Helpful Score: 1
Very Good Book, one of Michaels earlier novels, and one of her BEST.
Wonderful book! I reccommend this book to anyone!
From Publishers Weekly
In pleasant prose fortified by good plotting, prolific author Michaels ( Texas Sunrise ) tells the story of Ruby Connors, who bolts from her hometown of Barstow, Penn., as soon as she graduates from high school, happily leaving behind her abusive father, servile mother and brutalized sister Opal. She gets a civil service job in post-WW II Washington, D.C., where she initially lives with her sister Amber and falls in love with serviceman Calvin Santos. Unable to believe in her feelings, insecure Calvin decamps after a trivial misunderstanding, and Ruby marries Marine Andrew Blue. She bears him two children, but he is a hostile, stern husband and father. Myriad years and countless plot developments go by; Ruby survives various crises, maintains a strong female friendship and uses money left by her beloved grandmother to help friends and sisters. Her final "season" finds her wealthy and free, but lonely and still searching for life's meaning until, in the closing pages, she decides to make herself useful to others. Though Ruby is not always likable and the author passes too quickly over some vital events in the narrative, readers should enjoy this bustling tale.
In pleasant prose fortified by good plotting, prolific author Michaels ( Texas Sunrise ) tells the story of Ruby Connors, who bolts from her hometown of Barstow, Penn., as soon as she graduates from high school, happily leaving behind her abusive father, servile mother and brutalized sister Opal. She gets a civil service job in post-WW II Washington, D.C., where she initially lives with her sister Amber and falls in love with serviceman Calvin Santos. Unable to believe in her feelings, insecure Calvin decamps after a trivial misunderstanding, and Ruby marries Marine Andrew Blue. She bears him two children, but he is a hostile, stern husband and father. Myriad years and countless plot developments go by; Ruby survives various crises, maintains a strong female friendship and uses money left by her beloved grandmother to help friends and sisters. Her final "season" finds her wealthy and free, but lonely and still searching for life's meaning until, in the closing pages, she decides to make herself useful to others. Though Ruby is not always likable and the author passes too quickly over some vital events in the narrative, readers should enjoy this bustling tale.
I enjoyed reading this book very much.
The lead character reveals her life as a military wife, difficult struggle. Then she works to develop her own business and after time is successful. But she longs for her man to share the success with.
Ruby is determined to have a better life when she leaves her bitter childhood behind for post-World War II Washington, D.C. Working for the navy as a secretary, she is young, pretty, and happy for the first time...and she falls in love.
Really a good book to read. Keeps your interest all the way through.
Ruby is determined to have a better life when she leaves her bitter childhood behind for post - World Wasr II Washington, DC. Working for the Navy as a secretary. she is young, pretty and happy for the first time. The harsh reality of life as a military wife - and the lonliness that comes with it - destroys her illusions but fuels a fire of strength and independence that will burn throughout her life.
Fern Michaels writes this like she knows from experience.
Ruby is determined to have a better life when she leaves her bitter childhood behind for post-World War II Washinton, D.C. Working for the navy as a secretary, she is young, pretty, and happy for the first time...and she falls in love.
I usually like anything by Fern Michaels. She has a great way of growing her characters and developing the story. It was hard to put down.
HAD A HARD TIME WITH THIS ONE. WILL TRY AGAIN
