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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Happens When Your Little Sister’s Best Friend Becomes Yours?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

As I’ve been working through the Madeline books, I realized that Madeline’s best friend is now her “best friend’s” brother.  And vice versa! This of course, made me wonder if Russell knows it yet. So, I decided to ask him about it… and a few other things.

Let’s get right at it.

What Happens when Your Little Sister's Best Friend Becomes Yours?

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Me:  Russell, thank you for visiting with me today.

Russell: I wish Madeline was here. She’d enjoy watching your flat typewriter go.  Where are the strikers?

Me: Um… well, under the keys.

Russell: Fascinating.

Me: Now you’ve known Madeline for a long time—almost ten years, haven’t you? How has she changed over those years?

Russell:  Aside from becoming even more interesting and full of adventure, not much. Well…

Me: Yes?

Russell:  Upon further reflection, it does occur to me that she is more thoughtful of her aunt’s sensibilities.

Me: I’ve noticed that as well.  It seems that the more unreasonable Louisa Farnsworth becomes, the more reasonable Madeline is about it.

Russell: Yes, yes, that describes it well.

Me: I’m curious. What did you think when Amy asked you to “look after Madeline” while she was away?

Russell: It wouldn’t do to be completely candid. I will only say that my affection for my sister is the only thing that induced me to accept. She asks for so little that one does not refuse Amy anything.

Me: What did you expect keeping your promise to entail?

Russell: The young ladies of Rockland have determined to keep their set embroiled in a whirlwind of social engagements. I thought I would be called as an escort to lectures, the theater, benefits, concerts, and of course, dances.

I noticed a small smile form as he worked to hide… something.

Me: I wonder… what surprised you most?  That she wasn’t eager to participate in all the social melee or where her interests turned?

Russell: I should not have been surprised about most of what has taken place since Amy’s departure, but I think what did surprise me is that I also became her confidant in matters of the heart. When Delbert Jackson made his unfortunate proposal, it shook both of us, I think. I had been in the habit of thinking of her as “little Maddie,” not a young lady with an appeal to suitors.

Me: Tell me about that. How were you involved?  It always sounds like you were there at the proposal.

Russell: No, I visited her that evening to bring a letter from Amy that I wanted to share and found her understandably distressed. She may have gotten past his boorish behavior, and it is like her to appreciate forthrightness, but as fine a fellow as Jackson is, what he did was inexcusable.

Me: It could have been worse. He could have done the reverse and told her how inferior she was a la Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.

Russell: That’s an interesting perspective. I considered his assertions of superiority to be equivalent to emphasizing her inferiority, although I know him to be above doing that consciously.

Me: What do her friends really think of her “meddling?”

Russell: Most people in Rockland admire her; although, it is disconcerting to realize she often sees through what most try to hide.

Me:  And what does she see in you that you would like to hide?

Once more, Russell fought to repress a telltale smile.

Russell: You ask impertinent questions, Mrs. Havig. I will answer you, though. I do not try to hide anything from her, and as a result, she does not yet see what I might wish to.

Me: And is that a good or bad thing, do you think?

Russell: That, I believe, is something best left for time to show.

Me: Fair enough.  I’m curious.  What is the best thing that has come from keeping your promise to Amy?

Russell: I have found a much dearer friend in Madeline than I had known she could be. I look forward to seeing how our childhood dynamic adjusts to the change in all of our circumstances.

Me: And seeing how your relationship continues to grow, I imagine.

But Russell refused to answer that one.  He only smiled. Again.

A message from Jimmy arrived right about then—informing him that Madeline required his assistance, and we all know Russell would never refuse.  Amy might be disappointed.  That must be the reason, of course.

I don’t know about you, but I think Russell was deliberately vague at times, and I find that… would it be too dramatic to say… suspicious?

That’s not the only interview we have with Madeline’s friends!

There’s this interview with Essie!

Madeline sweet on you book 1Synopsis:

It is my hypothesis that social conventions are created to test our fortitude. 

Rockland circa 1900-
As the mayor’s daughter, Madeline Brown enjoys a rich social life that many might envy. But a sharp mind and a growing talent for observation leaves Madeline torn between avoiding social censure and exploring the world around her.

With an aunt who considers higher education and employment equally unsuitable for the mayor’s daughter, there is little to amuse her save endless committee meetings, evening socials, and her favorite pastime: curling up with an exciting detective novel.

So, when a young man shows interest in her friend, Madeline’s interest piques–until his actions hint that he might not be the upstanding gentleman everyone presumes him to be. Unable to ignore her concerns, Madeline finds herself in the middle of an investigation into his character and discovers a side of Rockland she’s never encountered.

Will her new hobby reduce the tedium of her life, or will her “meddling” create tension for herself and her father? Will she be forced to squelch this budding skill of hers or has Madeline finally found her calling in life.

Meddlin’ Madeline: Welcome to Rockland’s infancy.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
byChautona Havig

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore has been released, and I got to chat with them about it last week. Guys, this series!  If the Christian influence on Viking history isn’t enough, what about adventure, fight scenes, and romance that won’t make you blush? How about that a damsel is in distress and… gets rescued by another woman instead of the stereotypical DUDE! Listen in!

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

Are You Ready for an Exciting New Viking Series from 2 Great Authors?

 

One of the biggest surprises I recall from researching books by different authors was that the cozy mystery and suspense author I liked and respected, Heather Day Gilbert, had also written historical Viking books! I made the erroneous assumption that they were romance and skipped them (for the time being… I knew I’d read them some day), and then something happened.

A few months ago, I saw this cover.  With Heather’s name on it.  And some other gal I hadn’t heard of–Jen Cudmore.  What is this deliciousness?  The cover was AMAZING… not stereotypical nor was it inauthentic.  It was just GOOD (not to mention gorgeous) and with the Celtic frame (the Vikings did go over to Scotland/Ireland after all), I just felt like it hit all the sweet spots.

Well… the book is here, folks.  And I’ve got a copy in my hot little hands.  No, really. It’s July. And I live in the desert.  My hands are totally hot and in totally all the wrong ways. Just throwin’ that out there.

Anyway, Heather and Jen chatted with me about To Love a Viking, and oh my!  This book sounds fabulous. We know Viking women were strong. Even those that weren’t warriors had to survive Nordic winters. Ergo, strong.  But what about strong enough to build a new society with people they’d once fought against. Oh, and rescue a damsel in distress #BecauseYeah!

I’m ready to dive in to To Love a Viking myself, and I hope you’ll grab a copy, too. It promises to be incredible.

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore

Get swept up in an enthralling new romance series featuring women who rule the hearts of Viking men.

ELLISIF Forced into a financially advantageous marriage that spirals into a nightmare, Ellisif cannot help but imagine what might have been and ache for what was lost. The only lights in her life are her daughters and the friendships she’s forged with the household servants.

Though seven years have passed since Ellisif wed another man, Dagar still cannot forget the woman who captured his youthful heart. As the Viking warrior battles for his country’s future, he finds himself entangled in a personal war for Ellisif’s freedom that could cost his family their reputation and standing with the king. If he risks all, can he save the woman whose face still haunts his dreams? And if given another chance, will she choose him?

INARA Escaped slave Inara is determined to start a new life. Under the guidance of warrior and shipbuilder Håkon, her sword skill grows, as does her confidence that the Viking men will accept her as a warrior in her own right.

When she is selected to lead a perilous rescue mission to protect Ellisif, Inara finds herself blindsided by feelings for Håkon…and by threats to her freedom far closer than she feared. As dreams and desires collide, she wrestles against the lies holding her captive. Can she conquer her doubts before all that she’s hoped for slips from her hands?

Written by award-winning historical author Heather Day Gilbert and fresh voice Jen Cudmore, two love stories entwine in this sweeping Viking-era romance, the first novel in the Tavland Vikings series.

You can find out more about the series and the authors on Heather’s WEBSITE.

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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
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Episode 152: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Amy Anguish
June 14, 2022
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Episode 151: A Chat with Christian Romance Author, Carrie Padgett
June 10, 2022
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Episode 150: A Chat with Mystery/Thriller Author, Steven C Harms
June 7, 2022
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Episode 149: A Chat with Jennifer Sienes about Night Songs (and more!)
June 3, 2022
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Episode 148: A Chat with Author, James R. Hannibal
May 31, 2022
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Episode 147: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Jubilee Lipsey
May 27, 2022
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Episode 146: A Chat about The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher
May 24, 2022
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