Ruby Among Us, La Rosaleda Series #1

A sweeping saga of three generations of women set among the lush vineyards of Sonoma Valley! Scarred by grief, Kitty strives to keep hidden secrets buried with her daughter Ruby. But her granddaughter Lucy yearns to learn about the mother she barely remembers. Will Lucy's discovery of betrayals and longings tear the family apart? 336 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.

In her novel Ruby Among Us, Tina Ann Forkner tells of a young girl traumatized by the death of her mother. As a coping mechanism, Lucy surrounds herself with books, music, and art, while living under the extremely strict and watchful eye of her grandmother. As Lucy gets older, she realizes there are more secrets in her tight knit family than others would like her to discover. She begins a journey of self-discovery and a quest for family history. The biblical theme of “You have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23) plays a significant role in this book as the lives of three generations of women are examined.

Unfortunately, the book jumps to the past and then to the present too often, sometimes without any forewarning or natural transitions. I found myself more than once becoming confused because I thought we were in the present when the author had already moved the story to the grandmother’s past. We find in this story that the grandmother has done something particularly terrible, and it prevents her from going back to her hometown.

Part of the reason we’re jumping back and forth is that we’re getting insight into what the grandmother did that was so terrible that it drove her away from her parents and husband for the rest of her life. I felt frustrated with this book because it tried to meld and incorporate too many plots, subplots, and character histories at once. Not only are we trying to figure out what the grandmother has done, we’re also trying to stay current on a developing love interest for Lucy, while we’re also following yet another story about how a friend of Lucy’s has adopted a child from an underage mother. It is like trying to squeeze an entire series into one novel. It makes your head spin. Nevertheless, Lucy is an admirable character who tries to live well, be forgiving, and love honestly. To that end the book has merit and may provide reading enjoyment for a select audience. -- Bethany Trosper,www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

“Ruby Among Us is a powerful story that will linger long after reading it. Forkner’s writing transported me to California’s vineyards and wove a fascinating saga of how secrets and decisions impact the lives of following generations—and how love can redeem.” — Cindy Woodsmall, New York Times best-selling author of When the Morning Comes

“Ms. Forkner has given us a gift that like fine music rises at an ever-spiraling pace. Neither rushed nor delayed, Ruby Among Us offers a satisfying journey I will long remember.” — Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author of A Mending at the Edge

“A multi-generational saga of hope, regret, and the grace that brings us home, Ruby Among Us evokes an invitational sense of place, a cache of characters you enjoy knowing, and a story that rips and mends your heart all at once.” — Mary E. DeMuth, author of Watching the Tree Limbs and Wishing on Dandelions

“So engaging from the first sentence. I found myself holding my breath as I read. Tina has painted the pictures so real. I love the honesty and innocence. Mothers and daughters alike will feel very connected with this book.” — Cindy Morgan Brouwer, singer/songwriter

“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

“Ruby Among Us is a haunting, beautifully-told novel of past secrets and present pain. Lovely, lovely voice and story. A remarkable debut by Tina Ann Forkner, an author to watch.” — Colleen Coble, author of Anathema

“A subtle, intimate story of grace and redemption that touches the heart!” —Pamela Nowak, author of the historical romance Chances

“Forkner writes from a place of intimate transparency, allowing the reader to discover priceless treasures found in the pursuit of truth. Ruby’s story unfolds in fascinating layers, revealing at its core the universal power of a mother-daughter relationship.”— Bonnie Keen, speaker, vocalist, and author of A Ladder Out of Depression

“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

“If you’re a fan of fiction that inflames your heart and your spirit, Tina Ann Forkner has a debut novel you should read. Ruby Among Us is filled with powerful emotions of secrets, joy, grief, the freedom that is found in the truth, and, ultimately, in redeeming love.” — Kim Hill, worship leader and recording artist

“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

“A skillfully written, moving tale of women (and their men) who find that love covers a multitude of sins. Tina Ann Forkner weaves this story together with great detail and, like the quilts that are such an integral part of the novel, pieces it together with beautiful results.” — Debbie Smith, songwriter with and wife of Michael W. Smith, and mother of their five children

“From the first page of this emotionally-gripping novel, I was absorbed in Lucy’s story. The author weaves a beautiful tapestry of meaning and grace, with an underlying truth: every heart needs a place to call ‘home.’ Lucy’s journey toward her place of belonging is poignantly told.”— Kim Vogel Sawyer, author of Blessings and My Heart Remembers

“Ruby Among Us is an intriguing story of lost love, brokenness, and ultimately, restored relationships. It is one girl's search to unlock the secrets of her family's past that ultimately leads to redemption, hope, and new life. This great read will truly touch your heart!”— Denise Jackson, best-selling author of It's All About Him

Forkner’s debut novel about family secrets never quite gets off the ground. When Ruby DiCamillo dies unexpectedly from asthma, her eight-year-old daughter Lucy blames herself for not reaching her mother’s inhaler in time. As she grows into a young woman, her grandmother Kitty overprotects her, filling her life with art, music and schoolwork but leaving wide gaps in her knowledge of family history. When Lucy insists on learning about her heritage, the secrets are as complicated as her grandmother’s intricate quilts. Fortner struggles with creating successful flashbacks, and the pacing drags. In several places the plot takes a contrived twist (a photo conveniently falling out of an album, a chance meeting in a coffee shop) in order to move forward. Most difficult to believe is that the key tragedy that has shaped the family’s history has kept Lucy’s grandmother estranged from her family for so long. However, Fortner creates some memorable descriptions, and readers of faith should appreciate the strong Christian themes of this novel and its redemptive ending. (May) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by R. Thomasson (Wyandotte, OK), February 20, 2009

Lucy is only eight years old when her mother Ruby dies from an asthma attack. Kitty, Lucy's grandmother raises her and loves her as her own. Lucy is an introverted sort who seems to hold in her emotions and her questions about her mother's past. She starts to come out of her shell when she begins college and meets new friends. Lucy blames herself for her mother's death years ago because she could not find the inhalor for her mother's asthma quick enough. Lucy wants desperately to learn about her past with her mother, but Kitty is reluctant to reveal family secrets which affect them all. This is a story of long-suffering, hidden secrets and finally forgiveness. I have "Ruby Among Us" in my high school library, I recommend it often because these days, many students need love and forgiveness in their own lives.

Reviewed by Megan DiMaria (Denver, CO), February 15, 2009

Tina Forkner’s debut novel Ruby Among Us is beautifully written and transports you to the lush, rich Sonoma Valley. Ruby’s daughter, Lucy, struggles to put the pieces together to discover the story of her deceased mother. Her efforts bring into focus not only Ruby’s story but that of Kitty, the grandmother who raised her, and the story of Lucy herself. Ruby Among Us is a tale of generational love and finding redemption from the past by dealing with the present. I loved the story of Ruby, Kitty, and Lucy and fell in love with the beautiful language and moving prose penned by Forkner.

Reviewed by Tarasview (Saskatchewan, Canada), February 13, 2009

Ruby Among Us is an inspiring novel about faith and forgiveness and the relationships between mothers and daughters. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them as I read the story. The storyline drew me in and kept me interested the whole way through. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

Reviewed by Carol Hazen (Marlette, MI), November 10, 2008

A great book for anyone who has had an abortion who is unwilling to forgive themselves.

Reviewed by Megan (Oberlin, OH), October 29, 2008

"Ruby Among Us" is an outstanding novel from debut author Tina Ann Forkner. The story of 3 generations of women and the men they love is woven among the lush scenery of the places they cherish. Long-held family secrets unravel in a unique writing style that brings the characters to life and is at the same time both honest and sensitive about topics rarely brought out in Christian fiction. This is a fast-paced read that at times leaves you breathless to learn both the history and the future of characters you come to love.

Reviewed by Mimi B (Annandale, MN), September 02, 2008

In "Ruby Among Us", we enter a deep and wonderful world in CA wine country. Lucy grows up living with her grandma, or Kitty, as she's called. Tina's debut as an author is definitely a successful one. She draws us into Lucy and Kitty's world with a deep emotional pull. Lucy wants to know about her past and Kitty wants to forget it. As Lucy grows up, her family history becomes a passion and Tina has a way with her words that makes it our passion as well. As I finished this book, I realized I was looking back at my life and how certain decisions I made completely changed my life. I appreciate that about this book, and it was totally unexpected. This book was extremely well written and I would suggest having a box of tissues at the end. :o)

Reviewed by Pam (IL), June 13, 2008

I didn't know what to expect when I received Ruby Among Us in the mail, but it didn't take long for the story to pull me in. Michelle expresses it well when she says that the story starts heavy, but the weight is necessary to understand why Lucy, the protagonist thinks, acts and feels the way she does. She yearns to remember her mother Ruby who died when Lucy was eight years old, yet grandmother Kitty is hesitant to fill in the many missing pieces of the puzzle that makes up their heritage. As time passes the pieces of her family's past fall into place for Lucy and she finds she has come full circle, rediscovering herself and a faith in God she thought she never had. I loved this book. Forkner's writing style brings alive the setting in a way that the Sonoma Valley becomes a character on its own. She opens up her characters hearts and draws the reader inside until you almost feel as though you are one with them. I look forward to many more books from Ms. Forkner.

Reviewed by Michelle (AZ), May 31, 2008

Ruby Among Us starts with a heavy theme, but it's important in order to understand Lucy's perspective throughout the story. If you love and miss your mother who has passed on, this story will move you to tears of healing and unleash memories of love. My mother had gone to be with the Lord for over ten years now, and reading Ruby Among Us sparked memories of loving times as I reached the conclusion of the book. I don't want to give away any key plot points because half the pull of this story is not knowing imporant things about Lucy, Kitty and Ruby's pasts, and wanting so desperately to find out that you have trouble putting the book down. Forkner's writing style and voice is fresh, unique, and insightful. It's beautiful how she pulls you into the heart and mind of someone sheltered from life so much that she truly is an innocent in many of the things that take place around her. But the fresh, healing experiences she embraces, and her journey toward trusting others outside her immediate family is exciting and deep. And the romantic portions of this book are WONDERFUL and exciting. I felt my heart being tugged and moved with the tiny steps of faith that Lucy made toward healing...and toward love. For someone who has always had a father in her life, it was eye-opening for me to see how truly painful it is for a young woman to never have a father figure in her life. In fact, so much pain is evoked that the hurt can taint choices and destroy a young woman's security for years to come. Our culture has tried very hard to shut down the importance of a man's role in a family and in a daughter's heart. Ruby Among Us beautifully illustrates how erroneous this belief is. For that reason alone I would love to see many men embrace this book. The bummer is that this story was so good I'm sad it had to end.

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