Southern Ruby

By: Belinda Alexandra

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 21 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Forbidden love. Family secrets. A twist of fate. The stunning new generational saga from Belinda Alexandra, best-selling author of Tuscan Rose and White Gardenia.

In New Orleans - the city of genteel old houses covered in Spanish moss, of seductive nightlife, of Creole, voodoo and jazz - two women separated by time and tragedy will find each other at last.

Amanda, orphaned as a child and suffering the loss of her beloved grandmother, has left Sydney in search of a family she never knew. Ruby, constrained by the expectations of society and class, is carrying a lifetime of secrets. Amanda's arrival sparks revelations long buried: a double life, a forbidden love, and a loss that cannot be forgotten.

Southern Ruby is a sweeping story of love, passion, family and honour. Alternating in time between the 1950s and the eve of Hurricane Katrina, it is also a tribute to a city heady with music, drama, history and superstition which has borne the tumults of race and class and the fury of nature but has never given up hope.

©2014 Belinda Alexandra (P)2016 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Filled with glamour, heartbreak, drama and suspense." ( The Age)
"Intrigue, passion, betrayal - all the ingredients for a must-read novel." ( Woman's Day)

Interesting Story - HORRIBLE accents

I enjoyed the story, but Caroline Lee's reading in this was jarring. The accents were terrible and her pronunciation of some of the words was just odd.

One of the best books I've listened to in years.

Could not put it down. Brilliantly written and sourced. Her best effort to date. I cannot give higher praise for this book.

Ruby is a fascinating character!

I was unsure about the book, because of the long length. It was written so well, and the author kept you interested in each character throughout the book. I laughed, gasped, was appalled, cried tears of joy and sorrow. Defini

Brilliant. I would give it more stars if able to.

I disagree with some of the reviews. Being an Australian I thought the narrator did a brilliant job on the accents. These reviewers concentrated more on that then the brilliance of the author. I thought this would be a book about the deep south "cottonfields". WOW was I pleasantly surprised. This book has it all. Great story, romance, history and pure entertainment. Loved all the characters. It's set in today but also covers slavery, the protests, the Katrina devastation. I will be downloading more of this author's books that's for sure.

Great book

This is one of the best books I've read it has everything happiness sadness and thriller

Absolutely the best ever book

This is one of my favorite books ever !!! This duo is amazing. I love, love this story and I honestly think you will too .. beautifully written and funny !! You will not be disappointed.

Great book!

Well written, read and researched! Vivid characters, meaningful stories and surprising twists! This the 2nd B.A. book I've listened to I'm on to the 3rd.👍

So, Love does conquer all !!!

This story was very well written. And the storyline, as well as, the storytelling was captivating. I especially enjoyed being able to identify with much of the setting and surroundings. I also appreciate the realistic dialect and cultural expression. My daughter lives there and has many French-creo friends. The research and hard work is vivid and was obviously shown in the details of the story.

One of my faves

Oh, this book was good and it was hard to hit the stop button ! I recommend and will listen to this one again and again. Great narration again by Caroline Lee.

Narration was horrible!

I love Belinda Alexandra books. I have listened to all of them. And I love Caroline Lee. But her narration on this book was horrible. The southern American accent was butchered in this book. Several words were pronounced wrong. It was very distracting.

The book itself was pretty good. Interesting to hear about segregation in the 50s and what people went through during hurricane Katrina. Please try and read the book instead of listening to it. Would be much more enjoyable.