Facing the Dawn - by Cynthia Ruchti

Author Cynthia Ruchti writes stories that touch the heart and soul of the reader. I couldn't stop reading this one. Even after I read the last page and closed the book, my tears continued to come. A story of family, loss, pain, heartache, faith, love and new beginnings. A great story. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

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.

While Facing the Dawn is a fiction novel, it does not read like one. It is so much more than a fictional novel, it is rich and profound. I was immediately drawn into the story from the opening scene. I had heard quite a bit about the book before I read it, mostly to have the tissues ready. I would advise that as well, although I did not cry, but so many things resonated in this book for me. Mara means bitter but it also means something else. At the beginning of the novel, Mara is essentially a single mom who is bitter with the way her life is going, relying heavily on sarcasm to keep herself afloat. Her husband, Liam, is digging wells in Uganda and has been gone for three years. When unimaginable tragedy strikes Mara's world is flipped upside down, with so many things coming to a head as once, Mara doesn't know if she is coming or going, and neither does the reader. Mara is blessed with two great friendships in this book. An old friend, Ashley, and a new friend Sol. Ashley is dealing with some struggles and grief and Sol is a homeless enigma. They both help Mara in different ways and set about to teach her that Mara is more than bitter. I loved the friendship between these three, it is real and beautiful. Facing the Dawn is a journey from dark to light, from death to resurrection, from fear to love, from scared to sacred. This story is told with attention to detail, an excellent balance of dialogue and narration. Faith is intrinsically woven throughout the story, not preachy, just flowing naturally. The character development is excellent and the characters are relatable. While I have not experienced the issues that Mara did, I found so many deep, thought-provoking comments in this story. The first thought that resonated with me was in the narration about Mara. It said, "But once someone reaches the point marked 'Overwhelmed,' even basic upkeep bows to the kids' needs, and every loose hinge or carpet stain threatens to unhinge a person like Mara, the responsible one. The one who spent a lifetime convincing people she could manage fine." That is something that most of us do. I was also struck with "Mara's someday list" and allowing "herself to dream." While this book is not intended to give lessons, it gave me one, and if you read it, it might teach you something as well. When the pandemic hit we all had to cancel our plans, more than a year later, and reading this book, I realized that I am not allowing myself to dream. I, like Mara, have been stuck in "overwhelmed" and not dreaming or planning. That is not where we are intended to stay. We need to process and move forward, which is eventually what Mara does. I cannot stress enough how well-written Facing the Dawn is. While it is about grief and tragedy, there is sarcasm and humor sprinkled in as well, helping to balance the story. The writing is conversational and engaging. The storyline is phenomenal. It was absolutely life-changing and thought-provoking. I would highly recommend this story for anyone who likes contemporary stories, especially ones that lean toward inspirational. Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to read this amazing book. I was not required to give a positive review but I am more than happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm not one to judge a book by it's cover, unless you include the author's name. But I have to admit the cover and story synopsis on the back of the book did nothing to peak my interest. I'm glad I decided to go with my instinct about the author. Cynthia Ruchti has written a story that captured me from the beginning. The main character is Mara and let me tell you her life went from bad to worse all in the course of a few chapters. Mara experienced tragedy after tragedy. Some less earth shattering but others life altering. So why did I keep reading? Mara has a friend named Ashlee. Would that we all had a friend like her. Ashlee has experienced her fair share of grief but she continues to look to Christ and gently (sometimes not so gently) pulls Mara down the same path. There are other characters like Mara's children and family friend Solomon who contribute to the hopefulness of this tale. But the beautiful part is that of the enduring friendship between Mara and Ashlee. Facing the Dawn has jumped to my favorite read so far in 2021. I hope you'll give it a look. If you're in a hard spot it may bring a bit of sunshine into your life. If you're in a comfortable spot you'll be able to appreciate the journey of the two friends. I highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

Facing the Dawn is filled with beautiful words, overwhelming emotions, and characters that could be you and me. Mara Jacob's feelings are vividly portrayed as she journeys into the world of overwhelming grief. It appears that she will drown in a sea of sorrow as she copes with her husband's unexpected death, and shortly after, another tragic loss. Thankfully, she has people who love her, and they become her lifelines in her efforts to find solid footing. This book has exceptional characters, and realistic situations but faith and hope are the keys to Facing the Dawn. Author Cynthia Ruchti has created a tale that is heart-tugging and heartbreaking, but ultimately, an encouraging and gratifying story! Ruchti shares many references to God and his Word, but she also offers meaningful and eye-opening observations. Sacred and scared have the same letters. "When life falls apart, God's Plan hasn't. It's still active but adds a soul-healing component." Facing the Dawn is a hard book to read because it has all of the emotions we associate with death. It may make you cry, but it also shares a message of love and hope. It is a stunning book that will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction. This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews. There was no obligation for a favorable review and I am voluntarily sharing my own thoughts.

There are no sufficient words that would describe how deeply this book touched me. In the midst of reading the story, I faced a very difficult situation. A very special and dear friend was tragically killed in a car accident a week ago. I am still in shock and haven’t processed it yet. This book is about grief and how a woman faces it head on. I prayed that among the pages God would give me words to comfort me. The main character at times seemed almost bitter at the situation of her life. She was raising three kids alone as her husband was thousands of miles away. His work as a humanitarian was demanding but fulfilling. I can understand Mara’s frustration as she deals with a son who has chosen to deter from what is right to a place where he is slipping away from reality. It was hard to read the devastating news Mara receives about her husband. Oh how my heart broke for her as she now faces a life alone without her spouse. There are moments she is angry because her husband chose to live far away. The author guides us through Mara’s grief process one step at a time. I absolutely adored her friend Ashlee. She reconnects with Mara at a time that only God could have ordained. Her compassion is evident as she becomes a lifeline for Mara. I liked how the author emphasizes the importance of allowing people to walk beside you as you grieve. Just when I thought the story was starting to settle down a bit, another tragedy strikes Mara. This one was extremely difficult and I cried as she faced the grim truth of a life lost so unexpectedly. I’m sure she blamed herself at times but there in the shadows was God whispering that she was not alone. The faith element in the story is deep and shared scriptures that gives hope for a new day. I pondered over the title for quite awhile. I wanted God to show me what it meant for me as I grieve for my friend and my brother who I lost almost two years ago. I felt this stirring within me that said that though I miss those who have died, I must now face a new day. Just like Mara who found a way to get peace and close a chapter in her life, I need to do the same. I appreciate the author writing a story that digs up our hidden hurts and opens them for healing. She shows us through Mara that we can go on, we can forgive and we can find peace. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

This is a book about grief. Gut-wrenching, you-don't-know-where-your-next-breath-will-come-from-grief. It is also a novel of hope, and it garners my highest recommendation Snarky isn't my thing, so it took me a while to like Mara Jacobs. In her defense, she was just doing her best to survive, and I get that. But as the story progressed and I caught glimpses of her true heart, she became someone I cared about deeply. It was amazing to witness the transformation of her family. While Mara was at her deepest point of suffering, God put people in the Jacobs family to walk them through their grief. I loved seeing the surprises and changes that God orchestrated with no input from Mara. Someone dealing with fresh grief may need to wait awhile before reading this book. But the rest of us should read it and appreciate the themes of friendship, hope, loyalty, and compassion.

"It was time for the sacred to win out over scared. How curious that those two words were so different but shared the same vowels and consonants with only two of them reversed. Scared could, theoretically, be converted into sacred with very little effort." This is not the book to read when you're in the mood for light, fluffy romance. The author addresses really tough issues like insurmountable grief, substance abuse, broken dreams, shattered faith, and depths of despair with raw and gut-wrenching emotions and transparency. But once you pick up the book, you will not be able to put it down. With her beautiful and lyrical writing, Cynthia Ruchti will pull you into the almost stream of consciousness type of storytelling as Mara travels her journey from bitterness, resentment, and self-blame to beauty, love, and hope even in the midst of ashes and pain. This is a book that will stay with you a long time after you've finished the last page. Mara has a quirky sense of humor and a hefty dose of sarcasm and cynicism in her personality. It was very easy to relate to her fears, angst, and heart cries regarding her children since I have children who are similar ages as Mara. Life really beats her up but the unwavering and faithful friends she has in Ashlee and Sol encourage, embrace, push, shove, and redirect with just the right amount of love, correction, and discipline. There isn't much romance in the book but the solidarity and loyalty found in God-ordained friendships clearly shines through the pages. If you enjoy women's fiction that digs deep and makes you reflect, you will absolutely love this book. I received the book from Revell via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

This book is going to make you cry and question why things happen the way they do. This will help you to rebuild your faith or make it stronger. This is a wonderful way to look at how people process their grief differently. It was hard to read this story in places because I wanted to cry so hard. I received a copy of this book from the author fir a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

"When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O, Lord have mercy on me." Water. Mara Jacobs is not afraid of water . . . only what it represents. "Clean water took Liam's heart to Africa. Muddy water took his health. Lack of water took . . . . ". Yes, it took her husband away from her. Liam Jacobs dedicated his life to providing clean drinking water for those who needed it the most, deep in the heart of Uganda. Having served three of his four years under contract with Deep Wells, Inc. the news that Mara received was shocking. She wasn't prepared. The irony of it all. Hadn't she been the one continually assuring Liam that she was prepared . . . for anything, but this. Plunged into the depth of colorless days and endless nights, Mara struggles to find her footing; goodness, even getting out of bed takes more energy that she can manage to find or admit. Her three teen children, typically challenging her sanity with their usual pushbacks against her authority(while making it perfectly clear that she is not the "fun" parent), are now reeling from the news that has rocked their world to the core. As if hitting rock bottom isn't enough, the unthinkable occurs, and Mara finds herself being sucked further into oblivion, her already delicate soul suffering relentless waves of hopelessness and despair. When life becomes absolutely silent, God's still small voice faithfully carries His message; "guard the dawn". With the help of her forever friend Ashlee, and a surprising new acquaintance Sol, Mara begins the agonizing journey towards the light of life. What a tough and tender approach to loss. I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

I had no idea what to expect, and this book was not at all what I expected. I could not put it down! It was so good, and difficult as the characters face some really hard things. In Facing the Dawn, author Cynthia Ruchti explores grief in a very real way. The readers have a close-up view of devastation & hope, fear & faith, and beautiful forever friends. I got a kick out of the snarky and funny mostly-in-her-head comments by Mara Jacobs. "Was there such a thing as respite care for parents? And if so, where did she sign up?" "Sometimes a parent is called upon to express a hopeful attitude not necessarily aligned with reality." "The adventure of loving is like riding a bike on gravel and shorts and flip-flops. Pain is inevitable." "What kind of mental/emotionally unstable/ early onset test was this? " "I can't know the end of my story, God. And I have to be okay with that, don't I? " The characters are so genuine, and the author has a beautiful way of elevating them out of their grief into something better. I appreciated both the humor and the "realness" of the story. I highly recommend Facing the Dawn. Thank you to the author, publisher, and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This book grabbed me on page one. It felt actually quite poignant to me as I read of the trials that Mara was facing. She has many struggles to deal with which can bring out the tears in anyone. You feel her pain. You know this is a Christian book as you find hope in Jesus who is always there, and even when we don't realize it. I enjoyed the Christian aspect of this book. You can feel how alone she feels and remember your own personal times of struggle. The book will move you and perhaps make you want to take a break from reading yet it is hard to do so. I often have a difficult time reading books like this but it is worth sticking with it. I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. All thoughts are my own.

This is the first novel I have read by Cynthia Ruchti. Facing the Dawn is unlike any book I have read lately. Lately I have been reading a lot of suspense and romantic Christian fiction novels but this one falls into a category all its own. If I had to put this book into a category, then it might be called real life is messy and not always easy fiction. The author does an exceptional job of handling difficult situations in this novel; however, some of these difficult situations may trigger some people when reading this novel. You may find yourself feeling the emotions that the main character, Mara Jacobs, is feeling and losing yourself in the story. I do believe that if you can handle reading about some of the harder events that can occur in life then you will appreciate this novel. While it is not my typical type of read, it is really well done. I would recommend this book to the others. Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.