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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why Do I Think Home Vacations Are the BEST Vacations?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Returning to Breakers is Rachel Skatvold's final Independence Islands Series book and one you won't want to miss! via @chautonahavig

“Where are you going on vacation this year?”

The question is a common one. Let’s face it. We all need “neutral” conversational topics that are unlikely to cause conflict. Vacation seems a perfect topic.  Until you ask me that question. There were years when just whispering the word “vacation” could send drive me into a corner where I sucked my thumb and rocked, banging my head on the walls.

I so wish this was an exaggeration.

Picture it. Shopping and packing for five to nine kids and two adults. Planning and arranging a four-thousand-mile round-trip itinerary. Just typing this out is threatening me with a panic attack.

returning to breakers rachel skatvold

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

Why Do I Think Home Vacations Are the BEST Vacations?

I think you know.  I mean, it’s not a difficult concept, eh? We get one every Christmas. My husband takes the whole month of December OFF, and we just… ARE. We really don’t go anywhere or “do” anything. We just exist together. Make a few good meals. Do some Christmas shopping. He does a lot of bicycle riding (like 750 miles during the month!) and we often watch some movies with popcorn. We might go out to eat, but mostly just if we’re already out doing something else near the time for a meal.

It’s silly, but this is the best “vacation” ever. There are no time constraints. We do what we enjoy. Most people consider it boring. “Why don’t you get away for the weekend?”  Well… we don’t want to. We like our home. We enjoy being together. And we actually like our own bed at night.

Look, I’m all for others doing things their way. I am.  I mean, tomorrow’s blog post is by a gal who traveled ALL OVER the United States last summer.  For fun! *shudders*.  I give her kudos for it.  And you couldn’t pay me to do it. That’s what’s so cool about the Lord. He made His people all very different.

My BEST vacation is definitely a staycation and my favorite staycation is every December when my husband and I just get to hang out and BE us without that pesky work thing getting in the way.

Why all the vacation chatter?  To celebrate the next Independence Islands release, Returning to Breakers, of course!

Returning to Breakers Rachel SkatvoldReturning to Breakers by Rachel Skatvold

Sometimes God’s “why” comes too late… and just in time.

Tiffany Hill is a master at concealing her emotions. She can’t admit she has her own questions about God—like why He allowed her Marine husband to die in action. A single mom with three children to care for and the general store on Merriweather to run leaves little time for philosophizing. She has more pressing issues to deal with. Like how her dream of running the family business has become a burden.

Is keeping the business afloat even worth the effort anymore?

After high school and an unfortunate falling out with his father, Liam Hadler left Breakers Head, determined never to look back. He failed on that one, and one of many regrets was leaving his high school sweetheart behind to chase an impossible dream.

When his mother calls after his father suffers a stroke, Liam has a tough decision to make. Will he return to a place he’s avoided for sixteen years, and is making amends with his father even possible?

A chance encounter with Tiffany after so many years never occurred to him, but memories of their time together rekindles something he thought he’d lost. What’ll it take to persuade her to give him a second chance?

Don’t miss the other authors’ posts & giveaways in the Returning to Breakers celebration!

Rachel Skatvold: October 25

Tabitha Bouldin: October 26

Carolyn Miller: October 27

Chautona Havig: October 28

Melissa Wardwell: October 29

Kari Trumbo: October 30

Sandy Barela: October 31

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
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