A Town Called Ruby Prairie

Get to know a woman who takes in six little girls with out stable homes and loves them like her own. A Town Called Ruby Prairie written by Annette Smith is a realistic fiction novel filled with interest and intrigue filled with flashbacks, realistic dialog, and visual imagery. Annette makes you feel like you are part of the story with details that apply to small town living. Charlotte Carter is a forty-year old woman who just moved to a small town called Ruby Prairie. Since her husband died and she had no children, she decided to open up a home for girls from troubled families. Tanglewood, her home, would be the perfect place to have six girls live with her. The girls were Beth, Maggie, Donna, Nikki, Vikki, and Sharita. Friendly neighbors who were always ready to help and love that would last a lifetime were all around. The girls learn to get along, learn in school, and ask for help when ever it is needed. The only problem is some of the girls do not appreciate Tanglewood, Charlotte has trouble at first with getting a schedule and things organized, and Beth runs away causing tension. Will the girls learn to love Charlotte as a second mother? Will Charlotte find love herself in a man that she least expects to find it from? Will Beth return home or be found? In the end all of these questions are answered. The lives of these little girls will make you think yours is not so bad and to live life to its fullest. I loved reading this book in the week that it took me to read it. It reminded me of my life living in a small town. Everyone always knows what is going on and in other people's business. Annette's writing style reminded me of Michelle Magorian's because both make you feel like you are part of the story and make it seem so real. Anyone of every age would enjoy it. I loved this story so much with all of the feelings I experienced, sadness, happiness, and fright. This book is not part of any series, but if it was I would read every book that went along with it. This book truly shows how kind of hearts some people have.

what a wonderful story! so simple and real - i had a hard time putting it down. very inspirational in perfectly subtle ways. i bet you will love it!!

"A Town Called Ruby Prarie" is a delight - savor it. If you're a Mitford fan, you'll love Ruby Prarie. Parts of the book are very touching, while other parts are hilarious. I especially loved her description of a church service in a roller skating rink. I'm looking forward to the next installment!

What a wonderful story. While this novel is similar to Jan Karon's Mitford novels, Annette Smith's storytelling reminds me more of a cross between Phillip Gulley and James Herriott (my personal favorite.) Small town life. Community. Neighbors helping one another through the ups and downs of life. I'm so glad there will be more of Ruby Prairie. I can't wait.

Annette Smith's first novel (an excellent storyteller, she's written numerous non-fiction books, including the bestselling 'Whispers of Angels' and the charming 'Watermelon Days & Firefly Nights') is a delight. This woman KNOWS her small towns! Ruby Prairie (don't you just love that name?) is very much a 'Mayberry meets Mitford' kind of place--except that it's in Texas :) My only disappointment is that it's not a real place that I can go visit. After spending a few delightful hours there through the pages of this book, I was itching to go to the Round-the-Clock cafe and have a glass of sweet tea and a piece of pie, or to sit in Charlotte's porch swing some lazy afternoon and jaw with her and the inimitable Treasure (yes, that's a name)while waiting for the girls to come home from school. "The girls" are a group of six displaced youngsters varying in age from 9-15 whom the widowed Charlotte Carter is caring for in a foster parent role at Tanglewood, a rambling pink Victorian. I'm eager to read the sequel so I can find out what happens with the Tanglewood girls, especially the quiet, aching-to-be-loved Beth who's been shuttled around from one foster home to another her whole young life, AND to see if romance blooms with Charlotte and the local pastor! I have a feeling Annette Smith could be the next Jan Karon. If you like Mitford, you'll like Ruby Prairie. Come visit for a spell. Kick your shoes off, and bring your sweet tea :)