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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why This New Series Is Destined to Be a Favorite

by Chautona Havig · 12 Comments

“These red roads are so peculiar!”  Those words are some of the first I remember from the delightful Anne Shirley.  Until I read about the red-headed orphan, I’d never heard of Prince Edward Island.  I didn’t know about the old-fashioned notion of “romantic” that meant more than hearts and flowers–the romance that tugs at all heartstrings rather than just those of a relational kind.  The kind you’ll find in The Red Door Inn, of course.

And I’ll admit, one reason I haven’t wanted to visit good old P.E.I. has been because I liked my mental picture of the Maritimes as shaped by L.M. Montgomery in books such as the Anne books and my favorite stand-alone (which takes place in Ontario, I think), The Blue Castle (If you haven’t read it, DO!)

But Liz Johnson sent me an invitation to be an advance reader for her new novel, The Red Door Inn, and I never turn down a chance to read anything by her.  Liz is a lovely woman and a fabulous writer.  She’s one of those few writers who doesn’t pull me from the story with my tendency to want to make word and style choices for her.  *blush*

Before I get to the main review, I have to tell a funny story. 

You see, a few years ago, she contacted me about reviewing The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn. When I read the premise, I almost choked.  Seriously.  It sounded so like a book I’d nearly or just finished–Justified Means.  Can’t remember which.  Freaked me out thinking I’d done all that work and then would have to scrap it because it’s too like someone else’s.  But, of course, I read hers and it wasn’t.  *insert huge sigh of relief here*

Well, this book has ANOTHER tiny plot point that, when I first saw it, I winced.  Look, it’s so small that I doubt Liz will have a problem with me doing it, but I am going to ask.  The difference between ours is that hers is a tiny thing that threads the story together. Mine IS the story.  so, if she considers it too close to her idea, I’m going to be very disappointed.  What is it about her that makes us both have such similar ideas (yet so opposite!)?

Why This New Series Is Destined to Be a Favorite

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, while I was sent a review copy of the book, I also purchased one as well.

Okay.  Why This New Series Is Destined to Be a Favorite.

Liz Johnson has done it again.  While I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever read by her, The Red Door Inn, and by extension, the entire Prince Edward Island Dreams series, is on a different level entirely.  This book has a warmth and richness that sets it far apart and above the rest.

Characterization is a huge part of book enjoyment for me.  If I don’t fall in love with the characters–or fall in hate, if I should–then the book flops for me.  Thankfully, all three main characters, and the two supporting characters are fabulously crafted into people you root for, yell at, and want to hug until their troubles go away.

Setting…

Well, how can you go wrong with the frosty beauty of Prince Edward Island?  The rundown inn, the ocean, and c’mon… I can’t be the only one who, in the Anne books, loved the sound of someone living in a place called “Rustico.”  Liz has made me ache to visit a place I wanted to keep locked away in my imagination, not to be marred by modernity.  Now, I get the sense that I would be far from disappointed.

Plot.

The best characters and setting in the world will fall flat without a good plot.  And Liz delivers on that, too.  Each of the three main characters is battling a personal demon, and it leaves for misunderstandings, wariness, and the chance for full growth both personally and spiritually.  Liz didn’t skimp on any of it.  Without falling prey to the charge of preachiness, she leads the reader gently through Scripture and leaves you at the feet of the Cross where Jesus can take those troubles and use them to mold you into the beautiful person He knows you can be!

Okay… with all of that said, I’m going to be incredibly blunt. 

Warning: Spoilers are to follow, so if you do not like spoilers, I recommend not reading much further.  Just know that there are two caveats to my recommendation of this book. The first is mild and not really surprising.

Liz, like most Christian fiction authors, is much more… physical in her descriptions of affection.  While she never takes it to an inappropriate place, for those who are accustomed to my less… intense relational reactions, I just wanted to point out that this is where Liz and I do not have similar ideas.  😉  I’m more like this:

Jillow Quote

Yeah… Seth isn’t going to ever worry about Marie complaining that he’s reluctant to kiss her.  Just sayin’.

And now for the hard caveat. 

Look, if almost any other writer had written this book, I guarantee she would have lost a star.  I tend to have a sixth sense about these things, so I knew, almost immediately, what was going to happen, and to be honest, I almost closed the book and apologized for not being able to continue it.  However, Liz has never betrayed my trust in any book, and I decided to rest in that.  I’m glad I did.  But despite that, the fact is that this book has flashbacks to a rape scene in it.

There is zero gratuitous description. Liz beautifully manages to follow the writer’s “law of Medes and Persians” in showing the story–not telling it–and all without dragging us through horrors that we shouldn’t have to read.

But I had to give it as a warning because Liz did such a fabulous job in writing it that I can see it being a huge trigger for some people.  I spent much of that very small section holding my breath, just trying to get through to the next scene.  Rape scenes are incredibly difficult for me to read. I almost always skip any hint of them. You could say I just have what is probably an irrational aversion to them.  But I trusted Liz, and I’m not sorry I did.  She handled it perfectly–not glossing over the horrors of it and not filling our minds with those horrors either.  Beautifully, tastefully done, Liz.  Bravo.

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Comments

  1. Gwenyth Davis says

    March 2, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    I just looked her up on Kindle and find that “The Red Door Inn” is the only one of her books available to buy here in Australia. I will have to save and buy it as I love your recomendations

    Reply
  2. Karry says

    March 2, 2016 at 11:12 am

    I have not read any of her books. Thanks for a new author recommendation. I’ve learned I can trust you. Thanks for that.

    Reply
  3. Kara says

    March 1, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    I have read anything by her, but will take your recommendation!

    Reply
  4. Emma says

    March 1, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    I’ve never read one, but this sounds quite interesting.

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    March 1, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    I haven’t read any of her books. However, I just ordered one!

    Reply
  6. Steph in CH says

    March 1, 2016 at 11:08 am

    Never heard of her or read her books, but I would definitely be interested!

    Reply
  7. Melissa says

    March 1, 2016 at 10:13 am

    I haven’t read any of her books but after your recommendation I’m going to try one! I also love The Blue Castle. I remember reading it in middle school and although I couldn’t tell you now what the pilot was, I remember vividly the feeling of falling in love with the book. I really should read it again, huh?

    Reply
  8. Cindy Vanderpol says

    March 1, 2016 at 9:11 am

    I haven’t read any of her books. Looking forward to this one!! I would love to visit PEI which would be more likely for me since I live in Ontario, Canada.

    Reply
  9. Ava says

    March 1, 2016 at 8:35 am

    I have not yet read anything about her. I would love to visit PEI someday. Thanks for the caveats. I will put this in my to read list for sure.

    Reply
  10. Mari says

    March 1, 2016 at 7:47 am

    Haven’t read her yet but she plan to purchase this book! Thank you for the review!

    Reply
  11. Michelle says

    March 1, 2016 at 7:46 am

    I’ve never read one of her makes but now I’m looking forward to it. ?

    Reply
  12. Kristin says

    March 1, 2016 at 7:35 am

    I haven’t read any of her books, but her name is going on my “to read” list right under Oscar Wilde.

    Reply

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Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
by Chautona Havig

What happens when you combine domestic violence with suspense?  A hair-raising ride you won’t want to miss.

On March 2, T.E. Price ‘s book, Take Flight, releases on eBook, and boy is this one excellent story.  Join me as I talk with Tiffany about her book, the inspiration, and all the excellence you’ll find within the can’t-put-it-down pages.

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

The 3 Best Things about This Domestic Abuse Suspense Novel

A new author to me, T.E. Price knocked her suspense (and almost thriller) out of the park with three excellent elements to the book.  

Aside from wonderful and realistic characterization and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, T.E. Price also digs deep into a subject Christians sometimes like to pretend isn’t a thing.  And boy does she do it well. 

So if a great story that grips you and won’t let you go isn’t the best thing, what is?  Well… I’ve got three.

First, the writing is stellar.

Let’s face it, domestic abuse victims have cyclical thought patterns and actions that can feel redundant and become boring when you see it on the page, but Tiffany managed to avoid that while still showing how real and confusing it can be both for the person going through it and for those watching from the outside.

Second, her laser focus on her subject.

Domestic abuse is a multi-layered and faceted subject that spans so many different aspects of life. It would be easy and natural, even, to try to show it all with the one person who experienced it all, but T.E. Price keeps her focus on one woman’s escape from that life and how it affects her relationship with the Lord and others. That’s it.  

Third, T.E. Price shows her heart for the Lord and His people in every word on the page.

While not preachy at all, and while often just the undercurrent of the story, there is no doubt in the reader’s mind that Price wants the reader to learn both how to overcome as the victim of domestic violence and how to aid others in the church going through it.  Additionally, that steady reminder of Who the only true support we truly have touches every aspect of Hallie McClain’s life.

There are so many other excellent elements to Take Flight, but I’d be chatting all day with Tiffany (and nearly did!) if I kept going.

Don’t forget!

T.E. Price’s book releases March 2, 2021 and on March 5, 2021  from 7-8 pm (EST) she is having a Facebook launch party with prizes and lots of information about it.  HERE is a link to that party and I hope to be there to celebrate with her!  Please join her and maybe you’ll win an eBook copy of Take Flight!

You can find more about T.E. Price (Tiffany) at her WEBSITE where you can also find her other novel, Love’s True Colors.

Title:  Take Flight Author: T.E. Price Synopsis:  

Within Take Flight, readers follow Hallie McClain as she is faced with numerous fight-or-flight decisions in her attempt to escape her abusive husband, Jonathan McClain.

Hallie has made the decision to leave him for good, but Jonathan has no intentions of complying. During their separation, Hallie grapples with trusting those closest to her, the gossip-mill of her small town, and her wavering trust in God. Living alone in a secret, secluded cabin in the woods, she is thrust into multiple circumstances where she has to balance her safety with the reality of inescapable encounters with her soon-to-be ex-husband. Jonathan soon discovers Hallie’s whereabouts, forcing her to escape to the city while awaiting the divorce, but her move isn’t the solution as her safety is still compromised.

Hallie has to learn to trust God with her safety while leaning on the church body for support. The tantalizing storyline of Take Flight weaves through one “fight-or-flight” scenario after the next, filling Hallie with angst regarding her constant need for escape. Take Flight addresses the ugliness of domestic abuse and the need for support from the church community. Furthermore, it affirms God’s trustworthiness in the midst of difficult, sometimes even life-threatening, situations.

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

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You can find the Blog post HERE.

Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
February 23, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 47: The Drew Farthering Mysteries
February 16, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 46: What Romances Do I Think Are Perfect for Valentine's Day?
February 9, 2021
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Episode 45: A Gush about Things We Didn't Say
February 2, 2021
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Episode 44: A Chat with Carolyn Miller
January 26, 2021
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Episode 43: A Chat with Allison Pearl
January 19, 2021
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Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
January 13, 2021
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Episode 41: A Chat with Jennifer Pierce
January 5, 2021
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Episode 40: My Favorite Book of 2020
December 8, 2020
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Episode 39: A Chat with L.K. Simonds
December 1, 2020
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