~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'HER HOPE DISCOVERED' --
AUTHOR CYNTHIA HERRON
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author
Bio, Unique Author Interview &
Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Her Hope Discovered
Series: Welcome to Ruby #1
Author: Cynthia Herron
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 31, 2018
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.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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 short story Words from the Heart appears in The Story Anthology (Karen Kingsbury/Family Fiction) via Salem Publications, 2014. 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
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Cynthia. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your debut release, 'Her Hope Discovered', in December, 2018!
CYNTHIA: Thank you so much! I’m delighted to join you!
JUNE: This book is the first in your 'Welcome
to Ruby' series. Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the
characters for this series. Are any of the characters or their personality
traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own
life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in the 'Her Hope
Discovered'?
CYNTHIA: Because I grew up in Small-town, USA, I'm drawn to
close-knit communities that offer just the right blend of nostalgia, humor, and
homespun charm. Add to that my penchant for romance, conflict, and hope-filled
endings, and HER HOPE DISCOVERED was born. It's the story that tugged my
heartstrings, a story of second chances that became book one in my Welcome to
Ruby series.
There are, indeed, traits and characteristics unique to my
heritage and the Ozarkian culture. I wanted to include some of these things in my
fictional characters and story so that readers from other walks of life could live
vicariously through their new friends and neighbors.
JUNE: Who is your favorite character in this
story {or series}? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story
{or series}, is there anyone in the story {or series} who you do not like? Why
not?
CYNTHIA: Well, of course, I love Sam and Charla, our main characters,
but I also adore Ida Mae Hoscutt, local proprietress of the Come and Get It
Diner. Ida Mae’s a colorful, down-home character who’s never met a stranger. She’s
a total people-person and a woman I could easily sit down with and have a cup of
coffee.
Someone I’m not particularly fond of? Hmm…
Charla’s mother, Ellen Winthrop, does try one’s patience
with her sharp tongue and domineering ways…but she may redeem herself. Keep
reading! 😊
JUNE: You have won or been a finalist in a few
recent ACFW {American Christian Fiction Writers} contests for unpublished
authors. What did you learn from the experience of entering your work into a
contest? What challenges did you face as you submitted your series for
representation with WordServe Literary? What have you learned about the
publishing business through your experience working with your publisher,
Mountain Brook Ink?
CYNTHIA: I wholeheartedly recommend writing contests as a way to
improve a writer’s work and grow one’s craft. Through contests I entered, I
learned discipline and resilience—two very important traits necessary to
succeed in the world of publishing.
As far as literary representation, I’ve navigated the path
for many years, so partnering with a like-minded agent was a blessing. Of
course, it’s always a nail-biter once an author’s work is out on submission. That’s
why communication and diligence are key in the author/agent relationship.
Working with Mountain Brook Ink is exactly what I’d hope it
would be. MBI is a perfect blend of teamwork, cohesiveness, and fun—characteristics
that make work a joy.
JUNE: When you write a book, do you outline the
entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters,
etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting
things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular
organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring
authors?
CYNTHIA: As I write, I start with key scenes organized on colored
note cards. I also use a semblance of an outline to make certain I stay on
track with my story, but I do allow room for unforeseen moments to naturally unfold,
too. I usually know my story’s end, but sometimes surprises happen.
To aspiring authors, I would say do keep track of character
details, key scenes, and plot development however it suits you best. Not all
writers are geared to write the same way. While I think it helps to have some
sort of organizational method, don’t be afraid to think and work creatively and
in a way that fits your personality.
JUNE: On your website you share that you have a
"fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things
apple." I collect 'gingerbread men' decor for my kitchen because they are
cheerful. Do you have collections which include gingerbread figures and
miniature teapots? Do you like to bake gingerbread or gingerbread cookies? What
are some of the apple dishes you bake?
CYNTHIA: Oooh I love my little gingerbread men! On my laundry room
wall, I have a gingerbread-themed border and my gingerbread men (and women)
grace the space below it. They put me in my happy place. They make doing
laundry fun!
I don’t have time to bake like I used to, but I do bake a mean
apple pie every so often, and I can throw apple crisp together in a snap.
Would you believe…I’ve never made gingerbread cookies?! I’d
love a great recipe though.
JUNE: Are there any hobbies or interests you
would like to pursue in the future?
CYNTHIA: I’ve always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. That’s been
on my bucket list for years. Of course, now heights scare me a little. I’d
still like to try it just to conquer my fear. …And, too, writing great books
will always be in my life-plan!
JUNE: Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Cynthia. I
appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to share with us about
your writing journey and other fun topics! Best wishes for you continued success
in your writing endeavors.
CYNTHIA: Thank you for having me ~ I’ve so enjoyed our time together!
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card from the author (US only)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 18, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm February 25, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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I appreciate you taking the time to give us a great book description and giveaway as well. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteRiding in a hot air balloon would have me shaking at the knees. I don't like heights.
ReplyDeleteDianna