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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 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:

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Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
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