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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Warning: Unintended Consequences Will Make You a POW

by Chautona Havig · 21 Comments

Of fabulous WWII fiction.

No, really. When I got the opportunity to read Dan Walsh’s new book, Unintended Consequences, I had no idea what to expect. I’d never read anything by him before—no clue even to the genre. But I accepted the offer of a complimentary copy, dove into the book, and began reading.

Look, I had no idea where this book was even going at first. I can’t say I was bored—that’s too strong. Just… oh… confused? Yeah. Let’s go with confused.

It wasn’t that, “What on earth is happening? First, he was there and now he’s here and what?” kind of confusion. It was more like, “What’s the point of this?”

Yeah.

Unintended Consequences

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Okay, being frank here, most of the time when there’s a dual scene going on, one setting up the other, disappearing, and then reappearing at the end like a prologue/epilogue… I don’t like it. I read dual timeline books all the time, but that chunk in the middle thing just never really grabs me. And that part of this one didn’t either.

Until the end.

It wasn’t even that amazing of an ending (outside the middle story, anyway). But Walsh somehow not only made it work, he really made it interesting.

But the other story? The WWII suspense-slash-romance-drama? Fabulous. It’s actually what made the beginning/ending parts so good. I really did love the book. Loved it so much that I bought a copy despite having been given one.

Though the third in a series, Unintended Consequences stands alone quite well. I didn’t get too much “rehash” of prior books—no info-dumps that really overdid it or anything. And I suspect the dual scene thing had more to do with giving established readers a bit of an “epilogue” to the previous books than it did as showing a necessary part of the plot of Unintended Consequences.

The primary story, set in WWII includes all the best parts of stories that we love from that era—brave American soldiers/pilots, English settings, intrigue, good vs. evil. Oh, and of course, romance. Walsh weaves them all into the tale without overdoing any of it. Rich, well-rounded characters, believable and interesting scenes combine with a  story that captivated me from the moment we met Jack Turner on the ship on the way to England.

Oh, and one of my favorite parts—history so seamlessly woven into the story that it never feels forced. That’s  one of my pet peeves—almost as bad as preachiness in Christian Fiction

With all this praise, I should throw out a few caveats.

For those who are sticklers for historical tone, this book will jar you out of the story now and then. The modern use of “totally” and similar things did definitely jerk me out of the reading experience. Frankly, most of the time I would have been bothered enough by it that I would not have been able to truthfully say, “I loved it.”

But I did. I loved Unintended Consequences.

For those who dislike when stories lapse into “telling,” well, now and then it happens here. But honestly, that’s a part of historical fiction. He doesn’t overdo it, and except for a couple of repetitive places, it wasn’t excessive or annoying at all. But there you have it. If it bothers you—it is in there a time or three. Just saying.

Oh, and the original copy I received had several typos that will bother some readers, but they might have been corrected by the final copy.

Did I mention I loved it? The family history, the difference and similarities in characters, the difficult times and the joys? I loved it all. I loved how he made implausible parts, well, plausible. And that’s my favorite part of fiction—when the implausible becomes so real it is plausible.

And yes, Unintended Consequences held me as a POW for the duration of the book—or at least the majority of it. I think anyone would be captivated by a tale often told but never too often. Something about this book makes you more than happy to be a prisoner of this retelling of one tiny sliver of the war.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good WWII story, a genuine romance, and enough suspense to keep you turning pages but not so much you won’t stay awake all night.

Oh, and I’ll be buying the others in the series.  Definitely.

Unintended ConsequencesUnintended Consequences.

Jack Turner Suspense Series Book 3

Jack and Rachel leave Culpepper for their long-awaited honeymoon trip, a driving tour through New England. On day three, they stop at a little bayside town in Cape Cod to visit Jack’s grandmother. After he gets called away to handle an emergency, Rachel stays and listens as Jack’s grandmother shares a remarkable story about how she and Jack’s grandfather met in the early days of World War 2. It’s a story filled with danger, decades-old family secrets, daring rescues and romance. Jack is named after his grandfather, and this story set the course and direction for Jack’s life to the present day. After hearing it, Rachel is amazed that anyone survived.

Reviewer note: The publisher’s synopsis would never have enticed me to read the book, so don’t be dissuaded by it.  And really, who doesn’t want to see what storm is brewing on the horizon of that cover?

I seriously doubt Dan Walsh intended for people to read the book and immediately offer to do a giveaway, but maybe the title inspired me.  Who knows?  Regardless, I am.  So if you’d like to win a copy of Unintended Consequences, just tell me what about it sounds most intriguing to you!

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Comments

  1. Dacia says

    May 29, 2017 at 9:31 am

    Your review makes me want to read this book… as most (all?) your book reviews do. ; ). I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Dan Walsh- but I’ll add him to my want to check out authors. =)

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 29, 2017 at 5:40 pm

      I just really liked the story. 😀

      Reply
  2. Alicia says

    May 28, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    Between your rating comments and review and what others are saying in here it sounds like a really interesting book. I love that era and would love a chance to read it. I just have a lot of other reading on my plate that I wouldn’t get to it right away …

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 28, 2017 at 4:40 pm

      I think you’d enjoy it. But it’s not going anywhere. 😀

      Reply
  3. Diana Nesbitt says

    May 27, 2017 at 7:02 pm

    I’m curious about how he makes the implausible, plausible! And the decades-old family secrets. I don’t think I’ve read any of Walsh’s books before, but I believe my mother read one of his Christmas ones and really enjoyed it. I’ve been up to my eyeballs in reading about WWII lately for my novel research but after taking a break to read the next Madeline book I’ll have to get back at it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 27, 2017 at 9:58 pm

      Well, there’s a bit of a familiar movie twist in it–one that you really don’t expect someone to make feel like it could work. In fact, he takes things that should be all cliched and hackneyed and turns them on their heads to make them feel real and new. It took me a while to realize what he’d done. It’s pretty impressive.

      I’ll be sure not to mail you my WWII book. Woudln’t want you to hate it. 😉

      Reply
  4. Rory Lynn says

    May 26, 2017 at 7:22 am

    I loved the part where Jack is called away and Rachel stays to her the story about how Grandma and grandpa met..Makes me wonder how Jack and Rachel will fair. Do they fall in love also!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 26, 2017 at 4:34 pm

      I guess it’s not a spoiler since it’s in the synopsis, but Jack and Rachel are on their honeymoon in this book. They’d better be in love! LOL.

      Reply
  5. Kristen says

    May 25, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    Your review makes me want to read it!! Looking it up on Amazon now (just in case I don’t win… 🙂

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      Really did enjoy Jack’s, Elliot’s, and Renee’s stories.

      Reply
  6. Emma says

    May 25, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    Your review makes me want to read it. I wish I could figure out how to write reviews as well as you do!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 25, 2017 at 3:40 pm

      Aw, thanks. Just “talk” to your readers–write it like you’d tell them if they were sitting at your table. Keep it conversational and about what you liked/didn’t instead of content. Once I did that, I feel like my reviews became a little more interesting. 😀

      Reply
    • Alicia says

      May 28, 2017 at 1:51 pm

      Emma you write amazing reviews!!

      Reply
  7. Eileen says

    May 25, 2017 at 4:14 am

    I love stories from WWII, both truth and fiction. I’m definitely intrigued by the sound of this series and would love to read the book.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:04 am

      I agree. It’s a fascinating era.

      Reply
  8. Kathy says

    May 24, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    I have enjoyed the other books in this series and everything else Dan Walsh has written. Can’t wait to read it!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 24, 2017 at 6:43 pm

      I’ll be reading the rest myself!

      Reply
  9. Diane says

    May 24, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    I love Dan walsh’s writing! Great, honest review that makes me want to read it.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 24, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      I just really loved the book. Great story, and now I want to read the first two.

      Reply
  10. Susan (DE) says

    May 24, 2017 at 8:36 am

    I am very interested by World War II. 🙂 It sounds interesting to me. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 24, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      Super fun story.

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 429: A Chat with J. A. Webb
byChautona Havig

Christian dystopian thrillers are too few and far between, but author J. A. Webb has a great one for us. Listen in while we chat about his Seekers Series and the second book, Inheritance.

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

Mix a corrupt secret society along with a priest on the run, and you’ve got a great mix. This series promises to be full of amazing twists and turns. 

  Inheritance by J. A. Webb

 A Dystopian Thriller of Deception, Faith, and the Fight for Truth

The Order has been betrayed. The hunters have been loosed.

Father Curtis has forsaken his vows. He has left the Order and joined the Seekers, a hidden rebellion dedicated to uncovering the truth long buried by the global church. But walking away from the Order does not mean escaping its reach.

When word spreads that a copy of the True Text — the original thirty-nine books of the Creator — has surfaced on the far side of the world, Curtis, Professor Reuel, and Phillip embark on a desperate mission. If they can retrieve the artifact, it could change everything. If they fail, the truth will be lost forever.

But the Eye of the Eternal, the secret police of the Order, has already mobilized. Their assassins are relentless. Their power is absolute. And they will stop at nothing to silence the truth.

Outnumbered and hunted, Curtis and his allies must risk everything to defy an empire built on deception. But against such overwhelming darkness, is faith enough? Or will their inheritance — humanity’s true past — be erased from history once and for all?

The war for truth has begun. And the Order will not suffer heretics to live.

A Gripping Tale of Power, Deception, and the Courage to Seek Truth

🔥 Perfect for fans of dystopian thrillers like 1984, Brave New World, and The Da Vinci Code—but with a Christian twist!

⚡ A suspense-filled journey into a world where illusion is law and questioning it means death.

📖 If you love stories of faith, defiance, and the battle against unseen tyranny, this is the book for you.

The Order has ruled from the shadows long enough. Are you ready to see the truth?

Learn more about J. A. Webb on his WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads and BookBub.

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Episode 429:  A Chat with J. A. Webb
Episode 429: A Chat with J. A. Webb
May 12, 2025
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