Books in series
#1
The Vintage Wren
Week 1
2016
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes.
Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice.
But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green.
It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly."
Week 1 Shopping for Cassie's annual New Year's Eve party sparks an innocent comment that Cassie can't forget. So, during their New Year's Day goal planning session, Cassie's friends tease her about her lack of eco-consciousness, and Cassie determines to change one new thing in favor of the planet every week. For a year. Even if it kills her.
She's confident it will.
Cassie's first week—paper. She's determined to cut out all extraneous paper usage—all of it. But when almost everything comes wrapped in paper, it isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Her only consolation? Some water bottles come with plastic labels, and she doesn't have to cut that out until next week. Ha!
The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#2
The Vintage Wren
Week 2
2016
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes.
Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice.
But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green.
It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly."
Week 2 Reducing paper... CHECK! Cassie's feelin' confident. Well, until she goes out and discovers that even restaurants use more paper than she'd expected. Add in an accidental purchase, a plastic purge that she's still struggling with,and a shopping trip that could only be cured by the universal soother—ice cream—and week two is off to a rocky start.
Thankfully, her blog, as much as she resists it, provides a bit of catharsis. She rants, vents, and shouts her triumphs for the world—or at least fifty of her closest friends—to read and celebrate with her.
Or will they?.
Cassie's second week—plastic. After a week of exchanging paper choices for plastic ones—for "just one more week", Cassie is onto her next diversions. After all, she doesn't have to give up metal or glass yet! But finding solutions that don't involve plastic prove harder than she ever imagined.
Don't worry. She's found the perfect, aesthetically-pleasing, and planet-saving plan for enjoying plastic bottles forever!
The Vintage Wren.
A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#3
The Vintage Wren
Week 3
2016
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes.
Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice.
But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green.
It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly."
Week 3 Finally, a week that doesn't leave her scrambling for a way to stuff more contraband into her already over-packed storage shed. But even glass, as handy as it is, turns out not to be as "perfect" a substitute as she thought. Still, a full three weeks into paper reduction means that avoiding extraneous paper usage should be second nature. Right?
A first date, an introduction to HearthLand, and a new idea for her budding business sends Cassie's imagination into overdrive.
Then disaster strikes.
Cassie reevaluates her priorities after receiving a call that shakes her to the core, and a hard week reminds her that this challenge is going to affect more than what she puts in her shopping cart. Even if she goes back to her old ways, it's going to be life-changing.
The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#4
The Vintage Wren
Week 4
2016
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes.
Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice.
But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green.
It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly."
Week 4 She planned on one goal for the year—prove she could be as eco-conscious as any "Crunchy" gal, but her goals of blogging and opening her own business, on the other hand, were supposed to be tabled for a year. So much for that idea!
Cassie's fourth week—metal. Unfortunately, her car decided to sacrifice itself for the good of the planet. Its timing couldn't be more perfect or worse. And with a houseful of supplies that come in neat metal packaging, Cassie isn't quite sure what she'll do.
A blog commenter is starting to annoy her, and something is up with a new acquaintance. But, in the middle of all this, Think helps keep her grounded.
Say hi to old friends from HearthLand and get a tiny glimpse of another, totally unexpected character!
The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#5
The Vintage Wren
Week 5
2016
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes.
Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice.
But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green.
It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly."
Week 5 Cassie's plans for week five just don't hold water, so she puts out a call to her growing readership, begging for input. The consensus? Preparedness.
Cassie also takes green to a whole new level on another trip to HearthLand. Ralph and Annie are teasing her. Can you blame them?
Think keeps her on her toes while he ponders the deeper things in life. Cassie protests his silent treatments and thanks him for his wise discretion.
Meanwhile, her friends rally around Cassie as one of her commenters grows more and more vicious. What's up with "HermionesTwin", and why is she so antagonistic against Cassie?
But when a friendly fellow at the FreshMart chats with Cassie, boyfriend Joel isn't exactly thrilled. Is their relationship doomed before it has a chance to begin?
The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#6
The Vintage Wren
Week 6
2016
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes.
Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice.
But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green.
It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly."
Week 6 February is in full bloom—or rather, blustery blizzards! Regardless, love is in the air as Valentine's Day approaches, and Cassie has a lot on her plate...s.
The mystery of Cassie's antagonistic commenter unfolds as Cassie confronts who she thinks it is, meanwhile this week's eco-plan turns out harder than she expected.
Cassie's car threatens to retire, Think threatens the silent treatment if she fails to call if she isn't coming home at night, and Grandma Higgins handles the "intervention" in this episode.
But worst of all, her trip to HearthLand gets more than a little heated.
The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#7
The Vintage Wren
Week 7
2017
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes.
Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice.
But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green.
It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly."
Week 7: The aftermath of a fire in HearthLand leaves Cassie floundering in her green quest until she decides to adapt an attitude of preparedness as a "talisman" against waste should the worst happen. Cash, clothes, and duplicates of all paperwork she can manage become foremost in her mind.
Well, and the Valentine's Day decorating project she forgot. And figuring out just how to celebrate a holiday without paper, plastic, or any of the other not-so-eco-friendly items in her past.
But with a jar of "Kiss Me Hearts" from Joel and a great date with Evan, this year promises to be packed full of romance. But, with a new "roommate" and a new "Soulmate" these guys have more than a little competition for Cassie's affections!
The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#8
The Vintage Wren
Week 8
2017
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes. Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice. But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green. It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly." Week 8: Degrees of Chemical Destruction When she does a little research for cleaning alternatives, Cassie discovers just how many chemicals are being dumped into the waterways every year, and for once, she can actually get behind her latest change. In fact, she may have found her first "cause" that'll stay long after her year of green ends. But physical chemicals aren't the only things she's reducing. Her chemistry takes a hit when she and Evan have yet more relationship problems. Is it time for her to admit defeat in the Evan department or should she continue enjoying the "get-to-know-you" process? The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#10
The Vintage Wren
Week 10
2018
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes. Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice. But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green. It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly." Week 10 March heard the old saying about rolling in like a lion and took it to heart. With an energy conservation failure, her daily infusion of Elevator to Romance making up for it, and getting ready for the opening of her HearthLand store, it seems like life only gets busier and more hectic. It also seems like there's just no time to figure out her male relationships these days, and, since St. Paddy's Day is just around the corner, she's still continuing her daily "Green Challenges." As she said once, "Don’t Have the Energy for This." The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#11
The Vintage Wren
Week 11
2018
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes. Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice. But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green. It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly." Week 11 Just as Elevator to Romance takes an unsettling turn, Cassie has to gear up for the "soft opening" of her store. Things with Evan become even more serious, but does she want it to be? Still, if the sale of almost every large piece she owns is any indication, her store will be a success, but it also means she needs to go shopping fast. #resaletherapy And through it all, the Green Dare continues—with energy savings. Electricity, gas, all the resources. From what light bulb is best, to dryer balls, to foot-powered washing machines, she has some decisions to make, and with the new business, no time to make them! Her friends and family are more concerned than ever, but Lauren and Joel keep the drama at a minimum. If only she could find a way to eradicate drama from her life as easily as she did straws. The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
#12
The Vintage Wren Week 12
2018
The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes. Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice. But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days—of green. It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly." Week 12 Poor Cassie. In the middle of launching her new business, trying to keep her day job, and enjoying her daily infusion of romance by proxy, she doesn't have time for odd shenanigans around her house or at her office. But something is off—or rather, someone. While trying to keep her new store stocked with enough merchandise to keep customers coming back, Cassie has to traipse all over Rockland and Dolman counties in search of the next treasures. Thanks to the rapid growth of her blog readers, she's managing that just fine. However, the government hasn't approved the use of pesticides for human pests, and Cassie's supposed to be sworn off those anyway. That makes things interesting when the people who love her demand that she gets some protection from whoever is stalking her. If that's what's really happening. She can't shop for the shop and sit around waiting for someone to tell her she's safe at the same time. What's an eco-maven-in-the-making to do? The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes (for obvious reasons).
Author
Chautona Havig
Author · 167 books
**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.
