It is always an absolute delight any time I am fortunate enough to talk with today’s guest! The fact that she is a speaker at this year’s Christian Fiction Readers’ Retreat? Dream come true for me.
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories-hemmed-in-hope through her award-winning novels, novellas, nonfiction, devotions, and speaking events for women and writers. She currently serves as professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), connecting the organization with retailers, libraries, book clubs, and readers. Cynthia and grade-school sweetheart husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five (to date) grandchildren.
You can connect with Cynthia on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
Cynthia’s new release, A Fragile Hope, received a TOP PICK from RT Book Reviews!
Josiah Chamberlain’s life’s work revolves around repairing other people’s marriages. When his own is threatened by his wife’s unexplained distance, and then threatened further when she’s unexpectedly plunged into an unending fog, Josiah finds his expertise, quick wit and clever quips are no match for a relationship that is clearly broken.
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?
Yaaaaay!!! Hi Cynthia! I’m always so honored and delighted to have you on the blog! As you know, I start all of my guests out with a fast four:
Cynthia: It’s a wrestling match between cheesecake and crème brulee.
Carrie: Well, no matter which one wins, YOU win haha!
Cynthia: Lilacs, peonies, or roses? I’ll land on lilacs. So short-lived, but so beautiful and fragrant!
Carrie: Of those three, lilacs are my fave too 🙂
Cynthia: Christmas. So much to love about Christmas.
Carrie: Yes!
Cynthia: Music is so important to me, which means my “favorite” is always in flux. But “The More I Seek You” stays near the top of the list.
Carrie: Is that from Kari Jobe? I love her music!
not the Boxcar Children 😉Who is your favorite book character from childhood?
Cynthia: Here I go again, modifying the question a little. I made a strong connection with The Boxcar Children when first introduced to them in childhood. So many of my imaginary adventures had me living with them in a boxcar!
Carrie: I loved The Boxcar Children! In real life, I would not want to live in a boxcar, unless it was seriously renovated 😉 But as a child, oh how that piqued my imagination!!
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever Googled while researching a book?
Cynthia: For When the Morning Glory Blooms, I needed to know the speed limit in a Midwestern town in a particular year around the turn of the century, when automobiles were first arriving on the scene. That doesn’t seem terribly weird right now, but it was amazing how deep I had to dig to find that information!
Carrie: Haha! That’s going the extra mile, so to speak 😀
In A Fragile Hope, Josiah Chamberlain is a “marriage miracle worker” whose own marriage is in crisis. As readers, we are inside Josiah’s head to experience most of the novel through his perspective. What, if anything, surprised you about Josiah as you yourself “got inside his head” to write this story?
Cynthia: Josiah turned out to be much more sensitive than I at first assumed. His career had made him artificially arrogant and overly self-assured, when at his core, he was as broken and needy as any of the rest of us.
Carrie: So often, arrogance is just a mask for brokenness, isn’t it?
You’ve been married a few years. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given about making marriage work? And what is the best advice you would give in return?
Cynthia: My marriage is always at its best when my husband and I (married 45 years this summer) can see the humor in the situation, whatever it is—ailing vehicle, spilled milk, a missing memory, dryer making a funny noise, a ridiculous influx of bills, an unintentionally thoughtless comment… Finding the humor in it makes a huge difference. The best advice I would give is to pre-forgive. Determine early in the relationship to pre-forgive any future disappointments.
Carrie: Humor and forgiveness are both so key! i love this advice!
What do you most want readers to take away from A Fragile Hope?
Cynthia: “Where would we be if we hadn’t discovered that seeds of hope can grow in mud?” It’s a quote from the book, but it’s also a life principle that can remind us that even when we think the hope we’re holding onto seems fragile, it is tenacious. It survives cold and drought and all kinds of battering and still manages to germinate.
Carrie: Yes! Amen.
My sweet friend, thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Cynthia: In addition to a couple of fiction and non-fiction projects in progress, I have a book of encouragement and reflections releasing in June from Worthy Inspired—As My Parents Age.
Carrie: If you write it, I will read it 😀 Excited for everything on the bookish horizon!
Cynthia Ruchti is graciously offering a paperback of A Fragile Hope to one of my readers! (US only) Giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be seen at the Disclosure page. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What’s the best advice (marriage or otherwise) that you’ve been given?
Best advice is “Never go to sleep angry/upset”
great advice! I should follow it more lol
Sometimes my husband and I have either “stayed up into the night” or we’ve mutually agreed to pick up the discussion the next day. One of us (won’t mention which one) doesn’t think clearly late at night to work through difficulties. But I discovered a few years ago that he (oops, gave it away) does much better if he has a few days to think things through. If I allow him those two or three days, the discussion always goes much more smoothly!
I’m not entering the giveaway because I already have a copy of this book. It’s a wonderful book. Seeing the growth in the characters made the story memorable.
yes!
Thanks so much, Bonnijean.
To communicate! To many times we “assume” someone knows how we feel or what we are thinking. There isn’t anything that can’t be worked out if you’re both talking and LISTENING to each other. We have been through things that would and have torn a lot of couples apart, including the lose of our only child at age 17, but we talked, cried, hugged and did it all together talking out our feelings. And the old saying never go to bed angry helps too. 🙂
Amen. Thank you for sharing this, Kay!
I wish I’d learned much, much sooner how important clear communication is to a marriage. Still working on it, after all these years.
Carrie, I read your blog daily and though I don’t comment each time there’s no way I’m not trying for Cynthia’s Giveaway.
Cynthia, I’m a big fan of your novels. Love the strong stories!
I love this, Elaine (and you)!
Thanks, Elaine! Strong stories. Love the way you worded that. I appreciate your comment.
Best advice……learn how to bite your tongue! Lol
Mmmhmm. Mine has scars LOL
I’m impressed with the concept that sometimes what is tiptoeing on the tip of my tongue, fighting to get out and be expressed, is so much better expressed in prayer to God rather than in a complaint to the person. 🙂
Best advice? Put the needs of your spouse before you own. For an it’s “all about me” kind of gal, being so independent, it’s something I have to remember every day. My husband is so selfless, putting me first, that I get lazy about putting him first, sometimes.
And that works in just about every other relationship, too, doesn’t it? Good advice!
Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s mostly all small stuff too.
Divorce is not an option. I do have the exception of physical or sexual abuse.
wise advice 🙂
Someone once challenged me to ask myself, “Five years from now, will this issue–like his forgetting to pick up milk when he was in town–matter at all?” Usually the answer is no. If it won’t matter then, it shouldn’t be a big deal now.
i love that! Writing that down
Our 20th anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I have a blog post written on some of the things I’ve learned and am still learning about marriage. This one is a biggie: “Take risks. Not wild, devil-may-care risks. Calculated risks in the direction God is leading you. Trust Him more. Sometimes you have to step out in faith.”
i love that, Carolyn!
The application of faith, hope, and love to our marriage seems nearly as important as it is to our relationship with God!
I am so looking forward to this book! I have been married almost 35 years. I totally agree with Cynthia – humor – if I am trying to hang on to a silly argument, my husband always tries to make me crack a smile. If I do, the fight is instantly over. Also, remember that what seems big at the moment you probably won’t even remember next month.
so true!
Hi, Kim! Loved your story. “The fight is instantly over.” That’s the sign of a healthy relationship.
Listen, be patient and know thyself.
And I might add, “Know thy spouse.” It took me so long to figure out who he is at his core. Loved him. But now I really love him. 🙂
The Lord’s mercies are new very morning. Make sure yours are too.
oh i love that!
JJ, I can see that as an image meme on Facebook!
me too!
The best marriage advice I received was “forgive, forgive and forgive again”!
amen!
When our mate can expect forgiveness from us, it de-fuses some of the defensiveness that can escalate a problem.
Don’t jump to conclusions. But keep those lines of communication open. Make sure your spouse know what you mean. Don’t require them to be a mind reader! Been married 48 years in June!
that advice is clearly working! 😀
So many women think it is a sign of love if a spouse can anticipate our needs before we mention them. That. Just. Doesn’t. Happen. Often. His love is displayed by his reaction when we DO share our needs! 🙂
such good truth!
Always treat others the way you want to be treated.
Mariyn
If we applied that as thoroughly as God intended, wouldn’t the world be a lovely place?
Always treat others the way you want to be treated.
Marilyn
A Fragile Hope is one of the very best books I have ever read. 🙂
Thank you, Melissa!
Marriage is a cord of three strands – God, you, your spouse. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
amen.
Good truth there!
Don’t dwell on the small stuff. Know when to let go and move on.
If we make hope our dwelling place, we won’t be disappointed.
Marriage is 60 40 both ways
Clever and true!
Marriage is not 50/50, it’s 100/100. Keep your sense of humor. This, too, shall pass.
Such a lovely interview, Carrie and Cynthia!Thanks for featuring Cynthia Ruchti today, Carrie!
I just finished reading and reviewing A Fragile Hope, Cynthia. I totally loved it! It was so thought-provoking and heart-changing. I only have one complaint: I had a very hard time writing a review without giving away any of the plot points! I normally have difficulty putting my thoughts into words, but doing that while trying not to say too much about the plot and the changes occurring in the characters was hard! 😀
the struggle is real 😉
I hear you! I feel the same way as I talk about the book for radio interviews! I hope that intrigues readers to find out what all the mystery is about!
Best advice: forgive quickly.
If our only competition was to see who could forgive first, wouldn’t that make a huge difference? 🙂
When you are dating you look at your fella through rose colored glasses. After you marry, you look at him with a magnifying glass. It should be the other way around. When you are dating, examine your fella with a magnifying glass. When you are married, look at him with rose colored glasses.
I love that, Jocelyn!
Great advice for every dating couple!
Learn to let things go.
Cynthia Ruchti’s books are always wonderful, very thought-provoking with lots of wisdom. I’m happy to have a chance to win A Fragile Hope.
They absolutely are!
Thank you, Pam. You blessed me with these thoughts.
Communication is always a must. If you don’t talk things over it builds up. Never go to bed angry and keep God # 1 in your lives.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Anything that builds up or piles up can be a tripping hazard!
Never assume the other person knows what you want or need in the relationship/marriage. We aren’t mind readers. We need to communicate with each other. Also be able to truly forgive. True forgiveness doesn’t keep a record of wrongs and grudges. If we forgive, we don’t bring it up to throw in their face.
Thank you for the interview,
Stephanie C.
I Corinthians 13 tells us to keep NO RECORD OF WRONGS. Whew! That’s a great challenge!
Lately the advice is about enjoying being single. My married friends all tell me now is the best time to be totally devoted to God and be in the position to go anywhere and do anything for him.
What a rich lesson in your comment, Sonnetta! Yay, you!
I love the pre-forgive advice!
Imagine knowing you could count on pre-forgiveness!
My parents always seemed to say “everything in moderation” a lot and I still use that adage myself!
Thanks, Diane. It works in lots of situations.
Remember, marriage is ’til death do you part and forgive, forgive, forgive!
Great words, Linda. Vows are not mere sentences. We sometimes forget that.
love that!
Never give up! Keep trying to be the very best you can be!
Our God is the God of Hope and of Endurance. Working in tandem, they are powerful forces for longevity in marriage.
Best advice, Think before you speak.
What a concept, Shirley! It may sound a little overused, but asking ourselves, “Is it kind?, Is it helpful?, Is it necessary?” goes a long way in guarding our mouths.
“This, too, shall pass.” Is my mantra during difficult times.
No matter season. Good advice.
Best advice – Pray together.
My husband and I have a sweet time of prayer every night before lights out. Wouldn’t want to miss that treasured time.
love that <3
Oh my, would I love to win this book!
Is it wrong that I’m rooting for all of you who’ve commented? 🙂
good luck, Debra!
Look to God, not your mate, for your true source of happiness & joy. Humans are imperfect, and probably will let you down. My mother-in-law told me this when we got married.
Smart mother-in-law!
Love is a choice!
amen.