I’m thrilled to have my friend and fellow author, Crystal Caudill as guest today. She shares a personal message of how the Lord used some challenging circumstances in her life to give her a deeper understanding of her heroine in her debut novel, Counterfeit Love.
Will you love God, “even if…”?
By Crystal Caudill
Rarely does an author write a book in a vacuum. The outside world infiltrates our writing, and our struggles bleed onto the page in one form or another. Counterfeit Love is one of those books for me.
In the story, Theresa Plane struggles with several questions about God revolving around “even if.” Even if God strips everything away from me, will I still love Him? Will I still trust Him, even if the worst happens? Can I still believe God’s promises, even if all this is happening? These are some of the very same questions I wrestled with as I wrote Counterfeit Love and my world around me exploded.
Theresa’s Story
When I began writing Theresa’s story, I had no idea I would endure the drawn-out, painful-to-watch death of my grandmother. Grandma Connie was a vibrant, stubborn woman who lived a hard life and survived. Until Parkinson’s, dementia, and finally, cancer took her in cruel slow bits.
For almost two years, my mom flew back and forth between Kentucky and Idaho to help care for her. I still remember Mom telling me Grandma would not be seeking cancer treatment and that I needed to go see her now before she got any worse.
That trip was the beginning of the stripping of me. Not only was I unable to be there for my mom as she cared for Grandma and then the long drawn out aftermath, my own world at home faced significant challenges. My mother-in-law suffered severe complications from a hip replacement that almost took her life, and I was her caregiver.
Not only was I raising two boys, trying to meet her severe caregiving needs, and pack a house for a move, but my husband was traveling extensively for his job. It was in this season that I wrestled with my faith in ways I’d never done before.
Just Like Theresa
Together we had to walk through things we never imagined. We felt alone, abandoned, and unable to bear it all on our own strength. However, it was during this time that God really worked on our hearts. He taught us that even if everything goes wrong, all our dreams are shattered, and we feel terribly alone, God is right there with us, asking us to surrender all to Him. To not be afraid by all that is happening, but to stand sill, set our eyes on Jesus, and see the salvation of the Lord. This battle is not ours, but His.
Whatever you are facing today, let me encourage you. You can trust Him. You can love Him. You can believe His promises. Because the Lord will be with you, even if.
“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17
Meet Crystal
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.
CRYSTAL’S UPCOMING BOOK
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?
Isn’t that cover stunning? I’m eager to read this novel. Releases March 15!
MORE INSPIRATIONAL READS
Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie & the Civil War Era
Inspirational Historical Romance
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads Bookbub and Twitter.
GIVEAWAY
Crystal is offering some fun giveaway items, including a couple of bookmarks, a homemade book sleeve and hot chocolate mixes. Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win! (US Addresses only)
Beautiful message. Can’t wait to read this book!
Hi Betsy! Yes! I’m eager to read it too!
God is so good, and it my genuine prayer that the book not only entertains but encourages.
Looking forward to reading this book!
Me too, Renee! Thanks for stopping by!
I am so excited. I pray you enjoy it and are blessed by it when you do!
So pretty. Would enjoy this.
Hi Lucy! I know you will!
Thank you. Kregel did an amazing job on the cover. I hope you get the opportunity to read it and enjoy it.
Sounds great!
🙂 I’m so glad it sounds interesting. If you get the chance to read it, I pray you are blessed and encouraged by it.
I enjoyed reading your post, it is very inspirational thank you so very much for sharing. Your book sounds like a great read and the book cover is Beautiful! Have a great day and a great rest of the week and stay safe.
Hi Alicia! Thanks for stopping by. I was inspired by it too!
I am glad the post was encouraging. It is always my prayer that God would use what Little I can offer for His good and glory. I pray you are blessed by the story of you get a chance to read it.
Thanks for sharing this author with us, Cynthia. She is new to me.
I’m sorry for all she has been going through, but her new book sounds very good.
My pleasure, Bonnie! I’m happy to introduce you to Crystal. She’s a good friend and writer. Blessings!
It was a difficult season to walk through, but I wouldn’t change it for anything because of what God taught me through it. I pray if you get the chance to read the story that you will be blessed and encouraged by it.
I have not read one of her books, but Crystal’s cover is absolutely stunning. It definitely makes me want to check out her newest release! Thank you for sharing.
It really is stunning. This is actually Crystal’s debut novel. I’ve not read it yet, but am sure I’ll enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by, Perrianne. Blessings!
Thank you, Perianne. Kregel did an amazing job with the cover. I pray if you get the opportunity to read it that you are blessed by the story and encouraged.
Yes, I do.
I enjoy a bit of suspense in my books too. Thanks, Amelia!
I’m a huge fan of having a bit of suspense in my novels. 🙂
I really do enjoy some suspense in the novels I read. I like trying to figure things out and hope they work out for my favorite characters. Reading is the best!
I agree, Casey! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I totally agree with the suspense of it all. Reading is truly the best hobby around. 🙂
I can’t wait to read your book!
I’m sure you’ll be blessed by it, Kailey! Thanks for dropping in.
Thank you! I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged by it when you do!
Ohhh this would be a wonderful birthday gift for me!!!!!!
Happy birthday!!
The best to you in the giveaway, Judy! Have a wonderful Birthday!
The cover is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. The book sounds intriguing. God bless you.
Hi Debra! So glad you stopped by. God bless you too!
Kregel did a BEAUTIFUL job with the cover. I am so so in love. If you get the chance to read the book, I pray that you are encouraged and entertained by it. God bless!
The cover is beautiful! And I do love a little suspense or a lot in my stories.
Thanks for stopping by to enter, Rose! Yes. A beautiful cover.
Thank you! Kregel did an amazing job with the cover, and suspense is always my favorite part of a story.
I like suspense in my books. This month I discovered Christine Lindsay. I have checked out several of her books through Libby.
I love your book cover.
Thank you for a chance to win the giveaway.
Hi Kathy! Yes. A bit of suspense keeps us turning pages. =)
Thank you! Kregel did an amazing job with the cover, and suspense is always my favorite part of a story. I’ve never heard of Christine Lindsay, I’ll have to check her out! Thank you.
I do enjoy some suspense in my books.
I do as well. Thanks for stopping by, Cherie!
A book is always more fun with suspense! If you get the chance to read it, I hope you enjoy.
Looks so good!
I agree. Thanks for stopping by, Morgan!
Thanks! I hope if you get the chance to read it that you are entertained and encouraged.
Thank you! Kregel did an amazing job with the cover, and suspense is always my favorite part of a story.
Suspense is my go-to genre! I’d love to read Counterfeit Love!
Glad you stopped by, Caryl! I know you’ll enjoy reading it! Blessings!
I hope you are entertained and encouraged if you do get the chance to read it!
yes
Me too! Thanks for stopping by to enter!
I like the suspense in the novels that I read, due to the interest to read more.
Yes. Suspense does keep the pages turning!