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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The First Exclusive Glimpse of the Next Not-So Fairy Tale

by Chautona Havig · 10 Comments

What began as a “short story” became a series beginning with Princess Paisley. Not satisfied with that story (a rather silly and ridiculous tale), I embarked on a journey to tell a real fairy tale–one full of adventure and courage.  One that cost the hero dearly if he dared to be the hero.  I think I did that with Everard.

But then I met a maid–a special girl from a faraway country. Like Paisley (the shepherdess princess) and Everard (the shyest prince alive), Leicelin of Verdonia has something… unique about her. Few people have seen her, but one who has calls her The Beauty of Verdonia.

Without further adieu…

The First Exclusive Glimpse of the Next Not-So Fairy Tale

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The First Exclusive Glimpse of the Next Not-So Fairy Tale

Surrounded by the cerulean waters of the Abscindian Sea, the large island of Verdonia sits as if abandoned by the rest of the world. As all kingdoms should, Verdonia has villages, subjects, a castle, a king, and a queen. And, as all fairy tales should, this story has a princess—the Princess of Verdonia. Leicelin.

I have heaping quantities of information to share with you, but alas I am not permitted to do so. An author must resist the temptation to tell her audience all that she knows. One must show the reader, lead them through the facts and thoughts, actions and emotions.

Alas, I want to delve into the tale and give you all the juicy little tidbits that will help you see this fascinating place. I’m just dying to tell you about Leicelin, describe her home, explain why she’s almost twenty-one and no one has even hinted at a Majority Ball— oh dear. I’m doing it already. Show don’t tell. Got it.

Where was I? Oh, cerulean waters and the beautiful land of Verdonia… no wait. Leicelin. That’s it. Sorry. On the morning that my story opens, Leicelin rushed here and there about her work. What was it, you ask? I shall tell you. Dressing for a visiting dignitary’s visit? Not quite. However, dresses were involved. Does that count?

Let’s step into the stone room at the back corner of the castle and peek in on her while she works.

Leicelin wiped the back of her sleeve across her forehead, mopping up the perspiration that persisted in forming as she scrubbed the hem of the dress, but she lost hope. It was ruined. As she hung it on the line with the rest of the morning’s wash, she tried to imagine who at the castle might fit into it.

“It must be cut down for Floria, I suppose. It was my last good dress too.” She would have to ask her father for more materials to make a new dress. Then again, perhaps her mother had an old one she could remake. “I’ll ask about that instead.”

Her fingers trailed along the hem, measuring how high the stain went. Less than three inches. “I could cut it off…”

“My princess, you musn’t. You are too old to wear dresses above your ankles.” Alma stepped into the room, shaking her head. “We will have to make a new one.”

“I think I’ll ask Mother if she has any old ones to remake.”

“You’re the king’s daughter. You should have new dresses when you need them.”

She shook her head and picked up a pair of linen breeches belonging to her father and soaked them in the tub. “Perhaps. However, to do that means we tax our people—taxes they cannot afford. How is that right? Fatherly would never approve.

“Your father is the best king we’ve ever had—generous to us to a fault as well—but his daughter shouldn’t be dressed in rags just because our kingdom has fallen on hard times.”

Everard- Not-so-fairy-talesSynopsis: A Prince, a friend, and a lizard walk into a trap…

Everard of Havilund—fierce warrior, brave soldier, loyal friend, heir to the throne, and painfully shy.

The war is over! Or is it? After four long years fighting in a war that has spanned nearly a millennium, Everard is finally going home. He has faced everything he fears most—he thinks. Alas, trouble is brewing in the little hamlet of Hidden Hollow and he has only himself to blame.

Follow Everard as he tries to slay the Dragon of Ironia, face the Giant of the Tripp Mountains, bring the Enchantress of Enervatia to justice… just for starters.

Will he succeed? Will he overcome the personal demons that threaten all he is working for?

Find out in this second installment of the Not-So-Fairy Tales.

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Filed Under: Short Stories Tagged With: The Not-So-Fairy Tales Series

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Comments

  1. Vickie Edwards says

    October 15, 2018 at 6:17 am

    YAY, This series is so fun!

    Reply
  2. Ava Gunn Kinsey says

    October 13, 2018 at 12:10 pm

    If I read them out of order, will that matter?

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      October 13, 2018 at 12:52 pm

      Nope! Not this far. But you will want to read Paisley BEFORE Beauty. 🙂

      Reply
  3. mtysar says

    October 12, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    Yay!! I’ve been waiting for another not so fairy tale! ! Whoohoo! . …. .. when?:-P

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      October 13, 2018 at 1:55 am

      No clue. But it’s fun!

      Reply
  4. Jo Ann Ann Honaker says

    October 12, 2018 at 6:42 pm

    Yay!!!! Sounds wonderful. But I rather liked Princess Paisley…

    Reply
  5. Florence Wright says

    October 12, 2018 at 6:30 pm

    I almost face planted onto my laptop. I have a confession … I don’t think I read Everard!!! Forgive me (groveling)!! I went to see on Amazon and clicked to get the book – if I already had it, Amazon would have told me. They didn’t. But honestly, I’m quite relieved now, because when I read your post, I thought I was having a serious memory issue, because I didn’t remember ANYTHING of what you described from that book. OH MY … I’m a slacker fan!! So, it’s on my list now 🙂 I’ll get it done!!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      October 13, 2018 at 1:56 am

      Hee hee. I love it. “Slacker fan.” Mmmmwwaaahahah

      Reply
  6. Rebecca Pittman says

    October 12, 2018 at 6:22 pm

    Any idea when this book will go on the list of releases?

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      October 13, 2018 at 1:59 am

      Not sure I am actually reconsidering part of my plot. I need to talk to Clark about it and see what he thinks. Sometimes getting an outside perspective really helps.

      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
September 29, 2023
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September 26, 2023
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Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
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Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
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