Litfuse Blog Tour Event: As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti

As Waters Gone By is a deep and touching story about a woman coming to terms with the new challenges in her life.  It's a story about moving on, and allowing the "hypothetical" waters to wash away the memories of the past and begin with "a home of new memories."  This is a story that is full of fresh perspectives and has a cast of incredible characters that makes the story even more satisfying to read. 

Cynthia Ruchti is able to bring to life a story that is both new and fresh. Her writing alone makes you feel like you're in a cottage on an island, standing on the shore while you feel the waves bury your feet in the sand.  You'll want to get deeper and deeper into this story to fully appreciate all that it has to offer! 

*Also, details down below for a giveaway!*

Summary 

Emmalyn and Max Ross may have to endure the fight of their lives to mend the tattered fabric of their marriage. His actions ensured she could never be a mother and put him in prison, giving their relationship a court-mandated five-year time-out. On a self-imposed exile to beautiful but remote Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, Emmalyn has just a few months left to figure out if and how they can ever be a couple again. Nudged along by the exuberant owner of the Wild Iris Inn and Cafe, a circle of misfit people in their small town, and a young girl who desperately needs someone to love her, Emmalyn restores an island cottage that could become a home and begins to restore her heart by learning what it means to love unconditionally. Yet even as hope begins to find a place within the cottage walls, Emmalyn still wonders if she's ready for Max's release. She may be able to rebuild a cottage, but can she rebuild a marriage?  

My Thoughts

Did I sell you yet on my little intro on why you need to read basically anything by Cynthia Ruchti? I know we're not suppose to judge a book by it's cover, but I would think at least from personal experience I would reach for the book that had a more exciting cover. When it comes to Ruchti's covers there is always a purpose.  This cover is still gorgeous and it's the place where the story is driven and takes place, but you wouldn't think that such a enjoyable story would be in its pages.  Well I have to tell you it is! There is one thing that I've learned from reading Ruchti's books and it's this: take your time.  Her writing is so incredible and it feels like each sentence has a purpose.  In the first chapter she used the number three in such a way that ( I know it sounds absurd) is really cool, and as a reader I appreciate those little things that brings out an author's skills in writing.  

This story felt like a more solid Eat, Pray, Love. The main character Em starts anew on Madeline Island in wait of her husband being released from prison in 8 months.  She has time to prepare, and she does so on the island where they bought  cottage that needs a lot more care than she anticipated.  From there she meets people that she realizes have more in common with her than she thinks. She develops relationships that push her to love, care, open up and become more honest with herself and also with her husband.  There is also a young girl named Hope who challenges her the most, and through this challenge she finds the family she's being yearning for. I loved the development of Em from beginning to end, it was just a treat to read. 

Ruchti is probably one of my favorite authors when it comes to needing something a little different that stills has everything I could ask for in a book. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves 
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review.    

About the Author 

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, speaking for women’s events and retreats, writers’ events and retreats, nonfiction books and devotionals, drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry. Her books have been recognized by RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Retailers’ Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and Carol Award nominations, among other honors, including a Family Fiction Readers’ Choice Award.

Link to Author's: Facebook, Website, Twitter and Goodreads 
Purchase her book: Amazon, B&N 
*giveaway news down below*

Cynthia is celebrating the release of As Waters Gone By by giving away a summer of fun to one lucky reader!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 cash card to put toward your trip to Madeline Island (discover the beauty of the setting of As Waters Gone By) or your summer vacation destination
• A book-club set (10 copies of As Waters Gone By and a downloadable starter kit) so you can start your own summer book club

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 10th. The winner will be announced June 11th on Cynthia's blog.

 

Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia's mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you'll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200). That includes:

• The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring
• A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse
• A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal
• Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid  

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Side by Side (a novel) by Jana Kelley

Side by Side by Jana Kelley is the most compelling, exciting, and powerful read of 2015 in Christian literature.  It centers around two women that come from different backgrounds and faiths and how they soon come to depend on each other.  It shows from beginning to end how God brings them together and uses them.  It asks the question: "how far would you go to pursue your faith in God?" Would you be willing to follow Him even when your family, friends and even your own country seem to be against you?  Side by Side is a blending of real-life events and real heroes that creates a story that should be on everyone's "to be read" list.


Summary 

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia's life collides with that of another young woman. A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family's business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . .forever. Side by Side is based on real-life events. Part of New Hope Publishers' contemporary missional fiction line, Side by Side opens the reader's eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as pray for the salvation of those who persecute.

My Thoughts 

This book was a nice rest from the typical books I review on here.  I tend to review books that center around a strong female character and her love interest.  But when I saw this up for review, I knew I had to take a chance and mix up my reading.  It was so worth it.  I didn't expect the story to be so mesmerizing.  The writing was perfect: I could feel the hot days in Sudan, the mugginess of the air, I could hear the sounds the characters were hearing. I felt like I was in Sudan each time I picked up this book and read.  Kelley is a wondering writer who has taken life experiences as a missionary and other true life stories of other individuals and has presented a story that is very much current.  

What I liked about this story that it was about two strong women experiencing new changes in their life.  For Mia it was the change of surroundings and adapting to living in a new country that had different expectations of women, and for Halimah it was believing the truth of who was God and the true calling of her life.  I couldn't get over how convicting this book was, it put into perspective so many things that I think could be relateable to anyone reading this book. 

This book was intense as well.  It didn't shy away from the hard gruesome facts such as Halimah being shunned and beaten for her new found faith, and the spiritual warfare that Mia was experiencing in her doubt and fear. Yet, it didn't make the story scary at all, instead it made it inspiring. The reason being that instead of rolling up into a ball and trying to hide from the darkness of their circumstances, Halimah and Mia found strength in God and moved onward.  They knew it wasn't going to be an easy path, and still followed God's call for them. 

This book was beautiful and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to read this book.   

Rating: 5 out of 5 bookshelves. 
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review.   

About the Author  

Jana Kelley is a Texan who hardly ever lives in Texas. Raised in Southeast Asia, Jana developed a love for cross-cultural living early in life. Her love for writing came soon after. Jana returned to Texas to attend college. She and her husband married a month after she graduated, and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. After 13 years living in Africa and the Middle East, Jana, her husband, and their three boys moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live. 

Link to her: Website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads 
Purchase her book: Amazon, B&N

Happy Reading~ 
In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid