My friends, it’s my honor and pleasure to have Cynthia Roemer here today as she discusses Under Prairie Skies and shares an exciting excerpt! I really love this story because I watched Charlotte Stanton transform from a character I wanted to take to the woodshed into a character that I wanted to hug.
Welcome, Cynthia!
CYNTHIA ROEMER ~ UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES
One of my favorite aspects in writing Under Prairie Skies was witnessing the transformation of my heroine, Charlotte Stanton. Readers met Charlotte in Book One, Under This Same Sky, as the spoiled, spiteful cousin to Becky Hollister. Though at the time, readers aren’t given the full nature of why Charlotte treats Becky so harshly, it’s plain she doesn’t like her cousin moving in on her family. Especially her father with whom Charlotte shares a special bond.
Under Prairie Skies begins a full year later, just prior to Becky’s return to the prairie. Charlotte has matured a bit, but can’t seem to get past her jealous nature toward her cousin. True to her character in Book One, Charlotte isn’t the most likable person at the start of the second novel. But she soon meets her match in handsome cattleman, Chad Avery.
The theme verse for Under Prairie Skies is Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” I so love the interaction between Chad and Charlotte and how God uses them to sharpen each other’s character. Chad has a way of cutting Charlotte to the quick, but in a good way. Though a man of few words, he sees right through Charlotte’s insecurities and knows what she needs, even when she doesn’t know herself.
Through the influence of Chad and an orphaned boy named Johnny, Charlotte begins to soften and change. When her life takes an unexpected turn, her hardened heart becomes pliable and ready to love.
But Chad Avery has some changing of his own to do, with a past that haunts him and a hurt that refuses to heal. In the end, it’s wonderful to see how the Lord uses two broken people to mold and strengthen each other. Their heart changes are not easy ones, but instead happen gradually and with the help of godly truths.
To demonstrate Charlotte’s inner struggle, here’s a short excerpt from page 39 of Under Prairie Skies just after Chad had skillfully removed her from a troublesome encounter with her cousin at a homecoming party for Becky and her father, Joseph Hollister.
The nerve of that man.
Charlotte sagged against the wagon with a frustrated groan. What right did Mr. Avery have to scold her for things he had no part in? He was a mere stranger, a newcomer to these parts. What did he know of the goings on around here?
She dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief and hung her head. Yet, his insight into her was alarming. Had others seen through her insecurities so easily?
Alone, but for the spattering of horses and wagons, she leaned her head against the buckboard and closed her eyes. The faint sound of music and laughter from the front of the cabin ate at her like soured milk. Truth be known, she was as aggravated with herself as she was Mr. Avery. Here she’d vowed to try harder to mend her differences with Becky. And what had she done but fall right back into her old ways.
Forgive me, Lord.
She opened her eyes and stared into the starry sky. Only a faint glimmer of light remained on the western horizon. Before long, she’d be engulfed in darkness, and grateful for it. She didn’t deserve to celebrate. Instead, she longed to fade into the vastness of the prairie.
Crossing her arms, she breathed a deep sigh. She didn’t need some stranger pointing out her faults. She knew well enough she had flaws. If she had any gumption, she’d offer Becky an apology.
“Charlotte?”
Esther’s gentle voice startled Charlotte from her reverie. She swiped a tear from her cheek and stepped from the shadows.
Her sister edged closer. “What are you doing back here?”
“I-I got winded dancing. I needed some air.”
A smile lit Esther’s face. “He’s handsome, isn’t he?”
“Who?”
“Mr. Avery. I saw you dancing with him.”
Charlotte’s face flamed hot. It seemed nothing she did went unnoticed. With a shrug, she set her jaw. “I truly hadn’t noticed.”
It was a lie. She knew better than Esther how handsome he was. She’d been close enough to see the specks of black in his silvery eyes and feel the warmth of his arm wrapped around her waist. Given other circumstances, she might have melted into his strong embrace.
But as things were—good looking or not—she wanted nothing more to do with him.
BOOK BLURB ~ UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES
~ Beyond shattered dreams lies a realm of possibilities ~ Illinois prairie ~1855
Unsettled by the news that her estranged cousin and uncle are returning home after a year away, Charlotte Stanton goes to ready their cabin and finds a handsome stranger has taken up residence. Convinced he’s a squatter, she throws him off the property before learning his full identity. Little does she know, their paths were destined to cross again.
Quiet and ruggedly handsome, Chad Avery’s uncanny ability to see through Charlotte’s feisty exterior and expose her inner weaknesses both infuriates and intrigues her. When a tragic accident incites her family to move east, Charlotte stays behind in hopes of becoming better acquainted with the elusive cattleman. Yet Chad’s unwillingness to divulge his hidden past, along with his vow not to love again, threatens to keep them apart forever.
AUTHOR BIO:
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. Her Prairie Sky Series consists of Book One: Under This Same Sky and Book Two: Under Prairie Skies. She is currently writing Book Three in the series, Under Moonlit Skies due to release in September, 2019.
Contact Info: Cynthia Roemer can be contacted at:
Website: http://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/
Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cynthia+roemer
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-prairie-skies-cynthia-roemer/1128471176?ean=9781945094446
It was great getting to know Cynthia. This sounds like an interesting book! I love how descriptive the excerpt is.
I think you would enjoy it greatly, Chloe. I loved it! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Chloe! So great to meet you. I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt and hope you’ll have the opportunity to read more of my Prairie Sky Series. Blessings!
Hi Cynthia and Candace. This was a read that drew me right in. The hero sounds yummy. 🙂
I wouldn’t normally be drawn to a prairie romance but I think I would definitely enjoy yours.
Hi Kathy! The hero is fabulous! You would love it!
Aah! That warms my heart, Kathleen! Thanks for your kind words. I pray you’ll be blessed by Chad and Charlotte’s story and also Becky and Matthew’s in Book 1! I’m so looking forward to reading your novels!! God bless!
Hi!! Cynthia and Candace. This story was awesome. I can’t wait to read what happens ..That was enough to leave us wondering what’s next for that nice looking Chad. Thank you for this.
When I read it, the pages turned themselves. Thank you for coming by, Amanda. You’re always a blessing!
Thanks, Amanda! I’m so glad you stopped by and introduced yourself. I pray my Prairie Sky Series will bless you richly. Thanks for your kind words! Enjoy!