About the Book

Book: Under the Hibiscus

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Christmas Contemporary Romance

Release date: November 25, 2022

Do you have to give God two-weeks’ notice when you quit the ministry?

After a lifetime of being her father’s right-hand girl, Ezra gets a small taste of freedom during her friend’s honeymoon visit to the Suamalie islands and decides enough is enough. All she needs is to find a replacement secretary, teacher, project manager, accountant… et cetera.

In fact, what he needs is a wife.

Scott Keil intended to serve the Lord on St. Alyn Island for life. He just never intended to do it without his wife. So, when his daughter begins balking at being saddled with a ministry she never signed up for, he knows he needs to find a replacement for her. And well, she’s right. A wife who loves organization and serving the Lord would be the perfect solution.

But only one woman interests him and loves his ministry nearly as much as he does. Natalie Dershem—the event planner at St. Alyn’s newest resort. Why did she have to be nearly as young as his daughter… and so intriguing?

Under the Hibiscus is the introductory Christmas “noella” in the brand-new, Suamalie Islands Series from Celebrate Lit Publishing. Grab this May/December Christmas romance today.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author of 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

“I always wanted a son. But I wanted one a little younger than myself!” When Tevya said that to Lazar Wolf back when I was a teenager, little did I know that twenty years later, I’d say the same thing to my newly-minted son-in-law at my daughter’s reception.

It was a joke on me. I’d always said that I didn’t understand why people got worked up about age differences under twenty years. God called my bluff on that by sending me a son-in-law a year and a couple of months older than me and… nearly nineteen years (just shy by weeks) older than my daughter. People ask if I still think that it’s not a big deal.  And I do. As I said back then, it all depends on the couple.

But May/December romances aren’t always popular. Some people don’t enjoy them. Maybe I do because my husband is seven years older than I am, my father is eight years older than my mother, and I have friends and family with eleven and fifteen years difference respectively. It’s just… normal in my experience. And as my dear friend said when she heard about people making snide comments about my daughter’s engagement, “Why would she want a boy her age when she can have a man?” And yeah. That is one of the lovely things about May/December romances.

Well, Under the Hibiscus definitely went that route—not because I specifically wanted an age difference for the couple but because two things jumped out at me.  First, I couldn’t see Scott Keil with a woman his age. He’s such a young-at-heart-guy, and every woman his age my mind conjured… wasn’t.  And I couldn’t see it!

But even more than that, I thought of Ezra and how it would feel to be a daughter whose father started dating someone nearly your own age.  Especially since this wouldn’t be some socialite looking for a rich husband. Any woman interested in Scott Keil would have to love him and the Lord a great deal to be willing to accept such a large age difference. How would that go over with Ezra, and… what would their relationship look like. I mean, her stepmother would be a not-very-older sister’s age!

How does it all work out? Well… unfortunately, you’ll have to read to find out because right now? I don’t even know!

MY REVIEW 

One of the best things about my hobby of reading is finding authors that always encourage me and relay messages that help in my struggles and give me joy when I’m feeling down. This author is gifted in all the things I just mentioned and more. In this story it was easy to connect to the characters because they became people I cared about. I loved the setting  and how it focused on learning to trust yourself and others. This new series promises to be filled with beautiful scenery and a cast of characters that become family to readers. 

Scott is very dedicated to his ministry and has placed a big burden on his daughter. He depends on her a little too much and I had to wonder when the obvious would happen. Well Ezra, his daughter has had enough of being her dad’s right hand and decides to do something about it. I did like their relationship and how Scott has instilled faith into Ezra. You can tell by the story that they rely on God and pray when they need guidance. 

Ezra is smart, hard working and needs a break from her father. Helping him in the ministry has been nice but she needs a life of her own now. Her dad has been alone for a long time and Ezra after careful prayer has decided to help her dad find a wife. Get ready for some fun moments when daughter tells father that it is time to find a helpmate . Their conversations are emotional at times and other times they are stubborn and forceful. This makes for a good look at a daughter and father relationship as it is guided by God.I was impressed with the maturity in Ezra when she speaks honestly to her dad. 

 Now let’s focus on Natalie. She is a breath of fresh air as she takes on the task of filling in for Ezra while she takes a much needed break from everything. You can tell that Ezra has a little trouble with control but it soon diminishes as she sees how capable Natalie is. There is a spark of  attraction between Scott and Natalie but we will have to see how that plays out. Of course I’m not not going to tell you if they get together. What fun would that be? I will say that I really liked the difference in the  age between Scott and Natalie. It has never been an issue for me. If two people love each other, age should not be an issue. Did everyone think this romance was a great idea? Of course not and wait till you read who has the problem and who confronts them about it. 

The book is a great introduction to a new series and I am hooked already. The author has laid the foundation for what is going to be another adventure with characters that you root for, faith that helps you grow stronger and messages that we all need to keep our eyes on Him. 

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

Blog Stops

By the Book, November 26

She Lives To Read, November 27

Texas Book-aholic, November 28

Blossoms and Blessings, November 28

Sylvan Musings, November 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 30

Inklings and notions, December 1

deb’s Book Review, December 2

For Him and My Family, December 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 6

Mary Hake, December 6

Simple Harvest Reads, December 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Lots of Helpers, December 8

Blogging With Carol, December 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 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/22dbc/under-the-hibiscus-celebration-tour-giveaway