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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Curious Minds Want to Know: What Is Your Absolute Favorite Book? Why?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Rebuilding Hearts released yesterday (you've got to read this book! #BecauseLibrarian!) and Carolyn Miller wants to know our favorite books. via @chautonahavig

“You’re my favorite.”

My daughter grins first at me and then over at her siblings. They pretend to be upset, but mostly they just roll their eyes. After all, next week, or perhaps tomorrow, maybe even five minutes from now… Yep. It’ll be their turn. My “favorite child” changes faster than a toddler’s opinion of his favorite food.

I try to remember that when someone asks the rude, obnoxious, and otherwise cruel question: “What is your favorite book?”

Because it really is like asking who my favorite child is. With nine kids, I’m totally outnumbered if I irritate them too much. It’s even worse when a book I thought I hated turns out to be great the second time I read it. Yes, I reread books.  I even reread ones I didn’t like to find out if I can articulate why better.  And… yep. I even change my mind on those.

The reverse is true as well.  I can love a book today. It just hit a sweet spot I didn’t know I had.  And BAM!  Reread to get all the vibes all over again and…. fizzle, sputter, splat.  Total flop.  Why did I think that was a good book?

And still, I sit here without an answer to the question before us:

Rebuilding Hearts

Curious Minds Want to Know: What Is Your Absolute Favorite Book? Why?

If you asked for this year, I could narrow this down to maybe five.  The Gold in These Hills, Rose Among Thornes, The Words Between Us… so many good ones.

If you asked the most inspiring (and all of this is obviously outside the Bible) book… I could give you A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and why that book made such an impact on my life. I almost did that, you know. But seriously, I have several posts here about that book already. We don’t need another, and it’s not actually my favorite book of all time.  Is it?

So here I am back at square one. And I’ve decided how to narrow it.  Out of thousands and thousands (not an exaggeration) of books I’ve read, I’m narrowing it down to almost thirty because, after all, this is to celebrate Carolyn’s new release, Rebuilding Hearts. So I’m going with my favorite book of the Independence Islands Series and why. I hope I don’t stomp any feelings here. I could easily name one from each author as a favorite, but Carolyn Miller is to blame for this. That’s all I’m saying.  😉

So… favorite book of this series so far?  I’m going with Kari Trumbo’s Sweet Rivals.  I could have chosen Tabitha Bouldin’s Falling for the First Mate or Melissa Wardwell’s Blessings in the Bargain.  Maybe Rachel Skatvold’s Elnora Monet or one of my books (I’ve loved writing them, after all). Hey, I could even have chosen Carolyn’s release from yesterday, Rebuilding Hearts.

But I’m choosing Kari’s Sweet Rivals because I want this book as a movie.  It has everything Hallmark wants in a movie (romance, tension, super-cute couple) and everything I love in a book. The characters aren’t carbon copies of ones you’ve read in every romance.  There’s depth to the story and its subplots. And… it has a strong faith element that doesn’t whack you upside the head like a fire and brimstone preacher in your sleep.

Okay… now I feel like a heel.

Kind of like I do for that first five seconds after naming xyz kid my favorite. But as I said there… this could change the second someone says, “Oh, remember what Rachel did in Stranded on Sparrow?”  Or, “Didn’t you love reading Thaddeus’ story?”  That’s fine.  It’s this minute in time right now, right here, gun to my head.  Favorite Independence Islands book… until it’s not… Sweet Rivals.

But seriously… Carolyn’s Rebuilding Hearts… I’m telling you… Check it out.

rebuilding heartsRebuilding Hearts by Carolyn Miller

Who knew a bank robbery could show a girl that good guys still exist?

Tim Franklin. Quiet, shy, almost incapable of speaking to a girl, and a budding horticulturist. Oh, and he survived a bank robbery five years ago, not to mention its resulting trauma.

Bookworm Bella Dwyer just wants to feel safe, and Tim’s actions during the robbery made her believe there might be guys who live up to her fictional heroes. Trouble is, a chance with Tim seems as remote as this year’s celebrity heartthrob.

Instead, she settled for a relationship with a guy who’s commitment-phobic.

So when Bella encounters Tim on tiny Sparrow Island, the challenges of her past and present collide, and she questions whether there really is a future with a man who can’t commit.

In a leap of faith, Bella dumps her boyfriend, even before shy-guy Tim can make a move. But in wanting to live by faith and conquer fear, has she made the right choice, or are her hopes for freedom and a future destined to fail?

Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

The Independence Islands authors are at it again!

Join us for fun, prizes, and all about our favorite books to celebrate Carolyn’s release of (a really great book, that now that I think of it, also would make a great movie. Just sayin’!)!

Carolyn Miller – June 28

Chautona Havig  – June 29

Melissa Wardwell – June 30

Kari Trumbo – July 1

Rachel Skatvold – July 2

Tabitha Bouldin –July 3

Sandy Barela – July 4

Get your entry in for prizes here and on each blog!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
byChautona Havig

Terry Garner joined me tonight to chat about his fascinating Biblical Fiction series, Magi Journey. Starting way back in Assyria, through Babylon, and into Persia, the series chronicles two timelines–first that of the Israelite kings, and then of a fascinating family back in Persia… Listen in to see the hope this Magi family found in Scripture and how it led them to Bethlehem. 

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

This isn’t just another “traveling to Bethlehem with gold” story of the Magi. No, Terry Garner links the Israelite kings from Ahaz through the destruction of the temple and into captivity with a family who discovers that God has promised redemption for those outside Israel as well. Follow a physical and a faith journey across the ages all the way to the hope of an age.

With extensive and meticulous research, Terry Garner looks at Scripture and compares it with historical secular accounts. Even more exciting, however, are the things he discovered along the way. He talks about Jewish historians discounting Scriptural accounts of historical events to explain away the supernatural as if God Almighty… isn’t!

And then, Terry explains how he’s also writing a nonfiction book to help readers pull all the pieces from Scripture and see what God has promised us… so that we may know His plans. I’m excited about that book, but I confess, learning he’s working on a spinoff of the Magi series excited me even more. EEEP!

Terry Garner has all his books on sale right now!

The paperbacks are on sale for 9.95 and the box set (also available on Kindle Unlimited) is on sale for 4.99!

Magi Journey by Terry Garner

A sweeping historical saga from the courts of Tiglath-Piliser III in Assyria to the sleepy town of Bethlehem. History is seen through the eyes of the Magi as they journey from 734 BC to -0- AD.

Explore with the Magi the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Witness God’s judgment on Israel, Assyria, and Babylon. And rejoice in the redemption of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

Join the Magi as they answer the question that is critical to every man and woman, “Who Is This Messiah?”

Learn more about Terry on his WEBSITE.

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

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Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
March 31, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
March 28, 2023
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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
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Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
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Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
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Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
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Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
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