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Review of Ruby Dawn by Raquel Byrnes

Ruby Dawn by Raquel Byrnes




Back Cover Blurb:
A Painful Past.
A former street kid, Ruby now reaches out to runaways through her medical clinic in the worst part of the city, but her escalating battle with a gang leader puts that in jeopardy.
 A Love Returns.
Cavalier, a risk-taker, charmingā€¦ Rubyā€™s first love is now on the right side of the law and the center of a dangerous DEA sting involving her clinic.  Tomā€™s disappearance ten years ago broke her heart and rattled her faith. As their romance relights, memories of what it costs to love him flood her with fear.
A Desperate Plan.
Rubyā€™s battle with the gang ignites a firestorm of danger, and a pattern of lies from within her own camp emerges. With Tomā€™s life in the balance and her world cast in shadows, can Ruby trust God as she once didā€¦or has she strayed too far, for too long to ever return?  

Excerpt:
     ā€œShhh,ā€ Tom whispered. He took my hand in his and kissed my palm sending a ripple through me. ā€œIts okay, I know what you meant, Ruby. And youā€™re right about what you said the other night too,ā€ he breathed and leaned closer.
     Barely able to think, I stood frozen by his nearness. ā€œWhat I said?ā€
     He smiled, so close now that I could feel his lips move. ā€œYou said that I donā€™t know you anymore. That I need to get to know you all over again.ā€
     ā€œIā€™m pretty sure thatā€™s not what I said,ā€ I breathed.
     Tomā€™s hand slipped to my face, cupping my cheek in his palm. He ran his thumb over my bottom lip and it sent heat thrumming through me. I gripped his sleeves, my fingers digging into the material.
     A wayward warning flittered somewhere in the back of my brain, but I closed my eyes instead of moving.
Tom brushed his lips against mine, barely touching, his breath soft.
     Up front, Lilah shouted. ā€œThis place is a wreck!ā€
     Startled, I pulled away from Tom. Lilah had either rotten or impeccable timing. I hadnā€™t decided which just yet. ā€œI ā€“ Iā€™m back here,ā€ I shouted back. ā€œIā€™ll be right out.ā€
     Tom groaned and let go of me. He looked up at the outer door with frustration. I followed his gaze to Lilah rooting through the debris making enough noise for three people.
     Reluctantly, I turned from Tom and walked back down the hall to the front lobby. ā€œIt looks worse than it is, Lilah.ā€
     ā€œWhat are you talking about? This place is jacked-up!ā€
     She spun slowly around with her arms out at her sides. Behind me, I heard the rear door swing shut and turned to look for Tom. My heart sank. He was gone


My review:
5/5 stars
Recommended read

Ruby is an ex street kid, put into a detention centre as a teen through no fault of her own. Tom, a kid she meets there. Their story is woven through a series of flashbacks throughout the book. When they meet again, Ruby is a doctor, holding down a job in a hospital, refuge and a clinic. Tom is now bad kid made good and undercover. Just as he reappears, Rubyā€™s life falls apart.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. Tossing the reader straight into heart stopping action, Ms Byrnes skilfully keeps you riveted to the pages. A whirlwind of a ride, this book is everything and more that the back cover promises. 

If you only read one book this month, this is the one to read.

Buy links



Comments

Donna B saidā€¦
LOL - so many good books, not enough time. But I already read this one and it really is great! Very nice review for a great story!
Dora Hiers saidā€¦
I can't wait to read this one. Loved PURPLE KNOT, so I expect great things from RUBY DAWN and Raquel Byrnes! Thanks for sharing, Clare.

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