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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Every Team Needs an Authentic Jersey Girl

by Chautona Havig · 5 Comments

 

Our next Launch Team Member in my introductory series knew me back when I thought Harry Potter was of Satan. She knew me when I posted updates of my labor online as it progressed. You know those first words of Aggie? Yeah, she knew me back then. She loved me for William’s ‘Vette, and nearly leaped across the country to throttle me when I threatened to blow it up.

We cut our writing teeth at the same time, and she’s created her own “Rockland” in her Lakeville Series. Introducing:

Every Team Needs an Authentic Jersey Girl

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

Barbara! (a.k.a. D. H. Barbara)

Okay, I’m kind of cracking up, because Barb has always been a chatty kind of gal. She hails from New Jersey, and her “engagement ring” was a cool muscle car, so c’mon. This isn’t your mousy author hiding behind her typewriter in a garret somewhere. Yes, I know we call them attics here in America, but it just felt like garret fit there. You know?

But honestly, Barb gave me one of the sparsest profiles of all of them. There’s irony in there somewhere—a novelist who is excessively succinct. Most of Barb’s kids are grown, but she still has one in high school, I think. And she has a grandson who started school this year (or last… one of the two).

As I said, Barb is from Jersey, so her opinion of the coolest place she’s ever been shouldn’t surprise anyone.  She said:

New York City…nothing compares.”

In her spare time, she’s a CBS (Community Bible Study) leader and makes all kinds of cool craftiness for them. I know it because I’ve seen her stuff. Barb took up hiking (recently?) so while she’s in the beginning stages, she’ll rock that like she does everything. Pun totally intended.

Seasons of a LifeI’m going to go out on a limb and say her new obsession with health and wellness as a Plexus consultant probably made that whole hiking thing up there possible. I suppose she might be a good person to go to and test out that pink stuff again.

But the coolest thing about Barb, aside from her graciousness when I trashed her beloved Harry Potter—and then had to eat crow. Wait. That’s probably why she’s so gracious. Hmmm… Anyway, the coolest thing about Barb is that she’s a fellow author! In fact, her first book, Seasons of a Life is on tour with Celebrate Lit right now. I’ll be reviewing it… next week?  I think?  I’m hoping she’ll do a guest post for me and share the story about how that book got a major revision after a review!  Hint. Hint. (Ask her for it in the comments!)

Barb has eight books in print and I hope more on the way.  You can find her at her WEBSITE. 

Barb, like most of my team, is a voracious reader—a true book dragon (no wimpy worms for her! Ew!)  Among her favorite authors she claims:

Anne McCaffrey, Susan Sleeman, Pepper Basham (I bet it’s those “Stick-your-head-in-the-freezer-kisses”), Peter Tremayne, Cara Putnam, JK Rowling (told you!), CS Lewis, Dr. Richard Mabry, Randy Alcorn, the list goes on and on and on…” (I think she left Kay Arthur out just to spare my feelings).

As for my books…

Well… Barb read them as they were being written.  She knows how bad most of them were before editing and a critique team snapped some sense into me.

Barb, being the fabulous friend she is, has helped out with many of the launches and even of books she didn’t read!  They include:

  • Ante Up!
  • Front Window
  • Deepest Roots of the Heart  (I technically didn’t have a team back then, but she was fabulous at sharing)
  • Carol and the Belles
  • Christmas Lights
  • Such a Tease

On the question of why she would join my team when she knew she could have any of my books she wanted—FREE… she said:

I enjoy Chautona’s books and wanted to help spread the word! It has been exciting to see Chautona’s progress from very early drafts to books in print and the fan base she has grown.”

And of course, I knew exactly what she’d say about which book she’s most looking forward to, although she did mix up the order. I was SURE she’d say William first. Instead, Barb said:

I love anything Alexa, still waiting on William’s story and I would love an Argosy Junction sequel/update.”

I feel pretty smart because I called all but one of these (and for obvious reasons):

Alexa or Madeline?  Alexa

Mac or Luke?  Mac

Joe or Keith?  Keith

Cassie or Kaye?  (I take it this is an “I didn’t read either of ‘em?”)

Wynnewood or Legends? Dragons (That’s Barb-speak for “Wynnewood”)

And well, I’m not just any author with any team.  

I’m rather weird and also a bit needy, it seems.  Because you see, I have TWO Jersey girls on my team.  WOOT!  Next up: Florence!

Did you miss the other posts?  Check them out:

Alicia

Emma

Sharon

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Filed Under: Guest Post, Interviews, New Release

Previous Post: « Who Is Anxious for a Book That’s “The Pits”?
Next Post: This Gal Breaks My Heart & Makes Me Laugh »

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    August 26, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Of course I’d love to do a guest post! That was an interesting story 😉

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 26, 2017 at 7:17 pm

      Please send it! I want to share while I do your review!

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    August 26, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    Happy to be here! I laughed at your Kay Arthur comment 😉 Love you, my friend!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 26, 2017 at 7:16 pm

      Love you muchly!

      Reply
  3. Cathe Swanson says

    August 26, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    I think Barb must qualify as an “old friend” for me, too, by now. (I mean the longevity of our friendship. I am actually a couple months older than she is.)

    So, Barb, tell us about the revisions you made! I am looking forward to rereading it.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
byChautona Havig

I had a delightful chat with historical romance author, Tracie Peterson, a couple of weeks ago, and boy did I learn some cool stuff!  Listen in to find out what prompted Tracie to write about trains and New Mexico and just what horned toads have to do with any of it.  She even gives us a sneak peek into what’s coming next!  Hint: it involves “brownies,” freezing people (we presume), and gold!

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

When You’ve Written This Many Books, You’re Sure to Be a Favorite

Tracie Peterson has been one of my favorite authors for years. I knew I’d read her books since at least the early days of this century, but when she said 1995, I knew I’d probably read every one of those first books, too. 

Though her first love might be Jesus, her first writing love is definitely historical fiction with romance, adventure, and maybe a little intrigue to boot! As with many historical authors, research consumes a lot of her time. Find out which books involved her going to a trick riding school and how a book about a “horny-toad man” helped her write the Love on the Santa Fe series!

In addition to chatting about her books, we also discussed the writing process. And even better, about the wonderful letters from readers.. Tracie Peterson is one prolific writer with over a hundred thirty books to her name! There’s sure to be something for everyone, wouldn’t you say?

Beyond the Desert Sands by Tracie Peterson

Can she reconcile who she’s become with who she’s meant to be? Accustomed to an opulent life with her aunt, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to celebrate Christmas in her parents’ small silver-mining desert town, leaving her handsome beau, Diego Morales, behind in California. Adding insult to injury, she must bear the company of Aaron Bailey, the disapproving Santa Fe Railroad businessman her father has sent to escort her home, who clearly finds her spoiled. But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father’s health has become. Then a surprise visitor shows up with news that entirely upends the comfortable life she’s been leading. Faced with all these changes, Isabella struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope she stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.

You can preorder the eBook and audiobook from Amazon or you can get the hardback or paperback from BakerBookHouse.com.

Find out more about Tracie Peterson and her books on her WEBSITE.

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

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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 152: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Amy Anguish
June 14, 2022
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Episode 151: A Chat with Christian Romance Author, Carrie Padgett
June 10, 2022
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Episode 150: A Chat with Mystery/Thriller Author, Steven C Harms
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Episode 149: A Chat with Jennifer Sienes about Night Songs (and more!)
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Episode 148: A Chat with Author, James R. Hannibal
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Episode 147: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Jubilee Lipsey
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Episode 146: A Chat about The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher
May 24, 2022
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Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
May 20, 2022
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Episode 144: Chatting about Restored Grace with Kathleen J. Robison
May 17, 2022
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