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?
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?
by Crystal Caudill | Feb 18, 2025 | Character Interview
It’s always a pleasure to introduce a character, especially when I’ve already gotten to read their story. In fact, here is my endorsement for Lorraine’s story:
“If you are looking for a story with flawed characters finding hope and redemption, as well as a story with twists and turns that keep you wondering how it could possibly turn out with a true happily ever after, you’ll want to pick up The Bandit’s Redemption. Lorraine and Jesse are characters that will have you rooting for changed hearts, lives, and the romance they deserve.” — Crystal Caudill, Christy Award-winning author
My heart goes out to Lorraine, and I hope you’ll be ready to dive into her story after getting to know her a little more. KyLee Woodley, the author, is graciously giving away one print copy of The Bandit’s Redemption to one U.S. resident below. Before we hop into the interview, here’s the story blurb.
The Bandit’s Redemption by KyLee Woodley
A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard.
Life in the American West hasn’t been easy for French refugee Lorraine Durand. She has precious few connections and longs to return to her native land. So when the man who rescued her from a Parisian uprising following the Franco-Prussian War persuades her to help him with a deadly holdup, she reluctantly agrees. Despite his promises otherwise, the gang kidnaps a man, forcing Lorraine to grapple with the fallout of her choices even as she is drawn to the captive she’s meant to guard.
Jesse Alexander must survive. If not for himself, then for the troubled sister he left behind in Los Angeles. At the mercy of his captors, he carefully works to earn Lorraine’s trust, hoping he can easily subdue her when the time comes. But as they navigate the treacherous wilderness and he searches for his opportunity to escape, he realizes there may be more to her than he first believed.
With danger lurking at every turn, they must decide whether to trust each other enough to plan a combined escape or risk falling prey to the gang’s devious schemes.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Books2Read
Now for our interview with Lorraine.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Lorraine. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
LD: I am a displaced French refugee and female outlaw trying to find a way to remain in the past. As both love interest and antagonist to the hero, my story is one of many mistakes, or perhaps a blessed miracle, depending on your faith in the “happily ever after” requirement of our beloved genre and the good Lord’s will.
CC: It is so easy for us to want to live in the past where we have so many memories–good and bad. I happen to know yours are pretty heavy in the bad and are hard to escape.
What is it that you want, and what is standing in your way?
LD: What I want is not all bad. I did not become an outlaw solely for myself, though that does not excuse my illegal escapade. You see, four years before the story begins, I was rounded up in a mass arrest following the Bloody Week in Paris—a civil revolt and uprising after the Franco-Prussian War. Many innocent people were sent to a penal colony without even a trial. An old friend of my father’s rescued me, before the ship headed for Australia set sail. He also helped me immigrate to America. So, four years later, when the same friend offered an opportunity to help them, I said yes. I cared more about them than any amount of righteousness. But nothing was as it seemed, and I was drawn into a terrible trap that nearly ended… well, you will have to read the book to find out. 😊
CC: What you went through was awful, and I completely understand your desire to save your fellow people from the depravation of the penal colony. Granted there are better ways, but sometimes we can’t see past the answer presented to us by others.
Who do you interact with in the story that confounds you?
LD: Without a doubt, Jesse confounds me. I do not understand how any man could be so genuine and selfless. He is the kind of person whose heart bleeds for his enemies. I took away his freedom and kept him from his sister, who is in dire need of care, yet he prioritizes my well-being over his own. When he had the chance to escape, he did not take it. Thinking of Jesse reminds me of the Bible verse: “Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for his friend.” It is a wonderful thing when the man you love exemplifies the love of God.
CC: Amen. It is confounding when a man so wonderfully exemplifies Christ.
Who is the most difficult character for you to interact with?
LD: Pierre Bernard, tall and gangly with a mean squint and thin mustache, is a cunning, manipulative, and cruel man. I lead the gang for this job, and the whole time Pierre constantly tries to lure me into conflict. While he is a minion of sorts to the primary enemy in this story, Pierre causes more havoc and hurt than really any other character.
CC: I agree. He was definitely a scoundrel!
How would you describe your relationship with God?
LD: If you asked me this in the first chapter, I would say, “I didn’t walk away from God; He walked away from me.” I never hated God for what I suffered because of the war. We live in a fallen world, and mankind is capable of great evil. Despite that, I stopped seeking or considering God’s will for my life when said evil stole everything from me. That was a dangerous path, and eventually, I lost myself. I was so consumed by grief, intent on just surviving, and haunted by past memories that I nearly killed an innocent man. A friend stepped in and saved him from me. Without that intervention, this story would be a tragedy. God worked in my life, despite my mistakes and brokenness, to give me a full, beautiful ending. He granted me the desires of my heart in so many ways.
CC: I love that He is the God of second chances and beyond. It’s a beautiful story in how He brings you back to where you need to be.
If there is one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?
LD: Do not hold onto the past because the future scares you. We are all afraid of something, but we are never alone. You can trust God to see you through the hard times, even when it hurts.
CC: Amen. Thank you so much for hanging with us, Lorraine.
Reader, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of The Bandit’s Redemption for a look at an outlaw’s redemption, the miracle of love grown out of a difficult situation, and the nail-biting how they will ever stay together story. Don’t forget, Kylee is graciously giving away a print copy below!
About KyLee Woodley:
KyLee Woodley teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas where she lives with her husband of 18 years and their three teenage children. Having been raised in the Pacific Northwest and spent part of her adult life in Texas, she has a deep respect for American values. She grew up in an impoverished area and began ministering to homeless, drug addicted, and desperate people while in her teens. As a result, she feels a deep sense of concern for society’s unloved. This comes through in her stories, enriched with historical detail that shows how loving the unlovely is a timeless need. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show—a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.
In her spare time, she cares for a rescue mutt—Lucky Dog—a feisty feline named Hazel, and two adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to Cricket Country and K-Love radio, reads classic books to her children, and watches Marvel movies with her husband who might resemble Superman.
Connect with KyLee: Website | Podcast | Facebook | Instagram
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of The Bandit’s Redemption. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 2/25. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
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by Crystal Caudill | Jan 14, 2025 | Character Interview
It is my pleasure to introduce to you a character bent on reuniting her family at Christmastime, the time when the hope of miracles seems to be at its highest. Rheann “Ray” Rhodes is a special person and her story filled with the hope of Christmas and reconciliation. Don’t forget to check out the bottom of the blog post your chance to win a copy of Bridges of Hope.
Bridges of Hope by Ruth Douthitt
Country music megastar, Rheann “Ray” Rhodes embarks on one final journey to reunite her estranged family for an unforgettable Christmas in Tennessee. As her family gathers at the ranch in the snow-covered hills, they must face their pasts, heal old wounds, and find a way to reconnect. Through the power of music and the magic of Christmas, Ray and her family rediscover the strength of love, family, and forgiveness.
Purchase Links: Amazon
Now for our interview with Rheann.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Rheann. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
RAY: Call me Ray. I’ve been in country music since right out of high school. Now that I’m getting ready to retire, I suppose you could say I’m a success. I’ll be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame soon. I’m mostly known for my song “Living With Leaving on My Mind.” This book is my life story.
CC: The life of a country music star must have been intriguing and hard. I’ve seen so many stories of how the life of fame tore families apart. From what I’ve read of the blurb, it sounds like yours is a similar story. So what is the journey you take in this story?
RAY: Fame and fortune took its toll on me. Funny how once you get what you want, you find out it isn’t that great. I divorced my husband because I thought he and the kids held me back in my music career. Now I know the truth. I was holding myself back. Jake Rhodes is the love of my life. I was a fool to let him go. With so little time left, I decided to ask him to help me plan one last Christmas gathering at the ranch in Tennessee. To my surprise, he said yes. The areas of growth I’m facing? Swallowing my pride and seeking forgiveness from Jake and my kids…especially Bucky. And forgiveness from the whole town.
CC: You said you have so little time left. What do you mean?
RAY: Unfortunately, it’s a terminal diagnosis that caught me off guard. I don’t have as much time as I thought I did. So, I’ve decided to do something I should have done years ago: Reconcile with my family.
CC: It’s amazing how getting a diagnosis like that puts what’s important into perspective. You mentioned Jake being the love of your life. Can you tell us a bit about him?
RAY: Jake Rhodes…I fell in love with him the first time I heard him play guitar. He took a poem I wrote in high school English class and put it to music. I toured with his band and then we got married. He supported me throughout my career, raised the kids, and built us a home in Tennessee. Why on earth did I walk away from him? Pride. Selfishness. Arrogance. All of the above. Now I’m back, hoping he’ll take care of me. Can what was broken be mended? Lord, I hope so.
CC: Speaking of the Lord . . . how is your relationship with God?
RAY: Old friends. I pushed Him away at times. I was convinced I could do things on my own. But He showed me otherwise.
CC: Boy is that a lesson we all tend to learn. Since you were a music star, how do others view you?
RAY: My fans adore me because of my songs. Since the early 1990s, my songs have helped women feel empowered, heal, and cope. They view me as one of those strong feminist types but truth is, I’m vulnerable. I struggle with life just like everybody else does. But I have to come across as a strong woman. It isn’t easy but I try.
CC: Keeping up appearances can be so hard, especially when your world is falling apart. How do you want to be remembered?
RAY: As momma, wife, grandma, advocate, and a country music star who wrote and sang her songs for those with broken hearts that needed mending. I’ve been there. I wrote them for you and for me. Remember me each time you hear them…and smile. I’m in a much better place, y’all.
CC: I love how that order reflects your new priorities in life. If there were one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be:
RAY: When God gives you the chance to ask for forgiveness and reconcile, take it. And when given the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with family, do it! Without hesitation. Do it because you never know. It could be your last chance.
I know we’re a bit past the Christmas season thanks to deadlines throwing my blog schedule off, but this is a read you don’t want to miss. So hop on over to Amazon and check out Bridges of Hope by Ruth Douthitt
About Ruth Douthitt:
Former writing teacher, Ruth Douthitt is an award-winning author multi-published author of books for middle grade readers and adults in fiction and non-fiction. She is the winner of the Moonbeam Children’s Books Award-Bronze Medal for Best Book Series and the Christian Indie Awards first place winner in YA. Ruth is working on romantic suspense novels. She currently works for Grand Canyon University and lives in Phoenix with her husband Scott and their little dog.
Connect with Ruth: Website | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads | BookBub
GIVEAWAY
Here’s your chance to win a copy of Bridges of Hope. 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.
Comment with: Who is one person you wish you could have just one more Christmas with?
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by Crystal Caudill | Dec 3, 2024 | Character Interview
I had the honor of meeting Anna Sullivan when I endorsed A Song of Deliverance by Donna Wichelman, and now I am blessed to introduce you to her and her story. The author, Donna Wichelman, is graciously giving away a copy of A Song of Deliverance to the person who comments and fills out the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post. Before we dive into Anna’s interview, let me introduce you to her story and what I had to say about it in my endorsement.
A Song of Deliverance by Donna Wichelman
Born into the Irish system of land-holding that favors the moneyed class, Anna Sullivan has no dowry and no chance of marrying the man she loves. Poor and heartbroken, she flees Ireland to tend to Uncle Liam’s house in Colorado and take on her deceased aunt’s sewing business.
But when Anna arrives in Georgetown, she discovers a mine disaster at the Singing Silver Mine has killed her uncle. Orphaned and destitute again, she gathers her faith, courage, and ingenuity to establish a life in the community. Only one person stands in her way—the mine’s owner.
A wealthy grief-stricken widower of European nobility, Stefan Maier threw all his energies into making his mark as a silver mining baron in Colorado. Now everyone blames him for the mine disaster that killed nine men. But how does he convince the lovely and opinionated Irish woman of his innocence?
Will Anna’s heart soften towards Stefan? Will Stefan prove himself worthy of Anna’s affections? Each will have to risk everything to attain what they each want most—love.
“Wichelman delivers a story set in the mining world that is rarely explored with such depth of research. Readers will appreciate Wichelman’s attention to detail and story where the hurts of the past meet the tragedy of the present with a heart for community and hope for a better future. Definitely check out this beautiful reflection of God’s love and provision during unexpected and difficult times as soon as possible.” ~ Crystal Caudill, Author of Counterfeit Love
Purchase Links: Amazon
Now for our interview with Anna.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Anna. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
AS: Good day to you. My name is Anna Katherine O’Sullivan from Ireland. I’m the main character of the story you’re about to hear–a story about finding the faith and courage to persevere despite the most tragic circumstances and discovering God has never been farther from you than a tiny breath away.
CC: So true. So what or who is your biggest problem in life?
AS: I was born at a time in the nineteenth century when the Irish system of land-holding favored the moneyed class. I had no dowry, no chance of marrying the man I loved. Though he tried to stop me from emigrating to America, his well-to-do parents would never approve of a marriage between us. “They’ll put you out to pasture with the sheep until you get some sense about you,” I told him. Poor and heartbroken, I fled Ireland to tend to Uncle Liam’s house in Georgetown, Colorado and take on my deceased aunt’s sewing business.
CC: It’s so hard when circumstances out of our control force us from the ones we love.
How would you describe your relationship with God?
AS: My journey with God soon became rough once I arrived in Colorado. Faithfully, I attended the church in Ireland and believed God had provided a path forward to earn a living–do better than “butter and egg money,” as Ma hoped for me before she died of cancer. But on the day I arrived in Georgetown, tragedy awaited me. My uncle had died in a mining disaster at the Singing Silver Mine, where he worked. One of the local pastors’ wives, Laurel Thomas, befriended me and tried to comfort me. But I questioned how God could have brought me to Colorado only to leave me once more orphaned and alone in the world without a way of earning a living. It was a poor plan from where I stood on the matter.
CC: It’s sos hard to understand God’s plans, especially when they make no sense to us and feel so painful.
How do you think others view you? Do you feel this is an accurate representation of you?
AS: As you can see, I can have a bit of an attitude–opinionated, some call me–making up my mind before I know all the facts. Ach, it is that Irish temper that sometimes arises to the surface that causes me trouble.
CC: Ha ha! I’m not even Irish and my temper can get me in trouble!
Tell us a bit about the personal journey you through during this story.
AS: I’d never considered myself without gumption in Ireland. A person in poverty must always corral the resources to get by. Now, I had to dig deep down into my heart and soul and find the faith and courage to create a new life for myself in a strange, new world despite what appeared to be God’s mistake. Over and again, I encountered circumstances that required the mettle to persevere.
CC: And that is such a wearying experience, isn’t it?
What is your greatest skill that helps you through the story?
AS: Finding my initiative once more, I took up my aunt’s sewing business she had left behind for me, and I built upon the reputation she had made. This enterprise, as well as others, served me well as I established a life in the community.
CC: What a blessing to have such great skill with a needle. I can barely hem!
How would you describe the love interest?
AS: Sometimes our preconceptions prevent us from seeing clearly what God’s plan is. I have to admit my first impressions of the handsome Mr. Stefan Maier did not impress me. For one thing, he owned the Singing Silver Mine, and people held him responsible for the mine disaster. Then, when I discovered he hailed from European nobility, I wrote him off as above my class and out of my reach as Seamus had been back in Ireland. Even when Stefan insisted our class differences didn’t matter, it took me some time to cast off old prejudices without lingering regret. But when he sacrificed his life to prove to me and all of Georgetown who caused the disaster that killed nine men, I saw him for the man he truly was, and the veil across my eyes fell.
CC: What a beautiful story of growing to see someone for who they are and not just what we think.
If there is one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?
AS: I thank the good Lord for Laurel Thomas, who reminded me that we might plan and scheme and think that we have our lives under control, but it will always be the purposes of the Lord that will be established. He promises to make our paths straight if we boldly move forward, trusting His plan over our own.
CC: Having those truth speakers in our lives is so important.
Thanks for hanging with us today. Readers, if you’re looking for a a good read over the Christmas break that isn’t Christmas, I definitely suggest picking up this one. If not now, then in the New Year.
About Donna Wichelman:
Weaving history and faith into stories of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna’s love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic—an international college in Wales, U.K. She enjoys developing plots that show how God’s love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, forgiveness, and belonging in a world that often withholds second chances.
Donna received her master’s degree in mass communication/journalism from San Jose State University and became a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two indie-published Christian romantic suspense novels in her Waldensian Series—Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor. Her historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, releases on December 3, 2024.
Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.
Connect with Donna: Website | X | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads | BookBub
Readers: What books do you know that also feature enemy to lovers books?
Giveaway:
Donna has graciously decided to give away one copy of A Song of Deliverance. Be sure to comment on the questions above and then hop over to the Rafflecopter to be entered. Giveaway open from time of posting until 11:59 p.m. EST on 12/10/2024.
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by Crystal Caudill | Oct 15, 2024 | Character Interview
One of my favorite perks of being an author is the ability to read books for endorsement. I was blessed to meet Eleanore Wainright through the opportunity to endorse A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado by Kathleen Denly. In fact, here is my endorsement for Eleanore’s story:
“With unexpected twists, a second chance romance, a mystery, and a beautiful historic California beach setting, Denly weaves a Christmas tale that will entertain and delight. It’s the perfect quick read for any season, and especially for those who love a touch of Christmas all year long.”
Kathleen Denly is graciously offering an e-copy of her book, Harmony on the Horizon, the first book in her Chaparral Hearts series (all set in the early days of California). You can find the details for that giveaway at the bottom of this interview. Before I get to introduce you to Eleanore Wainright, let me introduce you to her story.
A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado by Kathleen Denly
When death visits Coronado, will secrets of the past keep them from uncovering the truth?
Her entire life, Eleanore Wainright has been molded to fit the ideal society wife in the glittering world of New York’s elite. Her father’s aspirations for her are clear: marry a man of wealth and status, and secure their family’s future. But when she arrives at the Hotel del Coronado with intentions to do just that, Eleanore’s carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when she comes face to face with Thomas Harding, the man who shattered her heart and disappeared without a trace.
Working as a bellboy at California’s newest and most prestigious resort, Thomas never imagined crossing paths with Eleanore again, let alone amidst the backdrop of a suspicious death.
As the investigation continues and tensions rise, Eleanore and Thomas are forced to confront not only the ghosts of their past but also the secrets that threaten to destroy their future and the futures of those they hold dear. With the eyes of New York’s elite upon them, they must choose between the responsibilities they’re expected to fulfill and the love they’ve always yearned for, risking everything in the process.
Purchase Links: Amazon
Now for our interview with Eleanore.
CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Eleanore. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?
EW: What a pleasure to meet you! I’m Eleanore Wainright, daughter of Mr. Rupert Wainright of Wainright Steel Enterprises. It was my father’s request that brought me to the Hotel del Coronado with the goal of obtaining a proposal from Mr. James Mitchell. James’s family owns two railroad lines and were included in the recent publication of Mr. McAllister’s “Four Hundred” list – a list of New York’s most elite families. James is the sole heir to his family’s fortune and my marrying into a Four-Hundred family would open many doors of opportunity for Father. James seems pleasant enough, but I worry what he’ll think if he discovers the mystery novels I’ve been publishing under a pseudonym. Would he order me to quit writing? And then there’s Thomas Harding, the childhood playmate who stole my heart before breaking. I thought I’d never see him again. What is he doing working as a bellboy at this hotel? Whatever his reason, I’ve done my best to avoid him. Unfortunately, I do need his help finding the truth behind this tragic death. The Coroner’s investigation is definitely going in the wrong direction. I just hope we can figure things out before my father discovers we’ve been spending time together.
CC: What or who is your biggest problem in life?
EW: I thought I had my future figured out. I would marry James Mitchell, continue writing my mystery novels in secret, and share a life with James and Father among New York’s most elite families. Then Thomas reappeared and suddenly things are far more complicated and confusing. How can I still feel attracted to a man who promised me the world and then left without saying goodbye?
CC: Oh that is so hard. And given I know the details of this story . . . I can say that figuring out where the future leads in one crazy ride.
How would you describe your relationship with God?
EW: I believe in the Lord, but understanding His will for my life can sometimes seem as clear as a cup of hot chocolate. It sure would be nice if He could send me a letter in plain writing letting me know which path I should follow. It seems no matter which future I choose someone is going to wind up hurt.
CC: Boy do I feel that one! As much as I love hot chocolate, I’d prefer my plans to be as clear as a road map with step-by-step directions.
What is your greatest skill that helps you through the story or makes you appealing to a possible love interest?
EW: My intense curiosity makes me keenly observant. This not only feeds my mystery novels, but can come in rather handy when determining whom to trust and even in helping a loved one find their lost item.
CC: Curiosity and keen observation are wonderful traits that you demonstrate beautifully in this story.
If you were to describe yourself as an animal, which animal would it be and why?
EW: My compulsive curiosity would probably make me a cat, but I think I’d prefer to be a fly that could visit room after room unnoticed but observing everything. Although, no, maybe not a fly. They’re ugly, noisy, and are frequently squashed. Perhaps a butterfly would be better. They’re small enough to slip through small cracks, can still fly, don’t make a sound, and aren’t likely to be squashed. Yes. I do think I would enjoy being a butterfly.
CC: Smart choice to be a butterfly instead of a fly. I wouldn’t have thought about it in that way. Before we wrap up, I have one more question for you.
If there is only one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be?
EW: Never accept something at face value. Rarely are things entirely or only as they seem and people often misrepresent themselves or situations (intentionally or unintentionally) based on how they view the world. Questions are the key to truly understanding the world we live in and the people who share it with us. Always ask more questions. Find the truth.
CC: It’s so wise to realize the way people seem or portray themselves (whether intentionally or unintentionally) is influenced by how they view the world. Until we understand how they view the world, it can be difficult for us to truly understand them.
Readers, thanks for hanging out with Eleanore and me today. If you’d like your chance for a free e-copy of Harmony on the Horizon, check out the information below. And tell us in the comments, has there ever been a time when you’d misjudged a person until you go to know them better?
About Kathleen Denly:
Kathleen Denly writes stories to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.
Kathleen lives in California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
Connect with Kathleen: Website | Kathleen’s Reader Club | Facebook | FB Reader Group | Instagram | GoodReads | BookBub | Amazon
Giveaway Information
Kathleen has graciously offered an e-copy of Harmony on the Horizon for one lucky winner. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Drawing runs until 11:59 p.m. EST on 10/22/2024.
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