Cynthia Roemer's Blog, page 19

Knowing Who Holds Tomorrow

Have you ever had one of those days you wish you could do over? Just wipe the slate clean and start again? When a decision you made or action you took costs you or someone you love dearly?

Yesterday was one of those days for me. Knowing what I know now, I’d give anything to be able to hit the rewind button and make the changes necessary to correct the issue. But I can’t. The damage is done.

But what I can do, is entrust it to God and know He is in control even during the hard times, when we don’t understand why things happen. Often we blame ourselves for things we have no real control over.

Maybe for you it’s a rough week or a difficult season of life you’re up against. The Lord has said, “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) No matter what our circumstances, He is there with us. He never lets go.

In my novel, Under Prairie Skies, my hero, Chad Avery blames himself for the loss of his wife and young son. Such misgivings leave him unable to move forward in life. Instead, he holds his emotions in, allowing them to eat away at his future until God uses my heroine, Charlotte Stanton, to help him realize his guilt feelings aren’t grounded.

He in turn, helps bring to light Charlotte’s self-centered ways and as iron sharpens iron, the Lord uses them to sharpen each other. (Proverbs 27:17)

There are some things we will never understand in this life, but the Lord can use our failings, our heartaches, and life’s challenges to strengthen our faith and reliance on Him. When the hard times come–and they will–hold onto God’s promises and press forward. We can’t undo the past, but we can find God in the present and know Who holds our tomorrow.

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Restoring America’s Greatness

On this Independence Day, I thought it appropriate to share about the slogan: “Making America Great Again”. To do that, perhaps we need to understand the origin of that greatness. America’s greatness has little to do with foreign policies, healthcare, government funding, or presidential promises. Instead, it has to do with the fundamental truths and spiritual values this country was founded on: Courage. Religious freedom. And reverence for God.

The pilgrims who ventured to this land risked their lives for what they believed in. Many died trying to gain the freedom to worship and live according to their
convictions. It was courage that spurred them to voyage into the unknown,
and it was faith in God that gave them the strength to succeed.

I wonder, over time, have we lost these honorable qualities as a nation? Have we pushed aside the God we once embraced as our leader? Have we veiled our faith, not allowing it to shine, much as Moses veiled his face before the Israelites?

I Corinthians 3:18 says we are to be a people “who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory” and that we are “being transformed into his likeness”. If America is to be great again, it must come from God’s presence within us, His people.

Do we openly give God the glory when He blesses us? Do we bow our heads daily in prayer for our country, our leaders? Do we take time to help those who are hurting and in need? There are so many ways we can let God shine through our lives. Even seemingly small things can make such a huge difference.

Do we want America to become great again? Psalm 33:16-17 says plainly, “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all it’s great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”

In other words, it isn’t the size of our military forces, guns, intelligence, or power that will deliver our nation from the troubles it’s in. The future of America lies within regaining a respect and reverent fear for Almighty God. He alone can save us and make us great once again. May we humble ourselves before Him, knowing He alone holds the answers.

What makes America great in your eyes?

I pray you’ll join me in humble prayer for our nation and our leaders on this Independence Day and at this pivotal point in history.

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Interview + Giveaway with Tara Johnson

I’m so thrilled to have friend and fellow historical author Tara Johnson as my guest today on Sowing Seeds of Hope. Tara has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of her new release, Where Dandelions Bloom . I’m reading it now. Such a wonderful story of forgiveness and grace! Stick around until the end and enter to win!

Thanks for being my guest today, Tara. I’m honored to have you. Let’s start by learning a bit about you outside of the author arena. When you’re not writing, what other hobbies do you enjoy?

I love gardening, singing, playing piano, and basketball. I’m always up for a game of basketball.

I know you’re a gifted singer, but I didn’t know you were a basketball player. I’m sure your kids enjoy the interaction. Name one of the first books or authors to inspire you and why.

I was greatly influenced by the entire Anne of Green Gables series as a teenager. I read all eight books so much, the binding fell away and I had to hold them together with duct tape. Lucy Maude Montgomery was a master of understanding emotion. I was also highly influenced by Lori Wick. Wings of the Morning, The Hawk and the Jewel, and the entire Donovan series was a frequent staple in my early reading.

I’m not familiar with the Donovan series, but I love Anne of Green Gables. Such a timeless tale. Your own books have strong female leads. How similar are you to your heroines?

I pour a lot of myself into my heroines. It’s not intentional, but as I write and uncover their personal wounds, I realize I struggle with the same things they do. I think I’m most like Keziah from Engraved on the Heart, but I found much of myself in Cassie from Where Dandelions Bloom. I have trouble letting people get close to me. I’m very protective of my heart. Perhaps too much so at times. I’ve always had a stubbornly independent streak since I was little, although I think I would have crumpled under the duress Cassie endured.

I’m much the same way. I think many writers are better at pouring their hearts out on paper. Why did you choose to write the genre you write?

I’ve always been fascinated with history. My mother and I had a yearly tradition: we would get together, pop popcorn and watch Gone With the Wind. I fell in love with the Civil War era and, as I grew and learned more about the nuances of the time period, discovered a never-ending treasure trove of amazing people and stories that changed every aspect of our culture.

What a great tradition! The Civil War era is intriguing to me as well. Such a harsh and yet endearing time period filled with heroics. Forgiveness is a major theme in  Where Dandelions Bloom . What takeaway value do you want readers to gain from it?

I want them to know unforgiveness is a chain that keeps us enslaved but releasing that anger and resentment to God frees us to a life of peace and joy. It helps us find beauty and hope in the difficult things.

Such an important message, and you portray it so well in Cassie and Gabe’s story. Is there a theme verse that holds this Where Dandelions Bloom together?

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” ~Hebrews 10:23

A beautiful verse, full of hope and promise! What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I recently turned in my third manuscript to Tyndale, tentatively entitled A Song for Cadence. It’s all about a woman denied the right to be a nurse in the Civil War, her fight to gain acceptance in a world of people who tell her she’ll never measure up, and a surgeon who battles a secret society determined to destroy the lives of those he loves.

Sounds like another intriguing read. We look forward to it!

Tara Johnson is an author and speaker, and loves to write stories that help people break free from the lies they believe about themselves.

Tara’s debut novel Engraved on the Heart (Tyndale) earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, as well as numerous other accolades. In addition to be published in a variety of digital and print magazines, she has been a featured guest on Voice of Truth radio, Enduring Word radio, television and podcasts. She is a history nerd, especially the Civil War and adores making people laugh. She, her husband, and children live in Arkansas. Website: www.TaraJohnsonStories.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraLynnJohnsonAuthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarajohnsonministry/

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Now for the Giveaway! Leave a comment to unlock several opportunities to win a copy of Where Dandelions Bloom!

Cassie Kendrick is on the run. Her abusive father arranged her marriage to a despicable man, but she’s discovered an escape. Disguised as a man, Cassie enlists in the Union army, taking the name Thomas Turner. On the battlefields of the Civil War, keeping her identity a secret is only the beginning of her problems, especially after she meets Gabriel Avery, a handsome young photographer.

Anxious to make his mark on the world and to erase the darkness and guilt lurking from his past, Gabriel works with renowned photographer Matthew Brady to capture images from the front lines of the war. As Gabriel forges friendships with many of the men he encounters, he wonders what the courageous, unpredictable Thomas Turner is hiding.

Battling betrayal, their own personal demons, and a country torn apart by war, can Cassie and Gabriel learn to forgive themselves and trust their futures to the God who births hope and healing in the darkest places?

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Let Go and Let God

I love the message in Carrie Underwood’s popular song, Jesus Take the Wheel. The lyrics are a potent reminder that we are totally dependent on God’s grace and mercy. I touch on this in my Prairie Sky Series as my characters face trials, tragedy, and tests of faith.

Every season of life holds
its challenges and uncertainties, situations outside of our control which will
test our faith and at times shake us to the core.  When these times of
testing come, how can we prepare ourselves to entrust our lives and
futures to the Lord?

Relinquish control – Let go and let God may be a catchy phrase, but it can prove a challenge to follow. I’ve had the opportunity to water ski only once in my life. Prior to leaving the dock, the people I was with shared some tips on how best to go about it. The most important tip they shared was that if I fell, I need to let go of the rope handles. I thought to myself, how silly. Why wouldn’t I let go? But sure enough, when I fell, my first instinct was to cling to that handle for dear life.

In my upcoming novel, Under Moonlit Skies, my hero, Stewart Brant, tries to control his circumstances by holding too tightly to what he wants. Often we make a similar mistake in our lives. We hold onto something or someone instead of trusting God to work things out. Recognizing God’s sovereignty can garner not only peace of mind, but spare us the hardships of wrong choices.

Praise Him Anyway – It’s easy to praise God in the good times, but when things go awry, the Lord asks us to do the unthinkable–thank Him for the hardships. 

I think of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, who were imprisoned in a Nazi prison camp during World War II. Amazingly, Betsie praised God for the infestation of fleas which kept the guards away and allowed them to hold a Bible study in the prison barracks. Now that’s praising God in all circumstances!

In Under This Same Sky, my heroine, Becky Hollister, loses everything she held dear, only to discover the one thing she needed most–trust in God. When we give God praise despite our circumstances, we’re saying we trust Him with our very lives and that we honor His wisdom and authority.

Take the Next Step – Life’s challenges can stifle our attitudes and paralyze our efforts. Setbacks come. Hopes and dreams go unfulfilled. And we wonder if what we’re working toward is worth the effort. But God has a way of turning things around. When life knocks us down, we must learn to pick ourselves up, take the next step, and trust God to show the way.

How about you? What situations force you to realize you need to give God control?

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Sowing Seeds of Hope

When you look at the above photo, what do you see? Many see tilled earth on an empty garden plot. I see hope, promise.

Consistent rains this spring resulted in a late start with not only field crops but our garden as well. Though you can’t see the array of seeds beneath the soil or the work that went into planting them, they are there. Seeds of promise. Hope.

Three weeks later, the seeds have sprouted and burst through the tilled ground, having been transformed into vibrant plants. Though small at first, each day the Lord continues to work His magic, nurturing the young plants with rain, sun, and wind.

By summer’s end, the plants are fully grown, each producing seed thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold, providing sustenance for our family even into the winter when we freeze and can the produce.

Our lives are so like a a seed being grown in a tended garden. When we are young and new in our faith, God sees the seed of promise within us. Even when we ourselves don’t recognize our value or worth, God is there spurring us on, filling us with hope and encouragement.

As we grow in our faith and walk closely with Him, He strengthens and encourages us to keep going, keep trusting. When the storms of life come and threaten to undo us, He is there to keep us rooted and grounded. Like the tender shoots that grow into healthy stalks, God is growing us up to be strong in the faith.

I entitled this blog Sowing Seeds of Hope for two reasons. First, as a farmer’s wife, I understand the amazing potential for growth God has planted within each seed as He has each of our lives. Secondly, it’s my prayer that each post and each novel I write will instill hope and encouragement to readers such as you.

This week as you watch new growth taking place in the fields, gardens, flowerbeds and lawns, remember how the Lord is gently growing and molding you to become a person of hope and promise.

Other seed fell on good soil where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty, thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13: 8)

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Interview + Giveaway with Amy Anguish

I’m thrilled to have fellow Mantle Rock Publishing author, Amy Anguish with me today, sharing about her writing journey and her most recent novel,  Faith and Hope . You’ll have a chance to win a copy at the end of the interview!

It’s great to have you, Amy! How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since middle school. I actually had an English teacher in the 8thgrade who was a published author. It made me realize I could choose something like that as a career. I got more serious about it in college and then have made it more of a career than a hobby the last few years.

It’s great to have good mentors early on. How have you sensed the Lord’s hand on your writing journey?

God has placed so many people in my life who have helped me along this way. He gave me a mentor in Wilburta Arrowood, who came and spoke to one of my college classes and then took me under her wing. Through Wilburta, I got to meet several other authors including Sandi Rog, who saw the potential in my writing, helped me learn how to edit and polish, and published my first book. And through all of that and the ACFW and the KenTen Writers’ Retreat, I’ve met so many other authors who have helped me along this journey, like you! Thanks for hosting me today. 

That’s so sweet. Thank you! I’m thrilled to have you. Besides writing, what other hobbies do you enjoy?

I have way too many hobbies. I’m a crafter. I love to crochet, quilt, sew, paint, draw, and sometimes even make jewelry or embroider. And, of course, I read quite a bit, too.

You have lots of talents! Why did you choose to write the genre you write?

I love romance novels. Always have. There’s just something about the happily ever after and not having to worry about how they get there because you know they will. You can just sit back and enjoy seeing them work it out. I write contemporary because I’m too lazy to do all the research to write historical! Ha!

How funny! I, myself, love delving into the past. Do you enjoy any sort of research?

I’m a researcher when it comes to things for my own life, like health concerns or patterns or recipes, but I don’t consider myself a great researcher when it comes to finding out things were “back then.” I love to read historical novels, but I’m always afraid I’ll get something wrong if I try to write one. Maybe someday.

I still have to do a bit of research when writing contemporary, though, occasionally about crazy things. In this novel, I had to look up an animal that started with the letter X. There aren’t many, in case you were wondering.

What take-away value do you want readers to gain from your novels?

In all my novels, I want readers to be able to see that even though my characters are Christians, bad things still happen in their lives. However, because of their faith and relationship with God, they can get through it and come out even stronger, no matter the outcome.

Amen! What a great reminder and ministry. Thanks so much for joining us today, Amy!

Amy R Anguish ~ Author of An Unexpected Legacy
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good. Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Now for the Giveaway! Amy has graciously offered winner’s choice of a print copy (US only) or an e-copy of her novel,  Faith and Hope . Here’s the blurb:

Two sisters. One summer. Multiple problems. Younger sister Hope has lost her job, her car, and her boyfriend all in one day. Her well-laid plans for life have gone sideways, as has her hope in God. Older sister Faith is finally getting her dream-come-true after years of struggles and prayers. But when her mom talks her into letting Hope move in for the summer, will the stress turn her dream into a nightmare? Is her faith in God strong enough to handle everything?

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Dreams Take Time ~ Don’t Give Up

When I was in high school, I saw a PBS
film entitled, My Brilliant Career, based
on the true story of a sixteen year old girl who had written and published a
book. I was mesmerized by the idea. When my high school English teacher urged
me to enter a local college writing contest, I eagerly accepted the
challenge and was thrilled to earn first place in my category.

From that moment on, I dreamed of
becoming a published author. I pursued an English/Creative Writing degree in
college and wrote a rough draft of an inspirational historical novel which I
entitled, Under This Same Sky.

Then life happened!

After college, I started a job and then
married and had my two sons. And while I wrote and submitted short-stories and
articles to various Christian magazines, my novel manuscript…and my dream…lay
tucked away untouched for many years. But I never gave up hope that someday
that dream would become a reality and continued to commit my writing ministry
to the Lord.

Somewhere along the way, I came across
a picture of a frog being eaten by a stork. But rather than give up, he took a
strangle-hold on the bird’s neck to keep from being eaten. The humorous image not
only made me smile, but the Lord used it to bolster my determination.

The phrase at the bottom, DON’T EVER
GIVE UP, gave me courage to hold onto my dream when it didn’t seem a
possibility. I pray it will you too!

Do you have a fun photo or story that encourages you to keep trying? If so, I’d love for you to share about it in the comment section below!!!

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

The Power of Story

Over the weekend, my husband and I went to see the movie, Breakthrough. It was an amazing true story of a fourteen-year-old Missouri boy who fell through the ice and was without vital signs for a full hour. While his mother prayed for the Lord to breathe life back into him, he regained a pulse to the utter amazement of the hospital staff.

The movie goes on to show his miraculous recovery and how it affected those around him. The film is a vibrant testimony of the power of prayer and challenged my view of what it truly means to pray without doubting.

Stories are powerful. Whether true or fictional, stories have a way of infiltrating our hearts and minds. The Bible is brimming with true stories of heroes and heroines of the faith, stories that inspire and teach. Jesus, on the other hand, often used parables to drive home His messages and urge people to delve deeper into godly perspectives.

As a writer, I know the power of story. Some stories teach. Others entertain. Christian novels inspire. While it’s my aim to create stories that engage readers and spur the imagination, even more so, it’s my desire to draw readers into a deeper relationship with the Lord by weaving a message of hope and healing within the pages of my books.

As my characters grow and change through the events of the novel, it’s my prayer the Lord will speak godly truths into the hearts of readers. For me, that’s what makes writing a story worthwhile.

What books have inspired you, whether fictional or non-fictional?

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Got Jesus?

Recently I “inherited” a shirt with the words “Got Jesus?” across the front of it. The white lettering stands out clearly against the dark background. As I slipped the shirt on for the first time and started for town, a sobering though struck me. Everyone I came across would read the words and immediately know I was a follower of Christ. That was a good thing. Or was it?

With these words stamped on my chest, everyone will be watching to see if I act like a follower of Jesus. What if I mess up? Get irritated at a slow check-out clerk or forget to wear a smile? Will I be a good witness? Or will I fail?

My mind pondered the mixed
bag of thoughts pummeling my brain until, at last, I heard the Holy Spirit’s
gentle prompting. But
Cynthia, it doesn’t matter if you have the name Jesus stamped on your shirt or
not, you already have His name written on your heart.

Bam! Isn’t it amazing how the Lord can cut to the quick and humble our hearts with His simple truths? Not everyone we encounter will know we are Christians the first second we meet them on the street or in a store, or even at our workplace. But they can see our smiles, sense our compassion, read our character and catch a glimpse of what it means to be a Christ-follower.

He knows we aren’t perfect, that we’ll mess up at times, lose our tempers, and say hurtful things. But when we have Jesus in our hearts, we take on His nature, His character, and strive to be a witness for Him in our everyday encounters and relationships. The more we grow to love Him, the more He will shine through our lives.

As a Christian author, it’s my prayer that the Lord will be glorified through the words I write. Without His inspiration, my writing is merely words on a page. I’m just a pencil in His hand, praying what I write will encourage and inspire readers to a deeper understanding of Him.

How do you most enjoy sharing your faith?

Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Interview + Giveaway ~ Kelly Goshorn

Today
I’m honored to have Kelly Goshorn as my guest. I love her transparency and
heart for the Lord. I pray you’ll be blessed as I was by her responses. Be sure
to stick around to the end for a chance to win her debut novel A Love Restored!

Hi Cynthia, thank you for hosting me on your blog
today!

It’s so great to have you, Kelly. Besides writing, tell us what other hobbies you enjoy.

I enjoy scrapbooking and cardmaking, though I don’t
do that as often as I’d like. Hubby and I enjoy watching movies and BBC period
dramas together as well as going to the theater and playing board games. Living
in Virginia, I’m blessed to be within a short driving distance to many
historical landmarks. I love planning day trips to battlefields, historical
sites, museums, etc. I also enjoy walking my dog several times a day, and I’m
hoping to begin hiking on some of the nearby mountain trails.

Some great hobbies! You and I share some common interests, except I live in the flatlands. Your Virginia mountain trails sound beautiful! Share with us one of the first books or authors to inspire you and why.

I discovered Christian fiction through Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke. I quickly
devoured the entire series, then moved on to every other title she wrote, and
finally to other historical romance authors. My sisters and I called these our
“prairie stories.” As a writer however, I’ve been inspired to try and capture
the passion of Julie Lessman, the humor of Karen Witemeyer, and the lovely,
descriptive prose of Tamera Alexander in my stories. Those are huge shoes to
fill and I know I fall way short of my desire.

Some wonderful authors to look to! Do you have a favorite character in your novel? If so, why?

I hope it doesn’t sound trite, but I
would have to say my heroine, Ruth Ann. Showing her journey to self-acceptance
was my favorite part of writing her character. At the beginning of the story
she is plagued by self-doubt about her appearance because of the unkind things
that have been spoken to her about her fuller-figure. She repeats these unkind
things to herself until they come to define who she thinks she is. Watching her
blossom into the strong, resilient woman she wants to be and seeing her
character accept herself as a beautiful, Godly woman still makes me teary.

Such
a powerful transformation touches the heart. I love that the heroine of A Love Restored has flaws. What
motivated you to make Ruth Ann opinionated and with a less than perfect
appearance?

Thank you, Cynthia. I think characters with
emotional and physical flaws are much easier to relate to. The motivation
behind Ruth Ann is me.Like my full-figured heroine, Ruth
Ann, I’ve struggled with weight issues my entire life. I’ve
had cruel things said about my appearance. Oftentimes by people who were
supposed to love me. But their insensitive words failed in comparison to the
ugly way I spoke to myself. I’d become so defined by the negative comments and
opinions of those surrounding me, I no longer saw anything to esteem. I’d
allowed my self-worth to be determined by a yardstick that measured my value
according to the size of my waist or the flatness of my stomach, always coming
up short. My own
journey to self-acceptance, as well as what a loving God will do to grab a stubborn
woman’s attention, are pivotal to the story line.

Oh, I’m so sorry to hear all you’ve gone through, but it must be so rewarding to see how the Lord is using your hardships to speak into readers’ hearts. How have you sensed the Lord’s hand on your writing journey?

My faith has grown by
leaps and bounds through this process. My writing journey began with a simple
prayer for the Lord to give me a passion to serve Him in some way. But the
path that lay ahead would not only prove to be challenging from a craft point
of view, it would require me to face my biggest personal and spiritual
obstacle—the fear of failure.  What I
discovered is that God sees not only who we are, but who we can be when we
place our trust in Him. He calls us to tackle our biggest obstacles so that we
can rest in total dependence on Him. Wherever the writing journey takes me,
I’ve been irrevocably changed. There’s no going back and I wouldn’t want it any
other way.

What
a wonderful testimony. Thanks for sharing it with us! What can we expect to see
from you in the future?

Right now I’m working on a three book series also
set in my native Loudoun County,Virginia, this time during the Civil War.Surrendered Hearts examines
what happens when God requires us to surrender those things we hold most dear.
Throughout the series, characters are called to sacrifice their dreams and
ambitions, their pride, and for one, his life, as God recklessly pursues each
of them. Readers can learn more about the books in this series at http://kellygoshorn.com/my-writing/surrendered-hearts.

Sounds
like a wonderful series, Kelly! I look forward to reading them!

Thank you so much for having me today, Cynthia.
It’s always a joy to spend time with other Christians, especially those who
love books as much as I do.

Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love, faith and family set in nineteenth century America. She earned a B.A. in Social Studies Education from Messiah College and an M.Ed. in History from The Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Kelly has been enjoying her own happily-ever-after with her husband and best friend, Mike, for 28 years. Together they have raised three children, four cats, two dogs, a turtle, a guinea pig, a gecko, and countless hamsters. Thankfully, not all at the same time.

Purchase on Amazon US, Amazon UK and Barnes & Noble A Love Restored is currently on sale for $0.99!

You can connect with Kelly on:

Her Website

Facebook

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Pinterest

Instagram

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Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Now for the Giveaway! Kelly is graciously offering an e-copy of her novel, A Love Restored! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below for several chances to win!

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