Moment in Time: Q&A with Cynthia L. Simmons + Giveaway

 

 

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.

Author Interview

Can you tell us a little bit about what readers can expect from your books? Expect an immersive journey into the past. My goal is to drop readers directly into historical settings, carrying them through authentic atmospheres, rich period details, and compelling drama where the past comes alive. 

 What is the greatest advice you have ever been given about writing? 

Write with active, dynamic verbs. American readers naturally connect with energetic, forward-moving prose, so I was advised early on to weed out passive constructions and weak linking verbs like was and be whenever possible. 
 
What book made you fall in love with reading? Growing up, I absolutely devoured the Trixie Belden mystery series and could hardly wait for each new release. Hoping to broaden my literary horizons, my mother handed me Bambi—which completely captured my heart. 

 
Can you share 5 random facts about this book? 

1.  The plot incorporates real 1860s technological and chemical methods, from wet-plate photography to period forensic details. 
2.  The physical setting is mapped closely to actual local geography and historical landmarks. 
3.  My nursing background influenced every medical scene to ensure historical treatments were technically sound. 
4. Minor domestic details—like what characters used for basic chores and cooking—come straight from 19th-century household manuals. 
5. Several secondary character quirks were inspired by real mannerisms of people I know. 

 
 
Can you share something interesting or surprising you learned while researching for the book? We have all seen old photos of 19th-century photographers ducking beneath a heavy black drape, but researching the wet-plate collodion process gave me a whole new appreciation for the craft. The photographer had to work under that dark cloth to focus the inverted image on the ground glass in real time, and subjects had to hold dead still for seconds at a time to keep the chemical exposure from blurring. 

 

What was the most rewarding part of bringing this book to life? As a former nurse, diving into the period's medical history delighted me. I love historical medicine, so I make sure my fictional doctors use authentic, era-appropriate treatments and remedies that genuinely worked. 

 
What do you hope readers will take away from the book? Our lives are woven together by thousands of fleeting moments, and every single one counts. The choices we make in ordinary moments carry weight and can ripple through the future in ways we never anticipate. 
 
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Before you go, where can readers keep up with what’s next? You can visit my website at clsimmons.com to find updates, articles, and upcoming projects. I would also love to connect with readers on Facebook and Instagram at Cynthia L Simmons. 

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.

Moment in Time Celebration Tour Giveaway