Welcome to the Blog Tour for Abounding Hope by Cindy Kay Stewart, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Abounding Hope
Title: Abounding Hope
Series: Circle of Hope #1
Author: Cindy Kay Stewart
Publisher: Hope Springs Press LLC
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Genre: WWII Christian Historical Romance
Poland’s looming defeat forces an American teacher to escape with children wanted by the Nazis.
It’s late August, 1939, and the world is on the brink of war. The Nazis are threatening Poland, but American teacher Irena Simmons refuses to flee to safety. She’s dedicated her life to serving in her church and school, and she’s watching over the little German boys she whisked to safety the year before. When her former classmate, Jonathan, surprises her in Lvov and insists she leave with him before the war starts, Irena balks. Nothing will interfere with her work—especially a man making demands.
American shipping magnate Jonathan Huntwell had a crush on Irena in school. When their former classmates select him to travel to Poland and escort her out before it’s too late, he doesn’t expect the inner turmoil she ignites in him. Although honor-bound to aid any friend in trouble, Jonathan acknowledges that Irena is more than an obligation to him. However, he must keep his feelings hidden, or he’ll jeopardize their friendship.
Irena soon discovers that the Gestapo agent she successfully evaded in Germany has found her in Poland, and he’s after her young charges. When the Germans invade, Jonathan is in Denmark on business, too far away to help. As the rising danger threatens everything Irena holds dear, she must find a way to protect those she loves.
Based on true events and backed by extensive research, Abounding Hope is sure to delight fans of WWII adventure cloaked in sweet romance. Come to the place where the war began and discover hope in the darkest places.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
Author Guest Post
During my research, I uncovered many fascinating, true stories from the time period in which Abounding Hope is set. Within the context of historical fiction, I had the enviable opportunity of recasting these true events through the lives of my fictional characters. I endeavored to remain true to history throughout the book, even with dates and places. None of the historical events and places in Abounding Hope are fictional.
It was important for me to imagine myself in Irena’s shoes as she faced each difficulty on her journey. I’ve been active in Christian ministry since I was a young teenager and, at times, have been forced to relinquish a ministry I didn’t want to give up. I grieved through these painful experiences, but I ultimately found peace by surrendering to God’s plan instead of my own. I endeavored to portray my past emotions through Irena’s life.
I love to research history and uncover hidden gems I can share in my books. It’s common knowledge that Poland lost its war with Germany rather quickly, but I didn’t realize the Soviet Union also invaded Poland at the same time. The two nations had formed a secret agreement to divide the country between them shortly before the war started. In order to establish communist control, the Soviet leaders deported hundreds of Polish citizens to far flung regions of the Soviet Union where many died from starvation and the elements. I also was not aware that hundreds of thousands of Polish soldiers and citizens escaped through Hungary and Romania. Tens of thousands of soldiers evacuated to France and England and later returned to fight with the Allies. After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, Stalin released the surviving deportees to reform their army and fight with the Allies. But that’s a story for another book.
My research process varies according to the region I’m writing about. Because of Covid and then the war in Ukraine (Lvov is now called Lviv and lies in western Ukraine), I was not able to visit the area in person. I relied on memoirs and autobiographies penned by American diplomats and former Polish citizens as well as newspaper articles from the New York Times archives and other documents and books discovered through Google searches.
About the Author
Cindy Kay Stewart, a retired high school social studies teacher, current church pianist and Christian historical romance author, writes stories of hope, steeped in love, and anchored in faith. Passionate about revealing God’s handiwork in history, Cindy loves to research until she uncovers hidden gems to share with her readers. She resides in North Georgia with her college sweetheart and husband of forty-two years. Her daughter, son-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren live nearby.
Connect with Cindy by visiting cindykaystewart.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of Abounding Hope, and an e-book copy of Escape (true stories of escape from WWII)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 9, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 16, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Sounds like a book I will like.
Thanks for sharing!
lovely post – thanks for being on the tour 🙂
I agree!
I love the 1930’s and 1940’s. I can’t wait to read this book.
Sounds really good.
This looks like a great novel. Thanks for hosting this.
This sounds like a great book deff gonna check it out!
Thanks for the info and the chance to win!