In celebration of her latest release, Cynthia has graciously offered to give away a hard copy of the book (US Only). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends December 25, 2015.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!
A Word from Cynthia…
An Endless Christmas was truly a labor of love. Endless love :) I tapped into a beautifully loving extended family (my own) who showed up in a line here, a phrase there, a grace action there throughout the story. It was a joy to use a sweet tradition of giving as part of the story and a tender song that my dear friend's husband used to sing to her every night in the months before he died. As I move through life collecting ideas and snippets of conversation and head tilts and body language and heartache, I pull from that overflowing file to create a story like An Endless Christmas. It tugs at my heart with its unique approach to the holiday that's in risk of being taken for granted unless we let ourselves "land" on it and ponder.
My Review…
Katie does not know what to expect when her
boyfriend Micah invites her to spend the holidays with his family for their
Binder Family Christmas celebration. She expects it to be extremely awkward
after she declines Micah’s proposal. Katie is harboring a secret, which leads
her to believe she could never be the wife he deserves. She is shocked by how much everyone (grandparents,
children, aunts, uncles, and grandchildren) embraces her. Everything is so
different from her own dysfunctional family. Katie is determined to put her
distress aside so that Micah’s grandparents can enjoy what may be their last
Christmas together. Will the Binder family show Katie what true acceptance really
means?
While this is a quick read, it is certainly not one
to take lightly. It is a heartwarming holiday tale, full of faith, family,
flawed but realistic characters, and numerous touching scenes. I wanted to jump
into the story at times and share the holidays with this family! Some scenes
brought back fond memories of childhood Christmases spent with my own
grandparents. The reader is left wondering for a while as to what could possibly
be preventing Katie from accepting Micah’s proposal. There were a few parts I
really loved, such as:
·
Dodie’s reminder that when you are
married you are “in it for the long haul,” which this family truly demonstrates,
·
The family bonfire where they “burn the
past year’s regrets,”
·
And the importance of honoring family
traditions because, “A family without treasured traditions isn’t very
interesting.”
Ruchti, through the voice and actions of the Binder
family members, reminds the reader how important it is to make the most of
every moment while offering forgiveness and unconditional love. This is the
perfect cozy read for the holiday season.
Disclaimer:
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Amazon link for purchase…
About Cynthia...
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope through her award-winning novels, novellas, devotionals, nonfiction, and through speaking events for women and writers. Her books have been recognized by honors such as the Selah Awards, Christian Retailings' BEST Awards, and Foreword Book Reviews Book of the Year Awards. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.
Where you can find Cynthia online…
@cynthiaruchti
