Stitches Thru Time: Our Deepest Hurts Bring Blessing

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Our Deepest Hurts Bring Blessing - Interview with Cynthia Roemer

Please help me welcome award-winning inspirational author, Cynthia Roemer!
Cynthia is from central Illinois. She holds a B.A. in English from U of I of Springfield, IL, specializing in creative writing. A free-lance writer since 1988, she has over 100 short-stories and articles printed in various Christian publications. Her love of history and writing culminate in this, her debut novel. Under This Same Sky is the first book in her Prairie Sky Series. Cynthia writes from her family farm where she resides with her husband, Marvin, and their two college-aged sons.

Welcome Cynthia! We're so glad you could visit us today. Tell us about your new release.
Thanks so much for having me, Amber. I’m honored to be here.

My new release, Under This Same Sky, is the first installment in my Prairie Sky Series. Here’s the blurb:

When a tornado strikes Becky Hollister’s farm in the spring of 1854, she leaves the only home she’s ever known, and the man she’s begun to love to accompany her injured father to St. Louis. Catapulted into a world of unknowns, Becky struggles to make sense of the path the Lord has laid out for her. Through frequent correspondence with the handsome circuit rider back home, Becky’s heart becomes increasingly knit with his. But when word comes that he is all but engaged to someone else, she must call upon her faith to decipher her future.

Matthew Brody didn’t intend on falling for Becky, but the unexpected relationship, along with the Lord’s gentle nudging, incite him to give up his circuit riding and seek full-time ministry in the town of Miller Creek, with the hope of one day making Becky his bride. But when his old sweetheart comes to town, intent on winning him back—with the entire town pulling for her—Matthew must choose between doing what’s expected and what his heart tells him is right.

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?
I would have to say my inspiration for this story came from Christians who’ve given their all for the sake of Christ. I’ve always admired people, such as Jim Elliot and Corrie Ten Boom, whose faith enabled them to follow God’s lead no matter the cost. Total surrender is a major theme of my novel and something I think we all struggle to achieve. Both of my main characters must make a difficult choice to determine what matters most.

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?
My faith is at the very crux of my writing. All my life I’ve witnessed people trying to blame God for tragedy and loss. What I seek to accomplish most with Under This Same Sky is to assure readers that God can take our deepest hurts and bring about blessing if we allow them to draw us closer to Him. As my characters change and grow, it’s my prayer they will touch the hearts of readers.

What is your favorite thing about writing historical romance?
I’ve had a love of history most of my life. There’s just something nostalgic about the 1800s that captured my interest. I’m inspired by the strength and courage of the pioneers and early settlers whose lives lend to a plethora of story ideas and adventures. As for the romance, it just sort of developed along with my characters. What better way to connect with readers than with a good love story?

What are you working on next?
I’m so glad you asked. I’ve begun work on Book Two in the series, Under Prairie Skies, which continues where Under This Same Sky leaves off. It is the story of Becky’s cousin, Charlotte, a spoiled, fiery red-head who finds her match in cattleman, Chad Avery. It is set to release in May, 2018.