Seasons of Her Life 
asked by imtheboss on November 28, 2006 6:15 AM
Ruby is determined to have a better life when she leaves her bitter childhood behind for post-World War II Washington, D.C. A job as a Navy secretary soon blossoms into love and marriage. The life of a military wife turns out to be harsher and lonelier than Ruby bargained for, but though it destroys her illusions, it cannot overcome her determination to succeed and find happiness. She raises two children, creates a home, and begins baking cookies in hope of starting a business. After years of struggle, her cookies start to bring in more money than she ever dreamed of. But closest to her heart is the memory of the man she longs for in her soul, a man no cookie can replace . . .
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While best-selling author, John Grisham, can write books depicting tough and hardened characters in dangerous situations with nary a cuss word, Fern Michaels seems unable to express any type of emotion without cussing. In this book, Ms. Michaels packs in every four-letter word she knows and proceeds to overuse them in every one of her characters' diologue (except the priest at the homeless shelter). Makes the reader feel your mind has been drug through the sewer.
Although this book is touted as "romantic", the truth is that Ruby, the main character, never understands or discerns true love at all. Her relationships with men, relatives and women friends are all precarious and superficial. I found the love scenes to be so shallow and unemotional that I wonder if Fern Michaels has never experienced deep love in her own life?
Ruby begins life a victim of an abusive father. I found myself hoping she would rise above her past -- but her choices backfired and left her emotionally destitute. Instead of forsaking a life maimed by the vices of her parents, Ruby plunged into a whole new set of vices and reaped the consequences.
The end of the book strives to leave the reader on a happy note -- that Ruby has found new vision for her senior citizen years as an animal rights activist -- but it is a real stretch to believe this newfound "cause" will bring her lasting fulfillment. What Ruby was looking for -- and never found -- was love.
Several times, Ruby began to reach out to God, but never quite made the jump. Unrealistically, Fern Michaels has Ruby (who is a smoker and a bucket mouth, separated from her husband, estranged from her daughter and sisters, in a five-year affair with a married man) begin to teach a weekly Sunday School class. Throughout the book, Ruby is portrayed as knowing next to nothing about God and the minute she returns to church after a 40-year hiatus, she is immediately qualified to teach others???
This book had potential, but proved very, very disappointing.
Although this book is touted as "romantic", the truth is that Ruby, the main character, never understands or discerns true love at all. Her relationships with men, relatives and women friends are all precarious and superficial. I found the love scenes to be so shallow and unemotional that I wonder if Fern Michaels has never experienced deep love in her own life?
Ruby begins life a victim of an abusive father. I found myself hoping she would rise above her past -- but her choices backfired and left her emotionally destitute. Instead of forsaking a life maimed by the vices of her parents, Ruby plunged into a whole new set of vices and reaped the consequences.
The end of the book strives to leave the reader on a happy note -- that Ruby has found new vision for her senior citizen years as an animal rights activist -- but it is a real stretch to believe this newfound "cause" will bring her lasting fulfillment. What Ruby was looking for -- and never found -- was love.
Several times, Ruby began to reach out to God, but never quite made the jump. Unrealistically, Fern Michaels has Ruby (who is a smoker and a bucket mouth, separated from her husband, estranged from her daughter and sisters, in a five-year affair with a married man) begin to teach a weekly Sunday School class. Throughout the book, Ruby is portrayed as knowing next to nothing about God and the minute she returns to church after a 40-year hiatus, she is immediately qualified to teach others???
This book had potential, but proved very, very disappointing.
reviewed by anton584 on November 28, 2006 7:35 PM
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I had read several recent editions of Ms. Michaels books and wanted to read her earlier efforts. I thought this book was the best yet. It kept me coming back.It had suspense,mystery and roamance. What more could a reader ask for? It was written in such a way that made the main character come alive. Not too many authors are able to do that. Thanks Ms. Michaels for a wonderful story!
D.W.
D.W.
reviewed by scanner on November 29, 2006 2:30 PM
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I forgot that I ordered it because I didnt receive it as quickly as I did the other ones
reviewed by carrots on November 29, 2006 5:13 PM
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This book started out strong but lost me in the middle. I cheered Ruby her accomplishments but I was disappointed that she wasn't allowed to enjoy her life at all! After growing up in hell and overcoming many obstacles she never got to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Her relationship with her two longtime friends was unrealistic. As was her relationship with her two sisters. They were on again off again and the characters of the sisters didn't really have any substance. The part after the funeral of her father really disappointed me as well. I feel that there were a few parts of the story that didn't really belong and she could have just left those out completely. I do love the rags to riches and underdog type theme of Ms. Michaels books!
reviewed by stonefox on November 29, 2006 5:46 PM