Cynthia Roemer's Blog, page 16

FOR THE WRITER ~ Goal-Setting

We all have dreams…those
driving pulses that spur us to action and set our souls afire. Whether
small or great, each of us have deep-seeded wishes we’d like to fulfill. For
me, it’s writing. Nothing ignites my creative energies like sitting down at my
computer and pouring out words that prayerfully will encourage and strengthen
others in their faith.

Though my dream has been to be
a published novelist, my goal
is to touch lives through my writing. And, while I had to wait more than thirty
years for my dream to become a
reality, my goal of touching
lives is fulfilled each time the Lord enables me to write an article,
short-story, or devotional that sows seeds of hope and encouragement
into reader’s lives.

What about you? What
goals and dreams do you long to achieve? While you’re searching, here are some
questions to keep in mind.

Is This a God-Honoring Pursuit? Is your dream something
the Lord can be a part of? As Christians, God should be involved
in everything we do. If we find ourselves veering away from God in pursuit
of a dream, it’s time to reel ourselves in and reassess our priorities.

Is It Reachable? Is your dream
attainable? Do you have the resources or skills to achieve your
ambitions? It’s one thing to work toward a challenging goal, but quite
another to pursue the undoable. Be certain what you hope for is in line with
your abilities.

Is My Motivation Right? What is the driving force behind your dream? Is it for God’s glory, or your own? I truly believe God gives each of us individual goals to strive toward. It’s up to us if we honor Him in our achievements, or ourselves. In whatever we do, we should be certain He receives the praise and that we point others to Him.

What are your goals and dreams? I’d love to hear what the Lord has accomplished through you.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY  ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES  ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

FOR THE READER ~ When Valleys Bloom Again

My guest author this week on For the Reader is Pat Jeanne Davis. I hope you’ll enjoy this personal story of God’s love in Pat’s life and also an excerpt from her debut WW II novel, When Valleys Bloom Again. ** Stick around and enter to win a copy of her book!

This verse in Romans 8:28 is a
favorite one of mine: “And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose . . .
.”

During the early years of our marriage, my husband and I realized the chance of a pregnancy was small due to my age. This situation was further complicated by endometriosis. By my mid-40’s I’d had several surgeries to bring relief from symptoms but with little hope of having children. The last surgery removed one ovary and left me with a small portion of another.

“It’s not utterly impossible but it’s extremely improbable you’ll become pregnant,” my gynecologist told me. “You might wish to consider an adoption,” she suggested to us with genuine interest. My doctor gave us all the information on an upcoming adoption seminar that we attended.

At first, John and I weren’t certain this was what we wanted to do, but in time we became enthusiastic about this way of gaining a family. Since we were well above the age limit for an agency adoption, we retained an attorney who specialized in private independent adoption.

I clearly recall the afternoon I returned home from work and on an impulse attempted to contact the gynecologist who’d suggested adoption. I was hoping she might be of further help. I was told she had relocated and was now practicing in another part of our state. This news didn’t discourage me.“ What’s her number?” I asked, amazed by my determination. The desire to have a family was now intense. Having come this far, I was unwilling to stop now.

I called her new number and was informed she was with a patient. I left my name and how I could be contacted. When my call was returned, I assured my former gynecologist we’d completed all the requirements for a private adoption. She promised to let us know if she could be of assistance.

Ten days later the phone line we’d reserved for adoption calls rang. I silently prayed as I picked up the phone. “Jeanne, I have a baby for you.” My heart jumped. Our physician-friend was calling from her home. I was too excited to speak. She continued. “The very afternoon you called my office, a young girl and her mother came to see me. Tests taken later showed she was pregnant.”  She paused. “The birth mother felt she would be unable to give her baby a good life. After I told her about you, she decided she’d like you to raise this child,” she said with excitement in her voice.

My physician-friend said the timing of my call that day and this office visit for a pregnancy test was a “remarkable coincidence.” I knew God was truly directing my path when I made that call. We could provide for this child exactly what the birth mother wanted—a loving, nurturing home.

With our newborn, my husband and I felt our family was complete. We were a happy couple caring for our little son. But, one year after the birth of Johnny, we were to discover once more that with God nothing is impossible.

For several weeks, I insisted I must have the flu. Occasionally I considered the possibility I might be pregnant. Could it really be possible? I’d soon be 48.

“I think I might be pregnant,” I told my husband. Even as I spoke, I found it hard to believe. But a pregnancy test showed positive! After the initial surprise and joy, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How will I cope with two at my age? Will this baby be healthy?”

My pregnancy was a smooth one. Josh was a full term baby, but in breech position, and I had to have a C-Section.

“This is truly a miracle baby!” my obstetrician said upon entering my hospital room. “One for the records, for sure. Your age alone makes it extraordinary.”

 Abby, the heroine in When Valleys Bloom Again, frequently reminds herself of this promise in Romans 8:28 after she is uprooted from London and forced to return to a country far from her family and the life to which she’d become accustomed. Meanwhile back in England, her parents are under continuous aerial attack from the enemy, and on the battlefields of Europe, her brother and fiance face death daily.

As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her
father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger
passes. Abby vows to return to her home in
London—but where is home? With her family
facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it
hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave
God behind in war-torn London too? Abby
becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in
England? Was it foolish to think she’d
consider him? He curses his poverty and the
disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope
for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she
would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or
that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to
ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find
happiness with Jim?

Excerpt from Chapter 3 ~ New York, September 4, 1939

Finally, after
sailing in a zigzag course to evade further U-boats, the Queen Mary slipped into the harbor. Abby emerged into the hubbub
on deck as they glided under tow into the shadows of the Manhattan skyscrapers.
She caught her breath as sirens blared from boats that accompanied them and
water cannon spouted a raucous salute. Abby covered her ears as three
thunderous blasts from their liner returned the greeting. Streamers of red and
white and blue criss-crossed warehouses and the tall masts of ships moored
nearby. American and British flags flapped an exuberant “Welcome” in the salty
breeze as music from a brass band floated up from below.

Abby leaned against
the ship’s railing, letting out a deep breath. She tried to see herself as a
brand-new arrival, taking it all in for the first time. An undercurrent of
sadness swept over her, diluting her gratitude and relief at a safe arrival.
Reality hit hard. No chance of returning now. Still, it wouldn’t be enough
merely to tolerate her stay here. She must take charge of her own affairs, and
not simply react to circumstances forced on her. And she must put on a brave
face for the sake of her family. Lord, I need your help.

The swirling mass on
the dock below resolved into distinct faces, each searching for an answering
look of recognition. Somewhere down there her uncle and aunt waited. Memories
came flooding in of visits with her parents to Uncle Will’s vast country
estate. She hadn’t seen Aunt Val in—Abby tallied them on her fingers—four whole
years. She had always thought her stand-offish and hoped sheʼd improved in the
meantime.

As the Queen Mary closed in, men in military garb holding rifles scanned the vessel, their heads in constant motion. Not here too. Policemen weaved through the waiting throng below, looking at papers and detaining one here, one there. Abby seized the railing and closed her eyes. Lord, help me to see this is all working to my good.

PAT JEANNE DAVIS lives in Philadelphia, Pa with her British-born husband, John. They have two sons. She has a keen interest in twentieth-century American and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Pat’s father-in-law served in the British Eighth Army during the war. When Valleys Bloom Again is her debut historical inspirational romance set in that era. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. Pat loves to hear from her readers. www.patjeannedavis.com

Website:  https://www.patjeannedavis.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pat.j.davis.7

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

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43600391-when-valleys-bloom-again?from_search=true   

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/patjeannedavis

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-jeanne-davis-34290422/                    

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

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/when-valleys-bloom-again-by-pat-jeanne-davis

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when...                            

~ ~ ~

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY  ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES  ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

 

Now for our Giveaway! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below for a chance to win a your choice of a print copy (US Addresses only) or an e-book copy of When Valleys Bloom Again .

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FOR THE HISTORY BUFF ~ Lighthouses for the Blind

Research is one of the best parts of being a historical writer. I love learning about the past and incorporating true-to-life people and places in my stories.

In my debut novel, Under This Same Sky, one of my characters is blinded by an injury to the head. His loss of sight embarks him and his daughter, Becky, on an unexpected journey to what was then known as The Missouri Institute for the Education for the Blind.

The first schools for the blind were developed in Europe in the late 1700’s, but it wasn’t until the early 1800’s that America adopted the idea. Prior to that time, there was no formal training for those who were blind. They were often viewed as detriments to society or charity cases.

Set in 1854, Under This Same Sky takes place just three years after the Missouri School for the Blind was founded. I included the school’s founder, Eli Whelan, as one of my minor characters, doing my best to stay true to his nature in a fictional account.

It was Mr. Whelan’s belief that blind students had the ability to learn the same as sighted students. The Missouri Institute for the Education of the Blind offered a variety of avenues for blind students to achieve including music, craft work, and a formal education of the mind.

While Braille wasn’t adapted until 1860 in America, in 1854, at the time Under This Same Sky takes place, the St. Louis based school for the blind trained students to read using a raised letter system developed by a man named Samuel Howe. With the use of large, raised letters, blind students were able to read and write for the first time. The problem was, books were bulky and difficult to manage.

The Missouri Institute for the Education for the Blind eventually became what is now The Missouri School for the Blind. They also changed locations more than once due to a need for expansion. One such move occurred while my characters were attending the school. Not only do they endure the hardship of adapting to the new building, but also some added challenges of my own making. =)

While I’ve fictionalized many of the people and events surrounding the school for the blind, it is my prayer that readers will enjoy this added piece of history behind the Missouri School for the Blind. This institute, and others like it, are lighthouses for the blind for they provide purpose and hope to those who once had no such blessings.

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY  ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES  ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

FOR THE HEART ~ Finding God’s Footprints

This week I’m introducing my FOR THE HEART blog feature. Once a month, I or my friend Laurie Driesen will share a message of hope and encouragement. I pray you are blessed.

It’s amazing how vibrantly the Lord speaks through Scripture. I’ve read Psalm 77 dozens of times over the years, yet never did it strike me as it did this week.

When God
led the Israelites out of Egypt, they became trapped between the Red
Sea and the pursuing Egyptians. Seeing the onslaught of charioteers
at their backs, they must have feared they were goners. Yet, God, in
His glory, parted the water like a curtain and made a dry path for
them to cross. They couldn’t see Him, but He was there, guiding them safely
through.

“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”  (Psalm 77:19) NIV

We’ve all experienced times
in our lives when God seems silent or distant. When we find ourselves
at an impasse, or going through an extremely difficult challenge and don’t know
what to do. We pray and pray, but don’t get clear direction or help. 

It’s then we wonder, Does God even care what I’m going
through? Has He left me to fend for myself? Why won’t He answer?

Job once asked these
questions, wondering why God seemed to abandon him when he needed Him most. In
the end, God responded by declaring His wisdom and insight far
outweigh our own. He sees the whole picture, not the one-dimensional view we
have. Job saw only the pain he was undergoing; God knew the double portion of
blessings that were soon to come his way.

Times of testing are sure to come. Our part is to pray and trust God will bring us through. When we submit our future, our ambitions, and everything we are to God, it allows Him to direct and redirect our purpose and ministry. As Christians, we need to strive to reach a point where we trust He is with us, working in our lives, no matter how far off He seems.

A clock in our home bares
the poem, Footprints in the
Sand, which speaks of how at some points in our lives, we can’t see
God’s footprints alongside ours, when we feel alone and forgotten. But the poem
goes on to say that it’s during these especially troubled times He
carries us. What a beautiful picture of His great love for us!

Are you facing some
trial in your life where you can’t see God’s footprints? What gives you
the strength to endure? I’d love to hear your story!

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY  ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES  ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

For The Reader ~ Under Moonlit Skies

My third novel, Under Moonlit Skies, is centered around 1 Samuel 16:7

“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (KJV)

My hero, Stewart Brant, is a cowboy with little education, few possessions, and a faith that’s been simmering on the back burner for years. When he falls for a refined city girl, Esther Stanton, he feels unworthy of her affections. It isn’t until he learns the true value of a person in God’s eyes comes from within, that his life turns for the better.

Following is a short excerpt from Under Moonlit Skies demonstrating some of Stew’s spiritual struggles.

Stew rapped his fingers on the stone fireplace, unable to
rid his mind of Charlotte’s words. Was she right? Had Esther been in earnest about
her affections for him? The thought both thrilled and haunted him.

Esther’s Bible seemed to call to him yet again, this time like a forgotten friend. The only remembrance he had left of her, save his memories, he slid the book of Scriptures from the mantel. He opened it at its center, recalling his ma being partial to the eighty-fourth Psalm. He ran his finger down the page, pausing on the final verses to read them through a second time.

“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Oh Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.”

Closing the Bible, Stew leaned against the rough stones of
the fireplace.

No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.

Was that all there was to it? Do the right thing and God
would bless you? It couldn’t be that simple. Though he’d not done anything too
horrific in his past, he couldn’t say he’d “walked uprightly” either. For some
time now, he’d known his relationship with the Lord was sorely in need of
improvement. Yet, his efforts had been meager at best, mainly prayers pleading
for Esther to stay and attending church more out of desire for Esther’s company
than the Lord’s.

No wonder the Lord had turned a deaf ear to him.

He clutched the Bible to his chest. Barring some miracle, it
was probably too late for him and Esther. And yet, the verse said the Lord
withheld nothing from them that walked uprightly. It said right in Psalm
eighty-four the Lord blessed those who were faithful to Him. Maybe that’s what
Esther had wanted him to learn. More than once she’d inquired about his
relationship with the Lord. Was that what had been lacking between them? Had
she left her Bible with him in hopes he’d grow in his faith?

Hope stirred in his chest as he returned the Bible to the mantel. From now on, he’d make every effort to be the man of faith Esther had longed for him to be.

I loved creating Stew. His character was patterned in part after one of my favorite actors, Jimmy Stewart. He and Esther both face internal and external challenges wrapped in an adventure of intrigue and love. I hope you’ll be blessed by their story.

If you haven’t already, be sure to enter to win a signed, print copy of Book 2 in my Prairie Sky Series, Under Prairie Skies by entering the Rafflecopter giveaway below!

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY  ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES  ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

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FOR THE READER ~ UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES + GIVEAWAY!

This week on FOR THE READER I’m highlighting Book 2 in my Prairie Sky Series, Under Prairie Skies!

“As iron
sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

Have you ever noticed that the
Lord often makes us face our fears? He knows just the right circumstances to put
us in to stretch and grow us. Often it’s the people and situations we least
hope to find ourselves with that God uses to mold and shape us.

In my novel, Under Prairie Skies, both of my lead
characters are faced with circumstances they’d just as soon avoid. For
strong-willed Charlotte Stanton, it’s her selfish pride that’s on the line. If
you’ve read Book One in my Prairie Sky series, Under
This Same Sky, you’ll recall her as the self-centered, envious cousin
of Becky Hollister. She hasn’t changed much at the start of this second book
until she meets up with straight-talking, cattleman Chad Avery, who has a knack
for bringing her faults to light.

Chad, on the other hand, has a
painful past to overcome, one that has closed off his heart to love. Choosing
to cling to loss and heartache, he chases a dream that seems unfulfilling
without someone to share it with. Charlotte has her job cut out for her as she
seeks to pry open his hurtful past and find a way to alleviate his hidden pain.

As iron sharpens iron, the Lord
uses them to sharpen each other and work through the challenges they’re facing.
It isn’t until they see beyond themselves and their own misgivings that they
are able to embrace the joy the Lord has in store for them.

I love watching my characters grow and change throughout the span of the novel. I hope you’ll join them on their journey toward hope and love. Following is an excerpt from the opening chapter of Under Prairie Skies:

April 14,
1855, Hollister homestead, Illinois

The sound of a spry whistle froze Charlotte Stanton in her
tracks. She tightened her hold on her bucket of creek water, eyes narrowing.
Her uncle’s cabin and property had been vacant for nearly a year. Odd someone
would be about.

The whistling grew louder, and Charlotte ducked behind a
hickory tree, her heart at her throat. She set her bucket on the ground and
peered through the timber in the direction of the sound. Something resembling a
deer moved along the timberline.

She swallowed. But, deer didn’t whistle.

Craning her neck for a better look, her stomach clenched as
the “whistling deer” transformed into the fringed buckskin jacket of a broad-shouldered
man. He emerged onto the open prairie, a string of quail draped over one
shoulder and a rifle leaning on the other. Long, easy strides carried him
closer to her uncle’s cabin.

Charlotte whirled around and pressed her back to the hickory
tree, heart pounding.

A squatter. Sure as winter gives
birth to spring.

She smacked her fist against the rough bark of the tree. Why
hadn’t she thought to bring her uncle’s muzzleloader? Then again, would she have
had the gumption to use it? Though Pa had made certain she knew how to shoot a
gun, the thought of pulling the trigger, or even pointing the barrel at
someone, turned her stomach.

Still, she had to do something. The man was squatting on her
uncle’s land.

Another glance at the buckskin-clad stranger assured
Charlotte she couldn’t outrun him. He was as close to the cabin now as she was.
She scoured the ground for some sort of defense and spied a good-sized rock
wedged in the soil.

She arched a brow. A blow to the head should do it.

Stooping, she pried at the rock, then paused. She meant to
drive the man off, not bludgeon him. Besides, it looked far too heavy to lug
all that way.

To her left, lay a blunt shaft of wood about the width of a
rifle barrel. Perhaps she could fool the stranger into thinking she had the
upper hand. The risky notion seemed her only hope. Snatching up the stick, she
lifted her eyes heavenward. Lord, help me.

She crouched low and maneuvered her way along the timberline
until she’d positioned herself at the man’s back. With soft steps, she emerged
from the undergrowth, narrowing the gap between herself and the stranger. His
steady whistle worked to her advantage, helping to drown out the faint rustle
of grass in her approach.

Hands quivering, Charlotte raised the stick, then lowered it.
Who was she kidding? With those firm muscles, if the man turned, he could
easily overpower her.

A few more paces and he’d reach her uncle’s cabin. Then
there’d be no stopping him.

She lifted her chin and wedged the makeshift gun into the
small of the stranger’s back. “Drop the rifle,” she ordered, in as gruff and
masculine of voice as she could muster.

The young man whipped his face to the side, revealing a
square, clean-shaven jaw and a handsome profile. “Hey now, listen boy…”

“Turn around.” With a hard swallow, Charlotte jabbed the
stick in deeper. “I said drop it.”

The man faced forward and stooped to lower his rifle.

Charlotte threw back her shoulders. So far, so good. He’d
not seen through her guise. She bent to reach for the gun, only to feel strong
hands grip her arm and hurl her through the air in one smooth motion. The sky
was still spinning as her back hit the ground with a thud. She cringed, the air
expelling from her lungs in a soft moan. With a slow blink, she shook her head,
struggling to regain her senses. She squinted into the mid-morning sun, and
tried to push herself to a sitting position. The man’s shadowed image stared
down at her, his firm hold pinning her arms to the ground.

With a frustrated sigh, she lay back, jaw clenched. He’d
bested her.

What now?

I hope you enjoyed this snippet from Chapter One. If so, check out the blurb and Giveaway below!

Under Prairie Skies ~ Blurb ~ Beyond shattered dreams lies a realm of possibilities ~ Illinois prairie ~1855

Unsettled by the news that her estranged cousin and uncle are returning home after a year away, Charlotte Stanton goes to ready their cabin and finds a handsome stranger has taken up residence. Convinced he’s a squatter, she throws him off the property without learning his full identity. Little does she know, their paths are destined to cross again.

Quiet and ruggedly handsome, Chad Avery’s uncanny ability to see
through Charlotte’s feisty exterior and expose her inner weaknesses both
infuriates and intrigues her. When a tragic accident incites her family to move
east, Charlotte stays behind in hopes of becoming better acquainted with the
elusive cattleman. Yet Chad’s unwillingness to divulge his hidden past, along
with his vow not to love again, threatens to keep them apart forever.

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories
of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY  ~ BOOK ONE

UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES  ~ BOOK TWO

UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

IF YOU’VE NOT READ THIS SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES, HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SIGNED, PRINT COPY! ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY BELOW. I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING CHAD AND CHARLOTTE’S STORY WITH ONE OF YOU!

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Sowing Seeds of Hope: Why Do Bad Things Happen?

Sowing Seeds of Hope Blog is branching out! With the help of some friends and fellow authors, I’m introducing some new features to my website that are meant to uplift, encourage, and inform.

To ensure you don’t miss out, scroll to the bottom of this page and sign-up to receive weekly e-mail notices! Here’s what to expect in the coming months!

FOR THE HEART
~ Words of encouragement and hope from myself and author Laurie Driesen

FOR THE HISTORY BUFF
  ~ Tidbits of history gleaned while researching my novels

FOR THE WRITER
~ Helpful articles for those who write or aspire to write

FOR THE READER
~ A great line-up of authors sharing spiritual insights from their novels along with some Giveaways!

JUST FOR FUN
~ Guest blogs, fun stories, and book news!

I’ll be starting off these next few weeks with FOR THE READER featuring some spiritual themes from my Prairie Sky Series plus a giveaway opportunity for one of my novels coming soon! I hope you’ll enjoy these new features to my website. I pray you’ll be blessed by the words that are sown here. May they ever point toward the Lord!

FOR THE READER ~ Under This Same Sky ~ Why God?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

When tragedy befalls godly people, it can cause us to question our faith. It’s difficult to grasp how a loving God could allow innocent lives to be taken or God-fearing people to suffer. If the Lord is all-powerful, why does He allow His people to endure hardship, starvation, disease, and loss?

In Under This Same Sky Book One in my Prairie Sky Series my heroine, Becky Hollister faces these challenging questions. When her home and loved ones are suddenly taken from her, her whole world—including her faith—are rocked. She harbors deep wounds that only wise counsel and God’s Word can heal.

This excerpt from Chapter One gives a glimpse into her faith struggle.

Illinois – May 8, 1854

Nothing could have prepared her for this.

Nothing.

Becky Hollister gripped her horse’s mane, pressing her heels into his flanks. Samson raced along the muddy path, the sound of his hooves echoing in the stillness. The vast prairie loomed ahead of her like an endless sea. Miles from the nearest neighbor or town, she had no choice but to go on.

Would she make it in time?

The sun sank lower in the western sky, illuminating the line of thunderheads to the east. Becky shifted her gaze from the remnants of the devastating storm, her attempts at prayer skewed by images of her fallen family and shattered home. Why didn’t You help them, Lord?

Tears stung her eyes. She alone could save Pa now. Sweat streamed down the horse’s neck and withers. His pace slowed. “Come on, boy. Pa’s depending on us.” The memory of her father lying face-down on the ground, spattered with blood and dirt, flashed through Becky’s mind. She smacked the reins across Samson’s neck, and he surged forward, giving her all his strength.

A dark figure appeared on the path ahead, half hidden behind a fallen branch. Becky pulled back on the reins, straining to distinguish the shadowy horse and rider. The dim light of evening toyed with her eyes. The hat and dark clothing could belong to anyone. Treacherous men sometimes roamed the area. She hadn’t considered her own threat of danger when she’d left their only gun with Pa.

As the rider edged closer, Becky’s heart pounded in her ears. Should she turn aside, or press forward?

With each breath, Samson’s sides heaved under her. He was too fatigued to outrun the stranger. She’d have to risk it. Clicking her tongue in her cheek, she dug her heels into Samson’s flanks. She could only pray the person was friend, not foe.

Read the rest of Chapter One HERE

In Under This Same Sky, the Lord takes Becky on an unexpected journey that doesn’t answer why He allows hardships, but one that assures her He will be with her through each hardship. Whatever difficulties you may be facing, may you sense His presence and experience His healing love. 

Next week I’ll be sharing the theme of “iron sharpening iron” in Under Prairie Skies (Book 2) + offering a Giveaway! Hope to see you then!

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Donna Schlachter Guest Blog + Giveaway

This week author Donna Schlachter shares a guest blog along with an excerpt from her recent release, Double Jeopardy. Stick around for a chance to win a copy of her book!

God is Like an Evergreen by Donna Schlachter

I love to walk in the woods in the fall,
kicking the fallen leaves this way and that. The tree started out bare in the
spring. As the seasons progress, leaves fill out the bareness, blossoms  attract insects, and, finally, the fruit
appears, a wonder of creation. By winter, the fruit is gone, the leaves are
dead, and the tree hibernates for another year. This reminds me so much of the
world, striving for glamor and beauty. Always reaching for the top, never quite
getting there. And if, they do get there, for most people, the only thing
waiting for them at the end of this season of their life, is death.

In contrast stands the evergreen tree. Quiet,
solid, not shouting the changing of the seasons, but merely whispering.
Evergreens live much longer lives, and tend to withstand storms, drought, even
forest fires, better than leaf trees. They are deeply rooted, and even when cut
down or burnt, can spring new life from the old root. Green all year long, they
bear fruit in all seasons.

Living a life with God is like that. The storms
of life don’t destroy us, because we have our feet on a solid Rock, Jesus. We
are called to bear good fruit at all times. We are destined for more than a
mere season on this earth. We have been promised eternal life with the Father.

In Double
Jeopardy, Becky and Zeke both learn that when they trust God and each
other, when they stop listening to the lies in their heads and out of other’s
mouths, they have a firm foundation to their relationship.

I hope you enjoy this excerpt. Keep reading to
see how you can enter to win a free print or ebook.

Excerpt: Chapter 1

1880 Silver Valley, Colorado

Dead. Dead as her dreams and her hopes. Dead as a door-nail, as her mother would say.

Just thinking about the woman drove a steel rod
through Becky Campbell’s slumping back. Perched on a chair in the sheriff’s
office, she drew a deep breath, lifted her shoulders, and raised her chin a
notch. She would not be like the woman who birthed her. Pretty and pampered. A
silly socialite finding nothing better to do with her days than tea with the
mayor’s spinster daughter or bridge with the banker’s wife.

No, she’d much rather be like her father.
Adventuresome. Charismatic. Always on the lookout for the next big thing.

Now her breath came in a shudder, and down went
her shoulders again. She tied her fingers into knots before looking up at the
grizzled lawman across the desk from her. “There’s no chance there’s been a
mistake in identification, is there?”

He slid open the top drawer of his desk and
pulled out a pocket watch, a lapel pin, and a fountain pen, which he pushed
across the desk to her. “He was pretty well-known around here. I’m really
sorry, miss.”

Becky picked up the timepiece and flicked open
the cover. Inside was a photograph of her family, taken about ten years earlier
when she was a mere child of eight and Father stayed around long enough to sit
still for the portrait. Her mother, petite and somber, and she, all ringlets
and ribbons. She rubbed a finger across the engraving. To R. Love M. Always.

Yes, this was his.

And the lapel pin, a tiny silver basket
designed to hold a sprig of baby’s breath or a miniature rosebud—a wedding gift
from her mother twenty years before.

She looked up at the sheriff, tears blurring
her vision. “And his ring?”

The lawman shook his head. “No ring. Not on his
body or in his shack.”

“But he always wore it. Never took it off.”

He shrugged. “Maybe he lost it. Or sold it.”

“I doubt he’d do either. My mother gave it to
him when I was born.”

She peered at him. Had he stolen her father’s
ring? Or maybe Sheriff Freemont was correct. Maybe
something as important as her birth hadn’t meant much to her father. Maybe she
didn’t either. Was that why he left?

Because surely his absences couldn’t be
explained by any rift between her parents.

Although, what Matilda Applewhite saw in Robert
Campbell—Robbie to his friends and family—Becky had never understood. Her
mother, who ran in the same circles as the Rockefellers and the Astors, with
presidents and admirals—yet much to the consternation of her family, chose a
ne’er-do-well like Becky’s father.

Becky set the two items side by side on the scarred wooden desk, next to the fountain pen. The same one he’d used to write his letters to her. Signing them, Give your mother all my love too. Your devoted father. She needed no more information. No more proof…

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win either a print copy (US addresses only) or an e-book copy of Double Jeopardy.

Launch Event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/2220456174726867/

Double Jeopardy is available at https://shoplpc.com/double-jeopardy/ & Amazon.com

Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick. As a hybrid author, she writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts, and has been published more than 30 times in novellas and full-length novels. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Sisters In Crime, and Christian Authors Network; facilitates a critique group; and teaches writing classes online and in person. Donna also ghostwrites, edits, and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com

www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com

www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter

Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq and Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2gZATjm

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A New Year Deal & Giveaway

2020 is here and with it some great opportunities!

First, I’m excited to share that my publisher has extended a special deal on my Prairie Sky Series until January 2nd! Now is the perfect time to add this series to your shelves or gift it to a friend. May you be blessed by these stories of faith and resilience set on the Midwest prairie.

Secondly, to celebrate the New Year, I thought it would be fun to share a couple of historical novels off my shelves with one of you: Yours Truly Thomas and A Mountain Christmas Romance.

To enter, be sure to check out the Rafflecopter Giveaway below!

God bless you and yours in the New Year!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Secret Recipe for the New Year

Christmas 2019 has come and gone. A New Year is dawning, and with it new hope and anticipation. We never quite know what the next year will bring, but whatever 2020 holds, we have the assurance the Lord is with us and will never leave us, if we are faithful to abide in Him.

Years ago, I stopped making resolutions that involve improvements to my outward appearance and replaced them with ones to deepen my spiritual walk. Things like spending more time in God’s Word, being more thoughtful of others, and cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in my life. These virtues, though invisible to the eye, reap much greater reward and cause a ripple effect that flow into the lives of our spouses, children, coworkers, even complete strangers.

I developed a New Year’s Resolution Secret Recipe. In it, you’ll find all the necessary ingredients to make resolutions that will strengthen your inner self. The best part is, you can enjoy it all you want and the only weight you gain is spiritual heft! Enjoy!

Combine: 2 cups
of faith, 1/2 cup of prayer, 2 teaspoons
of positive
attitude,  1 Tablespoon of patience, and a dash
of humility. Mix
in the Fruit of the Holy Spirit until smooth. Bake in
350 degree oven of God’s
Word until golden brown. Enjoy the wholesome, fulfilling
goodness within.

“For the Lord does not look at the things people look at. People
look at the outward appearance, but the Lord
looks at the heart.”  (I Samuel 16:7)

As we transition from Christmas into the New Year, what resolution is on your heart to make?

Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance

UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.