by Crystal Caudill | Sep 9, 2025 | Character Interview
I think by now we all know what an Erica Vetsch fan I am, and I am just SOOOOOO excited to get to steal away Sir Bertrand Thorndike from Erica for just a little while. I mean, who doesn’t want to spend time with a member of the House of Commons who moonlights as a spy? Before we dive into talking to Bertie. Here is the smashing blurb for book 2 of the Of Cloaks and Daggers series, A Scheming in Parliament. Oh, and by the way, Erica is generously giving away a print copy of the book to one lucky U.S. resident. Check out the details at the end of this post!
A Scheming at Parliament by Erica Vetsch
Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his true motives, and he’s quickly inducted into the mysterious Theban Club.
Miss Philippa Cashel’s mission, the Princess Charlotte Eleos School for Women in Need, is thriving with donations, and the students are learning skills to help them earn their livings in honorable ways. But when a dear friend’s past is revealed by blackmail, Philippa must wrestle with the question, Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?
Bertie’s and Philippa’s missions collide when Bertie uncovers a dangerous plot involving vulnerable women. He and Philippa join forces against the corruption threatening to topple England’s government, all while navigating their outward reputations and inward feelings for each other.Purchase Links: Amazon | Baker Book House | Christos | Kregel Parable
Now for our interview with Sir Bertrand.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
SBT: I suppose you could say I am the hero of the story, though it seems odd to consider myself such. I’m the second son of an earl, knighted by His Majesty for contributions to the kingdom, a newly elected Member of Parliament for the borough of Southwark. But my most important job is as an agent for the Crown.
CC: Oh you are most definitely a hero, and I’m so excited to spend some time with you.Â
Since you are an agent for the Crown, what is it that you are searching for and what is standing in your way?
SBT:Â Currently, I want to discover and root out corruption in British politics. There is skullduggery afoot in the House of Commons, and I have been tasked by my supervisor to identify it and the culprits perpetrating it.
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CC: I adore that word skullduggery, it’s such a perfect description of what troubles surround you. I don’t suspect you have much time to just relax and read a book, but IF you did, what would you pick up?
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SBT: I mostly read the newspaper and the reports that come across my desk, though now that I am an MP, there seems to be nothing but reading! If I was to pick up a book there are a couple that are getting a lot of attention at the moment…written by “A Lady.” Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice seem intriguing. My supervisor’s wife has read them and highly approves.
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CC: Ah yes. That “A Lady” is quite the writer, though I imagine the number of men who would say they enjoy her writing are far fewer than the women. LOL I assume that growing up to be an agent for the Crown wasn’t something you were aware of as a possibility. Was there anything else you ever wanted to be?
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SBT: As the second son of an earl, my options were somewhat limited until I learned of the family business. I come from a long line of spies for the Crown. After I became aware of my heritage, there was no question but that I would join their ranks. Though before that time, when I was a boy, I dreamed of being a pirate, a soldier, and oddly enough, a pie man. When we would go to London, I loved buying a pie from a costermonger’s cart, and I thought if I became a pie man, I could have all the pies I wanted.
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CC: LOL, oh if only we could eat all the pies we wanted, even as a constermonger. You sound like the typical boy, and I bet you were adored by your family. Although things can change. How do you think others view you?Â
SBT: Until recently, most would have viewed me as an idle dilletante who had a fondness for drink. This was a persona I cultivated in my work as a spy. People are less careful about what they say to someone they believe is sotted beyond what they will remember on the morrow. Very useful in my line of work. However, lately, I have been encouraged to clean up my reputation, stand for Parliament, and even to cast about for a wife. Neither of these personas are the ‘real me’ but they are what I present to the world. I am not bothered about what people think about these fictional characters I play. I find them a good way to keep people at a distance and from knowing the person behind the facade.
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CC: Living a facade must get tiring though. I imagine you wish that one day there would be someone who would see you and love you for the real you. What do you think about love and marriage? IS there a particular woman you have in mind for a future?
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SBT: If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have said love and marriage were fine for other people, but I was not tempted in the least. However, lately, there is one certain young lady who has caught my eye. It’s only too bad that she is even more averse to marriage than I was not long ago. Winning her would be an uphill battle for sure.
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CC: Ah, but hard-won loves are the best in my opinion. I can’t wait to see how this uphill battle goes for you as you bring an end to all skullduggary and villains. LAST question, do you have any phobias?Â
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SBT: Heights, spiders, tight spaces, having to eat seafood…
CC: Oh dear. If ever you have dinner at my house, I’ll have to keep that in mind. We are big seafood fans.
Readers, I hope you will get to know Sir Bertrand better yourselves by diving into his latest adventure, A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch.
About Erica Vetsch:
Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com and you can find her on Facebook at The Inspirational Regency Readers Group where she spends way too much time!
Connect with Erica: Website | Newsletter | Inspirational Regency Readers Group |  Instagram |  BookBub
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of A Scheming in Parliament. Comment on the blog and enter using the Gleam Widget for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 9/16. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
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Erica Vetsch – Print copy of A Scheming in Parliament with some swag US only
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 8, 2025 | Character Interview
Not too long ago, I had the privilege of meeting YA fantasy writer Linnae Klutchko at a writing conference. Linnae does character interviews at her blog Fable Features, where she interviewed Lydia Pelton earlier this year. Fable Features interviews authors from all types of genres and backgrounds, including secular and Christian. It provides an excellent opportunity to reach readers who wouldn’t usually even be aware of Written in Secret. Now it is my joy to return the favor and share with you about an author on her way to publication and her YA Fantasy book called Flight through the eyes of one of her characters, Wolf. Before we dive into meeting Wolf and learning about Linnae, let’s have a quick discussion about Christian fantasy and her book.
I love that Christian Fantasy has become a growing genre and is reaching new readers who might not otherwise pick up a Christian story. It’s been interesting to watch these stories develop and see young readers being pulled out of the dark YA material and drawn toward the Light in a way they didn’t expect. Linnae’s work-in-progress, Flight, is one of those stories where Christian elements are subdued in the background but clearly there for God to work with.
Flight pulls on the Israelites’ slavery and exodus. There is a promised land that the characters are trying to get to called the Land of Green and Gold. In this world, God is referred to as the Great Elder. Then there’s also the battle of good versus evil, or light versus dark. I know there can be mixed feelings about fantasy and magic in Christian-themed books, but I encourage you to consider it through the lens of reaching readers that blatant Christian fiction may not appeal to. Remember, we are all parts of the same body, but each of us has a different part and role in this body.
About Linnae:
Linnae is an editor by day and a fantasy writer by night. She wrote a serialized middle grade fantasy story for Hudsonville Living Magazine and is now working on finding a publishing home for her debut novel, a YA fantasy book called Flight. When Linnae’s not writing or editing, she likes to play soccer and paint.
Connect with Linnae: Website | X |  Instagram |  Newsletter & Freebies!
Not an Official Cover
Flight by Linnae Klutchko (Book 1 of The Shadow Weaver Trilogy)
Escape. That had been Max’s goal since the day he and his little sister, Lucy, had been torn from their mother and sold to a new master. One day magic—something humans had stifled long ago—returns, and all Elder are given the mysterious command to travel to the unheard-of Land of Green and Gold. Max and Lucy plan their escape as well.
Night comes, and everything goes wrong. To Max’s horror, Lucy is randomly selected to be beaten by the humans—a warning to those Elders considering flight. Max is forced to leave Lucy behind and escapes with his friend, Mary. They embark on a journey to learn their magic and find their way back to family–to Lucy.
Unfortunately, lack of magical knowledge is not Max’s only obstacle; a cold-raking fear of the taskmaster hunts him. The taskmaster’s hunt creeps into his nightmares and disconnects him from the shadows he should be able to control. And no magic means no way to save Lucy. As the nightmares grow worse and the arrival of a serial killer further complicates things, Max fights to grow in his powers and overcome the hunting fear. He will save Lucy. Even if it costs him his life.
Now for our interview with Wolf.
CC: I’m excited to introduce you to my readers, Wolf. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
W: Hey there! My name’s Wolf. I’m a sylph–got gray feathery wings and magic that’s compatible with the element of wind and all that. I lead a group of fugitives called Moonlight Band and mentor the newbies on how to use their magic.
CC: Leaders have great power in stories, especially when they become mentors to others. So what is it that you want as a leader? Is there anything standing in your way?
W: I…I made a mistake a couple years ago. It sounds kinda stupid now that I’m saying it out loud, but I’ve been looking for books on resurrection magic. Which probably doesn’t even exist, but so much was lost since the Great War, so maybe it’s possible? I guess I’ve also taken up the task of teaching the new fugitives how to use their magic. The biggest obstacle to that, other than them knowing next to nothing, is that a dangerous serial killer has been seen in the area. I’m worried he’ll target us specifically.
CC: Oh, a leader who is looking and searching for answers to things lost long ago . . . and a leader who also has to worry about a dangerous serial killer getting in the way. Books on resurrection magic have me wondering . . .
How would you describe your relationship with God?Â
W: God? I assume you mean the Great Elder. I don’t know. It’s complicated, I guess. That teacher I mentioned–Kenami? Yeah, she hated him. My mom did too. Something about him being the reason we lost the war. Haze gave me some different insights not too long ago, though. Haze follows him–says the Great Elder even guided him to find me, if you can believe it. I think I’m starting to believe it too.
CC: That’s hard when you have people in your life who hate someone or something and try to pass that hate onto you, then you learn there is a different perspective. It challenges you in ways you never thought possible. Your whole world gets turned upside down. I imagine through the course of this series you may find out a great deal about this Great Elder . . . and maybe his plan for you.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
W: My childhood was very different from most people’s, including Elder (my own people). Instead of a typical enslavement after the war, my family was forced to fight other Elder for the sake of entertainment. I was young and didn’t really understand all that, but I liked the recognition and really wanted to become the sole Champion of the ring. And it did happen. But I wish it didn’t. I’d…rather not elaborate if that’s cool.
CC: We all have our secrets and things we feel ashamed of. No need to continue on with that now, but I’m sure readers will find out eventually. Speaking of childhood:
If you had time to read a book, what would you pick up and why?Â
W: Most of my reading has been grammar lessons with my teacher, Kenami, but she did let me read a few books she’d hidden during the war. I think I would like to read Ankgïr uun la Sanji-Garha again. Or in the common tongue, Ankgïr and the Violet Cave. It’s about this warrior who stumbles across a strange cave that houses a different kind of magic–one that is wild and unpredictable. I’ve always liked the main character and how brave he is.
CC: Those brave characters can really be an inspiration to us during our hardest times. And sometimes those hard times are created by difficult characters.Â
Who is the most difficult character for you to interact with in the story?
W: Ah, that would be Haze. Another sylph like me–but with red wings. And double my age. He’s a great guy, but he makes me face a lot of hard truths. And I hate that he’s always right.
CC: Ha! Those people in our lives that speak the hard truths are both amazing and awful at the same time. They are critical for helping us grow, but growing can be so painful.
What do you think about love and marriage? Do you have a particular love interest in mind?Â
W: You know, I’ve never actually thought much about it. I think it would be nice to have a girlfriend. Right now I’m kinda living vicariously through this couple who just joined my band. They claim they’re not dating but they seem close. Veeery close. And I saw the look of jealousy on the guy’s face when Spark made the girl laugh. I’m calling it now–they’re gonna end up together.
CC: Oh, sounds like there might be a bit of a romance in this challenging world you live in. I hope it turns out well in the end.
If there is one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?
W: Power is a dangerous thing. Certainly helpful, yes, like needing to stop a serial killer or finding the confidence to face your fears. But just as easily as it can help, it can also corrupt. So be careful and make sure you have good people in your life to keep you accountable.
CC: Those are wise words. No wonder you are a leader. Now before wrap up completely, I have one last question for you.
Which part of the roller coaster would you ride in: the front, middle or back? Why?
W: Hah, this is a fun question. I think I’d be right up front screaming my head off. I’ve never been on a roller coaster before, but it sounds amazing.
CC: I’ll let you set up front while I watch from the ground! LOL I used to love them, but motion sickness has made it a less-than-pleasurable experience over the years.Â
Readers, thanks for tagging along in learning about this new YA Fantasy world coming to you one day in the future. If you were interested in Wolf’s and Linnae’s story, follow her on social media and be sure to sign up for her newsletter, where you can also grab some freebies, like a collection of exclusive character interviews from the novel.
Readers: If you read fantasy, what elements do you enjoy most?Â
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 24, 2025 | Character Interview
Shannon Sue Dunlap is a fellow Kregel author, and it’s always fun to have my fellow authors stop by for a visit . . . especially when it’s their characters that come to visit. I’m looking forward to introducing you to Emily Windsor from Shannon’s newest release, Hearts Away. In fact, before we meet Emily, let me share about the book. Oh! And don’t forget to check out the bottom of this post where Shannon is offering a chance to win a signed copy of Hearts Aweigh to one contiguous U.S. resident.
Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap
Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother.
With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange.
When a secret from Daisy’s past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer’s scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Parable Book Store
Now for our interview with Emily Windsor.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Emily. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
EW: Hello, dear. My name is Emily Windsor. At seventy-eight years old, some of you might expect me to stay home and knit, but I’ve got no time for that. God assigned me a special mission for this latter part of my life. If you’ve had trouble finding love, I can help. Come aboard the MS Buckingham cruise ship, where I live with my three friends Daisy, Althea, and Gerry. We’ll give you a thorough interview and track down just the right special someone.
CC: Oh my! That sounds like hoot with lots of potential for trouble. Sounds just lovely. So now to hit you with our questions.
What is it that you want, and what is standing in your way?
EW: I want to help everyone find a love as sweet as my own. Not every story has to have white horses and fancy balls. Sometimes it’s just looking out from the church choir loft and spying a handsome sailor walking in the back doors. God writes the love stories, but I want to be the pen He’s holding. Unfortunately, the main characters don’t always cooperate. Our current hero is a bit of a stick-in-the-mud. Poor Spencer hasn’t experienced a lot of love in his life. I guess that’s why he struggles to show it, even to his own adorable little daughter. But he keeps trying, God bless him.
CC: Oh that poor man. And you must have had a beautiful marriage for you to want to share that sort of love with so many. I’m sure Spencer won’t know what hit him once you’re through with him. Are you still married? Is he on this ship with you?
EW: My husband’s name is Bill, and he’s the one who showed me how good married life can be. Fifty-one years just wasn’t long enough. We’re living apart for a while, but I’ll see him again someday. I imagine he’s helping the Good Lord get my room ready. He always was handy with a toolbox.
CC: Aww. That can be so hard. He sounds like a handy man with a big heart of love.
If you had time to read a book, what would you pick up?
EW: I’ll leave the reading to my friend Gerry. No matter how convoluted the match or dangerous the situation, she makes room in the schedule for her TBR pile. I’m too busy drafting battleplans, compiling candidate profiles, and ensuring our pairs are working out. But I always start my mornings with the Good Book, no matter how chaotic life gets.
CC: That is definitely one book everyone should make time for.
Who do you interact with that confounds you the most?
EW: My dear friend Daisy is making life quite difficult these days. I suppose it’s because I want to set her son Spencer up with one of the Buckingham’s childcare workers. He and Abby O’Brien would be amazing together, but Daisy claims she’s reluctant for Abby’s own sake. If you ask me, Daisy and Spencer could use a little family counseling. She’s one of our matchmaking crew, but her heart isn’t in it lately. It probably doesn’t help that someone is blackmailing her. When I get my hands on that wretch, I’ll make him wish he’d never left dry land.
CC: Oh dear! That makes me wonder what Daisy did worthy of blackmail . . .
Who is the most difficult person for you to interact with?
EW: You might expect me to say Spencer or Abby since their romance is giving us such trouble. Or Daisy because she’s against the match. Or even the blackmailer who’s wrecking our peace of mind. But perhaps the most difficult character to manage is the fourth member of our Shipper posse, Althea. I could set an alarm on every clock on the ship, and she would still be late. Especially if there’s a Bingo game going on anywhere.
CC: LOL I can identify with being late . . . and I know how that can annoy others.
How do you feel about this journey you’re going on this time?
EW: As the spouse of a Navy captain, almost my entire life has been a journey. I’ve lost track of how many places we were stationed, but I loved the adventure of it all. A few years ago, a little health scare left me in a nursing facility for two months while I recovered. The moment I was healthy enough to stand on my own two feet, I walked out the doors and never returned. My greatest fear is that they’ll put me back in one of those prisons. I pray every morning that God will allow me to drop in the harness. I want to keep sailing the world and making matches until the day I see Bill again.
CC: Awww. I don’t blame you. As a caregiver, I pray fervently that I’ll never have to be so confined and cared for.
Let’s wrap up with one more question, but just for fun.
Do you have a criminal record?
EW: Of course not! One night in the brig doesn’t count, does it? Technically, it wasn’t even a full night. Mr. Everson, the ship’s head security guard, is something of a stickler, and he didn’t appreciate us snooping around the staff offices. Someone should find him a wife.
Oh dear. I would totally have been in that brig with you.
Readers, if you like a story with a good laugh, matchmaking little old ladies, and romance, be sure to check out Hearts Aweigh. And don’t forget to check out Shannon’s giveaway.
About Shannon Sue Dunlap
Shannon Sue Dunlap lives in hot and humid Houston, Texas where she writes books with a dose of laughter and a spoonful of love. One of the greatest compliments you can give her is saying her stories made you laugh-out-loud. She likes traveling around the world, singing tunes from classic musicals, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Shannon is a die-hard fan of happy endings and believes God has designed one for each of us.:
Connect with Shannon: Website | Amazon | Facebook |  Instagram |  GoodReads | BookBub
Reader Question: If you could go on cruise anywhere, where would you like to go?
Giveaway Info
Here’s your chance to win a copy of Hearts Aweigh. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 7/1. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 10, 2025 | Character Interview
I always love a good character interview. Today I have the treat of introducing you to the heroine of my friend’s debut novel, A Steadfast Heart. Before we dive in though, let’s learn about the story.
A Steadfast Heart by Martha Hutchens
When his family legacy is on the line, rancher Drew McGraw becomes desperate for someone to tame and tutor his three children. Desperate enough to seek a mail-order bride. But when the wrong woman arrives on his doorstep, Drew balks.
Heiress Kaitlyn Montgomery runs straight from the scandal chasing her toward a fresh start on a secluded ranch. She strikes a bargain with Drew—a marriage convenient for both of them.
But the more Kaitlyn adapts to ranch life and forms a bond with Drew’s children and their enigmatic father, she realizes that this ranch is where she is meant to be. And then her past catches up with her…
This sweet historical romance is perfect for fans of the following tropes:
*ready-made family
*nanny/tutor
*single dad
*fish out of water
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Sunrise Publishing
Now for our interview with Kaitlyn.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Kaitlyn. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
KM: My name is Kaitlyn Montgomery. Yes, that Kaitlyn. The one all the newspapers have as a topic of gossip. But I didn’t do any of things they say. My brother made them all up, so that no decent man would look at me, and I would marry his vile friend. But I’ll do anything to avoid that fate, even take a train west to marry a stranger.
CC: The manipulations of others on our lives is never a good and almost always a recipe for danger and adventure. I have a pretty good guess from what you said above, but what is it you want and what, or rather who, is standing in your way?
KM: My half-brother, Michael, is my greatest enemy. To the world, he shows the image of a caring brother, while at home, he manipulates people and situations to his own advantage. I want to get away from his control, because he only cares about finding a way to get my inheritance. Unfortunately, my father made my brother my guardian until I am twenty-five, and that is still two years away.
CC: Two years is a long time to try and evade your brother’s machinations. How has that affected your relationship with God?
KM: I don’t understand why God would put me in a family that considers me easily discarded. Does He think I have no value? That isn’t what the Bible says, but it sure has been my experience. At least so far.
CC: It’s so hard to see God and feel loved when all we feel is attacked by others and ignored by Him. I know you took things in your own hands and ran off only to end up in a marriage of convenience with Drew McGraw. What is it that confounds you the most about him?Â
KM: I just don’t understand it. Drew loves his family so much but doesn’t know how to tell them that.
CC: Oh that can be so hard, especially on his children. Speaking of children, who’s the hardest one for you to interact with?
KM:Â Jo, Drew’s middle daughter, is very difficult. She doesn’t want me here, and I don’t know why. All I know is that she does everything she can think of to make things difficult enough for me to leave. Still, she may be stubborn, but I am more so, and I’m going to prove it to her.
CC: Two stubborn mules butting heads? Oh that is sure to make for an interesting read even if it isn’t pleasant for you. Speaking of children, when you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
KM: I wanted to be a scientist because I wanted to learn how the world worked. I became a teacher because I needed a job that would allow me to support myself until I was old enough to access my inheritance.Â
CC: At least with teaching you can use your interest in science to spark the interest of others, even if it hurts to have that lost dream. Since you’re a teacher, I bet you like to read. On the off chance you actually get to sit down, what would you read?
KM: I love anything written by Mark Twain because I love his sense of humor. The world can be a dark place, but laughter brings light.
CC: I’m definitely a fan of his satire and humor. Sometimes the only way to face life is with humor. In fact, let’s end this interview with a fun questions. Which part of the rollercoaster would you ride in: the front, middle, or back? Why?
KM: Front, because I like to see where I am going.
CC: It’s definitely a relief to see what’s in front of us. Well, at least most of the time. Sometimes when I see those really big loopty-loops coming, my stomach roils even before we reach them.
Readers, I highly recommend picking up Martha’s book. You’ll be able to read my review of A Steadfast Heart at the end of this month’s reading challenge. I’m looking forward to reading Kaitlyn’s story this weekend. Happy reading, y’all!
About Martha Hutchens:
Martha Hutchens writes faith-filled Historical Romance with heart, hope, and a touch of small-town charm. A Golden Heart® Award winner and retired homeschool mom, she draws on her love of history and storytelling to craft rich, inspiring tales set on the American frontier and during World War II. She lives in the Ozarks with her husband and a bossy miniature poodle.
Connect with Martha: Website | Free Book with Newsletter Signup |  BookBub
by Crystal Caudill | Mar 18, 2025 | Character Interview, Crystal's Books
It’s release month for Written in Secret, so I thought it would be fun to get to meet some of the characters from the book. Today, it’s my honor to introduce you to Lydia Pelton, the heroine and a fellow author. Before we dive into the interview, here’s a bit about Written in Secret. AND I’m hosting TWO special giveaways this month on my all my blog posts related to Written in Secret. At the end of the month, I’ll draw a winner. Check out the details in the end! Oh! and 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!
If you haven’t gotten the chance to meet Abraham Hall and Billy Poe, here’s your chance!
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 | Kregel Parable Christian Book Store
Now for our interview with Lydia.
CC: It’s always fun to interview another author, especially when said author is the heroine of Written in Secret. Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
LP: Do you want the socially acceptable introduction or the real me? Never mind, I’ll give you both. I am Lydia Pelton, the daughter of Dr. Pelton, a respected and well-loved coroner for the Cincinnati Police Department. I attend church services every week, no matter what–thank you, Momma–and am a single, good Christian woman. There. That should make any parent proud.
Now for the part my parents really wish I wouldn’t band about: I am also the author of romance dime novels–no, not the scintillating kind, but you wouldn’t know that by how many people decry romance authors, especially of the female variety. I also write other stories, but not even my parents know that. Only my dearest and closest friends, the Guardians.
CC: You and your friends call yourselves the Guardians? Why? There has to be a story behind that.
LP: When we were in school together, there was this brute of a boy who used to corner girls and force them to kiss him. If they refused, he spread rumors that ruined their reputations. Because he was the schoolmaster’s son, nothing was done about it. Flossie was new to the school, and Nora overheard him bragging to his friends that he would corner her. So Theresa, Nora, Flossie, and I taught him a lesson. While he was swimming in his birthday clothes with his friends, we stole them and lined them with poison ivy. When he returned to school after recovering at home for a few days, he found a note from the Guardians warning him to be a gentleman, or he might find other uncomfortable consequences awaiting him. Since then, we have come together to help protect the defenseless and have a good time together. These women are my sisters at heart, and I don’t know where I would be without them.
CC: Having such a close-knit group of friends is a wonderful blessing. It sounds like me and my Masters of Mayhem group. We probably get in just as much trouble as you, at least in our fictional minds. Speaking of fiction, you said your parents wish you wouldn’t band about being a romance novelist. Why?
LP: Dime novels are a highly controversial topic. There are a great many people who vehemently oppose them and try to get them banned. They argue that they are soul-corrupting and lead to the degradation of a person’s character. It doesn’t matter that these little books–usually 100 pages each and affordable to the general public at ten to twenty-five cents–allow everyday people access to reading. They aren’t the classics and thus have no place in our society. *eye roll* It’s ridiculous really. And heaven forbid if a woman writes romance or, worse, a mystery novel.
CC: Are there many female mystery authors?
LP: There are a few, but probably far more than you would guess by looking on your shelf. E.A. Dupin is generally thought to be a man; however, I know for a fact that he is not a he at all but a she.
CC: And how do you know this?
LP: I suppose I can trust you, but your readers must be sworn to absolute secrecy. It’s dangerous for E.A. Dupin right now. The city is in an uproar because someone is taking his stories, claiming to be the hero, and then murdering the criminals that each story was based upon.
CC: I can assure you, and speak on behalf of my readers, that you can trust us. Who is E.A. Dupin?
LP: Me.
Growing up around police officers and stories of crime all my life, I wanted nothing more than to provide justice for those whom justice has been denied. Cincinnati has a reputation for a corrupt justice system. If a criminal has the right connections and funds, he can walk away a free man or with a lesser punishment, no matter how egregious the crime or how much evidence proves their guilt. But women aren’t allowed to write crime novels. It’s bad enough that they write romantic ones. My publisher accepted my first mystery novel until he realized I was a woman. He had no problem accepting my romance novels, so that is what I wrote for him first. Once I felt secure in my standing with him, I submitted a mystery novel under the pseudonym E.A. Dupin, requiring that Dupin’s identity remain a secret, even from him. It worked splendidly until recently.
CC: And you say that someone is killing people in the name of your fictional hero?
LP: Yes. All of my novels are based on real crimes and criminals who walked away from their deserved sentencing because of corruption in the justice system. I wrote new endings to those stories to bring those poor victims justice. Just ones. Detective Billy Poe was the man who collected all the evidence and proved the criminals guilty, but before they could be arrested, they always died in a manner befitting their crime. Only someone is pretending to be Billy Poe and is murdering the real criminals just the way they died in my books. It’s a horrible situation, and the police suspect E.A. Dupin of the murders.
CC: Then why don’t you come forward and tell them you are E.A. Dupin and couldn’t possibly have committed those murders so they can start looking for the right man?
LP: It’s complicated. Even more so now that I’ve met Detective Abraham Hall. *sigh* This whole situation is a mess, and I just don’t know what to do. Somehow, no matter what happens, I will be viewed as the villain.
CC: Detective Abraham Hall? Why would that matter? Actually, don’t answer that. As much as I’d like to continue this interview, we’ve run out of time and space. If you’d like to learn more about Lydia’s dilemma, her choices, and who this Detective Abraham Hall is, check out Written in Secret.
Month-Long Blog Giveaway #1
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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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 would your pen name be if you were a dime novelist?Â
by Crystal Caudill | Mar 11, 2025 | Character Interview
IT’S RELEASE DAY FOR WRITTEN IN SECRET!!!! What better way to celebrate than to get to know the hero, Detective Abraham Hall, who steals a romance writer’s heart? Before we dive into the interview, here’s a bit about Written in Secret. Don’t forget I’m hosting TWO special giveaways this month on all my blog posts related to Written in Secret. At the end of the month, I’ll draw a winner. Check out the details in the end! Oh! and 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!
Reading Is My SuperPower did an interview with Billy Poe on March 3, so be sure to check that out too!
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 | Kregel Parable Christian Book Store
Now for our interview with Abraham.
CC: Hello, Detective Hall. It is a pleasure to interview you.
AH: It’s Officer Hall. I’m not a detective. Not officially–even if my partner Detective Talbot Lawson refers to me as one. If I help solve the Dupin Murders before the city implodes, it is likely a promotion.
CC: The Dupin Murders? Could you explain what you mean?
AH: I’ve long believed that dime novels corrupt the soul, and this set of murders proves my thoughts correct. E.A. Dupin is the author of eight murder mysteries based on real Cincinnati crimes. Only instead of allowing the criminals to be arrested in his book, the criminals all die through means similar to their crimes. It’s never at the hands of the hero, Detective Billy Poe. Still, someone has claimed Billy Poe’s identity and is now murdering the real men whose cases inspired the books.
CC: Do you have any suspects?
AH: I did, at least until I discovered who E.A. Dupin actually was. Cincinnati suspected Dupin of the murders due to the descriptions and access to information he shouldn’t have included in his books and how closely the murders matched the endings in his books. However, anyone with access to the dime novel could leave quotes from the hero, Billy Poe, on the victims’ bodies, meaning that any of Cincinnati’s 250,000 residents with access to the book, the motive, and the means could commit the crime.
CC: Anyone but E.A. Dupin? Why is that?
AH: E.A. Dupin is the pseudonym Lydia Pelton uses to pen her soul-corrupting novels. I feel like such a fool for having any interest in her. She lied to get her position as a mystery author, manipulated others to get the information needed for her books, and kept her identity secret even though she knew the police were looking for Dupin.
CC: So you don’t believe she is capable of those murders?
AH: Not physically, but she penned each and every one of them. She is responsible, at least on some level, for the deaths of those men. Even if she cannot be held accountable to the point of facing a trial.
CC: And yet you say you are attracted to her?
AH: I was, was being the key word. I should have known when I arrested her and her friend, Theresa, for attempting to steal a three-legged goat from the circus that she was not a woman to be trusted. Yet, the woman captured my interest even after discovering she was a romance novelist. That was bad enough, but I cannot tolerate the deception needed to be E.A. Dupin and the delay to this case she caused by forcing us to uncover her identity. I am determined to keep her firmly in the criminal box of my mind and off-limits from any other influence she may have over my thoughts.
CC: So there is no future together?
AH: Not if I can help it. Perhaps a shift in conversation would be best. Just thinking about her puts me on edge.
CC: Absolutely. I heard that Billy Poe insists that he is carrying out justice by killing these men. What are your thoughts on the matter?
AH: I am no blind idealist. I know our judicial system can sometimes be corrupt, but only God can carry out judgment. And that is what Billy Poe is doing. Enacting judgment, not justice. Justice allows for restoration. Judgment is final. I admit I wrestle with this idea of not being able to combat the injustice of this world, but God has appointed the judges over us, and whatever their rulings, we must abide by them. God will correct things in the end, and who knows? He may use the release of a criminal to glorify His name and bring them back to Him. At least, that is the hope I cling to.
CC: Sometimes Christ is the only hope we have to cling to. I have one last question before we wrap up. What about Lydia Pelton draws you to her, even when you don’t want to be?
AH: I told you that we are done with that topic. Lydia is a puzzle I cannot figure out. It is like two people reside within her—one capable of writing such evil that it sets a city to rioting and one who is determined to bring light and hope to the world. She is fanciful yet serious, intelligent yet foolish, considerate yet selfish. She is a woman of contradictions, and she makes my head hurt.
CC: Don’t all women make men’s heads hurt? I look forward to reading about the headaches she brings and how this case works out for you. I’ve met Billy Poe, and let’s just say he’s one twisted man.
AH: Wait, you know who he is?
CC: And you will too. Eventually. Readers, I hope you’ll pick up Written in Secret and see if you can beat Abraham to the revelation–and see if maybe Lydia is the one who will give him a lifetime of headaches instead of just a season.
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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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 do you think, readers? Do you think books have the power to corrupt someone?
