About the Book

Book: The Nutcracker’s Suite

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Christmas Historical Mystery, Fairytale retelling

Release date: November 26, 2021

“Time to dance, sugarplum.”

A painter at the Meyer’s Toys factory, Clarice Stahl, knows something is
strange about the way so many men come and go through Mr. Meyer’s
office, especially one in particular.

Then murder strikes a little too close to home and uncorks a barrel of
secrets.

When mob king, Mario Topo’s, enforcer goes missing the race is on to
prove he’s behind the murder. Police and mobsters alike are after Milo
Natale, and he who finds Milo first might determine the enforcer’s fate.

A race through the city, a new friend… or more… a new life in the
offing. Milo and Clarice must find who killed Topo’s man and why before
the police arrest him for murder or Topo’s men bump him and Clarice off,
too.

This next book in the Ever After Mysteries combines “The Nutcracker
Suite” with a murder mystery set in the heart of 1920s Rockland.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Author of the bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

Here Are Several Fun Facts & a Secret about The Nutcracker’s Suite

You’d think that while writing a book based on the fairy tale of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, I’d have heard “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” in my head as I wrote. Well, I guess for a brief moment I did, because at some point, someone actually says that. “Dance, sugar plum!”

But Tchaikovsky isn’t who played in my head as I wrote. Over and over, word after word, my fingers did their bourres and glissades across my keyboard to one, rather unexpected song. “Ballerina” (I prefer the version sung by Buddy Clark. You can listen HERE.)

However, there are so many elements of the original ballet’s story in mine. I thought I’d share a few of them.

Let’s talk about the cast of characters.

Clarice Stahl is our “leading lady.” It’s kind of obvious where I got her name since the original character was Clara Stahlbaum.

Clarice works for Mr. Dieter Meyer, the owner of Meyer’s Toys. He gives her the job of painting nutcrackers. So, it’s not too difficult to see the connection to Uncle Drosselmeyer who gives Clara the nutcracker, no?

All of 1925 Rockland is in the clutches of mob king, Mario Topo. For those not fluent in Italian, can you guess what “topo” is in that language? Remember… he’s the mob “king.” 

But I think my favorite name of all is Emiliano (I call him Milo) Natale (Christmas in Italian… just sayin’) who is known as “the nutcracker.” He’s an enforcer for Mr. Topo, and that means he squeezes people until they crack and do what Topo wants. Let’s hope he repents!

Yes, I had a boatload of fun coming up with this stuff! How’d you guess?

I have a secret to confess about this book. I’m writing this post when I’m only about a quarter of the way done. I went to get the synopsis for this tour and went, “oops!” You see, I forgot that I’d planned to make Milo going missing a big part of the plot.

Guess who has to flex? I’d better get back to it. They need to figure out who killed our victim… and why. And before Clarice is next!

Interview with Chautona

• What book is currently on your bedside table?

Right now, I’m reading From Sky to Sky by Amanda G. Green. It is the second book in the No Less Days series about people who are unable to die—so a contemporary book set in a familiar world with one fantastical element that creates trouble for them and others. It’s a fascinating premise, and I’ve learned a lot about myself, others, and the Lord while reading this series. So excited to get to the end and find out what happens!

• Can you share with us something about The Nutcracker’s Suite that isn’t in the blurb?

Because this book is about the Nutcracker Suite ballet, I had a lot of elements from the ballet that I could add and either make glaringly obvious or really subtle. Also, because it takes place in my fictional world of Rockland, I could pull in other characters from books in the past and future! For example, Clarice Stahl is obviously Clara Stahlbaum, and Mr. Meyer is obviously Uncle Drosselmeyer. However, other names weren’t so simple. Mario Topo is the name of the mob king in Rockland… Topo is the Italian word for mouse. And… there’s a race through Chinatown. There’s a Russian mob syndicate, and more.

But I think my favorite part is how I was able to bring in characters from other series. Readers of Past Forward will recognize the name Solari… yep. That family makes an appearance. Additionally, a certain Lily Barnes appears. Readers of the Madeline Mysteries will be able to figure out that one! Finally, if you’ve read Operation Posthaste, you may recognize a certain restaurant.

• Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

Well, I’m a sucker for a tough guy with a soft spot. Milo has been sweet on Clarice for some time, but something about her trips him up. He’s managed not to make a fool of himself until now, but yeah… bless his heart. I love his slow realization that maybe ignoring God isn’t such a good idea, and the way he is determined to protect Clarice at any cost—even if it means his life.

• What were the highlight or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

I had a blast coming up with all the elements from the ballet—which ones to use, which to leave out. I loved researching the language and the facts of the time. In this one, the slang is a big part. However, the hardest part was just that—getting accurate information. For example: slang. Several lists show “Ameche” as slang for the telephone in the twenties. I knew it had been slang for the phone, but I also knew that was because Don Ameche, an actor who began his acting career in the 30s played Alexander Graham Bell in a movie… in 1939. There’s no way that they would have called the telephone the Ameche before he was even an actor!

• Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

Well… I’ve been plotting out my next Ever After Mystery. This one takes place in Austria in 1938 during the anschluss. A Ransomed Grete is about Jewish children being sent to a chalet in the woods to protect them from the Nazi regime, but something isn’t right there, and one young man, Hans is determined both to find out what is going on and protect a little girl… Grete.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 26

Blogging With Carol, November 26

Texas Book-aholic, November 27

For the Love of Literature, November 28

By the Book, November 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 29

Inklings and notions, November 29

For Him and My Family, November 30

Rachael’s Inkwell, November 30

deb’s Book Review, December 1

Bizwings Blog, December 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 2

Genesis 5020, December 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 3

Simple Harvest Reads, December 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Connie’s History Classroom, December 4

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, December 4

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 5

Connect in Fiction, December 5

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 6

Mary Hake, December 6

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, December 7

Through the fire blogs, December 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 8

Lots of Helpers, December 8

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, December 9 (Author Interview)

Back Porch Reads, December 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away to three winners one Prize box each including a paperback of The Nutcracker’s Suite, themed goodies, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card in each!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/13cfb/the-nutcracker-s-suite-celebration-tour-giveaway