Monday, August 02, 2010

They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti

They Almost Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti
Abingdon, ISBN 978-1-4267-0238-9, PB, 301 pages, $13.99

--Review by Crystal Laine Miller

Libby and Greg flail in the 20-year-plus marriage after the death of their daughter, Lacey. Greg heads for a solo canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness. When he doesn't return home on time, Libby; her father-in-law, Frank, and best friend, Jen, decide to look for him.

Tenderfoots Libby and Jen and seasoned Frank all struggle with their own faith as they fight for their lives, searching for Greg, as Libby gets to know her husband through his past wilderness journeys.

This book is a page-turner full of adventure, rich characterizations, and spiritual revelation. Readers will need to keep tissues handy. Discussion questions at the end make it suitable for book groups. This is one of my favorite books so far this year, and I highly recommend it to women over 30.


--REPRINTED from Church Libraries, Summer 2010. Used with Permission.


About the Author: Cynthia Ruchti

Cynthia Ruchti is the current president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), which she’s served in various volunteer capacities since shortly after she became a member in 2002. In her role as president of ACFW, Cynthia writes a monthly “From the President” column for ACFW’s Afictionadoezine. For two years she was one of four humor columnists for Afictionado’s“Let There Be Lite.” In 2007, she was the recipient of the ACFW Member Service Award. In 2008, Cynthia won second place for Women’s Fiction in ACFW’s prestigious Genesis Contest.

Her debut novel—They Almost Always Come Home—released in spring 2010 with Abingdon Press. She’s represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.
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Cynthia writes stories of hope that glows in the dark, merging her love for storytelling with inextinguishable hope for inexpressible hurts. Her novels in progress include On the Night He Was Betrayed, All My Belongings, When the Morning Glory Blooms, and Afraid of the Light.
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The radio broadcast Cynthia writes and produces — The Heartbeat of the Home — is celebrating its 30th year of ministry. The scripted radio drama/devotional broadcast airs on 16 radio stations and two cable/digital television stations. Cynthia is the editor of the ministry’s Backyard Friends magazine, a twenty-page, twice annual publication that reaches 5,000 homes, churches, and parachurch outreaches.
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Cynthia’s articles have appeared in a number of publications, including Christian Communicator, Victory In Grace, Quality of Life Times, and others. Her essay “Reading by Flashlight, Writing by Heart” appears in Cup of Comfort for Writers. She also has an essay in Writing So Heaven Will Be Different, a compilation commemorating the 35th year of the Write-to-Publish writers conference. She writes a monthly column for Wisconsin Christian News and has written a number of feature articles for that publication.
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Cynthia spends her days diving into words, worship, and wonder and celebrating 37 years of marriage, three grown children, and five exceptional grandchildren. One of her greatest joys is helping other writers grow in their craft. To that end, she is the assistant director and a faculty member of the Quad Cities Christian Writers Conference, has served as worship and devotions staff for the Write-to-Publish conference, and teaches at other conferences as opportunities arise. She speaks to women’s groups, at mother-daughter banquets, and for women’s refresher days. It is her delight to serve on her church’s worship team and Creative Arts team. Rather than “busy,” she likes the term “active.”

9 comments:

Cynthia Ruchti said...

Thank you so much, Crystal! Your assessment means so much.

Cynthia Ruchti said...

I'm looking forward to connecting with your readers.

Crystal Laine said...

How delightful to have you, Cynthia, to check in.

Do any of you have a question about Cynthia's book, her writing or ACFW? :)

Do check the links in the post and give her book a read.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Great review and biographical sketch, Crystal.

Cynthia, did you conduct any on location research? How did you get the information for your setting?

Blessings,
Susan :)

jel said...

will have to check it out!

thanks Crystal :)

jel said...

if all go right, should have my copy next week :)

jel said...

was a T AWESome read ! :)

Cynthia Ruchti said...

Wow, Jel! You're speedy! Thank you so much, everyone, for the lovely comments.

jel said...

couldn't put it down :)

check out my jelspeaks blog
too see what i said about it
hope ya don't mind, what i said . :)