Adoring April

by Chautona Havig

As a popular author of a basic handbook on eschatology, Jesse Stallard has enough fame to last him a lifetime. He's convinced that the Lord has convicted him to serve in a small congregation instead of the mega-churches that keep making him almost-can't-resist offers. 

That's when he discovers the little church of Chapleford, Ohio is anxious to fill their pulpit and they couldn't be more perfect if they tried.  Right up to the moment they told him they wanted a married minister serving in their pulpit.  What?

Add to that unsettling development the startling news that his beloved Mrs. Nesbit, a woman who has been like a grandmother to him his entire life, has found the perfect wife candidate, and he's ready to run. But that conviction...

April Duncan has heard about Jesse for the past three years, and while she'd never admit it to anyone, she's half in love with him already. So when April learns that Faith Nesbit plans to set her up with Jesse... object marriage, well... only if Mrs. Nesbit insists! *insert silent squeals here*

They have little time to pull it off.  Jesse needs to be married before he assumes his role as pulpit minister on May first, and April has always dreamed of being married in her namesake month. Can they pull off a nice wedding in six weeks?

Can they pull off a marriage that will lead to a lifetime of true love and friendship? They're going to have to! May the H-E-A commence!

Unknown Binding

First published September 15, 2021

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]

My favorite line of the last section...

It’s your fault. If you fall in love with your wife, you have a responsibility to tell her.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was interesting. I mean, I didn’t like the pulpit committee and didn’t think they were right, and I didn’t really like that Mrs. Nesbit pretty much decided that two people should get married without finding out if either one wanted or felt like they are supposed to be married. (God doesn’t call everyone to get married.) The idea of getting married without even really knowing the other person was different, and I wasn’t sure I would like the story, but I really did.

[Stella Potts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute story of a pastor and the woman that a church member has decided that they are suited and should marry. A story of love and wanting to please God. Very enjoyable book.

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww, that was so cute and sweet! It's been a while since I've read something by this author, and I'm so glad I did. 🤍

CW: allusions to lingerie.

[Tina at Mommynificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book did require a little bit of a suspension of disbelief for me because I just can't imagine godly people putting a couple in this kind of situation and that couple going along with it in modern times, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book at all! I loved the characters of April and Jesse, and I loved the people who took them under their wings and loved them. I also appreciated and was encouraged and challenged by getting to walk alongside them as they walked out their convictions. My only real complaint about this book was that I wish it was longer!

I received a complimentary pre-release copy of this book from the author.

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was perusing our shelves recently, looking for a fun, easy read, I picked this book up. It turned out to be an even faster read than I anticipated—easily finished in one day. What a sweet story! I’ve enjoyed the other two books in this series, and although this wasn’t my favorite of the three books, I loved how this one played out, anyway.

This book reads much like a rom-com. April and Jesse are put into a terribly awkward situation, and although they handled it well, it did cause a great amount of merriment for me as I read. I loved the way the church family gathered around to help and support, and I also loved the depth that came through occasionally as characters worked through what they believed and how to best honor and glorify the Lord.

If you enjoy light-hearted, quick reads with a strong faith element, this could be an excellent choice for you. I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to whenever the next book in this series is released!

[Hannah Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is that this story wasn't long enough. But I adored it. I know the whole idea of the "marriage of conviction" is a little interesting and I am not one hundred percent sure of what I think of it, but it makes for a super fun story. I've read Blessing Bently from this series too and loved it as well.

This made for a delightful afternoon read on a day when I needed a bit of romantic fluff. Which is not to say this story is just "romantic fluff" because it is so much more than that. Which is what makes me love Havig's stories so much in general. Because her romances always involve something more than just a romance. It involves a relationship but not just with two people, but with God too, and the characters seeking to glorify and honor God in their relationship with each other.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This marriage of convenience plot was not your ordinary scenario. Jesse is convinced the Lord led him to this church, but the pulpit committee insists he must have a wife in less than two months. Alice is a new Christian, but growing. . .particularly under the guidance of Mrs. Nesbitt who thinks she is just the right bride for Jesse. When she introduces the pair to one another. . . . Well, you just need to read the book! It's a wonderful, inspirational, with humor is respectully worked into the story. This is a must read!

I received this book from the author as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I want to meet the characters in real life and the church in the book felt like home! I actually imagined certain scenes in my church’s basement. 😉 I especially enjoyed it since I grew up in a pastor’s family, and yes, sometimes there are pretty random expectations of the pastor (and his family!), though I haven’t encountered the “you have to be married by this specific date” one. The only thing I wish was different about this book is that I wish it was LONGER! I didn’t want to leave this story!

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As a rule, I don’t like romances very well, but this one has so much “meat” to it that I loved it. There aren’t many authors who could pull off a scenario like this one and make it mean so much. I loved Mrs. Nesbit and the way she decided something and it happened! I am definitely looking forward to more books in this series.

[R.j. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved the other two books in the Marriages of Conviction series. This one was lovely. It moved fast, which (spoiler) it's a novella. It's going to be short. But the author managed to pack a punch in this short story. I loved it. Very fun, and a great addition to the series.

[Mia2Four · Rating 4 out of 5]

An arranged marriage along the lines of Isaac and Rebekah. A bit of a stretch to believe that a church would require a pastor to be married, but maybe not. Nice use of biblical principles within a marriage.