PURSUING GOLD - Cynthia L Simmons - One Free Book

Welcome, Cynthia. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I usually pick a person to style my characters after, but I do tend to describe my own feelings, especially in the main character.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Ventriloquism. As a high school girl, I presented a lot to groups of younger kids.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve always been a wordy person, but I didn’t discover I could write. I chose to work at learning the craft, which was a lot of work. When I started, I told real stories because I wasn’t even sure what made up a story.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love mysteries and suspense. I read them to relax and shut out the world. However, I also enjoy a nicely layered story like Cynthia Ruchti’s novels. Apologetics is also one of my favorite things to read.

Cynthia’s first novel really grabbed me, and I’ve read the rest as well. One of my favorite authors. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Quiet time with the Lord works best. I turn off all technology and just pray.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

In Pursuing Gold, I wanted old-fashioned Southern names, so I chose those that would fit the time. A few people in the story actually lived, so I didn’t have to choose names.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’m truly proud of the research behind my first novel, Pursuing Gold.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be a cat. I love being comfortable, and I can relate to a cat fluffing their pillows and blankets.

What is your favorite food?

Ice Cream. I could eat it in freezing weather.

Since losing weight, I don’t eat it as often, but I could eat ice cream in any weather. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I tend to be so focused on the story that I don’t describe much. Editors would ask me about where the scene took place. I started visualizing before writing so I could describe.

Tell us about the featured book.

Peter and Mary Beth must keep their Confederate bank alive in the Civil War. They must discover who forged Peter’s signature to counterfeit money before it causes the bank to fail.

Please give us the first page of the book.

April 12, 1862

Chattanooga, Tennessee

What a dilemma! Peter Chandler glared at Mr. Shaw, the burly Confederate bureaucrat lecturing him. Shaw could easily snap someone’s neck, and in his role, the man posed a real danger. After Peter had seen the Confederate government sell Negroes like cattle, he had to turn them down. “I’m sorry. C and R Bank will not loan money to the Confederacy.”

Lifting one massive eyebrow reflecting his opinion of Peter’s idiocy, he slapped a sheaf of letters on the desk, and growled, “These refusals you sent me place you in danger. We want to know where your loyalties lie. When the war is over, you will be glad you sided with us.”

Peter had to think fast. “We are a small bank fully invested in the community, so we cannot shoulder the risk of another loan.”

The man’s dark eyes flared. “You are far too hasty. I might have to speak to my Nashville friends about your bank charter.”

“Nashville? The Union holds the city now. You won’t get anywhere talking to them.”

“My friends still have the reins of power. Let me enlighten you—”

Peter tuned out the rest of the speech. If Shaw knew the right people, he could attempt to get the bank charter revoked. If he succeeded, Peter would lose the bank.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

If you use my middle initial, I’m easy to find. Cynthia L Simmons. I’m named after my father, C.L. Thomas.

My website is www.clsimmons.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.l.simmons.7

Twitter: @CynthiaLSimmons

My radio show, Heart of the Matter, is on my website and also on Soundcloud.

Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing this book with us. One of my novels is about a shipment of gold that disappeared after the Civil War, so your book interests me.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Pursuing Gold: A Novel of the Civil War - paperback
Pursuing Gold: A Novel of the Civil War - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com