The Because Fiction Podcast

Chautona Havig
  • 4.9 (25)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Exploring Christian Fiction from its early days to the most anticipated upcoming books. We love all fiction that points the reader to Jesus. Let's talk books!

  1. 3d ago

    A Chat with Four Authors about Lighting Up Christmas

    I love a good Christmas novella collection, and Lighting Up Christmas promises to be a fabulous one. Listen in as I chat with four Scrivenings authors about the collection and their books! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. If you knew the craziness that was this recording! Those poor women!  Meanwhile, we managed, and now, I don't know about you, but I'm dying to get to it! :D Lighting Up Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Heather Greer, Mary Pat Johns, and Regina Rudd Merrick Four Christmas lights. Four love stories. One season filled with faith, hope, and happily-ever-afters. In Lighting Up Christmas, four heartwarming holiday romance novellas shine with cozy charm, clean romance, small-town warmth, and the gentle reminder that God can bring light to even the dimmest season. In The Bright Side of Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Holly Belle loves Christmas, holiday décor, and twinkling lights. Her new neighbor, Robert Bradshaw, prefers peace, quiet, and keeping her Christmas cheer firmly on her side of the duplex. But when Holly decides his grinchy heart needs a little holiday help, their battle over lights may lead to something brighter than either one expected. In The Light of a Christmas Star by Heather Greer, Elena Bell is determined to make Tannenbaum's Festival of Lights a success for the families depending on it. When rising Hollywood star Trenton Wills arrives at her B&B, he may be the answer to the town's needs—and the beginning of Elena's own Christmas romance. But Trenton has secrets that could dim more than the festival lights. In 'Twas the Light Before Christmas by Mary Pat Johns, Cooper Blackmon enters the region's biggest Christmas lights competition determined to win. Mandy Alvarez needs the prize money to save her family's beloved Christmas Village. As rivalry turns to friendship and friendship glows into something more, only one can claim the prize. But both may have far more to lose than money. In Pitch Perfect Lights by Regina Rudd Merrick, Holly Shepherd is facing her family's first Christmas after loss while trying to create joy for her young siblings. When author Paxton Hollis returns home and quietly helps revive her father's beloved light display, Holly discovers that hope can still shine, even through grief. A charming choice for readers who enjoy clean, faith-friendly romance wrapped in Christmas lights, small-town warmth, and happily-ever-after hope. Read Lighting Up Christmas and discover four faith-filled holiday love stories that glow with joy, hope, and the true light of Christmas. Visit Amy at her WEBSITE or on GoodReads and BookBub. Learn more on Heather's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Learn more about Mary on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. You can learn more about Regina and her books on her Website and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

  2. 5d ago

    A Chat with Becca Kinzer about Not What We Pictured

    My favorite romance is romcom--always. And one of my favorite romcom authors has a new one out, I LOVED it.  Listen in as Becca Kinzer and I chat about her latest book, Not What We Pictured.  So funny.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  We had a great time talking about not just Not What We Pictured but also a Christmas novella I've forgotten the name of but listened to when we finished talking and... guys. It was great! Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going. McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She's spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She's ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister's boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right? Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom's bed and breakfast is struggling and there's a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn't have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska. With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can't help getting swept up in Nate's bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate's suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured. Learn more on Becca's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

  3. Sep 26

    A Chat with Jenelle Hovde about The Light of Stars

    Regency novels are always fun, but Jenelle Hovde takes them a step further in The Light of Stars by taking us to India!  Listen in as she shares the story (marriage of convenience!) and history. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Talking to Jenelle is such a delight. I love her heart for the Lord and His people. YAY! The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets. When Kitty Grenville's grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she's appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he's a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore Kitty and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way. Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather's orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit. As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift, especially when he shields her from scandal. When he's abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather's control—and to find her mother. But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and discover if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure. Learn more about Jenelle on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

  4. Sep 23

    A Chat with James Finke about Dear Judas

    If you love spiritual warfare with a bit of Screwtape Letters thrown in, then listen in as James Finke and I chat about his Dear Judas. This is one I do NOT want to miss. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   James FInke started out writing  apologetics and during Covid, shifted to apologetics-infused fiction. And if you don't follow him on Instagram, you should!  He's brilliant. Dear Judas by James Finke Christians are binging this in a weekend. Not your typical Christian fiction. This one will impact your walk with Christ. From James Finke, author of the bestselling Christianity Uncomplicated series, comes Dear Judas, a gripping Christian novel where love, apologetics, and spiritual warfare collide. Tommy Finch has built his life on evidence, logic, and measurable results. A successful medical device salesman in a demanding corporate world, he has no need for God. Until his heart stopped. After a near-death experience shatters his disbelief, Tommy finds himself confronting questions his rational worldview cannot explain. But as he searches for answers, he becomes the target of unseen forces determined to lead him to "their father's house below." There is just one problem for hell's strategy team. Tommy is married to Elizabeth, a devoted Christian whose persistent prayers and unwavering faith make him far more dangerous than he realizes. Through chilling letters between a junior demon and his calculating supervisor, Dear Judas reimagines the themes of The Screwtape Letters in a contemporary setting, blending spiritual warfare, thoughtful apologetics, humor, heart, and eternal stakes. As Tommy wrestles with skepticism, truth, and the unseen battle unfolding around him, one question becomes unavoidable: What if the evidence actually points toward God? Perfect for readers of C. S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, and Francine Rivers, especially those who enjoy Christian fiction filled with spiritual conflict, emotional depth, and faith that refuses to separate reason from belief. Learn more on James' WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

  5. Sep 21

    A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard about When the Silence Breaks

    Nothing kicks off an excellent suspense novel like a deathbed confession!  Listen in as Elizabeth Goddard and I chat about her latest novel and learn more about the first book in the new Mercy Ridge series. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I love a great series, and this new one by Elizabeth Goddard sounds awesome!   When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers--and danger closing in. When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of her grandfather's deathbed confession connected to her brother's murder, she's determined to protect her remaining family. After further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she looks for a guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand. After his father's death in a tragic mountain accident, former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin no longer guides for the family business. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her and can't stand by while someone brings danger to his small-town mountain community. Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming storm. When the danger escalates, their search for answers shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it through involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find. This gripping romantic-suspense thriller set in the Pacific Northwest from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard is a series opener that will sweep you away in a rush of adrenaline. Learn more about Elizabeth Goddard on her WEBSITE and follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

  6. Sep 19

    A Chat with Terrie Todd about The Reluctant Healer of Halifax

    Don't know about you, but I think a good historical event as the foundation of a story is one of the best there is. Terrie Todd's The Reluctant Healer of Halifax offers just that sort of foundation. Listen in and hear the story of how it became a part of this multi-author series! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. The tragedy of Halifax is riveting enough by itself, but what Terrie Todd did with that story is nothing short of amazing.  She's a favorite author, but seriously, this might just become a favorite book. The Reluctant Healer of Halifax by Terrie Todd Her Family, Her Home, Her Future—All Leveled in One Thunderous Explosion When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered. Three days ago, Pearline Campbell's family was whole and Oliver Hamilton still loved her. But upon returning to Halifax disfigured and shellshocked, Oliver ended their relationship. Then came Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the Halifax harbor was leveled by a tremendous explosion. . .and Pearline fears nothing will ever be whole again. Her parents are dead, her brother is missing, and her sister refuses to speak. Pearline must fortify herself to open her home to needy orphans, including an unidentified baby. Where can she find the strength for each new day as misery grips the city? More from the Enduring Hope Series: The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn The Caregiver of Wounded Knee by Debby Lee The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes The Girl from Tomorrow's Town by Naomi Musch Learn more about Terrie on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

  7. Sep 14

    A Chat with Bethany Crigger about Sunshine for Yofi

    YA Christian fiction set in Israel?  Come on, that screams, "Sign me up!" Listen in as Bethany Crigger and I chat about her book, Sunshine for Yofi. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Love this different setting in particular. Seeing Jewish culture and a Christian set in it and seeing everything. through that lens?  Yeah. This is unique, fresh, and still relatable. Sunshine for Yofi by Bethany Crigger After Yofi bombs her big opportunity to share her music, she spirals into a pit of self-doubt. Who is she if she doesn't have what it takes to play in front of other people? Didn't God put music inside her to speak to others through it? Giving up isn't an option, but Yofi's nerves promise one thing: failure. So she does the only thing she knows to do. She cries out to God. His answer is puzzling—a verse containing lilies, paired alongside a new friendship with Ori—the boy who sees what Yofi is painfully blind to. But even if Ori's got her perfectly pegged, both the lilies and the captivating boy remain a mystery to Yofi. With her curiously intuitive cat by her side, Yofi weaves herself into the beautiful community of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). But just as her playing improves, Yofi's world flips upside down. Nothing is coincidental; it's all a part of the plan. But whose plan? Is the burning in Yofi's heart to play and share her music God's leading, or is it merely her own selfish desire heading her straight for the deepest pitfall of all? Sunshine for Yofi is a uniquely crafted and heartfelt novel by Bethany Crigger. This wholesome coming-of-age story is a breath of fresh air, awakening the sleeping soul to dreams of hope long buried. If you enjoy clean, faith-filled themes, you'll pine for this story of perseverance, friendship, love, generosity, and community attuned to God. Learn more on Bethany's WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

  8. Sep 12

    A Chat with R. T. Ward about Prophecy Changer

    One thing good fantasy often has is the whole "prophecy" angle--and how it affects the folks involved. But what if, in addition to that, you also find out that who you thought you ARE... is all wrong?  Listen in as R. T. Ward and I chat about her book, Prophecy Changer. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  The creativity of God's people never ceaces to astound me, and this conversation was further proof of that. Prophecy Changer  by R. T. Ward Trauma has taken root in Thea's soul, leaving behind questions she can no longer silence. When long-buried memories begin to surface, the truth presses in demanding to be seen, felt, and faced. Adopted by the Mirascan people, Thea has always believed herself to be human. But as fragments of her past return, doubt follows. Drawn by questions she can't answer and a pull she can't explain, she steps beyond the only world she has ever known, hoping to uncover who she truly is. Her search leads her into the unknown and into the path of Ilan. Through him, Thea begins to unravel the lies that shaped her life, awakening a deep ache of anger, betrayal, and grief. What she uncovers changes everything. Caught in the center of a living prophecy, Thea learns of Creashu, the world of her origin, and the calling placed upon her life. As new gifts awaken within her, she must decide whether she will allow her pain to define her...or refine her. Determined to pursue truth, forgiveness, and the path set before her, Thea faces a choice that will alter more than her own destiny. The future of two worlds hangs in the balance, and the role she was born to fulfill can no longer be ignored. But becoming a Prophecy Changer was never meant to be easy. All proceeds go to livingseeds.foundation Learn more on her WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon YouTube and more!

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4.9
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Exploring Christian Fiction from its early days to the most anticipated upcoming books. We love all fiction that points the reader to Jesus. Let's talk books!

Information

  • Creator
    Chautona Havig
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chautona Havig 2025
  • Show Website
    The Because Fiction Podcast

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