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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Novelly Upon A Time is the Best Book I Read Last Month

by Chautona Havig · 23 Comments

“The Stacks.” I remember some book or movie talking about some part of a college library as “the stacks.” I’ve taken to calling my room that. “The Stacks.”

Seriously. I can count no less than eight stacks of books in my bedroom. That’s not including the ceiling height bookshelf that runs all around the edge of the room, the other bookshelf, the other bookshelf, or the other one. Yeah. These are just the books that fit that rarely-depleted, ubiquitous “TBR” pile.

For the uninitiated, that stands for “to be read.” I have books stacked in front of the books on my bookshelves, some on my desk, some on my headboard, some on a chest of drawers, some… you get the picture. And I didn’t even count the books stacked on top of the books that are up by the ceiling around the edge of my room. Because, well. Pride.

No, I won’t post a picture. Again. Pride.

At the beginning of January, I only had six stacks. I’d hoped to wade through at least half of them. Yeah, I only made it through one and added three more.

Yay?

Among the books I read… some are already tentative (and a solid) members of my 2019 Just the Write Book Awards. Yeah. I’ve already started my list. It’s gonna be a good year.

Picking one to be my favorite book de la month? Not easy. In fact, I almost didn’t. Then I thought, “Hmm… but… well… hmm…”

Yes, I am eloquent.

Do you know what made choosing possible (besides my daughter coming up with the title for this post and forcing me to figure it out)?

I chose the one I couldn’t shut up about.


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Novelly Upon A Time is the Best Book I Read Last Month

Look. I need to come clean. It may not technically be the “best” of all of them. But since it’s the first one I thought of, and since I know I raved all over the place, I’m calling it that.

Also, because this book completed a super-cool series of novellas. I hate it when a series ends, but this one ended so strong, I have to give extra kudos to the book, you know?

Sarah Monzon. Don’t ask me why, but I almost always start to type her name “Susan Monzon.” The oddest part is that she doesn’t look like a Susan to me, doesn’t feel like a Susan. She’s a phenomenal writer–one I almost missed out on knowing.

I only read the first book in this series because I needed shelf space on my Kindle Unlimited account. More about that and that book HERE. (And for the review of book two in the series, go HERE.)

If that wasn’t the best book accident ever, I don’t know what is.

The books have everything against them.

  1. They’re novellas.
  2. She writes them in first person.
  3. They personify “fluffy romance.”

And yet they’ve got substance in that fluff, the first-person is done so well you don’t even notice (and it wouldn’t be as good if it wasn’t written in first person), and Sarah (almost typed Susan again) Monzon knows how to write a novella that is just perfect the way it is. I feel like I should say, “I wouldn’t even want it as a full-length novel.” But I can’t. Because her characters are people you do want more of.

Novelly Upon a Time holds a particular charm for me because it’s about an author. Not only that, it’s about an author who researches kisses instead of “practices what she preaches” so to speak. And now it’s gotten her in trouble. Add to that a local officer who doesn’t appreciate her research methods, and you have trouble just waiting to happen. In a totally adorable, hearts, flowers, and butterfly warm fuzzies way.

Seriously, who wouldn’t love that?

Engaging style, realistic, relatable, and delightful characters, a fun plot that never drags or feels fake, what isn’t to like? There’s even a solid (but not preachy or overbearing) spiritual element to really get the mind thinking.

The character’s voice alone makes me say, “Read this book today.” So I do. Read it. In fact, read them all. And Sarah Monzon even makes it easier to do so. She combined all three into the Book Nerds and Boyfriends collection. Three delightful novellas in one book that is about a full-length novel. How cool is that?

Novelly Upon A Time

Author Harper Jones prides herself on the impeccable research she does for her novels, so when early reviews come pouring in claiming her romance reeks of inauthenticity, her editor suggests pulling her nose out of her books and getting some real-life smooching experience.

But her plans to do just that are thwarted by her archnemesis from high school who has recently returned to town.

Now she’s left with an impossible decision—kiss her worst enemy or kiss her three-book contract goodbye.

Book Nerds and Boyfriends

A collection of three bookish novellas

Bookishly Ever After

When Emory’s best friend, Tate, accuses her of living between the pages of her paperbacks instead of the real world, they make a bet that will force her to experience the adventures of her fictional friends…instead of just reading about them.

Literarily For Keeps

She only has to pretend to be married for five days. What’s the worst that could happen? Literature professor Ashleigh Darmody never imagined her life would turn into a classic trope, but that’s exactly what happens when her sister Claire calls with a bizarre request–quickly find a fake husband.

Novelly Upon A Time

Harper Jones prides herself on the impeccable research she does for her novels, so when early reviews come pouring in claiming her romance reeks of inauthenticity, her editor suggests pulling her nose out of books and getting some real-life smooching experience.

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Comments

  1. Sandy Barela says

    February 15, 2019 at 6:29 pm

    Sons of Blackbird Mountain is my favorite book right now. I loved it. I haven’t read these books and would love to! Thank you for the opportunity to win 🙂

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 15, 2019 at 6:45 pm

      They’re so fun.

      Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 15, 2019 at 6:48 pm

      So anxious for the second one. It’s a great series.

      Reply
  2. Lori Downing says

    February 14, 2019 at 6:44 pm

    How can I pick a favorite when it seems that the next one I read is so good?! I have favorite authors and series and books but honestly too many to list.

    Reply
  3. April Gebhard says

    February 13, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    I think my favorite would have to be the Little House series!

    Reply
  4. Joanne says

    February 13, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    I had to read the other comments before I could even think of one book about an author, and agree that Little Women and the Anne books are great, but I thought of my own. Georgette Heyer’s Sylvester (or The Wicked Uncle). Another good one is My Brilliant Career (an Aussie book—can’t remember the author).

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 13, 2019 at 7:42 pm

      I’d forgotten I have a couple of author people in my books! The comments reminded me.

      Reply
  5. Vickieickie Edwards says

    February 13, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    I can’t say I’ve read many books about authors. But, I really like Alexa Hartfield and I enjoyed a the series that begins with “Finding Mr. Write”

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 13, 2019 at 7:42 pm

      That title alone sold me. Off to find it

      Reply
  6. Jackie says

    February 13, 2019 at 2:08 pm

    In all honesty these are probably the only books about an author that I’ve really read and thoroughly enjoyed and those would be all of the Alexa Hartfield books!! Eagerly waiting the next one!!

    Reply
  7. Amelia says

    February 13, 2019 at 1:59 pm

    The only one I can think of right now is “Danger in the Shadows” by Dee Henderson.

    Reply
  8. Courtney says

    February 13, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    My favorite would be Little Women.

    Reply
  9. Paula Shreckhise says

    February 13, 2019 at 11:17 am

    I read Bookishly Ever After this summer and I just loved it! So cute.
    My favorite book about an author is A Name Unknown by Roseanna White. Peter could out words on a page but had a stutter. He was so endearing!

    Reply
  10. Joy says

    February 13, 2019 at 8:17 am

    I’m realizing I read far more books about readers and teachers and librarians than I do about writers. Anne Shirley is the only writer I can recall at the moment.

    This series sounds like fun!

    Reply
  11. Tina at Mommynificent says

    February 13, 2019 at 8:15 am

    I want this paperback so badly!! I loved all three of these books! As for my favorite book about an author, I think Dear Mr. Knightley.

    Reply
  12. julie long says

    February 13, 2019 at 8:15 am

    I did enjoy Bookishly Ever After – and I can’t remember off the top of my head any other books about authors so for now, that’s my favorite 🙂

    Reply
  13. Rachel says

    February 13, 2019 at 8:08 am

    Sounds fun! Favorite book about an author? Well… I can only think of two and I enjoyed both – for very different reasons! Of course, I can’t recall the title of either, but the authors are Dee Henderson and Chautona Havig ?

    Reply
  14. Melissa W says

    February 13, 2019 at 7:41 am

    I can’t think of any books I’ve read lately about an author…but I loved Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin about a librarian (and maybe there was an author character too??) and the Inspector Gamache series has a poet!

    Reply
  15. Toni says

    February 13, 2019 at 7:15 am

    I adore these novellas and Harper is one of my favorite fictional authors. (No entry needed b/c I own the collection!)

    Reply
  16. Alesha Conklin says

    February 13, 2019 at 6:38 am

    Is it cheating to say that my favorite book about an author is “Little Women”??? I mean, Jo IS an author! And I did LOVE that about her. 😉

    Reply
  17. Lila Diller says

    February 13, 2019 at 6:33 am

    Wow, your review really makes me want to read this! I love first person, rainbows and butterflies! ?

    The movie you referenced that calls the library “the stacks” is the Prince and Me” with Julia Stiles, and that scene in the stacks is the steamiest of the movie.

    Thank you for the giveaway!! My favorite book about an author is constantly changing, so since I just finished reading Anne’s House of Dreams, I’ll say that one about Owen Ford writing Captain Jim’s Life Book.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      February 13, 2019 at 7:51 am

      Except I’ve never seen that. So weird. I wonder if they mentioned it in a preview?

      Reply
  18. Rachel Dodson says

    February 13, 2019 at 6:25 am

    I really enjoyed the writing desk by Rachel hauck. Im reading bookishly ever after right now. Thanks for the giveaway! Would love to read the other books in the series.

    Reply

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Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
byChautona Havig

 Oh, wow.  When I read the synopsis for House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick, I knew this was going to be a fabulous book.  Forget all the endorsements and starred reviews, listen in to hear just how awesome this book is!  

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

When Margaret described the story within House of Honor, I not only learned a lot of art history, but I got a taste of Italy (sadly, without pasta and gelato… sniff). I can’t wait to see what she coes up with next.

 House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick

Two Italian sons, one woman, linked by a masterpiece painting, are put to a test of loyalty and honor.

At the heart of this gripping tale is Orazio Bordoni, the wayward son of a construction magnate, living a reckless life like that of his artistic hero Caravaggio. He finds himself befriended by Nicolo Giotto, the devoted son of a powerful Sicilian mafia clan, who wants to uphold the honor of his family.

As the dark underbelly of the art world and the Vatican expose their true character, Orazio finds himself in a world where his loyalty is tested, honor is at stake, and the boundaries between life, love, and art blur. He and Nicolo discover just how far they’re willing to push those boundaries, even if it means sacrificing everything.

House of Honor is a pivotal story that weaves the threads of history, the ruthless allure of the mafia, the enigmatic power of the Vatican, and the timeless brilliance of Caravaggio.

Learn more about Margaret on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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