Afraid of the Light

by Cynthia Ruchti

Overview

“Cynthia Ruchti delivers it all in this masterful, compassionate tale of redemption.”
—Rhonda Rhea, award-winning humor columnist, TV personality, and author

Clinical psychologist Camille Brooks isn’t put off by the lifestyle of her hoarder clients and the distress of their families. She lost her mother to the crippling anxiety disorder—so she’ll go a long way to help others avoid the same pain.

Despite Camille’s expertise, her growing audience for her Let In the Light podcast, and the recognition she’s gaining for her creative coaching methods, she’s not prepared for the pushback. A client who looks uncannily like her mom catches her off guard and raises long-dormant issues. And the revelation that Camille has her own hoarding problem sends her spinning.

With the help of a cadre of unexpected friends, an enigma of a man who refuses to be discouraged, and the God who created and loves her, can she face her fears, pull back the curtains, and let the light into her own life?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825476921
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	06/16/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	763,119
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope through novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and speaking events. She serves as the professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a frequent speaker at writers conferences across the country. She married her grade school sweetheart, and the two live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren. Find her at cynthiaruchti.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/18/2020

Ruchti (Miles from Where We Started) delivers an insightful portrait of a wounded psychologist trying to make amends for the mother with hoarding disorder that she couldn’t save. Camille Brooks, host of the Let in the Light podcast, aims to help hoarders. Eli Rand, a local trash hauler, wants to sponsor Camille’s podcast and help her clean out clients’ homes. Wary of the garbage collector but needing the cleaning help, she accepts his offer and is soon frustrated when Eli interferes with how she works with her clients. Eli interjects in an effort to find the root of their traumatic stories, and argues that his ideas may be a gift from God. Though Eli’s work becomes indispensable in cleaning houses, Camille worries he may be hiding his own hoarding disorder, a deal-breaker for any budding relationship. When a client, Allison, reminds Camille of her mother, she confronts her childhood memories of living with a hoarder and determines to help Allison reconcile with her own estranged children. As Camille and Eli discover each other’s secrets, they realize they share much in common, but it will take a leap of faith for Camille to begin to trust. This sensitive portrayal of mental illness and its generational impact is Ruchti’s best work yet. (June)

Publishers Weekly

I anxiously await every one of Cynthia Ruchti’s hemmed-in-hope novels. With wit, winsomeness, and wisdom she stitches together characters who could live in my real-world circles—folks with longings that resonate with my own heart.

Janet Holm McHenry

"Filled with heartfelt moments and dynamic characters."

Woman's World

Another winner by Ruchti. She never disappoints her readers.

Lauraine Snelling

Who knew that a novel about hoarding could hold both quirky romance and redemptive healing in equal measure? Hoarding is a deeply painful and multifaceted disorder, yet favorite author Cynthia Ruchti brings great compassion and finesse to the issue in Afraid of the Light. I entered a whole new world as I eagerly devoured the story of Camille and Eli reaching out in different ways (and for different reasons) to those trapped in the prison of their own accumulations. Ruchti’s extensive research gave me greater insight and empathy, and the love story is clever and utterly endearing. Ruchti is such a grand storyteller, reminding us all that there truly can be complete (albeit slow) transformation through the healing power of Jesus—the only source of Light.

Lucinda Secrest McDowell

She’s done it again! Cynthia Ruchti is a captivating wordsmith with a talent for telling poignant stories that wrap around your heart, mind, and life in a way that makes you a better person for picking up her books.

Pam Farrel

I could hardly wait to open the pages of Afraid of the Light. And I wasn’t disappointed. Cynthia Ruchti captivated me from the first lines and pulled me deep into the characters—each one filled with quirks and relatable conflicts. Ruchti never disappoints.

Karen Porter

Relevant and provocative. We can each learn something about ourselves through the characters in Afraid of the Light.

Debbie Macomber

Ruchti’s book shines a light on the realities of hoarding and its impact on those around the hoarder. As protagonist Camille Brooks deals with her own hoard, I was often prompted to look around (both physically and emotionally) to see what I was stashing and where I needed to sort and toss.

Becky Turner

Afraid of the Light holds surprising moments of laughter brilliantly timed to enhance rather than interfere with the moving, weighty themes of this unforgettable story. Cynthia Ruchti delivers it all in this masterful, compassionate tale of redemption. Keeping this one on my read-it-again-and-again shelf for sure.

Rhonda Rhea

Captivating. Intriguing. Significant. In this page-turner, Cynthia Ruchti once again pulls her readers into a novel that is engaging and entertaining but also filled with personal application for all who engage in this fascinating narrative. You won’t be able to put this book down.

Carol Kent

In her signature lyrical style, Cynthia Ruchti introduces us to multifaceted characters whose stories are refreshingly unique—yet could be our own. Afraid of the Light is more than a delightful read. It is a journey from fear to faith, from regret to release. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself stepping into the light right along with Camille.

Becky Melby

Award-winning author Cynthia Ruchti’s storytelling captured my heart from the first pages of Afraid of the Light. A gifted wordsmith, she’s crafted yet another story that keeps readers turning pages as they fall in love with her true-to-life characters. Exploring complicated relationships with realism and sensitivity is what Ruchti does best.

Beth K. Vogt