Interview with Riley Hudson: Main Character Monday

Interview with Riley Hudson: Main Character Monday

Welcome and Book Details

Welcome to my interview with Riley Hudson on this week’s Main Character Monday. Before we begin, let me tell you a bit about Riley’s book. Mistletoe and Malice is a new release from author, Lori DeJong. This romantic suspense is published by Scrivenings Press and became available on October 21, 2025. Mistletoe and Malice is available in paperback, eBook, and also using your subscription to Kindle Unlimited. There’s more about the book below, as well as a purchase link.

Interview with Riley Hudson

Now, it’s time to welcome today’s guest, Riley Hudson. Riley, please, start us off by telling us a little about yourself.

I’m not usually comfortable talking about myself, but I guess a little is easy enough. (chuckles) I’m thirty years old, still single, but at least I live in my own place. I’m the youngest of three and very close to my family—my mom, dad, my grandpa Kevin who lives in the guesthouse at my parents’ estate, my two brothers, their wives, and my nieces and nephews. Our family has a strong legacy of faith, and we’ve been very blessed to be in a position to support several missions and non-profits not only financially, but with time and prayer.

I’m also a defense attorney who specializes in cases of wrongful conviction. It’s completely pro bono because when I’m convinced someone is doing someone else’s time, I’ll do everything in my power to remedy it. For my down time, I love hanging with my three best friends. We’ve been joined at the hip since fifth grade, and I don’t know what my life would be like without them.

Wow. I love that you have such a strong network of family and friends. And being a defense attorney. You must not be afraid of hard work Tell me something about you that readers may find surprising?

I have a weakness for clothes. I know. Sounds materialistic, but I find clothes to be fun and versatile. Even mood-altering, if that makes any sense. The way I feel in a formal gown is different than I might wearing jeans, tennis shoes and casual top for a Houston Texans football game. But for every penny I spend on clothes, I send the same amount to one of the non-profits I work with. And every year, I send all of that year’s formal gowns and business suits to a charity that provides gowns to underprivileged girls for prom, their quinceanera, and so on, and suits to women trying to find jobs or starting new jobs.

That sounds like a beautiful way to enjoy the thing you love while not neglecting those who are less fortunate. What is your favorite book in the New Testament and why?

Ephesians. It tells us who we are in Christ. Not who we are in our own strength, but who He created us to be. Then chapter four is a little user manual, if you will, giving us guidelines for how we should walk with the Lord after committing ourselves to the Him. I love that book.

It’s one I enjoy reading again and again, too. God called Gideon to lead his army. Gideon didn’t believe he could, but he trusted and did as God asked. Have you ever felt like you weren’t equipped to do what God asked you to do? What did you do?

 Oh, wow. Yes, on a regular basis, really. The brother of one of my best friends was wrongfully convicted of murder while we were in college. By the time I was in law school, he was fighting his way through appeals and had tens of thousands in legal costs he still owed. I changed my track from corporate law to criminal specifically to help him without requiring any payment.

From the beginning, I was in way over my head and worked myself into physical collapse. I had to lean hard on my faith for wisdom and guidance in getting him a new trial. He was exonerated, but every case I take, I feel like David going up against the Goliath of the judicial system. Juries are good and necessary. But they do get it wrong sometimes, and when someone loses their life to the prison system when they’re innocent of the crime, it’s truly tragic.

I love that you donated your time to your friend. I agree, there are downsides to our legal system, but I find there are strengths and weaknesses in any system people develop. I’m glad your friend didn’t have to suffer the weaknesses with you on his team. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Is there one of these you find easier to accomplish? Is one harder?

I love every part of that verse, but if I had to pick one, the justice part specifically speaks to me because that’s my vocation – to find justice for those who need it so badly. Not just my client, but the victim, or the victim’s family – they all need justice.

Very well said. If you could leave readers with one message, what would it be?

God loves you and wants only to walk closely with you. Don’t get so lost trying to find your purpose when your ultimate purpose is to simply follow Him. He’ll lead you to the work He wants you to do.

A Few Questions for Fun

We’ve talked about a lot of serious things today. For just a moment, I’d like to dive into the lighter side. If you could have one exotic pet, what would it be?

Does a koala bear count? I love koalas!

Koalas definitely count. If you could travel through time, would you?

That is an excellent question to ponder. Of course there are things I’d love to go back and do differently. And I wish I could go back and save my friend Caitlyn, who was murdered. But I can’t help but wonder how changing the past would change the present. Or the future. It’s an interesting thought.

I love that you think about far-reaching consequences. Must be a side-effect of being a lawyer. Sunrise or sunset?   Sunset

Chocolate or Vanilla?  Chocolate all day

No electricity or no plumbing?  No electricity

Riley’s Final Word

Riley, using only three words (which I realize may be difficult for a lawyer), please describe your author, Lori DeJong.

Faithful, sensitive, caring

Having met Lori on a few occasions, I have to say that I agree. Thank you, Riley, for joining me today. This has been a great interview, and I feel like my readers and I have gotten a great taste of who you are. I think we’ve all probably found several things we want to know more about as well and will be picking up your story.

Readers, before you go, take a moment to learn a little more about Lori DeJong and Mistletoe and Malice.

More About the Author

Award-winning author Lori DeJong enjoys penning contemporary stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies, with a daughter and son-in-law in DFW. Lori’s debut novel, Love’s True Calling, was the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, a double finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards, and tied for the 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year. Love’s True Home, Book 2 of the True Calling Series, was a 2025 Selah finalist. Love’s True Measure released in June. Lori’s Christmas novella, Jingle Bell Matchmakers, a part of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection, was named a 2025 ACFW Carol Award finalist.

Connect with Lori

Website:  https://loridejongwrites.com/

Newsletter:   https://bit.ly/LoriDeJongCommunity

Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/loridejongwrites/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/loridejongwrites

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/loridejongwrites

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/loridejongwrites

GoodReads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38460845.Lori_DeJong

Bookbub:   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lori-dejong

More About Mistletoe and Malice

After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father’s demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence.

Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper … and far more perilous.

When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can’t outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again … before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good.

Purchase Mistletoe and Malice for a great romantic suspense Christmas read!