Country music megastar, Rheann “Ray” Rhodes embarks on one final journey to reunite her estranged family for an unforgettable Christmas in Tennessee. As her family gathers at the ranch in the snow-covered hills, they must face their pasts, heal old wounds, and find a way to reconnect. Through the power of music and the magic of Christmas, Ray and her family rediscover the strength of love, family, and forgiveness.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Now for our interview with Rheann.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Rheann. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

RAY: Call me Ray. I’ve been in country music since right out of high school. Now that I’m getting ready to retire, I suppose you could say I’m a success. I’ll be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame soon. I’m mostly known for my song “Living With Leaving on My Mind.” This book is my life story.

CC: The life of a country music star must have been intriguing and hard. I’ve seen so many stories of how the life of fame tore families apart. From what I’ve read of the blurb, it sounds like yours is a similar story. So what is the journey you take in this story? 

RAY: Fame and fortune took its toll on me. Funny how once you get what you want, you find out it isn’t that great. I divorced my husband because I thought he and the kids held me back in my music career. Now I know the truth. I was holding myself back. Jake Rhodes is the love of my life. I was a fool to let him go. With so little time left, I decided to ask him to help me plan one last Christmas gathering at the ranch in Tennessee. To my surprise, he said yes. The areas of growth I’m facing? Swallowing my pride and seeking forgiveness from Jake and my kids…especially Bucky. And forgiveness from the whole town.

CC: You said you have so little time left. What do you mean?

RAY: Unfortunately, it’s a terminal diagnosis that caught me off guard. I don’t have as much time as I thought I did. So, I’ve decided to do something I should have done years ago: Reconcile with my family.

CC: It’s amazing how getting a diagnosis like that puts what’s important into perspective. You mentioned Jake being the love of your life. Can you tell us a bit about him?

RAY: Jake Rhodes…I fell in love with him the first time I heard him play guitar. He took a poem I wrote in high school English class and put it to music. I toured with his band and then we got married. He supported me throughout my career, raised the kids, and built us a home in Tennessee. Why on earth did I walk away from him? Pride. Selfishness. Arrogance. All of the above. Now I’m back, hoping he’ll take care of me. Can what was broken be mended? Lord, I hope so.

CC: Speaking of the Lord . . . how is your relationship with God?

RAY: Old friends. I pushed Him away at times. I was convinced I could do things on my own. But He showed me otherwise. 

CC: Boy is that a lesson we all tend to learn. Since you were a music star, how do others view you? 

RAY: My fans adore me because of my songs. Since the early 1990s, my songs have helped women feel empowered, heal, and cope. They view me as one of those strong feminist types but truth is, I’m vulnerable. I struggle with life just like everybody else does. But I have to come across as a strong woman. It isn’t easy but I try. 

CC: Keeping up appearances can be so hard, especially when your world is falling apart. How do you want to be remembered?

RAY: As momma, wife, grandma, advocate, and a country music star who wrote and sang her songs for those with broken hearts that needed mending. I’ve been there. I wrote them for you and for me. Remember me each time you hear them…and smile. I’m in a much better place, y’all.

CC: I love how that order reflects your new priorities in life. If there were one thing you could tell the reader, what would it be:

RAY: When God gives you the chance to ask for forgiveness and reconcile, take it. And when given the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with family, do it! Without hesitation. Do it because you never know. It could be your last chance. 

I know we’re a bit past the Christmas season thanks to deadlines throwing my blog schedule off, but this is a read you don’t want to miss. So hop on over to Amazon and check out Bridges of Hope by Ruth Douthitt 

About Ruth Douthitt:

Former writing teacher, Ruth Douthitt is an award-winning author multi-published author of books for middle grade readers and adults in fiction and non-fiction. She is the winner of the Moonbeam Children’s Books Award-Bronze Medal for Best Book Series and the Christian Indie Awards first place winner in YA. Ruth is working on romantic suspense novels. She currently works for Grand Canyon University and lives in Phoenix with her husband Scott and their little dog.

Connect with Ruth: Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  GoodReads  |  BookBub

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