• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Your Heart Might Be with Your Treasure, but There’s Trouble There, Too

by Chautona Havig ·

Where Treasure Lies is a split-time novel that kicks off the new Suamalie Islands series set in the South Pacific and full of adventure! via @chautonahavig

When Amanda Tru told us our assignment was to “write about travel troubles,” I just sat there. Dumbfounded. How on earth was I supposed to choose between the trek across New Mexico in the back of a pickup truck? In July? Without sunscreen (why did I think “tanning oil” was protection from the sun instead of frying oil for my skin?  #because15. That’s why)?  Or would it be the time we drove home from North Dakota across Montana, down through Idaho and Utah (no, those aren’t adorable little Mormon girls, folks!), into Nevada, and across the desert to home… in July. With the HEATER BLASTING because we had the mistaken idea that it might keep our car going (turned out to be five $0.49 parts. “Fusible links,” the mechanic called them.

Maybe I should tell about the time I flew to Grand Rapids for a meeting with my publisher… and was on three flights before my plane even took off from LAX. My luggage didn’t arrive with me (shocker), and then I got stuck in the Grand Rapids Airport for 14 hours until they took pity on me and sent me to a hotel to try again the next day.  Oh, and when I finally DID get to LAX… guess what?  The jetway wouldn’t work, so they had to bring a fire truck with a ladder to help us get off the plane. No joke. First, they won’t let me out of there, and then they want to keep me on the tarmac. FOREVER.

where treasure lies

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

Your Heart Might Be with Your Treasure, but There’s Trouble There, Too

Hmm… I think we all get the issues with airports, so I’ll go with the time I was sitting right there in sight of the door to the jetway and never heard them announce my flight.

Yep, you read that right. There I was at the American Airlines terminal at Sky Harbor when I looked up to see… emptiness. Not a soul. And the plane was backing out away from the jetway. WHAT?

Seriously, you know how it is in airports. They’re constantly calling names, demanding that “Joe Doe hurry up because the doors are closing.”  I have excellent hearing.  I didn’t hear a word. Not. One. Announcement.

At first, I thought it was just me. Then I found out my niece and her family were all in the same airport on the same day at the same time… and nearly missed their flight as well. The American Airlines sound system must not have been working.

I got me set up on another flight the next day, got me a hotel room, and got me a shuttle to the hotel. Author Perry Kirkpatrick found out I was stuck there and drove over to spend a few hours chatting with me (made it worth the hassle, let me tell you!).

I got to North Carolina. Got to my writing retreat. Got on a plane. Got back to Sky Harbor, and folks!  I am not kidding you. It nearly happened again. The doors were about to close, I was sitting RIGHT THERE. I heard nothing. I got up and walked over to see why everyone was gone and the gal said, “We’ve been calling for you.”

I was like, “Um… I’ve been sitting RIGHT THERE. Your system still isn’t working.”

She gave me a look like I was nuts, but I didn’t care. I got on the plane and got home, and um… I think you’ll understand why I won’t go through Sky Harbor on American Airlines until I KNOW they’ve fixed that issue. #becauseduh!

So why did Amanda Tru make us all share travel stories?  Well… the first OFFICIAL book of the Suamalie Islands series released on Tuesday!  And we’re all having a BLAST with the release fun! What’s it about? Well it’s a split-time novel you won’t want to miss!

Where Treasure Lies TruWhere Treasure Lies by Amanda Tru

Two stories…thirty years apart. Will solving the mystery of the past provide the key to the present?

Scott Connelly arrives in the Suamalie Islands determined to acquire property for his father and leave as soon as possible. But he doesn’t count on the animosity of the residents, the fascinating local legend of a sunken Spanish treasure ship, or the highly unavailable waitress who comes to his rescue. The fabled treasure promises to buy his freedom, but even seeking it may be a dangerous risk.

News of her father’s death precedes Tavia Connelly’s arrival in the Suamalie Islands. Despite the hatred of the island residents, Tavia’s determined to settle her father’s affairs and return immediately to assume her role as head of the family company. But her father’s wishes require her to find out what happened long ago, given only Scott’s mumbled clues, crazy rumors, and a centuries-old fable.

Tavia should be safe after all those years, but her presence attracts a lot of resentment, and the ghosts of Scott’s enemies may still lie in wait for someone to come searching for a treasure that may have never existed.

But what if it did?

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Check out some of the other travel stories by our islands authors!

Amanda Tru (February 28)

Susan K. Beatty (March 1)

Chautona Havig (March 2)

Melissa McKay Wardwell (March 3)

Tabitha Bouldin (March4)

Marguerite Gray (March 5)

Share
Pin
Post
Email
Share
Pin
Post
Email

Filed Under: New Release

Previous Post: « 3 Reasons This Could Be the Most Important Novel You’ll Read All Year
Next Post: Why Would Anyone Send Beautiful, Thorny Roses with Strange Messages? »

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
byChautona Havig

There aren’t enough authors willing to tackle the difficult stories. There just aren’t.  Many (guilty here!) feel inadequate to the task, want to escape the tough stuff rather than confront it–so many reasons. Listen in as I chat with D. T. Powell about what made her write, With Mercy’s Eyes.

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

 Loved chatting with Powell about her heart for those who often find it hard to interact with Christians–whose choices make others uncomfortable.  Powell shows love and compassion without ignoring Biblical truth, and the result is a powerful story we could all learn from.

With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell

He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.

Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he’s gay, it’s over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.

When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.

The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he’s gay. But this one is different. She doesn’t embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn’t she? – – – – – – – With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing, contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan.

Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

 

withmercyseyes.com

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple
  • Castbox
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
October 6, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 474: A Chat with Ann Swindell
October 4, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 473: A Chat with Jennifer Willcock
October 3, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 472: A Chat with Shelley Shepard Gray
September 29, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 471: A Chat with Heather Wood
September 27, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 470: A Chat with JPC Allen
September 22, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 469: A Chat with Niki Florica
September 20, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 468: A Chat with Ann H. Gabhart
September 19, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 467: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard
September 15, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 466: A Chat with Jennifer L. Wright
September 13, 2025
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Featured Books

Be My Inspiration

Be My Inspiration

Pointed Suspicion

Pointed Suspicion
Buy This Book Online
Purchase with Paypal
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Pointed Suspicion
Buy now!

Courting Miss Darling

Courting Miss Darling

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • So, There Was That Time I Forgot What I Knew…
  • “Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say” Ain’t No Lie
  • Why Romance Is a Hairy Proposition (or is that proposal?)

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Pointed Suspicion released on September 1, 2025 AN Pointed Suspicion released on September 1, 2025 AND... one chapter is being released each weekday until it's all up! Find them at https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos . One chapter a day on weekdays.  When all chapters are up, @ChristaDelSorbo will put up the complete audiobook there as well. Don't miss the prequel through the series adjacent Christmas novel available in individual chapters OR as complete audiobooks.

What's it about?
When protectors become targets, no one is safe.
Mark created The Agency to shield the innocent—but now an unknown foe fights to assume command. As shadowy threats tighten around Mark and his team, danger erupts on every front: terrorists at sea, betrayal within their ranks, and an enemy who always seems one step ahead.
While a Caribbean cruise turns deadly and secrets unravel in the agency’s halls, one shocking betrayal proves the enemy is closer than anyone imagined. Mark faces the fight of his life—not just for the future of his organization, but for the people he loves most. As faith and romance grow amid the fallout of shattered dreams, the stakes rise higher than ever.
The countdown to the series finale has begun… and survival is anything but guaranteed.

#TheAgencyFiles
#Christfic
#ChristianRomanticSuspense
#KindleUnlimited
#Audiobooks
The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of The fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo has narrated many of my books, including The Last Gasp--a mystery set in 1920s Hollywood and with a Cinderella twist.
You can listen FREE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos
Check out the other books she has on there... also free! https://www.youtube.com/@christadelsorbo/videos
OR
You can also get The Last Gasp and several of my other titles on popular retailers like Audible, Spotify, Everand, and more!
#Audiobooks
#FreeAudiobooks
#ChristianMystery
#HistoricalMystery
#FairyTaleRetelling
What makes an office manager go "rogue" and get al What makes an office manager go "rogue" and get all "agent-ified?" Danger to their best agent's girlfriend, that's what. She doens't know what she's doing (the girlfriend knows more!), and she's terrified they're one blink away from certain death, but if sheer force of will can keep Erika alive, well... they've got a fighting chance.
Book 5 of the Agency file is available FREE, chapter by chapter on YouTube AND... after 2/28/25 also available in one full-length video.  Listen in individual chapters to keep easy track of where you are or in one long chunk so you don't have to keep moving to the next. Whichever works best for you!
PLEASE consider subscribing to Christa's YouTube channel. We'd both appreciate it.  https://bit.ly/ChristaDelsorbo
#ChristianAudiobooks
#Audiobooks
#FreeAudiobooks
#ChristianRomanticSuspense
Ever feel like you've lost control of your house.. Ever feel like you've lost control of your house... and your life?  Yeah. You're not alone. Meet Kaye. Wife, Mom, and competitive shopper (or so she wishes--erm, wished). But when the day comes that she can't find even ONE of the half dozen whatzits that they've bought over the years, she sort of loses it (her mind). Then her whole FAMILY loses it (their stuff, that is!).
Narrated by the FABULOUS Christa DelSorbo, Confessions of a De-Cluttering Junkie is availble FREE on YouTube at https://youtu.be/WPgAaOP-cvA?si=MZtVxW39q7RMmwBF
#FreeAudiobooks
#KindleUnlimited
#ChristFic
#ChristianFiction
#ChristianWomensFiction
#Decluttering
#Minimalism
#Humor
I picked a great big berry For a jaunty little hat I picked a great big berry
For a jaunty little hat.
It wont last long, I fear, 
But I think I'm okay with that. 
@ourtravelingcircus
Good morning, Virginia. It's a beautiful misty m Good morning,  Virginia.  It's a beautiful misty morn here. Continuing to wor on Take Cover. Eeep!
#TheAgencyFiles
#AmWriting
#AuthorsOfInstagram 
#WritersRetreat
Who is he, who is after him, and why is a woman ab Who is he, who is after him, and why is a woman abducted to protect her from him?  Bioterrorism, Russian mafia, and what? Another agency?  What's going on in The Agency now?
Listen to the whole book FREE, narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo (don't forget to subscribe!!!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TZlGhUFcE&list=PLGJaJiSo6mQ1Cg738W1MSQlHIuFe45v_WListen to a chapter a day OR to the whole thing at the end of the month.  The previous four Agency books are also available to listen to FREE.
#TheAgencyFiles
#ChristFic
#ChristianSuspense
#kindleUnlimited
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!