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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Some Books, Like People, Need Time to Grow on You

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

The email loaded in my inbox—a “friendly reminder” that I had a book due to review. One problem: I thought I’d done it.

And, the one I thought it was, I had done. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t that book.

Oops.

So, instead of sending my Lara on a trip across the country, I sat in my Denny’s booth and opened the book. Eager. Excited.

See, it’s been a long time since I read anything by Tracie Peterson—so long, in fact, that I can’t remember any of the titles I used to have. So, when I had a chance to read a review copy of her latest, When You Are Near, I hit that request button so fast it was almost embarrassing.

I mean, come on. Trick rider in a wild west show? Mystery? Montana? Duh.

The night manager came over at about page twenty-six and asked what I was reading. I told him. He asked if I liked it.

My heart sank.

You see, I didn’t.

And I didn’t know why. I mean, Lizzy, the main character, interested me. She’s fun, quirky, and wonderfully flawed. Even the plot, if it followed the synopsis at all, would be engaging and fresh.

He got this look on his face and I cringed inside. Silently, I pleaded, Don’t ask. Please don’t ask.

He asked. “So what don’t you like about it?”

I’d just taken a note that read:

Occasional contradictory statements. First she doesn’t want to get married. Then she hopes to raise a family in the family home just a few pages later.

So I read it. That seemed to make sense to him. Uncomfortable, I got off on the subject of the previous night’s book, and he left me alone.

An hour later, I realized that I hadn’t looked at the page numbers in a while. Thirty pages had passed since the last time. Of course, that was much different from every other page like I had in the beginning.

Some Books, Like People, Need Time to Grow on You-- When You Are Near Review

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Additionally, I requested a free copy to review and was provided with one.

Some Books, Like People, Need Time to Grow on You

When You Are Near was like that for me. Maybe it just wasn’t the right day for the book, or perhaps it’s not the right opening for me. I don’t know. What I do know is the relief I felt when I went from being grateful for an interruption to frustrated when one happened.

That’s always a sign of a good book—that, “Would you just go away so I can read” stabbing of the straight pin into the pages. (Yes, I use straight pins for bookmarks. They don’t fall out easily, they don’t get lost, they don’t harm the spines, or anything else. Love them suckers).

When You Are Near reads in a casual, comfortable style.

Most turns of phrases didn’t feel too modern, (although the “come to Jesus moment” certainly felt crazy modern in a turn-of-the-20th-century novel) or too over-used.

Tracie Peterson took the time to make us care about what was underneath Lizzy’s armor. Instead of knocking it off, she peels back layer after layer until poor Lizzy is left stripped and vulnerable—right where the Lord does His most beautiful work.

In Rebekah Brookstone, we see the kind of gentle strength I’ve always admired. She knows when to be firm, when to be forgiving. At the beginning, I wanted to shake her. By the end, I decided I want to be her when I grow up. I think her unveiling came in very deliberate moves written by a skillful pen. The gradual shift from seeing one character as the strongest to the other couldn’t have been more well done, I don’t think.

Some readers may take issue with one very awkward, suggestive conversation.

I tend not to get most double entendre. I got this. It was… awkward. There was a point to it, and it was by the bad guy, of course, but there you have it. You’ve been warned.

When You Are Near is recommended for lovers of horses, historical fiction, and fiction with purpose. The spiritual lessons are woven into the story in a natural way so that even when someone is “preaching” at someone else, the reader doesn’t feel sermonized—just encouraged in the Lord. Lovers of Jen Turano’s books, like Flights of Fancy will enjoy When You Are Near.

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Comments

  1. Andrea Stoeckel says

    March 31, 2019 at 8:07 am

    Hi Chautona. I’m truly NOT familiar with Tracy’s Western writings, so this is entirely new for me. I do read westerns, but ones that are more traditional (Robert Vaughn, Paty Jaeger) . Looks good…you know me, I’ll read just about anything…once

    Reply
  2. Rita Wray says

    March 30, 2019 at 9:21 am

    Sounds like a good book.

    Reply
  3. Amelia says

    March 30, 2019 at 8:57 am

    This book sounds right up my alley. I will definitely be checking this one out!

    Reply
  4. Linda Palmer says

    March 30, 2019 at 8:45 am

    I know I’d love to read your book, When You Are Near. It sounds very interesting, as I really like western themed stories.

    Reply
  5. Paula Shreckhise says

    March 30, 2019 at 8:23 am

    This looks like a classic Tracie Peterson story! Looks quite interesting.

    Reply
  6. Vicki Hancock says

    March 30, 2019 at 7:53 am

    Never read a book by her. I would probably be very annoyed as I hate when I read a book and find inconsistencies like that. I actually was reviewing a book for an author that half way through the book, the main character’s name changed. Instead of putting that in the review, I contacted the author to let her know. I was lamblasted. I would NEVER make a mistake like that, etc. I’m sure you get the idea. Last book I ever reviewed for her. Oh well.

    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.

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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
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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
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Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
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Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
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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
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Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
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Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
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