by Crystal Caudill | Jul 11, 2023 | Book Reviews
The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice
by Clari Dees
Review:
Sometimes you just need a good ol’ Western to read. Clari Dees did not disappoint with The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice. The story was well-written, lively, engaging and never dull, surprising, and also contained a spiritual element that was light, yet solidly done.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tremain’s determination to capture and keep ahold of the slippery Emmalena. When he realized more was going on than a simple pick up a thief and haul her back, he was equally determined to protect her and root up the truth. His character arc was believable, respectable, and one I enjoyed watching him grow through.
Emmalena was probably my favorite character. She was a woman capable of taking care of herself, yet knew her limitations–even if she did push them on occasion. She might have been on the run, but she had a good heart and a good reason to stay hidden.
Watching these two as they fought against, with, and then for each other was a delight that I intend to repeat.
I definitely recommend this book to fans of Pinkerton stories, westerns, and historical suspense. This was my first book from Clari Dees, but I loved it and am already picking up my copy of the second book, Claiming the Bounty Hunter’s Heart.
Genre: Western
Plot:
He’s searching for justice. He just didn’t expect it to be her.
Pinkerton agent, Tremain Taggart, has dangerous criminals to investigate and apprehend. He doesn’t have time to escort a petty thief to Denver, but the quicker he completes the assignment his superior ordered him on, the quicker he can return to more important cases. However, the straightforward task promptly turns into the most complicated, chaotic chase of his career, and if he ever gets his hands on the elusive Miss Justice, he will be sorely tempted to wring her neck.
All Emmalena wanted was a tiny corner of the world to call her own. But after running away from the circus—the only life she’s ever known—all she’s found is trouble. And now she’s on the run, again. This time with a disturbing Pinkerton hot on her trail. If she can’t outrun or outwit him, she might have to risk her heart and actually trust him.
She’s the assignment he didn’t want. He’s the complication she didn’t need. But together, they might be exactly what they were each searching for.
Author Website: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Clari%20Dees/author/B00BQ38Z4S
Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 4, 2023 | Book Reviews
Under Fire
by Lynn Blackburn
Review:
This was my first series from Lynn Blackburn, and I loved it so much that I bought physical copies of the book after borrowing the audiobooks from the library. The Defend and Protect series was a great mix of suspense and romance, and it focused on the Secret Service. No surprise there why it intrigued me. With all the underlying tension between Tessa and Zane throughout books 1 and 2, I couldn’t WAIT to read their story.
While I did really enjoy the book, it ended up not being my favorite of the three. The suspense and action were a lot slower for the most part, and the romance was way up. It was perfect for those who love the will-they or won’t-they get together books, with special looks, pet names, and kisses. I tend to prefer suspense over romance and this book was definitely a romance over suspense. I still really enjoyed it, and I really appreciated the touching on alcoholism. Overall, it is a book I recommend and will probably enjoy again in the future.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Plot:
USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend–and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.
Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president’s protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light.
Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?
Sparks fly as award-winning romantic suspense writer Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her Defend and Protect series with this explosive tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and relationships restored.
Lynn Blackburn’s Website: https://www.lynnhblackburn.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Baker Book House | Christianbook
Have you read the series? Which book was your favorite? Have you read any of Lynn Blackburn’s other books? Recommendations for a next read from her? Or if you haven’t read her yet, are you intrigued?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 30, 2023 | Book Reviews, Reading Challenge
It’s time for a new season of the Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge: Unlock an Adventure. I’m so excited to be joining you on an adventure this year with guest reviews from members of our reading challenge participants. If you have a review you’d like to submit for upcoming months, feel free to sign up for a month here and use the Google form to submit your review. As my time has become too limited to do a suggestions post each month, I encourage you to jump over to the Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge page and ask for suggestions from there or from any of a number of amazing reader groups like Avid Readers of Christian Fiction and you can visit Christian Historical Fiction Index.
*The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
June’s Theme: Treasure Hunt
July’s Theme: Heroines in Unusual Professions for Their Time
The Maid of Ballymacool
by Jennifer Deibel
Review by: Crystal Caudill
This was my first Jennifer Deibel book, but it will not be my last. I was thoroughly transported to early 20th-century Ireland–so much so that after listening to the audiobook, my accent was slightly altered for days. Oops. The mystery surrounding Brianna’s life was enjoyable and had several twists I hadn’t expected despite having a good idea of where things were going. The spiritual thread was natural and refreshing. The romance was sweet in ways that become even sweeter as more of the story was revealed. The characters were multi-layered, real, and became some of my best friends. When you are an avid reader (and now a writer in my case) it becomes harder and harder to find stories that just completely absorb you. This one did, and I’m looking forward to reading through Mrs. Deibel’s other books.
For Fans of: Irish settings, family mysteries, historical romances that make you feel a part of the world, spiritual threads that refresh and make you think without hitting you over the head
Genre: Historical Romance, early 1900s
Plot Overview:
Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.
When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.
Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Baker Bookhouse | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Christianbook.com
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month, and you will also be entered into the year-end Grand Prize Reader Basket. 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 don’t the Rafflecopter widget. (This month’s giveaway will be drawn later as I will have limited internet connectivity until the middle of the month, meaning my response comments will also come at the middle of the month.)
*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.
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Suggested reads for July:
Courting Misfortune & Engaging Deception by Regina Jennings
Angelinga’s Resolve by Cindy Ervin Huff
Enduring Dreams by Sandra Ardoin
The Icecutter’s Daughter by Tracie Peterson
To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano
A Model of Devotion by Mary Connealy
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it? Any suggestions for July’s book challenge?
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 20, 2023 | Character Interview
Welcome to another meet the character. I’ve become a fan of Carolyn Miller’s sports romances. They’re just so fun and different from my typical read, and before I go any further, I want to share two promotions she’s doing right now. Muskoka Blue, book 6 (but can be read without the others) in the Original Six Hockey Romance Series, is on sale for $0.99. AND TODAY is her new release of Love Somebody Like You, which has a special introductory price of $0.99. So hop over and check out those two reads after you get the chance to meet Hannah Wade from Fire and Ice.
Before I introduce her, here’s a bit about her book:
Fire and Ice by Carolyn Miller
Hannah Wade’s heart might’ve once been touched by a rancher’s son, but her real passion has always been sports. Years later, when her sports career is cut short by injury, she jumps at the chance to be one of Calgary’s first female sports reporters. Trouble is, some of the old dinosaurs she works with think she’s only there to look good, add ratings, and stir controversy among the fiercely loyal hockey fans. She longs to prove herself, so when an opportunity comes along to interview newly traded defenseman Franklin James, she meets him. Or, more accurately, re-meets him. With disastrous effect.
Growing up with three sisters means Franklin thought he knew something about women, but nothing had ever prepared him for the sparkling firecracker that is Hannah. And yet her vibrant personality holds a sweetness and soft side, something that draws his interest and protectiveness when an interview goes south. And there’s something about her that’s vaguely familiar…
Can these two overcome prejudice and find a way forward? And what has faith – or the lack of – got to do with anything?
Fire and Ice is a second-chance, forbidden romance and the first book in the new Northwest Ice hockey romance series, a sweet and swoony, slightly sporty, Christian contemporary romance series, perfect for fans of Becky Wade, Courtney Walsh, and Susan May Warren.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Books2Read
Now for our interview with Hannah.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Hannah. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
HW: Hi. I’m Hannah Wade, a sports reporter for one of Calgary’s TV stations. People tell me I’m strong, smart, and can be sassy, but I prefer to think of myself as assertive. Which you’d think would make me the perfect fit to interview Calgary’s newest handsome hockey recruit. Except, he’s the guy who years ago got away…
CC: Oh no!! That must make for one awkward interview. Umm. . . So you can you tell us about him?
HW: Franklin James is – okay, I know it sounds corny – but he’s actually kind of dreamy. He’s tall, handsome, with blue eyes that seem to look straight through a person. But more than that, he’s a good guy. He’s decent, strong, got manners, he might have muscles to spare, but you can tell he’s from a loving family and that he’s been raised right. He’s a Christian, which probably has a lot to do with why he is so nice that nobody has a bad word to say about him. And as for his kisses…
CC: Oh my. Kisses??? Mmmm-hmmm. Definitely probably an awkward interview. And I imagine that wasn’t too helpful for your career. Being a sports interviewer in a male-dominated world must be hard. Who is your least favorite person to deal with?
HW: Gosh, some of the guys I work with seem to have forgotten it’s the twenty-first century. But while they may be dinosaurs, they’re not as creepy as some of Franklin James’s teammates, one of whom at least seems to think it’s okay to threaten a woman. As a female sports reporter, I’m used to guys belittling me, or reducing me to my looks (I know female sports reporters who have even had hot dogs thrown at them!), but this dude is on a whole other level of nasty.
CC: Yuck. That does not sound good. So let’s flip the questions and find out some of the good people in your life. Who is your favorite person to deal with?
HW: I have three favorite people: it may come as no surprise but one of my fave people is Franklin James (bc he’s just the archetype of a hero). Franklin’s sister Cassie (she runs her family’s ranch’s movie set!) is such a sweetheart and cheerleader of a friend. And another person I’ve come to know and love is Bree Vaughan, wife of Calgary’s hockey captain Mike Vaughan, and another all-round sweetheart and champion of women. I’d happily spend hours talking with any of them, as they all always build me up and remind me where I should be finding my hope and strength (hint: God, not me). I love them all to bits.
CC: It is so great to have those sorts of people in your life. But that doesn’t mean life can’t be hard. What are you biggest struggles?
HW: I sometimes feel like I’m a fraud. People might see someone who can seem tough, but inside I feel a little broken sometimes, like I’m unloveable. I think my dad leaving and my mom’s focus on work only exacerbated this, and I’m not sure God loves me either. I’d love to feel like I can be strong and loved and maybe one day have a family like Franklin’s awesome parents and sisters, but it’s scary to think that means I need to become vulnerable. Or maybe I just scare guys off. It happened in the past.
CC: Hugs. I think we all feel like frauds and vulnerable at times. It’s a hard place to be, but I’m sure with the help of those favorite people throughout your story, we may get to see you become more confident in God’s love for you and who you are in Him. It sounds like your family life has been a rough one. So do you enjoy family gatherings?
HW: Ever since my dad left, it’s only been my mom and me, and now it seems like she barely notices me, as she’s so busy focusing on her university career. So while Mom and I try to get together, it’s more out of obligation than anything else. Don’t get me wrong: I love her. Just don’t always feel the love from her, if you know what I mean.
CC: My heart just breaks for you, Hannah. I look forward to reading your story and seeing how love finds its way into your life. For our last question, if there is one thing you could tell my readers, what would it be?
HW: I used to think that independence was the way to go, that I couldn’t rely on anyone else but myself because people always let me down. That meant I started being the first to cut ties so I didn’t get hurt and could feel like I was in control. And it worked – until my body let me down. Now I know that I need people, I need relationships, and I can’t do things on my own. And not just people. I need God. I long thought I had to have things together so people would be impressed enough to love me. Now I know that God loves me anyway – despite all my flaws and failures. So I guess if there’s anything I want people to know it’s that God loves you, just like He loves me. And when we start trusting Him with our lives He has a way of working things out for our good. I’ve seen it in my life, and I’ve seen it happen in other people’s lives too.
Such a powerful message. Thank you so much for joining us today, Hannah! Readers, I hope you’ll pop over to Amazon and pick up Fire and Ice to read Hannah’s full story.
About Carolyn Miller:
Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and LM Montgomery, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her contemporary romance series includes the Original Six hockey romance series, Muskoka Romance series, and the Independence Islands series, and her historical series include the Regency Brides and Regency Wallflowers series.
Connect with Carolyn: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads
Readers, Fire and Ice has to do with a female reporter and hockey. What other books have you read with either one? Do sports books interest you? (I know I was pleasantly surprised.)
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 14, 2023 | Book and Writing Events, Counterfeit Faith, Crystal's Books, History Facts
Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes!
- The hunt BEGINS on 6/15 at noon MST with Stop #1 at LisaTawnBergren.com.
- Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).
- There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 6/18 at midnight MST)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books and learn new things about them.
- Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at the final stop, back on Lisa’s site. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!
Whether you’re already a fan or I’m a new-to-you author, welcome! I’m Crystal Caudill, and I love to write spiritually rich historical romances fraught with danger and suspense. I do a ton of research with each of my books, and I have an entire shelf dedicated to what my children call “the murder shelf,” aka my criminal investigation, how to commit crimes, and poisonous plants books. You can find out more about me, my books, and my monthly reading challenge here on my website and on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, GoodReads, or BookBub. Despite what my “murder shelf” indicates, I’m not a criminal. I just write romance stories that often contain crimes. You can read about my latest crime-related release, Counterfeit Faith, below:
As Matron of Final Chance House of Refuge, Gwendolyn Ellison is responsible for the care and reformation of children deemed delinquents by society. When she discovers someone is abusing the children, she seeks to expose the abuse. But someone wants to keep it and their other secrets hidden, even if it means committing murder. Secret Service operative Josiah Isaacs can’t help but rescue a damsel-in-distress, but saving Gwendolyn leads to his discovery of a counterfeiting scheme that jeopardizes both Gwendolyn’s and the children’s lives. As they work together to solve the case and protect the children, attraction sparks between them. But Josiah is put off by Gwendolyn’s faith in a God he no longer trusts. If they survive, is a future together even possible when their beliefs are at odds?
The idea for this novel’s crime came from newspaper clippings I found while researching counterfeiting and the Secret Service. And now, it is my nerdy little joy to teach you something criminal . . .
How to Con a Con
I think everyone on the internet has received at least one email where a scammer tries to trick you into buying something fake so they can take your money. Generally, these con men are preying on innocent people. However, late 19th-century con men had their eyes on a completely different mark for their scheming ways: other con men. This tactic was so often used and so well-known that the newspapers consistently printed warnings and example letters. This con even had its own special name: The Green Goods Game.
So for your entertainment purposes only, I present “How to Con a Con.”
Example circular of a Green Goods Game scheme as printed in the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette on 8/10/1890.
The Target: Merchants and shop owners who are likely to pass counterfeits off to their customers as they conduct regular business. Identify struggling merchants, particularly those who are more likely to bend their moral stances to save their stores or those you already know or suspect will buy counterfeits.
The Strategy: Mail circulars to targeted businessmen and indicate you have counterfeit money of good quality to sell at a reasonable price. Flatter and appeal to their sense of working with a friend. Have them respond to you by mail with their signature, address, and the phrase: “Please send me terms, particulars, &c.’
If they respond, provide an “example” of your work in the form of a genuine one-dollar note. Then, when they purchase said counterfeit money, either have them meet you to pick up their product or mail it to them.
1880 One Dollar Legal Tender Bank Note
The Trade and the REAL Product: If your client wishes to see the product before exchanging money, it may be necessary to set up a switch. Show them some genuine notes, cause a distraction, and then provide them with a roll of green-dyed paper with a genuine note facing out on each side. Otherwise, if they mail you the money, there is no need to mail them anything back.
Why It Works: What person will report to the police that they were conned while attempting to purchase counterfeit money? After all, purchasing counterfeit money is a punishable crime in and of itself.
WARNING: If the Post-office Inspector discovers you are participating in this scheme, you will be arrested and held with a default bail of $2,500 (about $83,000 today).
So reader, are you willing to take the risk to con a con?
Here’s Your Critical Stop #13 Info:
If you’re interested, you can order Counterfeit Faith on Amazon, Baker Book House, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com or at your local bookstore!
Clue to Write Down: and just
Link to Stop #14, the Next Stop on the Loop: Roseanna M. White’s site!
But wait!!! Don’t go yet!!
I’m holding my own giveaway right here! All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter. (You’ll get Counterfeit Truth free out of the deal too!) Bonus points to those who follow me on Bookbub and/or Facebook. Just use the King Sumo widget below. This is open to everyone who is legally able to participate, but if you are an international reader, I will send you an Amazon gift card and some bookmarks, stickers, and a signed bookplate instead. The winner of this giveaway will be selected on June 19th and notified by email afterward. What are you winning? Glad you asked . . .
Prize: Homemade Booksleeve, Set of Page Flags, Bible Journaling Stickers, Set of Book Quote Stickers, Metalic Ink Pens, Counterfeit Love Notebook (to journal in or better yet! Keep track of all your great reads), Counterfeit Money Detector, and a Set of Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age bookmarks.
And if you are having trouble getting entered, just shoot me a note through my contact form, or comment below. Bonus entries for signing up for my newsletter, following me on BookBub, GoodReads, or Facebook.
Best of luck, and happy hunting! – Crystal
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