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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Juana Briones: a California Heroine (Deepest Roots of the Heart)

by Chautona Havig · 18 Comments

DROTHcoversmAnother research gem that I unearthed while writing Deepest Roots of the Heart was an amazing Californio woman, Juana Briones.  I do not remember Briones from my study of California history.  I don’t know if she simply wasn’t included or if somehow I missed her (I suspect the former), but this is one seriously amazing woman.

Juana was married to a Mexican cavalryman–a drunk abuser, no less. After receiving a church sanctioned separation from him (practically unheard of from what I can find), she moved onto her own property (modern day Palo Alto) with her children (she had eleven, including an adopted native child, but I don’t know if all of them were alive at that point), and ran her own ranch.  She was an herbalist–a healer.  In fact, she traveled to Marin county in order help with the smallpox epidemic there.

But the thing about Briones that astounds me is her legal acumen.  She managed to do what almost no other Californios did–keep her lands.  While her fellow ranch owners lost their ranchos to squatters after the annexation of California to the US, Juana held onto hers.  Then, when she finished with that, she fought for her husband’s property after his death–all the way to the US Supreme Court!  This amazing woman inspired me in so many ways.  I used her in this novel in a completely fictionalized way. I found no evidence that she helped with a smallpox outbreak in Napa or Sonoma counties, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that she could have.

Juana will make more appearances in book three of the Legacy of the Vines series.  I can’t wait to get to know her better.

 

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Filed Under: New Release, Writing Tagged With: Deepest Roots of the Heart

Previous Post: « Historical Surprises: Deepest Roots of the Heart
Next Post: Amelia’s Interview: Deepest Roots of the Heart »

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Comments

  1. Tristan says

    January 21, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Shared on Facebook today.

    Reply
  2. Carol Paine says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:49 am

    On facebook last night

    Reply
  3. Jackie says

    January 20, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    Shared on fb

    Reply
  4. Virginia says

    January 20, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    Done!

    Reply
  5. Cathe Swanson says

    January 20, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    I got my reviews posted! Loved it!

    Reply
  6. Lucinda says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    Shared on FB 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cathe Swanson says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    Shared it on facebook!

    Reply
  8. Lora says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Shared on FB

    Reply
  9. Jessica S says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    Shared on FB!

    Reply
  10. Susan says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Shared on facebook.

    Reply
  11. MS Barb says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    I shared on Facebook!

    Reply
  12. Jen Harris says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Shared on FB! Love this story, too. Reminds me of the stories of some of our pioneer woman ancestors in Tennessee who were known for keeping “the law” off their land “by force of arms”. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Sharon B says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    shared

    Reply
  14. April says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    I shared it!

    Reply
  15. Brenda says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    shared and pinned…

    Reply
  16. Jennifer Miles says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    I posted to facebook. So excited to have a chance to read another fantastic book by you!

    Reply
  17. dhbarbara says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    shared 🙂

    Reply
  18. Penny Dunn says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Pinned it. Still trying to get it to post to Facebook.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
byChautona Havig

Before I began the interview with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel’s Song, I kind of went crazy and left it in to give you a chuckle. But Naomi and I chat about her upcoming release, why she chose to write about Ezekiel, and what areas she focused on. Listen in and hear her heart for the Word and for stimulating readers to love it and live it.

Oh, and that song I couldn’t remember? Well, I found it after a BUNCH of hunting on YouTube. Here you go!

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

Has Ezekiel Always Confused You? How about a Little Fictional Clarity?

There’s SO much to write about in Ezekiel, but after talking to Naomi Craig, I feel like I got a pretty good grasp of where she’s taking this book without feeling like I don’t need to read it now that we chatted, and that’s always great. Naomi shows service in the temple, how Ezekiel could have had a mentorish relationship under Jeremiah, and even what kind of woman his wife might have been.

Personally, I love the “Darcy-ish” meeting where he totally insults her and accuses her of being an idolatress. Let me tell you something. I cannot wait to read that! Seriously!

God had Ezekiel do a lot of weird things, and I always wondered how he managed some of it, but Naomi brings out possibilities by focusing on this wife that we don’t know much (anything) about. How cool is that?

Naomi also gave us a couple of glimpses into what’s coming next!

She’s #TeamBlue in the Keeping Christmas novella collections, writing about Herod’s palace and the wise men’s appearance looking for “the King of the Jews.”  And… from a scribe’s perspective!  How cool is that?

Also… next up is a book about a woman in Ephriam’s lineage who built three cities. A woman credited with the building of these cities!  I cannot wait! I love how Naomi focuses on how strong Biblical women were. So often we think of them as downtrodden and little more than cattle, but God shows how much He loves His daughters in the Word, and He definitely allows them to shine. We saw that in Naomi’s debut novel Rahab’s Courage.

Ezekiel’s Song by Naomi Craig

A prophet’s heart broken, a woman’s joy gone. What does Yahweh have planned for His people?

On the brink of Jerusalem’s demise, devoted priest, Ezekiel, sees the insincerity of Judah’s worship. Despite his efforts to call the people back to true worship of Yahweh, priests, artisans, valiant warriors, and royals are exiled to Babylon. When God gives him messages of continued judgment for the people in his homeland, his heart breaks. How can he minister to the people from so far away?

The presence of the Lord is tangible when Shiriel sings in the temple, and her voice prepares the hearts of many to worship. When she is exiled to Babylon, her faith is shaken. Does the Lord’s presence extend beyond Jerusalem and His holy temple?

Ezekiel is struck mute and paralyzed as he begins his prophetic ministry, and Shiriel devises a plan to get the Lord’s message back to the unfaithful people of Judah. Shiriel struggles with discontentment as serving the Lord looks nothing like she’d imagined. Can she provide for her family and carry out her husband’s ministry when her joy is gone, and her own dreams are placed on hold?

How will Yahweh save His people from themselves? Find out in Ezekiel’s Song!

Ezekiel’s Song is available at 30% off paperback and at a discount for Kindle, too through release week, so visit Naomi’s WEBSITE for more information.

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

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Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
Episode 163: A Chat with Naomi Craig about Ezekiel's Song
August 12, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 162: A Chat with Author, Nancy Naigle
August 9, 2022
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Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
July 26, 2022
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Episode 160: A Chat with Liz Johnson about The Last Way Home
July 22, 2022
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Episode 159: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Mesu Andrews
July 19, 2022
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A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Stephanie Landsem
July 12, 2022
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Episode 157: A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Lynn Austin
July 8, 2022
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July 5, 2022
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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
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Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
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Reposted from @mwardwellwrites A mother/son road t Reposted from @mwardwellwrites A mother/son road trip isn’t always fun, but it was a bonding experience for Liz and her son, Matt.

Finding Hope in Savannah is on Sale now through the 19th, only on Amazon.

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#book #firstlinefriday #savannahgeorgia #romance #Christfic #singlemother #redemption
Fascinating moon tonight. Fascinating moon tonight.
If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing wit If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing with people.
Harper Brevig has two skills—picking out snarky bookish t-shirts and alienating customers. 
Oh, and racking up bills out of thin air. Make that three skills. She loves the elderly and the very 
young—except the ones who destroy her beloved books. You could say she doesn’t have a very nice 
“book-side manner.” 
Milton Coleridge and his parrotlet Atticus (not Finch) come to the rescue… but is it too late to 
save this bookstore?
Twice Sold Tales: the first full-length novel in the Bookstrings Series releases on November 2, 
2022. Link to more information is in my bio! 
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While I was in Minnesota, I went to Red Wing for While I was in Minnesota,  I went to Red Wing for research,  and the shop manager of the salon I've appropriated for my bookstore in Twice Sold Tales was so encouraging and helpful.  She even gave @catheswanson a great bang trim.
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If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing wit If only owning a bookstore didn't mean dealing with people.
Harper Brevig has two skills—picking out snarky bookish t-shirts and alienating customers. 
Oh, and racking up bills out of thin air. Make that three skills. She loves the elderly and the very 
young—except the ones who destroy her beloved books. You could say she doesn’t have a very nice 
“book-side manner.” 
Milton Coleridge and his parrotlet Atticus (not Finch) come to the rescue… but is it too late to 
save this bookstore?
Twice Sold Tales: the first full-length novel in the Bookstrings Series releases on November 2, 
2022. Link to more information is in my bio! 
#amwriting
#amreading
#bookishbooks
#bookstrings
#comingsoon
#ChristianFiction
Reposted from @karitrumbo Look at this lovely grap Reposted from @karitrumbo Look at this lovely graphic and review!! ❤️📚
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