My Thoughts
Author Chautona Havig is one of my favorite Christian fiction writers. Her style is smooth and easy is read. One constant in her stories is that an inspirational message is always included. This is typically in plain sight and not hidden. I am always assured of a good read with this author. These two contemporary books are no exception. They are wonderful. How wonderful? Each receive five stars from me.
Christmas Stalkings
This is a contemporary Christian mystery, suspense. In this book we meet Wendy and Neal. They are each unique. I was immediately invested in this story and its characters. I love that there is a mystery to solve in this captivating little book. Good things come in small packages!
Wendy is such a character, no pun intended. I was laughing out loud several times at her antics. I adored that she talked to her cats. I may or may not talk to my cat and dog, and they in turn probably answer back. Wendy is the quintessential crazy cat lady. She was delightful.
Then there is Neal. He is very interesting. At first Neal comes across as rough around the edges. It seems he is an acquired taste and will begin to grow on you as you continue to read.
The novella is inspiring and entertaining. It is a short read but has a big message. I highly recommend it, especially during this time of year. It get a 5 out of 5 star from me.
I received a copy from Celebrate Lit, but these are my own, true thoughts.
New Year’s Revolutions
This is book two to the novella “Christmas Stalkings.” Even though you could read it as a stand alone, I would suggest reading them in order so that you can grasp the full story. Here we find Neal as he is beginning to fall for Wendy. There is one big problem. She is a Christian, and he is an atheist. Okay, make that a monumental problem.
Unfortunately, this is not uncommon in today’s world. Neal is rather a player. Without going into detail, the author shows Neal’s moral character by having him leave certain places or dates with a woman. He takes her back to her place or a hotel room.
Wendy and Neal are still the lovable two characters that we met in “Christmas Stalkings.” The author has done a great job with their characters. The dialog flows smoothly and sounds authentic. There are a few twists and turns to surprise readers.
Fortunately Neal undergoes a change of heart and transformation. It is one of the best lessons in the book. In fact, this book has many beautiful life and spiritual messages to glean. I highly recommend this book. It receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. I received a copy of this through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own, honest ones.
About the Book
Book: Christmas Stalkings & New Year’s Revolutions
Author: Chautona Havig
Genre: Fiction / Christian / Romance / Holiday
Release Date: January 29, 2017 and December 31, 2016
Christmas Stalkings
If her life had to transform into a TV movie, couldn’t it have been a sweet romance instead of a creepy suspense?
Wendy Nabity has redefined “crazy cat lady,” and she’s just fine with that. She’s got a tree and a stocking for reach of them, too.
All that festivity turns ominous when things begin turning up in odd places—places her fur babies couldn’t move them. The local police? They think she’s as crazy as the fleas jumping from cat to cat—or something like that.
Her neighbors aren’t much help. The nice one won’t come near her, despite his obvious interest, and the other hates her enough to torment her every chance he can. Seriously, if Neal Kirkpatrick makes one more rude demand of her, she might just start dumping the litter box on his front porch!
However, when a threatening note appears in one of the stockings, even Fairbury’s police officers have to admit no cat could have written it, and one officer takes it upon himself to do something.
Who knew Christmastime could feel so sinister?
____________________________________
New Year’s Revolutions
His life is spinning out of control, and his heart isn’t far behind!
Neal Kirkpatrick: project manager, staunch atheist, and town grump. Aside from an apparent soft spot for a neighborhood boy, the man has nothing to recommend him.
So when he overhears criticism from a neighbor he secretly respects, Neal decides maybe it’s time for professional help. With the same straightforward tenacity he uses in his job, Neal goes on a hunt for a therapist to help him unravel the mystery of himself.
His therapist says he’s in love, but Neal Kirkpatrick does not do relationships.
Does he?
Is any woman worth changing his entire life for?
Is He worth it?
You met him in Christmas Stalkings. Now it’s time to get to know him.
Discover what happens when the town curmudgeon steps out of his comfort zone and into a psychologist’s office to learn what’s up with his heart.
Click here to get your copy of Christmas Stalkings! Click here to get your copy of New Year's Revolutions!
About the Author
Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
More from Chautona
Sometimes, You Just Can’t Let a Character Go
I met him in my book, A Bird Died. Neal Kirkpatrick. Grumpy, snappish, the man just seemed to look for something to grouse about. Except when it comes to a little boy in the town, and then a soft side came out that no one expected.
A few years later, I got the idea for a Christmas comedic suspense “noella” (Christmas novella), and the minute I knew what I wanted to write, I knew I’d be writing about him, too. He’d be the main character’s neighbor and always on her case about something. Instant conflict and subplot. Oh, yeah!
Something unexpected happened as I wrote the story, though. I fell in love with the cranky guy and didn’t want to let him go. Did I have time to write a book for New Year’s, too? I mean, how cool would that be? After much deliberation, I decided to go for it.
I’m kind of glad I didn’t know what kind of Christmas our family would have that year or I would never have decided to do it, and I doubt Neal’s story would still be languishing in the slush-pile of my mind (for the story of our family’s Christmas that year, you might want to check out Sand & Mistletoe).
That story turned into something unexpected.
First, there was more to his story than I’d ever imagined. A dysfunctional family, a past that he didn’t even choose himself, and a rather immoral life I wouldn’t usually care to consider. But reality made me admit that a man with no concern for what the Lord says about things wouldn’t necessarily live the kind of life I think people should! Don’t worry, I didn’t do deep into those kinds of details! My prudish streak got pushed, but not pushed aside.
More than just “his side of the story,” New Year’s Revolutions tells the story of a man who sees himself through the lens of someone he respects and goes on a journey to see why he is as he is and if there is something inherently wrong with it or if the trouble lies with others (as he suspects).
Both a personal and a spiritual journey ensued that made me dig deep into Scripture to discover what it had to say about Jesus, relationships, and honesty. Neal’s discovery of what the Word says about things drove me to study and restudy things that I believed. We didn’t always come to the same conclusions, but it was interesting and I learned more than I would have expected to.
I hope you love Neal as much as I do. I know one thing for sure… this isn’t the last we’ll see of him.
Blog Stops
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 14
For Him and My Family, December 15
Get Cozy Book Nook, December 15
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 16
Captive Dreams Window, December 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 17
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 18
Holly Jo Morris, December 18
Inklings and notions, December 19
Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 20
Mary Hake, December 20
Sara Jane Jacobs, December 21
deb’s Book Review, December 22
Blogging With Carol, December 22
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 23
CarpeDiem, December 24
Godly Book Reviews, December 25
Artistic Nobody, December 26 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Simple Harvest Reads, December 26 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Texas Book-aholic, December 27
Batya’s Bits, December 27
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of each book, Christmas Stalkings & New Year’s Revolutions!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 
Sounds like a great book.
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Wonderful review! Sounds like a must read. Thank you for sharing.
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