Facing the Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti | Contemporary Fiction Review

Facing The Dawn

Cynthia Ruchti

Contemporary Fiction

While her humanitarian husband Liam has been digging wells in Africa, Mara Jacobs has been struggling. She knows she's supposed to feel a warm glow that her husband is eight time zones away, caring for widows and orphans. But she is exhausted, working a demanding yet unrewarding job, trying to manage their three detention-prone and needy kids, failing at her to-repair list, and fading like a garment left too long in the sun.

Then Liam's three-year absence turns into something more, changing everything and plunging her into a sunless grief. As Mara struggles to find her footing, she discovers that even when hope is tenuous, faith is fragile, and the future is unknown, we can be sure we are not forgotten . . . or unloved.

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My Thoughts

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 would also like to add that if you are in a book club this would be an excellent selection. The author and publisher have put together a wonderful packet that can be fun and useful during your discussion. You can download it HERE.

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