Argosy Junction

  • Author: Chautona Havig
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Print Length: 370 pages
  • Release Date: March 11, 2010
  • I Rate it:    
  • GenreChristian
  • Purchase on Amazon

Book Summary

Argosy Jct. Montana~
Pop. 13,223

Lane~ Five years after her family broke ties with The
Brethren, the cult-like church still has firm ties wrapped around her heart and soul. The more she rejects them, the Lord, and anyone who claims a relationship with Christ, the more she
realizes how empty life can be.

Matt~ Fresh from the inner city, Matt arrives in Argosy Jct. ready to explore the Montana countryside. He’s prepared for anything but sheep, cults, and a rancher’s daughter with a chip on her shoulder.

Not until she saves Matt from assault by sheep does Lane begin to understand that Christianity is a relationship rather than a checklist to godliness. Before he met Lane, Matt never understood how damaging the body of Christ can be to its own.

Join them as they explore Montana, Rockland, and the possibility of a merge between two very
different worlds.

Argosy Junction is the second book in the Rockland Chronicles

Write Now Literary Book Tours - Taffy Book Blast Tour

Guest Post from Chautona Havig

What Do You Do When the Church Becomes Toxic?

You know how TV shows and movies like to make fun of bridezillas?

Yeah. I know. It can be funny.

But bridezillas aren’t just those gals on reality shows. They’re all over the church, too. People who allow their focus to get off the Bridegroom and onto “their day.” Instead of focusing on the One who loves them so dearly, Who has rescued them from the gutter and holds them close and tenderly, they focus on getting all the trappings right. The right wording, the right clothes, the right rules of…

UGH.

So many friendships have been ruined by a bride gone wild—so focused on details that she forgets the people she hopes will celebrate it with her. She forgets her groom. Unreasonable expectations of the day and of people lead to broken relationships and an ugly taint to what should be a beautiful occasion.

What I find interesting is that people will forgive a lot from a bridezilla. You hear things like, “Well, it’s such a stressful time,” or “She’ll come around after she settles in.”

And it’s true.

So, why don’t we have the same grace for the “bridezillas” of the church? When that deacon decides to become judge and jury of people’s spiritual state based upon what he thinks or knows someone has contributed to the church, why do we write off him and the rest of the congregation (or all congregations out there)? When the church gossip shares private information… or even false information, why do we lash out with thinly-veiled, passive-aggressive rants on Facebook about brutes in the church before flouncing off in a spiritually-superior rejection of that “religious nightmare, otherwise known as the church?” (Yes, I’ve heard it called that).

When we’re blackballed by people who used to call us family, why do we reject all parts of the bride? Why do we cut off an arm, a leg, a hand, and whack away from the body known as Jesus’ bride until only a piece of an eyelash is left—us?

I get it. The bride of Christ gets ugly—like many bridezillas do. But do we love our Groom? Do we trust that He will stay faithful to us even when parts of our body fails us? When we get old, frail, and forgetful, will He remember us? Will He stay faithful and true when we wander to other loves? Can we trust that?

If Jesus can die for that person in the pew across the way, if He can forgive their sins, if He can forgive your sins, can’t you forgive His beloved?

Look, I get it. Sometimes part of the body of Christ becomes ill—gangrenous. Toxic.

When that happens, you need to remove yourself before you become ill, too. I get that. But that local body is just a tiny finger or toe of the whole body. We need to do what we can to help the rest of the body stay healthy while we pray and do what we can to help the sick part.

And I’m not condoning sin. Please understand that. This isn’t about me saying, “It doesn’t matter if the church sins against us. It does. It’s why Jesus gave us a way to deal with that.

But regardless of how someone else behaves, we still have to do what’s right. And I Peter 4:8 reminds us that “Love covers a multitude of sins.”

If you thought I’d wax eloquent about how evil the church is, how we should just abolish the “institution,” and why it’s just so bad…

You’ll be disappointed. I won’t do it.

So, What Do You Do When the Church Becomes Toxic?

I can answer the question in a word.

Love.

And really, that’s all Matt does in this book. Loves. Okay, and maybe a little prayerful ranting as well.

It’s what Jesus did when His creation—you and me—when we became toxic. He loved.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34

<h2><span class="wrap"><span class="inner">About The Author</span></span></h2>

When asked about writing, author Chautona Havig says, "Books. I love them– always have. From my earliest years, I spent most of my free time lost in a book, until one day I realized that I had stories in my heart and mind that I wanted to tell. Time passed, life, family, and work got in the way, and my dream of being a writer seemed to vanish into the desert winds.

Dreams are beautiful things, though; they never quite disappear. I began writing again, editing, writing, editing…more editing… and now I have over a hundred books in progress and a few dozen published. I write the stories of fictional people who have real problems, weaknesses, and triumphs. Through their stories, I try to share the Hope that is within me."

Chautona lives in a small, remote town in California’s Mojave Desert with her husband and seven of her nine children. When not writing, she enjoys paper crafting, sewing, and the knowledge that someday she'll be able to retire from home education.

She can be found at Chautona.com

Chautona Havig

Book Review by Bree Herron

I  could read a Chautona novel every week and probably couldn’t keep up with her magic in writing. Even though this is a book from 2010 it is new to me and I loved it. First of all, I am a Montana gal, my blood flows maroon (Griz) and I hear the calling of the mountains daily. I felt connected to Montana a bit more with reading this novel. This novel is in authentic Chautona style, characters in large need of a good dose of love and faith.

Matt and Lane are both such strong characters. I was drawn to their personal stories that made them unique. My mind was blown with Lane’s past and her history with faith. I couldn’t imagine what that would feel like, but I felt her feelings in this book. Matt is great except with sheep, and he is learning more than he bargained for in his stay.

This was one of the best books I have read this summer, it was a pure joy to stay up till dawn to read this book. I would share it with everyone that needs a good reminder of faith.

I Rate it

Share why you want to read this book or what you loved about it!

**DISCLAIMER: I was provided an opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy in return for a fair and honest review.

<h2><span class="inner">Giveaway</span></h2>

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize package that includes a paperback copy of Argosy Junction, “Matt’s” copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and a $25 gift certificate!!Find out all the details and enter to WIN at Argosy Junction Celebration Tour Giveaway.

Professional Reader Affiliates

NetGalley Professional Reader Frequently Auto-Approved 200 Book Reviews 2016 NetGalley Challenge Reviews Published Great Escape Tour Host BethanyHouse Blogger Reviewer

Peruse My Other Reviews

  • Dressed for Death in Burgundy
  • Justice Delayed
  • Surround Me- Marguerite Martin Gray
  • Hospitality and Homicide
  • Murder in the Theater
  • She's Got the Wrong Guy: Why Smart Women Settle
  • Bad Girls of Fashion
  • Final Verdict
  • Silence of the Jams
  • A Promise Forged
  • Unbound by Grace
  • A Forest, A Flood and an Unlikely Star
  • Southern Discomfort
  • Masked to Death
  • Christmas Lights: A Collection of Inspiring Christmas Novellas
  • A Loyal Heart
  • DRESSED TO KILL
  • Deadly Proof
  • Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe
  • Wheresoever They May Be
  • Stalking Willow
  • Playing with Bonbon Fire
  • The Pretender- Tamara Hanscom
  • Author Interview: Amy Clipston
  • The Shadows from the Past
  • Top 12 Cozy Books of 2017
  • Killer Takeout
  • Towhee Get Your Gun
  • Still Life
  • Tail of the Dragon
  • Imperfect Promises
  • To Claim Her Heart
  • A Mother For His Family- Cover Reveal
  • Author Spotlight—Joanie Bruce
  • A Tale of Two Hearts
  • Death at First Sight- Great Escape Tour

Affiliate Disclosure

I am grateful to be of service and bring you content free of charge. In order to do this, please note that when you click links and purchase items, in most (not all) cases I will receive a referral commission. Your support in purchasing through these links supplements the costs of keeping my website up and running, and is very much appreciated!

4 Comments

  1. Emma

    I loved the slow pace that allowed me to really think about the story, and the killer sheep scene was hilarious!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig

      That’s actually a caricature of a true story. My friend’s OB was in Montana in some park or something and after hiking for a while, she sat at the base of a tree and read a book. While sitting there (which makes me think she was where she shouldn’t have been) she looked up to see either a bison or a buffalo there. She thought, “How picturesque” and went back to reading.

      A few minutes later, after much noise from said beast, a Jeep tore across the meadow or whatever she was in and put itself between her and the animal. DEMANDED she get in. She walked over. He jerked her inside and took off. Told her that animal was ready to charge–not happy with her presence in HIS SPOT!

      So, I was going to use that idea for the book, but my friend Cathe said she’d read a book in the outback with a vaguely similar idea. So, I decided not to lose my scene but just to make it a joke instead of a serious situation like Ms. North Dakota doctor’s was.

      I guess the good doctor had shared it with quite a few people OR it’s more common than you’d think for people to get themselves into awkward situations. I suspect it’s the latter, but her doctor was a riot. I cracked up all through an OB appointment when I went with her.

      Reply
  2. James Robert

    I appreciate getting to read about another book my family have not known about previously. Thanks so much for the book description and giveaway also.

    Reply
  3. Chautona Havig

    Thanks for the review! I’m glad you enjoyed Matt and Lane’s story.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Get My Latest Book Reviews

Join my mailing list to receive the latest and greatest delivered right to your inbox.

You have successfully subscribed! Please check your email to confirm your subscription.

Share This