmas menu. AND… best of all, it’s connected to the Prince Edward Island Dreams series. You absolutely can read this Christmas novella out of order and not get any spoilers that the other books don’t share in the back copy! WOOT!  For my .02 on the book, HERE is a review!

A Rumored Fortune- PolitanoHistorical

Joanna Politano

A Rumored Fortune 

Most of what I read in 2018 were historical novels. That meant that I’d read almost all the big ones that came out I was stumped here, so back to Avid Readers of Christian Fiction I went. This was the title that grabbed me.

A Rumored Fortune shows up several times a week on requests for recommendations. I’ve not heard one bad thing about it So, when I asked and got the recommendation… again, I did the only logical thing possible. I grabbed a copy for myself and popped it on the list here.

When a Unique Premise Really Is Enough The Kingdom of Ruins by DC Marino YA fantasyFantasy/SpecFic

D.C. Marino

Kingdom of Ruins

This is a book I reviewed at the beginning of the year, but since book two is in the works right now, I just had to give it another plug. Both it and the pre-series novelette, Points Worth are excellent ideas for both reluctant and die-hard fantasy readers. Marino does a fabulous job of creating a world you can get into… even when you usually prefer to stay firmly rooted in ours.

The Crossroads CollectionsCollections

Crossroads Collections

With multiple authors including Alana Terry, Hallee Bridgeman, Carol Moncado, Lesley Ann McDaniel, Cynthia Hickey, April Hayman, Amanda Tru, and myself!

I’m listing all three collections because you will find overlaps in characters (but not storylines) between collections.

However, the Crossroads Collections have a few advantages over any other collection I’ve ever been in or read.

First: The books in each collection are interconnected. One situation links each of the stories and is resolved or introduced in the title story (usually written by Amanda Tru).  We’ve done floral fiascos, misdirected mail, and ornaments handcrafted by an autistic young woman who prays over each one before it leaves her shop.  A new one is on the way, too!

Second: Each collection is available on Kindle Unlimited or as a .99 purchase. That’s an inexpensive gift considering your recipient receives five books (six in the upcoming collection)

Third: Each collection is also available as a single print volume in paperback or hardback!

The CrossRoads Collection series includes:

Out of the Blue Bouquet

Yesterday’s Mail

Under the Christmas Star

And coming in early 2019, Betwixt Two Hearts.

Whispers in the Pews--edited by Chris MorrisNonfiction

Not all readers love “lies” as some people call fiction.  So, for the nonfiction lover on your list, I can offer the following recommendations.

Whispers in the Pews (Edited by Chris Morris)

Dealing with mental illness and the church, Chris Morris opens dialogue on a difficult subject and shares insights from many viewpoints on what the church is doing right and where it could use some help.

Bless Your HusbandBless Your Husband (Angela Mills)

A review is on its way, but for now, just know that Angela has a beautiful passion for inspiring women to make blessing their husbands a priority.  Full of simple ideas and encouraging scripture, the book will help get the creative juices flowing today.  Hint: guys, unless she asked you to?  Don’t buy this for your wife.  Just leaving that right there…

7 Deadly FriThe Seven Deadly Friendshipsendships (Mary DeMuth)

Reviewed HERE, this is a fabulous book that focuses not just on what’s wrong with your friends but what you could be doing to sabotage friendships as well.  Mary even has a handy little friendship quiz on her site to help you see the health of your friendships.

There you have it:

Ten genres and sometimes even more than one pick per genre.  May the stores be stocked, the weather cooperate, or your fingers do the clicking to finish off that Christmas shopping today!

Hey, what book would you put at the top of your Christmas list?

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Comments

  1. Ava Gunn Kinsey says

    December 5, 2018 at 10:47 am

    Such great choices! (I love your image for the blog post, by the way!) I love Crossroads Collections. They are Buy-Now choices. I’m interested in reading the Friendship book. Fantasy is not my favorite (I like yours and I like Katie Clark, another personal friend of mine), and, for some reason, I’ve gotten tired of Amish fiction. I loved the Red Door Inn books! Lots of great choices! I shared on Facebook.

    Reply

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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…

 

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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
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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!)
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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
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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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