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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Kind of Fiend Would Break a Poor, Unsuspecting Nutcracker?

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Who stole the nutcracker? We're out to find out as part of the release fun for The Nutcracker's Suite! Read and enter to win the giveaway! via @chautonahavig

the nutcracker release

Twenty nutcrackers lay spread out before me.  One by one, I grabbed my gold cord and tied it on. Must. Get. This done.

Around me, young people walked through the house–first out to my son’s “shed-room” and then back into the bathroom or to the kitchen for a drink and a piece of Hungarian coffee cake.  Those kids can plow through a Hungarian coffee cake, let me tell you!

My chair rolled–maybe it was an earthquake, or perhaps I rocked weirdly without noticing, but out of the blue, it rolled. I grabbed for the table, and in doing so, knocked off one of the nutcrackers.  When I bent over to pick it up, my heart sank.  “Oh, no!  I broke the nutcracker.”

That shock was nothing to the “Aha!” I got when a guy burst into the room, Tommy gun drawn, and pointed right at me.  “Aha!”

Somehow, I managed not to blurt out, “You already said that.”  Survival from mobsters 101. Don’t antagonize the guy with the gun.

Part of me wanted to ask just what the “aha” was about, but again. Gun.  I was willing to wait to be enlightened–preferably not as a prelude to my demise.

What Kind of Fiend Would Break a Poor, Unsuspecting Nutcracker?

the nutcracker

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“Where is it?”

“What?”  Okay, so I kind of squeaked it out. Who knew what a wimp I was?  Not me.  After all, after nearly shooting out my own eye as a kid, you’d think I’d be hardened to the dangers of guns or something.  Apparently not.

“The nutcracker.”

Okay, so my prudence went out the window right about then.  I pointed to the table with nineteen perfect little nutcracker ornaments.  “Right there.”

“No, the nutcracker–the one you broke. We know you broke it. You admitted it. I heard you.”

Okay, this guy was just weird.  “Okay…” I held out my hand with the three broken pieces of my little ornament–just a flat, laser-cut piece of wood. Nothing special. “Here. I did it.  Sue me.”

“Not that one!  The one in Meyer’s office.”

Is it just me, or is it rude for people to ask for something, you give it to them, and then it’s not good enough.  As if it’s your fault the idiot–I mean, person–didn’t get specific to begin with?  Just asking… for a friend.  Okay, fine. For me. It’s for me.

“I broke this…” I shook the pieces at him in my clenched fist (you know, the one I wanted to shove through his face) nutcracker ornament when I obviously got startled.  Probably my subconscious hearing you come in, which makes it your fault, by the way. As for Meyer? That was in a book… and happened a hundred years ago almost.  Go read it to find out who did it.  I’m innocent.”

When the guy raised his gun as if to coldcock me for not being cooperative, I tapped a button on my phone.  The contact info for a friend of mine–a local detective.  “Hey, Nathan? I’ve got this guy in my house threatening me with a Tommy gun because I don’t have and won’t confess to breaking a fictional nutcracker. Can you do something about this?”

“Fictional nutcracker?  Did you write the book?”

I swallowed hard.  “Well, yes.”

“Then, I’d say you broke the nutcracker in the book, anyway.  Meanwhile, let this guy know that I’m on my way and will arrest him for assault if he’s still there when I get there.”

When I turned away from the phone, the room was empty… save one kid who stared at me holding a fistful of Hungarian coffee cake pieces. “I’ll put them back… I’m sorry…”

Okay, I’ll admit. I was tempted to let the kid squirm, but I couldn’t do it. Clearly, whatever nutcracker he’s all broken up about, I didn’t damage it. I suspect he saw my addressed Christmas cards on the table, though, so watch out, Cathe Swanson. I bet he’s headed your way next.

The Nutcracker’s Suite

“Time to dance, sugarplum.”

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.

When mob king, Mario Topo’s, enforcer goes missing the race is on to prove he’s behind the murder. Police and mobsters alike are after Milo Natale, and he who finds Milo first might determine the enforcer’s fate.

A race through the city, a new friend… or more… a new life in the offing. Milo and Clarice must find who killed Topo’s man and why before the police arrest him for murder or Topo’s men bump him and Clarice off, too.

This next book in the Ever After Mysteries combines “The Nutcracker Suite” with a murder mystery set in the heart of 1920s Rockland.

Friday, The Nutcracker’s Suite Released!

Follow all the stories to find out who did it and how or why!  (And to get entries in to win one of the fabulous prizes!

April Hayman – Nov 26
Marji Laine Clubine – Nov 27
Chautona Havig – Nov 28
Cathe Swanson – Nov 29
Denise Lauren Barela – Nov 30
Rebekah Jones – Dec 1
Sandy Barela – Dec 2
Liz Tolsma – Dec 3 

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Comments

  1. Cheryl Arcemont says

    November 28, 2021 at 5:57 am

    This sounds like a great book added to this collection! Bravo!

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
byChautona Havig

Terry Garner joined me tonight to chat about his fascinating Biblical Fiction series, Magi Journey. Starting way back in Assyria, through Babylon, and into Persia, the series chronicles two timelines–first that of the Israelite kings, and then of a fascinating family back in Persia… Listen in to see the hope this Magi family found in Scripture and how it led them to Bethlehem. 

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

This isn’t just another “traveling to Bethlehem with gold” story of the Magi. No, Terry Garner links the Israelite kings from Ahaz through the destruction of the temple and into captivity with a family who discovers that God has promised redemption for those outside Israel as well. Follow a physical and a faith journey across the ages all the way to the hope of an age.

With extensive and meticulous research, Terry Garner looks at Scripture and compares it with historical secular accounts. Even more exciting, however, are the things he discovered along the way. He talks about Jewish historians discounting Scriptural accounts of historical events to explain away the supernatural as if God Almighty… isn’t!

And then, Terry explains how he’s also writing a nonfiction book to help readers pull all the pieces from Scripture and see what God has promised us… so that we may know His plans. I’m excited about that book, but I confess, learning he’s working on a spinoff of the Magi series excited me even more. EEEP!

Terry Garner has all his books on sale right now!

The paperbacks are on sale for 9.95 and the box set (also available on Kindle Unlimited) is on sale for 4.99!

Magi Journey by Terry Garner

A sweeping historical saga from the courts of Tiglath-Piliser III in Assyria to the sleepy town of Bethlehem. History is seen through the eyes of the Magi as they journey from 734 BC to -0- AD.

Explore with the Magi the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Witness God’s judgment on Israel, Assyria, and Babylon. And rejoice in the redemption of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

Join the Magi as they answer the question that is critical to every man and woman, “Who Is This Messiah?”

Learn more about Terry on his WEBSITE.

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

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Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
March 31, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
March 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
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Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
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