• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Amelia’s Interview: Deepest Roots of the Heart

by Chautona Havig · 20 Comments

drothcoverOne of the ways I try to get to “know” my characters is to try to type up an “organic” question/answer session.  I’ll try to let each question spark the following one–really working to get into the character’s head.  I did that with Avelino, but for this release party, I thought it might be fun to do it with Amelia. So, let’s interview the young woman who stole my heart while I wrote the book.

Chautona:  Hello, Amelia.  Why don’t you tell us just a little about yourself–not too much.  Let’s not give away the whole book, but just enough so we get a feel for where you’re coming from.

Amelia: It’s nice to have a chance to tell “my side” of the story.  Thank you.  Um… well, I am from Oklahoma.  My whole family is from that area.  In ’39, Granddad, Grandmom, and I left western Oklahoma for California and eventually settled in Napa after a few years in Fresno.  That’s where Granddad learned about grapes.

Chautona:  Now why do you think I made such a big deal of your hair?

Amelia:  Well there is the historical element, of course.  It was special to the Carrillo family for quickly obvious reasons. And then there is the fact that I also think you were being a little ornery about the book that inspired this story.  Instead of the constant references to beauty and innocence, you indulged in just a little of the redhead repetition as your rebellion against that novel.
As for why it would even matter that I had red hair even without that history, my story takes place in the forties when people still teased redheads.  I think children are always a little cruel to the different child–whether she has different colored skin, red hair, an accent, or perhaps a physical disability.  Since you learned that redheads only make up 1-2% of the world’s population, it makes sense that it would be considered an oddity.  And, after learning that during the time of the Spanish Inquisition all redheads in Spain and Italy were presumed to be Jews (an undesirable thing at that time), I think those stereotypes and prejudices continued.

Chautona:  True.  And, that brings me to another question.  Why do you think that Avelino encountered prejudice upon his return that he didn’t feel before he went off to war?

Amelia:  Well, I think that there are many reasons.  Life isn’t as simple as we’d like to think or as complex as we tend to make it.  But several things come to mind.  First, he was so young when he left–so inexperienced.  He grew up in a loving family, supportive community, and really had no experiences that showed him the more racist and bigoted side of life.  Add to that, his experience in the army, and when he came home, I think he saw rejection where there was none.  Pain tends to do that to us.  It festers so that it clouds our judgment.

Chautona:  There were times that I wanted you to slap him, scream at him, do something to make him stand up and take notice of what he was doing to you.  Why didn’t you?

Amelia:  I think that I made a bigger impact on him because I didn’t.  He would have found it easier to justify his attitudes if I had wounded his pride that way.  But because I dealt with my emotions myself, he had to see his own responses without justifying them as a reaction to mine.

Chautona:  Some might say you stuffed down your emotions.  How do you respond to that?

Amelia:  Because it was stuffing down my emotions when I–oh.  Right.  You told me no spoilers.  I suddenly feel like River Song.  Suffice it to say, I make my emotions very clear.  I may  not scream when I am angry or slobber over him when I share my feelings, but I do not stuff them down.

Chautona:  You go girl!  Did you read the epilogue?   What did you think of what Avelino said about your father in that?

Amelia:  I wish I would have known.  But, like Avelino with Ray and his cronies, I doubt I would have seen it at the time.  I think learning of it afterward is the only way it really hit home.  And that is okay.  Knowing at all is what matters, right?

Chautona:  That is true.  And sometimes learning after the fact makes a stronger impact.  Sometimes we are too blind to really grasp it–like when we hear how proud a parent is of you after that parent is gone.  Part of us screams, “Why didn’t you ever tell me!”  But you know, sometimes they did–or if they had, we wouldn’t have “heard” them.

Amelia: I think that was definitely how it was.

Chautona:  Do you think Avelino did the right thing regarding the vineyard and marriage?

Amelia:  Well, I don’t think I ever managed to make him see it, but as much as I didn’t like it, I was so proud of him for sticking to his convictions.  Lyman was a weasel, and in our family, we shoot weasels.  Avelino was honorable even when the law didn’t require it.  That says something about him.

Chautona:  If you could say one thing to the readers, what would it be?

Amelia:  When it seems like nothing is going how you think it should, trust Jesus.  Because either it is and you just can’t see it yet, or it shouldn’t be going that way in the first place.  If God knew all before the foundation of the world, I think we can trust Him to build the foundations of our lives as well.

There you have it.  A few minutes with Amelia and her take on themes and events in Deepest Roots of the Heart. 

Share
Pin
Post
Email
Share
Pin
Post
Email

Filed Under: Interviews, New Release

Previous Post: « Juana Briones: a California Heroine (Deepest Roots of the Heart)
Next Post: Speaking Scripture into Our Hearts »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Anitra King says

    January 30, 2015 at 11:08 am

    I just shared on facebook.

    Reply
  2. Alicia Grab says

    January 21, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    Shared on Google+!
    Love your Books!

    Reply
  3. Carolyn G. says

    January 21, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    I sent this one to my mom, too!

    Reply
  4. Tristan says

    January 21, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    I love this, I’m sharing the idea with my daughter. I also shared the link on FB.

    Reply
  5. Michele says

    January 21, 2015 at 6:41 am

    Shared via twitter.

    Reply
  6. Paige Trueheart says

    January 21, 2015 at 5:36 am

    Emailed!!

    Reply
  7. Cathy says

    January 21, 2015 at 5:19 am

    Whew! At least I have email….sent that! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Carol Paine says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:51 am

    On facebook last night

    Reply
  9. Brenda says

    January 21, 2015 at 1:01 am

    Shared on facebook, pinned it and tweeted it…

    Reply
  10. Deborah G says

    January 20, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    shared!

    Reply
  11. Lucinda says

    January 20, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    shared on fb 🙂

    Reply
  12. April says

    January 20, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    Facebook

    Reply
  13. Charlene Barnes says

    January 20, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    Face booked it. Love the interview

    Reply
  14. Jackie says

    January 20, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    Fb’d it =D

    Reply
  15. Jennifer Miles says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    Pinterest “want” board and Facebook! Sounds like such an interesting character and plot!

    Reply
  16. jennifer says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    Tweeted 🙂

    Reply
  17. Susan says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    That is a very fun idea. Facebook share.

    Susan

    Reply
  18. Cathe Swanson says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    facebook, tweet, google plus

    Reply
  19. Cathe Swanson says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    This is very insightful.
    “I think that I made a bigger impact on him because I didn’t. He would have found it easier to justify his attitudes if I had wounded his pride that way. But because I dealt with my emotions myself, he had to see his own responses without justifying them as a reaction to mine.”

    Reply
  20. Sharon B says

    January 20, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    G+ it!!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

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

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
July 19, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan
July 14, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 446: A Chat with Rachel Chamberlayne
July 12, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 445: A Chat with Michelle Griep
July 7, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 444: A Chat with Rosey Lee
July 5, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 443: A Chat with Yvonne M. Morgan
June 30, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 442: A Chat with Liz Johnson
June 28, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 441: A Chat with Shannon Sue Dunlap
June 23, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 440: A Chat with Jordan Millsaps
June 21, 2025
Jordan Millsaps
Episode 439: A Chat with Laura Thomas
June 16, 2025
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Pointed Suspicion

Pointed Suspicion

Courting Miss Darling

Courting Miss Darling

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • So, There Was That Time I Forgot What I Knew…
  • “Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie
  • Why Romance Is a Hairy Proposition (or is that proposal?)

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Hiding from the gang that tried to kill him, Leo j Hiding from the gang that tried to kill him, Leo just wants to keep a low profile and start over. He didn't count on his first friend being someone like Allison.
The Kasimirs won't let him go unpunished.
Allison won't let him go unfriended.
What's a guy to do?
Listen FREE to a new chapter every day in November AND the complete book after the end of the month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eLI5ZH6YUk&list=PLGJaJiSo6mQ2dDLCnbGRORVFd5Rg1y7rR&pp=iAQB
Also available on all major audiobook platforms AND on Kindle Unlimited.
Narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo
#Audiobooks
#YouTube
#FreeAudiobooks
#KindleUnlimited
#ChristianRomanticSuspense
The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of my books, including TheNutcracker's Suite--a mystery set among the mob activity during the Prohibition era.
You can listen FREE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos
Check out the other books she has on there... also free!

OR

You can also get The Nutcracker's Suite and several of my other titles on popular retailers like Audible, Spotify, Everand, and more!
#Audiobooks
#FreeAudiobooks
#ChristianMystery
#HistoricalMystery
#FairyTaleRetelling
3d
Whoa... just in case we didn't understand, this b Whoa... just in case we didn't understand,  this bin has a HUGE instruction envelope to remind us and help with the super complicated job of building a box.
Audiobooks FREE? Yep! 100% free on YouTube and Na Audiobooks FREE?  Yep! 100% free on YouTube and Narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo.
Get a new chapter every day until it's all uploaded OR listen to the FULL audiobook in one video once all chapters have been released!
Scott Keil's mission work tends to overtake both his and his daughter's life.  So when his daughter ropes Natalie Dersham to help out, he's thrilled.  When she starts playing matchmaker... well... okay, he's kind of thrilled about that, too.  The age gap?  Probably prohibitive but if it wasn't...
Available in print, on Kindle, in Kindle Unlimited, and now coming to all major audiobook platforms (and free on YouTube right now!)
#UnderTheHibiscus
#FreeAudiobook
#ChristFic
#KindleUnlimited
https://youtu.be/rzD7cULBeV8
I am SOOOOOOOOO excited about Everard's new cover! I am SOOOOOOOOO excited about Everard's new cover!  @PlethoraCreative did a fabulous job of redesigning the second book in the Not-So-Fairy Tales series (Book one updates coming soon!). Not only do we have Kindle and paperbacks, but hardbacks with DOUBLE-SIDED dust jackets are coming. Soon you can read with @notsquid's fabulous map open before you so you know exactly where Everard, Sevrin, and Sassy are headed next! EEEP
Available HERE: https://amzn.to/4eKL6sv  #AffiliateLink
#ChristFic
#ChristianMiddleGrade (older)
#ChristianFantasy
#ChristianFairyTale
#KindleUnlimited
#CoverRedesign
All she wanted was a festive-free Christmas. Solit All she wanted was a festive-free Christmas. Solitude far away from the fa-la-las.  Instead, she got snowbound in Wrightwood with a woman (aptly named Joy) who makes Buddy from Elf look like a Grinch.
Escape to Greenaway is next up in the Christmas in July celebration and FREE on Friday, July 18, 2025: https://amzn.to/4kIK9lI #affiliatelink
#Christfic
#ChristianRomance
#ChristianChristmasRomance
#ChristianWomensFiction
#FreeKindle
#KindleUnlimited
For my 25th anniversary, I wrote a book about a "s For my 25th anniversary, I wrote a book about a "silver anniversary" that wasn't the joyful thing people expect--until it was.  Tarnished Silver is FREE on 7/16/25 for Christmas in July. https://amzn.to/3GQkVE3 #AffiliateLink
#Christfic
#ChristmasRomance
#SmallTownRomance
#ChristianRomanticFiction
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!