When I first started reading this book, I enjoyed it, but I wasn't really "into" it. However, as I came to know the people of "Little Misery", I learned to love them all. Before long, I found myself thoroughly enjoying my visit to the Dakotah Territory. I'm glad that I started the series after they were all out, because by the time I finished "Ruby", I wasn't ready to leave Dakotah, even for a little bit! I was so glad to go directly into reading "Pearl" (which, by the way, was just as good!). :)

I borrowed Ruby from my mother-in-law. I didn't know if I would like the book, but tried it anyway. I found myself intrigued by the early twists in the plot. I loved most of the characters. Rand took a while for me to like, but I did in the end. Belle, well, she was just Belle. The setting of the book added a lot to it, since there aren't that many dealing with women in the West. All that with a Christian background, and it adds to a great read. There were only a few small parts that I didn't like, mostly the arguments Ruby had with herself. They don't take away from the book much at all. I would definitely read again.

Ruby is the story of a proper Norwegian governess whose father leaves her an inheritance in the form of a saloon. Can Ruby and her young sister Opal change the "Dove House" into a proper hotel and reform the 'girls?"

I normally don't read inspirational novels mostly because they usually are a tad too preachy for me, as I don't care to be sermonized to in my fiction. But I was relatively surprised by Ruby. The author keeps the 'inspirational' part of Ruby to seem realistic and in keeping with the time period. Several things were unrealistic (how quickly the townswomen accepted the 'reformed' girls, and how quickly Ruby comes to accept them. I just think it was a tad P.C. I also found the hero/love interest "Rand" a bit yawn-worthy. Why is it romance authors seem to think the most irritating and annoying male character is the right fit for the heroine? I much preferred the Captain character.

Although, I found the ending a bit heavy-handed with the heroine speaking with God (and having him speak back) and quick reconciliation between the main character and the antagonist, thankfully this portion was at the end and could be glossed over. I like the first 7/8ths. 4 stars.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The only thing that I did not enjoy was that Ruby was always trying to make things so much better. It got boring after a while to read about how much she hated things and how she wished they would change. I still would recemend it because it was well written.

This book is wonderful. I enjoyed the reality shown about some of the women in the West. It demonstrates how the Lord Loves us all...Sinner & Saint.