Continuing in my series of post about Sung in the Shadows, I want to introduce the characters. If you’ve seen the social media posts, you’ll recongize some of the information, but blog posts allow for a little more space to add more information. For each character I’ve shared a bit about their creation, a favorite quote from them or scene in Tristan’s case, and the pictures I used for inspiration while writing.
Ezekiel Beaumont
Inspiration: A bit of my husband shows up in every hero, but especially his steadiness when Nora’s sanity was in question. My husband and I have been through some serious family stuff where I thought I would lose my mind. He was the steady rock I needed to remind me of THE ROCK when I was drowning and fearful.
A bit about him:
- composer & stage manager at Pike’s Opera House
- Visits his mother at Longview Asylum every week
- Determined to win Nora over with his wit and steadiness
- Protective and faithful
- Believes Nora’s mother is the famed opera singer who disappeared mid-performance
Favorite Quote from him:
“God never promised to remove the burdens of our lives, but to bear that burden with us and to help guide and direct us through it. Maybe Jesus has paired us under the same yoke so we can share each other’s burdens as He guides us through this mess of life.”
Nora (Brisbane) Davis
Inspiration: Each of the Guardians reflects one of my “Mayhemmer” friends. Nora best reflects Angela Carlisle (who is an amazing contemporary romantic suspense writer). Both are incredible knitters, absolutely terrifying in their ability to protect themselves, but are quiet and keep most of their thoughts to themselves. And if you don’t know her, Angela can sometimes be hard to read. But both women have incredible faith despite what they have walked through.
A bit about her:
- Kidnapped as a child, but escaped
- quiet, independent, a knitter, harbors secrets from her friends, The Guardians
- trained by her opera-singing mother, but the music/theater world is forbidden
- Afraid of trusting the man who’s taken an interest in her
- sees her kidnappers everywhere and fears she is going mad like her mum
Favorite Quote from her:
“If there is one thing I’ve learned through Mum’s illness, it’s that her choices are hers alone. We can do everything in the world to protect our loved ones—put rules in place, hide them from the dangers posed, shield them from pain—but we were never meant to bear the burden of saving them from themselves. We cannot even save ourselves.”
Tristan Beaumont
Inspiration: Tristan was actually suggested by my friend’s daughters, and then I took inspiration from the ONE cat I had who lived to be 18. His thing was shrimp. You couldn’t say or spell the word without him attacking you until he got his piece. He was also an indoor/outdoor cat who would catch the mockingbirds that divebombed him and eat them until all that was left were their beaks and feet.
A bit about him:
- Wrestled with a dog and lost his eye and had his ear torn
- Cat with a bad attitude
- Views Ezekiel as the enemy
- loves F-I-S-H
- Brings Nora and Ezekiel together
- Causes LOTS of trouble and mayhem
Favorite Scene with Tristan:
Don’t believe the worst. That’s thinking too much like Mum. Tristan must have gotten away. Look around and think like a cat.
Nora widened her search. There were plenty of leafless trees and bushes scattered along the road. He could be hiding in the brush, or maybe he’d climbed a tree. She didn’t see any gray balls of fur, but everything about the day was gray and brown.
“Tristan! Here, kitty, kitty!”
“You’re much more likely to get his attention by calling out ‘fish,'” Mr. Beaumont said. “It’s even better if you spell it because then he thinks you’re trying to not share, and he’ll have none of that.”
“Do you have any fish to give him?”
“No, but he already hates me. If it brings him back, I’ll gladly face his displeasure.” He raised his voice. “I say, Miss Davis, would you care for a bite of f-i-s-h?”
Nora held her breath as they waited for any indication Tristan was coming. The only rustling came from the rain hitting the bushes.
Mr. Beaumont tried again. “This fish is so good. I’m glad Tristan isn’t here to have any.”
If she weren’t so worried about Tristan, she’d find it amusing that Mr. Beaumont spoke of and treated the cat more like an unruly toddler than an animal.
Constanza Brisbane
Inspiration: While researching the opera, I read the biography of Emily Soldene (The Improbably Adventures of Miss Emily Soldene). The details of her life and the commentary on other opera singers of the time largely shaped the life and personality of Constanza. While I don’t want to give too much away, in case you haven’t read the story, you can find bits and pieces of the life Constanza tried to keep secret within the pages of that biography.
A bit about her:
- Refuses to keep hiding her past as a former famous opera singer, but no one at the asylum believes her
- committed to an asylum for paranoia
- fears her daughter being kidnapped again
- has secrets that could destroy her family
Favorite Quote from Her:
Whack! “Speak as you write.”
An absolute must for this ridiculous exercise to work, because speaking and writing meant you had no space in your mind to argue with the words being committed to paper. She rolled her eyes, but did as commanded.
“I am Josephine Davis.” Not that I want to be. “Wife of Mark Davis.” Marcellus, not Mark. “Mother of Nora Davis.” Eleonora is prettier. “I am not an opera singer.” Not anymore. “I am not a thief.” Unless you count the extra biscuit I stole from the dessert tray at lunch. “There is nothing special about me or my past.” Except I have three lives and a past that will kill my daughter and me if it catches up to us.
There is just something about her defiance that I love. That and the real quote I wanted to use would give too much away if you haven’t read the book yet.
Mrs. Beaumont
Inspiration: Mrs. Beaumont’s faith and struggles largely came from Sara Turnquist, an author who graciously shared about her battle with depression. The battle of darkness and light, and not believing God’s promises for herself came from her experiences.
A bit about her:
- Suffers from depression and attempted suicide (off-page)
- Is a Christian and did everything everyone told her, but she’s still not healed
- Speaks truth to Constanza even when she struggles to believe them herself
- Doesn’t want to be a burden to the son she loves
Favorite Quote from Her:
“It’s not about what you confess, but to whom you confess.”
Even in the midst of her own depression and struggles, Mrs. Beaumont spoke the truth of the Gospel to others. It was a beautiful thing to watch and know that two things can be true at once: 1) You can share about the Gospel and believe it’s true, 2) but you can wrestle with believing it applies to you.
Bonus: Mrs. Jerden
I have no images for her, or even inspiration. She sort of developed as her own character that I absolutely adored. She was a wonderful neighbor and calculating chaperone. I couldn’t end this post without sharing this quote from her:
“Ah, young love. It is as wild as it is beautiful. I’m happy to be the chaperone who’s tardy enough to allow the kiss but timely enough to keep it short.”
If you haven’t checked out Sung in the Shadows yet, I encourage you to do so. This book didn’t start out as the book of my heart, but it has certainly ended up becoming one.
When past darkness prowls, will stepping into the light lead to a brighter future?
~ Composer Hero
~ Opera Singer Heroine
~ Family Secrets
~ Secret Identity
~ Opera / Theater Life
~ Asylum
~ Mental Illness Representation
~ Suspense / Mystery
~ Love that Overcomes
~ Forbidden Love
~ Hope in the Darkness
~ Strong Female Friends
My question for YOU:
Which character is YOUR favorite? Or even, which character are you most glad makes an appearance in the story?
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:
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Pinterest | Amazon | BookBub | GoodReads
I would love to read the book Sung In The Shadows in printed copy so I could review it looks & sounds like a good real read