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Friday, August 27, 2021

 



Book Review: Flipping Hearts by Chautona Havig


About the Book

When a hurricane rips through Hooper Island, a tidal wave of TV crews follows and upsets the locals.

Brooks Crawforth agreed to volunteer crews helping to clean up and repair things on the island, not a whole home and garden series on the total renovation of several houses and a bit of cleanup on the side. He’s furious, and the show host is spitting nails at the person who blew it in the first place.

His and his father’s jobs are in jeopardy, the islanders are about to kill him, and that crazy show host blames him for her assistant’s last-minute, “you’ve-got-to-sign-this-now-or-we-can’t-come” contract.

One more thing. Did she have to be so cute?

He’s got even more trouble, though. Islanders are starting to blame Mallory Barrows for the invasion. Not only that, there are rumors of dismantling the association and allowing tourism on the islands. How’s he supposed to fix this mess?

They can’t stand each other, but if they can manage to flip off the enemy switch and flip on some cooperation, maybe their hearts’ll get flipped, too.

This “enemies to romance” novel introduces the next island in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts

Flipping Hearts by Chautona Havig is part of the Independence Islands series and the first book set in Hooper, or Hopper as known to locals. This tiny island is the setting for a fun read. Ms Havig does an excellent job with the enemies to love trope. Unexpectedly, the mystery in this novel truly adds dimension to what might otherwise be a simple romance. The stakes are high with jobs on the line and obstacles keep mounting. This story will keep your attention throughout. Readers who have had the opportunity to read other books in the Independence Islands series will enjoy revisiting familiar characters and seeing hints about what their lives look like now. Readers who are fans of HGTV will definitely enjoy this book and its topic. It is the perfect vacation read for those who love Christian romance. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.


About the Author

Author of the bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, 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

How I Almost Missed This Important Life Lesson

He annoyed her. The guy was bossy, demanding, rude, and unwilling to admit fault—mostly. Truth be told, she was pretty much the same. Two people with similar faults. The relationship would never happen.

Now what was I supposed to do?

Without any idea how I’d take two near enemies and turn them into a couple, I kept writing the primary story—the one that was supposed to bring them together. The one that would have driven me far, far away from a guy like Brooks.

Right about the time I thought about that is when Bailey had her revelation. “He likes me.”

I nearly did a spit take. I mean, where did that come from? Why would he like someone who hadn’t bothered to be likeable?

And still the story unfolded. “Life or death” moment? Check. Unintentional sharing of attraction and heart. Check. Still confused author as these characters draw closer and closer… check, check!

It took until after the story’s climax for me to realize that Brooks really did like Bailey for who she was—and vice versa. Only after all that tension diffused and their distrust had been smashed to smithereens were Bailey and Brooks able to examine everything. Only after that was I able to realize a truth I hadn’t expected to learn.

People fall in love with people they argue with.

People in love argue. See, my husband and I don’t do that. We don’t argue. Ever. Do we agree on every little thing? No. We just don’t argue about it.

Look, it’s not like I’ve never written people who argue. I do. But Never have I looked at a fictional relationship, seen that it would produce the kind fireworks that Bailey and Brooks will, and thought, “Oh, they’re perfect for each other.”

Because see… if I were Bailey, I’d run. Fast. Conflict is a natural part of life and relationships, and I’m not so naïve as to think it’ll never occur. But entering a relationship knowing it’ll be a regular occurrence? Unthinkable!

So as I pondered all this during those last pages of the book, something hit me.

Jesus enters a rocky relationship with us. Willingly.

Don’t believe me? Think about it. Jesus knew, before He ever spoke light into existence, that His bride would blame Him for… pretty much everything. He knew she’d get him brutally murdered. He knew she’d rail at Him, spit at Him, abandon Him, cheat on Him, and even after forgiveness… she’d do it all over again the next day.

Even knowing all that… He still whispers to our hearts, “Be Mine. I love you.”

If that’s not the most beautiful, unbelievable, amazing thing, I don’t know what is.

It’s probably one of the most important life lessons I’ll ever learn. People choose to be in relationships with people they know they’ll argue with—people who will hurt them, annoy them, demand things of them. And the greatest example of One who does it so beautifully is Jesus. Because see… Jesus entered that relationship with me, knowing I’d be that person. Humbling, yeah. Important life lesson? Most definitely.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, August 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 23

Texas Book-aholic, August 24

CarpeDiem, August 24

Lots of Helpers, August 25

Inklings and notions, August 25

For Him and My Family, August 26

Connect in Fiction, August 26

deb’s Book Review, August 27

Livin’ Lit, August 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 28

Blogging With Carol, August 28

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 29

Simple Harvest Reads, August 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, August 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 30

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 31

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 31

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 1

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, September 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2

Splashes of Joy, September 2

Blossoms and Blessings, September 3

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, September 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 4

She Lives To Read, September 5

Kayem Reads, September 5

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/11422/flipping-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, August 26, 2021



Book Review: I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America by Tyler Merritt


Releasing September 14, 2021!



I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America by Tyler Merritt is an important book that I think everyone should read. What does it mean to be a black person in America? I was blessed to know Tyler back in his college years. When I saw that he was writing this book, I knew I wanted to read it because he is one of the most genuinely kind people I have ever met. He's the real deal. To know Tyler is to be fully embraced and accepted as you are. That's how he has always been. Tyler somehow wrapped up his incredible personality and delivered it in the form of a book. Reading this book is like sitting down with him for a life giving, life changing conversation. Come as you are. Listen to his journey. Be willing to challenge your expectations and listen with your heart. You'll never see things the same again. Tyler opens your eyes with his experiences but he has a way of lifting the reader up with his encouragement and honesty. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages and backgrounds. We need to read it in order to truly understand each other. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

 

Wednesday, August 11, 2021


Book Review: Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris 


Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris is book 3 in the Restoring Heritage series and it releases September 7, 2021. I've read the first two books in this series and I have to say that this book ties everything up so beautifully. Heritage is a place you will want to visit again and again. This book could be read as a standalone novel, but I think it is even better read after the first two books. What sets Tari Faris's writing apart? It's not the small hometown or the sweet romance. It's not the quirky characters and interesting predicaments. All of those are definitely present in her books. But Ms Faris has such a unique voice. She weaves together authentic stories that make the small town of Heritage feel like home to readers, even those who have never lived in a small town before. Visit Heritage! A hippo named Otis and characters that feel like family will be there to meet you. I received a copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

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