Counterfeit Love, by Crystal Caudill, 2022, Kregel Publications

Counterfeit love is worse than counterfeit money.

Counterfeit love is an even worse farce than counterfeit money. It’s a crime against one’s own heart. Why would anyone do that? Perhaps for security?

Theresa finds she must question her motives and her heart when she realizes that the man she has promised to marry is not the man she truly loves. But the one she still loves has repeatedly told her there is no future for them. So, what’s a gal to do?

And WHY has God put her in this situation? If God truly loved her, would he have allowed her parents to die? And many more fates that befall her? Is there anyone at all she can trust? Must she fight all her battles alone? Can she still believe in God even if he continually seems to fail her?

Counterfeit money was common. If you need money, why not just print some?

This novel, on the surface, centers around counterfeit money–a real thing in 1884 Cincinnati, where the story takes place. Hidden danger and intrigue keep you flipping pages as characters escape one danger after another right to the end. But what really gets you pondering are the dangers of the heart.

And in case you didn’t take time while reading to consider such reflections, Crystal Caudill includes a list of discussion questions. They’d be perfect for a book club, or to sift through soul stuff during your own quiet meditations.

The writing

I love Crystal Caudill’s writer’s voice. It’s easy to follow and keeps the story moving. Her descriptions are unique, and she throws in good words, like ‘catarrh’ and ‘thwack’. “Catarrh or not, she could no longer delay the completion of her commissions.” “Something large thwacked her back…”

She appeals to animal lovers with Theresa’s odd menagerie, from Cordon Bleu the chicken to Tipsy the three-legged goat. However, though Theresa finds comfort in her animals, readers may not. I won’t give away spoilers by divulging their fate. It’s no worse, though, than the fate of some of the human characters. The story reads like a thriller movie. Verging briefly on horror before returning to scenes of tender, self-sacrificing protection between characters, and yes, even some swoony love scenes.

Crystal Caudill is a very personable author, who loves to connect with readers. Find out more about her and her writing at www.crystalcaudill.com/books.

My thanks for this beautiful paperback, which I had the good fortune to win through a give-away for Caudill’s newsletter subscribers. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and hope to read the other two in the series.

To preview or order this book, or the series of three, click here: Counterfeit Love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.