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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

So, What about Romance makes Annie Want to Run?

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

The synopsis glowed at me from my laptop.  Reality TV star. Golden, glittering life crashing down around her.  Running away.  Finding an Amish inn. Meeting new friends.

Unique, interesting.  Of course, the title made me nervous—Runaway Romance. With a title like that, it’d have sap and mush… great, heaping, gobs of it.  Could I take it?  Well, if I could get past a few dozen “stick-your-head-in-the-freezer” kisses from a certain other author, I could choke down a bit in this one, right?

And besides, I convinced myself I could take a Claritin or three before reading, right?

So, before I could change my mind, I clicked the link and filled out the blog tour request form.  I mean, who can resist a runaway reality star stranded at a Kentucky Amish inn?  Apparently, I can’t.

So what about Romance makes Annie want to Run? Runaway Romance review

So what did I think about Runaway Romance?

Um… okay.  The storyline is a clever idea.  I liked the idea of someone getting fed up with Hollywood and the sham of reality TV.  One of the things I liked most was the idea of the juxtaposition of reality TV star with the Amish.

I’ll be honest.  I wanted to love this book.  There was so much about it in its favor.  I just didn’t.  It didn’t take long before I was rooting for liking it.  By midway… I settled for finding it just “okay.”

And that’s all it ever became.  “Okay.”

Usually, when I read a book I don’t love, I do love the characters or the setting or the humor… the writing… something.  But this time… well, I still love the premise.  It’s an interesting idea. I don’t dislike the book, but none of the things that draw me into a book happened in this one.

Romance?  Oh, yeah.  It was there.  And it wasn’t even too sappy!  I didn’t need Claritin at all.  But the relationship was crazy fast.  Look, my parents met and married in six weeks.  I have read lots of books where people fall in love in just a couple of weeks.  But seriously, everyone in the book seemed to have instant attraction and connection that went way too fast.  Chemistry—non-existent.

I’m working hard here to find something that I really liked about the book.  And honestly, it’s the concept.  I just can’t rave about the execution.

Who might love this book?

Romance junkies—folks who just love to see a girl finally get a decent guy. Folks who love to see the Amish in a bit of a different light.  People who love happily-ever-afters.

And based on a couple of reviews, I’ll be checking out a couple of Miralee Ferrell’s books.  It sounds like they might be more my speed.  🙂

Oh, and why is Annie running from romance?  Well… some romance should be run from, and the one she ran from is definitely one.

 

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Comments

  1. Mary Stephens says

    April 27, 2018 at 8:27 am

    I didn’t read the book, but I saw the movie. It was nothing to write home about. I also dislike the whole “whirlwind romance” thing where people “fall in love” for a lifetime in 4 days, 6 hours, and 45 minutes. Meh. Not so much.

    Reply
    • Mary Stephens says

      April 30, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      By the way, this isn’t to say I haven’t run across *true* stories of people who fell in love very quickly and continued to fall in love for a lifetime. But it’s the rare exception in real life, not the norm. 🙂

      Reply
      • Chautona Havig says

        April 30, 2018 at 9:26 pm

        I agree it isn’t the norm. But my parents met and married in 6 weeks. And 49 years later…

        Reply
  2. NZ Filbruns says

    December 9, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    This book does have an interesting setting, but it doesn’t sound like my cup of tea.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      December 10, 2017 at 12:22 am

      Stereotypical. Every person in it, actually. Odd. I hadn’t noticed that until I thought of it today.

      Reply
  3. honeybeerosewritings says

    December 9, 2017 at 9:08 am

    Missing pieces in Ann’s life feel like the embodiment of what I feel and I can’t tolerate deception like Hunter.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
byChautona Havig

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to help with whatever the family was doing, so Great Aunt Tissy gave you a stack of napkins and told you to put one at each plate? Remember how she commented on what a  “big girl” you were?  And then, as if that weren’t bad enough… remember how you were fourteen and a “big girl” was the last thing you wanted to be? 

RM Ruiz’ The Chosen Kids Saga does just the opposite. She has a cast of related characters who are given real work by God–important work. They’re pulling on the armor of God and doing real battle with real enemies of the Kingdom of God and all while He works out their sanctification. Listen in to where she got the idea and where the Chosen Kids are going next.

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

What if God Decided to Use Ordinary Kids to Battle the Underworld?

Can I just say that I love the respect Rosemary shows her characters? These kids, as young as eleven, aren’t told to fold napkins and praised as if they saved the world. They’re given tools and assignments and do save the world… or at least a piece of it and with the real help of the Holy Spirit. How cool is that?

And she does it with a tortilla in one hand and some eye and mouth-watering chili stuffs in the other.

Oh… and don’t forget the research for Encounter at Paradise that sent her up a literal slippery slope into frozen tundra. In July. #BecauseResearch.

And the result is book two of the Chosen Kids Saga! (To listen to the first episode where we talked more about the first book, go HERE.)

The Chosen Kids: Encounter at Paradise by RM Ruiz

A thrilling adventure for middle-grade readers, showcasing the supernatural powers of God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.This is the second book of The Chosen Kids Saga.The Chosen Kids are ready for their second mission!

It’s been two weeks since Caiden and his family’s summer of fun turned into a secret quest for God. After their first mission, the Chosen Kids step into their new roles without fear or reluctance. With revived faith and God’s blessed tools, they embark on their second hunt—ready to track, capture, and expel the enemy.

But the day turns into a tedious game of hide-and-seek as the family races to get ahead of the fiend. When the unthinkable happens, and their mission becomes personal, they must keep the faith and trust God’s plan. They could set things right with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but only if they obey His commands completely. Caiden thinks he’s uncovered the answer, but no one ever listens to the youngest cousin…

With nightfall quickly approaching, the Chosen Kids set a trap.

But if their plan fails, they could lose one of their most valuable assets, and their quest will end in heartbreak and disaster.

In this next chapter of the Chosen Kids Saga, readers will see the cousins in action as they take on their new roles with renewed spirits. Just like the first book, this fast-paced adventure includes family love, kid banter, and humor with even more adventure, danger, and spiritual growth!

This series mixes fantasy and adventure elements with transparent Christian themes for young believers who want a story that includes gospel truths without reading through symbolism.

Middle-grade readers will follow along as these flawed, relatable characters—still finding their way in Christ—embark on a life-transforming quest to save humanity. With family love, spiritual growth, kid banter, and humor all mixed in for a fun and exciting journey.

The adventure starts with Encounter at the Dunes and continues in Encounter at Paradise. Grab a copy of both to begin the redemptive journey today! Book three, Encounter At Ambrose, coming summer 2024.

Learn more about the series, the characters, and Rosemary at TheChosenKids.com

And the series she mentioned was The Son of Angels.

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

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Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
June 6, 2023
Chautona Havig
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June 2, 2023
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Episode 232: A Chat with Janine Rosche
May 30, 2023
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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
May 26, 2023
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Episode 230: A Chat with Bryan Timothy Mitchell
May 17, 2023
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Episode 229: A Chat about Murmur in the Mud Caves with Kathleen Denly
May 12, 2023
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