About the Book

Title: Premeditated Serendipity

Author: Chautona

Genre: Christian romance

Release date: November 16, 2017

…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you. ~ I Thessalonians 4:11

That’s all Reid wanted to do–just serve the Lord for a year before concerning himself with anything else. Yeah, the idea came from an odd “prophesy” one of the watchmen of Fairbury’s new Prayer Room spoke over him. Sure, he didn’t know if such “prophecies” were even Biblical–arguments on that score abounded. But since the words she spoke were pure Scripture, and since yielding to them couldn’t be wrong, he thought, “Why not?”

Was it always easy? No. People made judgments about him that weren’t accurate. Shy? Nope. Stuck up? Not hardly. Committed to a celibate life?

Good news, girls–just for the year.

But when the local florist hears Reid’s story and sees a few things that give him a glimpse into the man’s heart, he decides on a little premeditated serendipity to move things along, unaware of the serious havoc he’s about to wreak.

Premeditated Serendipity

Take a few Bible verses, stir in a little godly interference, give a pinch of meddling, and mix well. Bake in the oven of misunderstanding until true feelings rise and come out clean.

Part of the Out of the Blue Bouquet Collection

About the Author

Author of the Amazon bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives and writes in an oxymoron where she uses story to connect readers with the Master Storyteller.

Guest Post from Chautona

What Important Life Lesson Do Simple Daisies Teach Us?

It all began with a barrel of daisies. There I was, writing a simple scene with a character walking up the street of my fictional town of Fairbury, and this man appeared in front of a florist’s shop—The Pettler. He handed my character a daisy, and I soon learned that he did this for everyone—handed out a free daisy to anyone who passed.

Since then, in almost any book that takes place in Fairbury, someone receives one of those daisies. So, when Amanda Tru told me about a collection featuring novellas about floral fiascoes, I knew it was time for Wayne Farrell of The Pettler to make a solid showing in a book.

I just wasn’t ready for it to be his story.

However, as I wrote about Reid and Kelsey, Wayne kept creeping in more and more. A backstory emerged. His faith bloomed. Yes, his heart has a few weeds that need to be pulled, but those weeds provided the conflict for this story.

And one thing that happened is he planted a seed in my own heart. I sat there thinking about what those daisies meant to him when the old “He loves me, he loves me not” ditty came to mind. I imagined that a florist would likely love or hate that. I mean, you don’t want people to have negative connotations with flowers, but on the other hand, people buying daisies to pluck… that’s good business.

Thinking of it in terms of Jesus changed everything, though. Suddenly, I had his story. Because, like Wayne shares with Reid in Premeditated Serendipity. When you pluck a daisy thinking of the Lord, there is no not. It’s just, “He loves me. He loves me. He loves me.” You can cross out every not. (I even have a short video on this.)

Because, as John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

He loves us. Period.

Note: for Wayne’s full story, check out Tangoed in Tinsel, part of the Under the Christmas Star set—the CrossRoads Collection 3.

There are so many nuggets of wisdom and lessons in this book I don't know where to start. First I will say how much I love this author's writing. Every word is from her heart and every emotion is pure and compassionate. It is the perfect story to show how people judge others and how hard it is for some people to forgive. It is also about the power of prayer and second chances. 

Reid is a great character mainly because of his flaws. To me they aren't really flaws, but for others they see a damaged person and one who some can't forgive. He made a huge mistake and now he is trying to get his life back together. Having Wayne as a friend is a plus for Reid. Wayne wants to help his friend get back on the right path and kinda help a romance between Reid and Kelsey. I really enjoyed the reference to daisies which happen to be my favorite flower. I now look at the little saying of "He loves me, he loves me not" in a different way. What a beautiful way to show us  how God always loves us and there is no "loves me not" when it comes to God. 

Kelsey is a sweet person who finds Reid interesting and their relationship slowly develops with a little help from someone who will be nameless. What I really liked about the story was how hungry Reid was to have a relationship with God. I found that the person who gave him a prophecy was sincere and the words came directly from God.  Reid is so determined to never go back to a lifestyle that cost his freedom for awhile, that he is careful at who he is friends with and how his actions show he is a changed person.

I love how the author put Reid in a situation that some people started doubting if he had changed. Have you ever noticed that when someone has been in serious trouble with the law, they seem to be the first others point a finger at when a crime has been committed. Our past can still cause people to doubt us, but Reid is strong now in his faith and I think that helps him to believe that God will protect him from  false accusations. The stigma of once a criminal, always a criminal is not of God. Reid bares his soul to Kelsey and shares something that will put a wall between them? For Kelsey she must decide if she can forgive and trust Reid? Will she believe in  his innocence and help him? 

I have to thank the author for talking about a tough subject and using it in a story to show how a person can change and with God turn their life around. The story is a wonderful example of God's love and mercy. It shows that we all have a second chance to make things right, to ask for forgiveness and to pray for one another. Prayer is a central part of this story and I loved how the author used examples of people praying for each other. I have learned over the years that my past does not define me. It has made me stronger and I know that everything I went through was for a reason. Just like Reid, we can use our past to testify to others how God changed us and forgave us. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize of a bouquet sent to anyone the winner wants in the U.S.!!

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/d8a5/premeditated-serendipity-celebration-tour-giveaway