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Mama Ruby  By  cover art

Mama Ruby

By: Mary Monroe
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
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Publisher's Summary

In this stirring prequel, New York Times best-selling author Mary Monroe returns to the “cold-blooded yet fascinating” (Publishers Weekly) character from her acclaimed novel The Upper Room. Ruby is a wild youth, with a thirst for boys and booze by the age of 15. When she discovers she’s pregnant, the only person she can confide in is her best friend Othella. But Othella talks Ruby into giving up the child, leaving Ruby emotionally shattered and adamant that Othella is to blame for her loss.

©2011 Mary Monroe (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about Mama Ruby

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Book

Kevin R. Free is my favorite male reader. I love how he can change his voice for different characters. The story held my attention and made me laugh .

1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Held my interest

This prequel did a good job giving more backstory to the troubled upbringing of Othella and Mama Ruby and came full circle in the final few moments. It had quite a bit of action throughout and really held my interest. In the Upper Room I wasn't sure that I liked the narrarator, but in Mama Ruby I have decided that I have become rather fond of him and his voices. In fact I have started Lost Daughters (the 3rd book in the series) and I find myself really missing him as this new narrator is HORRIBLE as is this sloooooow Lost Daughters storyline. But back to this book, while there were a few inconsistencies from Mama Ruby and Upper Room, all in all the author did a great job tying them in. I am hoping that the big secret revealed in the final moments of Mama Ruby - the one she died without knowing, will tie into the Lost Daughters book and make it worth my while reading.

1 person found this helpful

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I am disappointed!!

After reading the first book "The Upper Room" I was very excited when this book came out!!
I was even excited that the same reader Kevin Free was narrator.
While the Upper room was over the top with the story...it included humor and suspense. This book was to tell the story of Ruby from a child to young womanhood. It was way to much sex and violence. Yes, the first book had the same but, the story was better told. This one seemed thrown together and offered no sympathy for the characters.
The reader did the best he could with what he had...

1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

took a long time

struggled with it
because the beginning went on too long. glad I didn't buy the book..

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Nice read

Enjoyed the book. I was hoping that Mama Ruby would get her first born back in the end.

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almost as good as the 1st book

love it. this book makes you understand the story of mama ruby and why she had to be so tough. and why Maureen was so important to her. mama ruby is a trip but this book makes you love her a little bit more.

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Great For Mature Audiences

This book will keep your attention. The story flows well. Raw material; very entertaining.

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A Must read, loved every moment of the story.

Loved it!
Characters were Amazing!
Excellent narrator.
Awesome story telling by the author
Fantastic!

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Love Mary Monroe!!

Really love this author!! Her books are entirely wacky and fun, but also depict very real situations pertinent to the time period that she writes in, pre- and post WWII.

This is the second book in the Mama Ruby series which, I think, could just as well be the first since it is sort of a prequel to the UPPER ROOM.

Regarding the narration: Kevin Free is oh so such a great narrator, and deserves so many more than 5 stars. It’s his (?) narration that makes these already great books really pop! Many kudos!! ☺️

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I love this author. Another great listen.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very entertaining with humor, drama and all kinds of twists and turns. The narrator is excellent This author has become one of my new faves. Every book has been great. Love it.