Audible, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Publishers, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle

Flipping Hearts by Chautona Havig, Narrated by Christa DelSorbo Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Flipping Hearts

Author: Chautona Havig

Narrator: Christa DelSorbo

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Flipping Hearts Audio

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 Impressions

First off, I have to say, I am really beginning to appreciate all the awesomeness that Chautona Havig packs into almost any of her novels. Flipping Hearts is no exception. This novel is chock-full of Havig’s witticisms, humor, and quick and “modernized” Biblical references (ex: “God might as well have boomed out an audible “No!” from the heavens and physically opened the mouth of a random palm tree in a Balaam moment.”) Also, Havig has a knack for explaining Biblical concepts without being preachy, boring, or unnatural to the conversation. So I loved Flipping Hearts!

I started out listening to the audio version, provided by Celebrate Lit. The narrator, Christa DelSorbo, has a pleasing voice that varies according to character, accent, or action. All was good until my personal mental blocks came into play. After four chapters, I had to switch to the written version of the novel which I purchased myself. This is not a knock against DelSorbo. I just couldn’t concentrate on the book as I listened, but was distracted easily and missed many important facts of the story in those chapters. Also, I prefer to draw my own mental pictures of characters, and I had trouble with the “voice” of Brooks. To me, it sounded like an older man, not a young, eligible bachelor. I decided I could read visually and retain much more than I could by continuing to listen. Please, if you are not a strict visual learner as I obviously am, give this audiobook a try. I am certain many will adore the work DelSorbo has done.

I must say, I am not a big contemporary romance fan. But written by Havig, this story about two different island couples was irresistible to me! I certainly followed the red herrings provided and had the wrong perpetrator fingered most of the book. I felt the conflicts were very believable, not the kind where you say, “They just need to talk!”

Such a great contemporary romance. Don’t miss it, whether on audible or in writing!

Lots of Notable Quotables.

“real allure comes from deep within. It can’t be faked like eyelash thickness or color. It comes out because of who you are.”

“…when you say people are basically good and understanding at their core, you are saying that they don’t need Jesus, then. God says people’s hearts are wicked and sick.”

“So maybe it’s like how God made humans in His image? So, we’re like Him in that way. We can do good stuff because a good God made us, but that doesn’t excuse the bad stuff we think and do?”

My Rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.

About the Author

Using story to connect readers with the Master Storyteller.

media-headshot-sm-240x300

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.

About the Narrator

Speaking Life into Story

Queen of the one-eyebrow quirk, Christa DelSorbo auditioned for the role of Tarzan’s mom and has the photos to prove she ended up as the only cast member in a literal cast. These days, they keep her stuck in a box with a ball on a stick and only feed her when she reads another chapter of another fabulous book. She loves every minute. Or so they tell her. *eyebrow slowly raises *

More from Christa

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 26

Texas Book-aholic, January 27

For Him and My Family, January 28

Inklings and notions, January 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 1

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 2 (Spotlight)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 3

The Sacred Line, February 3

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 4

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 6

deb’s Book Review, February 7 (Spotlight)

The Author Reads, February 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 8

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Chautona and Christa are giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book in winner’s choice of format!!

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/193c2/flipping-hearts-audiobook-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Favorite, Purchase

No Filter, #1 Barks and Beans Cafe Cozy Mysteries by Heather Day Gilbert

51986384._SY475_

About the Book

Title: No Filter

Series: The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery Series

Author: Heather Day Gilbert

Publisher: WoodHaven Press

Released: May 2020

BOOK ONE in the ALL-NEW BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java…and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

Fed up with her go-nowhere job, newly single Macy Hatfield moves back to her small hometown in West Virginia. She joins forces with her brother Bo in his crazy new venture—the Barks & Beans Cafe, which caters to dog lovers and coffee drinkers alike.

When a golf instructor is murdered at the nearby spiritual center, Macy winds up adopting his Great Dane. Just after Macy finds a mysterious message sewn under the dog’s collar, her Dane is dognapped. She launches into a relentless search for her newfound canine friend, but along the way, she digs up a cruel and confident killer.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown…with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over

My Review

I am excited to share with you a new cozy mystery series by Heather Day Gilbert. While I love cozies, I start a new one with much trepidation. Will there be sex on the page or a lot of innuendoes? Will there be bad language? I am thrilled to say No Filter , #1 Barks & Beans Café Cozy Mysteries, fits every category I am looking for in a cozy:
1. Small town setting
2. No bad language
3. No sex
4. Amateur sleuth
5. Murder not presented in gory manner
6. Bit of Romance (my addition)

No Filter 2

In No Filter, we find Macy and Bo Hatfield, unlucky-at-love siblings who decide to retreat to their small town origins, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Not giving up, they open up a coffee shop combo therapy dog petting area. Now Gilbert has my full attention, and the shop gets its dogs from the local shelter, to give the dogs for adoption more publicity. Looking up Lewisburg, WV, right now on my GPS. Think it would be a great place to live.
But maybe not. There are the “haves” and the “haves snot.” (Imagine the “haves” looking down their noses at the “snots.”) The mingling of these two classes at the local spiritual center-country club leads to murder, art fencing, and a wealth of possible culprits. I felt there were a lot of characters to keep straight, but we will see many of these players again in book 2, Iced Over, and book 3, Fair Trade.

No Filter 1
Only one complaint- I am seriously considering whether people can be both coffee connoisseurs and tea aficionados at same time! I’d be surprised if Great Danes don’t become popular after this series. I loved the sibling loyalty and strong bond. I enjoyed seeing the set-up of possible romances (I already have my “teams” going)! I even enjoyed seeing unlikely characters succeed to benefit the town. But watch out! Gilbert manages to find a way to leave you hanging by a thread!
I need to cool down. Bring on Iced Over!!
Quotes to Note:

“No, I’d rather have both feet on the ground than feel them getting sucked in with ocean water where fish pooped, sharks lurked, and currents could catch and kill you.”

“She seemed to be a wealth of information, and she had no hesitation in sharing it.”

My Rating

5 Stars- Superior- Hit My Reading Sweet Spot (and I can’t wait for the sequels!)

About the Author

HEATHER DAY GILBERT, an ECPA Christy award finalist and Grace award winner, writes contemporary mysteries and Viking historicals. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren’t afraid to protect those they love. Publisher’s Weekly gave Heather’s Viking historical Forest Child a starred review, saying it is “an 7232683engaging story depicting timeless human struggles with faith, love, loyalty, and leadership.”

Find Heather on Pinterest (heatherdgilbert), Instagram (@heatherdaygilbert), Twitter (@heatherdgilbert), and Facebook (heatherdaygilbert). You can find all her books at heatherdaygilbert.com.