by Crystal Caudill | Jul 5, 2024 | Reading Challenge
It’s another month our challenge: Unlocking Ecclesiastes 3. I’m so excited to join you again this year with guest reviews from our reading challenge participants. If you want to submit a review for upcoming months, feel free to email me using my contact form. If you are looking for reading suggestions, I’ve cultivated a page just for that. (Note that it is still being updated throughout the year, so feel free to message me with suggestions.) I recommend you also checking Inspirational Historical Fiction Index or the Facebook Group Avid Readers of Christian Fiction or my Facebook group Crystal Caudill’s Reading Friends. I’ll also include a short list at the bottom of this post.
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 available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
Unlocking the Past: Ecclesiastes 3
Just as Ecclesiastes has two opposites in each verse, most months will leave you with two options to choose from.
“For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.”
June Verse: A time to grieve and a time to dance.
Challenge Theme: A book with a funeral or with a character who is a dancer.
July Verse: A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
Challenge Theme: Second Chance Romance or Family/Friend Reconciliation
A Midnight Dance
by Joanna Davidson Politano
Due to deadlines and family needs, I did not get my challenge book read, although I’ve made it 1/3 of the way through and have been enjoying it. So I snuck over to GoodReads and stole some reviews from friends. 🙂
Review by: Multiple people
“This book held within its pages as much grace and drama as ballet itself. Politano is an artist who painting pictures with her words and digging deep into far corners of every reader’s heart. I loved this unique view into the history of theater and ballet and how we can worship God in the form of dance. The mystery woven within kept me turning the pages until the very last with a satisfied sigh.” – Sarah Monzon
“Politano crafts the world of the Victorian ballet with depth and beauty. Her writing is evocative and immersive. All of her characters are well-rounded and layered, but this stirring story best highlights the faith of a young woman in a time when it was believed God and the theatre could never mix. Well-paced and thoroughly mesmerizing, I both savored and devoured every page.” – Stephenia McGee
“The prose of A Midnight Dance is gorgeous. There’s a lyrical flow to this book as graceful as a ballet itself. Highly recommended.” – Rachel McDaniel
Genre: Historical Romance
Plot Overview:
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.
Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?
Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.
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.
*Open to all residents of the contiguous USA, legally able to enter, and an e-book format or Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to those outside that range who are legally able to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Recommendations for July:
- Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill
- Shadow of Truth by Susan Sleeman
- The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin
- The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green
- Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright
- Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes
- Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble
- “A Flood of Love” by Tracie Peterson in Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection
- Remembered by Tamera Alexander
- The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden
- A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 25, 2024 | Book Reviews
Man of Shadow & Mist
by Michelle Griep
Review:
From the very first time I read The Noble Guardian from Michelle Griep, I thought there was no book–no hero–I could love better. And once again, Michelle Griep has proved me wrong. This may be my absolute new favorite from her, and that is saying something. Mobs, a man who cannot expose himself to the light, a romance that overcomes it all, AND Dracula? What more could I ask for? Fans of gothic romance are going to swoon over this story. Seriously, just writing this review makes me want to go back and read it again just for pleasure. This a book NOT to be missed, especially if you are a fan of Dracula on any level. Once again, Griep’s attention to historical detail is amazing, and I learned so much while being completely consumed by this enthralling tale. If you’ve not read it, be prepare: I WILL force you to read this book. 🙂 So save yourself the trouble. Hanging garlic won’t stop me. Go read this book.
Genre: Historical Romance, 1880s England
Plot:
“The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.” –Bram Stoker, Dracula
England, 1890
Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.
James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.
When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.
Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?
Author Website: https://michellegriep.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 18, 2024 | Author Interviews
The Christian Fiction community is a wonderful place to meet other writers who love to support one another. I’ve yet to meet Greta in person, but we have “met” online a few times through various writing conferences and groups. I am pleased to introduce her to you and her historical romance, The Rejected Mail-Order Bride.
Greta Picklesimer is a Christian historical romance author with two traditionally published books under her belt and another one in the works. Her books are set in Kentucky because she spent many happy summer family vacations visiting relatives and exploring the hills in the eastern part of the state. She was raised by Kentucky transplanted parents in Michigan.
When she is not writing, she spends her time working on her art/scrapbook journal, listening to audiobooks and dreaming up her next novel. She is owned by one rescue cat she named Pearlie Blue after one of her father’s favorite Bluegrass songs. By day, Greta works as an office assistant. At night, she writes.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | TikTok
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Greta with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
GP: Can’t I have both together? Candy corn on a pineapple pizza? (Um, yuck!) Okay, so if I have to choose one pineapple pizza.
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
GP: Test. Always test.
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
GP: Guacamole–yum.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
GP: If the silly hats are really small and hard to see from a distance, then silly hats. I would love to wear silly socks, but I wear compression stockings to keep my lymphedema under control.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
GP: Passwords. I have 35 pages of passwords. I did have 40 pages but spent part of this morning paring them down.
Passwords are so hard to keep track of! I use an app to help me. Alright, let’s dive in to the meat of this interview.
What book has most impacted you?
GP: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I was transported into the magical world of Narnia each and every time I read it. I was so impressed by Aslan (as a form of Christ) that I opted for the face of a lion on my class ring instead of the school mascot.
CC: That seems to be a pretty popular answer. How cool that you chose Aslan over your school mascot for your ring.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
GP: When I was eight years old, I started writing stories about imaginary worlds. I wrote short, one-act plays that my cousin and I acted out. Or tried to act out. They were mainly about monsters.
CC: How fun! I hope you kept some of those stories around.
What does your writing process look like in general?
GP: I usually write in the evenings when I get home from my job as an office assistant. Sometimes that means I go to bed right after eating and wake a few hours later to write. I don’t have a husband or children to interrupt me, but find I work better when I am rested. A nap is a wonderful thing. When I get an idea for a novel, I mull it over in my mind and let it take shape. I write out a very rough draft like one or two or more pages getting the most important details down on computer or paper. After the idea “cooks” for a while I start the actual process of writing and just let the words flow. I usually try to write 1,000 words in one sitting which can take about an hour or so. Don’t let that fool you. I’m a slow writer and don’t always come home from work and write. I’m a panster. Meaning I write by the seat of my pants (mostly). I don’t know everything that happens in my novels from start to finish. Sometimes the characters surprise me with their antics.
CC: It sounds like you are very disciplined, and I concur. Naps are beautiful things.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
GP: What kills writing for me? Fear. Fear of not being able to come up with the next sentence in my novel.
CC: I can relate to that.
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
GP: I fell back in October 2022 and ruptured my left patella tendon. I spent ten days in the hospital and two and a half months in a nursing home. That injury took a toll on my desire to write. I still struggle to get words on the page as often as I like.
CC: That is definitely something hard to come back from.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
GP: He’s helping me discover my gift for writing and use it (try to use it) for His glory. My books have to do with second chances by imperfect characters that have made plenty of mistakes. The Lord plays a role in forgiving their sins and directing their lives.
CC: It is definitely a blessing to write for the Lord and try our best to reflect Him in our stories.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
GP: Yes, don’t let anyone stop you or say you can’t do it. You can do it. Read how-to books in the genre in which you want to write. Get involved in local groups for writers.
CC: All fantastic advice. Writing can be a very discouraging profession.
Now I’m excited to talk about The Rejected Mail-Order Bride.
When Rose Henderson steps off the train at the Harrisville Depot, she is confident that she can make a new start as a hatmaker and create a home for herself as far away from her father and his plans for her as possible. But when she meets the man who has promised to marry her, she suddenly finds her plans beginning to unravel. With barely any money to her name and an unstable future ahead of her, will Rose be able to find a place for herself in Harrisville, or will she have to succumb to her father’s will instead?
Harl Adams is a self-proclaimed bachelor, content to live on his family’s apple orchard and take care of his mother and the farm. Harl’s past as a soldier in the Civil War still haunts him, keeping him from any possible future with a wife and children. But when he meets Rose Henderson, Harl sees things quite differently. Rose is unlike any woman he has ever met before, and she challenges him to see things in a whole new way. Unfortunately, Rose has come to Harrisville to marry someone else, and Rose does not share the same faith that Harl does.
With a past chasing at her heels and an unsure future in front of her, what choice will Rose make?
Purchase your copy at Amazon
CC: Where did you get the idea for this story?
GP: For The Rejected Mail-Order Bride historical novel, I knew I wanted to have a plump woman who is rejected for her size by her would-be groom as soon as she gets off the train to meet him.
CC: Rejection is so hard to walk through, especially when done strictly on the basis of looks.
What about this story drew you to it?
GP: I am a larger woman and could relate to Rose’s plight. Though I’ve never been a rejected mail-order bride or left at the altar, I could relate to being rejected for my size.
CC: I am so sorry that is something you’ve had to walk through.
Which character was the most fun to create?
GP: I really enjoyed highlighting just how much of a scoundrel Cletus Tooth, a character from the first book, Second Chance at Happiness, was in this book. He has some great lines. I think writing a pseudo-villain was fun.
CC: Villains really as so much fun to write. It’s been great having you here, but now it’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
What animal is most like you?
GP: Cat because I love solitude and taking naps.
CC: Naps are soooooo delightful. In fact, I think I’m ready to take one now. Although I don’t think my family will appreciate me ditching them to do so.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Rejected Mail-Order Bride and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Greta is graciously providing one U.S. resident, 18 years and older, with wither an e-book or print copy of The Rejected Mail-Order Bride. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on June 25.
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Reader, what types of characters would you like to see more of in Christian fiction?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 11, 2024 | Book Reviews
To Catch a Coronet
by Grace Hitchcock
Review:
I was blessed to read Grace Hitchcock’s debut Regency romance for endorsement last Thanksgiving. Here is my official endorsement:
With ingredients of romance, history, danger, and her signature humor, Grace Hitchcock has baked up a delectable treat with her debut Regency Romance. Long-time Regency fans will devour this fresh take on ballroom romance as eagerly as Captain Erik Draycott did Muriel Beau’s creations. Picking up this read won’t add to your waistline but it will leave you pleasantly satisfied and craving the next installment of Hitchcock’s take on Regency romance. ~ Crystal Caudill, Carol Award Finalist and author of Counterfeit Love
But that is not all I want to say about her book. After all, you’re only allowed so many words in an endorsement. This probably has to be my favorite Grace Hitchcock book so far. And that is saying something because I absolutely adored The White City, now renamed Miss Wylde in the White City.
Muriel’s baking history and insecurities were ones I could identify with. I cannot tell you how horrified I felt for her in the first chapter (you’ll just have to check out the preview HERE to see what I mean). And then her first meeting with Erik? Oh my goodness!! I was rolling with laughter. Without giving too much away, I was thrilled by the adventure and danger aspect of the romance story. You know me. There is nothing I like more than a good villain or two, and this one had me guessing until the reveal–although I did have my suspicions.
Believe me, this is a story you don’t want to miss. AND Grace included a scone recipe at the end!!! You better believe that I’ve cooked up a batch or two by now. You can learn more about the story below.
Genre: Regency Romance, England, 1813
Plot:
Sometimes the only way to outsmart a scandal is to find a crown big enough to silence it.
Muriel Beau, country baker turned heiress, can’t stop instigating outrage. She discards two arranged engagements, then further antagonizes in Kent society by publicly proposing to a baron at a ball. His rejection leaves her with no choice but to flee to the city and to secure a coronet so splendid that her peers will forget her debacles. The glitter of the London courts convinces Muriel that it’s possible to find the future she dreams of, until she finds herself entangled in yet another escapade–one that may cost her more than her crumbling reputation.
After years of serving as a privateer under an assumed name, Captain Erik Draycott, heir to Draycott Castle and soon to assume his uncle’s title of Earl, returns to his London home to find it in disrepair thanks to his longtime nemesis. A staunch bachelor intent on returning to his ship, the captain now finds himself in dire need of a wife.
But while his pauper status causes the potential London brides to turn their noses up at him, the Kent brides have no such qualms and are eager to fill his coffers with their fathers’ wealth. When he encounters the unconventional Muriel Beau and she becomes embroiled in his risky undertaking, Erik is torn between staying put to protect this enchanting country lady and heeding the call of the high seas.
Author Website: https://gracehitchcockbooks.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble
What do you like most about a good Regency novel?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 5, 2024 | Author Interviews
I love getting the chance to meet new-to-me authors. This interview was one such blessing. Not only does Dr. Lisa L Dorsey have a thrilling split-time debut releasing this month, but she also has a Bible study in the works called The Making of Deborah. I encourage you to check out her website to find out more. Today we’re focusing on her and Petra: An Unbroken Legacy. If you order your copy of her book from www.petraanunbrokenlegacy.com, you will get a personalized signed copy of the book and a free bookmark.
Now allow me to introduce you to this woman who is passionate about God’s word and the stories He’s given her to write.
Dr. Lisa L. Dorsey has extensive experience in business and ministry and is accomplished in academia with two earned doctorates. She developed a passion for reading, writing, theater, and the arts in early childhood. She now combines her expertise, experience, and passions to write compelling stories that reveal the saving grace of Jesus Christ, building a spiritual legacy grounded in God’s Love, Word, and Wisdom. She resides in California with her husband and has four children, one daughter-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren.
Connect with her: Book Website | Author Webite | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Lisa with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
DrLD: PIneapple Pizza
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
DrLD: Test the Waters
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
DrLD: Guac
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
DrLD: Silly Socks
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
DrLD: Secret Handshakes
I see we have a lot in common. I’d answer nearly identically.
What book has most impacted you?
DrLD: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar. This was one of the first biblical fiction books I read that impacted me to the point that I became obsessed with this genre. At the time, there were not enough books in this genre for me to devour. I would have to wait months before the next book came out. I would search hours on Amazon and other book sites for similar books. As a result, I now write in the genre I have come to love so dearly. I read voraciously because, at the time, it was my escape from a very demanding life. I would get lost in the biblical stories and characters and learn ways to navigate the stress in my life. It also fueled my love of the Bible, and I found myself fact-checking everything, and as a result, I became a self-made historian.
CC: I love how fiction can really change the direction of our lives. It’s such a beautiful ministry, and how cool that Tessa Afshar’s book was that for you.
What is one book you think everyone should read (aside from the Bible)?
DrLD: A Tale of Two Cities. I fell in love with this book in middle school because of the paradoxes it portrayed. It fueled my love of reading and thinking outside the box and beyond the mundane. Life is not always linear. It’s messy, chaotic, convoluted, and everything is not always as it appears. I began to formulate this concept of multiple perspectives and the best way to describe this is by quoting the Apostle Paul, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. We are each created uniquely in the image of God and I strive to see the good parts of people that show glimpses of our Heavenly Father, even when outwardly they show us their worst.
CC: That is beautiful, and you are so right. Life is not linear, and it can be soo hard. I love that you practice seeing the good parts of people as a reflection of our Heavenly Father.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
DrLD: When I retired from the business world I planned to travel the world and enjoy the latter years of my life in retirement. The Lord had other plans. I received the first ten thousand words of my manuscript for “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” in a series of dreams right down to the names of key characters. There was an overarching theme, or more like a clarion call to bring to the forefront the importance of building a spiritual legacy for our families grounded in God’s Love, Word, and Wisdom. There was a second call to the care of the human soul.
At first, I had difficulty finding the connections to my writing fiction. Over time the connection came like an “Ah ha” moment. I began to formulate character profiles and take key characters through a journey of healing or “soul care” tending to the issues of their heart, mind, and will or decision-making based on the issues that flowed from their heart and thought life. This has been an amazing process because I believe the novel will draw the reader into the narrative and the biblical stories, bringing the Bible alive and off the pages and into the minds and hearts of the readers. The personal trials and journeys of the characters will resonate with the reader’s own experiences of adversity, disappointment, resilience, and hope.
CC: It sounds like God has gifted you not only with a powerful story, but the journey in writing it that has drawn you closer to Him and deeper in understanding.
Let’s go ahead and talk about Petra: An Unbroken Legacy.
“Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” is a gripping tale of intrigue, adventure, and romance, set in a dual timeline that transports you to a realm where history and destiny collide in the heart of Petra. Follow the compelling journey of Kasim and Issa as they navigate a world of ancient secrets, where faith, love, and legacy intertwine to create an epic saga with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Kasim, the inheritor of a profound heritage steeped in first-century Christian tradition, holds the keys to ancient secrets that need protecting. Issa, a renowned archeologist, joins Kasim on a quest to unveil centuries-old mysteries.
Kasim bears the weight of his family’s destiny, wrestling with the conflicting demands of duty, faith, and love. Issa grapples with loss, loneliness, and insecurity and struggles to find her place in Kasim’s world of wealth, power, and prestige. Some in Kasim’s family see Issa as a threat, yet they need her expertise to unearth the lost letters written by the Apostle Paul to the Arab Christians to validate their legacy.
As their journey unfolds, danger and hardships test their love and faith. Issa must have faith in God’s love to sustain her and trust His will for her life. Kasim must learn that trusting in the Lord means leaving Issa in God’s care, even if it means losing her. Together, their journey through biblical narratives and personal trials will resonate with the reader’s own experiences of adversity, disappointment, resilience, and hope.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Book Website
CC: What about this story drew you to it?
DrLD: What drew me to the story was the diversity of people and groups who were present on the Day of Pentecost, and the Arabs were one of them. They appeared to be Jewish proselytes as they were gathered with Jews from every nation. The fact that there were Arabs who were converted to Christianity in the first century and that there are still Arabs who are dedicated to the Christian Faith today is no coincidence, given the unrest in the Middle East today. This leads to the deeper question as to what their role could be in opening dialogue and peaceful resolutions in times of great unrest.
CC: That is definitely an inspiring concept and so neat to see God’s faithfulness, even in areas of unrest.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this book?
DrLD: There were two interesting historical facts I discovered. The first is the findings at Tel Dan that were made by Dr. Avraham, whose name I maintained as a charcter in the book. There was a stela found during an archeological dig revealing the first evidence of the house of King David from the Bible. Second was the differing scholarly views of what the Apostle Paul did during his time in Arabia. The Bible only states he spent time in Arabia but we do not know what he exactly did during that time. I chose to align with the theory of Dr. Ben Witherington III that Paul had a life in Arabia.
CC: Fascinating. Now I want to go do some of my own research to learn more.
Which character do you resonate with the most?
DrLD: Like my protagonist Dr. Issa Stevens, I love all things ancient, especially when it relates to Biblical stories. I believe that history guides our path to truth and wisdom so that we cultivate the best of it while learning not to repeat its mistakes. As such, I believe Biblical fiction is where the past meets the present, and it speaks to the deepest parts of the human soul and offers hope in God. I also resonate with Dr. Issa’s past childhood experiences that have shaped her present insecurities, including self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. I take the readers on a journey with Dr. Issa as she navigates through life, learning to trust the Lord’s plans for her even in her darkest hours. Issa must have faith in God’s love to sustain her as she learns that her life is hidden in Christ and her identity and purpose are forged in the One who created her and He has given her a voice of hope.
CC: I can tell from what you’ve said that she must be a very deep and realistic character. Those are some hard things to overcome.
Which readers will be the ones who most love this book?
DrLD: Readers who like intrigue, adventure, and romance will love this book. “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” has something for everyone. This dual timeline novel portrays real-life characterizations of the human soul with all the emotions and struggles we face as human beings. The historical component adds depth for the reader as the novel spans time, generations, and cultures exploring the depths of faith, family, legacy, and the pursuit of truth. Through the intertwined destinies of its characters, from Jerusalem to the ancient Arabian desert to the modern-day Middle East and beyond, the narrative captures the essence of the human soul and its resilience, and the impact of history on present-day life.
CC: Well, there you have it! If you’re that kind of reader, this is a book you’ll want to check out. Now It’s time to wrap up our interview with a fun question.
What animal is most like you?
DrLD: A Chihuahua. They are good companions and love hard, but don’t rub them the wrong way because they can be quite feisty.
CC: LOL We have a fifteen year old mix and I can testify to this.
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Petra: An Unbroken Legacy and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, do you have any family legacies? Or perhaps things you hope are passed down through the generations?
