by Crystal Caudill | Jan 9, 2018 | Author Interviews
Welcome to a New Year and allow me to introduce you to a new author, Cynthia Roemer! I really enjoyed her debut novel Under This Same Sky. You can check out my review here, and read to the end to have your chance to win a signed copy!
Cynthia Roemer is an award-winning inspirational writer with a heart for scattering seeds of hope into the lives of readers. Raised in the cornfields of rural Illinois, Cynthia enjoys spinning tales set in the backdrop of the 1800s prairie. She writes from her family farm in central Illinois where she resides with her husband and their two college-aged sons. Under This Same Sky is her debut novel.
WC: Thank you, Cynthia, for joining me today. It was a pleasure to meet you at your book signing and I am so excited to introduce you to others. First off, tell us a little about you.
WC: What do you like to do when you aren’t reading or writing?
CR: I love spending time with my family, hiking, gardening, riding the combine with my farmer husband, and enjoying God’s creation.
WC: What does your family think of your writing?
CR: Difficult to say. I know they’re happy for me, but neither my husband nor my grown sons are readers, so it’s hard for them to grasp why I enjoy writing. I got the thrill of my life recently though when I walked in and saw my husband reading my novel!! That meant the world to me.
WC: What is your favorite Bible verse?
CR: Oh, wow. There are so many great Scripture verses. One of my favorites would have to be Jeremiah 29:11, the theme verse for my debut novel, Under This Same Sky: “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” I love the promise of God’s guidance and presence in my life.
WC: What does literary success look like to you?
CR: When readers’ lives are touched through what I write, that’s success! If a reader feels led to contact me or leave a review that says my novel spoke to them, I can think of no better measure of success. That’s when I know I’m in line with the Lord’s will.
WC: I love that definition and I think your book Under This Same Sky truly measures up to that success. You dealt with grief so well in this book. How did you do it? Did you have personal experience or did you turn to those who did? What was the process like for you?
Though I’ve not lost any close family members, I’ve known others who have. The Lord gave me compassion to feel and experience deeply the hurts of others, and I pray that carries over into my writing. I shed a few tears of my own in writing Becky’s story.
WC: I love the connection to the blind school. What interested you in that topic?
I used to visit a lady named Ann who was blind. She loved for me to read her my stories. It was such a blessing. I have to credit my interest in blindness to her.
WC: Who was your favorite character? Why?
That’s a toughy. I have a fondness for all of my characters. But, one of my top favorites would be Jimmy Bodine, the blind orphan boy who befriends Becky. He’s so wise and knows just the right words to speak encouragement. He’s the friend everyone would love to have.
WC: I have to agree. Jimmy has a soft spot in my heart. Were there any lessons God taught you as you wrote this particular book? What were they?
Definitely! The theme of Under This Same Sky is total surrender to God, something I think we all struggle with. The Lord is continually urging me to rely on Him instead of putting my trust in myself or others.
WC: Do you have any upcoming projects, releases, or sales?
I’m glad you asked. Book Two in my series, Under Prairie Skies, is set to release in late
April or early May, 2018 with Mantle Rock Publishing. Book Two begins just days after Under This Same Sky ends and is the story of Becky’s cousin, Charlotte, and cattleman, Chad Avery. I’ll be sharing more about it in my upcoming author newsletters. I’m always happy to have new readers sign up! You can do so on my website: http://cynthiaroemer.com/
WC: I always love to ask these just for fun questions. If you could be any character from any book, who would it be and why?
Oh, wow! That’s a loaded question. Hmm. Possibly Jo in Little Women or Lady Miranda Hawthorne of Kristi Ann Hunter’s A Noble Masquerade. I like ladies who have some grit and can identify with these two ladies who don’t quite fit into the mold.
Once again, thank you so much, Cynthia, for dropping by! Readers, comment below with your answer to what character you would be and enter via the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a signed copy of her debut novel.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Legal Jargon: No Purchase is necessary. This contest is open to all readers in the world, 18 years and older who are legally allowed to participate in such a giveaway as allowed by their local laws. Those outside the contiguous United States will receive an e-copy instead of a physical signed copy. The Write Call does not exchange prizes for reviews. Reviews are appreciated, but not required.*
by Crystal Caudill | Dec 26, 2017 | Book Reviews
Long Time Gone
by Mary Connealy
As usual, I enjoyed another one of Mary Connealy’s stories. One word of warning about this book though, don’t try to read it before reading No Way Up. While Mary does a good job of filling in details you would have missed, the very first sentence picks up where the last book ended. Immediately where it left off.
I enjoyed getting to know Justin a little more – especially the rivalry between him and Cole. The love he showed for his annoying big brother, the rest of his family, and Angie makes him a hero in my book. He is a hard-working man that any woman could swoon over.
Angie was a heroine that grew on me. I never disliked her, but she took some getting used to. I loved watching her grow to become an independent woman capable of taming the West. She moves forward from her past to become a woman I cheer for and envy.
The Cimarron Ranch is still in trouble throughout the book, and the mystery behind what is really going on begins to unravel.
I am looking forward to reading the third and finding out what the real story behind the trouble is. Not to mention Cole and Mel are the hero and heroine – Squee!!!
“The Boden clan thought their problems had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but have they truly uncovered the real plot to take their New Mexico ranch? Rancher Justin Boden is now in charge. He is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn’t help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on.
With her and the doc’s timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It’s clear now that everything that’s occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine?”
– Blurb from Amazon.com
Purchase Links:
BarnesandNoble.com ChristianBook.com Amazon.com
by Crystal Caudill | Nov 20, 2017 | Book Reviews
Under this Same Sky by Cynthia Roemer
Under this Same Sky was a sweet romance that will forever stand out to me for it strong, real-life spiritual thread. Cynthia has done a masterful job in taking us through the faith struggle of Becky Hollister as she deals with the tragic loss of her Mother, Sister, and her Pa’s vision.
God has not promised a life without struggles, but He has promised to be with us as we face them. This story is so real to the emotions and struggles we face as Christians dealing with a tragedy that it strengthens your own faith.
Becky is a heroine who matures from a youth into a woman with a deep love for others. Pastor Matthew Brody is a hero whose strong faith but real struggles make you want to kiss him. His strength and compassion will melt your heart. The supporting cast of characters, especially those of the Blind School, swell your heart. I loved Jimmy, Roy, and Emily.
With the help of the hero, Jimmy, and Aunt Ellen, Becky’s faith strengthens in a way that is so relatable and heart wrenching that you can’t help but be carried through the pages.
I highly recommend this story for anyone who has struggled with a loss or question of “why did God let this happen?” The romance was mostly long distance, but so sweet. It is not your typical romance but will leave you satisfied.
Interested in more? Check out the blurb below and the purchase links.
~ She thought she’d lost everything ~ Instead she found what she needed most. ~
Illinois ~ 1854
Becky Hollister wants nothing more than to live out her days on the prairie, building a life for herself alongside her future husband. But when a tornado rips through her parents’ farm, killing her mother and sister, she must leave 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 placed her on and finds solace in corresponding with Matthew Brody, the handsome pastor back home. But when word comes that he is all but engaged to someone else, she must call upon her faith to decipher her future.
– Blurb from Amazon
Purchase Links:
BarnesandNoble.com Amazon.com
Check back in January when I will be doing an author interview with Cynthia AND will have a copy of this book up for grabs.
by Crystal Caudill | Nov 9, 2017 | Book Reviews
See the bottom for a quick announcement my writing journey.
This was a great break from the chaos of life and, for me, was easily read in a night, but I tend to binge read.
As you may guess, I have a weak spot for stories with Pinkertons, Secret Service Operatives, U.S. Marshalls, Texas Rangers… you get the pictures, so it was a no-brainer for me to pick this story up.
I really loved how all the aspects of the story tied together. From the beginning, every detail had meaning. My little brain loved connecting the dots as the story progressed.
The hero, William, was a strong and focused agent, but really fumbled with his responsibilities for his sudden family. Elsie really does become a necessary part of their family. I love the inner struggles to try and stay aloof from the trio living under his borrowed roof.
Elise was a great teacher with a heart for children, which leads to the predicament of being almost forced into caring for William’s niece and nephew. I love how her relationship with the children grow and how she helps provide healing for two very hurt children
While it was mostly a predictable story, it was the relaxing read I needed to escape from the world.
When schoolteacher Elsie Mitchell meets rugged William Benton on a train platform in Albany, it appears they have nothing in common. He isn’t the sort of fellow a proper young woman of the 1890s would ever speak to, much less become involved with. But when she arrives at her small town in the Adirondack Mountains, Elsie is offered a job as caregiver for this mysterious out-of-towner’s niece and nephew, who’ve been tragically orphaned. Heartbroken for them, she accepts.
Unknown to her, William is an undercover Pinkerton agent posing as a lumber-company foreman. He’s never wanted family—his work is too dangerous. Yet as Elsie transforms his house into a home and he spends time with the children, he feels drawn to family life—and to Elsie.
As a good Christian, Elsie is troubled by William’s secrets…though she does find him intriguing. And when a sinister figure from her past arrives, Elsie and William will have to trust in faith and newfound love to protect their unlikely family from danger.
– Blurb from Amazon.com
You can purchase the book from the links below.
Amazon.com BarnesandNoble.com ChristianBook.com
You can connect with Tracey on her website, on Facebook, and on Pinterest.
Writing News
Just a quick note to share that the first 15 pages of my Work in Progress finaled in the ACFW Virginia Crown Awards. While I did not “win”, it was an honor to be a finalist. Curious to know what the entry is? Only my November newsletter subscribers will get a sneak peek. So if you are interested, sign up for newsletter above or by clicking this link: Newsletter Sign-Up.
by Crystal Caudill | Sep 13, 2016 | Book Reviews
The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson 
I have finally reached Melanie’s The Merchant’s Daughter in my TBR pile and all I can say is, why did I wait so long? I will readily admit that Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale of all time, and Melanie did an amazing job with the story.
For those hardcore fairy tale fans – the ones who read the original versions by Anderson and the Grimm brothers – you will not be disappointed. Melanie did a fantastic job of sticking to the core elements but fleshing them out into a real life scenario that is just as magical as the fantasy presented to us through the historical renditions.
Even though I was very familiar with all the different variations of Beauty and the Beast, I was still wonderfully surprised and held in suspense throughout the story. It is easy to fall in love with kind, sweet Annabell who has her own wounds and broken past.Lord Ranulf le Wyse is an amazing beast who is all at once ferocious and yet gentle. My heart went out to him almost immediately.
Spiritual truth was woven masterfully and naturally throughout the story. I found myself transported and looking at the Holy Writ, as Annabell calls it, in a whole new light and with an excitement that I sometimes forget.
I highly recommend this book and would sum up this review with The Merchant’s Daughter is a fairy tale that reaches down to the soul and brings joy just by reading it. You simply must read this, and heart be still, Melanie has written a whole Fairy Tale Romance series.
The newest book Silent Songbird comes out in November.
Check out the links to purchase and connect with Melanie Dickerson below:
Amazon.com Barnes and Noble Melanie’s Website
“An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf’s bailiff—a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff’s vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf’s future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.”
– Blurb by from Amazon
