Review: Enjoyable world tour with nicely told message
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 15, 2014
A thoroughly enjoyable story, nicely tied in to Christmas, this novel spans the world as young-adult Ruby seeks new treasures for her father’s nativity scene. In the meantime, Ruby grows up, and readers get to visit many interesting places while enjoying a thoroughly good read. The varied chapters and locations, each introducing new characters and challenges, all weave seamlessly together, creating a genuinely pleasing sense of seeing the world while watching a young woman grow.Nice dialog and humor characterize all Ruby’s interactions, and genuine faith infuses the lessons she learns. Never alone, as she travels on her own; never lost as she loses her way; and never succumbing to fear as she faces new challenges; Ruby grows from stay-at-home daughter to world-traveler, and the reader is pulled along by great descriptions, neat turns of phrase, and enjoyable storyline with touches of adventure and romance.I could almost smell the oranges at Christingle; I could see the lights on the Champs Elysee; and I loved this world tour, told with the ring of authenticity. Watching the sweet dog Yippee performing tricks was a highlight too. And the excellent study guide at the end of the novel makes it perfect to enjoy alone or share with a group of teens, or adults even. Highly recommended.Disclosure: I was lucky enough to learn when free ecopies were downloadable.