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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Who Wouldn’t Be Excited to Read This New Series from a Debut Author?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Crystal Caudill's debut novel, Counterfeit Love, promises to be amazing. I mean, I'm fighting to put it down already and I'm on chapter one! via @chautonahavig

This week, I got to chat with a wonderful debut author, Crystal Caudill.  The first of the three-book series, Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age, releases on March 22, 2022, and oh wow!  I got my copy early (don’t ask me how, but it arrived the other day!) and it’s STUNNING.

Caudill takes readers into the Gilded Age and introduces us to Secret Service Agents who are out to stop counterfeiting!  A true history aficionado, this author not only writes historical fiction, but it’s also her favorite read, too!

Crystal Caudill interview

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Who Wouldn’t Be Excited to Read This New Series from a Debut Author?

As I said in the episode, Lori Wick’s To Know Her by Name is about an undercover Secret Service agent in Colorado and has been one of my favorite books for a long time.  But based on what I’m seeing in Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill, I suspect this series might be as good… or better!

Taking place during the Gilded Age, the series promises to showcase three Secret Service agents over the three-book series, one of which is from one of those wealthy families we often associate with those years.

As I said, I don’t know how it happened, but my copy arrived yesterday, and though I am only on the first chapter, I am already riveted. For those who care?  I can’t STAND Theresa’s fiance.  DUMP THE BUM!  That’s my opinion, anyway. Obviously, she disagrees, and since I already like her, I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps this guy is only unreasonable, controlling, and a bit of a bully about her grandfather instead of about getting his way.  Yeah. Let’s go with that.

Note: no spoilers here… you can read that much on the first page of the “look inside.”  Just being honest.

But seriously, this book is already so good!  For example, we’re predisposed to love a grandpa who we know has made some dumb decisions from that first page as well. Any man who would give up something he loved to raise a granddaughter is a hero in my book, despite other… failings. 😉

The other books will probably release about every year or so.

Insert wailing and gnashing of teeth here.  Seriously, how are we supposed to wait this long? At least Crystal promises to come up with new book ideas as soon as she turns in book three of this series in May.

Okay, that might have been a bit of an exaggeration of what she actually said was that she couldn’t think about it until then, but that’s what that means. Right?  Of course, right!  (Name that movie!)

Crystal Caudill Counterfeit LoveCounterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves–or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he’s been sent to track down?

After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name. That means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors’ threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn’t all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home–and the truth.

After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancée is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career–but that’s better than failing her twice in one lifetime.

They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there’s no question they’re both still keeping secrets. That lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.

Combining rich history, danger, suspense, and romance, Crystal Caudill’s debut novel launches this new historical series with a bang. Fans of Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, and Joanna Davidson Politano will be thrilled to find another author to follow!

You can find out more about Crystal Caudill on her WEBSITE where you can also sign up for her newsletter and get her short story, “Banking on Love” FREE.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
July 19, 2025
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Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan
July 14, 2025
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Episode 446: A Chat with Rachel Chamberlayne
July 12, 2025
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Episode 445: A Chat with Michelle Griep
July 7, 2025
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Episode 444: A Chat with Rosey Lee
July 5, 2025
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Episode 443: A Chat with Yvonne M. Morgan
June 30, 2025
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Episode 442: A Chat with Liz Johnson
June 28, 2025
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Episode 441: A Chat with Shannon Sue Dunlap
June 23, 2025
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Episode 440: A Chat with Jordan Millsaps
June 21, 2025
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Episode 439: A Chat with Laura Thomas
June 16, 2025
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