by Crystal Caudill | Sep 30, 2025 | Book Reviews, Reading Challenge
It’s another month of our challenge: Tackle Your TBR Pile. So go dig through that stack taller than you of books you’ve been meaning to read and start reading away. Since this year is based on your TBR pile, I will not have a recommendations page, but I’m leaving the link here so it’s easier for me to set up NEXT year’s blog posts.
Find recommendations at Reading Challenge Recommendations, Crystal Caudill’s Reading Friends Facebook group, Avid Readers of Christian Fiction, or Inspirational Historical Fiction Index.
Don’t forget to comment at the bottom of the post for your chance to win a book off my prize shelf. *The list of prizes from my shelf can be found here.*
Reading Challenge 2025: Tackle the TBR Pile
If you’re anything like me, you have a TBR pile that is bigger than you can hope to read in a lifetime. This is the year we’re going to try an tackle at least twelve of those books. Head to your shelves and find books that fit each month’s challenge.
This Month: September – New to you author
Next Month: October – Title from a favorite author
Their Burden to Bear
by Heather Tabors
Review by:
So I’m totally cheating on this one. I read this one for endorsement, and since I’ve been hitting my book hard, I haven’t read anything else. So here is your chance to jump in on a debut author’s book and preorder it so you get it before everyone else realizes how wonderful it is.
It’s hard to put into so few words why you should read Their Burden to Bear, but here I go. Books set after 1900 aren’t usually my thing, especially those connected to World War I or World War II, however Their Burden to Bear captivated my imagination from the first page. How had I never heard the history of the men who carried the Unknown Soldier to his final resting place? I’d always humbly respected and was thankful for the Unknown Soldier and all he represented, but after reading this book, I have a new appreciation and reverence for the men he represents. Then to read the perspective of one soldier as he not only is one of the chosen to bear the burden of carrying this unknown soldier to his resting place, but also his struggle to return to a normal life for himself was truly an experience I would recommend everyone read. I’ve always known that the men who served in either World War were known to be very quiet about their experiences, and Phillip’s realization that he can let Elsie in without sharing all the details was not only huge for him but for me in understanding the struggle they faced in letting those they loved in to the scars the war left behind.
I’m a huge history person, so you know that’s where my first love for a story goes, but this story had more than just an eye-opening and deeply researched history. The romance between Elsie and Phillip was realistic with the struggles both of them faced, was sweet, and had me rooting for them as they overcame every little and big obstacle that overtook them. It was a love born out of circumstances and need, but it was beautiful and satisfying. There were even surprise elements of danger that kept me turning the pages long after I should have gone to bed.
If you have any desire to understand an often overlooked portion of history as well as the struggles of the men who served not just our country but the world, you need to pick up Their Burden to Bear.
“With rich historical details, a romance that is hard-won and beautiful, and unexpected twists, Taber has penned a debut novel that will leave you sitting not only in awe of her story-telling, but also in awe of the brave soldiers her story represents. Their Burden to Bear will leave you with a new and profound reverence for and understanding of the men who are represented by the Unknown Soldier and the men who served along those who never made it home and still remain unknown. This story will leave an indelible mark on you, and you don’t want to miss it.” – Crystal Caudill, Christy Award-Winning author and author of Written in Secret
Genre: Historical Romance
Plot:
Washington, D.C., 1921—In the shadow of Arlington National Cemetery, Elsie St. Clair yearns for her father’s approval and a love to call her own. When she’s selected as a companion to Phillip Pierce, a decorated Marine chosen to bear the Unknown Soldier to rest, she sees her chance to finally make her widowed father proud. But beneath Phillip’s decorated uniform lies a man haunted by the horrors of Belleau Wood—a hero whose most grievous wounds are invisible to the eye. As Elsie’s own scars from her father’s emotional abuse surface, she recognizes in Phillip a kindred spirit burdened by life’s cruelties. Meanwhile, the ambitious Lavinia, determined to claim Phillip for herself, strives to destroy their relationship in any way she can.
When her father’s abuse escalates, Phillip offers marriage as protection—a convenient arrangement with clear boundaries to shield her from harm and him from attachment. As they care for Elsie’s orphaned nephew together, what begins as a practical union slowly transforms into something deeper. But their fragile connection is threatened when Elsie stumbles upon mysterious ledgers and hidden documents that suggest her father is involved in something sinister. As Elsie fights for the love Phillip is hesitant to give, an anonymous blackmailer uncovers a secret from his past that could destroy everything he’s built—including his budding relationship with Elsie.
In a time when battle trauma was misunderstood and hearts were expected to silently endure, Elsie and Phillip must decide if they’re brave enough to lay down their defenses and share not just their burdens, but their love. With dangerous men closing in, mysterious connections to the Spanish embassy emerging, and secrets threatening to destroy them, they discover that our heaviest burdens were never meant to be carried alone. Set against the solemn backdrop of America honoring its fallen warriors, their journey proves that the most profound acts of courage often happen far from the battlefield, in the quiet surrender of a wounded heart.
Author Website: https://heathertabers.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month. Use the Gleam Widget below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each month at midnight EST, and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced on the Gleam widget. *Giveaway Policies can be found here.
September 2025 Reading Challenge
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
by Crystal Caudill | Jul 22, 2025 | Author Interviews
It’s always a blessing to get to introduce you to a new author. I think I’ve known Teresa for quite a while, and I’m so excited for her to release her debut novel. Teresa is graciously giving one U.S. resident a signed copy of her book and a bookmark. You’ll find the information for all that at the end of this post. For now, let’s get to know Teresa.
A former teacher and librarian, Teresa Wells treasures a story threaded with redemption and hope. She loves people, history, and studying the Bible. Teresa is a member of Novel Academy and American Christian Fiction Writers Association, where she volunteers behind the scenes. She lives with her family outside of Dallas, Texas. What Brings Us Joy is her first novel.
You can connect with her through: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Teresa with rapid-fire.
CC: Rain or snow?
TW: Rain–it’s temporary!
CC: Makeup or no makeup?
TW: Makeup! Really. Like, every day, morning to midnight. I have too much compassion for my fellow humans to go without it!
CC: Personal maid or personal chef?
TW: Personal maid! I’d be totally okay with a full-time, live-in maid.
CC: Arrive early, just on time, or late?
TW: Early! I hope my kids’ teachers aren’t reading this … I COULD have been that mom whose kids are perpetually late! Let’s just say life is better with time to spare!
CC: Food fight or water balloon fight?
TW: Since I can’t stand having dirty, gooey, sticky hands, I’m gonna go for the water balloon fight. At least you’re clean at the end of it!
I get the want to be early, but having kids means being perpetually late! LOL And good point about food fights!
Do you read fiction while you are writing your own stories? Why or why not?
TW: Absolutely! More specifically, I listen to fiction. Not while I’m in the act of writing, of course, but I have an audiobook going during the time I’m plotting, drafting, revising, or editing my own book. Why? Because I can’t live without fiction! Plus, laundry is totally okay if my mind is in another time and place. What do I listen to on audio? It depends. If I’m really digging into my own storyworld, I’ll choose a contemporary romance or romantic suspense. And every once in awhile I’ll listen to a podcast–but it better be good, or I’m switching back to my fictitious world.
CC: Fictitious worlds really are so much better!
What is your favorite part about writing? Why? What is your least favorite? Why?
TW: I love discovering the characters. I fill out a detailed questionnaire for each one, using a spiral notebook and taking my time to really think about what makes them laugh, what they feel is an injustice, what their weaknesses and strengths are. At the end of that process, I feel like these characters are friends of mine. If I know my characters, the storytelling goes much quicker.
My least favorite? Writing the first draft. My perfectionist side dukes it out with my hurry-up-and-tell-the-story side.
CC: Drafting is SO hard. Perfectionism can be a real problem during that part of the process!
Do you have a general writing process you follow or does it change all the time? What does your process look like from beginning to end?
TW: I’ve found that planning the story ahead of the writing gives me a sense of comfort. But I also allow myself flexibility to vary from the plan if it makes the story better.
When I’m writing, I need to feel like I’m right there alongside my heroine. I’ve found that taping up Sanborn maps of my town shows me the businesses that existed at the time of my story. I’ve printed photos of people who remind me of my characters and tacked them to the closet door in my office. And this might seem a little extreme, but sometimes I need to physically act out a scene. In What Brings Us Joy, Delia is an expert needlewoman. To place myself in her shoes, I did cross stitch. Doing that reminded me of all the stray threads that land on your clothes when you’re sewing, and of how tedious it is to thread a needle. In book two of this series, my heroine loves gardening. I might have to put aside my fear of wasps and bees and plant a little garden in my backyard!
CC: I also dive into trying to do as much as I can of my characters. The more hands-on you can be about learning your characters, the more authentic they can be.
How have you seen God work in your writing journey?
TW: He’s allowed me to feel more dependent on Him, especially when insecurity rears its ugly head. When I give those feelings to Him and ask for His guidance, I feel stronger, more sure of His purpose in my life. The situation doesn’t change, but my ability to cope with it does, with His help.
CC: There is nothing like writing to teach you how dependent you are on Him.
Why do you write Christian fiction?
TW: I’ve tried writing clean, no mention of the Lord, but I just can’t do it. To me, a world with no mention of the Lord feels empty.
CC: I understand that. I love that God has called different writers to reach different audiences and none is better than another, just all serving His purpose.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
TW: My biggest advice is to know your end goal. If it’s to get your thoughts on paper, then go for it! Write in a journal to your heart’s content. If you want to write for publication, whether short stories or full length novels, then devote yourself to learning the craft at least six months before you try to get a publishing contract.
CC: Those are all good things to keep in mind.
Now I’m excited to talk about What Brings Us Joy.
Unless she can finish her quilt in time to enter the county fair. The prize money would be just enough to open her shop. Determined and resourceful, Delia sets her sights on success—until her heart takes an unexpected detour when she meets handsome Clarence Parker.Bent on respectability, Clarence refuses to let his past get in the way of his future happiness, especially after falling for spirited Delia Truitt. But his hopes shatter when headlines declare members of his former gang have broken out of jail and are heading his way, set on revenge. Though Clarence doesn’t regret testifying against the outlaws, he fears his future with Delia is in jeopardy. Clarence will protect her from the killers, even if it means risking their future together.
Can Clarence keep her safe? And will Delia love him after she finds out about his past?
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Barnes & Noble
CC: What will fans of What Brings Us Joy love about your story and characters?
TW: I hope they can relate to the struggles and dilemmas Delia and Clarence go through.
CC: I definitely love how you have the storyline of Clarence’s past standing in the way. So many people struggle with the question of if people can really change.
How did this story develop and change from spark to finished book?
TW: At first, it was going to be a dual-timeline story, but before long, the contemporary story hit a dead-end, and the historical side went full speed ahead. So I dropped the modern story and focused on the 1895 time period. But I kinda went overboard! I ended up with two stories within one book, which doesn’t work! I had to decide which story spoke to me more, and said goodbye to the other half. I didn’t toss it out, though! Pieces of that version will show up in the next two books in the series.
CC: It’s so easy to make our first books have too much in them. I’m guilty of doing that even now! LOL
What is the most fascinating piece of research that shaped your story?
TW: I was captivated by all the snide jokes in newspapers toward women who spent time crazy quilting. It gave a good representation of 1890’s cultural view of women, for one thing. The condescension in those “jokes” made me cringe!
CC: Yeah. It was a tough season for women’s respectability.
Who was your favorite character to write? Why? Who was your least favorite? Why?
TW: Delia and Rabb were my favorites to write. I loved their banter. Writing that was very natural. Clarence was a little harder to write. I didn’t want him to come off too self-righteous, though he certainly is that. I also didn’t want his past to overshadow his current effort to live an ethical and honest way of life.
CC: That is definitely a hard balance.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
TW: I hope readers walk away knowing that people can change, with the help of the Lord.
CC: Amen.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
Which part of the roller coaster would you ride in: the front, middle or back? Why?
TW: The front! I need the full view of what lies ahead!
CC: LOL Sometimes I’m afraid to see what’s coming so kudos to you!
Readers, I hope you’ll check out What Brings Us Joy and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.
Reader, have you ever quilted or sewn anything? Are you any good or was it a disaster?
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of What Brings Us Joy. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 7/29/2025. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
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by Crystal Caudill | Mar 25, 2025 | Author Interviews
Written in Secret has been out in the world for an entire week and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful outpouring of support, encouragement, and reviews! 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!
While you’ve met a few of the characters–Lydia, Abraham, and Billy Poe (on Reading is My Superpower), I thought it might be fun to share an interview with myself about the book. 🙂 There are the usual giveaways at the end of the post, but you’ll also have the chance to ask me YOUR questions. It might take me a few days to get back to them, but I’ll be responding to each one. Who knows, maybe I’ll post a few on social media too!
Can you tell us a little bit about your new novel, Written in Secret?
Lydia Pelton is a dime novelist who writes romances under her own name but secretly writes crime novels under the pseudonym E.A. Dupin. However, someone is murdering the exonerated criminals whose cases she based her novels on. The police suspect Dupin, but how can a man who doesn’t exist commit murder? Some poor decisions have left her at odds with Officer Abraham Hall, but she’ll never prove Dupin’s innocence without him or find the vigilante who’s determined to prove his love for her through murder.
What sparked the idea for Written in Secret?
I’ve always enjoyed movies, television episodes, and novels where the concept of a book is brought to life. As a historical romantic suspense author, I was excited to toy with the idea of someone bringing a mystery author’s books to life for nefarious purposes. I’m also a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, and the vigilante character Casey Jones inspired the idea of including a villain with noble intentions executed in a very vile way.
What themes present themselves throughout the novel? Which ones speak most to readers today?
When this story began percolating in my imagination, the country wrestled with “What is justice?” and “How should injustice be handled when we feel our justice system has failed us?” There was lots of rioting, talk of vigilante justice, and discourse on how things should be handled within the constraints of the law. I’m not sure society ever agreed on what those answers should be. I never aimed to answer those questions for my readers but to spark discussion and thought on our response to injustice as Christ-following believers.
Why did you choose 1880 Cincinnati as your setting?
During this period, Cincinnati had a reputation for corruption. Criminals often walked away with lesser sentences or no conviction if they had the right political connections or financial ability to grease palms. Juries, judges, and officers could be and were bought. Elections were known to be rigged, and the citizens felt helpless to change anything. On top of that, the restructuring of police management through a board of police commissioners failed in early 1880. After that, the running of the police department fell under the mayor’s responsibilities. The mayor appointed or fired officers. Sometimes, they were fired for something as simple as having a differing political view. It was a volatile time that actually led to a major riot in 1884 that killed 58 and injured far more. It was the perfect storm for the setting of my novel.
What will fans of romance love about your story and characters?
I hope readers will love the banter between Lydia and Abraham and how they help each other grow as Christians and individuals. I also hope readers will spy all my little pokes of fun at romance novels and how I purposely twist expectations.
What was the most fascinating thing you found during your research that shaped your story?
I’ll try to keep this brief because I could talk about this for hours. Bottom line: Dime novels revolutionized reading and were met with significant opposition. Before the invention of dime novels, books cost $1 to $3 each, putting them firmly out of reach for the average worker who only made $5 to $8 a week. Dime novels were 100-page paper leaflets that sold for between a nickel and twenty-five cents and made reading material available to the common man, woman, and child. However, the middle and upper classes generally opposed their existence. Many viewed dime novels as soul-corrupting and leading to an increase in crime from the lower class. Many lobbied to ban them, even though members of all classes read them. This societal dissonance shaped the direction of my story, my heroine’s reasoning for hiding behind a pseudonym, and Cincinnati’s response to discovering my heroine not only wrote romance novels but also mystery novels that dove into the underbelly of the criminal world.
If readers have read Counterfeit Love, they have already met Lydia and Abraham as side characters. What new things will readers learn and love about them in this new story?
Written in Secret takes place four years before Counterfeit Love and tells the romance story of Theresa’s best friend. While Lydia was firmly rooted in Christ by Counterfeit Love, Written in Secret shows Lydia’s growth in her faith walk. Like many Christians, Lydia feels her relationship with Jesus is good enough. However, when a vigilante uses her stories to commit murder, she’s confronted with the lies she’s used to get published, obtain research, and hide her identity from even her family. Readers will get a front-row seat to her growth, wild imagination, and humor.
Abraham is the sensibility to her madness, although Lydia is a puzzle to him. He first met her when he arrested her and Theresa for attempting to “rescue” a three-legged goat from the circus. She’s a temptation to figure out, but he wants no future with a criminal dime novelist who can’t take responsibility for her decisions. Still, their banter and the need to protect her from the vigilante her books created bring him into constant contact with her. The road to becoming a detective is difficult, but with Lydia in the way, it’s nearly impossible.
The villain is unique. Can you tell us a little about him?
Lydia’s crime novels featured a detective hero named Billy Poe. In her stories, Billy Poe investigated crimes that exactly matched the cases that inspired the story. However, in each book, before they could be arrested, the criminals met similar fates to the crimes for which they’d escaped punishment. In her fictional world, Billy Poe is the hero, but someone in the real world has taken on Billy Poe’s identity and is murdering the criminals from the original cases exactly how they die in the books Lydia wrote. He leaves quotes from the book on the bodies and claims the deed. However, no one knows who he is. At first, people believe him to be the author, E.A. Dupin, but when it’s discovered Dupin is Lydia’s pseudonym, the police (and hopefully the reader) are left with no idea who the true villain is.
Written in Secret is the first book in the The Art of Love and Danger series. Please tell us about the series.
The series contains three books that follow four friends who each have a talent or career related to one of the arts. Theresa paints and engraves, Lydia is a dime novelist, Nora secretly sings and writes songs, and Flossie creates and paints pottery. Each woman’s art plays a significant role in the plots and how they face the problems around them. And, of course, love and danger will pursue them through each page. Only three of the four friends have books in this series, but you can read Counterfeit Love for Theresa’s story. While each book can be read as a stand-alone, the series will best be enjoyed by reading them in order.
What do you hope readers take away from reading Written in Secret?
My biggest hope is that they’ll walk away having read a story that excited and entertained them. On the “deeper” side of things, I hope readers will walk away knowing that God is still just and able even when there is injustice in the world. Sometimes, God will use injustice to change a person’s heart toward Him, and sometimes, we never get a reason or explanation. But we can act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
What is a fun fact about this book that readers might not know?
The four friends who call themselves “the Guardians” are inspired by my core critique group and friends, “the Mayhemmers.” We came together as mostly unpublished writers and have now all walked through the published author door supporting each other in our careers, personal lives, and spiritual walks. And that is what each of “the Guardians” does. Each character has qualities loosely based on each of these ladies. I tend to behave like Theresa, Liz Bradford like Lydia, Angela Carlisle like Nora, and Voni Harris and Flossie share some of the same characteristics. It’s been fun tucking in qualities of my best friends into a fictional world.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
There was an eclectic range of topics I needed to study. I spent the most time researching dime novels, from their history to the publication culture surrounding getting published, then to the societal reaction to dime novels. Of course, I read a few to gain an understanding of their style and content. I also did a massive amount of research on the history of the Cincinnati police department. It was actually a pretty complicated history where dates were incredibly important to make sure I knew who was over the department (a board or the mayor), what resources they had or didn’t have available (telephones before police wagons), how they were structured, where the stations were, and so much more. I adored every minute of it. A special treat was visiting the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum and getting a personal tour from a former chief of police and historian for the museum.
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
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.
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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.
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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?
