UPDATED: The giveaway winner is JCP!
I’m so excited to share with you the third and last book in the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series, Counterfeit Faith. Today, I’m going to cheat a little and well, interview myself about Counterfeit Faith. Check out the bottom of the post for a giveaway just for blog visitors.
Q: We can always read the back cover description of a book, but it’s always interesting to hear the author describe their book in their own words. Will you introduce us to your sophomore release, Counterfeit Faith?
Counterfeit Faith is probably my most romantic story thus far. It was hard to avoid with flirtatious Josiah Isaacs as the hero. Once he met the matron of Final Chance House of Refuge, Gwendolyn Ellison, it was a war with himself not to fall hard and fast.
Gwendolyn Ellison has spent her life serving children the public has deemed delinquents. Sent to Final Chance House of refuge, the children are supposed to be given a safe place to be reformed from their criminal ways and given a second chance at life. However, someone is trying to hide the abuse occurring inside, and when Gwendolyn tries to expose them, they target her with threats to her life.
Widower Josiah Isaacs gets pulled into Gwendolyn’s troubles when he rescues her from a knife blade, but he soon discovers more than abuse is going on. Someone is using the children for their counterfeiting operations. As a Secret Service operative, he has the jurisdiction to step in and rescue the children. As he and Gwendolyn work together, they both fight against their growing affection for each other. After all, Josiah doubts God, and Gwendolyn relies on her faith to endure each ordeal. Even if they can survive this case, can they really have a future together when their beliefs are so at odds?
Q: In writing a historical novel, you could have chosen any place and any time. Why Philadelphia?
In Counterfeit Love, I’d mentioned that Broderick Cosgrove and Josiah Isaacs had pursued their case from Philadelphia to Cincinnati. So it only made sense that once Broderick Cosgrove’s and Andrew Darlington’s stories had been told, Josiah would continue to work where he initially started. It also allowed me to bring Hayden Orton back into the story and give the series one final connection to my novella, Counterfeit Truth.
Besides, I’ve always desperately wanted to visit Philadelphia. I’m a huge history nerd, and who wouldn’t want to walk the streets where our founding fathers did? Of course, my travel to Philadelphia didn’t happen until after the book was almost ready to go to print. However, I loved diving into the history of Philadelphia and seeing a different period than most people think of when the city is mentioned. Philadelphia was the perfect example of a Gilded Age city. I got to bring in touches of the upper class while still thoroughly wandering through the underbelly of what society wanted to ignore.
Q: Josiah has been a widower for ten years. Why is he so intent on fighting against his growing affection for Gwendolyn?
Josiah is extremely loyal to his deceased wife, Shauna, despite being a flirt. Every year on their anniversary, he visits her grave at the time of their wedding. Her pictures remain all over the house, especially at his bedside, where he sleeps with a lamp on so he can wake up to see her face. He believes Shauna is the only woman he can ever love, and to love anyone else would be disloyal to her. When he notices a deepening attraction to Gwendolyn, it scares Josiah. He doesn’t want to be unfaithful to Shauna. How can he love another woman but still love Shauna?
Q: What keeps Gwendolyn fighting against her growing attraction to Josiah?
Aside from the fact that Josiah is a widower and obviously still in love with his first wife, Gwendolyn is very cognizant of the fact she and Josiah come from vastly different social classes. The Isaacs family is one of the wealthiest families in Philadelphia, the type to rub elbows with the Astors. Josiah’s mother is one of the board members for Final Chance, and Mrs. Isaacs has made it clear that while she values Gwendolyn as a matron of Final Chance, Gwendolyn should not be looking for love above her station. There is also a matter of a difference in their faith. While her faith is firmly rooted in Christ, Josiah doubts God’s goodness and if He can even be trusted. Although marriage to Josiah might sound like a Cinderella fairytale, Gwendolyn knows that no fairytale is worth the pain of being yoked to a man who doesn’t share her faith.
Q: During this story, the Secret Service faced some difficult constraints that affected their ability to conduct investigations. What were those, and how did Josiah work around them?
The Secret Service largely depended on earning the trust of counterfeiters by purchasing counterfeit money. This allowed them to explore deeper into the network of counterfeiters and arrest those involved at the production level. However, when President Cleveland came into office, so did a new solicitor. This solicitor believed that Secret Servicemen were inciting people to commit a crime and therefore put a ban on purchasing counterfeit money. This crippled investigations for nearly a year when, finally, the ban was lifted. However, the ban was not lifted until after this story. Because Josiah could not purchase counterfeit money associated with those inside Final Chance House of Refuge, he used his mother’s connections to join the board and his partnership with Gwendolyn to gain the needed information.
Q: What is it you hope for readers of this novel?
It is always my hope that the readers will find enjoyment and satisfaction in my stories. Even more so, I hope they will walk away with a feeling of being encouraged and challenged in their own faith walks. Josiah and Gwendolyn wrestled with doubt. Their faith wavered and struggled, just like everyone’s does at some point. However, instead of ignoring their doubt and pretending it didn’t exist, they eventually faced it head-on, carrying it to God and asking Him to help their unbelief. God doesn’t get upset with our doubts and questions. He welcomes them. They are an opportunity for us to come to Him and allow Him to show us things about Him and our relationship with Him that would never have occurred otherwise. So my biggest hope is that readers will walk away unafraid to bring their doubts to God.
Q: This book is the last in a series. Are there any threads that run through the whole series that will be wrapped up in Counterfeit Faith?
Josiah’s story emerges through each of the stories. In Counterfeit Love, you meet this flirtatious man who is supposedly afraid of the dark and sleeps with a lamp on. He’s the unobtainable bachelor who is often ribbed for his inability to say no to a woman. In a way, he has counterfeited love through all these surface-level flirtations he’s had, trying to find solace in the grief he quietly carries. In Counterfeit Hope, you discover there is a reason why he hasn’t committed to any of the women he’s flirted with and felt trapped into proposing to. He was once married, and he’s not ready to let that love go. Again, his hope has been counterfeited, placed in a love that, because of death, is now one-sided. Counterfeit Faith is the full maturing of Josiah. His story of love, hope, faith, and redemption. His story is what really brings all the themes together into a fullness that would be lost without its telling.
Q: You offer a free novella to newsletter subscribers that is a prequel to the start of this series. What can you tell us about it? How do readers get their copy?
I wrote the story of Secret Service operative Hayden Orton, who you’ll meet in Counterfeit Hope, and Felicity Richmond as a way to introduce readers to the series and a few of the characters. Felicity is a reporter determined to prove that the Secret Service is corrupt by catching a former operative selling counterfeit money. Hayden is annoyed by Felicity’s constant interference and concerned about her reckless pursuit of the very man the Secret Service is trying to capture. When Felicity’s life becomes threatened by the corrupt former operative, Hayden is assigned the task of protecting her and distracting her from pursuing the former operative by having her join him on a case involving the burglary of the Philadelphia Mint. Lots of danger, spunk, and romance are mixed into this novella, and it’s the perfect way to dip your toes into the series.
Readers can find out more and get their free copy by signing up for my newsletter letter here: https://bit.ly/CounterfeitTruth.
Q: What do you love most about writing historical romance novels packed with suspense and faith?
My favorite part of writing romance, especially with suspense, is that romance stories reflect God’s love for us. He pursues us, fights for us, and desires a close relationship that can only be gained by living life together. Just like the heroes of my books, He is willing to—and did—die for us. He vanquishes the evil in our lives—sin and death, cherishes us, and pushes us to become a better version of ourselves. The version He created us to be. I can’t write a romance story without suspense and faith because that is the love story God has written for us.
As far as the historical aspect goes, what can I say? I’m a huge history nerd. I love delving into the intricacies of history. History is always far more complex than our high school history books painted it to be. The Gilded Age, for instance, fascinates me with its dual nature–the extravagantly rich culture of the upper class and the destitution of the lower class. Social movements, immigration, labor riots, and rapid technological advances are a feast for this history lover’s voracious appetite.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Christianbook
Giveaway:
From now until Tuesday, May 23, leave a question or comment for me on this blog post to be entered to win a signed print copy (or e-copy if you’re international) of your choice of Counterfeit Love, Counterfeit Hope, or Counterfeit Faith.
UPDATED: The giveaway winner is JCP!
How did you come up with the titles per book ? What inspired you to write these types of book , are motivated you ?
I came up with the first title, Counterfeit Love. I’ve always enjoyed book titles that tie in cleverly (and maybe somewhat cheesily) with the theme and plot lines. My husband is actually the one who said we should have Counterfeit as the first word in each book of the series and then we thought through the potential themes of the books, because believe it or not, I had all three titles before books two and three were even written.
I’ve always enjoyed history, romance, and danger. So when I stumbled upon the Secret Service’s early history, I was intrigued. When I read the recollections of a former Secret Service operative who served in the early days, I knew I had to do a series based on these men.
As far as motivation? Reading and writing are my escape, but more importantly, they’ve become a special journey between me and God. I hope I get to continue on this journey with Him. It’s not an easy one, but it is one I treasure.
https://pearladapridham.com/2023/04/29/counterfeit-love-by-crystal-caudill-2022-kregel-publications/
Halfway through the story I realized why the title of Counterfeit Love is so apt. There’s a real message there about choosing a mate.
Hugs. Yep. It was a message that is close to my heart. I didn’t mean for it to go that way, but God is wiser than me. The hurts of our past can be used to draw us closer to Him.
And thank you for that beautiful review! I appreciate it so much!
You are more than welcome. I loved the book.
cannot wait to see what you write next!
Thank you so much. I have a project I’m working on, but it’s not yet contracted, so we’ll see!
Love this!
I’m so glad.
I can’t wait to read this book! Josiah has always intrigued me. I look forward to “getting to know him.” And I love Philadelphia, so I can’t wait for the adventure to begin!
Thanks! I’m so NOT a romantic, so Josiah kept me on my toes and squirming. LOL Characters really do become their own people.
I am so excited for you and this journey you are on. Starting Counterfeit Hope today. Congratulations on your new release!
🙂 Thank you! Counterfeit Hope is honestly my favorite of the three, but don’t tell Broderick or Josiah that. 😉
Hi Crystal, I’ve read Counterfeit Truth, and Counterfeit Love, and loved both of them! I can hardly wait to read the next two in the series!
As I was browsing your website, I saw that you have supported Bearing Precious Seed ministries. I’m so thrilled to read that, as our church has been supporting them for many years. Thank you for supporting them!
Thank you also for the giveaway chance! And I really enjoy this interview.
Blessings,
Suzanne Wilson
That is WONDERFUL about Bearing Precious Seeds, and I’m so thankful that you support them. It is a wonderful ministry that I do love getting to support. I hope when you get to the next two books that you’ll enjoy them as well! Thank you for your encouragement and support!
Thanks for the interview. I’ve always enjoyed CF historical fiction as well. Would love to win a print copy of Counterfeit Faith, or any of the others, as you are a new-to-me author and I haven’t read any of your books as of yet 🙁 I sure would like to, though 🙂 In faith, here’s my mailing address: Lual Krautter.
Hi Laul! Because this is a public space, I went ahead and deleted your mailing address for your safety. I’ll use a random name picker next week and then email the winner. Best of luck for winning. You can read Counterfeit Truth, my prequel novella for free when you sign up for my newsletter. You can click bit.ly/CounterfeitTruth to learn more about that story. I hope you enjoy if you get the chance!
This self-interview was a great idea because you got to share exactly what you wanted to. I really enjoyed reading it. I admire how you tackle several complex issues in the novel.
Sadly, it’s true that institutions set up to help people do sometimes take advantage of them or make life even worse for them.
And this issue of remaining in love with a spouse who has died so that you cannot move on is exactly the stage I find myself in, three years since he passed away. 💔
Bless you in your writing ✍️. And thanks for telling us more about what’s in those books. ❤️
After reading her comment, I think Pearl should win.
You are sweet. To be fair to everyone though, I am going to enter everyone who comments name into a random name picker next week to select the winner. 🙂
Thank you Greta. As Crystal said, you are sweet. Hugs to you 🤗.
Hugs, Pearl. I did lots of interviews with widows and widowers and reading books written by them. It is my hope that this book will reflect your journey honorably and realistically. One of the books I read for research that I will forever recommend is The Tender Scar by Richard L. Mabry. I’ve purchased a copy to keep on my resource shelf for any needs we run across as we interact with people and try to minister to them. I am so sorry for your loss, and I pray that as time moves on that healing will be yours and that while your love for your husband won’t diminish that loving again may be a possibility for you. Hugs.
Thank you so much for the resource recommendation. I’m going to recommend it for our church library, as we have a lot of people who have lost a spouse.
That’s a wonderful idea!
Sounds like a good read.
Thank you!
While the completion of each book must be joyous, would you say the first book published was your happiest moment?
Probably. Each book has it’s joys and pitfalls, but there is nothing like seeing your book in the real world for the very first time. In the writing world, we tend to call our books Book babies, and that’s really what it feels like.
This sounds like such a fun read!
I’m glad you think so!
Thank you for the interview and giveaway. Who are three of your favorite authors?
Only three?? That’s mean. LOL I LOVE Michelle Griep, Erica Vetsch, and Grace Hitchcock. But there are tons others too.
I always enjoy your blog posts. Your books are fascinating to me, how you combine both history and faith in your stories.
Has your faith always played an important role in your life?
Thanks.
nice interview
Thank you!
“that readers will walk away unafraid to bring their doubts to God” I love your heart in this.
<3 Thank you. It is truly my hope. I've seen so many people I love walk away because they doubted but wouldn't confront those doubts or bring them before God. It breaks my heart, and my prayer is no one else suffers that loss of faith. God is certainly big enough to handle it, and He even welcomes it. I love His response to "Doubting Thomas."
"Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.'"
It's just such a beautiful picture of how He isn't afraid of Thomas' doubt and how He invites Thomas to test that doubt with the truth.
I just signed up for your newsletter and got the prequel. I’m looking forward to getting started on this series. I’ve not read any of your books but heard great things about them from my reading buddy, Rebecca Maney.
Thank you so much! Rebecca is so sweet, and I am so thankful for her. I hope you enjoy the story and the series!
What’s your favorite historical time to write about?
I’m sorry, Lisa! I could have sworn I wrote out an answer to this. I love all periods of multilayered issues–American Revolution, Civil War, and the Gilded Age. The Gilded Age is where I am most comfortable right now, but I have a Civil War Series waiting in the wings for a one day book.
Thank you for the information about the new solicitor under President Cleveland and the restraints put on the Selective Service. My mom and I are reading the series so Counterfeit Faith is on my “have to buy” list.
Thank you so much for the gift your time and choice to read the series. That means the world to me. I’m glad you enjoyed the information!
I was wondering why you chose to write about the secret service?
Sorry for the delay in responding. It was a crazy week/weekend with my son graduating and then lots and lots of errands. I chose to write about the Secret Service because after stumbling upon their earlier history and then diving in, that it was too fascinating not to share with others. 🙂 Once a history nerd, always a history nerd. . . and I like dragging other people into my nerdom.