Serious Wednesday: Welcoming Cindy Ervin Huff

A warm welcome to my long-time friend and author Cindy Ervin Huff! She's a talented and award-winning author, and YOU CAN POSSIBLY be chosen as a winner of one of her books (two winners)! What to do? Comment and let Cindy know you're interested, ask a question or just show your support of authors! 

Now on to read some of Cindy's answers to the questions I've asked her! Enjoy!

What started you on your writing journey?

My eighth-grade teacher submitted a short story I wrote to a kid’s magazine contest. I didn’t win, not even honorable mention. But the idea of putting my imaginary thoughts on paper intrigued me. It was years though before it was more than a hobby for me. And once I felt called to write novels that brought people hope, I was on my way.

What distracted you from writing earlier?

Life, more specifically raising my five children and homeschooling them. Then there was my feeling of inadequacy to the task. Took a bit to learn to ignore that distraction.

Is there a story behind Rescuing Her Heart?

Yes, someone near and dear to me suffered through an abusive relationship and I wanted to create a character who was willing to leave her painful past behind to find a new future. I also have another who is near and dear who suffers from PTSD. Having a strong hero who must deal with that and still find peace added to the creation of this romance between two broken people.

What is my strangest habit?

It may not seem strange to others, but it has sometimes embarrassed my kids. I can’t resist talking to strangers in line or in a waiting room. I really enjoyed visiting with a lady in the restroom of Cracker Barrel somewhere in the south. Southerners don’t find my need to start a conversation with a total stranger weird at all. Some of those chance encounters give me some interesting info. While standing in the tomato sauce aisle at a large grocery store where a masked gentleman and I struck up a conversation regarding the many uses of pasta sauce.

Why do I like writing historical romance?

There are things one can share in a historical scene that resonates with a reader. Because my characters are imperfect and struggle with their own self-worth, it makes them real to the reader. Some of their struggles are very painful and relatable to modern readers. Ecclesiastes says there is nothing new under the sun. And that is so true.

Special scripture.

He makes all things beautiful in his time. Ecclesiastes 3:11. I have seen God take me through some yucky stuff and bring me to a beautiful place. Had I not gone through that trial, I’d have not reached the wonderful conclusion Jesus had for me. I continue to go down hard paths and see my children do the same. My prayer is for all of us to trust that God truly makes all things beautiful in His time.

Bio:

Cindy Ervin Huff is a multi-published writer. She’s been featured in many periodicals over the last thirty years. Her historical romance Secrets & Charades won the Editor Choice, Maxwell Award and Serious Writer Medal. Her contemporary romance, New Duet released in 2018 placed second in the 2019 Serious Writer Awards and a finalist in the 2019 Selah Awards. Cindy is a member of ACFW, Mentor for Word Weavers. founding member of the Aurora, Illinois, chapter of Word Weavers and Christian Writer’s Guild alumni. She loves to encourage new writers on their journey. Cindy and her husband make their home in Aurora, Illinois.

Visit Cindy at:

Website: www.cindyervinhuff.com

Facebook at www.facebook.com/cindyehuff,

Author Facebook: www.facebook.com/cindyhuff11

twitter @CindyErvinHuff

instagram  @CindyErvinHuff

Book Blurb for Rescuing Her Heart:

As her husband’s evil deeds haunt a mail-order bride from the grave, can she learn to trust again and open her heart to true love? 

On visitation rounds as a lay preacher, the last thing rancher Jed Holt expects is to be shot at from the barn next to a burned-down homestead. But the soot-covered woman hiding inside needs protecting, and Jed is the man to do it whether she likes it or not. Delilah James’s nightmares began when she came to Kansas as a mail-order bride. Her husband was nothing like his letters. Now that he is dead, she can’t shake his abuse from her heart. Trusting men tops her never-again list and taking a job on the Holt ranch as a housekeeper is a means to save money and bring her parents west. But her attraction to the compassionate former chaplain both angers and confuses her. 

Jed has his own nightmares from a POW camp and understands Delilah better than she knows. Can two broken people form a forever bond?

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Rescuing-Heart-Cindy-Ervin-Huff-ebook/dp/B092SR6B5Y/

Cindy is giving away two Kindle copies of Rescuing Her Heart to two lucky commenters. 

Thank you for visiting, Cindy!

Rambling Friday: Happy New Year!

 A New Year for...

Passionate Writing!

Aim high, dream big

Follow your heart,

Follow your dreams.

Use your talents,

use your creativity,

don't let it go to waste!

whatever it is.

Spend time in prayer,

Spend time in pondering,

Spend time in planning,

Spend time in writing!

There are all kinds of possibilities,

Allow yourself to be what God wants you to be!

Never shirk--no matter what our enemy says,

Keep fighting, keep encouraged, 

Keep traveling on your journey!

Onward! 

Rambling Friday: My Mother Always Said...

 My mother was a beautiful, smart, hard-working woman. She was. 

BUT she always claimed she had no talent. I disagree. 

* She was kind to others, taking them places if they had no ride. 

* She provided and gave to others when in need. 

* She loved her family and gave, gave, gave. 

* She prayed for them. 

* Loved them even when she didn't agree with them. 

* AND she bore three children who were talented. 

Now where did all that talent come from? Possibly from our father and possibly from our mother. Who knows? What I do know, is the children grew up and developed their talents into beautiful things. And that's what it's all about. Using the creativity God gives each of us in a productive, beautiful and blessed way. Examples?

Check it out:

David Brian is an intelligent Sunday School Teacher and a devotional writer:

Lloyd Alan uses his talents in many ways, but one of his best is building. Take a look at this: 

And then, there's me, Carole Teresa. If you know me at all, you know I write books. Fiction books, this one is my latest, a historical western, romantic suspense:

Our mother may not have been talented in many ways

but she (and Dad) passed on something to us three.

I call it TALENT! 

Have a wonderful day! 

Sunday Morning Peace: Before God

When I stand before God at the end of my life,

I would hope that I would not have a 

single bit of talent left,

and I could say,

"I have used everything 

you gave me."

--Erma Bombeck

Sunday Morning Peace

Peace

But the fruit of the spirit is . . . peace. 

--Galations 5:22

Knowing I'm using the talents God's given me.

Knowing I've written the story God gave me. 

Working hard, 

Seeing the finished fruit of my labors.

Blessings others with my work.

That's peace.

My latest:

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

Go Into All the World and Preach the Gospel.

--from the gospel of Acts

Excuses:

1. I'm not a minister
2. I have no clue how to preach

Reasons to act:

1. Time is short
2. We're responsible to do what we can do and what we know how to do.

What do I mean?

1. God doesn't leave us empty-handed. He gives us all a talent to use whether it's a prayer warrior, an encourager, a listener, a speaker, a writer. 
2. Life is short; we should use the time given us to minister to others.
3. Sharing gives us satisfaction and peace; why not do it then?

How can I personally do this?

1. God gave me a talent: writing. I need to utilize this as much as possible. 

In The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, I encourage others to sympathize and act on that sympathy by helping other hurting people. It can, if allowed, help those who've suffered abuse to face their past, allow God to heal them, and become stronger individuals.

In my new mystery series, there will always be love at work in the midst of the detecting. In Hog Insane, the first book, Alex and Denton, the main characters, learn that each must put the other first. They learn what is truly the most valuable things in life, and there love grows stronger because of their fears and actions. Those with troubled marriages can do the same if they allow themselves to.

     2.  Work beside my husband in his calling doing what I can, and because of my writing talent, I can talk to women about using their own talents. I can write rewarding novels as God leads to share to others that they may recognize God as their Savior and to uplift, to encourage, and to strengthen others to do their best.

By using our personal talents we are going into the world as we know it and "preaching" the gospel. Who can say what impact we have? 

Blessings!