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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Multiculturalism & The Birth of a Legacy

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Okay, I’m taking liberties with the use of multicultural, but multi means more than one, and the word just fits best with what happened as I wrote Deepest Roots of the Heart.The book wasn’t supposed to exist.  You see, I had an idea for a single, stand-alone novel.  A book where one of my father’s beliefs was turned on its head again.

multicultural inspiration

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You see, Dad always had this opinion.  When you go to someone’s country, you learn their language and demonstrate respect for their customs and vice versa.  Well, having grown up in California and having had the great privilege of studying California State History (it’s fascinating!), I couldn’t help but think about how Americans just took over an entire culture and beginning before annexation. I imagined a man, Ruiz Carrillo, who refuses to learn the language of the Americanos because, like my father, he believes that if they come to his country, they should learn to speak his language.

Novel idea, right?  Literally, or literarily it seems.

And then a young woman appeared who didn’t know the language and had no one to help her.

That one idea morphed into a new one–a very ambitious one.  I wanted to show this family beginning in 1841 with the arrival of a father and daughter from Texas and through the beginning of WWII.  I imagined the final scene.  I knew exactly how I wanted it to play out.  But it had one problem.

It wasn’t a happy ending.

Yes, there would be hope–confidence, even–that all would be well, but the end while satisfying, I hoped, wouldn’t be “happy”.  I am no Nicolas Sparks. I don’t want to leave my readers grieving.  But it would be bittersweet.  I needed that ending, but I also knew my readers preferred a “happier” ending.  The solution?  I wrote a combination prequel/sequel to the series.  (Only I would write 93K words to avoid not having a happy ending to a series.  Just sayin’.)

That book would show how the family came to Napa, how the family dynasty began, and what happened after that soldier took off for war, leaving his beloved vineyards behind.

It would show the differences in theology between Protestant and Catholic influences as they melded into one family.  That multiculturalism thing began in the first official book of the series  Crushed Dreams with the blending of languages, but by the end of the series, you see a young man loving his heritage, holding fast to beliefs that sometimes conflict with official stances of his church, and all amid an ever-increasing shift from his Californio heritage to his American one.

Not an easy thing for a young man.

When I say this book/series is multicultural, I’m speaking not just of Mexican/Californio (they are two different cultures) vs. American.  I’m speaking of genteel Virginia, Texians (rugged settlers who fought at the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto), Okies from the dust bowl, Californians of Californio heritage who are presumed “Mexican” simply because of their Spanish and and sometimes slightly darker skin tone.

Odd. When I first used that word “multicultural”, I felt like it was a bit of a stretch, but anyone who knows the old South–Virginia.  And then Depression era Oklahoma–those two alone are vastly different! Fascinating!

The series is also, obviously, historical.

Of course, it is!  But as I was thinking about it, I realized that even within a single culture, a century of changes can turn one locale into a multicultural experience.  1900 New York City is a very different place than 2000 or 2016 New York City.  And all the cultural changes over the years, while perhaps not being what the term implies, definitely showcases multicultural changes in a society.  It happened long before the word was ever heard in general conversation.

Wow.  I suddenly want to write a family saga taking place in one of those cool villages in NYC.  No, Chautona. NO!

 

I rarely have sales on Deepest Roots of the Heart because it is the one book I have no control over.  I hate to urge anyone to spend money.  It just isn’t my thing.  But if you think you want a glimpse into California history, this is the time to do it. I doubt it’ll too inexpensive, but for those who purchase it, the audio is usually just 1.99, too.  It’s read by Thom Rivera and he did a fabulous job!  See, like this:

Audio Style!

A Sample from the Audio

Isn’t he wonderful?  I just love the ease with which he switches from no accent, to English with a Spanish accent, to flawless Spanish and back again as if he’d always been an Okie!

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  1. Lonzine Lee says

    May 27, 2016 at 1:26 am

    Wow, that reading was amazing. I’m getting both the Kindle and the audio book versions.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
byChautona Havig

Fans of Lisa Phillips’ Last Chance County series are doing happy dances following the release of an exciting new spin-off series, Last Chance Fire and Rescue. Expired Return brings back a few favorite characters and kicks off another of Sunrise Publishing’s author/mentor led fiction seasons! Listen in to find out what happens when an author brings back a guy she dropped a building on a couple of books back…

 

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When Fans Want More Exciting Stories, Smart Authors Listen and Deliver!

Let’s face it. Authors might SOMETIMES be “done” with a series, but readers often want more… indefinitely. Well, with the brilliance of Sunrise Publishing’s mentor model, authors get to collaborate with authors they trust to do their “worlds” proud while still having time to write new, exciting things as well. And some of the Sunrise lead authors even write in the spin-off series–like Lisa Phillips and Trisha Goyer!

This new Last Chance County series promises everything we love about Lisa Phillips’ world–danger, intrigue, heart-stopping suspense, drama… you know… all the feels. But in addition to her own release, Expired Return, this series also introduces us to new authors who have been carefully vetted and selected to ensure they do justice to Lisa’s Last Chance characters. I, for one, can’t wait to check it all out.

Lisa and I chatted about what she plans for the series,Lisa hinted about a possible super-secret reveal coming soon, and I even poked her with the idea of a Last Chance Christmas.

Help me convince them on that, will ya?

But this new book… Whoa…

Expired Return by Lisa Phillips

Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

As far as she’d been able to tell, it barely slowed him down.

She’ll give everything to protect her family.

He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

Last Chance County returns in this blazing new series from Sunrise Publishing.

Last Chance Fire and Rescue

  • Book 1: Expired Return
  • Book 2: Expired Hope (coming soon)
  • Book 3: Expired Promise (coming soon)
  • Book 4: Expired Vows (coming soon)

Last Chance County

  • Book 1: Expired Refuge
  • Book 2: Expired Secrets
  • Book 3: Expired Cache
  • Book 4: Expired Hero
  • Book 5: Expired Game
  • Book 6: Expired Plot
  • Book 7: Expired Getaway
  • Book 8: Expired Betrayal
  • Book 9: Expired Flight
  • Book 10: Expired End

Learn more about Lisa and her books on her WEBSITE.

Learn more about the different seasons (series) offered by Sunrise Publishing or how to audition with them on the Sunrise Publishing WEBSITE.

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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
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His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
There's a link to how to find it in my bio.
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