Avery unique writer with great story-telling skill. ( )

In "Facing the Dawn" Cynthia Ruchti has managed to provide a kaleidoscope of emotions. We are driven from the depths of despair and grief upon grief, to the value of friendship and love, all the way up to the goodness of God's healing and sovereignty. She sprinkles the "fingerprints of God" throughout her story. Cynthia shows how Jesus is working in people's lives through many different scenarios and in daily and forever relationships. Each of her books is better than the last. This is a book I shall reread often and give as gifts to those I know will be helped by it. ( )

This book is powerful; it will take your breath away! The author captures the raw truth about parenting, grief, and just how overwhelming life is at times! She brings you through the story with a kaleidoscope of emotions and circumstances but also with humor, reminding how God is with us in every moment we face.
Mara is what you might call a “single” married Mom. Her husband is a humanitarian in Uganda providing water and wells for the impoverished. She has been keeping the home fires burning with working and dealing with her 3 children. The two teenagers are in full rebellion, and her sweet preteen is always her bright spot. Everyone is missing and needing Dad. She battles resentment for him not being there for his own family and guilt because of the importance of his work.
Then the real bottom falls out. She suffers 2 devastating life changing catastrophes. Her world and life are turned upside down and she is paralyzed by the events and her family’s future. Her forever best friend (as she calls her) Ashlee had moved back to town and not a minute too soon. Ashlee’s deep faith and personal journey with brokenness becomes a lifeline for Mara. One she doesn’t want at first. She continually turns Mara back to God and His truths. Ashlee never gives up, nudging her forward when she wants to give up. I sure wish I had an Ashlee in my life. Ruchti brings lightness to such heavy moments with Mara’s wonderful sense of humor. The humorous thoughts you have in serious times that are so inappropriate and tactless that you dare not speak them out loud
I have not experienced these exact circumstances but I could relate to Mara’s pain and confusion. What it is like to be incapacitated emotionally, physically and spiritually to the point you are helpless. A very moving inspirational story!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed are my own. ( )

"Facing the Dawn" is a beautifully-written contemporary family drama from author Cynthia Ruchti. While the characters have all-too-human faults, and are not always entirely likeable, a devastating tragedy will test them beyond their expectations. Ultimately, glimmers of hope will shine through. Mara Jacobs is an overwhelmed mother of three--two teenagers, Dylan and Chelsea, and a twelve year old, Jeremy. Her husband, Liam, is in the third year of a four-year global humanitarian mission to bring clean drinking water to those in need around the world. While Liam has earned accolades for his work, his family has suffered in his absence. Mara is stressed to the max, dealing with unhappy children and the rigors of daily life in general--can she hold on for one more year until Liam comes home? When news of a shattering accident and an unimaginable loss reaches Mara and her family, their lives are forever changed. Mara, who had already been struggling mightily, must now also deal with the crushing grief felt by herself and the children. An old friend, a new acquaintance, and a renewal of faith may just bring Mara and her family through the darkness and help them to face the dawn. I highly recommend this deeply emotional, poignant work of women's fiction, and I look forward to reading more work by the very talented Cynthia Ruchti.

Book Copy Gratis Revell Books ( )

Facing The Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti wrecked me. And reached me. I don’t think I have ever read a novel more Spirit-filled than this one. Oh, its genre is women’s fiction, but the story that unfolds is one we all face at one time or another. I don’t mean that our lives will mirror main character Mara Jacob’s, but that we all face loss — of loved ones or security or dreams. And God can seem so far away and our lives so parched that we feel we will shrivel up. At first the story seemed too much. But as Ruchti weaves the hope through the hopeless, we see glimpses of God’s grace, mercy, and provision. I may be making this book sound super-religious. It’s not. It’s about how God can take our hurts and turn them into something useful and beautiful. Mara’s internal voice is snarky and so human. I loved that Ruchti did not shy away from Mara expressing anger and lostness. Supporting characters, and I do mean supporting, are wonderful. The transformation Mara goes through, along with that of her children, is a testimony of the faithfulness of those who come alongside us in our life journey. One particular sentence resonated with me — What we thought was pain upon pain paved the way for the work of God. See, Spirit-filled.

Facing The Dawn was not an easy or quick read for me. I needed breaks to ponder and rest. If you read this book you will understand. And I do hope that you will read it because from me it is very highly recommended.

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )