About the Book

Title: Counterfeit Love
Series: Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age #1
Author: Crystal Caudill
Publication Date: February 15, 2022
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Genre/Subgenre: Historical Romance
Blurb:

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–and 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–and 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!

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Counterfeit-Love-Crystal-Caudill/dp/0825447402/

My Thoughts

Even if…

I couldn’t get over this line. What a powerful message! And Caudill made it come alive through these characters. Just when you thought all hope was lost—when a way out seemed impossible—God came through for them. He answered their prayers in unexpected ways. He challenged and tested them to see if they would love him, if they would serve him, even if things didn’t work out the way they wanted it to. And isn’t that just what we need in real life. The ability, the desire, to trust God, even if…

Caudill’s debut novel will not be one I easily forget. From the beautiful spiritual message to the flawed characters with so much to learn about God and each other, to the well-crated historical setting that creates a wonderful backdrop to this page-turning suspenseful story.

One of my favorite characters was Lydia (maybe because that’s my daughter’s name) but she was both friend and mentor to Theresa. It is her faith that causes Theresa to see a lack in her own life. And the things Theresa put that poor woman through!

You could tell the author did her research both about the city of Cincinnati and counterfeiting money. Another thing I appreciated is that the author didn’t detract from the deplorableness of sinful man but at the same time, she didn’t excuse it, and consequences were dealt out accordingly, all while keeping things tactful and PG.

I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical romance, and for those who want more than entertainment from their reading.

About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the author of “dangerously good historical romance,” with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Crystal can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Find out more at crystalcaudill.com.