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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

One of the Best Things Is Introducing Mom to Favorite Authors

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Colleen Coble has been one of my favorite authors for years, but this year I finally got to introduce my mom to her work, and boy was that fun! via @chautonahavig

Mom moved in with us the day before Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving afternoon, I brought the first stack of books to her room. Outside of my books, she hasn’t read much if any Christian fiction before now.

Fun fact, one day we were talking about repetitive words or phrases in books and she said, “There was one of yours that you kept using some word or phrase over and over until I wanted to throw the book!”

Gotta love Mom. If you don’t want the truth, don’t ask or talk to her.  Ahem.

Anyway, Mom’s read a lot–from historical authors like J’Nell Ciesielski Joanne Bischof, and Roseanna M. White to Michelle Griep.  She’s read a few mysteries, including Audrey Stallsmith. A few women’s fiction… She often has some interesting comments to make about this one or that. She lets me know what she likes, what she doesn’t.

I gave her a book by one of my favorite authors a few weeks ago, and the other day she finally got to it (you know, after the dozen or two other books in front of it). She handed it back with the first unsolicited praise I’ve heard from her.  “This one’s good–really good. I liked it.”

That book?  One Little Lie by Colleen Coble, and last night I read it.

Colleen Coble

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

One of the Best Things Is Introducing Mom to Favorite Authors

Seriously, aside from the fun of sharing things I enjoy, knowing that if my mom liked it I will, too is pretty awesome.  Then again, when have I ever not loved a Colleen Coble book?  It may happen someday, but so far, it hasn’t happened yet. I mean, when I requested and received the review copy of this book, I didn’t wonder if I’d like it. It was more of a why would I like it.

Of course, the moment I thought of that, I knew I was tempting Murphy.  Maybe this would be the book–the one that disappointed me and left me wrecked in a puddle of disillusion and despair.

Okay, I’ll stop laughing now. Right?  Snort.

But why did I like it?  Was it because Mom did, so I felt I should?

Nope.  Although, if she had and I hadn’t, I’d have wondered if there was something wrong with me, and I probably would have reread it again.  Right then.

Maybe it had to do with the fact that Thomas Nelson seems to have reversed its trend of weak  Christian content to the curb.  WOOHOO!  Look, it’s not that there was all kinds of preachiness all over this book.  Can’t stand that stuff.  However, Colleen Coble placed a few solid nuggets in there and left the next book wide open for a whole goldmine of ’em.

Even better than that, she grabbed me and held my attention even with chaos happening around me.

No really, I had to call the police while I was reading the book.

And not just because I was annoyed at being interrupted while reading a great story.

A multi-faceted story glistens and sparkles across the page as you dig deeper and deeper into this story. Well placed twists and turns kept me second-guessing every guess I’d made until the final showdown.  Just before proof appeared with the turn of a page, I knew she’d gotten me.  She’d convinced me to switch my guess to the obvious choice, and as a result, she tripped me up.

Well done, Ms. Coble.  Well done.

One of the best elements in this novel is how flawed every character is–and all in different but oh, so similar ways. We see true faith in action, fear and uncertainty overriding faith, and the natural fallout of sin in people’s lives. Not once is sin glorified or excused, but in the end, we understand how it got a foothold and see what it does to those who grip it.

With a plot that keeps you riveted, pacing that never lags, and characters to root for, One Little Lie has everything you want in an excellent suspense novel and is only missing one thing.

The next book in the series.

How on earth will I make it until September?

Recommended for lovers of suspense. For those of us not dying for a strong romantic element in every book, this is the one for you. While there’s a tiny thread in there, it’s such a minor one, you almost don’t notice it.  For those who love that romantic thread, no worries.  I see it coming in the next book or two.

About the Boone little lie colleen cobleok

Book:  One Little Lie

Author: Colleen Coble

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 3, 2020

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth in this gripping new romantic suspense.

Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama after her father retires, but there’s no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane quickly realizes she’s facing someone out to destroy the only family she has.

After escaping with her father from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is well-known for his documentaries, and his latest project involves covering Jane’s career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid’s calm manner as he follows her around filming, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross—especially once her father’s lie catches up with him.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
byChautona Havig

A chat with Sarah Sundin is always fun, so when I learned we’d be discussing her upcoming release, The Sound of Light, last October, I was excited. Well… we chatted, and it’s finally time to share that interview. Listen in to what the title means, where Sarah came up with it, and the delightful story that she’s got waiting for us. I’m glad this episode came out in time for me to get the 40% off and free shipping deal from Baker because I apparently didn’t order it back when we chatted!

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

How I Fell in Love With This Haunting Title

I didn’t know much about Denmark and WWII, so chatting with Sarah about The Sound of Light shed definite light (no pun intended) on the history of the Danes and how they stood up to Hitler… and got away with it (for the most part).

The Sound of Light tells the story of a physicist who meets a “slow, dull” guy who intrigues her in spite of herself. Come on… if that doesn’t grab you… Maybe the fact that this slow dude is really an Olympic rower in disguise who uses his father’s company as a front for who he is and how he helps Jews escape?  Yeah. That.

As always, Sarah Sundin has done her research and the result is a gripping story of resistance, protection, and ultimately love for God, our fellow man, and maybe… each other.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for my copy of The Sound of Light to arrive.

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research–her life’s dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement’s legendary Havmand–the merman–and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.

You can also grab this book from Baker Book House at 40% off with free shipping! (which is cheaper than the Kindle version!)

And you can learn more about Sarah Sundin on her WEBSITE.

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Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
January 31, 2023
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Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit t Reposted from @margueritemgray Come take a visit to our newest set of islands – The Suamalie Islands! These islands are very different from the Independence Islands because they are touristy. Another way this series is different is we have added more authors. You will see some familiar Independence Islands authors but will also see some brand-new ones. Just like with our Independence Islands, each author will follow a type of business that goes across all the different islands.

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#giveaway #suamalieislands #celebratelit
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally Reposted from @choosingjoynovels I may personally have been run into by a limb or two...

#funny #tree #blind #visuallyimpaired #blindauthor #authorsofinstagram #christianauthor #fictionauthor #historicalfictionauthor #romanticfiction #romancenovel
Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

#TheMosaicCollection
#Bookstrings
#TwiceSoldTales
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
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