About the Book
Book Title: Argosy Junction
Author: Chautona Havig
Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance
Release date: 1st edition: March 11, 2010 ; 2nd edition: August, 2018
“I want nothing to do with Jesus or God.” After over twenty years of abuses from the cult-like church she grew up in, Lane Argosy has had it with God and His people. Though the
Brethren try to make Lane and her family’s lives unbearable, freedom from their warped brand of Christianity is sweet. She’ll never go back…
never. He just wanted to visit the country he’d explored through books. So, when Matt Rushby arrives in Argosy Junction, Montana, he expects idyllic meadows and craggy rocks towering above, old-fashioned friendliness and at least one or two cowboys. Instead, he finds familiar hatred and factions very much like the ones back home in Rockland’s inner-city gangs. The Argosy family is disillusioned, broken, and floundering. Matt knows the answer is Jesus—just Him and not the trappings of a faith He never designed. But how can Matt help them turn their hearts back to the Lord when he suspects Lane has stolen his?
A Promo Video
My Thoughts: Lane Argosy isn't like every other girl you would meet,; and that's just what Matt Rushby found out when he stuck in a field of "ferocious" sheep. This was an interesting book to read. Not only was it a romance novel, set in Montana, but it's also a story about how some churches can become toxic to its members. It deals with how pride can come into our lives and not only hurt us but other people as well. It's a good reminder to always go to the Bible when in doubt about teachings in the church.
It's also a reminder that God is always there waiting for us no matter how far we stray from Him, that He is a forgiving father. It's also about forgiving others. Prayer is a great tool, and we should always turn to God in prayer over everything in our lives, big or small.
The characters are enjoyable and entertaining in this novel, the author really brings them to life for the reader and the added humor is something I enjoyed. This is a novel that all ages can and will enjoy!
Click here to purchase your copy!
About the Author
The author of dozens of books in a variety of genres, Chautona Havig lives and writes in California’s Mojave Desert where she uses story to nudge her readers to the feet of the Master Storyteller.
Guest Post from Chautona
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
Blog Stops
Giveaway
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!!
Click below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/d143/argosy-junction-celebration-tour-giveaway
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
