Uncategorized | Crystal Caudill

Meet Amos Ravensworth of The Sovereign Liberty series by T. Elizabeth Renich

Crystal Caudill — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:23:00 +0000

Teatime with Amos Ravensworth,

from The Sovereign Liberty series

by T. Elizabeth Renich

I’m so glad you’ve joined me today for a special afternoon tea. I’ve got a cup of Darjeeling Autumnal, a tray full of shortbread cookies, cucumber sandwiches, and scones with the requisite clotted cream and jam. Help yourself to anything you like and whatever beverage makes the day perfect.

Today, it is my personal joy to introduce you to Amos Ravenscroft. I always enjoy getting to know characters outside of the books they’re in, and Amos is no exception.

In addition to getting to know the character, T. Elizabeth Renich is giving away a print copy of A Declaration of Hope to one lucky U.S. resident. You’ll find the details at the end of this post, but don’t miss the interview!

Let’s dive in!

Let’s dive into our Speedy Six

CC: What are you drinking during the interview?

AMOS: Coffee—ever since the Destruction of the Tea in Boston Harbor and nonimportation agreements, we don’t routinely drink that any longer. Unless you’ve an affinity for the Loyalists.

CC: City, Suburb, or country?

AMOS: I divide my time between Virginia’s capital city of Williamsburg and Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress meets.

CC: Reading a new book or rereading an old favorite?

AMOS: Serenity used to read to me, pirate stories were my favorites.

CC: Invisible or read minds?

AMOS: Invisible. It’s my job to stay out of sight, especially when carrying dispatches.

CC: Carriage trip or ship?

AMOS: Because I’ll inherit a shipping company one day, I’ve spent a fair amount of time on schooners and have crossed the Atlantic multiple times.

CC: Fancy restaurant or home-cooked meal?

AMOS: Serenity makes the best Chelsea-style buns as a sweet treat. Mostly when she needs something from me.

A Taste of A Declaration of Hope

A Declaration of Hope by T. Elizabeth Renich

Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance, American Revolution

Serenity Ravensworth hastens from the American Colonies to England, braving the ocean crossing to return to her ailing beloved Grandee—still lacking a formal understanding with Marcus St. James. Living in the Colonies influences Serenity more profoundly than she realizes, and homesickness shadows her on both sides of the Atlantic.

Once the border survey by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon is complete, St. James follows his heart back to England to offer for Miss Ravensworth’s hand. When a dormant threat resurrects danger, St. James parlays his noble peerage to advantage. Marrying Miss Ravensworth is the best way to protect her—and overcome his dread of losing her.

Returning to Williamsburg and Philadelphia means forfeiting title and estates, though St. James yet clings to the promise of attaining his awarded land in the Ohio River Valley. Together, he and Serenity learn to navigate the perils of married life, privately and publicly. Their wedding trip to the Warm Springs on Virginia’s frontier leads them to cross paths with retired Colonel George Washington and his wife, Martha, but the rustic mountain retreat also reveals an unexpected tie to Fort Michilimackinac and St. James’s missing memories.

Dissent intensifies between Loyalists and Patriots. Royal governors command the seizure of arms and ammunition, sparking Williamsburg’s gunpowder incident as well as bloodshed between British regulars and Massachusetts militia at Lexington and Concord. In the wake of battle, beliefs are challenged, sides are chosen. Amidst disease, disaster, death, and dreams, how will Serenity and Marcus contend with the hope that declared Independence is worth the cost?

Purchase Links:

A Declaration of Hope (book 2) – Amazon

A Worthy Risk (book 1) – Amazon

Let’s Get to Know Amos Ravenscroft

CC: Before we start diving too deep…

Please introduce yourself to our guests.

AMOS: I’m my mother’s fourth son, and being the youngest, my father’s estate would by law go to the eldest brother, leaving me with nothing but what I could earn through trade. A long-time family friend who sired no son of his own decided to adopt me when I was eight years old, and one day I will inherit his business interests. I am closest to my sister, Serenity, and I love horses—almost as much as I love Jessa Northcraft. I once played a fiddle duet with a well-known Virginia burgess in Williamsburg, at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern—he had a way with words. When I was young, my brother-in-law used to tease me that I was no good at keeping secrets, but as I’ve grown into my majority, I have become one of the most trustworthy couriers the Virginia Committee of Correspondence and delegates rely upon to carry important information to General Washington’s encampments. With the war on, every day holds a new challenge. We have a Declaration of Independence, but the fight with the British to gain our freedom still rages.

CC: That sounds like an interesting and dangerous job you have… and a very important one.

What do you want and what is standing in your way?

AMOS: I want Jessa to hurry up and get older. You see, she’s a bit younger than I am, and her mama wants us to wait before entering into any kind of betrothal. Every time I get sent with orders to ride, it gives me room to breathe—I can hardly breathe when she’s about—and I don’t like being separated from her so often. I think it scares her, because she knows what could happen if I were captured. Her brother, my friend Asher, has no objection to the match and insists it will be inevitable. I confess, the impatience is starting to wear thin.

CC: Ah. The passions and impatience of young love.

If you had time to read a book, what would you pick?

AMOS: After I finished my general education at William & Mary, Mr. Wythe became my tutor. I spent long hours studying both volumes of Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England—because we have a similar legal system here in Virginia. Serenity used to read to me, but my escape and enjoyment came more from playing fiddle tunes or carving trinkets for Jessa than reading books.

CC: Sounds like you might make a good lawyer in Virginia, and a great leader as the new country forms itself.

As the fourth son, what was your childhood like?

AMOS: My mother died shortly after she gave birth to me. Serenity took over mothering duties and kept on even after Grandee came to live with us. My father was ill, and he went away to Italy for a climate less damp than England’s. Becoming the heir to Kerrigan Shipping changed what my life could have been, and for that, I am grateful.

CC: It sounds like you had a very difficult family situation. You and your sister must be very close.

Doing what you do must come with many difficulties. Who or what scares you the most?

AMOS: I am going to have to confront Serenity’s husband for choices he has made. He claims he loves her and never wanted to hurt her. He broke her heart, and if I ever find him again, well, the Almighty just might have to send some heavenly intervention.

CC: Yikes. I’m glad she has you to protect her, but how sad that you feel you must intervene.

How do you think others view you?

AMOS: I am tallest of all the Ravensworth brothers, so the older ones can’t look down on me anymore. Serenity was slow to accept I had grown beyond the little boy years, even after my voice changed and she had to crane her neck to meet my eyes. She wanted very much to keep our family all together, but instead it scattered. She didn’t want me to come to America by myself, and we learned to love the Colonies. Now, she and Jessa see me as reliable and dependable, and both of them are quite proud of me. But it pains me to have to withhold information from them on occasion. Military secrets, or otherwise.

CC: It sounds like they really are the two most important women in your life. I’m glad they have you.

A Sweet Finish

CC: Unfortunately, it is time to wrap up our interview. I always love finishing with a fun question.

What is the weirdest thing on your bucket list?

AMOS: I have yet to earn the title of “Uncle Amos” —if that happens, it means Sis has a child, and that would mean a dream come true for her—and a miracle has taken place.

CC: I’ve just recently become an aunt after thinking my brother would never get that blessing. I understand what you mean and hope she gets her miracle baby…and it sounds like reconciliation with her husband.

That’s it for now. If you enjoyed getting to know Amos Ravenscroft and are curious about their journey, I highly recommend you check out A Devoted Hope. Before we clear the table and pack away the tea stuff, I have a question for you.

What do you think would have been the hardest part of living during the American Revolution?

Leave your comment below and join the teatime fun. Until next time, may your days be filled with good books and cups of tea (or your favorite beverage)!

T. Elizabeth Renich is the author of six historical novels set against America’s Revolution and Civil War. She worked for two NFL teams and has visited all fifty United States of America. International travels have taken her to Germany, Japan, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, and England. She hunts historical markers and shares hope as an ovarian cancer survivor. Her love of photography is evident in albums documenting research trips and life in general, illustrating how she gives glory to God for the great things He has done.

Connect with the author:

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Gorgeous Georgians Group

Giveaway Details

Here’s your chance to win a copy of A Devoted Hope. Comment on the blog and enter using the Google Form below for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 EST on 8/20. Open to legal U.S. residents. see Giveaway Policies for more details.

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German Christmas Traditions

Crystal Caudill — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 01:03:57 +0000

German Christmas Traditions

I’m breaking from my Secret Service history series because my publisher is celebrating Christmas in July with a Kindle sale on We Three Kings! You can hop over to Amazon between July 18 and 25 and snag it for $2.99. With my publisher’s e-book prices hovering around $12 these days, now is the best time to snag your copy.

To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to share about the German Christmas traditions you’ll find in We Three Kings. If you want to learn more about the novella collection, you can find it below.

We Three Kings is a 3-novella collection from me, Cara Putman, and Angela Ruth Strong that follows three generations of one family. Since Cara wanted to connect her novella to her WWII novels, it only made sense that the family line would be of German heritage. Not only did that give us some fun historical scenarios to work with, but it also gave us a rich and deep well of Christmas traditions to incorporate into our stories. The following traditions appear in the collection, and I’ve indicated which novella they appear in.

Nikolaustag – “Star of Wonder”

All over the world, December 6 is known as St. Nikolaus Day. It is a celebration of Saint Nikolaus, the Bishop of Myra and the patron saint of seafarers and children. Children leave their shoes outside their door for Saint Nikolaus to deposit a sweet treat for their year of good behavior. However, in Germany, Saint Nikolaus is accompanied by a more sinister figure who carries a sack and a switch. Bad children could be given a switch or taken away in the sack. This assistant has various names depending on the region. The two most familiar being Krampus and Knecht Ruprecht. I chose to use Knecht Ruprecht in my story since he first appeared in a seventeenth-century Nuremberg Christmas procession, and Krampus appears to be used more often in the Alpine Region.

Weihnachtsmarkt—German Christmas Markets – “Star of Wonder”

These open-air markets are a German Christmas tradition that signals the beginning of the Advent season and dates back to the Middle Ages. Traditionally, the stalls are made from timber, and everything sold must be locally produced and handmade. The atmosphere for this unique experience is set by twinkling lights, music, and the scents of traditional German foods and a hot mulled wine called Glühwein. If you ever get the chance to go, be sure to check out the hand-carved ornaments, Advent calendar wreaths, and my favorite, Quetschemännchen—the little figurines made from dried fruit and walnuts.

Epiphany – “Beauty Bright”

January 6 is the religious feast day known as Epiphany or das Dreikönigsfest (“three kings festival”) in Germany and some other locations. Epiphany commemorates the journey of the wise men who traveled to seek the Christ child. Often, the letters CMB are found written in chalk on the doors to welcome and commemorate these men. According to German-way.com, “Traditionally, the three letters in the inscription stand for the names of the three Wise Men (Magi): Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar (German spelling). Another possible explanation is that “C+M+B” stands for the Latin phrase: Christus mansionem benedicat, which translates into “Christ bless this house.” The inscription is usually made with chalk that has been blessed by a local Catholic priest.” While there are variations in how it is done, in Cara’s story, three men travel from door to door, offering blessings to those at home. Often, the children would also dress up, and sometimes, a leader of the procession would carry a star. Small gifts are given to the children, just as the wise men gave their gifts to the Christ child.

Martinstag – “Perfect Light”

Martinstag, or St. Martin’s Day, is celebrated on November 11 with a lantern parade. Tradition says St. Martin was a soldier who gave away his last cent when he spied a man shivering in the cold. Out of compassion, he took off his cloak and cut it in half with his sword to share. The whole town heard of his generosity and wanted to praise him. Embarrassed by the attention, St. Martin hid in a goose house, so the townsfolk had to use lanterns to search for him. Today, that search for him is mimicked through a lantern parade complete with song and, depending on where you are, candy.

Make Your Own German Paper Star from “Star of Wonder”

There is a reason why Celestia from “Start of Wonder” struggled to make her star. There are a LOT of steps. Depending on whether you are a video tutorial person or a printed instructions person, I’ve given you the link to two great options below:

Printed Instructions

Excellent Video Tutorial

Check out We Three Kings

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

Three generations of men finding love during the Christmas season.

“Star of Wonder” by Crystal Caudill

2025 Christy Award Winner for Short Form

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

“Beauty Bright” by Cara Putman

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

“Perfect Light” by Angela Ruth Strong

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

ABOUT CRYSTAL CAUDILL

Crystal Caudill is the author of “dangerously good historical romance.” Her debut novel, Counterfeit Love, was a 2023 Carol Award finalist, and her novella, “Star of Wonder,” won the 2024 Christy Award for short form. She loves history, hot tea, all things bookish, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She is a stay-at-home mom, caregiver, and chaos organizer. When she isn’t writing, Crystal can be found hanging with her family and playing board games at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Find out more at crystalcaudill.com.

Connect with the author:

A Question for You:

What is your favorite Christmas Tradition?

OOPS . . . Sorry for all the extra posts

Crystal Caudill — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 22:02:03 +0000

For those who subscribe to my blog, you may have noticed a ridiculous number of posts coming to your inbox . . . Posts that are either too early or not complete. This is what happens when you try to use your sabbatical to get ahead and make next year easier for you. So my apologies. Sigh. You may see a few more come out over the next few weeks as I continue to try and get ahead, but hopefully I’ll get a grip so this will stop. Thanks so much for your patience and mercy.

What can I say? I hate technology. I hope y’all have a blessed weekend.

Do you want to help me plan the 2026 Reading Challenge themes?

Crystal Caudill — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:00:35 +0000

It’s a super quick post today, because I need your help. It’s that time of year when I’m planning the challenge for 2026. I’d actually like to do another year of TBR challenges, but with different themes. So I’d love it if you shared YOUR ideas for some new themes.

What TBR monthly challenge themes would YOU like to see?

Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza Signup

Crystal Caudill — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:00:53 +0000

Hi all! I’m hoping you’re not like me and STILL have your Christmas decorations up, but I DO hope you are ready for the second annual July Reader Extravaganza put on by Sarah Hamaker. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be participating and feel free to share this post and let others know about this great summer “Christmas” fun.

This year, more than 70 Christian authors (including me!) of fiction and nonfiction Christmas books have joined with Sarah to bring you some holiday cheer in July.

It’s a simple concept–sign up and receive daily emails each day in July featuring Christian authors and their Christmas books. There’s nothing else you need to do to enter the contest!

SIGN UP HERE

Each day during the celebration, readers will get an email promoting that day’s Christmas books by Christian authors. Each evening, we will draw the names for the winners of that day’s featured authors. (Winners will be notified via the email they signed up with.) On July 31, we will also draw the names for our 12 grand prize winners, including one grand prize winner from our international readers.

The 2025 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza will hand out more than $2,000 worth of grand prizes to 12 overall prize winners, plus 74 daily winners.

NEW this year—we have some special love for our international readers, with an international grand prize and several days of giveaways exclusively for international readers!

US Grand Prize (Total value: $600)

Copy (ebook or print) of each participating author’s Christmas book
$500 Amazon gift card
Faux leather journal
Themed tote bag
Themed pillow
Themed fleece
Themed bistro mug
Hand strap for Kindle
Themed bookmark, sticker

International Grand Prize (Total value: $513)

Ebook copy of more than 25 participating authors’ Christmas books
$500 Amazon gift card (or equivalent in winner’s country or origin)
Themed bookmark, sticker
Hand strap for Kindle

First Prize (Total value: $312)

$250 Amazon gift card
Themed spiral bound notebook
Themed tote bag
Themed bistro mug
Hand strap for Kindle
Themed pen, bookmark, sticker

Second Prize (Total value: $138)

$100 Amazon gift card
Themed spiral bound notebook
Themed bistro mug
Themed pen, bookmark, sticker

Third – Fifth Prize (Valued at $67)

$50 Amazon gift card
Themed spiral bound notebook
Themed pen, bookmark, sticker

Sixth – 10th Prize (Total value: $42)

$25 Amazon gift card
Themed spiral bound notebook
Themed pen, bookmark, sticker

Here is the list of authors and the dates they will be featured in the contest newsletter. Each day, we will pull daily winners from the subscriber list–you’re entered in the contest when you sign up for the emails. For the dates marked “international,” we will be drawing from the readers with international addresses only. For the dates marked “US,” we will be drawing from the readers with US addresses only.

July 1, shipping to US addresses only

Jerusha Agen/Midnight Clear
Tanya Agler/The Triplets’ Holiday Miracle
Mary Alford/In Past Tense

July 2, shipping to US addresses only

Hannah Alexander/Dandelion Moon
Amy R. Anguish/Mama Dated Santa
Narelle Atkins/Romance in the land down under

July 3, shipping to US addresses only

Laura Ashwood/One Sweet Christmas
Barbara M. Britton/Christmas at Whispering Creek
Crystal Caudill/We Three Kings

July 4, shipping to US addresses only

Malissa Chapin/Hope for Christmas
Naomi Craig/The Weary World Rejoices
Susanne Dietze/A Small-Town Christmas Challenge

July 5, shipping internationally

Jacqueline Adam/Targeted Witness
Evelyn Grace/Mistletoe and Miracles at the Three Cats Cafe
Kendall Hoxsey/An Imminent Christmas Threat

July 6, shipping to US addresses only

MaryAnn Diorio/A Daddy for Christmas
Loretta Eidson/The Marine’s Deadly Reunion

July 7, shipping to US addresses only

Camille Elliot/The Spinster’s Christmas
Eva Marie Everson/God Bless Us Every One

July 8, shipping to US addresses only

Nancy J. Farrier/The Driftwood Cove Collection
Mary A. Felkins/One Starry Christmas

July 9, shipping internationally

Izzy James/Garrett
Debby Lee/Peppermint Christmas
Helena Smrcek/Love Across Time

July 10, shipping to US addresses only

Tama Fortner/Simply Christmas
Rachel J. Good/The Christmas Gathering

July 11, shipping to US addresses only

Kelly J. Goshorn/Chiseled on the Heart
Danielle Grandinetti/Escape with the Prodigal

July 12, shipping to US addresses only

Pam Green/The Old Fool
Anne Greene/A Williamsburg Christmas

July 13, shipping to US addresses only

Erin Greneaux/Mary’s Treasure
Winnie Griggs/Hear Harold’s Angel Sing

July 14, shipping to US addresses only

Sarah Hamaker/Mistletoe & Murder
Robin Lee Hatcher/Wishing for Mistletoe

July 15, shipping to US addresses only

Annette M. Irby/A Christmas Duet
Rebecca Price Janney/Easton at Christmastide

July 16, shipping to US addresses only

Elle E. Kay/Healing the Hero
Jill Kemerer/The Cowboy’s Christmas Treasures

July 17, shipping to US addresses only

Rebecca Lake/Deception At Christmas
Katy Lee/Christmas K-9 Guardians

July 18, shipping internationally

Melanie D. Snitker/Marrying Noel
Darlene L. Turner/Explosive Christmas Showdown

July 19, shipping to US addresses only

Tracey J. Lyons/Heart of Faith
Elizabeth Maddrey/Hope for Christmas

July 20, shipping to US addresses only

Diana Leagh Matthews/Carol of the Rooms
Susan G. Mathis/Madison’s Mission

July 21, shipping to US addresses only

Cathy McDavid/Merry’s Christmas Cowboy
Dana Mentink/Spoon to Be Dead

July 22, shipping to US addresses only

Jordan Millsaps/The Holiday Exchange
Mindy Obenhaus/Rediscovering Christmas

July 23, shipping internationally

Jessica Wakefield/It Shouldn’t Be You
Lynn U. Watson/The Essence of Joy

July 24, shipping to US addresses only

Robin Patchen/Christmas in Nutfield
Paula Peckman/Texas Heirloom Ornament

July 25, shipping to US addresses only

Sally Jo Pitts/The Lost Box
Terri Reed/Christmas Protection Detail

July 26, shipping to US addresses only

Kathleen J. Robison/The Cross at Morioka Castle
Donna Schlachter/Sleigh Ride for Ruby
Laura Scott/Shielding His Christmas Witness

July 27, shipping internationally

Wade Webster/The Extra Ordinary Christmas
Ronda Wells/The Christmas Cherub
James Yarbrough/Jingle Belles and Christmas Beaus

July 28, shipping to US addresses only

Beverly J. Schweigert/Faith Unwrapped
Toni Shiloh/The Christmas Catch
Patti Stockdale/His Unforgettable Bride

July 29, shipping to US addresses only

Tanya Stowe/Christmas Bells are Ringing
Cheri Swalwell/Seasons of Green Pines
Ann Swindell/Christmas in the Castle Library

July 30, shipping to US addresses only

Virginia Vaughan/Peril at Christmas
Suzie Waltner/Ever Green
Meghann Whistler/The Baby’s Christmas Blessing

July 31, shipping to US addresses only

A.C. Williams/A Cowboy for Christmas
Virginia Wise/An Amish Christmas Inheritance
Penny Zeller/Love’s New Beginnings

Meet Grace Hitchcock, Author of To Kiss a Knight

Crystal Caudill — Fri, 23 May 2025 00:47:07 +0000

I always adore having Grace or one of her characters on my blog, and as I’ve been taking a break from blog posts for a little while, it’s nice to dip back into the blogging world with another interview with her. I’ve had the blessing of knowing Grace since pretty much the beginning of my writing journey and the even greater blessing of getting to know her better over the years. She writes wonderful stories, both Gilded Age and Regency. I had the pleasure of endorsing her latest book, To Kiss a Knight, which you can enter her endorser giveaway here until Monday night (5/26/2025). If you’ve not had the pleasure of meeting Grace before, allow me to formally introduce her:

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple his¬torical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, Best Laid Plans, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives South Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a farmhouse that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, chasing babies, or tending to her chickens, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.

Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Grace with rapid-fire.

CC: Rain or snow?

GH: 1,000,000% Rain!

CC: Makeup or no makeup?

GH: Makeup, but just the five-minute and run kind 🙂

CC: Personal maid or personal chef?

GH: Personal maid! I love to cook, but cleaning is only bearable with audiobooks and podcasts, haha.

CC: Arrive early, just on time, or late?

GH: Early!

CC: Food fight or water balloon fight?

GH: Water balloon!

I admire your ability to do makeup in five minutes. I don’t usually wear it, so it feels like it takes me FOREVER to put it on right.

What kind of stories are your favorite to write?

GH: Swoony romances with lots of adventure! It’s my favorite kind to read, so I always try to write a book that I want as a reader 🙂

CC: And you do them so well!!

Do you read fiction while you are writing your own stories?

GH: I do! However, I usually read a genre that I’m not writing in (Christian romcoms, clean paranormal romances, etc.). It gives me inspiration and a break from thinking about my story!

CC: I’ve been doing that more recently too. It’s been great too, because I’m less likely to compare myself to my favorite historical romance authors. Nothing like impostor syndrome to slow the writing.

What is your favorite part about writing?

GH: The first draft is my favorite!! All the creativity is flowing, and it is so, so fun to see that word count go up! My least favorite is the content edit. (It is just painful and I’ve read the story a lot by this point, so I start to think that it might be boring.)

CC: Oh, girl, do I feel you. I always try to add things in during the developmental edit because I get bored, and then I have to take it out again. LOL

Do you have a general writing process you follow or does it change all the time?

GH: I usually write the first draft for 8-10 weeks and edit (drafts 2-6) for 12 weeks! I try not to write on the weekends, but occasionally when the deadline is getting too close, I have to! I do a lot of read throughs in my writing, but I like to layer the story in slowly!

CC: That is sort of similar to my method, although I’m MUCH slower than you. LOL

Now I’m excited to talk about To Kiss A Knight.

When everything is going right, something must go wrong

Vivienne Poppy’s plans are working out quite well. She’s run away from her family and the prospect of a horrid marriage of convenience and plans to spend her time writing under her pseudonym, Lady Larkby. Until she discovers the old Larkby title is not as dead as she thought.

Yeoman of the Guard and recently knighted Sir Sebastian Larkby is stunned to discover a Lady Larkby that he does not remember marrying. Suddenly Vivienne is left with a choice: relinquish her pen name, expose her true identity, and break Sebastian’s dying grandmother’s heart—or feign marriage to Sebastian to keep the title and fulfill the old woman’s wishes.

This witty novel from award-winning author Grace Hitchcock is filled with scandal, mishap, and just the right amount of romance.

Purchase your copy at Amazon | Signed Copy

And if you’re not convinced enough, here’s MY endorsement for the book:

“An authoress fleeing an unwanted marriage, a chivalrous thief who is not as he first appears, and a marriage of convenience? Yes please. Grace Hitchcock has pulled off another rollicking Regency with romance, danger, humor, and unexpected plot twists that you don’t want to miss!”

CC: What will fans of To Kiss a Knight love about your story and characters?

GH: The readers have been saying that they love the chemistry between Vivienne and Bash! The To Kiss a Knight main characters are one of my favorite couples, so it’s great to hear that readers think so too!

CC: They were definitely a blast. 🙂

How did this story develop and change from spark to finished book?

GH: This story was inspired by two of my favorite old movies, Christmas in Connecticut and It Started with Eve! Vivienne and Bash’s relationship really came alive while writing and their chemistry was so natural and easy to capture!

CC: Hmm. I’ve never watched either movie! I guess I better go check those out!

What is a fun fact about this story that readers might not know?

GH: My husband and I went to Bath after writing this story, and we got to visit all the places Vivienne went in Bath and even had high tea in the Pump Room and saw the famous fountain, which you will read about in this story! I’ve been wanting to visit Bath for ages, and it was made extra special having Vivienne’s story completed. But, the shocking aspect of Bath was the surrounding hills! In all the movies I have ever watched set in Bath, there was never a panoramic shot of Bath being set in hills!!!

CC: Wow! I’m really jealous!!! One of these days. One of these days.

Who was your favorite character to write?

GH: I loved capturing the grandma! Her feisty attitude was inspired by my late grandma. While writing, all I had to do was think of my grandma, and Grandmother Larkby was living and breathing in my mind and even had me tearing up while writing some of her scenes.

CC: She really was on of my favorites!

Before we sign off, I always like to end with a fun question so . . .

What would you be if you had to wear one Halloween costume every day for the rest of your life?

GH: I supposed I’d be Laura Ingalls Wilder because we recently moved into a farmhouse where we are raising a flock of 25 chickens, two golden retrievers, and planting fruit trees all while homeschooling!

CC: That is so fitting!

Readers, I hope you’ll check out To Kiss a Knight and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.

Reader, what books have you read with an authoress heroine? Or what about a funny Regency?

Giveaway

Here’s your chance to enter Grace’s Endorser giveaway. Visit her KingSumo Giveaway here for all the details.

Endorser GIVEAWAY! WIN Crystal Caudill’s Written in Secret, AND Betsy St. Amant’s No Place Like Home, AND Carrie Turansky’s A Token of Love And Rebekah Millet’s Kate Landry Has a Plan AND Misty M. Beller’s Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy!!!!

Winter Clue Quest

Crystal Caudill — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:00:07 +0000

Welcome to the 2025 Winter Clue Quest

38 Authors – 6 Days – 3 Winners

It’s time to dust off your detective hat and join in on a fun scavenger hunt where you’ll search for answers about some amazing authors.

How to play:

Visit each featured author and hunt for the answer to their question. Collect all the answers and then submit them via this Google Form. Take one or all six days to complete the scavenger hunt. Be sure to sign up for the authors’ newsletters that interest you and spread the word to others.

Recording Sheet if you desire it.

DAY ONE AUTHORS

Crystal Caudill– What is the name of the free novella you can download when you sign up for Crystal’s newsletter? https://crystalcaudill.com/
Kelly Goshorn– What is Kelly’s nemesis? https://kellygoshorn.com/
Sarah Sundin– What World War II plane did Sarah ride in? https://www.sarahsundin.com/
Heather Tabers– When Heather’s not writing, what does she enjoy creating out of polymer clay? https://www.heathertabers.com/
Carrie Turansky– What is the title of Carrie’s free short story she’s offering readers when they sign up for her newsletter? https://carrieturansky.com/
Erica Vetsch– What is one of two sports teams listed on Erica’s home page? www.ericavetsch.com
Roseanna White– What’s the name of Roseanna’s patron group? http://www.roseannamwhite.com/

DAY TWO AUTHORS

Jennifer Diebel– What two foods would Jennifer live off of if she could? https://www.jenniferdeibel.com
Laura Frantz– Where is the author from and where does she live now? https://laurafrantz.net
Jessica Gustafson– In addition to writing, what type of art does Jessica Gustafson specialize in? https://www.jessicagus.com/
Carrie Hachadurian– What did Carrie buy during the pandemic in a delusional attempt to improve her skills? https://www.carriehachadurian.com/
Nicole Miller– How many purebred Arabian horses does Nicole own? https://nicolemillerwriter.com/
KyLee Woodley– What’s the title of the free short story you get for signing up for KyLee’s newsletter? https://kyleewoodley.com/

DAY THREE AUTHORS

Elizabeth Daghfal– What does Elizabeth have a *slight* addiction to–but never manages to do? https://elizabethdaghfal.com
Kristine Delano– What is the name of Kristine’s audio Novella? www.kristinedelano.com
Elly Gilbert– Name one or more of Elly’s dogs. https://ellygilbert.com/
Breana Johnson– What is the title of Breana’s free novelette? https://breanajohnsonwrites.com/
Katy Lee– What is Katy’s free book on her website called? https://katyleebooks.com/
Dana Lynn– Where did Dana meet her husband? https://danarlynn.com/

DAY FOUR AUTHORS

Alena Auguste– What state is Alena originally from? alenaauguste.com
Lisa Jordan– What is Lisa’s tagline? www.lisajordanbooks.com
Carrie Padgett– How many pets does Carrie have? https://carriepadgett.com/
Jenny Snow– What mountain has Jenny climbed but never reached the top? www.jennysnow.net
Angela Ruth Strong– Which of her books was made into a movie? https://www.angelaruthstrong.com
Jeanne Takenaka– What is the name of Jeanne’s community? https://jeannetakenaka.com
Dalyn Weller– What does Dalyn have too many of? https://dalynweller.com/

DAY FIVE AUTHORS

Mindy Graham– Who told Mindy the story that inspired her to tackle one rock at a time? https://www.mindygraham.com
Sarah Popovich– What are Sarah’s favorite reads? https://www.sarahpopovich.com/
Rebecca Reed– What’s the name of Rebecca’s dog? https://rebeccareedwrites.com
Cynthia Ruchti– What four word answer does she hope to hear readers say when they finish one of her books? https://www.cynthiaruchti.com
Jessica Stone– According to her Home page, what is Jessica’s story? https://www.jessicastonestories.com/
Amanda Wen– What type of pet does Amanda have? www.amandawen.com

DAY SIX AUTHORS

Brianna Foster Barrett– What type of cuisine is her cooking specialty? https://briannagrams.com
Leslie DeVooght– What is Leslie’s hometown? https://lesliedevooght.com/
Jen Dodrill– How many kids does Jen have? https://jendodrillwrites.com/
Erin Kohler– What was Erin’s first car? https://erinkohlerwrites.com
Gabrielle Meyer– What is something Gabrielle includes in each of her stories? https://gabriellemeyer.com/
Carolyn Miller– What country does Carolyn Miller live in and come from? https://www.carolynmillerauthor.com/

A Gift for You – Historical Fiction Cook Book

Crystal Caudill — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 18:43:21 +0000

Just dropping a quick post to let you know about a Historical Romance Recipe book collaboration that I joined in. In this cookbook, you’ll get a recipe from a book from each author, info about the book, and how to connect with them. The only “cost” is to sign up for my newsletter. If you want to follow the other authors in the recipe book, you can click on the links provided inside the book, but you only NEED to sign up for one newsletter (mine) to get it. 🙂 Already a newsletter subscriber? It will be coming out in Tuesday’s newsletter, but I’ve stuck a link for you down below too. 🙂 Happy cooking, y’all!

For NEW Subscribers For CURRENT Subscribers

Meet Voni Harris, author of Breed Apart Legacy: Surge

Crystal Caudill — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:22:58 +0000

I pray that you have friends in your life who have become like family. Voni Harris is one such friend. She’s part of my core group of friends, which we have fondly named the Masters of Mayhem, or Mayhemmers for short. She is an amazing woman, friend, wife, mother, and Christian. It is such an honor to finally introduce you to her with an additional title: author. Voni’s debut novel, Surge, releases TODAY, so after you finish the interview, pop over to Amazon and grab your copy! (Voni will also graciously be giving away an e-copy from the A Breed Apart Legacy series, as well as bookmarks and stickers.)

Before we go in too deep, will you introduce yourself, Voni?

Hello! Waving hi from Alaska! It’s no surprise I grew up to write suspense novels. Dad was a law enforcement instructor. Mom was a newspaper editor. And God wove a love of words and story into my DNA.

My legal eagle hubby and I make our home on an Alaska island. We live with two dogs: Stingray, an Australian Shepherd, is obsessed with playing tug, and Kip, a Boston Terrier is obsessed with food. They all conspire to get me away from my computer and out into the real world of this beautiful rainforest in which we live.

Living in Alaska is truly the stuff of dreams. Winter days of darkness, summer nights of sunlight. Mountains, ocean, forest. Rain, snow, clouds, sun. Even earthquakes. These all meet here on the island in infinite variations. In the same way joy, music, fun, tears, laughter, fear, and surprise meet in life in infinite variations. Through it all is woven the light of hope in Christ. This is what I hope to catch in my writing … The darkness of suspense, the light of Christ.

You can connect with her through: Website | Facebook | Instagram | GoodReads

Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Voni with rapid-fire.

CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?

VH: Candy corn is gross. Pineapple pizza!

CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?

VH: Ahem. I’m 4’6″, so I’m not diving in the deep end, lol.

CC: Guacamole or salsa?

VH: Salsa–as long as it’s mild.

CC: Silly hats or silly socks?

VH: Silly socks, of course!

CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?

VH: Handshakes aren’t that secret, LOL. Passwords!

Awwww, come on, Voni. Just because you’re short doesn’t mean you can’t dive into the deep end. 🙂 You’ve got the three of us (Angela, Liz, and me) to come after you. Although . . . maybe that isn’t such a good idea either. Liz might be the only one actually able to haul you out while Angela and I sink to the bottom.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

VH: Age 5. I loved finding out that Highlights published poems and short, short stories from kids. Plus, Laura Ingalls Wilder was a writer. L.M. Montgomery was. Ronie Kendig is. They all motivated me.

CC: I remember Highlights! Who didn’t love getting their hands on the magazine? Of course, my favorite part was the kid-submitted jokes. But that fits us, doesn’t it? LOL

What does your writing process look like in general from beginning to end?

VH: Plan the characters. Plan the plot. Write out a chapter by chapter synopsis. WRITE THE BOOK. Connect the dots and fix on my re-read. Rewrite and edit. Content edits. Line edit. Proofreading edit. Galleys. DONE!

CC: It is a process! My favorite process is the brainstorming with you how to connect those dots. 😉

What is your writing Kryptonite?

VH: Planning is great … unless you spend time in planning like you sank into quicksand.

CC: It’s definitely easy to overplan rather than get the words down.

What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?

VH: Like I said above, moving forward instead of wallowing in writing quicksand.

CC: Wallowing is so easy to do. I’m so glad we have each other to be blunt and say that’s enough, move on, and then to help in the pulling out of the quicksand.

How have you seen God work through your writing journey?

VH: He has worked through writing partners and mentors who have done nothing but encourage and push me (as did deadlines, lol).

CC: I agree. Having you as a writing partner has been a gift and definitely the hand of God. I am so glad that He has given you so many people to pour into you and motivate you.

Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?

VH: Pray, pray, pray. Always, always ask “why” as many times as it takes to understand where your story is going. And friends, friends, friends who won’t just pat you on the head emotionally about your writing because they want to help you level up your writing.

CC: Great advice and SOOO true.

Now I’m excited to talk about Surge.

Love and Betrayal in a Race Against Time
Delaney Thompson isn’t just a dog trainer—she’s the key to preventing a disaster. With loyal Military Working Dog, Surge, by her side, she’s ready to prove herself on her first mission…even without military training. Her goal? Help the intense Belgian Malinois track down a specific chemical linked to a dangerous terrorist group before it reaches American soil. But to succeed, she must navigate unfamiliar terrain and an even more unpredictable partner.

Garrett Walker is a seasoned military operator, driven by duty and haunted by tragic losses. Reluctantly, he teams up with Delaney, whose lack of tactical experience makes her a liability as he leads them across Southeast Asia. Yet Garrett knows that mission success and the safety of countless lives back home hinge on his leadership, the Malinois’s special scent training, and Delaney’s unique skills.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: if Delaney and Garrett fail to locate and secure the toxic chemical, hundreds of thousands of Americans could die. As they hunt down the terrorists, their objectives are clear—find the stash, neutralize the threat, and try not to get killed. But with mutual distrust simmering between them, their greatest challenge may be learning to rely on each other.

A gripping tale of suspense, betrayal, and unexpected romance. Dive into this high-stakes adventure where every moment counts…and falling in love might just be the most perilous move of all.

Purchase your copy at Amazon

CC: Who was te most challenging character to create?

VH: Garrett was the most difficult. He has to, at some point, give up his frustration with Delaney, so it was a hard balance.

CC: I can remember many discussions about Garrett and finding the right pacing for his growth. Enemies to lovers can be such a hard trope to make believable.

Which Character was the most fun to create?

VH: Delaney was fun as a maverick, as well as her love and understanding of Military Working Dogs.

CC: She certainly liked to stand on her own and not have to rely on someone who acted like he didn’t even like her.

How did this story affect you as your wrote it? Did God teach you anything through the writing?

VH: I learned to push ahead on the writing God prepared me in advance to do, as Garrett and Delaney and Surge learned to push ahead on their mission God called them to do. Garrett didn’t want to be called, and Delaney was afraid of being called … but they both learned from this mission. We all have both callings and things to learn, which is why God calls us.

CC: Yes. He definitely has dual purposes in his calling us.

What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

VH: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” –Ephesians 2:10 What has God prepared you in advance to do? Or what is he preparing you to do?

CC: Such a great verse for readers to walk away thinking about.

I always like to end with a fun question so . . .

What animal is most like you? Why?

VH: A Military Working Dog, of course. Like an MWD, it is in my heart to do exactly what needs to be done, exactly right.

CC: Why am I not surprised by this? LOL And yes, the aim for perfection is a great description of you!

Readers, I hope you’ll check out Surge and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.

Giveaway Info

Voni is graciously giving away a bookmark and sticker, and an e-copy of any of the A Breed Apart Legacy books. They are each stand-alone books; you do not have to read the others in order to read Voni’s.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reader, what other books can you think of that have a dog?

Written in Secret Preorder Promotion

Crystal Caudill — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:12:55 +0000

Thank you for your interest in the Written in Secret preorder promotion!

Scroll down to see the details for the giveaway and bonus goodies.

Already know what you need and are ready to fill out the form? Click here.

ABOUT WRITTEN IN SECRET

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.

“Danger, mystery, hidden identities, villains, heroes, and gallantry! Everything you would expect in a dime novel, but better!” —Erica Vetsch, author of the Of Cloaks & Daggers series

“What a cracking start to a new series! I always enjoy sneaking a peek behind the curtain of a writer’s life, and this tale of authorly misadventure between the Killer Queen of Romance and an upright police detective has something for everyone. Definitely worth diving into!” —Carolyn Miller, best-selling author of the Regency Brides and Regency Wallflowers series

Preorder Links (More being added as they come to my attention)

Print Links:

Ebook Links:

If requesting from your library, this information may be helpful:

Title: Written In Secret
Author: Crystal Caudill
Publisher: Kregel Publishing
ISBN: 9780825449079
Release Date: March 11, 2025

Preorder Promotion Information

THANK YOU so much for your interest in preordering Written in Secret or requesting it your local library purchase it. You have NO idea how important preorders are for a book. Anyone who preorders or requests their library to purchase the book will receive a set of bookmarks, bookish stickers, and a signed bookplate with exclusive access to digital content that will come out release week.

In addition to that, everyone will get one entry for the monthly giveaways. Every month starting in October and ending March 11, I’m going to give away one prize pack for a total of six prizes and six winners.

How to enter:

Preorder your digital, paperback, or hardback copy from your favorite retail site. Fill out this form. You only need to do it once to be entered to win. Non-winning entries will be rolled over to next month’s giveaway.

*No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve chances of winning. Odds of winning will depend on the total number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.*

Alternate method of entry – Request your local library to purchase a copy of Written in Secret or mail a note with your name, email, and mailing address to

Crystal Caudill, Author

P.O. Box 84

Demossville, KY 41033.

Dates and Prizes:

*International residents will get a gift card in lieu of the prize pack.

Giveaway #1 – print copy of Counterfeit Truth, library card zipper pouch, book light (Opens October 1, closes October 31. Winner will be contacted the week of November 1 by email).

Giveaway #2 – print copy of Counterfeit Truth, library card zipper pouch, book light (Opens November 1, closes November 30. Winner will be contacted the week of December 1 by email.)

Giveaway #3 – Bookish tote with matching pen and notebook (opens December 1, closes December 31. Winner will be contacted the week of January 1 by email.)

Giveaway #4 – print copy of Counterfeit Truth, library card zipper pouch, book light (Opens January 1, closes January 31. Winner will be contacted the week of February 1 by email.)

Giveaway #5 – Bookish tote with matching pen and notebook (opens February 1, closes February 28. Winner will be contacted the week of March 1 by email.)

Giveaway #6 – Bookish tote with matching pen and notebook (opens March 1, closes March 11. Winner will be contacted the week of March 11 by email.)

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