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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

New Year= New Book! It’s Release Day!

by Chautona Havig · 3 Comments

As if proof of my inconsistencies and hypocrisies, I’ve always loved the new.  And the old.  Like Anne Shirley, I love that tomorrow is a new day–“fresh with no mistakes in it.”  I love that the Lord’s mercies are “new every morning.”  Nothing relieves me more than a “fresh slate” when I need one or knowing that I can just go start over in a new notebook or start a new book if I’m tired of the one I’m reading.

But when it comes to furniture, I love the old.  Art?  Old. Clothing styles?  Definitely old. Music?  If it’s post-1965, I doubt I’ll like it.  There are exceptions, of course, but mostly… yeah. Not so much.  Give me the Ames Brothers or Jo Stafford over Lady Gaga or… Oh, man. I can’t even think of someone contemporary.  And look, in case anyone wants to take me to task, I will absolutely admit that the Gaga woman can sing. I just don’t enjoy almost anything I’ve heard her do.

With the new year come goals, dreams, plans. I have a new planner, new clothes, and new books to read!

New Year New Book

Note: this post contains affiliate links and as such, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra expense for you.

I also wrote one–just for the new year.

You see, I created this character a few years ago–Neal Kirkpatrick.  He was a crusty guy with a chip on his shoulder and an unexpected soft spot when little Nathan Cox of Fairbury got hurt.  He appeared again, blasting Fairbury’s librarian for an impromptu worshipful moment.

So, with that reputation formed, is it any wonder that I decided to use him in this year’s novella, Christmas Stalkings?  There he was, the perfect jerk to keep the book hopping.

However, the more I wrote about him, the more I liked the grumpy curmudgeon.  I mean, he made me want to slap him or at least dump Wendy’s litter boxes on his front step, but he kept drawing me in.  And by the end of the book, I understood why.

And then I had to tell his story.

Here it is–Neal Kirkpatrick’s new slate–where he stays exactly the same, changes completely, and is shown for who he is in a whole new light.  All at the same time.

One of the launch team members had this to say about him in this book.

Oh my–I think I have a new favorite book and definitely a new favorite character! Neil is absolutely the best, most honest, most gentle, most believable, and most kind male character ever. Is it crazy to love a guy who is a character in a book???

Neal Kirkpatrick?  KIND?  No one in Fairbury would ever believe that.

Look, I finished Christmas Stalkings, packed it off to the formatter for the collection, and considered myself done.  But Neal wouldn’t leave me alone. I kept thinking of all the things that would happen after that last bit about what Jesus had to do with Christmas trees!

The title came to me the moment I realized that Neal confronting Jesus would totally turn his life upside down.  New Year’s Revolutions instead of “resolutions.”  It so fit.  And then I just had to write it.

I had no less than eight hours of audio notes on this one.  One scene–I came up with FOUR versions of it before I got the one I wanted.  Neal isn’t perfect. He’s a hot mess, actually, but aren’t we all?

And on New Year’s Day, of course!

New Year's RevolutionsOnce I came up with that title, releasing on any other day became insane.  Who would do it?  Not me! But that meant I had to write fast.  And I did.  I wrote my little heart out  Wrote and enjoyed every minute of it.  From showing Neal’s perspective of things that happened in Christmas Stalkings to mini scenes to show how he became the man he is, this book explores one man’s journey from local jerk to trying to understand this guy they call “Jesus.”

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.  If nothing, the kitten and tree scenes should make it worth your time.  I reread them now and then to get a nice little snicker.  No joke.  I really like those scenes!

 

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Comments

  1. Colleen Parker says

    December 31, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    I enjoyed getting to know a little bit about Neal in Christmas Stalkings; now, I’m looking forward to more of his story. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Lucinda Culp says

    December 31, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    Love Neal and Wendy. Love the way he seeks Jesus. This could easily become my new fav series if you allow it to become a series
    Happy New Year, Chautona Havig, may God give you strength to continue to serve Him through your work!!!

    Reply
    • Lucinda Culp says

      December 31, 2016 at 5:53 pm

      It left out my plea to please let it become a series! Argh! So…please allow it to become a series. Amen.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
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