Today I’m turning my spot here over to my writing friend, Cynthia Herron, whose first novel, Her Hope Discovered, was just released. I had the privilege of being one of her early readers and enjoyed getting to know the characters in the little town of Ruby. Now we get to peek behind the scenes at her inspiration for the story. Make sure to check out the chance to win a copy of her book, Her Hope Discovered at the end of her post. Or if you can’t wait, you can find links to how to buy the book. So, please welcome Cynthia.
How My Ozarkian Roots Influenced Her Hope Discovered
by Cynthia Herron
I’m so delighted to join you today!
I’m a huge fan of Ann’s so when she invited me to guest-blog, I may have squealed just a little. Angel Sister remains one of my favorite books ever. As you know, Ann writes those heartfelt stories that tug our emotions and tease our subconscious long after we finish reading.
As I labored over my debut novel Her Hope Discovered, I made a list of authors who I admired and wanted to approach regarding possible endorsements. Of course, Ann was one of those on that list. And when she said yes? OH. My. Goodness. Well…let’s just say I made a mini-date with Mr. Stover in the kitchen. (Chocolate isn’t the be-all, end-all, but it certainly sweetens our celebrations.) 
Speaking of celebrations…
December 2018 marked a huge milestone for me. After years of planning, dreaming, and a whole lot of praying, this writer—now, a published author—opened a very special Christmas gift. My books! My husband recorded the moment and it lives in infamy on Instagram and Twitter. And yes—this gal did shed a few tears. (Scroll through those feeds and you can relive the unveiling with me!)
Her Hope Discovered, my contemporary, inspirational romance novel, is finally a living, breathing book. This little story of life, love, and second chances is now in the hands of readers, and I still marvel at God’s timing.
That box of books? They arrived on Christmas Eve—just in time for me to wrap a copy for my daddy, one of my biggest cheerleaders. (Three weeks later, Daddy suffered a GI bleed and we didn’t know if he would survive. Blessedly, he did and he continues to recuperate.)
You might guess that family is very important to me. So is my heritage and the region where I was born and raised. The Ozarks are where “my people” are.
When we’re children, I don’t know that we can fully appreciate our roots. In fact, I’m sure we can’t.
Things like culture, heritage, family history, and geographic locale aren’t on our “live in the moment” radar.
Children live in the now.
A child’s world is immediacy. It’s Mama’s smile at breakfast. Daddy’s hug as he leaves for work. It’s macaroni and cheese, crayons and coloring books, and stinky socks on a summer day.
Little ones don’t think in terms of tomorrow. They understand the concrete—the tangible. The things that adults so often take for granted.
I once heard it said, “I loved being a child. Though I didn’t realize it then, those years were the best years of my life.”
As I’ve matured, I understand that statement and I fully embrace it.
In the present, I have a full and happy life. I know Jesus. I have a loving family, my health, and a beautiful home.
Despite this, life hasn’t always been fair, kind, or easy.
I’ve worked hard.
I’ve survived loss.
I’ve known heartache.
Just like you.
The learning curve’s been chock-full of twists and turns.
I’ve grown from where I’ve been and I’m thankful for the journey. How my roots and experiences influenced me and the stories I write.
As a youngster, growing up in the Ozarks was an interesting mix of old and new. Life meandered along at a steady, but snail-like pace. Change in some areas arrived slowly, while in larger towns, transformation was more obvious.
I grew up in one of those smaller regions where “new” and “different” had to be mulled over and left to simmer for a while. A long while.
At the little elementary school I attended, most of us shared similar backgrounds and breeding. There was a rump roast sale on Fridays at our local market, and church on Sundays was the town norm. Our mamas and daddies were hard workers who knew the value of a dollar and waste was a foreign concept.
Where I lived, summer was less about boredom and more of an adventure. There was always a bike to ride, a fort to build, and cousins to visit.
We had a drugstore that had a real soda fountain, a hardware store that sold everything from A to Z, and a department store that boasted bib overalls for the men, and dresses and aprons for the women.
Each business establishment was locally owned and operated and closed on Sundays. Big box stores and shopping meccas hadn’t arrived yet and neither had the hustle and bustle of life in the fast lane.
In the Ozarks along the expanse of old Route 66, the hills and hollows were lush, green, and scented with honeysuckle. Folks who lived in the nearby, little niches were self-made, salt-of-the-earth, not-afraid-to-get-their-hands-dirty kind of people. They were passionate about God and country, family and friends.
Though I no longer live in the same town where I grew up, my little neck of the woods is still a subtle blend of yesteryear and today. Time has given way to progress, and our growth and change reflect this, but our culture is still unique and our heritage the same.
I used my beloved Ozarks as the backdrop for Her Hope Discovered to introduce you to new friends in the region where no one is a stranger. (Get acquainted with the Ruby, Missouri locals in this behind-the-scenes peek.)
There’s always room at the table for “just one more,” and to make you feel at home, we’ll even let you wash a dish or two. No need to wear your fancy duds. Just come as you are and limber up those arms for a big, ol’ bear hug!
***
Author Bio
Cynthia writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. A hopeless romantic at heart, she enjoys penning stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her Hope Discovered, her début novel and the first in a three-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink.
“Cindy” has a degree in psychology and a background in social work. She is a member of ACFW, ACFW MozArks, and RWA.
She is a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions Winner. Her work is represented by Sarah Freese at WordServe Literary.
Besides writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She also adores a great cup of coffee and she never met a sticky note she didn’t like.
Cindy loves to connect with friends at her online home. She also hangs out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
For love, fun, and encouragement ~
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Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?
Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery.
Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course? Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined. A new place to call “home,” the possibility of what might be, and the answer to someone’s prayers unite this unlikely pair with the help of the town’s residents.
Nestled in the Ozarks’ hills and hollows is Ruby, Missouri, a quaint, cozy town where “neighbor” is merely another word for “friend.” Ruby will charm and delight as will her quirky, lovable characters who will steal your heart, but hand it right back—with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Savor your new friends’ sorrows and successes in the community where offbeat is perfect and mishaps and mayhem never tasted so good!
Her Hope Discovered, Book One of the Welcome to Ruby series
Mountain Brook Ink, December 2018
Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million
Chance to Win Her Hope Discovered
Thanks, Cynthia, for dropping by to tell us about your new book and the inspiration behind the story. Cynthia has graciously offered to give a print copy of Her Hope Discovered to one of you who leave a comment here. (USA only) I’ll draw for the winner Sunday March 10th, so get your comments in early!
Did you grow up in a small town where everybody knew everybody? Whether you did or not, do you like to read stories with small town settings?