I’m thrilled to have back to the blog my dear friend, Cynthia Roemer, author of historical prairie romances. Cynthia’s third book in the Prairie Skies series is coming out soon! And she’d love to share her book hero and heroine with you . . . interview style.
Here’s the blurb to get you started:
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES (Prairie Sky Series ~ Book 3)
Her life was planned out ~ until he rode in ~
Illinois prairie ~ 1859
After four long years away, Esther Stanton returns to the prairie to care for her sister Charlotte’s family following the birth of her second child. The month-long stay seems much too short as Esther becomes acquainted with her brother-in-law’s new ranch hand, Stewart Brant. When obligations compel her to return to Cincinnati and to the man her overbearing mother intends her to wed, she loses hope of ever knowing true happiness.
Still reeling from a hurtful relationship, Stew is reluctant to open his heart to Esther. But when he faces a life-threatening injury with Esther tending him, their bond deepens. Heartbroken when she leaves, he sets out after her and inadvertently stumbles across an illegal slave-trade operation, the knowledge of which puts him, as well as Esther and her family, in jeopardy.
I love that! I know you did some fun research for this book. What’s your favorite historical place you’ve researched, and why?
I truly enjoyed my trip to the First National Road Museum in Vandalia, IL. I live only an hour and a half away from it and never knew it existed until I started researching. My heroine in Under Moonlit Skies lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and I needed a route from there to Illinois that existed when the novel is set in 1859. The First National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, made the perfect route for my characters to travel.
What is the heroine’s greatest asset, and why?
Esther Stanton’s greatest asset would likely be her kind heart. She is caring and nurturing in nature, so unlike her older sister, Charlotte, who readers met in the first two books in the series. Unfortunately, Esther’s thoughtfulness toward others is also her biggest impairment as readers of Under Moonlit Skies will soon discover.
That’s an interesting twist! Looking forward to reading about Esther. What is her greatest fear, and why?
Esther’s greatest fear is missing out on the happy life she hoped to have marrying for love and living on the prairie. As the “obedient” daughter, she feels duty-bound to look after her overbearing mother, sacrificing her wants to please her mother.
How do both Esther’s asset and greatest fear tie into what you hope the reader comes away with?
Well, without giving away any spoilers, Esther eventually does find her voice and embraces what the Lord has in store for her future and her happiness. Through Esther, I want readers to see how the Lord longs to shower us with blessings, if we will only entrust our lives to Him.
What is the hero’s greatest quality, and why?
Stewart Brant is such a good-natured, easy-going guy. As Esther put it, “He’s the type of guy who would give the shirt off his back to help someone.” The name Stewart (Stew) is derived from one of my favorite actors Jimmy Stewart. Stew is also tall and lanky and has much of the same laidback personality as Jimmy. I just love them both! LOL!
Great actor-character inspiration! Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors too. What is the hero’s greatest weakness, and why?
Due to past hurts, lack of funds and schooling, Stew feels inferior, like he’ll never measure up or be good enough. He struggles with comparing himself to others and always finds himself on the short end of the stick.
I can understand Stew’s feelings. I’m looking forward to seeing how Esther brings out the best in him! How do both Stew’s quality and weakness tie into what you hope the reader comes away with?
In the end, Stew discovers his true worth comes not from outward appearances or abilities, but from having a heart for the Lord. Through Stew, I want readers to experience how God views us—as His beloved children made in His image.
Thanks for telling us about your hero and heroine, Cynthia! And it’s been a pleasure having you on the blog today.
The Book Info — aren’t these covers stunning??
Under Moonlit Skies is the third book in the Prairie Skies series. Preorders going on now…
You can click on any of the pre-order link below to find out more information about Under Moonlit Skies or any of the other links to check out previous books, if Cynthia is a new-to-you author!
About Cynthia Roemer
Cynthia Roemer is an award-winning inspirational author 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. Her Prairie Sky Series consists of Amazon Best-Seller Under This Same Sky, Under Prairie Skies, and Under Moonlit Skies, due to release September 10, 2019. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes from her family farm in central Illinois where she resides with her husband of twenty-five years and two college-aged sons. Visit Cynthia online at: www.cynthiaroemer.com.
Cynthia Roemer can be contacted at:
Website: https://cynthiaroemer.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com@cynthiaroemer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaRoemer/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16785237.Cynthia_Roemer
Author Newsletter Sign-up: http://cynthiaroemer.com/
Cynthia’s Books on Amazon:
Under Moonlit Skies, click here.
Under This Same Sky, click here.
Under Prairie Skies, click here.
Answer the question in the comments:
Who is your favorite actor?
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 Prairie Skies is Book Two in her Prairie Sky Series.
Incidentally, Ace uses model Alison J. as the inspiration for FBI agent Helen Meeker, the no-nonsense heroine of In the President’s Service series. She’s pictured here with a Screen Guide from July, 1942. Carole Landis is on the cover.
An author should learn with each new project … the research demands it. In this case, reading old newspapers, magazines, watching newsreels, and listening to vintage radio broadcasts is giving me a new window to World War II. By using these sources I view reporting as it happened, not filtered by historians who have the advantage of knowing how things turned out. We often forget that in the early years of the war we didn’t know who was going to win.
Rick Cox was an editor I had in my feature writing days who honed my work and taught me how to think like a writer. I had two English teachers in high school that pushed me to write and a college professor, Ann Miller, who told me I had the talent and imagination to be an author. On top of those, my Arkansas grandparents fueled my interest in storytelling because they were master front-porch storytellers.
Citing his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winner Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Collins has authored more than eighty books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. Collins’ hobbies include sports, restoring classic cars, Wurlitzer jukeboxes and running. He is married to, Dr. Kathy Collins, the Chair of the Department of Education at Ouachita Baptist University. The couple lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and has two grown sons.
