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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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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
byChautona Havig

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t new to rom-coms, and her first book in the Sweetheart Series promises to be a literary riot, and it lives up to that promise. I’m only halfway through it and am thinking mean, ugly thoughts of everything keeping me from being able to escape into the crazy small-town politics and quirky characters. So far the com far outweighs the rom, which makes me thrilled to bits. Listen in to discover what makes Lone Star Sweetheart so much fun.

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

Why Did This Author Write a Rom-Com about a Loveable Shrew?

Well, I think we can safely blame Shakespeare for that. Shannon Sue Dunlap has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in her Katherine, but unlike Katerina, Dunlap’s character is actually trying to learn to tame the tongue. Maybe someone should send her over to the book of James. There’s that whole bit about not being able to tame it, being an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Kate’s isn’t that bad, but not for lack of trying. Or something.

Shannon Sue Dunlap isn’t joking when she says that her Katherine is a “loveable” shrew. Seriously, I love this character. She’s forthright, no-nonsense, and “what you see is what you get” in her approach to life. I respect that. Add to that her boss who has shaken up the town of Sweetheart, Texas, and you’ve got the makings of a great story. I’m loving Lone Star Sweetheart.

But this isn’t all Dunlap has written.

Under the pseudonym, Shannon Kent, you can find her sweet and clean romances (including one Christian romance) inspired by Korean dramas. If you said I’d be not only chomping to read a sweet and clean romance about Korean tour guides and all that entails but also ready to watch a Korean drama on Netflix… Okay, I might not have laughed in your face, but I’d’ve been laughing on the inside.

Best part… one of them ties into her Sweetheart Series

Lone Star Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Katherine Bruno’s passionate, unfiltered temper makes her the shrew of small-town Sweetheart, Texas. When she’s drafted to help the mayor’s wife run against her own husband, Katherine meets opposing big city political consultant Ryan Park. The good-looking, flirtatious campaign manager gets under her skin, but fraternizing with the enemy is off-limits.

Katherine must battle her lack of experience, campaign sabotage, and her growing feelings for Ryan as she strives to succeed. His unprejudiced acceptance of her strong-willed character beckons her heart, but his jaded rejection of God is an insurmountable barrier. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

You can find out more about Shannon Sue Dunlap AND get that first novella in the Korean Crush series free on her WEBSITE.

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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
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