The Stars of New Cheltenham

New Cheltenham Shopkeepers #4

by Chautona Havig

Christmas in Rockland--battleground or romantic?

Avalon is ticked—seriously livid. Who does this Marine recruiter think he is?
Her brother is a boy and is not ready to be sacrificed on the altar of “service to your country.” No. Thank you. When trying to talk sense into Max doesn’t work, she does the only think she can think of. Take it to the top.

Gareth Hudson has an exemplary record as a Marine recruiter and knows a good man when he sees one. So when Maxton McCollum starts asking questions in a diner one afternoon, it was obvious. This was a match made in military heaven. One young man anxious to serve his country. One country ready to train him to be the best version of himself.

So when Avalon walks into Gareth’s recruiting office, all the wrong kinds of fireworks explode. In a peacekeeping move unlike him, Gareth asks for four Saturdays to change her mind. If he can’t, he’ll suggest that Max wait six months before signing up.

Romance wasn’t part of the bargain, and with their age difference, Gareth knows it still shouldn’t be, but how do you resist the pull of love at Christmas?

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2022

About the author

**fingers skittle across the keyboard. Stop. Eyelids blink over the top**

Oh, was this bio day? Oops! I forgot. I was lost in my latest manuscript. Umm... bio. Yeah.

Hi! I’m Chautona Havig. (for those who care, that’s Shuh-TONE-uh HAVE-ig). Yeah. Just work with me here. I should have used a pseudonym, but when you grow up with a name like Chautona, it kind of sticks.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10: 23–25

Those aren’t just words on a page for me–they’re why I write. I write to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. The stories I create are to make people laugh, cry, question, consider.

They’re for you.

When the world screams for hope, I try to point you to the true Source of hope–Jesus.

Sometimes life in the church no longer seems a refuge from the pain of a self-serving world around us, but through my stories, I try to point you to the only Refuge that can truly help–the Father’s Everlasting Arms.

And sometimes we just need an escape from the monotony, the emptiness we see around us. We need joy, laughter–what I like to call “just the write escape.”

Christian fiction without apology or pretense–lived, not preached.
What does that even mean?
It means I care–about you. About your walk with Jesus. I care about the words you put before your eyes, the mental pictures those words conjure. It’s difficult to express just how much I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s difficult to share just how much I love you.

But I do.

And I write for you. I sit in my little house in California’s Mojave Desert and I write to show you why one sister believes one thing, why a brother believes another. I write to show you how some Christians handle trials or triumphs–for you. So when you’re faced with something–good or bad, it doesn’t matter–maybe it’ll spark a memory. Maybe that memory will smolder until you pull out your Bible and see what the Lord said about it–about His great love for you. For YOU!

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll share that love with another hurting, confused, or blessed-with-more-than-she-knows-what-to-do-with soul.

I just happen to think that’s the most blessed giving anyone could hope to receive.

Reviews

[Chautona Havig]

Releases on Tuesday! I fell in love with Avie, Gareth, and Max. And seriously, I really feel sorry for Avie's aunt and uncle. Oh, and Aunt (gimme) Mercy! WHEW! Gimme MERCY!

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about an older sister, Avalon, who is upset that her brother wants to enlist in the Marines. Sergeant Gareth Hudson tries to convince her that Max will not be swayed from his decision to join. Gareth woos Avalon by making a bet that he can persuade her that Max made the right decision. He plays on her love of books by taking her on dates where she has to guess the book he is trying to point out.
Lots of fun banter and texts between Max, Avalon and Gareth that show that each wants the best God has for them. I appreciate Ms. Havig and the way she uses her clever wit to convey a blooming romance, using references to movies and books liberally.
This was a very enjoyable story.
* I obtained this book from the publisher as a free download. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because Chautona Havig wrote this book, I read it. I knew, going in to it, that there would be things I did not agree with, but I wanted to know how she would handle those things. I still don’t agree with her, but I can understand her reasoning about Christians serving in the armed forces. Most of this book was just plain fun! I enjoyed going along with Gareth and Avie on the very creative dates he came up with, and I actually laughed out loud when I read the scene with Brenna’s Aunt (gimme) Mercy. So funny! It was fun to meet up with Willow and Chad again, too. There were a number of very serious scenes, too—some of them were where I didn’t agree with the theology. However, I really liked one quote. “Nothing you do means nothing. Every decision you make, every thought you allow yourself to have, every word you speak does its best to make a permanent imprint on your life.” That’s profound. That’s why I keep reading Chautona’s books! (No, actually, I think I’m addicted to her stories. It makes me feel better about reading them to come across quotes like that, though!)

[Susan]

First time reading this author ... a total win!!! Loved the story line, the characters, and the way the book made me feel!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did really enjoy this book, the premise seemed a bit unrealistic to me. I don’t have any experience with marine recruiters, but I have a hard time imagining that a recruiter would dedicate multiple full days exclusively to calming the fears of the sister of a recruit, especially when he’s already decided to join and she doesn’t have any say in the matter. That said, the book is good! As a bookworm, I enjoyed getting to read about other bookworms and I especially enjoyed getting to visit some of my favorite characters from other books Mrs. Havig has written! (WILLOW!!!!!) I think you’ll enjoy this book, too!
I received and advance reader e-copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.

[Deborah Troxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean cozy story

This series makes me understand the characters thoughts and emotions. Avalon is horrified that her brother is planning to join the Marines. Gareth is the recruiter who is hoping to help her see the good in the Marines. He plans some awesome dates to get to know her and influence her attitude.

[Stacey Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. The characters were a little exaggerated, but I still liked them and the journey that we were taken on with them.

[Ashlea Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literary-themed dates!

[Vicki Cottingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plot but didn't feel it was one of her better books. Sentences were confusing and didn't always flow well.

[Lynn Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one pulls at the heartstrings from more than one POV. Loved Garret's well-thought-out plans to show Avalon a very different perspective about military recruitment.