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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast

By: Chautona Havig
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 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!© Chautona Havig 2023 Art Christianity Literary History & Criticism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan

    Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan
    Jul 14 2025
    When I read the first chapter of Turning Toward Eden, I laughed so hard and enjoyed it so much that I immediately flipped back to the beginning and read it again. Listen in to see why. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Cate Touryan has written a brilliant book that takes place in the early seventies on California's central coast. Amid family drama and the threat of local "commies," Eden is trying to figure out who she is and what life is all about. The whole thing feels like my childhood. I lived in the area, spent lots of time there, and man do I love it. There aren't enough books that take place in the late sixties and early seventies, but Cate has written a brilliant one to add to every reader's shelves. I'm not quite done, but I am loving the read. Turning Toward Eden by Cate Touryan “Chasing the truth, huh? Sure, you're not running from it?” Hollis might be her only friend, a lanky boy Mama calls her “beau,” but Eden Lewis has no time for his hogwash. She’s got a mystery to crack. For most fourteen-year-olds, California summers in the early 1970s mean sun and surf, despite the Cold War chill. Not for Eden. Her AWOL father has sent her life into a tailspin, landing her in a shabby beach town, stuck caring for her severely disabled brother. Caught in her parents’ own cold war, Eden ditches Dex at every chance—pier fishing with Hollis, playing poker with the grizzled card sharks, and caterwaulin’ in the church choir, laying plain to the Almighty that singing terms ain’t the same as speaking terms, what with the hand he’s dealt her. Then Raven arrives mid-ninth grade—an elusive Soviet girl rumored to rain black-winged curses over the fearful town. When a rash of petty crimes escalates to bloodshed on the beach, suspicion falls on the “commie”—and then Eden. Desperate to prove herself innocent, and Raven guilty, she embarks on a reckless game of chase. But for the truth to set her free, she must risk Dex’s life. Will she go all in, no matter the cost? An evocative story laced with mystery, Turning Toward Eden weaves nostalgia with grit, sorrow with humor, and despair with faith, offering hope to anyone who has sought to belong in a world that rarely plays fair. "This is storytelling at its most atmospheric—brimming with quirky, well-drawn characters, razor-sharp prose, and the kind of setting you can almost smell. The writing is lyrical, grounded, and often laugh-out-loud funny—even in the midst of deeply poignant moments. With a cast of endearing misfits and a tone reminiscent of Southern Gothic charm, this story lures you in from the very first line and doesn’t let go. Cate Touryan has a truly original voice, a rare gift for language, and a special ability to render a world so vivid you feel baptized in it." — Zena Dell Lowe, Screenwriter, Story Coach, and Founder of The Storyteller’s Mission Audiobook Coming Soon! The audiobook edition of Turning Toward Eden is in production and on its way to Audible, iTunes, and beyond. Stay tuned for a richly narrated experience, perfect for readers who love stories on the go. Learn more about Cate on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!
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    46 mins
  • Episode 446: A Chat with Rachel Chamberlayne

    Episode 446: A Chat with Rachel Chamberlayne
    Jul 12 2025

    Debut novelist, Rachel Chamberlayne, has an office romance (sort of) that'll keep readers smiling. Listen in and see why I got the hint of a While You Were Sleeping vibe.

    note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

    Chatting with Rachel was a blast--from story ideas to what's next, we got it all.

    Don't know about you, but I'm sold!

    Psst... I'm halfway through with the book and loving it.

    My Grumpy Editor by Rachel Chamberlayne

    Abi has met her ultimate bully. Will she be brave enough to rise to the challenge?

    Determined to escape the ghosts of her past, Abi Benson jumps at the chance to skip town when she is offered a ghostwriting position at a prestigious digital marketing firm in the Big City.

    When she discovers she’ll be writing for a dream client just two weeks into the job, the opportunity seems almost too good to be true. And when her assigned editor, Philip Baker, informs her of the unfortunate case of mistaken identity that disqualifies her from the running, it turns out that it is.

    Desperate to prove herself, Abi strikes up a deal that her broody, enigmatic editor can’t resist. In exchange for keeping her secret about her true identity, she’ll accompany Phil to his brother’s wedding in order to charm his difficult father—who happens to be more distraught over Phil’s recent breakup than he is.

    As the guilt over her lie catches up with her, Abi finds comfort in the most unexpected place: her grumpy editor’s surprisingly tender embrace—especially when an assault flips her world upside down and prevents her from revealing the secret she so desperately wants to confess.

    Now, hundreds of miles from home and feeling even more distant from God, Abi must summon the courage to face both her fears and her past head on. But will Phil and Abi’s romance survive the storm, or will their differing beliefs extinguish their fragile flame forever?

    Learn more about Rachel on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

    • Apple
    • Castbox
    • Google Play
    • Libsyn
    • RSS
    • Spotify
    • Amazon
    • and more!
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    30 mins
  • Episode 445: A Chat with Michelle Griep

    Episode 445: A Chat with Michelle Griep
    Jul 7 2025

    If archaeology and second chance romance in 19th-century England are your jam (and if not, shouldn't they be?), you won't want to miss Michelle Griep's Of Silver and Secrets. Listen in to learn about the new archaeological site, the new university, and a new couple working together despite themselves...

    note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

    Chatting about different sites in England, the different sorts of Roman artifacts, and even learning about the ongoing dig of Vindolanda made me suddenly want to hop a plane and see what other archaeological wonders England has to offer!

    And boy do her upcoming releases sound awesome. Stay tuned for more about those closer to release dates!

    Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep

    Buried underneath are truths bent on keeping them apart. . . .

    In 1889 Victorian England, Eva Inman is haunted by guilt over her parents' deaths while struggling to care for her blind sister and manage her family's crumbling estate. With the tax deadline looming, Eva's situation looks dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on the property. Despite superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva's need for funds ignites her curiosity about the potential of finding more buried relics.

    Cambridge professor Bram Webb must prove a legendary Christian Roman settlement exists, or he'll risk exposing his uncle's deteriorating memory and they'll both lose their positions. Then Eva steps into his office with the prospect of an archaeological dig that might lead to the very evidence Bram requires--provided he and Eva can set aside painful memories of a time they would rather forget. As the dig forces the two to confront their pasts, the work becomes fraught with challenges that threaten Eva's and Bram's hopes, as well as the growing attraction between them.

    "Sure to delight fans of archaeological adventure and historical romance."--JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author

    Dive into the past in this clean historical romance as Michelle Griep transports you to Victorian England with an appealing mix of mystery, Roman archaeology, and charming banter. This enthralling tale will appeal to fans of Mimi Matthews, Andrea Penrose, Anna Lee Huber, and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.

    Learn more about Michelle on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

    And don't miss her cool Etsy shop! You can find that HERE.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

    • Apple
    • Castbox
    • Google Play
    • Libsyn
    • RSS
    • Spotify
    • Amazon
    • and more!
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins

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