Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Written in Secret
Series: The Art of Love and Danger #1
Author: Crystal Caudill
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance

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: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

Also Available from Crystal Caudill

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My Thoughts

I want to start by saying that this cover captures the essence of Written in Secret perfectly. From the moment I saw the cover and who would be writing it, I knew I had to read this book. I’ve read everything that Crystal Caudill has published with Kregel, and Written in Secret is my favorite to date. This book combines my two favorite genres: historical romance and romantic suspense into one amazing story. Add to that, that it’s about an author… I knew I would love it, and after just a few chapters I was captivated.

Written in Secret opens with our heroine and her best friend involved in a hilarious situation that includes a circus, a three-legged goat, and a police chase… and that’s all I’m going to say about that. I flew through the pages, and I believe I read this book faster than any other this size. The characters’ personalities spring off the page, the love story is sweet and builds organically with lots of wonderful banter thrown in, and the Spiritual message Caudill shares through this story is so relevant in our day and age. What is justice? And who gets to decide what that justice is? I loved Lydia’s struggle to be who God wants her to be against her own desires to write. Haven’t we all faced that battle?

Though the story is about murder, Caudill handles it with taste and class. There is one crime scene described in rough detail, and it could be a little hard to stomach if you let your imagination dwell on it too long. Even the mentions of the “underbelly of Cincinnati” and “street walkers” is done tastefully and vaguely enough that you know what she’s referring to, but she chose her words carefully.

Did I figure out who the true villain was? Yes. Do I think Caudill did a masterful job at keeping him hidden until the climax? Also, yes. So, how did I guess? It’s who I would have picked.

If you love historical romance or romantic suspense novels, move this one to the top of your TBR! You don’t want to miss this one! I highly recommend it!

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About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the Christy Award–winning author of “dangerously good romance,” including the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Connect with Crystal by visiting crystalcaudill.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Written in Secrets and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!