Spotlight and Giveaway: Moment in Time by Cynthia L Simmons

About the Book

Book: Moment in Time

Author: Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Faith Redemption murder mystery, Murder intrigue

Release Date: August, 2026

Helen Moore was devastated when she learned her husband was missing and presumed dead in the Civil War. Fortunately, Uncle Henry invited her and her son, Aaron, to apprentice with his photography studio in Marietta, Ga, after the war. However, while planting herbs on his property, she unearthed a body no one could identify. Who put the man there? Was her uncle involved in his death? As she unravels the mystery, she finds unexpected companionship and learns every moment in life matters.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband have five grown children . She loves hot tea, orchids, and adores historical research. Her ragdoll cats often sit by her when she writes. Cynthia has written historical fiction, mysteries, Bible studies, homeschool curriculum, devotions, and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio/podcast, posts History Chats, and shares history stories to encourage women.

 

 

 

 

More from Cynthia

Secrets in the Darkroom: Welcome to the Moment in Time Blog Tour!

What if the key to solving a dangerous post-war mystery was hidden in a photographic negative?

Welcome, readers and bloggers! I am beyond thrilled to kick off the Celebrate Lit blog tour for my newest historical mystery, Moment in Time!

If you love rich historical detail, high-stakes suspense, hidden ciphers, and stories of unexpected hope rebuilding from the ashes, then step back with me to 1867 Marietta, Georgia.

About the Story

The Civil War may be over, but for the town of Marietta, the fight to rebuild has just begun.

When Helen, a former midwife, takes a job assisting her uncle in his photography studio, she expects darkroom chemicals and quiet portraits. Instead, she stumbles into a web of secret codes, hidden motives, and a threat creeping through the Reconstruction-era town.

Teamed up with Edward—a former Union surgeon carrying his own deep wounds—the two must decipher the clues before time runs out. In a world of wet-plate glass negatives and volatile chemicals, every single second matters… because someone in Marietta will do whatever it takes to keep the past buried.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 23

For Him and My Family, October 23

Simple Harvest Reads, October 24 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, October 25 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 26

Guild Master, October 27 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, October 28 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 29

The Bookish Ledger, October 30 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, October 31 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 1

Mary Hake, November 1

Books, Books, & More Books, November 2 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 3 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, November 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cynthia is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/VTxgD/moment-in-time-celebration-tour-giveaway

Spotlight and Giveaway: Moment in Time by Cynthia L Simmons

About the Book

Book: Moment in Time

Author: Cynthia L Simmons

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Inspirational, Christian Fiction

Release Date: Spring, 2026

Helen Moore was devastated when she learned her husband was missing and presumed dead in the Civil War. Fortunately, Uncle Henry invited her and her son, Aaron, to apprentice with his photography studio in Marietta, Ga, after the war. However, while planting herbs on his property, she unearthed a body no one could identify. Who put the man there? Was her uncle involved in his death? As she unravels the mystery, she finds unexpected companionship and learns every moment in life matters.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Cynthia L. Simmons is a historical fiction author and researcher with a passion for unearthing the “moral courage” found in the shadows of the past. A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Cynthia doesn’t just write history—she lives it, whether she’s marking patriot graves or digging through archives for her 1860s trilogy. Her mysteries explore the intersection of faith, family legacy, and the “silver linings” found in the aftermath of the Civil War. When she isn’t at her desk, you can find her sharing the stories of history’s unsung heroes on her website.

More from Cynthia

While researching for my latest book, I became obsessed with how early photographers—the “shadow-catchers”—saw the world. Marietta was a town on the brink of change, and every tintype and glass plate from that era feels like a puzzle piece.

I wrote this mystery because I wanted to know: What if a photographer caught the one thing they weren’t supposed to see?

Join me on this Celebrate Lit Blog Tour as we develop the truth, one frame at a time.

#BookTour #MysteryReader #CivilWarEra #MariettaGA #ShadowCatchers

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, June 22 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, June 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 24

Guild Master, June 25 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, June 26 (Author Interview)

Blogging with Carol, June 27

The Bookish Ledger, June 28 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 29

For the Love of Literature, June 30 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 1

Book Looks by Lisa, July 2

Cover Lover Book Review, July 2

Texas Book-aholic, July 3

Blossoms and Blessings, July 4 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cynthia is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://gleam.io/1PDkC/moment-in-time-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Tour and Giveaway: A Penny Saved by Terri Gillespie and Cynthia L Simmons

About the Book

Book: A Penny Saved

Authors: Terri Gillespie & Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy & Mystery

Release Date: May 27, 2023

A Move, A Mess, A Mystery

Mason’s world turns upside down when he, his little sister, Olivia, and their mother move into their grandfather’s house.

Mason misses his cool friends. Unfortunately, R.B., the weird kid down the street, thinks he’s Mason’s new best friend.

Mason’s grandfather, a retired professor, stays in his office filled with musty, dusty books. Never realizing there’s a magical treasure hidden in plain sight. An 1860 Indian Head penny, named Penny, who is alive!

When Penny goes missing, Mason helps his grandfather look for her.

Will Mason find Penny and learn her secret?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Terri

Terri Gillespie is a multi-award award-winning author and speaker and YouTube personality. Terri lives with her hubby outside Atlanta. They have one adult daughter, who lives in Chicago with her husband and son. Terri was one of the managing editors of the bestselling Tree of Life Version of the Holy Scriptures.

 

 

 

More from Terri

My grandson, DJ, loves to read, but there is a lack of inspirational and clean books with Black protagonists. DJ loves fantasy and mysteries, and as his safta (grandmother), I wanted a book that gives even more, a sense of legacy with a theme of looking past the exterior to the value underneath.

 

When the strange, awkward R.B. offers to pray for Mason’s grandfather and then brings over his granny’s tuna casserole, Mason is touched and wonders if he has misjudged R.B.

 

After tasting this recipe, would you change your mind?

 

Widow Savier’s (R.B.’s granny) Tuna Casserole

2 (5 oz.) cans chunky-type tuna in water (drain well)

1 cup frozen peas

1⁄2 cup milk

3⁄4 cup butter-Ritz-like crackers, crushed or crushed potato chips (R.B. prefers the chips)

4 oz. (about 2-1⁄2 cups) thick egg noodles

1 can (10.75 oz.) cream of mushroom soup

1⁄4 tsp. garlic powder

Bit of butter (it is the south after all)

 

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cook noodles according to package instructions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking; drain in strainer.
• While noodles are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix together soup, milk and garlic powder.
• Stir in the noodles and peas, then add the tuna.
• Transfer to a 1-1⁄2 quart lightly buttered casserole.
• Bake 15 minutes; top with cracker crumbs OR CHIPS. Continue baking 5 – 10 minutes or until heated through.

Serves 4, so Widow Savier doubles the recipe for Mason’s family so they have leftovers.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16

Stories By Gina, November 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 20

Vicky Sluiter, November 21 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 22

A Reader’s Brain, November 23 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 24

Blogging With Carol, November 25

Blossoms and Blessings, November 26 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 26

For Him and My Family, November 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 28 (Author Interview)

Little Homeschool on the prairie, November 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terri is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, signed copy of A Penny Saved, and A Penny Saved Mug!!

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/28eed/a-penny-saved-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

A Penny Saved by the writing duo Terri Gillespie and Cynthia L Simmons. I thought it was a fun book for middle grade readers. I like that there was a mystery to be solved. There were several lessons for all  - young and old – to learn. Such as, forgiveness, seeking wisdom, and not to be quick to judge. I thought it was a great little tale to read.

I loved the artwork by the talented artist, Courtney Smith all throughout the book. They go perfectly with the story and a good addition to it. 

I am giving A Penny Saved five stars. I recommend it for readers who are between the ages of eight and thirteen. 

I received a paperback copy of Gillespie and Simmons’ A Penny Saved from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Reflecting Gold by Cynthia L Simmons

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!

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

My Review

Reflecting Gold is the first book I have read by Cynthia L Simmons. I thought second installment from her Southern Gold series was a good read. Since it is part of a series, I feel that it would been better to have read this first book before reading this one. However, I was able to get enough information to enjoy Peter and Mary Beth’s story. I liked taking this adventure with them. 

I am giving Reflecting Gold three and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction, especially focused on the American Civil War era. I would be interested in reading more by Cynthia L Simmons in the future. This one is definitely worth a read. 

I received a copy of Reflecting Gold from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.