About the Book
Book Title: Miles from Where We Started
Author: Cynthia Ruchti
Genre: Christian Romance/Family life
Release date: October 16, 2018
These no-longer-newlyweds want out of this road trip—and their marriage. Too bad they can’t find the off ramp.
Weeks away from their one-year wedding anniversary, Mallory and Connor Duncan can’t even agree on how to end their marriage. But when a last-minute crisis lands them on a three-thousand-mile road trip together, Mallory wonders if their story may not be over after all.
The trip begins to unravel before the key is even in the ignition, and an at-risk, trouble-seeking missile of an eleven-year-old is unexpectedly launched into their travel plans. Close quarters get even tighter, and the couple believes this whole experience will spell disaster.
Their first year of marriage hasn’t been the arm-in-arm togetherness they expected. How can they find a new beginning when the road ends?
Click here to purchase your copy!
My Perspective
In Miles From Where We Started, Ruchti provides a story that will resonate with readers in a way that no other book has. This is not your run of the mill romance novel, in fact it might be the opposite, and thankfully so. How many couples do we see today that have hopes and dreams on their wedding day, only a year later to struggle in simple everyday conversation with their spouse? Ruchti gets right to the heart of the matter in the very beginning by showing us a marriage that is on the brink of disaster. Yes, this does happen to Christians people, as much as the world may think that it doesn’t. We’re only human, we make mistakes, and we grow apart from our spouses from time to time. But what this book so importantly points out is the need to work through these times. Marriage takes work, it is as simple as that. Ruchti has brilliantly put this story together, and I feel it could serve as a book of encouragement for couples out there today.
Somehow Ruchti has managed to give us several stories in one. Yes, there is the obvious journey Mallory and Connor take on the road with young Judah. There is even the obvious journey of Mallory and Connor as a couple, and what they need to go through to get back on the right track. What you might miss, however, is their personal journey as well as their spiritual journey. Connor’s especially. At one point young Judah asks him about his beliefs, and while it takes a bit of time for him to answer, I found his answer to be interesting. Then, little by little, you see his answer start to alter just a bit, until he reaches the realization of where his faith needed to be all along. Connor was easy to relate to, because he experienced things in this book (doubt, worry, fear, medical fears and more) that we have all faced a time or two. The truth is that he reacts similar to how we would as well, which makes him so likable.
Fairy tales and the Hallmark channel are quick to promote the happyily ever after stories. The reality is that doesn’t always happen, in fact on a day to day basis I think it’s pretty rare. Cynthia Ruchti has given us a story that is not only realistic, it could be exactly where we are right now in our own lives. I encourage you to read this for hope, inspiration, or for nothing else the knowledge that you are not alone. This is a book that will stay in my heart and mind for years to come. In fact, it’s probably a book that I will pick up whenever there’s a bump in my own life, to remind me of the importance of working on a marriage, and trusting the the One who created marriage to begin with.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope through novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and speaking events. She serves as the professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences across the country. She married her grade school sweetheart, and the two live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.
Guest Post from Cynthia
I have a confession to make. I heart millennials.
My other novels have had a few millennial characters. Some even played starring roles. But I knew there was more to the heart of millennials than I could gain from listening to the often unfair sighing or comedy routines about that generation. As a person, I wanted to know them better—what are they really like? What challenges do they face with which previous generations saddled them? What strengths to they offer our culture?
Until now, I hadn’t written a story about a millennial couple whose marriage was in crisis. Like, serious crisis. I-don’t-want-to-be-married-to-you-anymore. That kind of crisis.
As any good novelist knows, part of what we do to our characters is make the situation worse. So, millennial couple, approaching their one-year anniversary, ready to call it quits because “This marriage thing is really hard. Is it supposed to be so much work?” But what if…? What if they were forced to be together for three weeks…in a micro-camper…on America’s backroads…with an 11-year-old foster boy troublemaker…and both the husband’s AND the wife’s jobs depended on the trip’s success?
Plot idea in hand, I set off to write Miles from Where We Started, not entirely sure when I began the journey where they would end up or how they’d get there. It was an education for me in so many ways. The impact of the turning point of the story? In the words of my millennial friends, “That’s lit!”
Side note: I’m a big fan of a young teen musician at our church. The boy has mad skills as a keyboard artist. He approaches life as if it’s an endless game of Ninja Warrior. Why walk when you can vault into the room? Why walk up a flight of stairs when you can hop four at a time? He also sports a perpetual smile and is famous for his kindness, but his eyes give away that a little mischief may be hiding behind that smile. I asked Judah’s permission to use his name (and a little bit of his personality) as the foster child character in Miles from Where We Started. I can’t wait for him to read the part he inspired.
Can’t wait for you to read it, too.
Hemmed in Hope,
Cynthia
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 25
Reading Is My SuperPower, October 25
The Power of Words, October 25
All-of-a-kind Mom, October 26
Lighthouse Academy, October 26
Real World Bible Study, October 26
Quiet Quilter, October 27
Kristin’s Book Reviews, October 27
Christian Bookaholic, October 27
cherylbbookblog, October 28
Simple Harvest Reads, October 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Remembrancy, October 28
Godly Book Reviews, October 29
Captive Dreams Window, October 29
By The Book, October 29
Maureen’s Musings, October 30
Spoken from the Heart , October 30
SusanLovesBooks, October 30
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 31
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 31
Mary Hake, November 1
Book by Book, November 1
amandainpa , November 1
Pause for Tales, November 2
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 2
Just Commonly, November 2
Southern Gal Loves to Read, November 3
Baker Kella, November 3
Two Points of Interest, November 3
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, November 4
Inklings and Notions, November 4
Bibliophile Reviews, November 4
Texas Book-aholic, November 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 5
Janice’s Book Reviews, November 6
Carpe Diem, November 6
A Baker’s Perspective, November 6
A Diva’s Heart, November 7
Reader’s Cozy Corner, November 7
Bigreadersite, November 7
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Cynthia is giving away a grand prize of the Adventure begins” large tote bag, “This way to adventure” travel notebook, “Home is Where We Park It” metal wall hanging, a teardrop camper birdhouse, PLUS a $50 gift Visa gift card…to start your adventure fund!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d4ea/miles-from-where-we-started-celebration-tour-giveaway
Sounds like an awesome read.
I hope you think so!
Thank you for your review on ” Miles from Where We Started” by Cynthia Ruchti and for being part of the book tour.
The more I read about this book, the more I know I would enjoy reading it. Enjoyed reading the Cynthia’s guest post.
Thank you, Kay!
This looks wonderful, thank you for sharing it
I’m grateful she did, too!
I always enjoy Cynthia Ruchti’s books. This sounds like another one I need to add to my wish list.
Much appreciated, Pam!
Awesome review! Definitely makes me want to read it!
Thank you, Becca. I named another character in a different book after you without knowing it!
Sounds like a really good book that I would enjoy.
I do hope you’ll have the opportunity, Julie!
With dozens of manufacturers producing hundreds of fashions of air con, many of which can be viable units
for your residence or residence.
Great review! I am looking forward to reading this book.