Bestselling Author & Editor Cynthia Hilston

Category: family

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow

    “I would like it very much if you were all here with me,” Hannah said, wheezing.  She coughed several times. “Mom!” Abbi exclaimed, rushing to her side. The coughing spell subsided, and Hannah shook her head, holding up a placating hand.  “No, no, it’s nothing.  Please don’t make a fuss.  There’s nothing to be done. …

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow

    R Rain hit Haley’s bedroom window, tracking down the glass like the tears on her face.  Her geometry homework sat unfinished in front of her as she lifted blurry eyes from the numbers and turned toward the wall separating her room from the bedroom next door.  She heard Pastor Rife’s muffled voice reciting the familiar…

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow

    “It’s strange to be in such a quiet house,” said Hannah that evening.  “I can’t tell you how many times I wished for silence when the kids were driving me up a wall.  Now, it’s just us.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love that we can finally enjoy the peace and quiet as empty nesters,…

  • Review of The Memory Tree (Carson Chronicles Book 2) by John A. Heldt

    The Memory Tree is the second in the Carson Chronicles series, immediately following the events of the first book, River Rising. Please read my review of the first book here. In book two of the five-part series (books three through five still to be released), we follow the Carson family from 1889 to 1918. The…

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow

    “Well, it’s done.  I gave away my oldest.  No one told me it was this emotional.  I guess I know how your father must’ve felt now.” Hannah smiled fondly.  “Yeah, Pa was glassy-eyed, that old softie.  I was thinking about them last night.” Edward wrapped an arm around Hannah.  “If you need to cry, let…

  • Excerpt from Murder: It’s All in Your Head (WIP)

    Her mother was outside feeding the chickens and collecting eggs. She came in with a handful and set them on the table. “Good, you’re up.” “Good morning, Mother.” How did you sleep? Did you hear it last night? How can you sleep knowing that? She glared at her mother’s back, willing her to understand or express…

  • Remembering Grandpa by Creating Him

    Remembering Grandpa by Creating Him

    We stood in the basement of my grandma’s old house, the place I visited every Sunday afternoon as a child. I was now an adult. While I knew she had passed away years ago, as had the man with me, the moment felt so real. The security of his arms around me, the steady rise…

  • Review of The Beat on Ruby’s Street by Jenna Zark

    Synopsis: The last thing eleven-year-old Ruby Tabeata expected to happen on her way to a Jack Kerouac reading was to be hauled to the police station. It’s 1958 and Ruby is the opposite of a 1950s stereotype: fierce, funny and strong willed, she is only just starting to chart her course in a family of…

  • Old Family Pictures & Genealogy: Our Connection to the Past

    I can still remember sitting at the dining room table in my grandma’s house and looking at old family pictures. Those days were at least 25 years ago now. When you’re a kid, time almost seems to stand still. Those Sunday afternoons at Grandma’s house seemed like they would never end. Now I cannot believe…

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow (Chapter 41)

    While the first year without Edward was the most difficult, Hannah found strength she didn’t know she had.  There were times when she thought everything was fine, and then something would trigger a memory of Edward – a song on the radio, a line from a book, a phrase someone said.  Then Hannah was pulled…