Ruby

by Lauraine Snelling

ISBN: 0764222228

Bethany House, August, 2003

Click on image to buy from Amazon.com

Click here to buy from Amazon.ca

Book 1 of Dakotah Treasures. Author Lauraine Snelling once again takes readers west to the untamed land of Dakota Territory, introducing new characters both unique and appealing. Ruby Torvald and her young sister, Opal, have received an inheritance from their long-lost father who left home years ago to seek his fortune in the Black Hills. When they leave their comfortable situation in Chicago and arrive at the mining town of Medora to claim their inheritance, the sisters discover that rather than the legacy of gold they expected, their father has left them a shocking bequest. Ruby’s bold determination in the face of scandal leads the reader on a journey both heartwarming and inspiring. (c) Amazon.com, book cover.

I really enjoy Lauraine Snelling's historical fiction and this book was no exception. It is an original story line with strong, independent female characters with exceptional strength and fortitude for surviving life on the rugged prairie. I was completely captivated by the story line and kept wanting to snatch more time during the day to read more.

My only criticism of this novel is that it doesn't have an ending! I am assuming that the next in the Dakotah Treasures Series will take off where this one ended. However, I was extremely frustrated that the story line wasn't fulfilled within the 300+ pages. I don't know if there was just too much story to fit or the publisher wanted the author to stretch the story into a series. I think I prefer the series that have a story told about each generation instead of one story drawn out like this one is. I didn't feel that there was a lot of story to tell that it needed more than one book to do so. That is the one major weakness that bothered me greatly. Will I look for book number 2 in this series? Of course! I have to find out how it ends!! (Exactly what the publisher was hoping I would say, right?)

~ Tracy