Picture a storyteller weaving tales of faith and resilience from the heart of the Appalachian Mountains—meet Cindy K. Sproles! This Christian author, speaker, and mentor has captured readers with her award-winning novels and heartfelt devotionals, all infused with the rich culture of East Tennessee. Her stories of redemption and courage resonate deeply, inviting readers to find hope in life’s hardships.
Born and raised in the rugged beauty of the Appalachians, Sproles channels her mountain heritage into every page, crafting narratives that feel like a warm porch swing chat. Beyond her novels, she’s a publishing trailblazer, co-founding Christian Devotions Ministries and mentoring aspiring writers with a passion that’s as infectious as her storytelling.
The Making of Cindy K. Sproles
Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee, Cindy K. Sproles was steeped in a culture of resilience and faith. Her family’s deep-rooted mountain values—grit, community, and reverence for God—shaped her worldview and her stories. With a BA in business and journalism, Sproles initially carved a path in eldercare, where she spent twenty years listening to seniors’ life stories, an experience that later fueled her empathetic narratives.
Her writing journey began with devotionals, published widely in newspapers along the eastern seaboard. These short, poignant reflections caught the eye of Christian Devotions Ministries, which she co-founded to nurture faith-based writing. This platform became a springboard for her fiction, where she found her true calling: spinning tales of Appalachian life that blend raw hardship with divine grace.
Cindy K. Sproles’s Unforgettable Stories
Sproles’s novels are love letters to the Appalachian spirit, blending historical grit with Christian themes of forgiveness and redemption. Her debut, Mercy’s Rain (2015), follows Mercy Roller, a young woman scarred by an abusive father, as she seeks healing. This IndieFab Book of the Year winner set the tone for Sproles’s unflinching yet hopeful style.
Liar’s Winter (2017) explores prejudice and grace through Lochiel Ogle, a woman marked by a birthmark deemed the “devil’s mark.” The novel’s awards, including a Selah finalist nod, highlight Sproles’s knack for vivid characters. What Momma Left Behind (2020), a gold medalist in the Illumination Awards, centers on Worie Dressar, a teenager caring for orphans in 1877 Appalachia, showcasing Sproles’s gift for weaving sacrifice and love. Her 2023 release, This Is Where It Ends, introduces Minerva Jenkins, a 94-year-old widow grappling with a decades-old secret, earning praise for its emotional depth.
Sproles’s style is raw and authentic, with a dialect that sings of the mountains. Her stories don’t shy away from life’s darkness—abuse, loss, prejudice—but always point to hope, making her a standout in Christian historical fiction.
Why Cindy K. Sproles Matters
Cindy K. Sproles has left an indelible mark on Christian fiction by preserving Appalachian culture through her stories. Her novels celebrate the innovation and determination of mountain people, a heritage she fears is fading from modern education. By mentoring new writers and directing the Asheville Christian Writers Conference, she’s also shaped the next generation of storytellers, encouraging them to weave faith into their work.
Her devotionals, published on platforms like CBN.com and InspireaFire.com, offer daily doses of encouragement, reaching readers nationwide. Sproles’s work reminds us that faith can transform even the hardest moments, making her a beacon for those seeking light in life’s shadows.
- Key Works: Mercy’s Rain, Liar’s Winter, What Momma Left Behind, This Is Where It Ends
- Awards: IndieFab Book of the Year, Illumination Awards Gold Medal, Christian Market Novel of the Year
- Fun Fact: Sproles raises chickens in Tennessee, where she jokes the pecking order is easier to manage than her four sons!
Snag What Momma Left Behind and dive into Cindy K. Sproles’s soul-stirring Appalachian tales—you’ll be hooked!