by Crystal Caudill | Feb 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Just dropping a quick post to let you know about a Historical Romance Recipe book collaboration that I joined in. In this cookbook, you’ll get a recipe from a book from each author, info about the book, and how to connect with them. The only “cost” is to sign up for my newsletter. If you want to follow the other authors in the recipe book, you can click on the links provided inside the book, but you only NEED to sign up for one newsletter (mine) to get it. 🙂 Already a newsletter subscriber? It will be coming out in Tuesday’s newsletter, but I’ve stuck a link for you down below too. 🙂 Happy cooking, y’all!
For NEW Subscribers For CURRENT Subscribers
by Crystal Caudill | Feb 11, 2025 | Author Interviews
It is my pleasure to introduce to you a new-to-me author, Susan G. Mathis.
Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen in her Thousand Islands fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse, and Julia’s Joy, and Emma’s Engagement. Find out more at www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction.
You can connect with her through: Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | BookBub
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Susan with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
SGM: Pineapple pizza (with Canadian bacon please)
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
SGM: Test the waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
SGM: Guacamole
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
SGM: Silly socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
SGM: passwords
I’m such a silly socks person too. In fact, many of our answers would match!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
SGM: I taught Language Arts to middle schoolers for nine years, wrote curriculum for ACSI for five years, then became editor/editorial director at Focus on the Family for nearly a dozen years. So, I’ve had over 1,000 articles and fifteen non-fiction books published. I guess I’ve always had that desire, but when I started writing fiction, I was hooked!
CC: Holy moly! That is a LOT of writing.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
SGM: Well, I had thumb reconstruction surgery in December on my primary writing hand so that’s been a challenge. But generally, I stick to my schedule and work through any obstacles that come my way.
CC: Youch! I bet that is not a fun recovery!
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
SGM: Marketing. It’s an endless task but oh so necessary. If only I could jump into my story world and hang out with my characters all the time, it’d be heavenly. But…as we know…heaven comes later.
CC: I think marketing is the bane of every writer’s existence. LOL
Now I’m excited to talk about Emma’s Engagement.
Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder, the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife with a heart full of hope, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart?
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Barnes & Noble
CC: Which readers will be the ones who most love your book?
SGM: Because I write about real places and people, I want to be as accurate as possible, so I have a Thousand Islands historian who read my story for accuracy. I also like to incorporate as many historic details to make sure my details were correct, and this one took a lot of research since it’s now a privately owned island and lighthouse. Though it’s extra work, it always helps to check with the experts. My readers love that they can depend on the factual history of the story.
CC: Historical accuracy is so important to so many readers!
Who was the most challenging character to create?
SGM: It’s always hard to inflict pain on the characters you’ve grown to love, so having Emma in so much pain from Ada’s rejection and the adjustment to a new marriage and stepparenting was difficult. As readers journey with her, they witness the challenges and the adjustments necessary. Her trials not only reveal Emma’s character but also influences her decisions and relationships throughout the story.
CC: That would be difficult to write!
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
SGM: All fourteen of my Thousand Islands’ stories have hope as the central theme. Hope for a better future. Hope for love. Hope for healing. Emma’s Engagement also focuses on a stepfamily family, healing broken hearts, forgiving those who hurt you, and embracing God’s redemption.
CC: Hope is such a beautiful thing to display and share in our stories.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
If you were stuck on an island, what three items would you have with you?
SGM: My Bible, my computer, and a solar charger. That way, I can keep on writing and reading the word of God.
CC: No rest for the weary when it comes to writing, right?
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Emma’s Engagement and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, what stories have you read that include stepfamilies?
by Crystal Caudill | Feb 4, 2025 | Author Interviews
I’ve been blessed to know and work with Melissa LaShure for the last couple of years. After working so hard to support other historical fiction authors, Melissa has now published her debut novel. I’m so excited for her and proud of her diligence. Melissa is hosting two book club extravaganzas on February 15th (in person in Fairmount, IN) and online on February 22nd with prizes and all sorts of fun. You can find out all the details at https://www.literaryscape.com/events. She is also generously giving away one copy of Unwavering Faith. Scroll to the bottom for details.
Welcome to the world of romance. Author Melissa LaShure writes steamy, adventure-packed, inspirational historical Christian romance novels that feature cowboys taming the Wild West and rescuing damsels in distress. She likes to say she’s packing the heat and riding the line.
Melissa’s writing adventure into the romance genre all started with a book club at her local library. They read an 1800s Wild West cowboy romance that had her hooked and hog-tied. After devouring all the available books in this genre at the library, she quickly recognized their scarcity. By scarce, she means there are very few historical Christian romance novels set in the Wild West that possess the passion and romance depicted in Song of Solomon. So, she wrote her own.
Melissa likes to think of her books as bridging the gap between your typical Christian romance and secular romance. She loves the passion found in secular romances, but as a believer, she is not comfortable with the bedroom scenes. So, Melissa writes books that are packed with passion but leave the bedroom door shut with the goal of pointing readers to Christ. Outside of being an author, Melissa currently works in education as a curriculum director for an amazing school corporation. In addition to that, she hosts the LiteraryScape and Educational Awareness podcasts. When she’s not working, writing, or podcasting, you can find her hanging with her husband or reading a book. Of course, she is always up for exploring new places and enjoying great coffee!
You can connect with her through: Website | Newsletter | YouTube | Rumble | Goodreads | LiteraryScape Podcast
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Melissa with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
ML: Pineapple pizza. I cannot stand candy corn!
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
ML: Test the waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
ML: Guacamole! I love avocados!
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
ML: Silly socks, especially if they are fuzzy and warm!
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
ML: passwords
Fuzzy socks are THE best. So let’s hop into learning a bit about you.
What fiction book has most impacted you?
ML: A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman has impacted me the most for two reasons. First, she packs a punch with her nuggets of truth. Which are the biblical lessons her characters learn. This was the first fiction book that had me reflecting on my relationship with God and drawing closer to Him.
Second, Julie’s writing inspired mine and helped me fine-tune my why for writing. I love romance novels, but I don’t always feel great after reading steamy secular romance. Julie writes steamy, clean romance held within the bounds of matrimony. Her tagline is passion with a purpose. Her goal is to reach readers who are stuck on secular romance. I was so inspired that I made it my purpose for writing as well.
CC: That is definitely a special calling that I know needs answered. A bridge from Secular to Christian is definitely a hard find, but much needed for those looking for that more secular feel.
What is one book you think everyone should read?
ML: What’s the Story Morning Glory is a memoir devotional. Never have I read a devotional that drew me closer to God, like hers. I highly recommend it!
CC: I’ve not heard of that one. I’ll have to look it up.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
ML: When I started writing I just dove in and ran on my own. The first book I published fell flat on its face and I learned a lot of hard lessons. Since then God has become the captain of my writing ship. He has brought so many author friends into my life and experts in the industry who have shared their knowledge with me. I am grateful for His guidance and work to make sure I stay in step with Him!
CC: I love how He directs our writing paths, and no one path looks the same as another.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
ML: Just start writing. As you write, join a writing group and go to conferences. God will bring people into your life that will help you make your writing dreams a reality.
Here’s a bit about Unwavering Faith by Melissa LaShure.
In a lawless land, Brody Young and his Bounty Brothers stare down the face of evil to protect the innocent. They’re known for forcing outlaws to confront justice. Until Brody takes on his first female bounty. Wrongfully accused of murder, Claire Belonge flees Fifth Avenue, New York, in search of her brother in Dodge City. She soon finds herself in over her head in this wild west town. In utter desperation, she turns to the one man who has the ability to save her.
Brody navigates uncharted territory with Claire, his beautiful bounty. She stirs a deep-seated desire to protect her at all costs. As truths are revealed, he’ll have to make a commitment he’s unsure he can honor. Claire’s faith is set to be exposed as she confronts assassins and outlaws. Will Brody’s unwavering faith in God point her to Christ? Is it possible for Brody to safeguard Claire from her enemies and his? Does the happiness they’ve found in each other’s arms have a chance of surviving?
This heart-pounding romance is guaranteed have you gripping the edge of your seat and swooning for our hero.
Purchase your copy at LiteraryScape Shop
CC: Which readers will be the ones who most love your book?
ML: Readers who enjoy historical Christian romance centered around marriages of convenience and suspense will enjoy Unwavering Faith. I do want to note that there is high level of romance as well, all clean, but a little on the steamy side.
CC: I appreciate the warning. Everyone has different preference levels of romance.
Who was the most fun character to create?
ML: I fell in love with Junior. Every time I wrote a scene with him I would tell my husband how much I love that little boy. I think readers will enjoy how Junior brings love and joy into tense situations.
CC: Kids really do add joy to stories and are so much fun to write.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
ML: There are many things I hope readers will take away from Unwavering Faith, but two stand out the most. First, is the importance of being equally yoked. Who we marry is the second most important decision in our life. The first being to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Brody learns that although he entered into this marriage of convenience with noble intentions, he cannot maintain it as long as he and Claire are unequally yoked. The second would be head knowledge versus heart knowledge of Christ. Claire knows all about God and Jesus. She grew up in church and said the prayer of salvation many times, yet she never had a genuine faith and relationship with God. It was not until Brody confronts her fake faith that she realizes she doesn’t really know God at all.
CC: Those are two (and dare I say) three very important things that I know readers will appreciate.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
If you were a pirate, what would be your nickname? Why?
ML: If I were a pirate, my nickname would be Missy Teacher of Men. This is because I am a teacher and always find myself teaching others.
CC: How fun! I like the play on Fisher of Men.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Unwavering Faith and then leave a review on Goodreads. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, what marriage of convenience stories have you read and liked?
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of Unwavering Faith. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on January 21,2025. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
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by Crystal Caudill | Feb 1, 2025 | Book Reviews, Reading Challenge
It’s another month of our challenge: Tackle Your TBR Pile. So go dig through that stack taller than you of books you’ve been meaning to read and start reading away. Since this year is based on your TBR pile, I will not have a recommendations page, but I’m leaving the link here so it’s easier for me to set up NEXT year’s blog posts.
Find recommendations at Reading Challenge Recommendations, Crystal Caudill’s Reading Friends Facebook group, Avid Readers of Christian Fiction, or Inspirational Historical Fiction Index.
Don’t forget to comment at the bottom of the post for your chance to win a book off my prize shelf. *The list of prizes from my shelf can be found here.*
Reading Challenge 2025: Tackle the TBR Pile
If you’re anything like me, you have a TBR pile that is bigger than you can hope to read in a lifetime. This is the year we’re going to try an tackle at least twelve of those books. Head to your shelves and find books that fit each month’s challenge.
This Month: January – Newest book on your TBR pile
Next Month: February – Author of a different generation
The Misadventures of Miss Adelaide
by Maggie Dallen
Review by: Crystal Caudill
As my brain recovered from a massive writing deadline, my attention was caught by a Facebook ad for a set of clean Regency reads from Maggie Dallen. Since they were clean, the price was right, and my brain was not ready for anything more advanced than a simple, light-hearted plot; this fit the bill. I read a set of Christmas novellas from her before this one, but I think those technically still fell in 2024. So far, of what I’ve read of Maggie Dallen, this story has been my favorite. I love the mix of mystery, adventure, romance, and danger. The characters were fun, Addie’s loyalty to saving her brother admirable, and the earl a silent brooding type of hero, but definitely a hero. I find that all of her characters seem to fall in love too quickly or simply, but that is honestly the nature of these types of reads, so I can’t fault the story for that. It was a quick read at 176 pages, and I might read it again one day, but probably not.
Genre: Regency Romance
Plot Overview:
Three unlucky women find love in the unlikeliest places in this sweet regency romance series…
Miss Adelaide is down on her luck and on the run when she finally collapses at Evercliff Manor. Perhaps it’s exhaustion that has her spilling her secrets to the kind doctor tending to her–or maybe it’s his warm, compelling eyes. Then again, maybe it’s just another case of sheer bad luck.
It turns out the kindly doctor who now knows her deepest, darkest secrets is not really a doctor at all. He’s an earl. Worse, he’s her employer. And he’s decided that Adelaide will be his next project. With his assistance, and the help of her newfound friends at the Lovelace School of Charm, Miss Adelaide might just land on her feet. If only she doesn’t lose her heart…
Purchase Links:
Amazon
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month. Use the Rafflecopter below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each month at midnight EST, and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget. *Giveaway Policies can be found here.
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What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
by Crystal Caudill | Jan 28, 2025 | Author Interviews
I love introducing new books and authors to people. I’ve had the blessing of having Laura on here before, but she’s back to talk about her newest release A Hundred Magical Reasons. She is graciously providing a print copy (US Residents only) or e-book (anywhere) of either of her books, A Hundred Magical Reasons or All That is Hidden. Be sure to read all the way to the end to learn the details and enter. Now before we dive in, allow me to introduce you properly.
Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Heidi Chiavaroli. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.
You can connect with her through: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | GoodReads | BookBub
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Laura with rapid-fire.
CC: Rain or snow?
LD: Snow–but only if I don’t have to drive in it!
CC: Makeup or no makeup?
LD: None whatsoever!
CC: Personal maid or personal chef?
LD: Maid–I don’t need fancy meals but I’d love to have someone clean my house!
CC: Arrive early, just on time, or late?
LD: Fashionably late–but not on purpose.
CC: Food fight or water balloon fight?
LD: Water balloons–it’s easier to clean up afterward!
I miss the days when I didn’t have to take clean up into consideration. LOL! But I’m with you on the water balloon fights. So let’s go ahead and dive in.
What kind of stories are your favorite to write?
LD: I love writing the kind of stories I like to read—complex and character-driven with complicated relationships and messy family dynamics. I like delving into the gray, murky areas of life, into false appearances and misjudgments. My stories serve food for thought as well as hope and second chances—tales that “redeem the years the locusts ate.”
CC: I love that, and yes! Writing the kind of stories I like to read is so important. Especially since we have to read them over and over and over and over during the writing and editing processes.
Do you read fiction while you are writing your own stories?
LD: I’m constantly reading, both Christian fiction and general market, plus non-fiction. My favorite genres are historical fiction and contemporary women’s fiction, but I read a variety which includes suspense, mystery, some romance, and occasional YA and fantasy.
Reading fiction keeps me tapped into the book world and also functions as a way to learn from other authors doing their craft. It’s nearly impossible to read a story for mere enjoyment without analyzing and dissecting it as a storyteller. How is the writer drawing me in? How does she raise the stakes? Why am I relating to this character and not that one? Where is she dropping hints that foreshadow? How is this story resonating with me and why?
While I was writing A Hundred Magical Reasons, I needed to be familiar with L. Frank Baum’s stories. He wrote over 70 books, most of them for children, including 14 Oz novels. I read all fourteen, plus several others, and all of his newspaper editorials. Besides the biographies I read, the editorials gave me much insight into his thinking. Then I was better equipped to write him as a character.
CC: I love how that also gives us a peek into your research process.
What is your favorite part about writing?
LD: I have a love/hate relationship with the editing process, especially if the manuscript has become long and unwieldy. I’ve definitely learned how to “slash and burn” my words on the page to cut the manuscript down to more manageable and effective proportions. It’s both painful and rewarding.
CC: There is something satisfying about making the story cleaner and better.
Do you have a general writing process you follow or does it change all the time?
LD: I used to be very organized and showed up with a plan. Nowadays, I only know the direction the story is headed, but am not sure how it will get there. Ideas start percolating when I’m actually sitting down writing a scene. I see connections to other characters and situations that will increase the stakes and further the plot.
I start asking, “What if . . .?” But I also brainstorm, considering which juxtapositions of characters and situations would cause the most tension.
For example, in A Hundred Magical Reasons, I had to consider what could make a good contrast or foil for L. Frank Baum. Enter eight-year-old Janie whose rigid parents have no use for fiction, fantasy, or fairy tales. But the inimitable L. Frank Baum knows how to draw out her imagination. This is a major tension throughout the story.
From there I planned out some basic scenes based on his own family and career timeline and worked the story around those. The details and dialog came as I wrote the scenes.
I do a lot of revising—first expanding, then cutting and/or rearranging. It’s accurate to say that I have revised this particular novel at least fifteen times! Revised not just edited.
CC: It’s definitely a process. I don’t know that I can actually put a number to my revisions. I’m constantly revising as I write.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
LD: Be teachable. Join a writers group that both stretches and encourages you. Improvement comes from getting feedback, then revising. Multiple times.
Read, read, read! Read books in and out of your genre. Read like a writer, not just a reader.
If you’re drawn to writing like bees to nectar, then persevere. If God has given you that desire and some raw talent, cultivate the gift. He’s the ultimate Creator and Storyteller, and He made us in His image. He delights in our creativity.
Meanwhile, keep reminding yourself that the joy is in the journey! It’s not just about the end product but about what we learn and who we meet along the way.
Now I’m excited to talk about A Hundred Magical Reasons.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Scrivenings
CC: What will fans of A Hundred Magical Reasons love about your story and characters?
LD: Whether readers are Oz fans or not, I think they will enjoy getting to know L. Frank Baum. Besides just getting the facts straight about his life, I wanted to create his essence on the page so that readers would experience what it was like to sit on the Baums’ Macatawa porch with him, whether running a printing press or drinking lemonade.
As a storyteller, actor, and author, Baum was constantly creating ways to tell new stories and engage children. I wanted to show how he would draw out Janie’s imagination. Which activities would they do together? What was life like around the dinner table at the Baum household? We know a bit about that from biographies, but I wanted to present Baum through the eyes of a fictional character who visits from year to year.
Additionally, I think readers will love the dialogs and growing friendship between twenty-two-year-old Carrie and eighty-eight-year-old Mrs. Gordon—one facing fears about her future, the other living with regrets about her past.
CC: I never actually knew anything about Mr. Baum, so now I’m fascinated to learn more about him and make him one of my fictional friends.
Why did you write A Hundred Magical Reasons?
LD: While reading a biography about L. Frank Baum, I learned that his family summered at the same lake where our family vacations yearly—at the other end of the Lake Macatawa near Holland, Michigan, and a century earlier. That was a fun little connection.
Additionally, as I learned more about his life, I was smitten. Baum was such an innovative, larger-than-life personality—no surprise there, given that he created the Land of Oz. He was also a family man with a keen understanding of children and a high regard for women. (His mother-in-law was a suffragist!) His humor and creativity gave him the capacity to bounce back from failure many times.
Having always wanted to write a novel set in the turn of the century, Baum fit perfectly into my plans.
CC: How fun! I’ve been to Holland, but I’ve never made it to the lake, now I’ll have to visit for sure!
What is the most fascinating piece of research that shaped your story?
LD: Baum’s life, family, and career ups and downs are the main things that shaped the story. I wanted my two protagonists, Janie (in both timelines) and Carrie (1980), to be impacted by his influence. I just had to figure out how. I wanted to spotlight the Baums’ summers at Michigan’s Macatawa Resort (1898-1910) and his friendship with young Janie. Janie takes on challenges inspired by some of Baum’s career choices.
In 1900, Baum turned 44 and published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Decades later, Janie is all grown up as Mrs. Gordon in 1980, sharing her memoirs with twenty-two-year-old Carrie who has problems of her own. Carrie wants to run a literary-themed café against her parents’ wishes. The two women have more in common than they realize.
CC: A literary-themed café sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to see how Mr. Baum influences her decisions and creation of this magical place.
What is a fun fact about this story that readers might not know?
LD: Most people don’t know that Baum should be credited with the earliest documented original film score back in 1908-1914. Before Hollywood became what it is today, Baum dabbled in film and even created the very first scene of Dorothy stepping from black and white into color—thirty years before the MGM Wizard of Oz movie brought us technicolor.
With so many interests and projects claiming his attention, Baum wanted to be done writing Oz books. He wrote six Oz books, then closed off Oz from the rest of the world—supposedly forever. But thousands of children wrote him, clamoring for more Oz stories. He finally relented, and wrote eight more.
CC: Wow! I had no idea there were fourteen Oz books! I’ve not even read one of them, but now my interest is piqued.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
LD: Baum’s stories are all about stirring the child’s imagination, and that’s a key element of my novel. I firmly believe that since we’re all made in the Creator’s image, everybody is creative in his own way. I hope this story inspires readers to use their own imaginations.
Other themes are woven in too, such as learning to be yourself when others try to keep you in a box. A Hundred Magical Reasons would make a great book club book. I hope the story raises questions and encourages pondering.
CC: I am thoroughly entranced by this book. It’s not my typical read, but I’m picking up a copy now.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
You are in the back of a police car on your way to jail. What did you do, and is anyone with you?
LD: Due to daydreaming, I accidentally walked out of a store with merchandise without paying first!
CC: Oops! That sounds entirely too plausible! LOL Let’s hope that never becomes the case.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out A Hundred Magical Reasons and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, have you ever read the Oz books or seen the movie? What was your favorite part of it?
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of either A Hundred Magical Reasons or All That is Hidden. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 4,2025. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
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Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight. This disgruntled town recluse has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime. 