Reflecting Gold by Cynthia L. Simmons: Author Interview, Giveaway, and Tour with Celebrate Lit.

About the Book

Book:  Reflecting Gold

Author: Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Mystery

Release date: June 2021

Peter and Mary Beth Chandler kept their Confederate bank on the gold standard. However, a Confederate officer asked for a loan. He insisted he should be able to repay in Confederate bank notes not backed by gold. If they refuse, he will label them traitors. Should the Chandlers change their loan requirements and risk losing the bank? The entire town questioned their loyalty, especially when the officer turned up dead. Will the Chandlers be court martialed or lose the bank? While facing an impossible situation, they seek God’s guidance and learn to reflect his love.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview:

Are you working on your next book already? What can you tell us?

Yes. I’m researching for a mystery about a midwife in the 1870s.
About that time, doctors were delivering more babies with new
technology and putting them out of a job. I’ve picked the location and
I’m looking at churches and stores that existed in that era.

What authors would you say influence your writing?

I took classes from Cec Murphey and attended small groups where he critiqued our
work. Sandra Byrd also coached me on my first novel and gave me
the confidence I needed. I’ve attended lots of writing conferences
where I picked up ideas from authors like Cynthia Ruchti, Jennifer
Slattery, Fay Lamb, Edie Melson, Patty Smith Hall, and Eva Marie
Everson.

What’s your favorite writing snack?

I often have a cup of hot tea
beside my desk, but I seldom eat when I write. I worry about crumbs
falling in the keyboard or sticky fingers. I love mint tea with a drop of
chocolate flavoring. My cat, Colonel Brandon, often sits beside me or
climbs in my lap.

When did you write your first book? Is that first one published?

My first book came out in 2008, just as my husband came down with
encephalitis. However, I didn’t write as well then, and I re-wrote it a
few years later. Women Who Overcame is the second version, which
includes the story of my husband’s illness.

How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?

The research takes the longest. I’m very careful about getting historical
details accurate. Once that’s done, I plot the novel and start writing.
However, I often don’t stick to my plot. I tend to get bored and throw
in something unexpected.

Do you write in one genre or several?

Several. My goal is to offer God’s timeless wisdom. I write a column for Leading Hearts
magazine, plus I’ve written curriculum for homeschool moms. Each
novel I write has a free Bible study you can download from my
website. I also enjoy doing devotionals and articles on history.

About the Author

Cynthia L Simmons is the mother of five grown children, imperfect and down-to-earth, she uses her experience to model grace for all and speaks from the heart of a spiritual mom. Fond of times past, she writes both fiction and nonfiction while combining history and scripture to minister to moms of all ages. However, she has a special place in her heart for young moms and homeschool moms. While she loves writing—books, articles, devotions, and notes—Cynthia also enjoys traveling around the nation speaking to homeschool events, bookstores, libraries, and churches. Plus, conducts writing workshops, and leads retreats. She’s a huge fan of sugar, tea, orchids, purple, re-enactments, friends, and ballroom dancing with her husband. https://clsimmons.com

More from Cynthia

The same year my first book came out, my husband came down with encephalitis. In simple terms, his brain was infected. He’d been sick for several days with a mild headache and temperature, and our doctor thought he had the flu. One morning I watched him slide into the floor as a grand mal seizure ravaged his body. I remember thinking this couldn’t be happening. I’m a nurse, and I was reviewing his medical history in my mind. Seizures didn’t fit with anything on either side of his family, and I wanted to deny what I saw. Needless to say, our life changed dramatically for several years as we walked through dark times. My husband spent 11 days in intermediate intensive care and came home on IV medications. For several weeks he had partial seizures the doctors couldn’t control. However, I learned so much during that time, and I’ve shared lessons from that time. In Reflecting Gold, I demonstrate how we can reflect the beauty of God even in the middle of heartbreak.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, September 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 9

Texas Book-aholic, September 10

Inklings and notions, September 11

For Him and My Family, September 12

deb’s Book Review, September 13

For the Love of Literature, September 14 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 18

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, September 19

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 21 (Author Interview)

Vicarious Living, September 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cynthia is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/11818/reflecting-gold-celebration-tour-giveaway