by Cynthia L Simmons | Jul 31, 2026 | Podcast
Behind the Story: The Real 1860s History Behind Moment in Time by Cynthia L. Simmons
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In this special behind-the-scenes episode, author and historian Cynthia L. Simmons shares the inspiration, real Reconstruction-era history, and darkroom secrets behind her historical mystery novel, Moment in Time.
Set in 1867 Marietta, Georgia, Moment in Time follows former midwife Helen and former Union surgeon Edward as they uncover hidden ciphers buried inside 19th-century wet-plate glass negatives.
What Inspired the Novel Moment in Time?
Every historical mystery begins with a single spark. Cynthia shares that spark for Moment in Time.
In the late 1860s, photographers had only minutes to coat, expose, and develop a glass plate before it dried. That natural race against the clock became the perfect setting for a story about hidden ciphers, high-stakes secrets, and second chances.
Real Cobb County History: 1867 Marietta & James B. Waller
One of the most rewarding parts of writing historical fiction is unearthing true local lore. In Moment in Time, readers get a glimpse into authentic Reconstruction-era Marietta:
🎧 Listen to the Full “Behind the Story” Podcast Episode
Click the player above to hear Cynthia answer reader questions about:
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How 1860s darkroom chemistry created center stage in the plot.
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Building authentic 19th-century medical perspectives into the main characters.
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Cynthia’s love of cats brought a feline detective into the novel
Frequently Asked Questions About Moment in Time
What genre is Moment in Time?
Moment in Time is a historical mystery novel set during the American Reconstruction era, combining rich historical detail, suspense, and clean fiction.
Where does Moment in Time take place?
The novel is set in 1867 Marietta, Georgia, exploring the town’s post-Civil War rebuilding period and local Cobb County history.
Who wrote Moment in Time?
Moment in Time is written by Cynthia L. Simmons, an author, historian, and host of Heart of the Matter.
Once you purchase the novel, a companion devotional is free. Click here.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jul 16, 2026 | Podcast
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When a sudden crisis upends your life, the shock can leave you completely frozen. In this post, Cynthia L. Simmons shares her deeply personal journey of navigating a sudden lymphoma diagnosis, moving past paralyzing fear, and taking proactive medical action.
Drawing a powerful parallel to September 1777, she explores the dramatic evacuation of Philadelphia’s church bells—including the Liberty Bell—and how the patriots hid their most valuable treasures beneath the floorboards of a quiet church basement to keep them safe from the invading enemy.
If you are currently facing a health battle, grief, or an unexpected life storm, this message will help you reframe your struggles. Discover why a “hidden season” is never a waste of time, but rather a safe place of divine protection and preparation.
Plus, read a special preview of Cynthia’s upcoming historical mystery novel, Moment in Time, launching July 31st!
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jul 9, 2026 | Podcast
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Lately, I’ve been navigating the world of oncology—a completely separate reality from the “normal” we all know. The chemotherapy schedule completely takes over your life. Even with my background as a retired nurse, I have found myself having to look up medical jargon just to understand the sheer complexity of the tests, numbers, and drugs. All of it can be overwhelming and exhausting, not to mention dealing with the side effects.
Have you ever found yourself completely overwhelmed by the dizzying complexity of modern systems, technology, or unexpected life crises? If so, you are in good company with some of the greatest minds of the American Revolution.
Revolutionary War Era
James Lovell served in Continental Congress and he loved to decipher British Code. But Lovell didn’t just want to read the enemy’s mail—he wanted American diplomats to communicate in secure ciphers, too. The problem was that his new, highly complex cipher required a key, and Lovell refused to risk sending that key across an ocean. British spies might intercept it.
So, he decided to base the key on a personal riddle he assumed John Adams and Benjamin Franklin could easily solve based on past conversations.
It was a disaster. James Lovell’s complex mathematical grids left both men utterly puzzled. Over in France, a frustrated Benjamin Franklin finally packed up all the components, handed them to another diplomat, and confessed he had tried to crack it in vain. Meanwhile, John Adams wrote a blunt letter back to the Continental Congress stating that the instructions Lovell sent were completely “inexplicable.” Lovell’s genius had accidentally outwitted two of the most intelligent men alive.
Back to Living in Today’s World
But there is a striking contrast here that has brought me so much comfort in the middle of my chaotic oncology world:
There is no secret code required to access the Lord.
God does not hide his comfort behind complex systems or theological riddles. He fully understands the difficult seasons of our lives, and He already did all the heavy lifting on the cross to reconcile us to Himself. Instead, He gave us the Holy Spirit so we can understand spiritual things.
We have a High Priest who understands our weaknesses because He walked this earth and was tempted just as we are. When life’s complexities make you want to pull your hair out, God doesn’t hand you a cipher grid. He hands you an open invitation to run straight into His presence.
Father, we thank You that You are a God of perfect peace and clarity. When life feels like a confusing code that we just cannot crack, remind us that Your grace is beautifully simple. Help us to drop our own cipher grids today and simply rest in Your presence. Give my friends listening today a tangible sense of Your comfort this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for joining me today. Until next time, keep your heart focused on the things that matter most.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jun 27, 2026 | Podcast
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Have you ever suffered through an intensely stressful season where your body just wanted to quit?
Lately, as I navigate the queasiness, stomach cramps, and headaches from chemotherapy, I’ve been digging deep for physical and spiritual endurance. In the middle of chemo, the enemy loves to whisper that you have nothing left to give.
But this week, I found unexpected encouragement from a forgotten heroine of the American Revolution: Margaret Catherine “Kate” Barry.
The Freezing Midnight Ride
Picture the bitter winter of January 1781. The British were sweeping through South Carolina, and American General Daniel Morgan desperately needed more men to hold the line. Kate Barry wasn’t a trained soldier. But she knew the backcountry trails of Spartanburg County—and she could ride.
In the freezing January dark, she secured her toddler safely in her cabin, mounted her horse, and volunteered to gallop into the night to rally the scattered local militia.
Strip away the historical romance, and the reality was terrifying. Kate navigated rough terrain and tangled underbrush in absolute pitch blackness, with swollen creeks and freezing mud underfoot. British scouts patrolled the woods; if she was caught, it meant instant execution.
Pushing Through Physical Terror
Fear in those woods wasn’t a vague feeling. I can imagine her jumping at every snapping twig, her pulse racing, and her muscles knotting with tension as she scanned the shadows for the enemy. Every breath of icy air must have felt shallow and sharp.
She was freezing, terrified, and profoundly fatigued.
Yet, she refused to quit in the dark.
Because she kept riding, the militia arrived just in time to join General Morgan and crush the British at the Battle of Cowpens—a pivotal turning point that broke the enemy’s momentum in the South and paved the road to the final victory at Yorktown.
Grace for the Next Mile
History remembers the glorious monuments, but the victory was bought by a weary, frightened woman who chose to take her fear with her and keep moving forward.
I am so thankful that God does not require us to feel energetic, fearless, or vibrant for Him to use us. Scripture is full of weary, trembling heroes—Elijah running for his life from Jezebel and collapsing under a broom tree, or David hiding in dark, damp caves from Saul.
When you find yourself in an exhausting battle remember that you don’t have to summon a lifetime of grit all at once. You just need enough grace for the next step. Not a year, not a week—just the next mile. When our own strength fails, His supernatural power begins.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:29-31
💬 Let’s Connect!
What “dark woods” or exhausting trial are you riding through today? Drop a comment below or send me a message through the contact page. Let’s lift each other up and pray for one another’s strength this week.
If this message encouraged you, please consider sharing this post with a friend who is walking through a weary season of their own.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jun 18, 2026 | Podcast
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When was the last time you conversed deeply with the person you love most?
I’m not talking about coordinating calendar events, sending a quick status update, or texting a grocery list with an emoji at the end. In our fast-paced modern world, we move at such a frantic speed that we often fail to truly touch the hearts of the people we love. We remind each other to grab an umbrella, but when do we share the deepest issues of our souls? If you have ever felt lonely sitting in a room right next to your best friend or spouse, you are not alone.
To find the antidote to this surface-level digital noise, we have to look to history.
A Revolutionary Standoff: Abigail’s Quill vs. John’s Caution
In this episode of Heart of the Matter, we travel back to 1778 in Braintree, Massachusetts. While John Adams was away on a vital, high-stakes diplomatic mission in France, Abigail Adams was left behind to navigate a wartime economy, manage their money, and run the family farm during an epidemic.
🎧 Inside This Episode, You’ll Learn:
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The fascinating historical context behind John and Abigail Adams’ famous letters.
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Why Abigail refused to accept sterile “status updates” from a future President.
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The vital importance of “speaking the truth in love” when emotional intimacy fades.
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Practical ways to audit your digital communication and get off your phone.
📌 This Week’s Legacy of Love Challenge
Are your daily interactions just logistical updates, or are they serious, heart-to-heart conversations? I challenge you to audit your texts and talks this week. Over the next three days, sit down with someone you love, put down the phones, and ask one of these deep connection questions:
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“What was the best part of your day?”
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“Is there anything weighing heavily on your heart today?”
Let’s cut through the noise and build a lasting legacy of love together.
Thank you for listening to Heart of the Matter. Until next time, keep looking at the heart of things!
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jun 4, 2026 | Podcast
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Where do you turn in a crisis? Imagine losing your child, your husband, and your financial security all in a matter of months while the entire country watches, waiting for you to break. What do you do?
In this week’s episode of Heart of the Matter, we step directly into the eye of the historical hurricane that was the 1860 presidential election. Together, we uncover the forgotten, unshakeable resilience of Adele Cutts Douglas. As the wife of a powerful sitting U.S. Senator, Adele lived a life of glittering Washington glamour. But history often hides the bruises. Long before her husband’s sudden death left her buried under massive campaign debts, Adele was quietly fighting severe health struggles of her own.
Yet, she flatly refused public charity, rolled up her sleeves, and carried herself with an unshakeable dignity.
Standing on my own unexpected battlefield this week with a lymphoma diagnosis, Adele’s story hits closer to home than ever. These resilient women of history aren’t just characters in a book to me anymore—they are sisters in the struggle.
Join me for a deeply personal, raw, and honest chat about what it looks like to find your anchor when the ground beneath you shakes. We cannot always control the storms that hit our lives, but we can control how we stand inside them. It’s time to stop waiting for the skies to clear, rely on your faith in the crisis.
Click the player above to listen to the full episode and discover how to find your strength right where you are standing.
