Rubies and Other Gems - the Novel [Kindle Edition]

Joyce DeBacco (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Rubies and Other Gems, the Novel

Lily’s life isn’t going well. Her husband is clueless and her children are rudderless. It's little wonder she seeks comfort in her dreams, unaware that her grandmother’s rubies have transported her back through time to a safer, saner existence.

When she realizes her dream lover is a real man who lived and died years before she was born, her problems mount. Despite her fears that her marriage may not survive her unintentional infidelity, she’s entranced by the simpler nature of times gone by and can't resist going back, but only after imposing strict rules of conduct on herself.

But a miscalculation keeps her away longer than planned, and she's confronted by an angry husband on her return. Aware she can't make amends and steer her children in the right direction unless she stays in the here and now, Lily vows to leave the past to the past. But in her attempt to take away the jewelry's power, she inadvertently sends herself back without her return ticket, the rubies.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 411 KB
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003Y5H7BI
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,007 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

After reading women's fiction for many years, Joyce decided she had stories of her own to tell. One of her books, Serendipity House, was named best indie romance for 2011 by Lynn of Red Adept Reviews. As the mother of four grown daughters, she's familiar with the problems women face finding love, raising children, and stepping back when necessary. All of her books place an emphasis on love and family dynamics. She is happiest when she's secluded in her office creating new worlds and people to populate them. When she's not taxing her brain with plot, structure, and grammar, she likes to sew, particularly quilts. When she really wants to rest her brain, she chills out in front of the TV and usually falls asleep. Please visit her website, http://www.joycedebacco.com for information about her books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost in time, February 17, 2011

By 

L. Mihay "Bikrgran" (Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rubies and Other Gems - the Novel (Kindle Edition)

Lily, Mother & wife, is struggling with what seems to be a stale marriage, and rebellious teens. She accidentally sends herself back in time, and her whole life changes. This is a book about time travel, and of families struggling to stay a family.

This is a really good book, with a totally surprising end. It reaffirms hope for those who think there's not any left.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read, May 21, 2011

By 

Debra L. Martin (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rubies and Other Gems - the Novel (Kindle Edition)

3.5 of 5 stars

RUBIES AND OTHER GEMS is the story of a modern woman, Lily Manning, who struggles to balance being a wife, mother and finding time for herself. It's never easy with two rebellious teenagers and a laid back husband who leaves all the difficult parenting to her. What she wouldn't do for a few moments of peace and quiet to herself. Through the power of her grandmother's ruby jewelry, Lily unwittingly has her wish granted when she is transported back in time to a simpler life. It's all a beautiful dream for Lily, one that she cherishes as her "me" time. When she wakes up from her dream, she has no idea that she has actually time traveled and that's when the trouble begins. The next time her life sets her nerves on edge, Lily grabs her grandmother's rubies and is once again transported back to the same time frame, but with a twist. She seeks out the sexy Daniel that she had met her first time back and indulges in every woman's fantasy enjoying an afternoon of passion. This one decision sets Lily on her own path of self-discovery.

I found the character of Lily believable. What woman today doesn't struggle with balancing work, home life, demanding teenagers and her own needs? However, I struggled to understand some of Lily's decisions especially concerning her husband's reaction to her infidelity. Yes, she felt guilty about her indiscretion and was trying to right a wrong, but she let herself become such a doormat to her husband's whims. After awhile it was too much and I found her behavior annoying instead of sympathetic. Dealing with a rebellious teenager is tough and Lily suffers through all the abusive behavior her daughter throws at her, all without the support of her husband Sam. When she tries to reign in Molly, Sam undermines her authority again and that sets another disaster in motion. Will Sam ever realize that his own "good guy" parenting is part of the marital problems he has with his wife?

All and all, RUBIES AND OTHER GEMS is an enjoyable read of a modern woman's struggles to find out what she really wants in life. Ms. DeBacco throws one final twist in at the end bringing this story to a "good-feel" ending.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth the Read, December 2, 2010

By 

Jaidis Shaw (South Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rubies and Other Gems - the Novel (Kindle Edition)

I recently finished reading Rubies and Other Gems by Joyce DeBacco and am pleased to say that I really enjoyed reading this fine work of fiction. The story revolves around Lily Manning, who is trying to keep from drowning in the normal day-to-day struggles of being a wife and mother. Like most women, Lily is just searching for that moment of clarity, a place she can go to escape the burdens and stresses of life. Trying to think of easier times, Lily gets out some jewelry pieces that belonged to her grandmother, and what she didn't know at the time, soon became apparent as her life was turned upside down and would be forever changed. Rubies and Other Gems is a wonderful treat for all women, especially those who know the stresses of married life. The characters are well written and the emotions will certainly tug at your heart-strings. If you are looking for a book that is an easy read, that will help take you away from the daily stresses, then grab your favorite drink, curl up in your favorite reading chair, and let your worries slip away as you share all of Lily's ups and downs on her road to self discovery.