About the Book

Book: Abounding Hope

Author: Cindy Kay Stewart

Genre: Historical Christian Romance (WWII)

Release date: October, 2023

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.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Cindy Kay Stewart, a retired high school social studies teacher and current church pianist, writes stories of hope, steeped in love, and anchored in faith. Her manuscripts have won the Touched by Love Award, the First Impressions contest, and the Sandra Robbins Inspirational Writing Award. They’ve also finaled in the Maggie Award of Excellence and the Cascade Awards, and semi-finaled in the Genesis contest. Cindy is passionate about revealing God’s handiwork in history. 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. Cindy’s currently writing the Circle of Hope series set in WWII Europe.

More from Cindy

WWII is a fascinating time period—so many miracles took place in the midst of great tragedy. There has never been an era of history when so many people sacrificed so much to save the world from evil.

During my research for Abounding Hope, I uncovered many interesting and nearly unbelievable stories from the beginning of the war. Within the context of historical fiction, I had the opportunity to recast 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.

Abounding Hope is set in Poland and Hungary at the beginning of WWII. The main characters, Jonathan and Irena, are Americans who have lived in Europe most of their lives. They’re also civilians who learn to surrender their expectations and trust the Lord through their harrowing experiences. In the end, they also find love. Their romance adds soft and intriguing elements to a story set during such a difficult time in history.

Interview with Cindy

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

I’m from Southern California. When I was three-years-old, my mother took me shopping in downtown Los Angeles. I ran off, and a woman in the store bought me a sucker and attempted to walk out with me. By this time, my mother had reported I was missing. I had red hair and was wearing a red dress, so the security guard stopped the woman escorting me out the door and asked if I was her child. She told the truth, and I was promptly delivered back to my mother who never forgot the close call.

Many years later when I was in college, I spent eleven weeks in Taiwan on a missions trip. Our group of five girls arrived in the country at night and one day later than scheduled. No one was at the airport to meet us. We didn’t speak Chinese, and many we came in contact with didn’t speak English. None of us had brought the phone number of the missionary with whom we would be staying. We managed to take a shuttle, but at the end of the line we found ourselves at the Grand Palace Hotel, which sat on a hilltop overlooking the city. We thought we’d blown our budget for the whole summer, but fortunately that wasn’t the case. The next day we took a taxi to the train station and traveled one hundred miles south by slow train because we didn’t know any better. I don’t have time or space to share all the interesting experiences we encountered along the way, but we eventually made it to our home base and had a rewarding summer ministering to the lovely Chinese people of Taichung.

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey? 

I have loved every facet of the publishing journey. Taking classes, reading books on writing craft, researching, plotting, watching the story and the characters take shape during the editing process, formatting the manuscript into a book, and then receiving the finished product in the mail have all led to a rewarding experience. I treasure the friendships I’ve made through Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers and the Georgia Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

Don’t give up. Never lose hope. Surrender your plans to the Lord and allow Him to work all things together for good in your life.

What were the highlight or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

The most challenging facet was developing the characters and their growth arcs while staying true to the actual historical events. It was essential for the characters to respond according to their personalities and motives but in the context of the outer plot. The most rewarding part of bringing this story to life was witnessing how Biblical truths can be woven into every experience. 

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Readers can learn more about me on my website at cindykaystewart.com and on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

The Circle of Hope Series will continue with Book Two set during the German invasions of Norway and France in 1940. Several characters from Abounding Hope are featured in Unending Hope, which will release later this year.

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, May 14

Alena Mentink, May 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 15

DevotedToHope, May 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 18

Lights in a Dark World, May 18

Texas Book-aholic, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 20

lakesidelivingsite, May 21

For Him and My Family, May 22

Stories By Gina, May 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 23

Betti Mace, May 24

The Lofty Pages, May 25

Cover Lover Book Review, May 26

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cindy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed 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/2b7ca/abounding-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway