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.

Blog Stops

Real World Bible Study, January 5

Cultivating Us, January 6

Back Porch Reads, January 7

Aryn, the Libraryan, January 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 9

Texas Book-aholic, January 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 11

Bibliophile Reviews, January 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13

Mary Hake, January 13

Janices book reviews, January 14

Carpe Diem, January 15

A Baker’s Perspective, January 16

Bigreadersite, January 17

Multifarious, January 18

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

About the Book

Title: This Homeward Journey

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release date: January 1, 2019

After her husband’s death, Rachel Gray is finally free from the turmoil his addictions caused. She wants nothing more than a new life with her twelve-year-old son. If she can reach her brother in the wilderness of the Canadian territories, they’ll have help to start over in peace. She knows better than to put her life in the hands of another man, but she never expected the Montana mountains to be so treacherous. When two brothers invite her to join their small group traveling to the same area, she refuses. After she and her son narrowly escape a bear attack, she’s forced to admit they need the safety of numbers in this untamed land. If the men prove dangerous, she can always leave with her son and strike out alone again.

Seth Grant has made some bad choices in his life, but God healed him from the addiction that mired him in his sins. Now, he’s determined to live the life God called him to, starting with a journey northward to see the Canadian mountain both his brother and sister have fallen in love with. When he discovers the woman and boy who plan to travel the same mountain trail, he can’t fathom why she refuses to join in the safety of their larger group. Though her decision seems unwise, he has no other choice but to pray God provides her protection.

Despite Rachel’s best efforts, she can’t seem to fight her attraction to the Seth—until a secret from his past proves he’s not at all the man she thought. When a new peril threatens her son’s life, she must choose between trusting in what she can control, or the man who her heart says is trustworthy, no matter his previous sins. The path she chooses just may determine whether she can step into the new life God has in store for them all.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Guest Post from Misty

Why Christian Historical Romance?

I don’t know about you, but my life can get crazy…busy…chaotic. Historical fiction gives me a haven, allowing me to immerse in a simpler time and place. Add in remote mountain settings—log cabins and horses and snow…what could be better? Sometimes I wish God had let me live a couple centuries ago, but then I remind myself He knew exactly what He was doing. I don’t do well without a shower every day. 😊 And He even lets me go back to that simpler time through stories!

If you’re reading this, you probably enjoy immersing yourself in a good book, too. Story can be such a powerful thing! Becoming an intimate part of the characters’ lives, feeling their struggles—the desperation, the elation, the emotions, the love.

I enjoy reading and writing Christian fiction because it provides a place where I don’t always have to be concerned about inappropriate language or too-graphic love scenes. It’s a “safe zone” where my imagination can escape, living out exciting times and experiencing God-orchestrated happily-ever-afters—without having to clean-up at the end of the day. Can you relate?

I’m excited to share my latest Christian Historical Romance story with you, and hope you enjoy it as much as I loved writing it!

The author has written a great story set in the late 1860s with vivid descriptions that help readers feel like they are there with the characters. I loved reading about the mountains and how hard it was to travel during this time period. It would be hard to travel the unknown countryside but Rachel has decided to do just that with her son Andy.

I admired Rachel's determination after getting out of an abusive marriage. She felt free for the first time, but her heart has hardened . It will take a lot to trust someone again. Her adventure starts out pretty well till she realizes she needs to have the security of others around her as she trudges along the terrain.

Seth is a changed man since he gave up drinking and other things that set him up to sin. He is trying to follow God and will have temptations along the way as he travels to see the Canadian mountains. I liked how the author brings Seth and Rachel together and the security she starts to feel as she travels with him . They encounter danger along the way that will test their faith and trust .

There is a point in the story that will change how Rachel feels about Seth. When he opens his heart to her and tells her of his past, will she be able to still trust him? I loved how the story is about forgiveness and judging others. We all have done something wrong in our life and the good news is that God forgives us. Rachel will have to look deep in herself to not let her past cloud her thoughts of Seth.

The ending is good and shows that when you forgive, you are set free of bitterness. Rachel must trust Seth if she has any hope of getting out of a dangerous situation. Seth is focused on what he must do and he turns to God for guidance. The road home for Rachel will find her asking God to forgive her for her anger and to help her learn to trust again. It's an emotional journey for all as they seek God for the right direction home.

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