by Crystal Caudill
Publisher: Kregel
Series: Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age
ISBN: 9780825447402
It's so great to be introduced to new authors through a blog tour! This cover captured my attention immediately, and when I had the chance to review her debut novel, I jumped at the chance. I received the book for review.
Summary:
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 fiance 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!
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 fiance 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!
To read an excerpt of Counterfeit Love click here.
My Review:
So, the cover reeled me in to begin with! I absolutely love it! I also liked the synopsis. The story turned out to be so much more than I expected!
I can't think of any other books I've read about counterfeiters. This one was definitely an adventure and towards the end, I chewed about six fingernails down to the quick! lol I also learned some new things from this story. First I didn't know there as a "first" Great Depression, which was renamed the Long Depression. And while I knew what an "incline" was visually, I didn't realize they were used in Cincinnati so I was confused when I initially was reading that part.
Let's talk about the cast of characters! So many to love and despise. First there was Theresa. I loved her spunk, but boy was she hard headed. She drove me about as nuts as Darlington! Edward had me waffling between liking him and not. lol And then of course there's Broderick who was easy to like, but had me facepalming more than a few times.
Honestly, aside from a few of the characters, I didn't feel like I could trust anyone. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop on each person I liked or thought was part of the counterfeit ring. Each time I "knew" who was the head person, I was proved wrong. Hence, the chewed fingernails!
I most definitely loved how faith in the Lord was infused throughout this story and with several of the characters. I liked how the author didn't allow Theresa to just blindly accept God being with her and trusting Him. She really struggled with it and I think readers will really relate to that, especially when going through hard times.
There are a lot of twists and turns throughout the story and kept me riveted to each page until the end! I was secretly hoping Darlington would get his own story because he was such a hard nose fellow. He needs a woman to soften him and bring out his gentle side. lol
You can enter the giveaway here: https://www.audrajennings.com/2022/03/win-copy-of-crystal-caudills.html
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, Caudill 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. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.
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