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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?

Note: links are likely affilate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

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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Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
by Chautona Havig

What happens when you combine domestic violence with suspense?  A hair-raising ride you won’t want to miss.

On March 2, T.E. Price ‘s book, Take Flight, releases on eBook, and boy is this one excellent story.  Join me as I talk with Tiffany about her book, the inspiration, and all the excellence you’ll find within the can’t-put-it-down pages.

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

The 3 Best Things about This Domestic Abuse Suspense Novel

A new author to me, T.E. Price knocked her suspense (and almost thriller) out of the park with three excellent elements to the book.  

Aside from wonderful and realistic characterization and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, T.E. Price also digs deep into a subject Christians sometimes like to pretend isn’t a thing.  And boy does she do it well. 

So if a great story that grips you and won’t let you go isn’t the best thing, what is?  Well… I’ve got three.

First, the writing is stellar.

Let’s face it, domestic abuse victims have cyclical thought patterns and actions that can feel redundant and become boring when you see it on the page, but Tiffany managed to avoid that while still showing how real and confusing it can be both for the person going through it and for those watching from the outside.

Second, her laser focus on her subject.

Domestic abuse is a multi-layered and faceted subject that spans so many different aspects of life. It would be easy and natural, even, to try to show it all with the one person who experienced it all, but T.E. Price keeps her focus on one woman’s escape from that life and how it affects her relationship with the Lord and others. That’s it.  

Third, T.E. Price shows her heart for the Lord and His people in every word on the page.

While not preachy at all, and while often just the undercurrent of the story, there is no doubt in the reader’s mind that Price wants the reader to learn both how to overcome as the victim of domestic violence and how to aid others in the church going through it.  Additionally, that steady reminder of Who the only true support we truly have touches every aspect of Hallie McClain’s life.

There are so many other excellent elements to Take Flight, but I’d be chatting all day with Tiffany (and nearly did!) if I kept going.

Don’t forget!

T.E. Price’s book releases March 2, 2021 and on March 5, 2021  from 7-8 pm (EST) she is having a Facebook launch party with prizes and lots of information about it.  HERE is a link to that party and I hope to be there to celebrate with her!  Please join her and maybe you’ll win an eBook copy of Take Flight!

You can find more about T.E. Price (Tiffany) at her WEBSITE where you can also find her other novel, Love’s True Colors.

Title:  Take Flight Author: T.E. Price Synopsis:  

Within Take Flight, readers follow Hallie McClain as she is faced with numerous fight-or-flight decisions in her attempt to escape her abusive husband, Jonathan McClain.

Hallie has made the decision to leave him for good, but Jonathan has no intentions of complying. During their separation, Hallie grapples with trusting those closest to her, the gossip-mill of her small town, and her wavering trust in God. Living alone in a secret, secluded cabin in the woods, she is thrust into multiple circumstances where she has to balance her safety with the reality of inescapable encounters with her soon-to-be ex-husband. Jonathan soon discovers Hallie’s whereabouts, forcing her to escape to the city while awaiting the divorce, but her move isn’t the solution as her safety is still compromised.

Hallie has to learn to trust God with her safety while leaning on the church body for support. The tantalizing storyline of Take Flight weaves through one “fight-or-flight” scenario after the next, filling Hallie with angst regarding her constant need for escape. Take Flight addresses the ugliness of domestic abuse and the need for support from the church community. Furthermore, it affirms God’s trustworthiness in the midst of difficult, sometimes even life-threatening, situations.

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You can find the Blog post HERE.

Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
February 23, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 47: The Drew Farthering Mysteries
February 16, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 46: What Romances Do I Think Are Perfect for Valentine's Day?
February 9, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 45: A Gush about Things We Didn't Say
February 2, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 44: A Chat with Carolyn Miller
January 26, 2021
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Episode 43: A Chat with Allison Pearl
January 19, 2021
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Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
January 13, 2021
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Episode 41: A Chat with Jennifer Pierce
January 5, 2021
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Episode 40: My Favorite Book of 2020
December 8, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 39: A Chat with L.K. Simonds
December 1, 2020
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