Miles From Where We Started by Cynthia Ruchti

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Miles From Where We Started by Cynthia Ruchti is a beautifully written Christian contemporary novel. The words are healing balm for your soul. Let them wash over you and restore your hope in love. The story is “in search of a secret passageway to hope.”

Cynthia Ruchti writes about issues that are relevant. In this novel there is a marriage in crisis. “Marriage isn’t about avoiding discomfort. It’s about commitment.” Possible health problems become a road block in a relationship. Instead of running towards each other, fear pulls away. When fear rules our life, there is no room for God. We need to exercise our faith muscle so at the end of our lives, people say “She walked as deliberately as she could… toward Jesus. I didn’t lose her.”

The novel explores the topic of fostering. An eleven year old boy has been passed from pillar to post. One of the saddest sentences in the book is his secret for survival. “The secret to survival… Not caring. I have to learn how not to care.”

Huge hearts pepper the story. The biggest is God’s. “We all come from the heart a’ God.” God’s heart is seen working its way out through people.

The characters are on a journey – literally and figuratively. There are lessons to be learn along the way for both the characters and the reader. “Forgive more often than you think you should have to.” This is wise advice. If in doubt – forgive because we have been forgiven.

Within the tale there are elements of the prodigal son story. I love the image in the story of the father looking out for his son, and when he sees him, he picks up his robes and runs towards him. This reminds the reader that if we make the slightest movement towards God, He will pick up His (figurative) robes and run towards us.

Cynthia Ruchti always writes such beautiful novels. The words sink into my heart and warm my soul. I savour all her books. They always leave me smiling, contented and more in love with God than ever before.

Whatever you have been through, it is not the end. “Your story doesn’t end in a mistake.” God says you are loved and He does not make mistakes. He has redeemed you and called you by name. Answer His call today.

A beautiful, beautiful story.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

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About the Book

Miles from Where We Started

Book Title: Miles from Where We Started

Author: Cynthia Ruchti

Genre: Christian Romance/Family life

Release date: October 16, 2018

These no-longer-newlyweds want out of this road trip—and their marriage. Too bad they can’t find the off ramp.

Weeks away from their one-year wedding anniversary, Mallory and Connor Duncan can’t even agree on how to end their marriage. But when a last-minute crisis lands them on a three-thousand-mile road trip together, Mallory wonders if their story may not be over after all.

The trip begins to unravel before the key is even in the ignition, and an at-risk, trouble-seeking missile of an eleven-year-old is unexpectedly launched into their travel plans. Close quarters get even tighter, and the couple believes this whole experience will spell disaster.

Their first year of marriage hasn’t been the arm-in-arm togetherness they expected. How can they find a new beginning when the road ends?

 

Click here to purchase your copy!

 

About the Author

cynthia ruchtiCynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope through novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and speaking events. She serves as the professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences across the country. She married her grade school sweetheart, and the two live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

 

Guest Post from Cynthia

I have a confession to make. I heart millennials.

My other novels have had a few millennial characters. Some even played starring roles. But I knew there was more to the heart of millennials than I could gain from listening to the often unfair sighing or comedy routines about that generation. As a person, I wanted to know them better—what are they really like? What challenges do they face with which previous generations saddled them? What strengths to they offer our culture?

Until now, I hadn’t written a story about a millennial couple whose marriage was in crisis. Like, serious crisis. I-don’t-want-to-be-married-to-you-anymore. That kind of crisis.

As any good novelist knows, part of what we do to our characters is make the situation worse. So, millennial couple, approaching their one-year anniversary, ready to call it quits because “This marriage thing is really hard. Is it supposed to be so much work?” But what if…? What if they were forced to be together for three weeks…in a micro-camper…on America’s backroads…with an 11-year-old foster boy troublemaker…and both the husband’s AND the wife’s jobs depended on the trip’s success?

Plot idea in hand, I set off to write Miles from Where We Started, not entirely sure when I began the journey where they would end up or how they’d get there. It was an education for me in so many ways. The impact of the turning point of the story? In the words of my millennial friends, “That’s lit!”

Side note: I’m a big fan of a young teen musician at our church. The boy has mad skills as a keyboard artist. He approaches life as if it’s an endless game of Ninja Warrior. Why walk when you can vault into the room? Why walk up a flight of stairs when you can hop four at a time? He also sports a perpetual smile and is famous for his kindness, but his eyes give away that a little mischief may be hiding behind that smile. I asked Judah’s permission to use his name (and a little bit of his personality) as the foster child character in Miles from Where We Started. I can’t wait for him to read the part he inspired.

Can’t wait for you to read it, too.

Hemmed in Hope,

Cynthia

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Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Cynthia is giving away a grand prize of the Adventure begins” large tote bag, “This way to adventure” travel notebook, “Home is Where We Park It” metal wall hanging, a teardrop camper birdhouse, PLUS a $50 gift Visa gift card…to start your adventure fund!!

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/d4ea/miles-from-where-we-started-celebration-tour-giveaway

4 thoughts on “Miles From Where We Started by Cynthia Ruchti

  1. My family and I all appreciate you bringing to our attention the book description of another great book to read. Thanks so much!

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