Interview with Author Crystal Caudill!!!

 

Today we welcome blog-member Crystal Caudill who has an exciting new book out! It's book number one in her "Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age" series, and it's called "Counterfeit Love."

Before we start our interview, here's a little taste of the story:

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 nototrious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancee is connected. Can he really believe the woman he lovedis a wiling 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.

Wow! Sounds wonderful, Crystal! Now, on to our interview.

What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

The flexibility of schedule and where I work is probably my favorite thing. I'm a caregiver and the seasons that slam us with intense care needs are unpredictable, unless I'm on deadline and then you can guarantee it will happen. I literally could not work a regular job at this point in my caregiving life, and God has blessed my husband with a job that allows for me to be home. He's also blessed me with an outlet and ministry that I enjoy (most days) through writing.

I'm glad you've been blessed to be able to do your writing!

Do you have a favorite book or character among your novels?

It always depends on which book I write. However, I will say that Andrew Darlington ended up being one of my favorite heroes. He's from Counterfeit Hope, book two of The Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age. He's a foot-in-his-mouth, rough-around-the-edges kind of guy. But he has a huge heart which surprised even me. He's the perfect guy for my heroine and her son.

Where do you get your ideas for a story?

I'm a huge history nerd. I love researching, visiting museums, and hearing the experiences of others. It's usually during this history dive that story ideas spark to life.

I totally understand! I love researching and learning about history and how people navigated different eras and situations.

Which comes first, the story ideas or the characters?

Again, it depends on the story. Usually characters and bits and pieces of story come together, but not anything you could really call a plot.

What is the most odd or weird inspiration you've ever had for a story?

It's not so much inspiration for a story as a story detail. In Counterfeit Love, book one of my Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age, the medical school shared space with a brewery in order to keep their cadavers cold. This space also happened to be next to an incline rail. Medical students were known to grab body parts-I woudn't be surprised if they'd been dipping into the alcohol too- and wave them at the passengers as they went by. I had to include at least a mention of that in my story.

Wow! That's quite a detail!  :)

Do your characters ever take over and run off with the story or do they always behave?

My characters never behave. I'm currently on a deadline and the ending I thought I had plotted out got tossed out the window in favor of what my characters decided. I can only plot stories about 1/3 at a time, if I'm lucky, before they deviate from my original plans.

Sounds like you're a fellow seat-of-your-pants writer!

Do you ever base the qualities of your characters on yourself or people you know?

Not particularly. My characters really grow into their own person. I start off with looking at Meyers-Briggs personalities to start and then they become who they become over the course of the story. 

That's a really interesting approach!

Do you write in bursts or in a more disciplined manner? 

I try to write every single day to at least a certain point. However, my life is extremely chaotic and so I can't really have a set schedule. I have seasons of it, but the unpredictability of my life makes it difficult.

I'm sure a lot of authors can relate to that.

What do you hope that readers will take away after reading your books?

My main priority of my stories is to entertain and encourage. It's my hope that everyone will walk away feeling like they can make it through whatever challenges they are facing because they have a God bigger than anything they face. I throw my characters through the wringer and have them yanked down to their lowest. I know as a kid, seeing characters survive and thrive after what they've been through always made my challenges just a little easier to bear.

That's very true. The most memorable stories always seem to be the ones where the characters underwent extreme situations and overcame them.

What are you working on now?

The deadline for Counterfeit Faith, book three in Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age, is Sunday. This story has been met with the most time-draining challenges I've ever faced, from caregiving needs after a knee replacement surgery, Covid, and some still unexplained illness to the holidays, launching Counterfeit Love, and my own bout of Covid. Prayers are appreciated for that, but it's going to be a great story. You get to finally see Josiah Isaac's story, and bless his soul, it's a doozy.

I'm looking forward to it! Crystal, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. This has been a fun interview!!

And readers, here is some more information about Crystal, as well as her links:

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalcaudillauthor/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crystalcaudillsreadingfriends/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalcaudillauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CCaudillAuthor

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/crystalcaudillauthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/crystal-caudill

Newsletter Sign-Up: https://bitly.com/CaudillNews 

 

Author Interview and Giveaway: Michelle De Bruin

Hello friends, I am so excited you have joined me during my first interview for the Diamond Mine. Come on in and have a seat in my tea parlor. I'm a bit of a tea snob, but if you prefer coffee or hot chocolate, I am always prepared. While you get comfortable, here is a plate of scones with clotted cream and jam. 

Comfortable now? Great! For my first interview, I am excited to introduce to you Michelle De Bruin, debut author and friend. I met Michelle a couple of years ago through a writing critique group and have the privilege of getting to say "I knew her and her work before she was published." 

Michelle lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with physical and mental disabilities. In this role, she offers grief care, teaches Bible studies, leads retreats, and writes devotionals. Michelle is also a worship leader on Sunday mornings directing the choir, playing piano, or singing. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.

Michelle is kindly giving away a print copy of her book Hope for Tomorrow.

Crystal: Thank you so much for joining me this winter morning, Michelle. I just have a few questions to help our readers get to know you. First things first, why did you choose to write historical fiction?

Michelle: The historical fiction genre is a venue where I can share conservative values on issues like morality, family, and Scripture interpretation. It also gives me a reason to go back into my own family heritage and honor the people who have gone before me.

Crystal: Historical fiction is my favorite genre for a lot of those reasons. We first met in 2016, I believe, and over the course of two years this story has grown and changed. I imagine you have as well. What has God taught you along your publication journey?

Michelle: God has taught me that He is bigger than the scope of my dreams, and that He still performs miracles.

Crystal: Amen. How exciting that He has taken your dream and exploded it into something bigger than we dared hope in the beginning. Does writing energize or exhaust you?  

Michelle: Writing energizes me. I have to do it. Writing helps me examine my life and heart, and it helps me apply truth to my ordinary existence.

Crystal: God has definitely created writing as a part of who you are. Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym? 

Michelle: I didn’t consider a pseudonym, but I did toy with the idea of hyphenating my name when I realized my writing might actually amount to something. My married name, De Bruin, is a Dutch surname comprised of two words. My maiden name, Van Zante, is also Dutch and includes two words. I decided a hyphenation was too confusing and expected too much from my readers when trying to figure out pronunciation or finding me on-line.

Crystal: I can see that being a problem. Everything has to be so exact anymore. Last question and it has to do with your debut novel, Hope for Tomorrow. Which character was the most fun to create? What makes them fun? 

Michelle: Reverend Logan De Witt was the most fun to create because of his sense of humor. He also gets nervous around pretty girls. This makes him stutter and get his words all mixed up at times when he needs to communicate important messages, like during his sermons and convincing someone to go out with him.

Crystal: That description endears him to me. What a sweet hero for the heroine. Michelle, thank you so much for taking a bit of time out of your day to come and visit us. 

Readers, I hope you will take another minute or so and check out Michelle's debut novel, Hope for Tomorrow at Amazon. To be entered to win a print copy of her book, please, enter your email address in the comments below. 

When Logan De Witt learns of his father’s sudden death, he returns home to the family’s dairy farm. During his stay, he discovers his mother’s struggle with finances and his younger sister’s struggle with grief. Concern for his family presses Logan to make the difficult decision to leave his career as a pastor and stay on the farm. As a way to make some extra money, he agrees to board the teacher for their local school.

Karen Millerson arrives from Chicago ready to teach high school but her position is eliminated so she accepts the role of country school teacher. Eager to put her family’s ugly past behind her, Karen begins a new career to replace the trust she lost in her own father who had been in ministry when she was a child.

Logan and Karen both sense a call from the Lord to serve him, but neither of them expected that one day they would do it together.

Can Karen learn to trust again? Will Logan lay aside his grief in exchange for God’s purpose for his life? 

Four New Members Join the Diamond Mine in 2019!

Happy New Year! I hope the year 2019 greets you with love and joy that lasts and blesses you throughout the entire year!

We here at The Diamond Mine are very blessed also. We are welcoming in four new writers who will be conducting new interviews of Christian Authors throughout the new year. Sadly we've said good-bye to several and we will miss them greatly. But, please help me herald in a new wonderful bunch of writers! Karla Akins, Crystal Caudill, Terry Palmer, and return blogger, Erin Unger!

Karla Akins

Karla Akins is the author of A Pair of Miracles, the story of raising her twin sons with autism. Akins is also the author of several history books for homeschoolers including O Canada Her Story, Sacagawea, and Jacques Cartier. Her work has also been published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and she currently writes for Spirit-Filled Woman Magazine. Her first novel, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots includes a character with autism. Karla is a full-time special education teacher. She loves writing with her fur kids on her lap: a pug, a Boston Terrier, and two tuxedo cats. When Karla isn't writing she's dreaming about writing and making movies. Karla lives with her husband, twin adult sons with autism and her mother-in-love in rural Indiana.

You can connect with Karla at: KarlaAkins.com, https://www.instagram.com/karlaakinsspedwriter/, https://www.facebook.com/KarlaKAkins/, https://twitter.com/KarlaAkins.

Crystal Caudill

Crystal Caudill is a tea-drinking, book-hoarding, history nerd. Her parents had no idea what a monster they were creating when they took her to her first history museum. From that moment on, she has researched and crafted stories filled with danger, love, and history.

Her latest project won the 2018 RWA Wisconsin Fab Five, came in second for the 2018 RWA Touched By Love Contest, and was a finalist in the 2017 ACFW Virginia Crown Award.

You can connect with Crystal at: www.crystalcaudillwrites.com, https://www.facebook.com/crystalcaudillauthor/, https://twitter.com/ccaudillwrites, https://www.pinterest.com/crystalcaudillwrites/, Instagram:@crystalcaudillauthor, Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c9n-7P

Terry Palmer

Author Terry Palmer lives in Rosemount Minnesota with his author wife Leann. Seven busy grandchildren are a constant source of amusement, source of stories, and source of mischief – like papa. No writers could be farther apart in style. Leann loves to write in her romance style, with the deeper feelings of life painted into her stories. Terry has to have some action/adventure, with disaster after disaster which makes the characters face those tough choices in life while on the run. But both are also the same. From separate points of view, our books bring the reader to one essential truth - ‘How to overcome adversity and darkness through a step of faith in Jesus Christ.’ You see…only by going through some tough challenges and finding out that it’s all about Jesus, about our worship and relationship with Him that makes the difference of either fear or peace, of either chaos or contentment. Last Christmas, Terry placed A Night to Remember into the market and ranked as high as #5 in the children’s Christmas books category. A Night To Remember is actually a gospel tract. The cute Christmas story leads right into ‘how to’ accept Jesus Christ as told by my characters. Right now Leann is trying to finish, ‘Strength For today’ in her romance voice and Terry is trying to get Shaken to market in his action/adventure voice.

So pleased to be part of the ‘Diamond Mine’.  Such a gathering of great voices for Jesus is like a literary choir of praise to Him and amen for that.

You can connect with Terry at: https://chroniclesoform.wordpress.com/.

Erin Unger

Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby. But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to all her mostly grown children and a couple grand kids. She has won several writing awards. 2019 is a busy year for Erin. Several of her books are releasing. Her novel, Desolate Paths, releases January 11, 2019 and Practicing Murder, releases March 29, 2019. Be on the look out for a few other novels of hers next summer and fall.

You can connect with Erin at: www.erinungerwrites.com, https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/, https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites, https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/.

In celebration of inducting these 4 new Christian authors, we are giving away a $25 Amazon card. Please leave your email in the comments and become one our our readers to qualify. Welcome aboard authors and thanks for reading!