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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

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

“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 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

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

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
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Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan
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