The Because Fiction Podcast

Chautona Havig
  • 4.9 (24)
  • 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. 1d ago

    A Chat with Lauren Smyth about All That Glows

    Dystopian in the desert?  Sign me up!  Seriously, listen in while Lauren Smyth and I chat all things "glowy" in the desert! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Not a lot of people write books about the boring Mojave Desert.  When they do, I take note. Especially when it's a super-cool dystopian delight! EEEP! All That Glows by Lauren Smyth The apocalypse didn't take everyone. It just took us. Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie's world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There's not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie's small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago. Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask. He's on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it's nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts. She can't trust him, but he's right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren't surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won't keep out the plague forever. Learn more on Lauren'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!

  2. 3d ago

    A Chat with Carolyn Bourke about A Beautiful Death

    I did a whole video on dementia in Christian fiction and how we need more not long ago.  Now Carolyn Bourke has given us another wonderful addition to the line up in A Beautiful Death. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  This book shows how people with dementia are still people with love to give and needs. If you loved The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, I suspect you'll enjoy this book, too! A Beautiful Death by Carolyn Bourke A moving story of resilience, second chances, and the unbreakable bonds of familial love. World-renowned pianist Cassie Brennan faces a devastating diagnosis: rapidly advancing younger-onset dementia threatens to steal her memories and identity. As she grapples with the lonely life she's always led, an unexpected friendship with newbie journalist Elle Jones offers a glimmer of hope. With time running out and the shadows of dementia closing in, Elle helps Cassie confront her deepest regrets and search for reconciliation. Together, Cassie and Elle embark on a journey of forgiveness and self-discovery, testing the boundaries of friendship and the resilience of the human heart. Bourke weaves a tapestry of emotions that will resonate with readers long after the final page in this heartwarming tale of resilience and humor in the face of dementia, where Cassie's quirky attitude and indomitable spirit captivate. Perfect for fans of Sara Brunsvold's The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, A Beautiful Death is a testament to the enduring power of love and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Learn more on Carolyn'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!

  3. 5d ago

    A Chat with Denise M. Colby about A Whole New Plan

    I love the Pinkertons--give me a Pinkerton story any day. Add to that one with an undercover woman as an agent, and you've got me hooked. Listen in and see with Denise M. Colby has done in A Whole New Plan to ensure I read this one ASAP. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Though NOT the last in the series, this book is the last for now, anyway! Don't know about you, but I'm eager for more! A Whole New Plan by Denise Colby Sometimes God's best plan is the one we never expected. California, 1870. Pastor William Baker has built his life on faith, routine, and safe choices—until Lydia Spencer walks in and turns everything upside down. Independent, outspoken, and guarded, Lydia is unlike any woman he's ever known. She has no interest in church… and no intention of revealing the truth she's hiding. Because Lydia isn't just a schoolteacher. She's a Pinkerton detective, sent west to track a dangerous crime boss—and she'll do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means keeping her distance from the one man who sees straight through her defenses. But when unexplained thefts shake their quiet small-town rural community, and a desperate boy appears with ties to a deeper mystery, Will and Lydia are forced into an uneasy partnership. As danger closes in, so do their hearts. What begins as a reluctant alliance soon becomes a forced proximity neither of them expected—and neither can ignore. Yet the very things that draw them together may be the ones that tear them apart. Lydia's life is built on secrets. Will's is built on truth. And when her past catches up with her, they'll have to decide what matters most—holding on to their own plans… or trusting the One who sees the bigger picture. Because sometimes surrender is the only way to find the life you were meant to live. Set against the backdrop of the American West, A Whole New Plan is a heartfelt story of faith, courage, and a strong woman learning to trust again—woven with threads of mystery and hope.> If you enjoy western Christian romances with elements of intrigue and heart, you'll love A Whole New Plan—perfect for fans of Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy. Step into a story of courage, trust, and unexpected love—grab your copy today. Learn more about Denise on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss the first interview with Denise.  Listen in HERE. 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. Aug 31

    A Chat with Ann Swindell about Secrets in the Castle Library

    Have you been longing for a trip to Leathersby?  Well, Ann Swindell promises to take you there AND reveal what a hundred years has hidden in her upcoming release, Secrets in the Castle Library. Listen in for all the news! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Love that we talked about stereotypes and how they relate to our pasts and when they don't.  Also love how she focused on sanctification of believers who don't know how that's going to look.  Don't miss how she talks about how God has a great ending for each of our stories. Secrets in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell The past year of Melanie Tallebois's life has unraveled, both professionally and personally. Usually unflappable, she can't understand why life isn't going to plan. So when she's offered a professorship at the University of Lethersby, she seizes it as her chance to find the happiness that has eluded her for as long as she can remember. The fact that her best friend is the nation's princess and has invited her to live in the castle for the summer doesn't hurt, either. The only thing eluding Eddie Canon are answers. As director of the National Museum of Lethersby, he's spent years chasing the truth behind Queen Alma's disappearance over a century ago. Now, tasked by the royals to tie up the loose ends of the national mystery, he's studying in the castle library and still coming up empty-handed. The last person Eddie wants to work with is Melanie, who inserts herself into his research—and his life. She's brash, annoying, forthright…and altogether brilliant. Eddie thinks it wise to push her away, but as the research continues to stall, he can't ignore that their friendship has begun to blossom. When the long-lost queen's mysteries finally come to light, Melanie is plunged into darkness—and Eddie questions everything he thought he understood about faith and love. Together, they must uncover the secrets in the castle library and decide whether they're willing to trust God with a story far greater than their own. Learn more about Ann 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!

  5. Aug 29

    A Chat with Dante Lupinetti about Desert's Edge

    The last place you want to be when the electricity gives out is the desert--especially in summer. Listen in as I chat with Dante Lupinetti about his book, Desert's Edge and how it tackles a trek across the desert and up into the mountains... with a couple hundred people in tow! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Growing up in the area that this book takes place in, I can't WAIT to read it. EEEP!  It's sitting right there on the shelf, taunting me. Must. Finish. My. Own. Book. Desert's Edge by Dante Lupinetti The grid is down. Phoenix has 72 hours. And the only way out is through 200 miles of desert. Former Army Ranger Jack Cross hasn't spoken to his father in three years. Hasn't been inside a church. Hasn't let himself believe in much of anything since nineteen firefighters trusted him and didn't come home. But his father has been broadcasting on emergency radio every night since the EMP hit. Come north. There's room. Come anyway. Jack has 210 terrified strangers, one missionary doctor running from her own ghosts, and a wooden cross he can't bring himself to throw away. The desert doesn't care about any of that. Neither does the clock. When an electromagnetic pulse kills every electronic device in Phoenix during a 118-degree heat wave, Jack faces an impossible choice — stay in a city of 1.7 million people as the infrastructure collapses, or lead more than two hundred terrified strangers two hundred miles north through the Sonoran Desert to Camp Kadesh — his father's off-grid Christian retreat in the Prescott mountains. The father he hasn't spoken to in three years. The refuge the old man spent five years building while everyone called him a fool. Joining him is Dr. Faith Morrison — missionary physician, Haiti veteran, and a woman whose faith has been ground down by years of watching children die of treatable diseases while her prayers went unanswered. Together they'll lead a caravan of families, elderly couples, frightened children, and one man hoarding water while others go thirsty — through crashed planes, contaminated water sources, rattlesnake strikes, and triple-digit heat that turns every mile into a question about whether God is still in any of this. Jack's father has been broadcasting on emergency radio every night. Come north. There's room. Come anyway. The wooden cross is still in Jack's pocket. Some things you can't throw away. Some debts can't be balanced. And some refuges are built by people who believed — long before anyone else did — that the day would come when you'd need somewhere to run. Desert's Edge: A Jack Cross Novel is a post-apocalyptic survival thriller about what it costs to keep walking when everything in you says stop — and what grace looks like when you finally arrive. Especially for readers of Kyla Stone, Jamie Lee Grey, and William Forstchen. Series: A Jack Cross Novel, Book 1 Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller / Christian Fiction Content: Clean read. No profanity. No explicit content.   Learn more on 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!

  6. Aug 24

    A Chat with Laura DeNooyer about House of Wind

    I love women's fiction when it tackles tough stuff, and boy does Laura DeNooyer's House of Wind promise some hard topics. Listen in as we look at a pastor's family and how things aren't always as they seem.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Church hurt is a real thing, but what about for those who live with the perpetrator? AAAK.  I knew the minute I read the synopsis that this would be on my TBR. House of Wind by Laura DeNooyer Wendi Burkham lives in an emotional prison she unwittingly walked into. Nobody understands and her captor holds the keys.  Married to a respected pastor, Wendi lives a life others admire—with two children and a home that reflects faith, stability, and love. But behind closed doors, Wendi is trapped in a cycle of control, manipulation, and emotional abuse no one else can see—and no one would believe. How do you escape when no one believes you need to? For sixteen years, she has stayed silent. Stayed faithful. Stayed afraid. Until one night forces her to choose between the life she's built . . . and the truth she can no longer ignore. Her husband's warning echoes: "Planting wind only reaps a harvest of tornadoes." But what if the storm is the only way out? Learn more on Laura'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!

  7. Aug 22

    A Chat with Cheryl Weber about Never Forsaken

    I feel like Christian fantasy is really exploding. So when I read about Cheryl Weber's Never Forsaken, I knew I'd have to read it. Listen in as we chat about the world, the faith, and the story. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Never Forsaken by Cheryl Weber Giant snake gods. Worshippers of sensuality. A jealous rebel. A failing king. A courageous, young prince who struggles to uphold truth and justice. Caught in the middle, one young woman fights for her future and the very destiny of her soul. Ariel Summerfield was a girl when tragic loss, followed by a devastating betrayal, broke her heart and robbed her and her family of wealth and prestige. Ten years later, she is still struggling to hold them all together. Can what was lost be restored? Will she ever be free to pursue her dreams? But those with vile intentions for Ariel lay in wait. And one terrible day, she finds herself captive to a fate she never would have chosen. Will she yield to the voice that promises victory over her enemies but leads to the ultimate destruction of body and soul? Or will she entrust her life and dreams to the all-powerful One who cherishes her like no other and can redeem the shattered remnants of her life? Even when all seems lost.   Learn more on Cheryl'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. Aug 19

    A Chat with Kari Trumbo about Beneath Still Waters

    Mystery is my absolute favorite genre, so when I heard that Kari Trumbo had taken her Wayside Ranch and spun it off into a mystery series, you know I was excited.  Kari? Plus mystery? Listen in and hear why Beneath Still Waters is next on my "must read" list! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Okay... mystery that isn't focused on romance?  That's like this book was tailor-made for me!  EEEP! I love what Kari is doing with this series and now this spin-off. This is gonna be great! Beneath Still Waters by Kari Trumbo Fresh out of training and still haunted by a near-fatal shootout, Ferd Kincade retreats to Wayside Ranch to heal. She expects quiet. Instead, she finds a body. When she discovers a mysterious boat washed ashore on a nearby lake, nothing about the scene makes sense and Ferd can't walk away. Pulling Piper's Ridge detective Duke Campose into the investigation, she soon uncovers signs of something far more dangerous than a simple murder. Someone is hiding a deadly secret. And they're willing to kill again to keep it buried. As the truth points to a ruthless drug operation, Ferd becomes the next target. Now, she'll need every ounce of her training, and a lot of faith, to survive long enough to bring a killer to justice. Don't miss the giveaway that ends September 7th.  Books will be shipped to US addresses, but feel free to enter from anywhere and have the book sent to a friend! No purchase necessary! Just click HERE to enter. Learn more on Kari'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!

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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
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chautona Havig 2025
  • Show Website
    The Because Fiction Podcast

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