Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti


I believe I am becoming quite a fan of Cynthia Ruchti! I was first introduced to her last year when I signed up to review All My Belongings. It was such a good story. One that touched me deeply. As Waters Gone By is no different. I was happy for the chance to read it, as you can see in my review below...

As Waters Gone ByAs Waters Gone By
by Cynthia Ruchti
Christian Contemporary
Paperback, 304 Pages
May 5th 2015 by Abingdon Press

Summary

How can a marriage survive when separated by hundreds of miles and impenetrable prison walls?

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 Café, 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 Review

The first book I read from this author last year, All My Belongings, was so heartbreakingly honest. It was raw with emotion, hardship, hope, and love. As Waters Gone By fell similarly upon me as I read. There were little nuggets of wisdom spread throughout the book and sweet, intimate moments between the characters that helped to shape Emmalyn as she tried to find herself and figure out life while she waited for her husband to come home. There were so many things that she didn't realize she was running from. Blame cast and born where it shouldn't have been. She had been blind to it all. This little island community and this cottage that she works on restoring opens her eyes and gives her a hope for a better future, even when an unexpected visitor and her husband change what she thought that future would be.

I just love Ruchti's writing style! There are inspirational moments, but the are presented in such a matter-of-fact way and in just who the characters are that they felt natural, but also powerful. They made me think. I loved what Boozie, the cafe/inn owner said about Emmalyn being Rachel and not Leah. There is just a frankness in the writing and the characters themselves, an honesty that makes them relate-able and real. I just loved Bougie and Cora, Hope and Max (in the end). Most of all I loved Emmalyn and how she opened her heart and grasped the changes she needed to so she could find joy and how that whole process of change involved so many others who became dear in her life. My only complaint is that I would have loved a little more Max or maybe an epilogue.

I really loved this quote from Bougie:

As Waters Gone By was another beautiful, redemptive tale from Cynthia Ruchti. It is one that will stay with me as time passes. It has a heartfelt message. Full of friendship, family, love, and inspiration. I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy reading in the contemporary Christian fiction genre.

Content: Clean

Source: I would like to thank Abingdon Press through Litfuse for my complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

Cynthia Ruchti

Cynthia Ruchti has more than three decades of radio broadcast experience with Heartbeat of the Home radio and currently serves as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers.


Tour-Wide Giveaway

Can a marriage survive when separated by hundreds of miles and impenetrable prison walls? Find out in Cynthia Ruchti's new book, As Waters Gone By. 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.

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

as waters gone by - 400 

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.

as waters go by-enterbanner 

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
Good luck!

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