Facing the Dawn By Cynthia Ruchti

facing the dawn

by Cynthia Ruchti

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 9780800737290

I haven't read a Cynthia Ruchti book before, can you believe it? So, I figured since it was available for review, why not give her a try. Oh boy, I had NO idea what I was in for. hahaha What an introduction to an author. Thank you to Revell for this story to review.

Summary:

While her humanitarian husband Liam has been digging wells in Africa, Mara Jacobs has been struggling. She knows she's supposed to feel a warm glow that her husband is eight time zones away, caring for widows and orphans. But she is exhausted, working a demanding yet unrewarding job, trying to manage their three detention-prone and needy kids, failing at her to-repair list, and fading like a garment left too long in the sun.

Then Liam's three-year absence turns into something more, changing everything and plunging her into a sunless grief. As Mara struggles to find her footing, she discovers that even when hope is tenuous, faith is fragile, and the future is unknown, we can be sure we are not forgotten . . . or unloved.

My Review:

Facing the Dawn was brilliant! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.

If you'd like a book that wrecks you while you also laugh in spite of yourself, welcome to your next read. I'm not kidding though, have your tissues handy.

When I first met Mara, she made me chuckle and groan. Poor woman could NOT catch a break, but she uses sarcasm to get through each issue that reared its ugly head. She has two teenagers on the brink of disaster and a preteen who is the helpful one. It seemed like just as Mara was about to take a breath, she'd get another phone call or letter, and I would be like, "NO!"

This woman, this family, goes through SO much. Thankfully "Miss Independent" has people around her to help her through the muck and mire. They continually turn her toward God. That is the deep driving force of this story. And Mara (which means "bitter"), her conversations with God give me a chuckle because I could hear myself saying the same things. There is also so much beauty in the story, especially her relationship with her forever friend, Ashlee. Ashlee plays such a pivotal role in Mara's journey throughout the story. We all need an Ashlee in our lives... or maybe we are an Ashlee. 

What I also liked about this story is that we don't get all of the answers. I mean that on a more personal level. I was wondering about the thoughts one of the characters had. What was their emotions? What were they going through over the past few years? It's frustrating as all get out, but true to life.

I honestly can't recommend this story enough.

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I do have a content warning, but it gives away a piece of this story that you might not want to know about. So read ahead only if you want to truly be warned. If you can read about difficult topics without reading the warning, I would encourage you to not read any further. There's nothing descriptive in the story, but it IS a topic that is covered.

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*The topic of accidental suicide is covered in this story. It's not graphic or descriptive. It is a piece of this story though and wanted to warn people who have dealt with this tragedy. I want you to know that the author covers the topic with grace and dignity. It's a powerful piece of the story and you feel God's presence all the way through.

About the Author:

Cynthia Ruchti is the award-winning author of more than 30 books, including the novels Miles from Where We Started, A Fragile Hope, Song of Silence, When the Morning Glory Blooms, and They Almost Always Come Home. Her books have been honored with more than 40 awards, including Romantic Times' Inspirational Novel of the Year, two Selah Awards, and three Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, and she has been a finalist for many others, including the Carol and the Christy. Former president of and current professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Cynthia lives in Wisconsin and can be found online at www.cynthiaruchti.com.