Author: Cynthia Ruchti

Welcome...

To Hope-Inspired Stories, for anyone who'd like to discover more about books and stories that uplift and encourage.

Several years ago, while teaching high school art, I found out I was as thrilled as my students when they won awards or were acknowledged for their accomplishments, and that promoting other people's good works was very gratifying. 

So it's my hope you are blessed with a message of grace through the words of authors featured here. 

Please join me each week as writers of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals; of romance, mystery, historical and contemporary stories share their work.

My guest this week to celebrate August's contemporary women's fiction and romances is Cynthia Ruchti, author of Miles From Where We Started, (due out in October) and an agent at Books & Such Literary.  We think you'll find Cynthia's stories...."hemmed in hope." 

Miles From Where We Started
Publisher: Gilead Publishing

Oct. 18, 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 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.

But as new challenges pop up around each bend, Mallory and Connor are surprised by the strengths they see in one another--and how they complement each other. Their first year of marriage hasn't been the arm-in-arm togetherness they expected . . . but can they find a new beginning when the road ends?

Author: Cynthia Ruchti

As My Parents Age
Publisher: Abingdon Press
April 4, 2017

For most of us it is not the “ifs” but the “whens”: when I notice the first signs; when we mourn the role reversal; when my children need me too; or when I don’t know how to pray. 

Those are just a few of the fifty-two reflections on the changes, challenges, and blessings of loving your parent as they grow older. Their lives – and yours – begin to change. Knowing that you are not alone, that others have been where you are, is encouraging and uplifting. 

This is not a how-to, but a me-too, as you see yourself and your own situation lived out in the stories of others.


A Fragile Hope
Publisher: Worthy Inspired
June 13, 2017

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?

A Contemporary song that I feel carries the essence of Cynthia's stories...

No Turning Back ~ Brandon Heath

...We need to think more carefully of what we do now; because "There's No turning Back"

A reminder: The authors presented here value your insights, so don't forget to leave a comment. You will be included in a drawing for a book by the author featured during that week. 

...And as a Follower of Hope-Inspired Stories, your name will be added to a multiple-prize drawing at the end of this month. August's giveaway: a pretty tote filled with gifts that include this month's DVD--the Hallmark movie, "Bound by a Secret," starring Leslie Ann Warren, a journal, a 25.00 gift card, lovely organic handmade bath soap and more, all reflecting this month's summery romantic mood. 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).

Hope-Inspired Stories Photo:  The beautiful photo of Sodus Bay, N.Y. during a particularly harsh storm on Lake Ontario earlier this year was taken by photographer and sister in Christ, Ginger Strom. Note the courageous lone seagull taking flight in the upper right corner of the photo.   

Thank you...May you all be blessed and inspired! 
Pat Iacuzzi