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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Deep Secrets Are You Hiding Behind?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Just what does "the camera never lies" actually mean? David Rawlings, in his allegorical style explores this concept in a story that will keep you riveted. via @chautonahavig

“He knows things about me that no one else does.”

The words rocked my world a bit.  It wasn’t that someone would know her secrets.  It was more that she is the kind of person who’s very open and transparent about who she is. I had the hardest time imagining that she had any secrets.  But what else would “things that no one else knows” be but secrets?

That conversation came to mind as I read a book last night.  Funny thing is, I requested the book months ago and promptly forgot about it.  However, when I returned from Missouri, among the stacks of packages–mostly all books, of course–waiting for me was that free review copy I’d requested.  I couldn’t wait to dive in, but I still had a month or more to go.

Was it worth the wait?  What did I learn from it?  Will it change my life?  So many questions… and of course…

The Camera Never Lies

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I received a free review copy of this book and chose to review it.

What Deep Secrets Are You Hiding Behind?

In his signature, almost allegorical style, David Rawlings sends you on a journey of self-discovery in The Camera Never Lies. A deep story, just enough twists and turns, and a lesson that should feel preachier than it actually does. Don’t even ask how that’s possible. I’m calling it great writing.  With all that in the book, what more could you ask for?

How about excellent characterization?  A multi-layered personality just flawed enough to make him relatable and deeply flawed enough to learn from, Daniel Whiteley offers more than a great protagonist… he offers a glimpse into your own soul as well.

Rawlings understands human nature and reveals it for all its raw imperfections and ugly shadows as well as its beauty and worth.  Best of all, he does it by stripping away everything that Daniel can hide behind until the man is forced to see himself as he really is.

The cross does that for us.  Jesus does that. 

My only quibble with this book is that once again, Thomas Nelson, a Christian publishing house has given us so-called “Christian fiction” without bringing Christ into it.   Sure, there are allusions to Biblical truths, but they are weak and any reader without a solid grounding in Scripture would find it difficult to know where the Biblical truths are hidden.  If Thomas Nelson hadn’t made a habit of putting out this “clean” fiction instead of Christian fiction lately, I might lay the responsibility at the feet of the author.

As it is, I beg Thomas Nelson to let readers know if they’ve shifted their focus from Christian fiction or not. I’d rather not be disappointed every time I pick up one of their books. Regardless, I enjoyed the book, am glad I requested and received a free review copy, and will continue to read Rawlings’ work in the future.

Recommended for lovers of cautionary tales and truths told through story.  If you enjoyed the author’s first book, The Baggage Handler, you’ll love this one, too.

Just be careful.  The book will make you examine yourself to see the deep secrets you’re hiding behind.

The Camera Never Lies 

The Camera Never LiesAbout the Book

Book:  The Camera Never Lies

Author: David Rawlings

Genre: General fiction/allegory/magical realism

Release Date: December 3, 2019

David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler, returns with another probing story: what would you do if your secrets were revealed to those around you?

Daniel Whiteley is a successful couples counselor who regularly puts families back together, helping them face up to the things in life they hide. But his own marriage is falling apart.

His wife, Kelly, knows Daniel is hiding something from her, but she doesn’t dare probe for fear her own secrets will be revealed.

When his grandfather dies, Daniel inherits an old SLR camera from a time when cameras pointed away from the person taking the photograph. On the camera is an inscription: “Use this camera wisely and remember, regardless of the picture you think you took, the camera never lies.”

When Daniel first uses his new camera he finds someone has already filled the roll of film. Annoyed, he processes the film and finds photos of a secret that he’s been hiding from his wife and daughter.
He has no idea who took them.

Now every time he uses the camera, the photographs reveal another secret about himself that he is desperate to keep–as well as those of his wife, which he is desperate to uncover.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 480: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
byChautona Havig

 A chat with Tracie Peterson is always a treat, and this was no exception. Listen in as we talk about A Moment to Love, the last in the Hope of Cheyenne series. 

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

I’ve been loving what Tracie is doing in this Cheyene series, but something about this book really hit home. I think the themes of revenge for heinous crimes and the indignity of our work being stolen are things we relate to whether it’s the 19th or the 21st century.

Also, don’t miss out on her Christmas novella collection with Karen Witemeyer and Misty M. Beller, On a Midnight Clear. 

A Moment to Love  by Tracie Peterson

A shared heart for justice pulls them together, but is their love strong enough to survive their trials? Dr. Carrie Vogel’s heart is shattered when her groundbreaking medical research is stolen and falsely credited to her ex-fiancé. With years of diligent work lost, she grapples with the disastrous turn of her career and leans on her faith for strength. When she learns that her Pinkerton friend Spencer Duval is on a justice-driven mission to her hometown of Cheyenne, she agrees to an arranged marriage to provide him with a cover story. But merely pretending to be in love with Spencer becomes increasingly difficult the more time she spends with him. Spencer is determined to apprehend the ruthless murderer who killed his father years ago, but his quest ignites unexpected emotions–both for Carrie and about the desire for revenge that has dominated his life. As the web of suspects tightens, their futures hang in the balance, and they must learn to trust God’s plan as unexpected love takes flight. Return to Cheyenne, Wyoming, with bestselling author Tracie Peterson for a journey of healing and forgiveness in this exquisite western frontier romance that will appeal to readers of faith-filled stories and When Calls the Heart.

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:

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Episode 480: A Chat with Tracie Peterson
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Part of the Westward Home & Hearts Mail-Order Brid Part of the Westward Home & Hearts Mail-Order Brides series, Penelope's Pursuit is on sale for $0.99 to celebrate six years of mail-order bride novels and novellas. Penelope is a bit different from most stories. It shows the potentially dangerous side without being too heavy. Check out the Facebook group for more books on sale by the series' authors!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0921KHWBV
#ChristianHistoricalFiction
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Sometimes, I fall in love with a character in my b Sometimes, I fall in love with a character in my books. Someone like Lewis in The Lights of New Cheltenham or Rory in Not a Word. But... in Twice Sold Tales, I fell in love with a cast of characters.  Harper the store owner, Noah the single-dad just learning how to be one, Bennie, the adorable ballet-loving little boy... and Mrs. Klair. Oh, how I loved Mrs. Klair.
I also love the town of Red Wing, Minnesota.  I infused as much of it as I could into the book--places to eat and explore, people I love dearly (family!), and the feel of a small town inside a modest city along Lake Pepin (of Laura Ingalls fame). I also learned that there is actually a lake monster there!  Pepi!  You wont want to miss him!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLKCDYKR
#BookishBooks
#Bookstrings
#ChristFic
#KindleUnlimited
Part of the Westward Home & Hearts Mail-Order Brid Part of the Westward Home & Hearts Mail-Order Brides series, Penelope's Pursuit is on sale for $0.99 to celebrate six years of mail-order bride novels and novellas. Penelope is a bit different from most stories. It shows the potentially dangerous side without being too heavy. Check out the Facebook group for more books on sale by the series' authors!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0921KHWBV
#ChristianHistoricalFiction
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