by Crystal Caudill | Apr 8, 2025 | Author Interviews
It’s my pleasure to bring back Linda MacKillop to the blog. With all these new and updated questions, I’m looking forward to getting to know her better. Linda is also graciously giving away a copy of each of her books, The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon and Hotel Oscar Mike Echo to one U.S. resident. Check out the details below. If you missed the last time she was here, here is a bit about her before we dive in.
Linda MacKillop is the author of the Christy-Award winning novel, The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon, and the middle-grade novel Hotel Oscar Mike Echo, a finalist for the Christianity Today Book Awards for Young Adult. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and is a member of the Redbud Writers Guild. Her articles and essays have appeared in magazines and literary journals. Linda makes her home in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Discover more on lindamackillop.com.
You can connect with her through: Website | Newsletter | Instagram | Substack
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Linda with rapid-fire.
CC: Rain or snow?
LM: Snow. I’m a Northern girl.
CC: Makeup or no makeup?
LM: A modicum of makeup.
CC: Personal maid or personal chef?
LM: Oh, definitely a personal chef!! One who cooks paleo.
CC: Arrive early, just on time, or late?
LM: My husband calls me “the on-time airline” if that answers the question.
CC: Food fight or water balloon fight?
LM: Water balloon fight–on a warm summer day.
I love that your husband has a nick-name for you. I think if mine gave me a nick-name for my tardiness, I’d be the Better Late Than Never gal. LOL
What kind of stories are your favorite to write?
LM: I write about broken people trying to make their way in life. This comes from my own background with troubled, broken parents who divorced. I have experienced God as healer, and I hope that I convey that truth and experience in my writing.
CC: I love that. We are essentially a world of broken people, and we all need the truth, hope, and healing of Christ in our lives.
Do you read fiction while you are writing your own stories?
LM: I read lots of fiction while I’m writing my own. I’m looking for a sense of strong voice and presence in the story, and I’m inspired by these kinds of books. They push me to work on my own story’s voice. And I like to be inspired by other writers.
CC: I love that. It’s definitely important to be reading the fiction you want to by inspired by as you write.
What is your favorite part about writing?
LM: Definitely the revision part is my favorite. Getting words down on a blank page for me is torturous and my least favorite part. But rewriting–or polishing–is so fun as you begin to see the story shine. This is also the part where I’m surprised by what appears on the page.
CC: That is wonderful. I haven’t decided if I love it or hate it yet.
Do you have a general writing process you follow or does it change all the time?
LM: I have a general process I follow. I pray before I write, usually on my knees, and then often, I read a little poetry to get my head around thoughtful, artful words. I write for about half a day, and then go off and do other things, like take care of my home, go for a walk, make dinner. The joy of the writing process for me is that when I step away from the desk, I still see the story developing in my brain, often answering questions that had me stumped while I sat at my desk.
CC: I love that. I definitely need to get better about getting away from my computer and just living life.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
LM: Start writing and don’t be afraid to write badly at first. Find a great critique group with experience writing and who will give you kind but truthful feedback. Read everything you can find in your preferred genre.
CC: Those are all great tips!
Now I’m excited to talk about The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon and Hotel Oscar Mike Echo.
Hotel Oscar Mike Echo
Home isn’t always what we dream it will be.
Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.
When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new poor kid in middle school. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more Sierra realizes she may have to face an impossible choice as she redefines home.
This middle-grade novel offers a compassionate look at poverty, homelessness, and hope. Readers walk alongside brave Sierra as she holds on to a promise she believes God gave her: that one day she will have a real home. But what if that promise looks far different than she has ever dreamed?
Purchase your copy at The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon | Hotel Oscar Mike Echo
CC: What will fans of your books love about your story and characters?
LM: I write quirky and unusual people and situations.
CC: Those are some of the most interesting books to read.
Why did The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon develop and change from spark to finished book?
LM: I originally wrote Eva Gordon in the first-person point of view of a person with increasing dementia. It was too difficult to write that close to a confused brain. It limited my storytelling, so I switched to a close third-person point of view.
CC: I can imagine how difficult that would be. I tried to write a first-person POV with a character in an asylum and I just couldn’t do it.
Why did you write this story?
LM: I was pondering a nagging question: If you have extremely difficult people in your life, why and how do you still find them loveable?
CC: That is a hard question and one I’m sure most of us deal with.
Who was your favorite character to write?
LM: In the Eva Gordon story, it was Mabel. She popped into the novel unexpectedly and added such a great dimension to the writing.
CC: I love it when characters add unexpected dimensions to the story!
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
LM: Repair what you can in life before it’s too late.
CC: So easy to say, and so hard to do, but rarely is the right and good thing to do the easy thing to do.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
What would you be if you had to wear one Halloween Costume every day for the rest of your life?
LM: I would be a book because I could change the title on it each year while still wearing the same costume, and it would be easy to make from a cardboard box. My favorite costume as a child was when I made myself a Christmas package.
CC: Oh, that is such a fantastic idea!!! I love it! Thanks for hanging with us today!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon and Hotel Oscar Mike Echo 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 a book where a character was facing dementia, Alzheimer’s, or something of the such? What was it?
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon and Hotel Oscar Mike Echo. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 4/15. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
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by Crystal Caudill | Mar 25, 2025 | Author Interviews
Written in Secret has been out in the world for an entire week and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful outpouring of support, encouragement, and reviews! If you’ve already read Written in Secret, I’ve created a Facebook Discussion group where you can talk all about it with others who have read it too! I hope to see you there!
While you’ve met a few of the characters–Lydia, Abraham, and Billy Poe (on Reading is My Superpower), I thought it might be fun to share an interview with myself about the book. 🙂 There are the usual giveaways at the end of the post, but you’ll also have the chance to ask me YOUR questions. It might take me a few days to get back to them, but I’ll be responding to each one. Who knows, maybe I’ll post a few on social media too!
Can you tell us a little bit about your new novel, Written in Secret?
Lydia Pelton is a dime novelist who writes romances under her own name but secretly writes crime novels under the pseudonym E.A. Dupin. However, someone is murdering the exonerated criminals whose cases she based her novels on. The police suspect Dupin, but how can a man who doesn’t exist commit murder? Some poor decisions have left her at odds with Officer Abraham Hall, but she’ll never prove Dupin’s innocence without him or find the vigilante who’s determined to prove his love for her through murder.
What sparked the idea for Written in Secret?
I’ve always enjoyed movies, television episodes, and novels where the concept of a book is brought to life. As a historical romantic suspense author, I was excited to toy with the idea of someone bringing a mystery author’s books to life for nefarious purposes. I’m also a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, and the vigilante character Casey Jones inspired the idea of including a villain with noble intentions executed in a very vile way.
What themes present themselves throughout the novel? Which ones speak most to readers today?
When this story began percolating in my imagination, the country wrestled with “What is justice?” and “How should injustice be handled when we feel our justice system has failed us?” There was lots of rioting, talk of vigilante justice, and discourse on how things should be handled within the constraints of the law. I’m not sure society ever agreed on what those answers should be. I never aimed to answer those questions for my readers but to spark discussion and thought on our response to injustice as Christ-following believers.
Why did you choose 1880 Cincinnati as your setting?
During this period, Cincinnati had a reputation for corruption. Criminals often walked away with lesser sentences or no conviction if they had the right political connections or financial ability to grease palms. Juries, judges, and officers could be and were bought. Elections were known to be rigged, and the citizens felt helpless to change anything. On top of that, the restructuring of police management through a board of police commissioners failed in early 1880. After that, the running of the police department fell under the mayor’s responsibilities. The mayor appointed or fired officers. Sometimes, they were fired for something as simple as having a differing political view. It was a volatile time that actually led to a major riot in 1884 that killed 58 and injured far more. It was the perfect storm for the setting of my novel.
What will fans of romance love about your story and characters?
I hope readers will love the banter between Lydia and Abraham and how they help each other grow as Christians and individuals. I also hope readers will spy all my little pokes of fun at romance novels and how I purposely twist expectations.
What was the most fascinating thing you found during your research that shaped your story?
I’ll try to keep this brief because I could talk about this for hours. Bottom line: Dime novels revolutionized reading and were met with significant opposition. Before the invention of dime novels, books cost $1 to $3 each, putting them firmly out of reach for the average worker who only made $5 to $8 a week. Dime novels were 100-page paper leaflets that sold for between a nickel and twenty-five cents and made reading material available to the common man, woman, and child. However, the middle and upper classes generally opposed their existence. Many viewed dime novels as soul-corrupting and leading to an increase in crime from the lower class. Many lobbied to ban them, even though members of all classes read them. This societal dissonance shaped the direction of my story, my heroine’s reasoning for hiding behind a pseudonym, and Cincinnati’s response to discovering my heroine not only wrote romance novels but also mystery novels that dove into the underbelly of the criminal world.
If readers have read Counterfeit Love, they have already met Lydia and Abraham as side characters. What new things will readers learn and love about them in this new story?
Written in Secret takes place four years before Counterfeit Love and tells the romance story of Theresa’s best friend. While Lydia was firmly rooted in Christ by Counterfeit Love, Written in Secret shows Lydia’s growth in her faith walk. Like many Christians, Lydia feels her relationship with Jesus is good enough. However, when a vigilante uses her stories to commit murder, she’s confronted with the lies she’s used to get published, obtain research, and hide her identity from even her family. Readers will get a front-row seat to her growth, wild imagination, and humor.
Abraham is the sensibility to her madness, although Lydia is a puzzle to him. He first met her when he arrested her and Theresa for attempting to “rescue” a three-legged goat from the circus. She’s a temptation to figure out, but he wants no future with a criminal dime novelist who can’t take responsibility for her decisions. Still, their banter and the need to protect her from the vigilante her books created bring him into constant contact with her. The road to becoming a detective is difficult, but with Lydia in the way, it’s nearly impossible.
The villain is unique. Can you tell us a little about him?
Lydia’s crime novels featured a detective hero named Billy Poe. In her stories, Billy Poe investigated crimes that exactly matched the cases that inspired the story. However, in each book, before they could be arrested, the criminals met similar fates to the crimes for which they’d escaped punishment. In her fictional world, Billy Poe is the hero, but someone in the real world has taken on Billy Poe’s identity and is murdering the criminals from the original cases exactly how they die in the books Lydia wrote. He leaves quotes from the book on the bodies and claims the deed. However, no one knows who he is. At first, people believe him to be the author, E.A. Dupin, but when it’s discovered Dupin is Lydia’s pseudonym, the police (and hopefully the reader) are left with no idea who the true villain is.
Written in Secret is the first book in the The Art of Love and Danger series. Please tell us about the series.
The series contains three books that follow four friends who each have a talent or career related to one of the arts. Theresa paints and engraves, Lydia is a dime novelist, Nora secretly sings and writes songs, and Flossie creates and paints pottery. Each woman’s art plays a significant role in the plots and how they face the problems around them. And, of course, love and danger will pursue them through each page. Only three of the four friends have books in this series, but you can read Counterfeit Love for Theresa’s story. While each book can be read as a stand-alone, the series will best be enjoyed by reading them in order.
What do you hope readers take away from reading Written in Secret?
My biggest hope is that they’ll walk away having read a story that excited and entertained them. On the “deeper” side of things, I hope readers will walk away knowing that God is still just and able even when there is injustice in the world. Sometimes, God will use injustice to change a person’s heart toward Him, and sometimes, we never get a reason or explanation. But we can act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
What is a fun fact about this book that readers might not know?
The four friends who call themselves “the Guardians” are inspired by my core critique group and friends, “the Mayhemmers.” We came together as mostly unpublished writers and have now all walked through the published author door supporting each other in our careers, personal lives, and spiritual walks. And that is what each of “the Guardians” does. Each character has qualities loosely based on each of these ladies. I tend to behave like Theresa, Liz Bradford like Lydia, Angela Carlisle like Nora, and Voni Harris and Flossie share some of the same characteristics. It’s been fun tucking in qualities of my best friends into a fictional world.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
There was an eclectic range of topics I needed to study. I spent the most time researching dime novels, from their history to the publication culture surrounding getting published, then to the societal reaction to dime novels. Of course, I read a few to gain an understanding of their style and content. I also did a massive amount of research on the history of the Cincinnati police department. It was actually a pretty complicated history where dates were incredibly important to make sure I knew who was over the department (a board or the mayor), what resources they had or didn’t have available (telephones before police wagons), how they were structured, where the stations were, and so much more. I adored every minute of it. A special treat was visiting the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum and getting a personal tour from a former chief of police and historian for the museum.
Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill
In the heart of nineteenth-century Cincinnati one woman holds the power to rewrite history.
What happens when fiction becomes reality? In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her.
With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall’s only lead is Lydia’s fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the “Killer Queen of Romance.” Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself.
As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati’s citizens, but for their own hearts too.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Apple Books | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Christianbook | IndieBound | Kobo
Month-Long Blog Giveaway
Help me celebrate the release of Written in Secret and get the word out about the new series. From March 4 to April 1, this giveaway will be open to those legally allowed to enter both domestically and internationally. International winners will be given a prize of equal value as shipping costs are prohibitive. See my giveaway policies for more details.
Prize: homemade book cozy, fuzzy socks, journal, reader mug mat, bookmarks, stickers, tea, and chapstick.
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Month-Long Giveaway #2
Already have the book?? This giveaway is for you. Somewhere in the first fifty pages of Written in Secret is the answer to “What attacked Lydia and Abraham inside the circus tent?” Fill out the below Google Form to be entered for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Amazon or Baker Book House. The giveaway runs until April 11, 2024. The winner will be selected the week of April 12 and notified by email.
Enter Here
Readers, comment with:
What questions do YOU have for me?
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 | 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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by Crystal Caudill | Nov 19, 2024 | Author Interviews, Uncategorized
I pray that you have friends in your life who have become like family. Voni Harris is one such friend. She’s part of my core group of friends, which we have fondly named the Masters of Mayhem, or Mayhemmers for short. She is an amazing woman, friend, wife, mother, and Christian. It is such an honor to finally introduce you to her with an additional title: author. Voni’s debut novel, Surge, releases TODAY, so after you finish the interview, pop over to Amazon and grab your copy! (Voni will also graciously be giving away an e-copy from the A Breed Apart Legacy series, as well as bookmarks and stickers.)
Before we go in too deep, will you introduce yourself, Voni?
Hello! Waving hi from Alaska! It’s no surprise I grew up to write suspense novels. Dad was a law enforcement instructor. Mom was a newspaper editor. And God wove a love of words and story into my DNA.
My legal eagle hubby and I make our home on an Alaska island. We live with two dogs: Stingray, an Australian Shepherd, is obsessed with playing tug, and Kip, a Boston Terrier is obsessed with food. They all conspire to get me away from my computer and out into the real world of this beautiful rainforest in which we live.
Living in Alaska is truly the stuff of dreams. Winter days of darkness, summer nights of sunlight. Mountains, ocean, forest. Rain, snow, clouds, sun. Even earthquakes. These all meet here on the island in infinite variations. In the same way joy, music, fun, tears, laughter, fear, and surprise meet in life in infinite variations. Through it all is woven the light of hope in Christ. This is what I hope to catch in my writing … The darkness of suspense, the light of Christ.
You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Voni with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
VH: Candy corn is gross. Pineapple pizza!
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
VH: Ahem. I’m 4’6″, so I’m not diving in the deep end, lol.
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
VH: Salsa–as long as it’s mild.
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
VH: Silly socks, of course!
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
VH: Handshakes aren’t that secret, LOL. Passwords!
Awwww, come on, Voni. Just because you’re short doesn’t mean you can’t dive into the deep end. 🙂 You’ve got the three of us (Angela, Liz, and me) to come after you. Although . . . maybe that isn’t such a good idea either. Liz might be the only one actually able to haul you out while Angela and I sink to the bottom.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
VH: Age 5. I loved finding out that Highlights published poems and short, short stories from kids. Plus, Laura Ingalls Wilder was a writer. L.M. Montgomery was. Ronie Kendig is. They all motivated me.
CC: I remember Highlights! Who didn’t love getting their hands on the magazine? Of course, my favorite part was the kid-submitted jokes. But that fits us, doesn’t it? LOL
What does your writing process look like in general from beginning to end?
VH: Plan the characters. Plan the plot. Write out a chapter by chapter synopsis. WRITE THE BOOK. Connect the dots and fix on my re-read. Rewrite and edit. Content edits. Line edit. Proofreading edit. Galleys. DONE!
CC: It is a process! My favorite process is the brainstorming with you how to connect those dots. 😉
What is your writing Kryptonite?
VH: Planning is great … unless you spend time in planning like you sank into quicksand.
CC: It’s definitely easy to overplan rather than get the words down.
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
VH: Like I said above, moving forward instead of wallowing in writing quicksand.
CC: Wallowing is so easy to do. I’m so glad we have each other to be blunt and say that’s enough, move on, and then to help in the pulling out of the quicksand.
How have you seen God work through your writing journey?
VH: He has worked through writing partners and mentors who have done nothing but encourage and push me (as did deadlines, lol).
CC: I agree. Having you as a writing partner has been a gift and definitely the hand of God. I am so glad that He has given you so many people to pour into you and motivate you.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
VH: Pray, pray, pray. Always, always ask “why” as many times as it takes to understand where your story is going. And friends, friends, friends who won’t just pat you on the head emotionally about your writing because they want to help you level up your writing.
CC: Great advice and SOOO true.
Now I’m excited to talk about Surge.
Love and Betrayal in a Race Against Time
Delaney Thompson isn’t just a dog trainer—she’s the key to preventing a disaster. With loyal Military Working Dog, Surge, by her side, she’s ready to prove herself on her first mission…even without military training. Her goal? Help the intense Belgian Malinois track down a specific chemical linked to a dangerous terrorist group before it reaches American soil. But to succeed, she must navigate unfamiliar terrain and an even more unpredictable partner.
Garrett Walker is a seasoned military operator, driven by duty and haunted by tragic losses. Reluctantly, he teams up with Delaney, whose lack of tactical experience makes her a liability as he leads them across Southeast Asia. Yet Garrett knows that mission success and the safety of countless lives back home hinge on his leadership, the Malinois’s special scent training, and Delaney’s unique skills.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: if Delaney and Garrett fail to locate and secure the toxic chemical, hundreds of thousands of Americans could die. As they hunt down the terrorists, their objectives are clear—find the stash, neutralize the threat, and try not to get killed. But with mutual distrust simmering between them, their greatest challenge may be learning to rely on each other.
A gripping tale of suspense, betrayal, and unexpected romance. Dive into this high-stakes adventure where every moment counts…and falling in love might just be the most perilous move of all.
Purchase your copy at Amazon
CC: Who was te most challenging character to create?
VH: Garrett was the most difficult. He has to, at some point, give up his frustration with Delaney, so it was a hard balance.
CC: I can remember many discussions about Garrett and finding the right pacing for his growth. Enemies to lovers can be such a hard trope to make believable.
Which Character was the most fun to create?
VH: Delaney was fun as a maverick, as well as her love and understanding of Military Working Dogs.
CC: She certainly liked to stand on her own and not have to rely on someone who acted like he didn’t even like her.
How did this story affect you as your wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?
VH: I learned to push ahead on the writing God prepared me in advance to do, as Garrett and Delaney and Surge learned to push ahead on their mission God called them to do. Garrett didn’t want to be called, and Delaney was afraid of being called … but they both learned from this mission. We all have both callings and things to learn, which is why God calls us.
CC: Yes. He definitely has dual purposes in his calling us.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
VH: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” –Ephesians 2:10 What has God prepared you in advance to do? Or what is he preparing you to do?
CC: Such a great verse for readers to walk away thinking about.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
What animal is most like you? Why?
VH: A Military Working Dog, of course. Like an MWD, it is in my heart to do exactly what needs to be done, exactly right.
CC: Why am I not surprised by this? LOL And yes, the aim for perfection is a great description of you!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Surge and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Giveaway Info
Voni is graciously giving away a bookmark and sticker, and an e-copy of any of the A Breed Apart Legacy books. They are each stand-alone books; you do not have to read the others in order to read Voni’s.
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Reader, what other books can you think of that have a dog?
The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon
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.