Ruby Among Us by Tina Ann Forkner

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Ruby Among Us
(WaterBrook Press May 20, 2008)
by
Tina Ann Forkner

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. Originally from Oklahoma, she graduated with honors in English from CSU Sacramento before ultimately settling in the wide-open spaces of Wyoming where she now resides with her husband and their three children. Tina serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors and enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with her family, and works as a full-time writer.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Sometimes, the key that unlocks your future lies in someone else’s past...

In Ruby Among Us, Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art─but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty can shield her from the memory of the mother she can no longer remember. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as eager to hide from the past as Lucy is eager to find it.

From the streets of San Francisco and Sacramento, to the lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley, Lucy follows the thread of memory in search for a heritage that seems long-buried with her mother, Ruby.

What she finds is enigmatic and stirring in this redemptive tale about the power of faith and mother-daughter love.

MY REVIEW:

This is a story about family. It is a story about choices and the consequence of misunderstanding both motives and circumstances. It is about the weakness of the human heart and the strength of God’s faith working within our lives to bring us into His presence and to bless us with love and family. Ruby Among Us tells several stories and weaves them together into a single picture of redemption and grace.

This story begins with three generations of women; Kitty, Ruby and Lucy. Ruby is torn from the family prematurely, and the decisions Kitty makes on Lucy’s behalf eventually begin to reveal a lifetime of misunderstandings and secrets that nearly destroys everyone they touch. However, God in His mercy, introduces Matt and his friends into the picture, and both Lucy and Kitty are reintroduced to a vibrant faith that throws wide the door of redemption.

This story is filled with many different relationships, and each one carries its own burden of secrecy or misunderstanding from the past. As each layer of deception is uncovered, the characters learn more about themselves and the effects that their choices have upon each other. Ultimately, they learn that if they turn toward God they will find the strength to seek forgiveness from each other and to find the love of family that they have looked for over many long years.

Ruby Among Us is not what I would consider a light read. It was kind of heavy emotionally. It was also a bit frustrating to me that one of the main characters was so unwilling to accept the love and grace offered to her for so long! I think that is the point of the story though. We are all stiff-necked toward God’s grace, and because of that we make choices that hurt ourselves as well as others. Ruby Among Us is a beautiful picture of God’s long-suffering love and grace that ultimately leads to our redemption. Pick up a copy here today!

“What an incredible story. As both mothers and daughters, Ruby Among Us struck a special cord in each of the four of us. Tina writes in a way that makes us feel like we’re there; from the first line, we were captivated and drawn into an intricate weaving of the precious and fragile relationships that define us.”

~Point of Grace~

“Reading is a passion of mine, and when I find myself identifying with the characters, anxious to get to the next page to find answers to my questions, I know I’m into a good book! The daughter-mother-grandmother theme in Ruby Among Us pulled me in. Wonderful story-telling.”

~Jordin Sparks~, 2007 winner of American Idol

“Highly recommended. If you’re a mother or daughter, you’re going to love Ruby Among Us. Forkner does an extraordinary job…. I look forward to more from this author.”

~Ane Mulligan~, Novel Journey

“Don’t miss this one! Tina Ann Forkner is a strong new voice in fiction and Ruby Among Us is an amazing story of trials, regrets, and, ultimately, redemption. Lucy and her family history in the historic wine country of Sonoma bring to life the Scriptures about the Vine and His branches.”

~Kristin Billerbeck~, author of The Trophy Wives Club

If you would like to read the first chapter go HERE