• 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

Sometimes Readers Get Inspired & That Inspires Me

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

The first email came sometime in July of 2012. I admit… I opened an email from “Wesley” with trepidation. Too often emails that come in from men are fake emails from guys in Russia trying to convince you that they’re American generals dying to get to know you. Why they think I can’t hover over their email name and see the .ru at the end, I don’t know.  Not to mention, why do they think there are so many generals in our army?  Seriously, it’s like the “billionaire romance” of the spam world. WAY more than in real life, and not many that are under the age of fifty and unmarried. Just sayin’.

Wesley was from Florida. And he loved Aggie.

Over the next few years, we exchanged occasional emails. When I said I was in Greenville, South Carolina, he informed me that he’d just moved there. I asked where I should eat dinner. He told me not to go to “Twin Peaks” and not to ask why. To trust him. He’d made that mistake and didn’t want me to have to suffer through something similar.

It’s been difficult not to do a Google search to find out why. I suspect a coffee connection, and that makes me smile. It means Wesley wasn’t a fan of coffee, either.

The next year, I got a recipe from him—one he’d tweaked over the years from a church cookbook he’d enjoyed from his childhood. I’ll include it below.

When he read an article on prolific writers, he sent me a link. When I admitted to struggling, I’d get an email assuring me that he was praying.

In 2016ish… he sent me an email outlining a plan for a community similar to HearthLand. He’d created an investor proposal—the works. His version had a twist. Wesley planned for a large plot of land (acres!) for lower-income families to be able to grow their own food. He wanted commercial kitchens where they could learn to preserve that food.

Did I have any idea for names?

We fired emails back and forth for weeks. He had people willing to invest in their community. He’d chosen a parcel of land.

Then I heard nothing… for the longest time.

I finally emailed to ask how it was going. Look, I should have done that sooner, but I try not to hassle my reader friends. There’s such a fine line between saying, “Hey! I was thinking of you,” and “Hey, why aren’t you talking to me?” you know?

The reply came a few days later. Wesley wasn’t doing well physically. He was still working on the community and hoped that it would be a go for planting in spring of 2018. I told him I couldn’t wait to see it when I went to North Carolina in fall.

Then I flew into Pittsburgh instead of Atlanta. I didn’t go to Greenville. I didn’t meet with Wesley and see the land he had found for his community. Did he get it going? Were crops growing for those families? I didn’t know.

An apology email should have gone out when I got home. It didn’t.

But October 30th, I got an email. He was in the hospital, needed a transplant he couldn’t get, and he didn’t expect to live through the night. The doctors couldn’t do anything for him.

I prayed. What else could I do?

Well, I also sent an email telling him what an encouragement he’d been to me and that I’d continue praying for his dream of a “HearthLand” outside of Greenville.

Not writing back again was difficult, but I didn’t want his last hours or days on earth to be bothered by an author on the other side of the country. He needed to rest, to spend time with family and friends. It wasn’t about me.

Near the middle of November, I received another email from Wesley’s account—a reply to a newsletter. My heart soared. Maybe he’d managed to get help after all! Maybe that transplant had come through!

Instead, it was from his father telling me that Wesley had died on November 6th. I’ve decided I hate that date. It’s also the day that another man who inspired me died. You can read about Peter here.

Sometimes Readers Get Inspired & That Inspires Me

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

Sometimes Readers Get Inspired & That Inspires Me

Wesley had a heart for Christian fiction, for single mothers, and the poor. In that, he reminds me quite a bit of Ralph from HearthLand. And like Ralph, he was a middle-aged man who had never been married.

I’ve long wanted to continue HearthLand in one way or another, and I decided that this will be a thing. I’m not sure how. I doubt as a serial novel with weekly installments, but Wesley would have been blessed to see that HearthLand made an effort to serve the less fortunate. He didn’t get to finish that in this life, but his dream can live on in the pages of one of my books.

I thank him for that.

As for Wesley, he made it off that transplant list with the best transplant ever—this old, broken, failing body for heaven with Jesus. How awesome is that for him?

Molasses Crinkles

Submitted by Lucy Esham

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup shortening
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 4 tbsp molasses
  • 2 ¼ cup flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream shortening and sugar together.  Add egg and molasses and beat until well blended.  Sift flour.  Measure and add salt, soda, and spices.  Sift again.  Add sifted dry ingredients to creamed mixture and mix thoroughly.

Chill dough in the refrigerator.  Shape the chilled dough in balls 1 inch in diameter.  Roll balls in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350o for 12 to 15 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen cookies.

From Wesley– My variations and recommendations:

  • I always double the recipe because it doesn’t quite make 4 dozen
  • Occasionally add a little more ginger to give it more “bite”
  • I usually undercook the cookies so that they are extremely soft – I start at 10 minutes
  • Don’t grease the cookie sheet
  • I use a juice glass or something similar, dip the bottom in white sugar and flatten each dough ball
  • Tip: spray measuring cup and spoon with cooking spray when working with molasses.  Makes it easier to work with.

I have made these for over 30 years. 

They are a big hit at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Other members of my family have tried to make these over the years but they never turn out the same way as when I make them.  I think the secret is that when I am creaming the wet ingredients in my stand mixer, I beat them quite a bit.  The mixture is extremely smooth before I add the dry ingredients (which I don’t sift).

(Got this a few days later) I just made a batch of these for the first time in a long time.  There are a couple of things I forgot to mention.

  1. This is a very thick, heavy dough.  If you do double the recipe you may need to finish mixing the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon.  I have a heavy-duty Kitchenaid stand mixer that struggles at the end.
  2. This is a very good dough for eating raw.  Maybe that’s why it never makes as many cookies as it’s supposed to.
I hope you enjoy them.
Wesley
Sometimes Readers Get Inspired & That Inspires Me
Share203
Pin
Post
Email
203Shares
Share
Pin
Post
Email
203Shares

Filed Under: Personal

Previous Post: « Why You Should Get This Wonderful Book Today
Next Post: Is The Lost Art of Relationship Worth Your Time? »

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. Florence Wright says

    January 18, 2019 at 5:43 am

    Awwww. I wish he had been able to follow through with his Hearthland. I would have loved to see how successful it would be, because I think it’s an awesome idea and have thought it would be a great thing for Christians to do. I know so many people who live alone, either widowed or single and elderly people who need nice, safe places to live. Instead of living crammed in apartments, it seems a small community, in comfortable cottages with a town center, AND affordable would be a great idea. This is a very sweet tribute for a special person.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
byChautona Havig

 It may seem weird, but my favorite way to read Amish fiction is with mystery or suspense added. I think I like the juxtaposition of the “simple, quiet” life and the upheaval. Listen in to my chat with Shelley Shepard Gray about her newest book, Unshaken.

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

There are so many questions about the Amish, their ways of life, and their differences from us and from each other. We talked about the differences between people, sure, but we also looked at how the Amish look for the ways people are similar to them etc.

Of course, we also talked about the Rumors in Ross County series and how her newest book connects.

 Unshaken  by Shelley Shepard Gray

He helps her hide until danger has passed. She hopes her cover lasts long enough. When Stephanie Miller planned her visit to a dollar store in southern Ohio, she was expecting to pick up a few items she couldn’t find in her Amish community. She was not expecting to find herself an innocent bystander as a drug deal went horribly wrong. The sole witness to a murder, now Stephanie is targeted by the gunman. Hardy Anderson is always ready to help his social worker sister, Bev–which now includes hiding an Amish woman until a killer can be brought to justice. Surely if they dress her in English clothing, Hardy can hide her at the sprawling ranch where he works. But the killer is desperate–and there’s no telling what lengths he will go.

You can learn more about Shelley on her WEBSITE.  Don’t forget to follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

AND!!!  Don’t miss her Buggy Bunch group on Facebook, too! 

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
September 29, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 471: A Chat with Heather Wood
September 27, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 470: A Chat with JPC Allen
September 22, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 469: A Chat with Niki Florica
September 20, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 468: A Chat with Ann H. Gabhart
September 19, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 467: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 15, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 466: A Chat with Jennifer L. Wright
September 13, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 465: A Chat with DiAnn Mills
September 8, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 464: A Chat with Amy R. Anguish
September 6, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 463: A Chat with Jenelle Hovde
September 5, 2025
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Pointed Suspicion

Pointed Suspicion
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Pointed Suspicion
Buy now!

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
Austria, 1939. Before the "death trains," Hitler's Austria, 1939. Before the "death trains," Hitler's regime deported ten thousand children to Holland, Sweden, and even England on what was known as the Kindertransport. Two desperate mothers send their only childrent to safety on this Kindertransport, but when those children arrive, nothing is as it seems or should be.  A war-time mystery twist on "Hansel and Gretel" set just before the invasion of Poland.
Available as an audiobook FREE on Youtube, narrated by @ChristaDelSorbo
https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos

#FreeAudiobooks
#ChristFic
#HistoricalChristianMystery
#KindleUnlimited
When I knew Lauren would be one of my protagonists When I knew Lauren would be one of my protagonists of this year's New Cheltenham novel, I knew she'd have to be reading some mystery.  She's been on Poirot kicks and Marple kicks. Josephine Tey and I think Elizabeth Peters.  This year, I decided she'd REALLY love one of my favorite mystery series--the Lord Edgington Investigates by @benedictbrownauthor  If you love mystery, they're a lot of fun.  What I didn't know is that practical, prosaic Lauren would disgust herself when she realized she has a "book boyfriend" in Christopher Prentiss. Even her actual boyfriend knows her secret crush on a fictional young man from the 1920s.
This year's Christmas Lights Collection is the 10th we've done!  We're so proud of it!  Four towns battle it out in a Christmas Lights Showcase you won't want to miss.  Join @JayceeWeaver , @lainaturnerauthor , @CatheSwanson and me in this year's battle of the lights!
And seriously, if you love mysteries, don't miss Benedict Brown's.  He's brilliant and Christopher is awesome.  Lauren has that right. ;)
Releases October 7th!!
#ChristmasCollections
#KindleUnlimited
#ChristmasLightsCollection
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
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
Pointed Suspicion released on September 1, 2025 AN Pointed Suspicion released on September 1, 2025 AND... one chapter is being released each weekday until it's all up! Find them at https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos . One chapter a day on weekdays.  When all chapters are up, @ChristaDelSorbo will put up the complete audiobook there as well. Don't miss the prequel through the series adjacent Christmas novel available in individual chapters OR as complete audiobooks.

What's it about?
When protectors become targets, no one is safe.
Mark created The Agency to shield the innocent—but now an unknown foe fights to assume command. As shadowy threats tighten around Mark and his team, danger erupts on every front: terrorists at sea, betrayal within their ranks, and an enemy who always seems one step ahead.
While a Caribbean cruise turns deadly and secrets unravel in the agency’s halls, one shocking betrayal proves the enemy is closer than anyone imagined. Mark faces the fight of his life—not just for the future of his organization, but for the people he loves most. As faith and romance grow amid the fallout of shattered dreams, the stakes rise higher than ever.
The countdown to the series finale has begun… and survival is anything but guaranteed.

#TheAgencyFiles
#Christfic
#ChristianRomanticSuspense
#KindleUnlimited
#Audiobooks
The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of my books, including The Last Gasp--a mystery set in 1920s Hollywood and with a Cinderella twist.
You can listen FREE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos
Check out the other books she has on there... also free! https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos
OR
You can also get The Last Gasp and several of my other titles on popular retailers like Audible, Spotify, Everand, and more!
#Audiobooks
#FreeAudiobooks
#ChristianMystery
#HistoricalMystery
#FairyTaleRetelling
  • 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!