Shannon here: Cynthia Herron shares part 2 of her real life romance. Help her celebrate the release of her debut novel, Her Hope Discovered. And she’s helping me clean out my bookshelves. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Jan 8th – llth for chance to win a rare print copy of Book 6 in my Texas Rodeo series, Rodeo Song. Deadline: Jan 19th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Cynthia:
Well, eventually, “the guy” asked me to marry him.
By today’s standards, it wasn’t a flamboyant proposal. It didn’t come by way of a neon sign or a theatrical production. No over-the-top gimmicks, cute guessing games, or a thousand twinkling stars leading up to the big question.
Not that there’s anything wrong with those things. It just wasn’t my guy’s way.
Instead, my husband’s proposal mirrored a soft, gentle rain—a mere declaration of his undying love, prefaced by some private, G-rated sentiments. The moment bookmarked itself in my memory bank, in that hallowed hall meant for “forever.”
After a brief engagement, we were married at my home church on a warm summer evening. What started out as a blind date blossomed into 34 years of wedded bliss. (And yes—I was a child bride. *wink*)
Well, bliss, as you know, is purely subjective. There’s a learning curve. Like other young couples, we adjusted. We matured. We grew in our faith walk and in our marriage.
Growth Spurts…
From those early days on, my husband realized how important my writing career was to me. He bought my first Brother typewriter and it was on that I pounded out my first story.
During the day, I worked with abused and neglected children. At night, I came home and spilled my emotions onto beautiful, lily white sheets of bond paper. I poured my heart and soul into carefully crafted characters that mirrored the lives of my clients—except I would give my fictional friends happy endings. Something many of the families I worked with would never have.
I call those years my time of transition. And that transition—or state of change—lasted quite a while. During that period, God melded and molded my life, my marriage, and my writing into something he could use for His glory.
Present Day…
I smile when folks say, “Wow! You make it look so easy!”
Sometimes, I nod. Sometimes, I tell them. (Part of that story you can read here.)
What I didn’t add there goes like this…
Life goes full circle. And in cycles. And rarely, is it all fun or easy or something you wish to repeat. We have mountaintop moments and days in the desert.
There are shout-heaven-down highs and sorrow-filled lows. There are winning seasons, and there are major forks in

Giveaway
the road. Maybe you know what I’m talking about. We all have things. Stuff that upends us and taunts You’ll never do this. Why even try?
Well, without a supportive spouse and a loving God, I couldn’t do this. Like with any partnership, it’s a day-by-day, hand-holding, one-foot-in-front-of-the-other kind of process.
I’ve trudged the path to publication while I’ve learned not to rush the journey. Why agonize over something I can indeed work hard at, but I can’t control?
Perfect timing is God’s strong suit. Not ours.
In the meantime, I’m thankful that inspirational fiction is evolving and finding new and exciting ways of meeting their readers’ needs.
And as a writer, I’m thrilled to be part of that equation!
Thank you, Shannon, for hosting me this week! I’ve enjoyed being here!
About Cynthia: 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 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
About the book – Her Hope Discovered:
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!
Question for Readers: Are you a grand gesture, quiet moment, or thoughtful gift person? Tell us some of your favorite grand gestures, quiet moments, and thoughtful gifts?
Come back Jan 15th for Linda Rondeau!
I’m a gifter! favorite gifts to give are books, homemade food and thoughtful acts of kindness
Shelia, I love giving gifts, too! And homemade things are the absolute best! 🙂
Cynthia, I especially like your thought: “I’ve learned not to rush the journey.” In all aspects of my life, I now appreciate each step along the trail….His plan for me and for us!
Your post reminded me of a special gift from my husband to encourage my writing….a RED laptop computer for my LOVE stories. He got major points!
Thanks for sharing your love story! Hugs!
Sherida, while I wouldn’t want to repeat some of the steps, it has indeed been part of the learning curve. Wisdom doesn’t come without some of the hard stuff.
A RED laptop! Be still, my heart! *thump* *thump*
My husband gave me a red laptop about seven Christmas’s ago too! It was my first laptop and died exactly five years to the day. Now I have a generic black one because my darling ran out to get me a replacement as I was on deadline. As for gifts, I like to think I’m a quiet, thoughtful gifter. I like to get things or do things for someone I know they wouldn’t get for themselves.
Oh, Laurie… I love that! I’m the same way. I love getting things for others they wouldn’t normally get for themselves. I know you are indeed thoughtful in your selections!
Give out birthday cards to those in my apartment building.
I have a winner! Sugar Sims won the drawing. I appreciate Cynthia for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
THANK YOU, Shannon, for graciously hosting me and thank you, friends, for stopping by!