Counterfeit Love Review + Giveaway

Title: Counterfeit Love

Series: Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age #1

Author: Crystal Caudill

Publisher: Kregel

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romantic Suspense

Source: Publisher Provided

My review:

What a stunning debut novel by Crystal Caudill! From the gorgeous cover to the story between the pages, Caudill has knocked it out of the park. I am thrilled there will be two more books of the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series.

Counterfeit Love captured my attention from the opening scene. I really got a sense of Theresa and Edward, with Edward leaving much to be desired. Theresa loves her grandfather, the only family she has left, and is paying off his debts before marrying Edward. Theresa is very independent and shows a strong sense of courage and strength.

Once you love one, you never love another.

Edward is rich and sees Theresa as better off without her grandfather. He is another strong character, but in my opinion, unlikable. He is a character that I do not trust, just from the beginning of the story.

People changed, and rarely for the good. Had she? He'd have to tread carefully tomorrow. Her response could make or break his case--and his career.

Broderick is working incognito to uncover the identity of the leader of a counterfeiting ring. His past and present collide in the most unlikely circumstances, knocking him off balance. He has to tread lightly to find the right balance between his personal life and career.

I loved this book. While I figured out who was behind the counterfeiting ring early, it did not spoil my enjoyment of the story. There is a lot of action, suspense, historical details, and a swoony romance, literally something for everyone. This story is incredibly well-written, with a well-developed plot. Even though it wrapped up quite nicely, I still wanted more. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. 

There is nothing that I disliked about this book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction or romantic suspense. Fans of Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, Patricia Bradley, Liz Tolsma, and Jaime Jo Wright will also enjoy this one.

Thank you to Kregel Publications and Audra for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

★★★★★/5

Click on the Icon to be taken to the Giveaway:

 Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

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! 

 BONUS:

After readers finish Counterfeit Love, they can head to www.crystalcaudill.com where they can access bonus features including a virtual tour of 1884 Cincinnati, all the Secret Service research facts that didn’t make the story, and information about Bearing Precious Seeds, a Bible printing ministry where a portion of proceeds from the sales of Counterfeit Love will be donated. Caudill has also created a book club kit that includes discussion questions, behind-the-scenes fun facts, and more.

 

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, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Learn more at crystalcaudill.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.