Monday, December 18, 2017

For The Love Of Books: Christmas Embers By Chautona Havig

For The Love Of Books: Christmas Embers By Chautona Havig: I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blogging Program and Chautona Havig for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The...

Christmas Embers By Chautona Havig

I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blogging Program and Chautona Havig for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description: 

It's a truth universally unacknowledged that sin will hunt you down and advertise its presence the moment you think you've hidden it. Emily Byrne sits in her daughter's classroom listening to the deepest wishes of twenty kindergartner's as she sketches them. But when little Joey Cordell breaks down, weeping and insisting the only thing he wants to find is his father, she isn't sure where her Christmas project will take her. Davia Cordell came to Rockland for one purpose--find her son's father before she dies. An ex-prostitute, she's well aware that the news will cause waves, but what's a mother to do? As these women join forces to search for Joey's father--a Rockland area pastor, no less-- Emily learns compassion for a woman who just wants the best for her son and can't quite imagine that Jesus wants anything to do with her. Each day, Davia weakens until Emily isn't confident she'll find the boy's father in time--if at all. Doubts form. Should she look? Is it right to risk destroying a family like this--an entire church? The weight of that responsibility crushes her as Davia wastes away before her eyes. A mother's love. A boy's confidence. A family's faith. A preacher's failure. Is redemption even possible anymore? Christmas Embers: a story of love, failure, and redemption.


My Thoughts: 

Christmas Embers is the latest book by Chautona Havig and it is mind blowing. As a fan of Chautona Havig, I couldn't wait to read this book. Her books are thought provoking and deal with real life situations that you don't find in a lot of books. Christmas Embers is not your typical Christmas Story. The title gives the impression of a feel good story but once you read the description you find out it is far from it. Chautona Havig brings to life a story of how sin does have a way of coming out into the world.  I cannot begin to give this story justice but I will try. Chautona Havig writes with authority on Kindergarten children, illness, prostitution, adultery, investigating skills, and forgiveness. I could not put this book down. I found myself drawn to it from the start and held me until the last page. I found myself feeling a myriad of emotions, I found myself crying in many parts, convicted of my own sins and the impact it has on life. The characters are real people dealing with real issues. I found myself drawn to Davia and her plight to do what is right by her son. Her determination and drive to have a better life for her and her son is inspiring.   This book really brings issues out in the open that need to be, adultery is still a taboo subject. I really found myself examining my life and where I fall short in my life. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I give this book 5+ STARS. 

I would like to apologize to Chautona Havig and Celebrate Lit for the lateness of this review. 





celebrate-lit-christmas-embers

About the Book

Christmas Embers Cover-sm
 Name of book: Christmas Embers
 Author: Chautona Havig
 Genre: Contemporary Christmas  
Release Date: November 25, 2016 It’s a truth universally unacknowledged that sin will hunt you down and advertise its presence the moment you try to hide it. Emily Byrne sits in her daughter’s classroom listening to the deepest wishes of twenty kindergarteners as she sketches them. But when little Joey Cordell breaks down, weeping and insisting the only thing he wants to find is his father, she isn’t sure where her Christmas project will take her. Davia Cordell came to Rockland for one purpose–find her son’s father before she dies. An ex-prostitute, she’s well aware that the news will cause waves, but what’s a mother to do? As these women join forces to search for Joey’s father–a Rockland area pastor, no less– Emily learns compassion for a woman who just wants the best for her son and can’t quite imagine that Jesus wants anything to do with her. Each day, Davia weakens until Emily isn’t confident she’ll find the boy’s father in time–if at all. Doubts form. Should she look? Is it right to risk destroying a family like this–an entire church? The weight of that responsibility crushes her as Davia wastes away before her eyes. A mother’s love. A boy’s confidence. A family’s faith. A preacher’s failure. Is redemption even possible anymore? Christmas Embers: a story of love, failure, and redemption.
Click Here to Purchace Your Copy

About the Author

media-headshot Author of the Amazon bestselling Aggie and Past Forward Series, Chautona Havig lives and writes in California’s Mojave Desert. With dozens of books to her name, Chautona spends most of her time writing, but when she takes the rare break, she can be found reading, sewing, paper crafting, or sleeping and dreaming of finishing the dozens of books swirling in her overly-active imagination at any given moment.

Guest Post from Chautona Havig

Infidelity to the Tune of Adeste Fideles

“I think my husband is having an affair.” An explanation followed. Look, I tend to be one who assumes the best of others—to a fault even. I read the “evidence” and frankly could see it going either way. It’s hard to tell across thousands of miles. While others on the message board saw red flag after red flag—and frankly, I did, too—I also saw perfectly innocent explanations for things. It’s a curse sometimes—that ability to see both sides of an issue. I cautioned against assumptions no one would want other people to make of themselves. And I prayed she was wrong. She wasn’t. It wasn’t the first time I’d come face to face with infidelity. As a child, there was an extended family member. As a newlywed, one of my wedding party—then another. Then another. The excuses, the justifications. Friends and I went to confront a sister in Christ on her affair with her husband’s best friend. We foolishly asked “what happened?” regarding her marriage. Her words: “We drifted apart.” I wanted to scream the words that battered my brain and heart. “Then row back together!” But over the years, it just grew worse. One by one, wives and husbands tossed aside vows made to a brother or sister in Christ—vows made before the Lord—in favor of what sometimes were serial affairs. Abuse. Horror. I’ve prayed women I love through court cases, medical visits, and disclosures from children no mother should ever have to hear. I’ve prayed for men I didn’t even like because of the pain their wives inflicted each time she left them alone with the kids. He knew. He always knew. Adultery is real. It’s ugly. And there’s absolutely a cure for it. Jesus. 100% surrender to Jesus. But as long as we rely on those little loops on the back of our boots instead of the saving, healing, strengthening power of Jesus, we’re just as vulnerable as the next person. And that’s why I wrote Christmas Embers. I took every heartbreaking story I’d observed over the years and put in each character for a reason. Every scene, every plot point, every twist—I put them exactly how and where they are for a reason. They’re there as a warning. This isn’t your lighthearted Christmas novel. Some have suggested I shouldn’t have set it at Christmastime. But you know what? Over half the disclosures I’ve ever heard of happened between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. I couldn’t get the idea of Joey’s story out of my head. And to write his story, it had to be at Christmas. Let me say it again. While Christmas may not seem like the optimal time for a hard-hitting book like this, I had to do it. Adultery is reaching epidemic proportions in the church. There’s a solution. His name is Jesus.

Blog Stops

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, December 5
Mary Hake, December 5
Daysong Reflections, December 6
Fiction Aficionado, December 7
Genesis 5020, December 7
Blogging With Carol, December 8
The Power of Words, December 8
Bigreadersite, December 8
A Greater Yes, December 9
Radiant Light, December 9
Just Jo’Anne, December 10
For The Love of Books, December 10
Aryn the Libraryan, December 11
Quiet Quilter, December 13
Allofakindmom, December 14
Texas Book-aholic, December 14
Pursuing Stacie, December 14
Pause for Tales, December 15
margaret kazmierczak, December 15
Red Headed Book Lady, December 16
Purposeful Learning, December 16
Janices book reviews, December 17
Christian Bookaholic, December 17
Karen Sue Hadley, December 18
Remembrancy, December 18

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize of a 6 month Kindle Unlimited Subscription!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! 


Thursday, December 14, 2017

For The Love Of Books: Christy: 50th Anniversary Edition By Catherine Mar...

For The Love Of Books: Christy: 50th Anniversary Edition By Catherine Mar...: I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my ...

Christy: 50th Anniversary Edition By Catherine Marshall

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own. 

Book Description: 

New edition of Catherine Marshall’s inspirational classic!
The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.
But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her — and her one-room school — as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.
Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion be enough?

My Thoughts: 

Christy is a much loved book by Catherine Marshall that is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of this great book. I hadn't ever read this book but had heard about it from so many people since I began reading Christian Fiction that I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this Christian Historical Fiction. Catherine Marshall's Christy is based on her mothers story of leaving home to go to Tennessee to teach. Catherine Marshall wrote with authority on life in the U.S. especially North Carolina and Cutter's Gap Tennessee, /traditions/superstitions held in this community, teaching at the time, her challenges finding her place in the community, overcoming the stigmas about women and Christy teaching things that contradict their way of life. This story is fascinating and I found myself completely immersed in this place and time. I could not put this book down. I learned a lot about this time in our history, especially different people in different places. I found the characters well rounded and real people. I found myself drawn to Christy. Her strength and courage in the face of so much opposition are inspiring. Her faith never waivered and she loved what she did. I found that Catherine Marshall's writing great, truly transported me to the time and places she writes about. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read and review this book. Christy is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this book and author to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I give this book 5+ STARS.

The Egyptian Princess: A Story of Hagar By KD Homberg

I received this audiobook for no charge from the author and Celebrate Lit Blogger Program in exchange for my honest review of this audiobook...