Crystal Caudill

RCR: Dead Wrong by

by Crystal Caudill | Apr 30, 2023 | Book Reviews, Reading Challenge

It’s time for another month 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.

*The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*

April’s Theme: Lawman Hero

*May’s Theme: Exploration or Pioneering

*suggestions can be found at the end of the post.

While this book is not a historical, it is ChristianFiction. 🙂

Dead Wrong: A Cozy Mystery

(Agatha’s Amish B&B Book 1)

by Vannetta Chapman

Review by: Madie – An Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge Participant

Short version: likeable characters, un-put-downable cozy mystery, sprinkled with humor and inspirational thoughts, not a romance novel (so NO frustrating love triangle, if you prefer to avoid that).

Extended version:
I was unsure what to expect when the description said Agatha had lost a family member. This book did not make me feel uncomfortable or depressed. It stayed lighthearted (but not shallow) on this subject, with occasional fond memories, or inspirational thoughts. I appreciated that.

I liked most characters. Lovable Agatha is my favorite! She reminded me a lot of a beloved family friend we have. She’s a positive person with a big heart, hardworking, smart, has faith-powered strength, and her inner thoughts are relatable and hilarious. The police station ones had me laughing out loud! Glad to see an older woman who isn’t romance-obsessed or a busybody.

That said, I did enjoy Gina, who technically is sort of a busybody. She’s funny, fearless, determined, and a good friend.

Ex-detective Tony is smart, brave, and a good person and neighbor. I like how he comes out of his shell to help Agatha with her serious situation. Having his more pragmatic thoughts was also a nice balance with Agatha’s.

Tony’s law enforcement facts were fascinating, as were Agatha’s about modern Amish living. Spaced out nicely, they didn’t delay plot, and there was time to absorb them. While many characters are devout, it’s never preachy or unrealistically perfect. Just decent people being fair and kind.

I suspected everyone except Agatha and the baby, but was left guessing until around the murderer reveal. I enjoyed the additional mysteries of what suspects innocent of murder were hiding. It was realistic when our perspective on some characters changed as we got to know them more.

The only time I could put it down before at least three chapters in a sitting was when there was too much background noise for me to read. My only criticism is that the ‘bad’ characters and their motivations are less developed than almost any of the ‘good’ ones.

Good setting descriptions. I knew Texas has rivers, but don’t generally think of them as quiet, scenic vacation spots. I’m eager to continue this series, and find out more about people’s pasts and loved ones.

I received a free copy from the author, but with no obligations. The opinions given here are my own.

For Fans of: Cozy mysteries, Amish stories

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Plot Overview:

Who killed Russell Dixon?

When Agatha Lapp’s brother and sister-in-law are tragically killed in a buggy accident, Agatha relocates to the new Amish community in Hunt Texas, nestled in the Texas Hill Country. She’s there to make a success of her brother’s dream–an Amish B&B. Agatha is friendly, efficient, and capable. She’s also a fifty-five year old widow who has learned to be independent.

Then she discovers Russell Dixon’s lifeless body in Cabin 3. She runs next door where retired detective Tony Vargas lives. The police determine that her guest died of natural causes, but as Agatha and Tony put together the events of the previous two days they become convinced that the police are Dead Wrong.

Dead Wrong is a story of discovering new friendships and embracing a different path in the midst of tragedy. Above all else, it’s a story of God’s grace and provision.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

*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

What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?

May Recommendations: A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott, A Sweetness to The Soul by Jane Kirkpatrick, An Untamed Land (Red River of the North Book #1) by Laura Snelling, Freedom in the Mountain Wind by Misty Beller, The Ladies Maid by Susan Page Davis, Love Comes Softly Series from Janette Oke, God’s Daughter by Heather Gilbert (Viking era, very unique and heavy topic hitter)

Giveaway & Meet Lillian Doyle from The Swindler’s Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee

by Crystal Caudill | Apr 25, 2023 | Character Interview

Hi all! Stephenia has blessed us today with a character interview AND a chance to win a print copy of The Swindler’s Daughter. To be entered for your chance to win, check out the bottom of the post. But first, the interview!

I first met/read one of Stephenia’s books when I was very early on my writing journey. It’s been fun watching her writing career evolve over the years. I’m really excited about her newest release, The Swindler’s Daughter, and today I am excited to introduce you to the heroine, Lillian Doyle. First, let me introduce you to the story.

The Swindler’s Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee

A surprise inheritance. A cache of family secrets. A choice that will change her life forever.

Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away–in jail–Lillian is startled to find that the man has left a business and all of his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she goes to take possession of her father’s house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye–and has put a target on her back.

To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she’s always dreamed of, she’ll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers–especially Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook

Now for our interview with Lillian.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Lillian. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

LD: Hello, everyone! My name is Lillian, and I am the reluctant heroine of this story. You see, I always believed my mother to be a widow and my father long dead. Turns out that isn’t quite the case.

CC: That is a pretty shocking discovery! And definitely very troubling. What else can you tell us about your story?

LD: I’ve lived my entire life with a mother who wants nothing more than to achieve high-society status. Up until a few days ago, I thought my father had died a long time ago. But then news arrived that my estranged father only recently passed away—in jail. He left a business and all of his possessions to me, but…well, he’s made me a rather unusual heiress.

Then on top of all of that, when I went to take possession of my father’s house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure was already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son! It’s quite the mess.

CC: Yikes! How has this revelation affected you?

LD: It’s caused quite the topsy-turvy in my life, let me tell you. Mother and I already had a strain on our relationship—what with her wanting to marry me off to the highest bidder and all—and the revelation of my new inheritance hasn’t helped matters.

CC: Now that you are an heiress, will your plans change?

LD: Everything has changed. My father left me little more than a mystery and house without answers. There’s a lot I need to do to settle the estate—a challenge that has become even more difficult since there are other people trying to lay claim to my father’s home. Jonah insists that the house should go to his family, but my father’s will left it to me.

CC: Who is Jonah?

LD: He is the stubborn cowboy who has apparently taken it upon himself to make everything more difficult for me. It seems my father’s family prematurely gave the house to Jonah’s mother, and Jonah is determined to make sure his mother and sisters aren’t tossed out. As if I would do such a thing!

CC: So what are you going to do now?

LD: To discover the truth and take hold of the independence I’ve secretly always dreamed of, I’ll have to figure out the truth about what my father left behind. It’s a mess for certain, but there has to be something good at the end of this tangle of secrets. Right?

CC: We certainly hope so! Thank you for letting us get to know you a little better. One final question to leave our readers with. If there was one thing you could tell someone reading your story, what would it be?

LD: Don’t be afraid to reach for your dreams. The best things in life often come on the other side of difficulty. It might be hard to face your calling or take a leap of faith, but it’s a risk worth taking!

That is a hard but good lesson that takes a lot of bravery. Readers, don’t miss your chance to read Lillian’s story and figure out all the mystery behind her inheritance.

About Stephenia McGee:

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.

Stephenia is giving away a copy of The Secrets of Emberwild to one commenter on this blog post. If you could inherit anything, what would you want to inherit?

*US residents only

**Extra entries are available below, but those who do not comment on the blog will be disqualified

Meet Luke Gallagher from Beyond Wounded Hearts by Cynthia Roemer

by Crystal Caudill | Apr 18, 2023 | Character Interview

Hi all! It is a blessing to bring Cynthia Roemer back today to introduce to you her hero of Beyond Wounded Hearts, Luke Gallagher. I’ve known Cynthia for a long time now, and it has been a blessing to watch her walk through writing and a continuing cancer journey. She is a woman who always glorifies and points back to God. I highly recommend all of her books (which you can check out through the link in her bio at the end) and pray you will get to be an encouragement to her. (Prayers for her cancer journey are always welcomed too!).

So before I introduce you to Luke, let me introduce you to Beyond Wounded Hearts.

Beyond Wounded Hearts by Cynthia Roemer

They were North and South ~ Faithful and Faithless

After suffering disabling burns during the fall of Richmond, Adelaide Hanover awakens in a hospital alone and destitute, escalating her already stanch hatred for Yankees. When the Union soldier who freed her from the rubble begins paying her visits, she wants nothing to do with him … or his faith. Yet, his persistent kindness penetrates her resolve and forges a much-needed friendship. But after a dangerous man threatens Addie, she flees Richmond, intent on solving the mystery to her aunt’s dying wish before he does. Haunted by a tragic failure in his past, Corporal Luke Gallagher takes Adelaide’s plight on as his own. Though his strong beliefs collide with his growing feelings for her, he offers his family’s home as a place to convalesce. Adelaide’s initial rejection, followed by her sudden willingness to accept his benevolence, hints there’s more to the decision than a mere change of heart. When trouble follows her, endangering her safety, as well as his family’s, Luke must lay his life and his convictions on the line to save them.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

Now for our interview with Luke.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Luke. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

LG: Hi. I’m Luke Gallagher. I’m what Cynthia Roemer calls “the hero”, though it’s hard for me to consider myself a hero. I’m more a simple man of faith who makes his living from the soil. Right now, though, I’m a Union soldier just itching to get home.

CC: I find it’s the everyday man who is my favorite hero. So let’s start with diving deep. Don’t hate me, but . . . What is your biggest struggle? Your biggest fear?

LG: Whoa. I’d have to say my biggest struggle is dealing with guilt. When I was younger, I had this friend named Jacob, you see. We were best buds from the time we could romp together in the woods or pull girl’s pigtails at school. We shared everything. Everything but faith.

When I was eleven, I became a Christian. I took seriously my relationship with the Lord. But somehow, I never got around to sharing that with Jacob. He came from a different sort of family than me–one on the wilder side. I figured he’d laugh at me, so I kept my faith to myself.

Then one day, when we were thirteen, Jacob had this crazy notion of building a raft and floating it down the river. I wasn’t keen on the idea. Especially since the river was running high from recent rains. But I went along with the idea. Once we had the raft built, we shoved it in, poles in hand. We figured we could stick close to the banks and dock a mile or two downstream. What we didn’t know was just how strong the current was.

The raft wasn’t strong enough to withstand the push of the river. It busted into pieces within a few hundred feet of where we’d shoved off. I found a branch to grab onto, but Jacob was swept further downstream. Him being a poor swimmer, he was sucked under and drown.

I shouldered the guilt of his passing for years to come. But mostly, I blamed myself for his soul being lost. I should have shared my faith with him when I had the chance. So I guess my biggest fear became thinking God wouldn’t accept me because I’d failed to do His bidding.

CC: Yikes! That is a heavy burden to bear. So what did you do? How did your feelings of guilt and fear impact your life?

LG: At first, I bottled those feelings inside. But, the older I got, I figured if I was ever going to be able to look Jesus in the eye when my day came, I’d better start sharing my faith to make up for my mistake. So I started being intentional about telling others about Jesus. When I joined the Union army, I even gave my sergeant a few not so gentle nudges. And eventually a wayward Confederate soldier. But Adelaide Hanover was my biggest challenge. She held such bitterness in her heart toward God, blamed him for all her struggles. I sent up a lot of prayers on her behalf.

It took my mother’s wisdom to finally bring me to my senses and help me realize I could never work my way into God’s good graces. Jesus paid the price for my sins. There is nothing I could ever do to earn a place in Heaven by my own merits.

CC: That’s a lesson we all can learn from. Tell me more about Adelaide Hanover. Who is she? Why was she so bitter toward God?

LG: I met Adelaide while in Richmond during the Union takeover. My men and I discovered her buried beneath the rubble of a burned building. She was alive, but barely. I carried her to the closest hospital, fearing the worst. Her arms and hands were badly burned. But I was soon to learn her heart was even more scarred.

She’d been through a lot–the loss of her father and brothers, her home, and now her injuries. When I dropped by to see her, I didn’t expect a warm reception, but I was a bit taken aback by her obvious resentment. I figured her being a Southern gal, she wouldn’t take to a Yankee, but I hadn’t figured on her being so opposed to my faith. At one point, she ordered me to leave and never return. I lost sleep over that encounter. By my third or fourth visit, I’d become pretty attached to her. And I didn’t want another person I cared about to suffer Jacob’s fate.

CC: I’m guessing Adelaide softened at some point. What turned things around?

LG: I’m not rightly sure, other than God must have answered my prayers. One day she just welcomed me back. She still got her dander up when I mentioned God, and her intolerance for Yankees hadn’t changed much, but she seemed to soften a bit toward me. Maybe out of pure lonesomeness. She was pretty alone. I think she sort of missed my company.

But that didn’t make her more apt to go along with my offer to help her convalesce. (chuckle) She must have thought me loony to make such a suggestion. In fact, I sort of thought so myself.

CC: Oh? What did you propose?

LG: The hospital she was at was closing, and she had no one to tend to her care, so I suggested she go stay with my mother and sister in New York. That idea went over like a lead balloon. She wanted no part in staying under a Yankee roof.

But, once again, I credit the Lord for softening her heart. Well, there was also this fellow named Simon that kept threatening her. He might have had a hand in her change of mind. Anyhow, she went, and God used that time with my family to speak godly truths into her heart. By the time I returned home from the war, she’d lost her hardened shell. But her troubles weren’t over, and neither were mine.

CC: Hmm. Well, now. That opens a whole new can of worms, so to speak. Shall we leave that for readers to discover on their own by reading your story?

LG: Definitely. All I’ll say is the Lord indeed works in mysterious ways. I never would have dreamed what He had in store.

So readers, I encourage you to go and pick up Beyond Wounded Hearts by Cynthia Roemer. You won’t regret it. In the comments, leave some encouragement for Cynthia so that we can bless her as much as she has been a blessing to me.

About Cynthia Roemer

Cynthia Roemer is an inspirational, award-winning author with a heart for scattering seeds of hope into the hearts of readers. Cynthia enjoys spinning tales set in the backdrop of the mid-1800’s prairie and Civil War era. It’s her prayer that her stories will both entertain and encourage readers in their faith. She resides with her husband on their family farm in central Illinois. They have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and one spoiled cat. Visit Cynthia online at: www.cynthiaroemer.com

The Creation of a Cover & Cover Reveal

by Crystal Caudill | Apr 11, 2023 | We Three Kings, Writer's Life

I’m excited to reveal to you today the cover of We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Novella Collection. You’ll find the blurb and fun cover process below, but I wanted to let you know that Baker Book House has it (and all my books) for 20% off right now, so it’s a great time to order/preorder books.

Creating a Cover

The process of creating a cover rarely involves me beyond the initial form I fill out to my publisher of critical information about the story that might work its way onto the cover. Generally, other than seeing the final product and saying I like it, that’s about as involved with the process as I get. However, with the We Three Kings Romance Christmas Collection, the experience was very different.

The Draft

Cara Putman and Angela Ruth Strong are my co-authors in this collection, and all three of us were sent the cover asking for input on how it might be tweaked. Really the only element from our story on the cover other than the snow indicating winter/Christmas was the ornament of the three kings. The ornament is one that my characters buy at the end of the story, and it reappears in various forms in the other two stories. You can see the original cover they sent us below:

It wasn’t a bad cover, we just were afraid it wasn’t compelling enough for readers to pick up. Especially when compared with the previous novella collections in the series: Joy to the World and O’ Little Town.

These covers were stunning, in my opinion, and I felt like our cover didn’t match the “feel” of these other two. After tossing some ideas around with Cara and Angela, I decided I wanted to play in Canva, an image creation program. I’m a pretty tactile person, and this was how I process anything that requires a visual image. After talking with a friend who is a cover designer, one of the things I realized that was missing was that “aisle” or framing feeling. The columns in Joy to the World draw your eyes to the house and up to the title. In O Little Town, you have the lamp posts creating that same sort of effect.

Playing Around

Using Cara and Angela’s suggestions, I brought in more trees to create the framing feeling. But in our conversation, we also brought up the fact that each of our stories has to do with some form of light. My story is “Star of Wonder,” Cara’s is “Beauty Bright,” and Angela’s is “Perfect Light.” And considering our stories connect to the three Weise (wise) men, the cover would probably benefit from having a star. I’m getting pretty savvy at using Canva with layering, and so after lots of playing with removing backgrounds and editing various features, this is the mock-up I came up with:

Making the layers match in coloring is something I’m still learning, and since this was just me playing around, I didn’t bother with even trying. I sent the mock-up to Angela and Cara but did not intend to send it to Kregel. I responded with some verbal tweaking ideas that we’d discussed, but I didn’t mention I’d created a mock-up or anything. Design is not something I have a lot of confidence in, and besides, it was more or less just playing for my own sake so I could communicate some suggestions without overstepping.

However, Angela added my mock-up to her email when she sent in her recommendations. I am so thankful for her boldness in doing that. It gave a much-needed encouragement boost, and Kregel’s response was equally encouraging. And I think you might understand why when you look at the two options they sent to us afterward:

Option 1:

While that was better than the first one, we unanimously agreed that the second option was the favorite. And now, I get to reveal the FINAL cover of We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Collection.

Cover Reveal – the FINAL Cover

Didn’t they do a phenomenal job? AND LOOK!!! They took my playing-around mock-up and turned it into something beautiful!!!! I’ve always loved my covers from Kregel, but this one will always have a special place in my heart (and on my Christmas tree). God is so good to bless me with that sort of encouragement, and I am so grateful that He used Angela to place it into Kregel’s hands. Now we just have to wait for it to release in September. Want to know more about each of our stories? Here is the blurb and preorder links!

We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Collection

In this Christmas collection, Weise men still seek Jesus–and love

Best-selling romance authors Caudill, Putman, and Strong follow three generations of the Weise family in this third collection of Christmas novellas from Kregel that will prove just as popular as the previous award-winning volumes.

“Star of Wonder” by Crystal Caudill
The Christmas-themed maiden voyage of his family’s grand steamer ship was supposed to be Aldrich Weise’s chance both to instill investor confidence and to romance Celestia Isaacs. Instead, he must foil a criminal and leave his lady love behind forever.

“Beauty Bright” by Cara Putman
Lieutenant Charles Weise served as a Monuments Man after World War II and now works to restore stolen art to rightful owners. Captain Lillian Thorsen pairs up with him not only to return treasures but also to fix the war-torn lives around them.

“Perfect Light” by Angela Ruth Strong
Essential oils mogul Brendon Wise is drawn to Lacey Foster, the event planner for his huge Christmas lights festival. But when he inadvertently makes a spectacle of her on television, Lacey wants nothing to do with him. Will a chance to give gifts to those in need at Christmas be the key to discovering common ground–and maybe love?

Preorder Links: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million

What do you think of the cover and the process?

Meet Cassie Kendrick from Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson

by Crystal Caudill | Apr 4, 2023 | Character Interview

If you’ve never read one of Tara Johnson’s books, I have a treat for you today. Where Dandelions Blooms is my favorite book from her, and Cassie Kendrick is in the house for a character interview. I don’t want to steal her thunder from giving herself an introduction, so I’ll introduce you to Where Dandelions Bloom instead.

Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson

Cassie Kendrick is on the run. Her abusive father arranged her marriage to a despicable man, but she’s discovered an escape. Disguised as a man, Cassie enlists in the Union army, taking the name Thomas Turner. On the battlefields of the Civil War, keeping her identity a secret is only the beginning of her problems, especially after she meets Gabriel Avery, a handsome young photographer.

Anxious to make his mark on the world and to erase the darkness and guilt lurking from his past, Gabriel works with renowned photographer Matthew Brady to capture images from the front lines of the war. As Gabriel forges friendships with many of the men he encounters, he wonders what the courageous, unpredictable Thomas Turner is hiding.

Battling betrayal, their own personal demons, and a country torn apart by war, can Cassie and Gabriel learn to forgive themselves and trust their futures to the God who births hope and healing in the darkest places?

Purchase Links: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

Now for our interview with Cassie.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Cassie. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

CK: I’m so tired of running…mostly from my father. You see, he arranged my marriage to our next-door neighbor–a horrible fellow named Erastus Leeds–and when I refused, he threatened me. I never could do anything right in his eyes.

But the Almighty provided a way to escape. Mere days before our doomed wedding, I learned war had been declared between the states. The plan was risky for sure and certain, but I was raised as a farm girl. I know how to handle a weapon. I snuck away from home in the dead of night, chopped off all my hair, and slipped on the disguise of a young man before enlisting in the Michigan 2nd under the name Thomas Turner.

My first obstacle was passing the physician’s inspection. No worries there. All he wanted to know was if I had at least three teeth to tear open powder cartridges. When he saw I had more than enough to spare, he signed a slip of paper declaring me fit for duty.

My second problem is the nosy photographer that has been assigned to follow our regiment. Gabriel Avery is his name. He wants to become a famous photographer like that Mathew Brady fellow. Gabe is likeable enough, I suppose, but he never quits talking! And he doesn’t really know how to defend himself out here on the battlefield. That became apparent when I had to save his skin on more than one occasion. Worse than covering his mistakes is how close we’ve grown in the past few months. I’m not sure what would be worse…being sent home in disgrace to face a miserable future, or Gabe learning I’m not Thomas Turner at all.

No matter what I choose, I’ll be destroying someone…including myself.

CC: Those are some terrible choices, and, knowing your story, it doesn’t get any easier for you. The challenges you face both as a female soldier and as a soldier in general. It is heartbreaking. . . and yet the hope that your story brings is one that I will never forget.

How do you think others view you? Do you feel this is an accurate representation of you? Does it bother you or make you feel good about yourself?

CK: Most people see me as quiet, introverted, and a male. For now, I don’t mind the anonymity. To hide is to escape.

CC: I’d say it’s definitely a good thing for everyone not to know the real you in this situation.

What is your biggest struggle? Your biggest fear?

CK: My biggest fear is being trapped in the same cycle of abuse I’ve endured my entire life. First with my alcoholic father and now with a betrothal to Erastus Leeds. The rejection slices too deeply to endure anymore. Even my mother, the one person who should have protected me, is under Father’s immovable thumb. I cannot, I will not, be smothered any longer. If my future leads to nothing more than heartache and ashes, at least it will be by my own choosing…no one else’s.

CC: Escaping the cycle of abuse is a terrible struggle. Abuse affects so many. . . it’s just heartbreaking. At least this way, you get a choice in how you move forward. Even if it comes with its own consequences.

Do you have a dream you keep close to your chest that you can share with us? Is there a specific reason you want this?

CK: To run, to be free. Free from my father. Free from death. Free from pain. Even free from myself.

CC: The ultimate freedom. I think we all seek it in different forms and fashions. It’s so hard to really wrap our minds around the truth of real freedom, but we all long for it.

Who is your least favorite person to deal with? (in the story) Why?

CK: I used to think my biggest problem was Gabe! When we first met, he was too talkative, too nosy, too naive, too…well, everything. But now the handsome photographer is starting to grow on me. I look forward to our chats, his laughter, and the way he looks at the world. Oddly enough, as Gabe and I have grown closer, I’ve noticed a strange gleam in Briggs’ eyes. My fellow soldier and fighter. I’m not sure why, but from time to time, I sense him watching me. And I don’t like it one bit.

CC: I have to say, Gabe does grow on a reader very quickly while Briggs . . . he’d make me uncomfortable too.

Who is your favorite person to deal with? Why?

CK: Grandma Ardie. She is a testament of unconditional love and grace…probably the only true example of love and patience I’ve witnessed in my life. I would give my life for hers a thousand times over.

CC: Grandmas hold a special place in our hearts. I’m actually sort of realizing for the first time that I no longer have any grandmas in my life. `In fact, this question prompted me to call and check on my only Grandpa left. They truly are special people in our lives.

Readers, don’t miss your chance to read Cassie’s story. It is one that will stick with you for years after the story is over, and you’ll NEVER look at dandelions the same.

About Tara Johnson:

Tara Johnson is an author and speaker, and loves to write stories that help people break free from the lies they believe about themselves.

Tara’s debut novel Engraved on the Heart (Tyndale) earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and finaled in the Carol and Christy awards. Her latest releases, Where Dandelions Bloom and All Through the Night were also published through Tyndale.

In addition to being published in a variety of digital and print magazines, she has been a featured guest on Voice of Truth radio, Enduring Word radio, television, and numerous podcasts. She is a history nerd, especially the Civil War, and adores making people laugh. She, her husband, and her children live in Arkansas.

Readers, are you Civil War fiction fans? Share the titles and authors of your favorite ones below. If you’re not a fan, let me encourage you to try one of Tara’s stories. They don’t strike me as the typical Civil War story, and they leave a lasting impact on your faith. EXCELLENT stories.