Guys, I can’t even figure out how to write this review. Man I thought book one in this series was good. This!? If you can believe it, this one is even better, and that’s saying a lot because I adored book one. Crystal Caudill is an author you need to add to your must buy list immediately. And good news – book three comes out in just a few months. YAY!!!!!
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About the Book
Counterfeit Hope Author Crystal Caudill
Published by Kregel Publications
on February 14, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Historical, Fiction / Christian / Romance / Historical, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical
Pages: 320
Amazon | GoodreadsTrapped by their pasts, is there hope for a future?
When Secret Service operative Andrew Darlington is brought in to support a US Marshal case involving counterfeiters in rural Indiana, he thinks it's simply the next rung on his climb to the top of his career. But liars can only climb so high--and Andrew is keeping a dangerous secret he doesn't ever want to get out. When he clashes with the criminal family that took over the town of Landkreis and killed the Marshal he was sent to assist, his past life is in danger of being exposed.
Widow "Lightning Lu" Thorne has only one goal: escape the clutches of the Thorne family with her son. Her decision to be an informant and testify against the Thornes looked like the perfect answer. Until the Marshal ended up dead. Now the tether keeping her tied to her felonious family is tightening, and a forced marriage to someone else in the Thornes' clutches threatens to kill any hope of escape.
Andrew and Lu find themselves on the same team--unwillingly. They each believe the other to be the enemy to their future plans. And even if they could learn to work together, the secrets they hold could shatter all hopes and dreams. Despite the encouragement of the local preacher, they're not even sure God can be trusted--much less other humans. Can either of them escape their past--and the family that is willing to kill their own when they smell betrayal?
On the heels of her smashing debut, this second entry in Crystal Caudill's historical series maintains the excitement that readers of Michelle Griep, Liz Tolsma, and Elizabeth Camden will love.
My Perspective
Crystal Caudill can write. She is a historical fiction boss, and this is only her second book. Her plot line is intriguing and keeps you reading into the late night hours. Her characters are all over the place in a good way. Some are dangerous and keep you guessing. Some are sincere, sweet, warm and inviting. And yet others make you second guess what you think of them throughout the entire book. Caudill doesn’t stop there. She adds plot twists at the perfect spots. She has sparks of romance sprinkled throughout, again at just the right moments. And her faith thread? Oh my goodness it was good. Probably my favorite out of my recent reads. I’m telling you – Caudill can write. And while this seems like a book that might be going in fifty different directions, I promise you it isn’t. Caudill brings every single aspect together flawlessly.
Andrew is such a wonderful hero. He’s got everything you want – faith, loyalty to the right people, strength, patience, and more. There were so many times I was on the edge of my seat wondering how he would handle situations, and he handled them with such grace and ease. He sacrificed himself in order to make the world a better place. SWOON. And the way he was with Lu? Oh boy. Patience doesn’t even begin to describe it. But in true Hosea fashion, he was willing to follow the Lord’s lead. Let me tell you – that in itself makes him swoony.
And then there’s Lu. Her character surprised me so many times during this story, all in good ways. She was so much more then people gave her credit for. The things she had to deal with, I can’t even imagine it. (Also – please make sure you read the very first page before diving into this book. Caudill gives some trigger warnings for those with reading sensitivities) And Caudill never makes it “come alive” on the pages so to speak. She handles each situation poetically, and only gives enough so the reader knows what is going on.
Caudill has really outdone herself with this novel. It surpassed my expectations, and then some. Her faith thread has touched me in ways I never imagined, and Lu’s story is going to stay with me for a very long time. I highly recommend not only this novel, but Counterfeit Love as well. Carve out some reading time, because you are going to need it. And get those sticky flags ready, because you are going to note a LOT of great quotes!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes
By God’s grace, this case would not be the end of his career, but a chance to right all the wrongs of his past life.
….but beginning tomorrow, she could be as ugly as a possum.
It didn’t matter that Oscar was the son of a criminal, a member of a villainous family deserving of unrelenting justice. He was still a child designed by God.
For the first time, he was seeing her, truly seeing her, through the eyes of Jesus. And what he saw shattered his stony resolve.
No matter what you’ve been through, God has been right by your side, grieving every sin committed to you and by you. Sometimes the sound of His love is drowned out by the evil in this world, but it doesn’t mean He isn’t speaking words of love and hope to you. It just means you have to listen harder to hear it.
If only she could smooth out the wrinkles of her confusion as easily as the material beneath her hands.
Their futures extended beyond the trouble of today into an eternal tomorrow. No matter what the darkness tried, the sun would rise.
Kissing a skunks’s rear end would be less vile.
Hope was always about the God who gave new life.
About the Author
Crystal Caudill is a tea-drinking, book-hoarding, history nerd. Her award-winning stories are ripe with history, danger, love, and hope. When not writing, Crystal can be found playing board games with her husband and boys, caregiving for loved ones, hiding in a book, drinking copious amounts of hot tea, or connecting with readers. You can connect with her at www.crystalcaudill.com or by joining her newsletter crew at bitly.com/CaudillNews.
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Wow, what a fabulous review! I was literally telling a friend earlier this morning that Counterfeit Hope is somehow BETTER than Counterfeit Love. So glad you agree and are helping to spread the word about this wonderful book!
Thank you Kelly!! 💜💜