Lucy Tuttle followed in her father’s footsteps. She
has spent her life teaching music. When her position is eliminated (riffed),
everything changes in an instant. Just as her retired husband is discovering
his passion, Lucy is losing hers. Nothing in her life is going as planned, and
her family is at a loss for how to encourage her, particularly as depression is
setting in. The music in Lucy’s life begins to fade and an accident threatens her
song, possibly forever. Will she be able to find a new purpose in life, or will
her passion be silenced?
This is a prime example of Ruchti’s “hemmed in hope”
stories. Beautiful prose and raw emotions combine in this highly engaging and
uplifting tale. As a former teacher and a life-long music lover, many parts of
this story resonate with me. I love the meaning behind the title. The
characters face genuine situations, and the secondary characters are well
integrated. Ruchti addresses the sad reality of budget cuts, particularly in
the area of the arts, in schools today. Lucy is a prime example of how one’s
influence on others may not always be obvious, and the cover is a perfect fit.
If you have ever struggled with life’s detours, this is definitely a book to
check out. I read hundreds of books every year, and this has definitely earned
a place in my top five for the year!
Some of my favorite quotes include:
·
“Some days there won’t be a song in your
heart. Sing anyway.”
·
“Even for burdens we’re forced to carry,
we have to set them down once in a while… it’s the only way we’ll have the
endurance to pick them up again and keep going longer.”
Disclaimer:
I received a free copy from the publisher as part of the Litfuse Blogger
Program in exchange for an honest review.
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She is the award-winning author of 17 books and a frequent speaker for women's ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin.
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