• 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

People are always asking me, “Where do I start?”

Sometimes, that’s an easy question to answer. I send them over to the Suggested Reading Order page and let them have at it. But not everyone wants to jump into the whole Rockland universe. It’s a lot of books, and why commit to it all if you don’t even know anything about it–or about my writing?  I get it. Sometimes folks are looking for a stand-alone, or for something for their kids, or they want a defined series of just a few books. They want mystery or women’s fiction rather than general or romance!

Gotcha covered. I came up with this as a solution. 🙂

Romance? Mystery? Suspense? Historical? Cozy? I’ve Got a Great Book for You!

Just find your favorite genre or trope below, and see what I recommend. I’ve tried really hard to give only one recommendation for each one BUT… I did do a couple where there are opposite styles in that genre!

Novellas:  Sometimes a novella is a great way to check out an author’s work, so if you want a short intro into my style, I’d go with

Random Acts of Shyness

Random Acts of Shyness

$9.99eBook: $3.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Novella, Romance

Heath Karras can tell you a dozen bizarre zoological facts, but he can't get a second date.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Random Acts of Shyness
Buy now!

Romance: Okay. Just to note, I don’t have a lot of straight-up romance books. Most of my books are romantic at some point, but as far as typical romance formula… I don’t often follow it. So there’s that. A good example of how that has worked in my books is

Not a Word

Not a Word

$14.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Rockland, Romance

Every story has two sides, but not always are both told. Mac's silence left his reputation in shambles, but after years of trying to rebuild, two people re-enter his life who just might change his life for good.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Not a Word
Buy now!

Historical Romance: One of my most popular books fits in this one. This is a mail-order bride story like you’ve never seen.

Penelope’s Pursuit

Penelope’s Pursuit

$12.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Westward Home and Hearts
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance, Suspense, Western
Tags: Historical, Romance, Suspense

Mrs. Millie Crenshaw's selection process should ensure that her men and women have the best chance at a satisfactory (if not happy) lifetime together. If the rest of the world would just play by her rules, life would turn out just fine.

But they don't. And when young women go missing, one disappointed homesteader and a grieving young woman join forces to discover just where these brides-to-be are!

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Purchase with Paypal
Penelope’s Pursuit
Buy now!

Women’s Fiction: Hands down, Shattering Secrets.

Shattering Secrets

Shattering Secrets

$14.99eBook: $5.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Genres: Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction
Tags: Recommended Books, Rockland

An annual Christmas project sends a professional blogger in search of a little boy's one and only Christmas wish—his father—and unearths a story with the potential to rip apart a family forever.

More info →

Mystery: Oh, this one is hard. I’m going to split it between historical and contemporary because those are very different.

Historical:

The Nutcracker’s Suite

The Nutcracker’s Suite

$9.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Christmas Fiction, Book 5
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Mystery
Tags: Christmas Fiction, Collection, Historical, Mystery, Rockland, Romance

A painter at the Meyer’s Toys factory, Clarice Stahl, knows something is strange about the way so many men come and go through Mr. Meyer’s office, especially one in particular. Then murder strikes a little too close to home and uncorks a barrel of secrets.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
The Nutcracker’s Suite
Buy now!

Contemporary:

Manuscript for Murder

Manuscript for Murder

12.99 / 3.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Hartfield Mysteries, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Romance
Tags: Mystery, Recommended Books, Rockland, Romance

Meet Alexa Hartfield, one of Fairbury's most eligible bachelorettes, not to mention fashion connoisseur and celebrity author. She seems to have everything going for her... until someone starts replicating the murders she writes in real life. Can the police end this killing spree, or will this be the end of Alexa's writing career?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Manuscript for Murder
Buy now!

Suspense: This is another split one.  I have two options… slowly becoming more and more suspenseful through a series and jump into the suspense right now.

Slow burn (a very relationship-oriented book that ends with the kickoff of the suspense):

None So Blind: (Sight Unseen Book 1)

None So Blind: (Sight Unseen Book 1)

$12.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, Sight Unseen Series, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Suspense
Tags: Rockland, Romance, Suspense

Lost in a mind without memories, Dani Weeks fights expectations, desires, and doubts to rise above her unusual and heartbreaking situation. Fully aware that she could walk out on her family with no regrets, her husband, David, must fight to save his marriage and get to know the woman he vowed to love until death.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
None So Blind: (Sight Unseen Book 1)
Buy now!

Traditional suspense:

Justified Means

Justified Means

12.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Agency Files, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
Tags: Mystery, Recommended Books, Rockland, Romance, Suspense

“You steal me from my house, drag me out here bound and gagged, hold me at gunpoint, and you’re worried about getting the tape off me gently? You’ve got some nerve!”

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Justified Means
Buy now!

Christmas: I’ve written a TON of Christmas fiction. Novellas, full-length novels… EVEN a general market Santa book (I know… I know). I’m just going with one of my personal favorites.

The Matchmakers of Holly Circle

The Matchmakers of Holly Circle

14.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Christmas Fiction
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Christmas Fiction, Rockland, Romance

They've been in love for ten years, but it takes an interfering neighbor with a penchant for poker to unravel the mystery of their persistent platonic relationship.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Purchase with Paypal
The Matchmakers of Holly Circle
Buy now!

Middle-Grade/Youth: This one is hard, too. It would take a lot to explain why, so I’m going to go with where I’d want a kid (or kid at heart!) to start.

Shadows & Secrets

Shadows & Secrets

$13.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Annals of Wynnewood, Book 1
Genres: Action & Adventure, Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Youth
Tags: Fantasy, Historical, Recommended Books, Youth Fiction

Follow Philip and the cloaked creature as they rescue a lame child, discover 'pirate treasure,' and test the mettle of true friendship. Shadows & Secrets is the first book in the Annals of Wynnewood

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Shadows & Secrets
Buy now!

Sci-Fi: Yes! I have one!

Volition

Volition

$14.99eBook: $5.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Sci-Fi
Tags: Futuristic/Sci-Fi, Rockland

Andi Flanders planned a nice wedding, a happy life, and anything but being abducted to the future. What's with that?

More info →

And for favorite tropes and elements:

Most popular character: This one is tough. It’s pretty evenly split between Aggie and Willow AND… those series are kind of intertwined, so I’d start with Aggie only because it’s a traditional series instead of a serial novel.

Ready or Not

Ready or Not

14.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Aggie's Inheritance Series, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tag: Rockland

It's Mom's Night Out meets Cheaper by the Dozen when 22-year-old Aggie "inherits" her eight nieces and nephews.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Purchase with Paypal
Ready or Not
Buy now!

Most impactful: I don’t know if this still true, but it’s the one people refer to the most that I remember. Note: it does have a slow (deliberately so) beginning.

Prairie

Prairie

12.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Journey of Dreams, Book 1
Genre: Christian Fiction

Join Jessa Davidson as she wakes up in the land of her dreams, but is Prairie the dreams of her life come true--or her worst nightmare? Is it real? Is it permanent? Or will she awake to discover that she's lost her mind--or worse, her life?

And the biggest question on Jessa's heart? Does she care?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Prairie
Buy now!

Fun kids: If you want a series:

Ready or Not

Ready or Not

14.99 / 4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles, The Aggie's Inheritance Series, Book 1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tag: Rockland

It's Mom's Night Out meets Cheaper by the Dozen when 22-year-old Aggie "inherits" her eight nieces and nephews.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Purchase with Paypal
Ready or Not
Buy now!

if you want just one kid and one book:

{Operation Posthaste}

{Operation Posthaste}

$9.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: The Rockland Chronicles
Genres: Christian Fiction, Comedy/Humor, Mystery, Romance
Tags: Mystery, Novella, Rockland, Romance

In class, Dylan learns all about secret British operations to ensure the security of their homeland. Well, he's got one of his own now.

More info →

Mature-Age Romance:

Finding a Memory

Finding a Memory

$9.99eBook: $4.99Audiobook: $12.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Independence Islands: the Book Barrow, Book 5
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tag: Romance

The fifth book in the Independence Islands series focusing on Sparrow Island, Finding a Memory will touch your heart and fill it with hope and love.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Finding a Memory
Buy now!

Western: Technically, Penelope’s Pursuit is a western, but for straight-up western with just a little romance (and a lot of humor) in it…

The Trouble with Nancy

The Trouble with Nancy

$12.99eBook: $4.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Genres: Historical, Romance, Western
Tags: Historical, Romance

Nancy Harrison has finally stepped out of her prissy box and tried to do something helpful--but did she go overboard in her first self-less act?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
The Trouble with Nancy
Buy now!

Marriage of Convenience: I have a couple, including a whole series devoted to that idea. But for straight up… I’d go with

Dual Power of Convenience

Dual Power of Convenience

Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Independence Islands: the Book Barrow, Book 2
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance
Tags: Collection, Romance

Richard Danforth--a brand, spankin' new (barely but it counts) billionaire and his new property manager, Lyla Santana. It was a match made on paper—never have to see each other again.

 

More info →

WWII:

Deepest Roots of the Heart

Deepest Roots of the Heart

12.95 / 5.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Legacy of the Vines
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance
Tags: Historical, Recommended Books, Romance

Avelino Carrillo returns home from WWII with one goal in mind--to regain his family's vineyards and preserve the legacy passed down for generations.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Audible.com
Deepest Roots of the Heart
Buy now!

Bookish books:  I have a lot, but I recommend the Bookstrings series. Start with:

Spines & Leaves

Spines & Leaves

$7.99eBook: $2.99
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Bookstrings, Book 0
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction
Tags: Collection, Novella

One man, one store, thousands of books.  What'll it take to keep this bookstore from becoming a book ghost town... and what'll it take for Milton to tie two heartstrings together?

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Amazon
Purchase with Paypal
Spines & Leaves
Buy now!

Share
Pin
Post
Email
Share
Pin
Post
Email

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 516: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
byChautona Havig

When someone says, “Is there a new Tracie Peterson out?” the answer is almost always either “YES!” or “SOON!” I had a blast chatting about Faithful of Heart with her. Listen in and see what’s happening in this new series!

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

I loved that God in His gracious wisdom decided to set the release of Fairest of Heart set in Minneapolis at a time when His people would need encouragement and a reminder of what a lovely city it is with a rich history. He is so good to us!

Can’t wait to learn all the cool things.

Faithful of Heart by Tracie Peterson

Can forgiveness and love overcome a tattered legacy? When dedicated philanthropist Judith Stanford receives a summons from her estranged grandfather ordering her to come to Minneapolis to prove herself worthy of his inheritance, she is hesitant but can’t ignore the potential of her grandfather’s fortune to benefit her causes. And the only man to interest her since her husband’s death lives in Minneapolis, leaving her hoping their paths will cross. Roman Turner, a local physician with a heart for the poor, harbors a grudge against Judith’s grandfather. Years ago, his unethical actions ruined Roman’s family forever. When Roman meets Judith again, he is shocked to learn the woman he’s thought about all these years is related to the one man he can’t forgive. As Judith tries to overcome the complicated history between the two families and disentangle her grandfather’s tainted legacy, she begins to form a plan for reparation. But when it becomes clear someone else has nefarious intentions for the money, Judith’s dreams of a new legacy are at risk.

Don’t forget that you can get this and her other books at 30-40% off with FREE US shipping from Bakerbookhouse.com

Learn more about Tracie Peterson on her WEBSITE. Follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

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

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 516: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
Episode 516: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
February 16, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 515: A Chat with Heather Tabers
February 14, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 514: A Chat with Deborah Clack
February 9, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 513: A Chat with Amber Gabriel
February 7, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 512: A Chat with Tim Bishop
February 2, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 511: A Chat with Tessa Afshar
January 31, 2026
Chautona
Episode 510: A Chat with Sarah Sundin
January 26, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 509: A Chat with Stacy J. Ladyman
January 24, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 508: A Chat with Katelyn Pfeiffer
January 19, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 507: A Chat with Sarah Hanks
January 17, 2026
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
Keith can’t help but wonder: will his first assign Keith can’t help but wonder: will his first assignment with The Agency be his last?

One missing man. One new agent. One chance to keep the (uncertain) client alive
The prequel novel to The Agency Files, Induction is Keith Auger's interview and... well.. induction into The Agency. Listen FREE on YouTube to the audiobook narrated by @ChristaDelSorbo .
Listen to each chapter separately for ease of finding where you are OR the whole book in one video.
Also available from most audiobook retailers!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGJaJiSo6mQ2AIQHYt1g3cWoBPneeilsa

#ChristianRomanticSuspense
#ChristFic
#Audiobooks
#ChristianAudiobooks
#FreeAudiobooks
Everyone has his or her strengths. Wade's lean tow Everyone has his or her strengths. Wade's lean toward horses and ranching. Ainsley? She's lousy at that stuff, but she can put numbers where they belong and keep them there.  Vi's fabulous at selling off your old junk and giving you great relational advice over Dial-a-Deal's airwaves.  And Granny?  She's great at just about everything, the advantages of age and wisdom and all.
Part of the You Are on the Air series--twenty-six, short, Christian romances perfect for reading this month!
Available in Kindle Unlimited, too!
#ChristFic
#YouAreOnTheAir
#KindleUnlimited
https://amzn.to/4ce0vSK #AffiliateLink
Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she do Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she doesn’t even love.
Not THAT way anyway.
After studying everything the Bible has to say about marriage, she’s decided she wants in. Now. So who’s going to take her up on that offer?
And just why did no one remind her that those vows include that little word, “love?”
Oops!
With her Bible in her hip pocket and a shiny new ring on her finger, Bentley navigates this new world of marriage with grace and… oh, who is she kidding? She flounders until she gets a sure footing and hangs on tight.
Grab the first book of this unusual series today! https://amzn.to/49UP8Oh #affiliatelink
Available on Kindle Unlimited, too!
#Christfic
#ContemporaryChristianRomance
#MarriageOfConvenience
CrossWords--an absolutely fictional store inspired CrossWords--an absolutely fictional store inspired by a real and lovely treasure in Greeneville, Tennessee. Have a slice of pizza at The Gentry with Milton and Atticus, grab a cup of coffee from Catalyst or Iris Books and Coffee, but whatever you do, don't leave town without grabbing a salted caramel bachelor's button from Peggy Ann's Bakery. YUM.
And if only Christian Books & Gifts would create that Airbnb for me... because it's all about me, right? WRONG! It's about the lovely folks @christianbookandgiftgrv. Thanks for letting me fictionalize you! I'm having a blast!
#ChristFic
#BookishBooks
#CrossWords
#Bookstrings
Everyone has his or her strengths. Wade's lean tow Everyone has his or her strengths. Wade's lean toward horses and ranching. Ainsley? She's lousy at that stuff, but she can put numbers where they belong and keep them there.  Vi's fabulous at selling off your old junk and giving you great relational advice over Dial-a-Deal's airwaves.  And Granny?  She's great at just about everything, the advantages of age and wisdom and all.
Part of the You Are on the Air series--twenty-six, short, Christian romances perfect for reading this month!
Available in Kindle Unlimited, too!
#ChristFic
#YouAreOnTheAir
#KindleUnlimited
https://amzn.to/4ce0vSK #AffiliateLink
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
Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she do Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she doesn’t even love.
Not THAT way anyway.
After studying everything the Bible has to say about marriage, she’s decided she wants in. Now. So who’s going to take her up on that offer?
And just why did no one remind her that those vows include that little word, “love?”
Oops!
With her Bible in her hip pocket and a shiny new ring on her finger, Bentley navigates this new world of marriage with grace and… oh, who is she kidding? She flounders until she gets a sure footing and hangs on tight.
Grab the first book of this unusual series today! https://amzn.to/49UP8Oh #affiliatelink
Available on Kindle Unlimited, too!
#Christfic
#ContemporaryChristianRomance
#MarriageOfConvenience
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

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