Welcome back,
Cynthia. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who
were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their
contributions?
Two women who may never know of their influence on this
story stirred my heart and emotions during the research for A Fragile
Hope. Their videos are online. I’d be happy to share the links with
those who have read the book, if they contact me. To share them before they
read A
Fragile Hope would give too many spoilers. So all I can say is that
their courage and determination in the face of unbelievable odds helped me know
hope was possible in the situations Josiah and Karin faced in the story, the
outrageous can be true, and what love looks like when it is stretched beyond
recognition.
If you teach or
speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
I have several exciting events coming up in the next few months.
In fact, it would almost be easier to tell you the days I’ll be home! I’m
heading to Little Falls, Minnesota , at the end
of April for a women’s afternoon event on the 25th, followed by a library event
the next night—the 26th—from 6:30-8:00 in Upsala ,
Minnesota . They have a great
library and librarian who is a big, big fan of Christian fiction. That
Saturday, the 29th of April is a multi-author book signing at Bethany Books and
Gifts in Baxter , Minnesota . Gabrielle Meyer will join me for
that one.
In May, I’m journeying BACK to Minnesota to speak at a book club tea on the
7th, then the Minnesota Christian Writers’ Guild on the 8th. I’m
speaking/teaching at the Cedar Falls Writers’ Workshop in early June, then
leading worship and serving on faculty at the Write-to-Publish conference on
the Wheaton College campus immediately after that.
Toward the end of June, I’m serving at CBA’s UNITE gathering in Cincinnati . In July, I
breathe. J
Sounds wonderful. If
you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and
why?
Since I live in the heart of Wisconsin , and spring is always slow in
coming, I think I would choose someplace warmer with a longer growing season
and avocadoes for 42 cents. San Diego is
appealing, and it’s within driving distance of my birthplace—Oceanside . However, I would miss lilacs and a
white Christmas.
If you could only
tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
My counsel on this subject hasn’t changed a lot, despite the
changes in the industry. I strongly advise connecting with ACFW—American
Christian Fiction Writers—as one of many means by which to grow in the craft as
a novelist. Attend conferences that offer education plus networking plus
camaraderie with other writers (ACFW is a great example), and learn how to wait
with grace. No matter the publishing path, waiting will always be part of the
journey.
You’ve been asked to
be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why?
(AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])
Chip and Joanna Gaines (from HGTV’s Fixer Upper) would provide the program, entertainment, and humor.
They’d let me talk about spiritual restoration a time or two. My family would
use it as a reunion and provide the music. Only Chip and Joanna are celebrities,
but it would still be fun.
I love that show and
the fact that they’re so open about their faith and love their family. Tell us
about the featured book.
A Fragile Hope is a story that asks the question, “Where does a
relationship expert turn when his wife leaves him and can’t explain why?”
Josiah Chamberlain’s life’s work is threatened by his wife’s unexplained
distance—and then threatened further when she’s unexpectedly plunged into an
unending fog. Josiah quickly finds that his expertise, quick wit, and clever
quips are no match for a relationship that is clearly broken. Betrayed, confused,
and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows
about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love
Please give us the
first page of the book.
CHAPTER ONE
This wave of pain will pass. So will the next.
Life’s hard seasons rock us. Hold on.
Some years, spring comes early.
~ Seedlings & Sentiments
from the “When Sorry Isn’t Enough” Collection
from the “When Sorry Isn’t Enough” Collection
She punched the blender’s Off button hard enough to rock the
unit. Not good. All she needed was for that slurpy mixture to go flying across
the shop. Maybe Josiah had a point about the blender noise. She couldn’t think
with it whirring. How could she expect him to?
But thinking could be dangerous.
“I love this one.”
The voice came from behind her. She had no trouble
discerning who it belonged to. She gripped the handle tighter to override the
slick of her sweating palms.
“Karin, did you hear me? I said I really like this one.”
She lifted the blender pitcher from its base and held it
close to her body. Not a traditional self-defense posture. With his work cap
too far back on his head to hide the questioning crease in his forehead or the
tuft of artificially bleached-blond hair that teased the creases, Wade Frambolt
waited for her response.
“It’s part of our ‘When Sorry Isn’t Enough’ collection,” she
said as casually as she could manage. “Still so new, the ink isn’t dry yet.”
She should turn, empty the contents of the blender onto the mold-and-deckle
screen prepped for it. She should.
Wade’s mouth drew up on one side. “I don’t know how you two
keep coming up with these things. You find a way to express what people are
thinking but don’t know how to say.”
Karin’s tension eased one notch on an emotional belt with
its holes punched too close together. Not much help. “We’d better be able to do
that, or we shouldn’t have gotten into this business.” Her nervous laugh
belonged to a fourteen-year-old girl, not a business professional. With a
husband.
Wade pulled at his lower lip. She followed the path of his
gaze. The shop. Her shop. Seedlings and Sentiments.
Where can we find you
on the Internet?
When your life's work revolves around repairing other people's marriages, what happens when your own marriage begins to fall apart? Find out what happens to Josiah Chamberlain in Cynthia Ruchti's new book, A Fragile Hope. Feeling betrayed, confused, and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him. Will what's left of his faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the impenetrable wall that separates them?
Celebrate the release of A Fragile Hope by entering to win Cynthia's Sign of Hope Giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of A Fragile Hope
- A metal wall scripture hanging
Thanks so much for this opportunity to touch base with your readers, Lena !
Thank you for sharing this new book with me and my readers. Your books deal with the hard stuff with grace and truth. All of them have changed my perspective in some way. That’s why readers come back to your books over and over.
Thank you for sharing this new book with me and my readers. Your books deal with the hard stuff with grace and truth. All of them have changed my perspective in some way. That’s why readers come back to your books over and over.
Readers, here are links to the book. By
using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Fragile Hope - Christianbook.comA Fragile Hope - Amazon
A Fragile Hope - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us
where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America . (Comments containing links may be subject
to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the
number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of
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local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You
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11 comments:
Cynthia is one of my very favorite authors. She touches my soul as she gives me such reading enjoyment! Thank you for sharing today.
Blessings!!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow. That reading sample just completely drew me into the story! I already feel like I know both characters. I would love to have this book. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you so much, Connie and Tamara. It means so much when the early pages of a story draw a reader into the lives of the characters! Blessed!
I would love to read more.
Linda in So Cal
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I enjoyed your interview. I've never had the opportunity to read one of your books, but this book sounds great. I would love to read more of this book. Thank you for sharing this with us and for the opportunity of this wonderful giveaway.
Barbara (LA)
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot) com
Thank you for the interview, looking forward to reading "A Fragile Hope". - Elaine in Wisconsin
Enjoyed the interview! I'm from Missouri. Used to live in Wisconsin, 75 miles north of Green Bay! I know about short growing seasons and lots of snow! My husband wishes we had moved up there instead of here. I wanted to be closer to our four kids and grandkids. Blessings! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet
Thank you for the interview with Cynthia. I have read one of her books before. She really writes from the heart. I would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York
Looking forward to reading this book.
Beth from IA
Wonderful interview with Cynthia! Her stories impact my soul. I'm excited to read this one.
Caryl K in TEXAS
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
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