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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Grab a Spoon and Magnifying Glass & Dig Into This Delicious Mystery

by Chautona Havig · 5 Comments

Pint of No Return provides a delicious, satisfying mystery that also leaves you wanting more. A great story with great characters. via @chautonahavig

Okay, confession. I love ice cream.  So much so that I actually make it.  Often.  The day I bought my Cuisinart Ice Cream maker, is the day that my life changed. Then I chatted with Dana Mentink about her book on the Because Fiction Podcast and the freakshake contest she had for her release, and I had every intention of entering.  Then it hit me.  I couldn’t.  It could look like I was trying to get an in on the contest or something, so my brilliant “Lavender Blue, Berry Berry” freakshake idea never saw anything but the inside of my very happy stomach (it took three days to eat that thing, folks!).

But what about the book?

pint of no return

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

Grab a Spoon and Magnifying Glass & Dig Into This Delicious Mystery

Few authors are what I would call “wordsmiths,” but Dana Mentink definitely is.  She doesn’t just write a good story or even pen beautiful or brilliant prose, she goes one step further. She’s clever with her word choice.  Sometimes I think she writes her books and then goes in and rewrites every sentence to have some burst of surprise in the middle of it. It’s genius! I find myself grinning on every page, not just because of a great story but also because of how that story is written.

Pint of No Return doesn’t disappoint in this area or any other. It’s a great mystery with a cast of quirky and delightful characters.  I wasn’t a quarter into the book before I was already anxious for the next.  I had to stop, take a breath, and remind myself to enjoy the book I had before me.

It was kind of when you go into an ice cream shop, taste a few tester spoons, and go… “I WANT THEM ALL NOW” but you know you can only eat one.  This book is that one.  But never fear, there’s more murder, mayhem, and merriment coming to the Shimmy and Shake Shop.

I’m so grateful for the free review copy of Pint of No Return. I loved it so much that I bought a paperback for myself. Recommended for lovers of words, clever writing, and clean, cozy mysteries.  Not recommended for folks who take themselves or life too seriously.

Pint of No returnAbout the Book

Book:  Pint of No Return

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release date: May 25, 2021

The first in new dessert cozy mystery series! A murder in town is bound to shake things up…

After her divorce from her thrice-married embezzler husband, Trinidad Jones is finally ready for a fresh start. So when she’s left one of ex’s businesses in Upper Sprocket, Oregon, she decides to pack up her dog, cash in her settlement, and open her dream business: the Shimmy and Shake Shop, introducing the world to her monster milkshakes. And even with a couple sticky situations underway, namely that the other two ex-wives also call Sprocket home, Trinidad’s life seems to be churning along smoothly.

That is, until she discovers her neighbor, the Popcorn King, head down in his giant popcorn kettle. When one of Trinidad’s fellow ex-wives is accused of the murder and Upper Sprocket descends into mayhem, it’s going to take a supersized scoop of courage to flush out the killer.

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Comments

  1. Roxanne C. says

    June 28, 2021 at 9:03 am

    Dana Mentink automatically had my attention with the ice cream theme, but after reading Chautona’s fun review, I really want to read this book and probably the entire series.

    Reply
  2. Dianne Casey says

    June 27, 2021 at 11:38 am

    Love the cover! Sounds like a great summer read. Looking forward to reading the book.

    Reply
  3. Lynn Brown says

    June 26, 2021 at 5:49 pm

    This sounds like a fun mystery. Love the cover. Very appropriate. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  4. Amelia says

    June 26, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Linda Palmer says

    June 26, 2021 at 6:50 am

    Pint of No Return sounds like a great book. And I do like Dana Mentink’s writing!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 603: A Chat with Cindy Morgan
byChautona Havig

Sometimes, a book title grabs you and demands you pay attention to that book. The Dogwood Gospel is one of those titles. After talking with Cindy Morgan, I went out and bought the audiobook right away. Listen in and see why!

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

People used to talk about how someone “ran off to join the circus.” Well, in this one, it’s not a line someone says. It happens!

The Dogwood Gospel by Cindy Morgan

A talented young trick rider finds unexpected community in a traveling carnival, only to discover secrets in the shadow of the Big Top.

Kentucky, 1954. Sixteen-year-old Charlie has no memory of being abandoned as a toddler—only the life she’s known with Mama Rose and Papa Arlo, the rigidly devout couple who raised her as their own. But when Papa Arlo’s rules begin pressing tighter by the day, and Mama Rose reveals a long-buried secret, Charlie realizes the truth of her past lies elsewhere. So she runs.

Disguised as a boy and dreaming of a future beyond the hills, Charlie follows the Ohio River to the Southland Carnival, where her fiery red curls and daring trick riding skills catch the owner’s eye, and Charlie is transformed into a featured act. As “The Irish Princess,” she soars beneath the Big Top, thrilling crowds and finding family among the carnival’s kindhearted misfits and wounded souls.

Back in the hills of rural Kentucky, police chief Curtis Cates has his hands full with the disappearance of three local girls when he receives the call that Charlie has gone missing. As he begins investigating, the evidence leads in a shocking direction, calling to mind an unsolved murder that has haunted him for thirteen years. When the trail takes him to the Southland Carnival, Charlie’s hard-won freedom collides with the secrets she fled, forcing both of them to face truths that have waited too long to be told.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Cindy Morgan, author of “mesmerizing” and “atmospheric” (Historical Novel Society) Southern fiction, delivers a coming-of-age story threaded with mystery and heart that’s perfect for fans of Donna Everhart and Ellen Marie Wiseman.

  • Standalone Southern women’s fiction in the vein of Kim Michele Richardson and Lisa Wingate
  • Captivating historical fiction set in the 1950s that’s perfect for book clubs
  • Features a horse-riding heroine, a cold-case mystery, and themes of adoption, forgiveness, belonging, and found family
  • Includes discussion questions

Learn more on Cindy’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

  • Apple
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  • and more!
Episode 603: A Chat with Cindy Morgan
Episode 603: A Chat with Cindy Morgan
November 14, 2026
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November 9, 2026
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Episode 600: A Chat with JPC Allen
November 2, 2026
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Episode 599: A Chat with Frank McKinney
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Episode : A Chat with L.J. Long
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Episode 597: A Chat with Alison Treat
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Episode 596: A Chat with Katheen Rouser
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Episode 594: A Chat with Joy Crain
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Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
I've never "colored a prayer" before, nor have I I've never "colored a prayer" before,  nor have I ever had my prayer format remind me to keep praying like this did, because those letters definitely had me growing weary!!!
How about you? Have you ever "colored" your prayer? 
Thanks to my friend Beth for inspiring this one. I'll be adding it to my links page in case anyone else wanys a go at it.
#prayingInColor
#ScriptureColoring
55,000 words down! 🎉✍️ And yes, I stayed up two ho 55,000 words down! 🎉✍️ And yes, I stayed up two hours past my bedtime to record this, so you know I was excited!
To celebrate reaching the halfway mark on my upcoming historical Christmas novel, Dear Uncle Nick, I’m rewarding myself with my Archer & Olive Advent Box—one box for every 5,000 words written! 🎁
Today we are opening Box 5! These colored pencils are giving me all the cozy inspiration as I dive into the second half of this 1934 small-town advice column story. Dear Uncle Nick releases on Black Friday (no preorders, just straight to your e-reader and bookshelf!), so every word counts right now.
Two questions for you in the comments: 👇
1️⃣ Which Bible verse should I turn into a custom coloring page to test these out?
2️⃣ What do you think is hiding inside Box 6 when I hit 60k words? Drop your guesses below! 🎄✨
#DearUncleNick #ChristFic #ChristianFiction #HistoricalChristmas #HistoricalFiction #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #WordCountGoal #ArcherAndOlive #AdventUnboxing #CozyReads #BookLaunch
Over halfway there! 🎉✨ I just crossed the 50,000-w Over halfway there! 🎉✨ I just crossed the 50,000-word mark on Dear Uncle Nick, and you know what that means… it’s time to open Box 4 of my Archer & Olive Advent Box! 🎁
Nothing motivates a writer quite like a stationery treat every 5,000 words. Just like an Advent calendar builds anticipation for Christmas morning, each little box gets me one step closer to bringing this 1934 farming community and their heartwarming advice column to your bookshelf on Black Friday! 🎄✍️
There’s no preorder for this one, so we are counting down the days and words together until launch day.
👇 Your turn: At 55,000 words, I get to open Box 5! Leave your best guess in the comments—what stationery surprise do you think is hiding inside next? 🖊️📓
#DearUncleNick #ChristFic #ChristianFiction #HistoricalFiction #ChristmasBooks #1930sFiction #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #BookLaunch #ArcherAndOlive #CozyReads
G'night! G'night!
When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter an When Mom makes pepper jack bread and you butter and fry it. Yum.
With 45,000 words "on the page," it’s time to cele With 45,000 words "on the page," it’s time to celebrate with Box #3! 🎁☕

I am officially halfway through writing my upcoming historical Christmas novel, Dear Uncle Nick! Writing this story—which centers around a cozy, small-town advice column in a 1934 farming community—has been such an encouragement even to me!
To keep my momentum going so this book is ready for you by Black Friday, I’m treating myself to a little joy: opening a beautiful @ArcherandOlive Advent Box "gift" every time I complete 5,000 words. 45K means Box 3 is officially MINE! But now how to use this amazing journal? HELP!
Because this book releases on Black Friday without a preorder, I’d love for you to follow along here so you don’t miss the release day announcement. Your prayers and encouragement mean so much to me (and to Eddie Morten--I'm sure of it!)
#DearUncleNick #HistoricalFiction #ChristianFiction #ChristmasNovels #InspirationalFiction #AmWriting #CozyReads #BlackFridayRelease #HistoricalChristmas #AuthorLife #ArcherAndOlive
Dear Uncle Nick, Our town has a lot of people in n Dear Uncle Nick,
Our town has a lot of people in need—no mistake about that.
We can’t meet them all, but we can do what we can to help.
Everyone loves a good box social, but that can be expensive, especially this time of year.
I propose a “dessert social.” We apply the same premise, but the boxes only hold enough dessert for two. Penny bids can be augmented by work or other goods. Folks can even buy the “augments.”
What do you think?
Hungry for cinnamon rolls!

Ever heard of a box social? 📦✨ In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, communities had to get creative to help neighbors in need.
This "unprinted letter" from the archives of my upcoming historical Christmas novel, Dear Uncle Nick, shows the exact heartbeat of a small farming town trying to survive winter with a little sweetness and a lot of grit.
✍️ The Question: If you were bidding on a dessert box for two tonight... what dessert would you hope is inside? Let me know in the comments!
#HistoricalFiction #AuthorLife #DearUncleNick #FountainPen #1930s #ChristmasNovel #ChristFic #HistoricalRomance #BookReels
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