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Healing Ruby, Volume 1  By  cover art

Healing Ruby, Volume 1

By: Jennifer H. Westall
Narrated by: Andi Arndt
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Publisher's summary

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen..."

Ruby Graves, a young girl in Depression-era Alabama, faces the hardships of poverty and loss with as much faith as she can muster. At only the age of 13, she's already lost a younger brother to illness and now faces losing both her father and the boy who's stealing her heart to illnesses as well. Armed with her beloved scriptures, she prays daily for their healing, only to have her tender faith shattered by her father's death.

Through her pain, she's able to connect with her long-lost Uncle Asa, whose mere presence at his brother's funeral brings murmurs of a scandalous past involving her parents and a prominent local pastor, Irwin Cass. When Ruby discovers that one of Asa's many secrets is an ability to heal, and that she may be next in line for the "gift", she vows to find the faith that has eluded her so far, a faith that could mean never losing loved ones again.

But faith and doubt can't reside in the same heart, not according to her father, and doubt is Ruby's constant companion. As she struggles to find the true meaning of faith, she's opposed at every turn by the pastor who would see her family destroyed and a community that can't see deeper than the color of one's skin. Through her search for a faith that could move mountains and a true understanding of her gift, can Ruby trust in a God that may require the ultimate sacrifice?

©2014 Jennifer Westall (P)2016 Jennifer Westall

What listeners say about Healing Ruby, Volume 1

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On my "Best of the Year" list already

The setting is Depression-era Alabama and Andi Arndt, the narrator, does an excellent job with the southern accent for Ruby and the other characters. The vocals are just the right balance, don’t imply the characters are uneducated, nor do they inhibit you from understanding what’s being said. Even when the narrator is voicing Ruby’s brothers, which you might think would be hard to follow which one was speaking since they are both young men, she manages them well by passing the authors different personalities for the brothers to you.
I read that this story is inspired by events in the life of the author’s grandmother. If so, she’s a woman I wouldn’t mind meeting someday. In respect to the story, don’t let the idea that this work is labelled as religious make you hesitate. Everyone asks themselves why do bad things happen to good people. How much hardship can land on a family? Ruby questions how to navigate her life, her faith and how to help those around her. I don’t mind saying there were many places in this work that brought tears to my eyes. There’s some real heartache included, but hope also.
There are times when a character may quote a Bible passage and I thought it helpful that the book, chapter and verse were sometimes mentioned. That way if you wanted to delve into that passage a little more you could.
This is not my regular genre for reading. I usually have my nose in a mystery, sci-fi or a how- to book. The storyline, the heart and the quality of writing wouldn’t let me put this book down. I took my tablet to work and listened to it while doing data entry. Others listen to music, I wanted to know what was going to happen next in Ruby’s world. I can’t recommend this book enough. It is one of my ‘best’ reads this year.
I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in order to listen and write my honest review of the work.

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6 people found this helpful

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Hanceville, Alabama in the '30s

Ruby, a teenage, gifted girl with the faith to move mountains, faced not only the hardships of the depression, after already having lost a younger brother, but now her daddy, was suffering from diabetes, and had a foot amputated . . . unable to work, her daddy who owned the local cotton gin, mortgaged the family home to try to keep afloat . . .his previous kindheartedness to their neighbors and customers at the gin, already having left the business in a precarious position . . . while her brothers worked in the cotton fields and at the gin and her mother cared for her daddy, Ruby, felt depressed and useless at home . . . she lied to her parents and went each day after school to take care of a friend, Matthew Doyle . . . Matthew had collapsed on the high school basketball court a few weeks earlier, diagnosed with tuberculosis . . . spewing blood every time he coughed; nobody wanted to clean up after him . . . nobody, but Ruby, that is . . . until one day, her daddy died . . . grieving Ruby deeply, knowing she had been lying to him . . . when, at the funeral, Ruby believes she sees her daddy standing at the treeline, she is astonished to learn that it's her daddy's brother, her Uncle Asa . . . and a deeply hidden secret is finally exposed . . . this is a beautiful, painful and wonderful story . . . I got so very angry at Brother Cass . . . a bitter and prejudiced man, a preacher, no less, who took the Word of God and perverted it, because of his own pain . . . and I was so blessed that the author, Jennifer Westall did not shy away from writing about the gift of healing, because it is biblical . . . the issue of pride and misuse of one's gifts was very appropriate, as well . . . can't wait to listen to the next book in the series . . .

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5 people found this helpful

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Enchanting story, beautifully written and narrated

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Every character is voiced beautifully by Andi Arndt. Each voice pulls you back to a place and time we may be slightly familiar with, but in which we are now immediately and compellingly dropped into by their finely crafted personalities and stories.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Healing Ruby, Volume 1?

I don't want to give away any spoilers. But, when my bluetooth went off in my car, I had to find a safe place to pull over, so I could hear what came next in the story. I didn't want to have to wait a minute to hear what the next word was.

What about Andi Arndt’s performance did you like?

Andi Arndt has a mellifluous tone that is both comforting and compelling. Each word and character comes to life, as if they are sharing their secrets directly with the listener.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I smiled and cried throughout the audiobook and hated for it to end. At times, I felt so frustrated or angry with a character or heartbroken for a character I could hardly stand it. I was so invested in Ruby's life and journey and that of her friends and family.

Any additional comments?

I hope there will be a sequel. I would love to spend more time in Ruby's world and with these rich, interesting characters.

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4 people found this helpful

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Best book I've read in ages!

This book is appropriate for the whole family. It's a beautiful story that can open your mind and heart to what true faith is.

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2 people found this helpful

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Unusual story line

Healing powers are usually a taboo subject for mainstream America. It was a welcome story that brought it to light. I can't wait for the next 2 books.

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2 people found this helpful

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Superb!

The story was very well written and thought provoking. I listen to a lot of Audible books as I work gardening and this narration was superb. I highly recommend this book.

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1 person found this helpful

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Fantastic Christian book!!

I can't wait to find the next one and download it. For anyone who enjoys Christian literature, this is a must read. The characters were so real I felt like I could see them. I can't wait to find out what happens to Ruby. This is a great young adult book too. Ruby, the main character is 14. Enjoy!

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Fantastic

Awesome story and performance , about to listen to the next book, great great great. You will not be disappointed

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I Really Enjoyed This Book....a true page turner

I really like the narrator's voice and the inflection of each character. It kept me on the edge of my seat wandering what would happen next. I'm ready for the next one

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Excellent narration

Good, inspiring story. The narrator Andi Arndt is amazingly talented and versatile. Delightfully believable voices.

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