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 ~
Sign up for Cindy’s monthly e-NEWSLETTERS
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?
Comments 73
Love small towns. So quaint 🙂
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Michelle. Ruby is a friendly little town that I’m sure you’ll enjoy visiting.
I did grow up in a small town where everyone knew everyone else and usually everyone else’s business too. I don’t live there anymore, but I live in another smallish town. Not nearly as small as the one that I grew up in though. I love to read stories about small towns and small town people. This sounds like a wonderful series.
Author
Hi, April. I like the small town feel but I don’t know if small towns today are the same as the ones I remember from years ago. Back when I was a kid, everybody around did most of their shopping close to home. There weren’t any big box stories, just many mom and pop businesses. We had seven small elementary schools that had basketball teams and school spirit. Two buses were all we needed to get the kids at our school there and home. And it was unusual for parents to pick up their kids instead of letting them ride the bus. You’ve got me thinking how very much things have changed in our town.
But I am sure you’ll enjoy Cynthia’s town of Ruby when you get a chance to read her story.
I grew up in a town where many of the old time families knew each other but times have changed for sure! I love reading stories set in small towns. There is just such a sense of community, compassion and caring. They make you wish you lived there too!
Author
I like the way you put that, Maryann. The old time families. That’s how it is now out here on my country road. We know the families who have lived here forever but don’t know all the new people who have built houses and moved to the area. Times have changed, for sure. But that’s the sweet thing about writing. You can change what you want or leave it unchanged to suit your story and characters.
I did grow up in a small town (about 2000 people). I wouldn’t say we knew everybody, but it was a great childhood. I now live in a town of about 20,000 people, so still not huge.
My husband and I own a small business in town and I’m always running into customers in the grocery store or a restaurant, which is fun!
I would love to read Charla and Sam’s story and get to know the residents of Ruby.
Patty, yes, we can always count on running into someone in our little niche when we’re out and about. I’m sure my childhood home has changed a lot, but I’d love to return one day and visit. I think you will love Sam and Charla’s story, as well as some other fun characters in Ruby! 🙂
Author
I still live in country not far from where I grew up and still shop in what was a much smaller town when I was a kid. But I run into people at the grocery or wherever all the time that I went to school with or that my kids went to school with. It’s interesting to live in the same area all your life the way my husband and I have. You added a zero to your town’s population, Patty, from when you were a kid. Sounds as if you’re a popular business person and that’s good.
I did grow up in a small town and we raised our kids in a small town. We never worried about them. Everyone looked out for them. If they were caught in mischief, we usually heard about it before they got home. A small town is a wonderful place to raise children.
Yes, Joyce, I identify with you said. Not too much escapes our friends and family in a small town. Ha! And I agree – it’s nice when others look out after our kiddos and check on us when they haven’t seen us out and about in a while.
Author
Small towns are great for families, at least most of the time, Joyce. I asked my readers once what they liked or didn’t like about living in small towns. Some people didn’t like that others often know what’s going on in your life, good or bad. But most of the people enjoyed the closeness of knowing many people in your town.
Looking forward to reading this charming account of small town living ! We also had a party line growing up ….my sister and I would sneak and listen in while mother was too busy to notice ! We seldom locked our doors and were never afraid to ride our bikes in the neighborhood…..those were the best days.
Nancy, it sounds like my childhood mirrored yours. The simple things, yes? They were the best days!
Author
Oh, the good old days, right, Nancy. Since I lived out in the country with no neighbors near enough to see unless you went down the road, I didn’t have the same experiences as many of those who lived in small towns. But we didn’t lock our doors either and we might have eavesdropped but most of the neighbors on our lines never had that much to say to interest us kids. LOL.
I grew up in a small country community. We even had a party line telephone for a while. I used to bike ride to see the neighbors. I like reaing about small towns.
Author
We had a party line when I was growing up, Una. Eight families on the line, Una. You only heard rings for four that were on your “side.” But the four on the other side used the same line. There were four rings. A long ring, two short rings, a long and short ring (that was ours) and I don’t know if the other was a short ring or three short rings. What a difference from now when everybody has their own private phone in their pocket, even kids. Then if you wanted to eavesdrop, you could find out what was happening with the neighbors. 🙂 Biking around a small town sounds like fun. I never had a bike. Maybe that’s why I gave Jocie a bike in my Heart of Hollyhill books.
Hope you’ll enjoy Cynthia’s story when you get a chance to read it.
Ooh the party line! Yes, we had one, too, for a while, and one of the nearby neighbors used to chat up a blue streak…dispensing wit and wisdom about everything from A to Z. 🙂
Congrats on the new book. I love small town in my books. This sounds like a great read thanks.
Tighefan42 atgmaildotcom
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Tammy. Her Hope Discovered is a fun story that I think you’ll enjoy when you get a chance to read it.
Hi Tammy, I think you’ll enjoy Her Hope Discovered, book one of my Welcome to Ruby series. It’s about as small-town as you can get. 🙂
I love reading about small towns. I grew up in a small community where you knew everyone and we visited and played together every day. Thank you for the chance. Blessings
Author
We can look back with such fond memories, can’t we, Lucy? I grew up on a farm and so we didn’t have any near neighbors with kids our age. But we had a lot of fun playing with each other and our cousins when they came to visit. I’ve got you entered in the drawing for Cynthia’s book.
Lucy, playing with childhood friends are some of my fondest memories. Simple things – a bike ride, a game of jump rope, an ice cream cone underneath a shade tree – fun times!
I love reading stories set in small towns. I have read Her Hope Discovered and the story is wonderful! 🙂 I grew up in a city but our neighborhood was like a small town. Great people.
Author
I like the way people can make a close community anywhere they are if the neighborhood tries. Good to have memories of great people from where you grew up. Glad you like those small town stories too and enjoyed Cynthia’s story set in Ruby.
Hi Melissa, you made a great point – even in big cities, small neighborhoods can indeed feel like small towns. So glad you liked Her Hope Discovered!
I love hometown stories…especially series…where you can get to know all the folks and how they’re related…looking forward to reading a new author also! Thank you for the chance to win this book!
Author
That’s an interesting comment, Mary. But you’re right. When you read a series of books set in a small town, you do begin to feel like you know the families who live there. I certainly felt that way when I was writing my Hollyhill and Rosey Corner and Hidden Springs books. I’m sure Cynthia feels that way about Ruby too and she plans more stories there.
That was always a vision of mine, Mary, as I started the Welcome to Ruby series. I envisioned a group of quirky, lovable characters that readers would grow to know and love as I did. Not perfect people, but those who endeared themselves to us despite their faults and foibles.
I grew up in a small community where we knew all the neighbors and they knew us. All the kids played ball together in someone’s yard or wherever there was an open area large enough, such as a plot of ground that had been bulldozed off for building a house. The town was also small compared to many places but furniture factories were all over the place. The town was surrounded by many smaller residential communities. Since all of the factories in and around the town employed several thousand people, it wasn’t possible to know everyone.
I would love to win Cindy’s book. It is an enjoyable story that I would like to add to my library.
Author
Sounds like you had a good childhood, Edward. I miss seeing more kids out playing together. These days the kids seem to stay inside more instead of being out in the neighborhoods on their bikes or playing ball the way you did.
Thanks for stopping by. Cynthia’s story was fun.
Hi Edward! So wonderful to “see” you here! One of the things I loved most about growing up in our small Ozarkian town was that kids often played outdoors from sun-up until sun-down. Town picnics, church socials, and country fairs were big events and holidays were even bigger. Neighbors looked after neighbors and were quick to jump in and lend a hand when someone needed something. There are still many towns in the Ozarks like this, but my childhood home will forever be etched in my memory…
I’m so happy you enjoyed Her Hope Discovered!
Sounds like a good book. I did not grow up in a small town, but love reading books set in them.
Author
That’s fun, Margaret. I’m really glad you like those small town settings since that seems to describe a lot of my books. But it describes Cynthia’s too. So hope you’ll like her story when you get a chance to read it.
Hi Margaret, there are great things about both large and small towns. I don’t think I could ever be “city girl,” but I do enjoy the cultural aspects and amenities the city offers. I also like coming back home again. 😉
Author
Susan Oakley. She tried to comment and couldn’t get it to work. So I’m adding her name to be in the drawing for the book.
*waves* Hi, Susan!
I grew up in a small community called Splitlog…can’t even call it a small town…in the southwest corner of the Missouri Ozarks. My husband, also, grew up in Splitlog. He didn’t leave until he served in Viet Nam, graduated from college, and then returned to college to get his Veterinarian degree from Missouri University in Columbia, Mo. We married after his freshman year in Vet School. For the first time, I lived in a city and in an apartment…something I didn’t think I would be able to do having been born and raised on a farm. But the Lord and love are powerful and I made it. After Vet School, we moved back closer to home but lived in a small town where the Vet Clinic was located. I finished my teaching degree and began teaching. Being a Vet’s wife and a school teacher makes for a very busy life. I longed for the country, however, and I would drive every back road home from school. I knew all of the different ways to get home on a dirt road. We would go to the ranch and work every chance we could get but it wasn’t until we were married 20 years that we finally were able to live on our ranch we had purchased about 15 years before. Once again, we were living in the Splitlog community. There we have remained the last 22 years…happy to be back home. Naturally, a story with a setting in the Missouri Ozarks is very appealing to me. Thank you for the opportunity to share and I look forward to reading and getting acquainted with the people living in Ruby…they just may have some of the same characteristics of some of our ‘characters’ here in the Splitlog community. :o)
Author
Splitlog. Love that town name, Connie. It’s sort of the same kind of fun as Thousand Sticks Mountain that is a real place in my book, These Healing Hills. Thanks so much for sharing about your love of small towns and the journey you took from Splitlog to get back to Splitlog. You really did miss the country if you were hunting ways home along some dirt roads. Glad you’ve got to live in the country for over twenty years now. Wishing you many more good country living years to come.
Connie, how fun – a fellow Ozarkian! Sounds like you’ve had an interesting life. 🙂 I’ve heard of Splitlog. You obviously understand all the Ozarkian witticisms and nuances that’s unique to this area. Yes, you will absolutely love Her Hope Discovered! 🙂
I grew up in a large city and this was my home for many years. My ancestors settled there from Eastern Europe and the entire family lived there. There was a community, culture and warmth. We have all dispersed to other places. I live in a medium city which is busy and home now to my family.
Congratulations and best wishes on this captivating and beautiful novel which is a real treasure.
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Anne, and sharing how even in big towns, you can have communities and closeness. Cynthia’s book is lovely inside and out.
Hi Anne, while I no longer live near the small town of my youth, the area where we live now is somewhat similar and very rural. We’re only about 18 miles from a larger town, though, so it’s convenient when we want to still experience the amenities a big town/city offers without having to actually live there. Thank you for stopping by!
Welcome Cynthia and congrats on your debut novel! I can’t wait to read it! By the way, Angel Sisters is one of my favorite books by Ann as well! ✨ Psalm 111✨
Author
Thanks, Emily. I’m always happy to see your comments and I am glad you like Angel Sister. I’m hoping I gained some new readers for the Merritt family when Angel Sister was on e-book sale last week.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy Cynthia’s small town story too.
Emily, thank you for chiming in and I hope you enjoy Her Hope Discovered! Currently, I’m reading one of Ann’s novels I missed – These Healing Hills. You’ll want to snag this one, too!
I did not grow up in a small town. I live outside of a small town now and love reading about life in small towns. The good and the bad aspects of it.
Author
It’s true, Jan, that it’s not all good. We tend to remember the better parts and I suppose that’s good too. Memories are so selective and if you can sift through and hang onto the good and let go of the bad, you will be happier. Glad you like to read about small towns because I’ve got a few books set in small towns the same as Cynthia does with her Ruby.
Jan, I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone…and everything ABOUT everyone. We even knew whose dish was whose at all the Sunday socials! 🙂
This sounds like a series of stories right up there with Hollyhills and Rosie Corners…both towns very similar to the town I grew up in. I’m looking forward to reading “Her Hope Discovered”.
There’s nothing quite like reading a book that takes you home. 🙂
Author
Love the way you put that, Lavon. A book that takes you home. That’s even if you’ve never been there before. It can still feel like home. As always, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Lavon, small towns are near and dear to my heart! I hope you love Her Hope Discovered and the small, close-knit community of Ruby!
Cynthia, your thoughts on growing up in a close-knit town brought back sweet memories of my childhood days in Kansas…Sundays worshipping in our beautiful stone church, summers of creating hiding places under the mulberry trees and fun trips accompanying my mother to shop at the little grocery store which always had a treat to discover. I do love small town stories…and especially enjoyed Ruby. Congratulations on your exciting debut! Looking forward to more books! Blessings!
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Sherida. Sounds as if you had a very sweet childhood in Kansas. You wrote it to help us see it and wish we were there hiding out under those mulberry trees with you or going to church in the stone church.
Sherida, I love reveling in fun memories and those happy days of our childhood. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
Like the country song “I grew up in a small town”. Thanks to Ann for introducing us to your book and thank you for your new book.
Author
Hi, Janice. How about Barbara Mandrell’s (I think) song “I was country before country was cool?” That describes me.