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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

How Clearing out Junk Helped Me Find Treasure

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

The Lost Dutchman's Secret is more than a great mystery--it's a dangerous secret that people will hunt you down for. Trust me! via @chautonahavig

the lost dutchman's secret

When you spend a weekend with a professional organizer who is trying to help authors declutter their spaces, their schedules, and their minds, it gets under your skin, okay? I am already prone to bouts of decluttering frenzies as it is.  I mean, I wrote a whole book on one woman’s quest to eradicate the excess from her life. It’s a thing for me.

So when I got home from the retreat, I didn’t even want to unpack my suitcase.  I mean, come on! I came home with stuff that I didn’t leave with!  A candle, a couple of books… or five or ten… um… yeah. Stuffness, okay?

But I couldn’t resist for long. See, I’d picked up Angie Hyche’s Unholy Mess and started reading, and the bug hit.  Laundry first.  Once that was done, I had to put the stuff away, and that’s when everything went south–right into trash bags. I filled one with clothes I hadn’t worn all summer.  Look, I don’t have many clothes to begin with.  I have a closet rod just barely over three-feet long.  Single rod, not double. Know what that means?  Yeah. limited clothing options.  I also do not have a dresser, bureau, or chest of drawers (covering my clothing storage bases). Three tiny squares in my closet hold underwear, t-shirts, and leggings. That’s it, folks.

And I chucked a bag.  A full bag.  I also found a couple of things I wanted to make changes to. A too-big jacket that I love too much to chuck.  Needs to be cut apart and redesigned.

You’d think with all that, I’d be DONE.  Not hardly.

the lost dutchman's secret

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

How Clearing out Junk Helped Me Find Treasure

Phase two began with hanging some prints I’d bought.  See?  Isn’t it lovely?

not the lost dutchman's secret

Doing that forced me to deal with papers.  And when you deal with papers…

Wait. This isn’t If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  This is more like, “if you find a treasure map, watch out!”

Look, I don’t remember where I got the thing.  It’s not mine.  Maybe it’s leftover from my father’s forays into the Superstition mountains when I was a kid.  No joke. Dad used to haul me up to the mountains on Saturdays to look for the Lost Dutchman Mine.   And that’s what the map is to. Supposedly.  I don’t buy it, frankly.

So there I was, trying to figure out if I should just chuck it or if maybe I should send it as a souvenir to Rebekah Jones. After all, she just wrote a mystery surrounding the Lost Dutchman Mine. What a great release present, right?

That’s when the call came in, and I punched the speakerphone in time to hear Rebekah say, “Liz says she sent my map to you to keep it from the clutches of treasure hunters.”

Had it come in while I was gone? Maybe that’s why I didn’t remember it.  Everything began to make sense. Before I could tell her I had it, I heard voices outside my room.

“I heard her say map.”  It was probably supposed to be a whisper, but um… not hardly. Maybe in a sawmill, as Audie Murphy would say.

I punched the speakerphone to regular, sneaked over to lock my door, and squeezed myself out my bedroom window. Let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty sight, and no one ever wants to see that again. From there, I raced off to the post office, stuck it in an overnight envelope, and mailed it to Marji Laine.  After all, she’s in Texas where everyone and their florist has a gun–except Quakers, apparently (name that movie).

So, I had the map (although, I didn’t know it), and now that I’ve decluttered my house of it, of the fellows trying to snag it, and of a bag of clothes, I think I’ll go work on the rest of my desk area.  Adios, compadres!

the lost dutchman's secretThe Lost Dutchman’s Secret by Rebekah Jones

There’s a deadly secret in them thar hills—and gold, or so they say.

Deeply in debt to a wealthy local, Charles Sinclair, Dorothy Hodges’ father finally promises she’ll pay and in gold, no less. If only Dorothy could take to take the promises he spins out of thin air and turn them into that gold, all would be well.

With the help of a strange, rumpled man, Dorothy does manage to bring payment to one of Sinclair’s sons only to discover it won’t pay off the debt. Will the next payment be enough?  The next?

When Charles Sinclair ends up dead, Dorothy is the obvious prime suspect, but Sinclair’s son isn’t so certain. Together they work to clear her name and find the real murderer of the Superstitions, but will they find the answers buried in those hills?

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. The Lost Dutchman’s Secret offers a retelling of “Rumplestilskin” that requires more digging than a miner searching for The Lost Dutchman Mine.

Oh, and don’t forget to get in on the other authors’ giveaways and find out where that map has been!

Sandy Barela – November 2
Cathe Swanson – November 3
April Hayman – November 4
Liz Tolsma – November 5
Chautona Havig – November 6
Marji Laine Clubine – November 7
Denise Lauren Barela – November 8
Rebekah Jones – November 9

And get your entries in here!

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
byChautona Havig

Fans of Lisa Phillips’ Last Chance County series are doing happy dances following the release of an exciting new spin-off series, Last Chance Fire and Rescue. Expired Return brings back a few favorite characters and kicks off another of Sunrise Publishing’s author/mentor led fiction seasons! Listen in to find out what happens when an author brings back a guy she dropped a building on a couple of books back…

 

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

When Fans Want More Exciting Stories, Smart Authors Listen and Deliver!

Let’s face it. Authors might SOMETIMES be “done” with a series, but readers often want more… indefinitely. Well, with the brilliance of Sunrise Publishing’s mentor model, authors get to collaborate with authors they trust to do their “worlds” proud while still having time to write new, exciting things as well. And some of the Sunrise lead authors even write in the spin-off series–like Lisa Phillips and Trisha Goyer!

This new Last Chance County series promises everything we love about Lisa Phillips’ world–danger, intrigue, heart-stopping suspense, drama… you know… all the feels. But in addition to her own release, Expired Return, this series also introduces us to new authors who have been carefully vetted and selected to ensure they do justice to Lisa’s Last Chance characters. I, for one, can’t wait to check it all out.

Lisa and I chatted about what she plans for the series,Lisa hinted about a possible super-secret reveal coming soon, and I even poked her with the idea of a Last Chance Christmas.

Help me convince them on that, will ya?

But this new book… Whoa…

Expired Return by Lisa Phillips

Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

As far as she’d been able to tell, it barely slowed him down.

She’ll give everything to protect her family.

He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

Last Chance County returns in this blazing new series from Sunrise Publishing.

Last Chance Fire and Rescue

  • Book 1: Expired Return
  • Book 2: Expired Hope (coming soon)
  • Book 3: Expired Promise (coming soon)
  • Book 4: Expired Vows (coming soon)

Last Chance County

  • Book 1: Expired Refuge
  • Book 2: Expired Secrets
  • Book 3: Expired Cache
  • Book 4: Expired Hero
  • Book 5: Expired Game
  • Book 6: Expired Plot
  • Book 7: Expired Getaway
  • Book 8: Expired Betrayal
  • Book 9: Expired Flight
  • Book 10: Expired End

Learn more about Lisa and her books on her WEBSITE.

Learn more about the different seasons (series) offered by Sunrise Publishing or how to audition with them on the Sunrise Publishing WEBSITE.

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

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  • and more!
Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
February 7, 2023
Chautona Havig
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February 4, 2023
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Episode 205: A Chat about Cold Light of Day with Elizabeth Goddard
February 3, 2023
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Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
January 31, 2023
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Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
January 27, 2023
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Episode 202: A Chat with Historical Christian Author, Laura Frantz
January 24, 2023
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Episode 201: A Closer Look at This YA Dystopian Series
January 20, 2023
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Episode 200: Comparing & Contrasting Two Split-Time Novels
January 17, 2023
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Episode 199: A Chat about Karl May with Robert Stermscheg
January 13, 2023
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Episode 198: A Chat about Everything Is Just Beginning with Erin Bartels
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Reposted from @courtneywalsh MY PHONY VALENTINE is Reposted from @courtneywalsh MY PHONY VALENTINE is officially available in e-book, paperback and in #kindleunlimited ♥️♥️

Treat yourself to this swoony, sweet romance! 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A chance meeting. A hunky hockey player. A fake romance.
Hardly an ordinary day in the life of Poppy Hart.

My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

A full-fledged fake romance complete with contract negotiations, pretend dates and phony PDA.

But as I get to know the real Dallas Burke, who is not the man the press says he is, it becomes clear that if this isn’t real. . . someone better tell it to my heart.

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Reposted from @steampunk_tales Death stalks Alice Reposted from @steampunk_tales Death stalks Alice at every turn, but will he catch up to her?
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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
There's a link to how to find it in my bio.
#ChristFic
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Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADO Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADOW IN MOSCOW will be available on June 13, 2023!! I can’t wait for you to meet Cold War spies, Anya Kadinova and Ingrid Bauer. You can pre-order your copy today!!
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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
There's a link to how to find it in my bio.
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomCom
#InspiredByATrueStory
Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Ligh Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Light is now available from @revellfiction , and it received a starred review from Booklist!

In WWII Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt assumes the identity of a common shipyard worker, rowing messages to Sweden for the Resistance. His life depends on keeping his secret hidden--a task that proves challenging when he meets Else Jensen, an American physicist who seems to see right through him.

Read more and find purchase links in the Linktree in my bio!
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Reposted from @celebratelit ONE MORE WEEK! ⁠ ⁠ Reposted from @celebratelit ONE MORE WEEK! ⁠
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One more week until the release of Promise of Purity by Marguerite Martin Gray! Preorder now for 30% off plus free shipping or the ebook copy for only $2.99. Bonus gift with either! ⁠
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