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Ruby's Slippers
Dottie Meyers, 35, is a real-life Dorothy Gale living with her little black dog on a small farm in Kansas that’s about to be hit by a tornado. Knocked unconscious by the storm, she awakes three months later at a recovery facility in California where her father, last seen when she was four, has left her a mysterious pair of ruby slippers. But unlike The Wizard of Oz , this isn’t a dream, and the yellow brick road journey that Dottie and three friends are about to take from Los Angeles to Seattle in search of her dad will show the realities of a broken childhood. More importantly, everything connected to those sparkling red shoes will prove to Dottie that there’s only one true wonder worker behind the so-called curtain who can heal her wounds and prepare the heart for love.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Leanna Ellis
29 books159 followersAward-winning author, Leanna Ellis, writes sweet, heartwarming romances and closed-door romantic comedies with heart, humor, and hope. With over a million books sold, Ellis has won numerous awards, including the National Readers' Choice Award. She lives in Texas with her husband where they raised their two children, who now live too far away living their dreams but apparently still like to come home, probably to visit their doodle siblings who never grow up and move away. Readers who love Hallmark-style, wholesome love stories, will love The Wedding Letter series and the coming Love Note sereies. You can find more about Ellis at leannaellis.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 5, 2018
Another 25¢ pickup bites the dust. I can't decide if this story is stupid or boring. I finally decided I don't care. Thinking about it now, I'm pretty sure it's both. The pieces that aren't boring are stupid. The ones that aren't stupid are boring. Some are probably both at the same time. Sigh. Gorgeous cover, though...
April 25, 2016
Leanna Ellis is one of the more original voices in women’s fiction, and she proves it in her latest novel, Ruby’s Slippers.
After a tornado flattens her farm, Dottie Meyers awakens from a coma to find she’s literally not in Kansas anymore. Admitted to a West Coast recovery facility by her selfish sister, Dottie finds her life is as much of a whirlwind as the storm. But the discovery of a pair of ruby slippers left at her bedside by her absentee father sends Dottie, her friends, and her little dog, Otto, on a journey she’ll never forget.
In Ruby’s Slippers, Ms. Ellis pays homage to the classic film, The Wizard of Oz, with a dash of Cinderella for good measure. This is a charming tale of mending broken dreams, people who are more than they seem, and finding the meaning for true happiness within your heart
After a tornado flattens her farm, Dottie Meyers awakens from a coma to find she’s literally not in Kansas anymore. Admitted to a West Coast recovery facility by her selfish sister, Dottie finds her life is as much of a whirlwind as the storm. But the discovery of a pair of ruby slippers left at her bedside by her absentee father sends Dottie, her friends, and her little dog, Otto, on a journey she’ll never forget.
In Ruby’s Slippers, Ms. Ellis pays homage to the classic film, The Wizard of Oz, with a dash of Cinderella for good measure. This is a charming tale of mending broken dreams, people who are more than they seem, and finding the meaning for true happiness within your heart
April 3, 2009
Dottie Meyers and Dorothy Gale from the Wizard of Oz have many things in common. They both own a little black dog and they both live on a farm in Kansas. Just like Dorothy; Dottie gets knocked unconscious by some debris during a tornado. Unfortunately Dottie does not end up in the wonderful world of Oz. Dottie instead wakes up in a nursing home in California. Dottie receives a mysterious package. Inside the package is a pair of ruby red slippers. The slippers were left by Dottie’s father. Someone who she has not seen since she was a little girl. Dottie decides to go on a road trip to find her father. She is accompanied by some really wild and crazy companions.
I don’t know where to start. There are so many things I liked about this book…from the beginning, everything in the middle, till the very end. Who I enjoyed the most through was Sophia. She is a little old lady that Dottie meets in the nursing home and one of Dottie’s travelling buddies. She had this great sense of humor but watch out for her driving. Another fun element I liked about this story was Ms. Ellis’s innovative way on how she incorporated all the characters from the Wizard of Oz into Ruby’s Slippers. Leanna Ellis proves with this book that there is no place like home.
I don’t know where to start. There are so many things I liked about this book…from the beginning, everything in the middle, till the very end. Who I enjoyed the most through was Sophia. She is a little old lady that Dottie meets in the nursing home and one of Dottie’s travelling buddies. She had this great sense of humor but watch out for her driving. Another fun element I liked about this story was Ms. Ellis’s innovative way on how she incorporated all the characters from the Wizard of Oz into Ruby’s Slippers. Leanna Ellis proves with this book that there is no place like home.
July 9, 2015
If you love the Wizard of Oz with all the crazy characters and the adventures they go on, you will love this story. Even if you weren’t crazy about the movie that starred Judy Garland you will love this book. I have to say I wasn’t really a fan of the movie, it scared me tremendously as a kid, yet my parent’s insisted we watch it every year. The Wizard of Oz has been redeemed for me. Hooray! Leanna took me inside the pages of this clever, witty, fun and surprising story. I found treasure where I least expected it. God’s healing truth jumped off the page and into my heart.
“Every day is a gift,” the author mentions. It’s our choice to see it and open up the gift daily.
Here’s a sneak peak into this book. ..”were two frightened people, side by side, who are afraid to risk, afraid to love, afraid of being wounded, can’t reach out to one another. “Maybe,” I venture a hypothesis, “that’s why we can’t explore…experience God. We’re afraid of him.”
I have found these statements and many others to be so true in my life. Not only was I afraid of God but afraid to do what he had asked me to do– questioning if he picked the right person for the task at hand. I let the enemy win in my life by just being afraid to do anything. I didn’t grow, love or live life. I think that’s why I really related to this story. I’ve experienced this truth, and God’s healing power mentioned throughout this tale. I totally enjoyed every minute I spent reading Leanne’s book. Through these very unique set of characters I can see how far I’ve let God heal my heart. I also see how much he wants to love me, if I let him. We all are a work in progress. This was the first book I’ve read by Leanna Ellis, I’m most definitely going to check out her other two books. I can’t wait to read this book again.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
“Every day is a gift,” the author mentions. It’s our choice to see it and open up the gift daily.
Here’s a sneak peak into this book. ..”were two frightened people, side by side, who are afraid to risk, afraid to love, afraid of being wounded, can’t reach out to one another. “Maybe,” I venture a hypothesis, “that’s why we can’t explore…experience God. We’re afraid of him.”
I have found these statements and many others to be so true in my life. Not only was I afraid of God but afraid to do what he had asked me to do– questioning if he picked the right person for the task at hand. I let the enemy win in my life by just being afraid to do anything. I didn’t grow, love or live life. I think that’s why I really related to this story. I’ve experienced this truth, and God’s healing power mentioned throughout this tale. I totally enjoyed every minute I spent reading Leanne’s book. Through these very unique set of characters I can see how far I’ve let God heal my heart. I also see how much he wants to love me, if I let him. We all are a work in progress. This was the first book I’ve read by Leanna Ellis, I’m most definitely going to check out her other two books. I can’t wait to read this book again.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
February 19, 2010
While I would consider myself a strong fan of Leanna Ellis, it took me a little longer to get into the flow of RUBY'S SLIPPERS.
Still, that's not to say this book didn't hold me in it's grip. The beginning throws you right there into the tornado with Dottie and her little dog Otto. The chapters are short, the language is jumpy, Dottie is fading in and out of consciousness. Through her recovery, I felt very tied to Dottie's emotions. Her sense of confusion, her desire to be back where life was normal, her growing love for the friends and security the home provides. Because of this, I felt just as wary as Dottie to step outside and follow through with the rest of her trials and travels.
Ellis writes with a simple, clean, light style the pulls you along. However, the bits with Dottie's sister felt way too rushed, the relationship not as fleshed out as it could have been to convey a finer sense of what each sister's motivations were for the family. The theme of The Wizard of Oz, while very prevalent, was not overly forced in. Ellis skillfully weaves elements and icons from the famous movie into her own plot-lines, managing to create a finely woven bond rather than a straight up comparison between the two. The major themes felt similar to the previous two books by Ellis, but the situations and voices were much more stark.
I look forward to what Ellis has in store for us next!
Still, that's not to say this book didn't hold me in it's grip. The beginning throws you right there into the tornado with Dottie and her little dog Otto. The chapters are short, the language is jumpy, Dottie is fading in and out of consciousness. Through her recovery, I felt very tied to Dottie's emotions. Her sense of confusion, her desire to be back where life was normal, her growing love for the friends and security the home provides. Because of this, I felt just as wary as Dottie to step outside and follow through with the rest of her trials and travels.
Ellis writes with a simple, clean, light style the pulls you along. However, the bits with Dottie's sister felt way too rushed, the relationship not as fleshed out as it could have been to convey a finer sense of what each sister's motivations were for the family. The theme of The Wizard of Oz, while very prevalent, was not overly forced in. Ellis skillfully weaves elements and icons from the famous movie into her own plot-lines, managing to create a finely woven bond rather than a straight up comparison between the two. The major themes felt similar to the previous two books by Ellis, but the situations and voices were much more stark.
I look forward to what Ellis has in store for us next!
August 11, 2011
Who doesn’t love The Wizard of Oz? Perhaps no one as much as the narrator of Ruby’s Slippers, Dottie Meyers, whose grandmother worked on set with Judy Garland during the making of the movie. Dottie has grown up a Kansas farm girl whose father left the family when she was just a child. Her sister, Abby, is currently making her mark in Hollywood, and the girls’ mother, Ruby, has recently died. When Abby comes home to visit, Dottie finds her searching through their mother’s belongings in the cellar in the middle of the night. What’s her highrolling sister after?
But then a tornado comes to this Kansas farm, and Dottie awakens in a recovery facility to discover her elusive father has been to visit and left her a pair of ruby slippers. Could these be the ruby slippers from the movie? When Dottie recovers, she and three friends set off to find her father, while others, including her sister, pursue in search of the slippers. Will Dottie find her heart’s desire?
As you can see, the story is rich in parallels to the famous movie, an irony not lost on Dottie herself. Sometimes I got a little distracted trying to remember what this or that bit might line up with from the movie, but Ruby’s Slippers is its own tale.
But then a tornado comes to this Kansas farm, and Dottie awakens in a recovery facility to discover her elusive father has been to visit and left her a pair of ruby slippers. Could these be the ruby slippers from the movie? When Dottie recovers, she and three friends set off to find her father, while others, including her sister, pursue in search of the slippers. Will Dottie find her heart’s desire?
As you can see, the story is rich in parallels to the famous movie, an irony not lost on Dottie herself. Sometimes I got a little distracted trying to remember what this or that bit might line up with from the movie, but Ruby’s Slippers is its own tale.
April 10, 2010
Dottie (Dorothy) Meyers lives on a small Kansas farm, alone but for her little dog Toto – oops ... Otto. When a tornado rips through her property, it not only demolishes the home she’s lived in all her life, but knocks the middle-aged maiden out cold. She awakens three months later at Rainbow’s End, an assisted living facility in California. Near her bed are a pair of ruby slippers – a gift from the father she hasn’t seen since she was four.
Haunted by childhood memories and a longing to meet the Daddy she barely remembers, Dottie sets out on a journey to Seattle (the Emerald City). Traveling with her are three friends: Sophia, whose mastectomy left her constantly rearranging the “stuffing” in strategic places on her body. A free thinker, she jokes that her son sometimes thinks she’s lost her brain; Tim, Dottie’s elderly uncle by marriage. He gave his whole heart to Elizabeth, who’s younger brother is Dottie’s father. When Elizabeth died, Tim thought his heart died with her; Leo, Sophia’s wild and woolly son, who lives by himself in a cabin in the woods. He looks fearsome, and he makes a lot of noise, but Dottie soon discovers that a part of Leo is nothing more than a scared little boy who mourns the absence of a father in his life, just as she does.
And then there’s Duncan Meyers, who lives in Seattle in a house that’s nothing short of a mansion. Why did he abandon his family all those years ago? And why did he leave those unusual slippers for his daughter while she lay in a coma?
Dottie’s actress sister, Abby, is busy playing the part of the wicked witch in a traveling production of The Wizard of Oz. For some reason, she desperately wants Dottie’s ruby slippers … and she’s not alone. More than one person is out to get those shoes.
The little group of friends learn a lot of important lessons about themselves and each other on their way to Seattle. Focused on guarding the shoes and mentally clinging to the past, will Dottie fail to see the promise of a brighter future? Hurt and disillusioned by her father’s abandonment, will she ever again trust another man with her heart? In search of her Daddy’s affection, will she fail to see the flawless love her heavenly Father has offered all along?
It’s a modern-day Wizard of Oz with Cinderella undertones. But this is no fairy tale or fantasy, with magical resolutions and guaranteed happy endings. It’s a deeply moving story of hurt and healing, of love and loss, of hope and redemption. Immensely entertaining, it is chock full of wit, grit, humor and heartache. Truly unforgettable, Ruby’s Slippers has the potential to be a classic.
Haunted by childhood memories and a longing to meet the Daddy she barely remembers, Dottie sets out on a journey to Seattle (the Emerald City). Traveling with her are three friends: Sophia, whose mastectomy left her constantly rearranging the “stuffing” in strategic places on her body. A free thinker, she jokes that her son sometimes thinks she’s lost her brain; Tim, Dottie’s elderly uncle by marriage. He gave his whole heart to Elizabeth, who’s younger brother is Dottie’s father. When Elizabeth died, Tim thought his heart died with her; Leo, Sophia’s wild and woolly son, who lives by himself in a cabin in the woods. He looks fearsome, and he makes a lot of noise, but Dottie soon discovers that a part of Leo is nothing more than a scared little boy who mourns the absence of a father in his life, just as she does.
And then there’s Duncan Meyers, who lives in Seattle in a house that’s nothing short of a mansion. Why did he abandon his family all those years ago? And why did he leave those unusual slippers for his daughter while she lay in a coma?
Dottie’s actress sister, Abby, is busy playing the part of the wicked witch in a traveling production of The Wizard of Oz. For some reason, she desperately wants Dottie’s ruby slippers … and she’s not alone. More than one person is out to get those shoes.
The little group of friends learn a lot of important lessons about themselves and each other on their way to Seattle. Focused on guarding the shoes and mentally clinging to the past, will Dottie fail to see the promise of a brighter future? Hurt and disillusioned by her father’s abandonment, will she ever again trust another man with her heart? In search of her Daddy’s affection, will she fail to see the flawless love her heavenly Father has offered all along?
It’s a modern-day Wizard of Oz with Cinderella undertones. But this is no fairy tale or fantasy, with magical resolutions and guaranteed happy endings. It’s a deeply moving story of hurt and healing, of love and loss, of hope and redemption. Immensely entertaining, it is chock full of wit, grit, humor and heartache. Truly unforgettable, Ruby’s Slippers has the potential to be a classic.
March 29, 2016
This is another book that has found its way to my bookshelf, and isn't going anywhere. Dottie's story is such a fun adventure! Having cared for her sick mother until her death, she's still living in the house she grew up in; still living the quiet life she's always lived; and does not even want to imagine any kind of change to her routine. In other words, she's in a very predictable, very boring rut, until a literal tornado takes her staid life and shakes it up completely! She wakes up three months later confused, fearful, uncertain, and unable to make sense of her life. Her sister, Abby, has moved her to California during her coma, and pretty much gotten rid of everything from her old life. With a body that's slowly recovering, she meets the other characters living in the Santa Barbara Retirement Center, or 'Rainbow's End'; Maybelle (a four foot tall retired carnival worker), and Sophia (battled breast cancer, now her chest tends to get lopsided). Finally reunited with Otto, her faithful dog, she discovers that sometime during her coma, her long lost father has visited and left some ruby slippers for her. The slippers belonged to her grandmother, and Dottie sees this as her father making an effort at last. With her farm in Kansas just about to be auctioned off, she decides to meet her father in person, hoping he can help settle her questions along with selling the shoes so she can buy back her farm. With Sophia, and Otto of course, off they go to Seattle. Along the way, they pick up two extra travelers who are a little lost also, and what follows is a great experience that helps each of them find themselves.
Sprinkled with little call backs to The Wizard of Oz, this is a story that will make you smile. You root for Dottie to find her answers, and you also can't help but enjoy all the people she meets on her 'yellow brick road'. Especially Leo, Sophia's son, who is a little bit broken himself. Dottie and Leo circle around one another, and their banter is just so cute to watch! Dottie hasn't ever had someone tease her and rile her quite as quickly and as often as Leo seems to. For Leo, Dottie's bravery and determination are intriguing. (Plus he really just likes to see how quick he can make her blush.) Their interactions are simply charming. Overall, this adventure is delightful and amusing to read! Try it yourself! You won't be disappointed.
Sprinkled with little call backs to The Wizard of Oz, this is a story that will make you smile. You root for Dottie to find her answers, and you also can't help but enjoy all the people she meets on her 'yellow brick road'. Especially Leo, Sophia's son, who is a little bit broken himself. Dottie and Leo circle around one another, and their banter is just so cute to watch! Dottie hasn't ever had someone tease her and rile her quite as quickly and as often as Leo seems to. For Leo, Dottie's bravery and determination are intriguing. (Plus he really just likes to see how quick he can make her blush.) Their interactions are simply charming. Overall, this adventure is delightful and amusing to read! Try it yourself! You won't be disappointed.
March 31, 2010
Title: RUBY’S SLIPPERS
Author: Leanna Ellis
Publisher: Broadman & Holman Books
April 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8054-4698-2
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/women’s fiction
Dottie Meyers is happy with her life in Kansas. All she ever wanted was the family farm, a family to love, and her dad to return home. Her sister, Abby, on the other hand, always wanted more—more money and more fame. Now, Abby is a famous movie star, but she is always out of money—she sold what things she had, and went home to Kansas to try to talk Dottie into selling her farm—and to see if there was anything in the basement she could steal, and sell.
When a tornado blows through Kansas, Dottie, and her little dog Otto, are blown away. Dottie wakes up in Kansas where she finds that Abby has sold the farm from under her (and pocketed the money), and her dad has left her a mystery gift—a pair of Ruby slippers.
Now everyone wants those slippers, including Dottie’s own sister. So Dottie and some friends travel to Seattle in search of answers. What is the story behind those slippers? And is it possibly that they will solve Dottie’s problems?
RUBY’S SLIPPERS is a really cute play off of The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella in a more contemporary tale. I enjoyed reading this story—but I didn’t really care for the ending so much. Dottie is a sweetheart of a character, and I just couldn’t believe the selfishness of Abby, but sadly she reminds me strongly of someone I know.
RUBY’S SLIPPERS is humorous and entertaining, and yet teaches an important lesson about family, material goods, and love. Highly recommended. $14.99. 312 pages.
Author: Leanna Ellis
Publisher: Broadman & Holman Books
April 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8054-4698-2
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/women’s fiction
Dottie Meyers is happy with her life in Kansas. All she ever wanted was the family farm, a family to love, and her dad to return home. Her sister, Abby, on the other hand, always wanted more—more money and more fame. Now, Abby is a famous movie star, but she is always out of money—she sold what things she had, and went home to Kansas to try to talk Dottie into selling her farm—and to see if there was anything in the basement she could steal, and sell.
When a tornado blows through Kansas, Dottie, and her little dog Otto, are blown away. Dottie wakes up in Kansas where she finds that Abby has sold the farm from under her (and pocketed the money), and her dad has left her a mystery gift—a pair of Ruby slippers.
Now everyone wants those slippers, including Dottie’s own sister. So Dottie and some friends travel to Seattle in search of answers. What is the story behind those slippers? And is it possibly that they will solve Dottie’s problems?
RUBY’S SLIPPERS is a really cute play off of The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella in a more contemporary tale. I enjoyed reading this story—but I didn’t really care for the ending so much. Dottie is a sweetheart of a character, and I just couldn’t believe the selfishness of Abby, but sadly she reminds me strongly of someone I know.
RUBY’S SLIPPERS is humorous and entertaining, and yet teaches an important lesson about family, material goods, and love. Highly recommended. $14.99. 312 pages.
March 28, 2013
This book was a surprise, literally! Apparently in early February, I either saw something about this book somewhere else online (none of my Goodreads friends has it on their lists), or someone recommended it to me, and I put it on hold through my library's interlibrary loan system and promptly forgot I'd done so. (Imagine what I felt when I got an email that a book I did not recall requesting was available for me to pick up! HA!)
The blurb about the book did look interesting, so I thought I'd give it a go, and I'm so glad I did. The author uses The story of the movie 'The Wizard of Oz' throughout her book, showing us parallels from Dorothy herself, all the way down to 'the man behind the curtain'. It kept me entertained and anxiously wondering 'what happens next' from page one.
If I could, I would give this 4.5 stars. What a lovely book about what it really means to find your 'no place like home'. :)
The blurb about the book did look interesting, so I thought I'd give it a go, and I'm so glad I did. The author uses The story of the movie 'The Wizard of Oz' throughout her book, showing us parallels from Dorothy herself, all the way down to 'the man behind the curtain'. It kept me entertained and anxiously wondering 'what happens next' from page one.
If I could, I would give this 4.5 stars. What a lovely book about what it really means to find your 'no place like home'. :)
August 6, 2012
I really don't know what to say about this book. I thought it was a modern day retelling of The Wizard of Oz but it's not. It has some similarities, constant references to the movie, and an all too frequent reference to the ruby slippers. I don't really understand how anyone knew that Dottie was in possession of the shoes. The slight twist at the end about the girls' father is weird and came out of left field. And for some reason it annoyed me that the main character's name is Dottie, that her dog's name is Otto, and that they live in Kansas. Despite all of this, the book still didn't feel like a retelling of the movie.
Maybe I'm just cranky because it's hot and therefore being more harsh than usual. I just know that I'm glad to be done with the book.
Maybe I'm just cranky because it's hot and therefore being more harsh than usual. I just know that I'm glad to be done with the book.
March 27, 2010
I didn't expect all the references to the Wizard of Oz when I started reading this book, so I was a bit surprised, but it was really cute how it was tied into Ruby's Slippers.
The story took some turns that I didn't anticipate in the beginning, but they were definitely positive turns. Ruby's Slippers is a touching story that inspires you to appreciate the life that you have today and strive to make tomorrow the best it can be.
The story took some turns that I didn't anticipate in the beginning, but they were definitely positive turns. Ruby's Slippers is a touching story that inspires you to appreciate the life that you have today and strive to make tomorrow the best it can be.
June 9, 2012
The back cover said, Imagine...The Wizard of Oz meets Cinderella. This is a fascinating story of family lost and found. Sibling rivarly and desperation. Overcoming fear of the unknown and believing in faith and God above all else. I was hooked with the very first chapter and through the end. The main character is Dorthy Meyers and as she follows her yellow brick road she comes to realize life is a miracle.
October 26, 2009
I'm usually not big on religious fiction since so many books tend to be overly didactic, but I really enjoyed this one. I'm going to look for more Leanna Ellis books to see if they're all palatable.
May 7, 2010
I love Leanna's writing style and the way she weaves well-known characters into her stories. Ruby's Slippers draws from both Dorothy Gale and Cinderella in a thoroughly entertaining way.
July 23, 2013
Fun book
September 16, 2020
Wonderfully, imaginative retelling of the classic “Wizard of Oz” story with a modern day Dorothy “ Dotty” and a pair of Ruby slippers. Dotty survives a tornado that destroys her family farm; she wakes from a coma in a care center in California and soon finds herself on a journey with an odd bunch, all with similar traits to the Oz story and she is searching for her estranged father who abandoned she and her sister when they were children. Through her journey she learns that home is not just a place, but home is wherever the people you love are.
April 27, 2019
Easy read. Very entertaining.
January 11, 2022
this is a charming somewhat sugary tale of love loss and redemption. It will never make the awards lists but it is an engaging enough read
March 5, 2024
Loved this book! I don’t typically like romances, but this was woven in with a great plot, wonderful characters, and even included animals!
January 22, 2010
Although I am not necessarily a “Wizard of Oz” fan, I thought the cover and premise of this book sounded cute and fun. The new idea of taking a commonly loved or known story and remaking it, or even writing a sequel to it, can be a novelty at times. This retelling of this iconic film is interesting, and fun to draw up the similarities as you read.
Told from Dottie’s point of view, we watch this woman of 35 (ironically my own age), drift into a seemingly life of retirement. She seemed much older than 35, and this is heightened after her accident when she is placed in a “recovery facility” that seemed similar to a retirement home. The first half of the book felt disjointed, and it was difficult for me to attach to many of the characters; however, once I reached her recovery point, and she had made friends and decided to hit the road in search of her father, I felt much more connected to the characters and their journey.
While slightly predictable, and characters that I didn’t always feel I understood or should care about, there is a cute, light-hearted story here as well. The romance is a tad syrupy for my taste, but I realize that might be what I was walking into, and should have realized it from the beginning. There is a sense of resolution in the story, so you do end feeling as if the book has come full circle, which is satisfying. Overall, I would say that the story is cute and entertaining, and although some characters, for me, were difficult to attach to, their comparisons from the film are fun to consider as you read.
Told from Dottie’s point of view, we watch this woman of 35 (ironically my own age), drift into a seemingly life of retirement. She seemed much older than 35, and this is heightened after her accident when she is placed in a “recovery facility” that seemed similar to a retirement home. The first half of the book felt disjointed, and it was difficult for me to attach to many of the characters; however, once I reached her recovery point, and she had made friends and decided to hit the road in search of her father, I felt much more connected to the characters and their journey.
While slightly predictable, and characters that I didn’t always feel I understood or should care about, there is a cute, light-hearted story here as well. The romance is a tad syrupy for my taste, but I realize that might be what I was walking into, and should have realized it from the beginning. There is a sense of resolution in the story, so you do end feeling as if the book has come full circle, which is satisfying. Overall, I would say that the story is cute and entertaining, and although some characters, for me, were difficult to attach to, their comparisons from the film are fun to consider as you read.
March 10, 2010
New author to me, Leanna Ellis, was a pleasant surprise. This is not a book that I would have picked up myself. It was given to me, and I am so glad it was. I would categorize it as Christian Chick Lit. It is a fun and easy read; however, there was much more substance than I expected. This novel could have been extremely cheesy; but a little cheddar never hurt anyone. I actually enjoyed the parallels to the Wizard of Oz, especially within the characters. Dottie Meyers is injured in a tornado in Kansas and wakes up in a nursing home where she had been given ruby slippers by a father she never knew. This leads her on a journey: a journey toward family and truth. Along the way she picks up friends who each add something to Dottie's life she didn't even realize she was missing. I love the moments of Sophia mentoring Dottie, and I was moved by the moments of realization and reconciliation. One of my favorite moments was in a conversation about prayer. Dottie asks "what if I only have complaints?" and the response: "You think He doesn't know them already?" They continue to talk about prayer and how it is about our relationship with our Father. She does meet her biological dad, but more importantly she gets to know her heavenly Father. In the end, this is who she wants to share with her sister. This was a not only a fun book, but also a well thought out one with a beautiful testimony of Dottie's personal growth. It worked for me.
April 27, 2015
I enjoy a good Oz adaptation and with a hopeful Christian message this book certainly delivers. With Dottie following a new path, Sophie as a scattered but loving scarecrow makes a wonderful companion especially as they meet up with Uncle Tim who plays the recently widowed Tin man role beautifully. Once Leo joins the crew as a masculine, yet appropriately fear of commitment Lion we have an adventure toward the Emerald city of Seattle and the ultimate Fraud, a father who try as he might will never live up to the Heavenly Father who will never let us down. The lessons this story teaches are beautifully sculpted and painfully relatable but ultimately hopeful for the reader.
January 11, 2017
Christian fiction. The story is a takeoff on "The Wizard of Oz". Its a story of a 35 year old woman who retired from her school teaching job to stay home and care for her dying mother. Her father left them when she was four and her baby sister was 2. The younger sister is an actress and wants her to sell the farm that was left the two of them but the older sister does not want to leave her home in Kansas. There is a tornado and the farm is destroyed and the older sister is in a coma for 3 months. After she comes out of her coma the journey begins for her and her sister and a pair of Ruby slippers her father brings her while she is in the coma. It's a fun and easy reading story.
October 13, 2013
Very interesting story, with a different angle than most contemporary books I've read. I really enjoyed the colorful characters and watching the relationships blossom. I really prefer historicals, so I was glad this author wove some history into the plot with the ruby slippers. A quick afternoon read.
May 27, 2010
One of my faves!
October 6, 2013
not a bad read. A bit on the "cheesy" side. sometimes it is like reading a diary. writing style a bit inconsistent.
June 12, 2015
Cute but cheesey read modeled after The Wizard of Oz. Where at the end the true Wizard is God.
January 13, 2016
Great story
Enjoyed this book from beginning to the end. Love that it follows one of my favorite movies of all time.
Enjoyed this book from beginning to the end. Love that it follows one of my favorite movies of all time.
October 21, 2016
I could hardly finish it. It was not very well written, very slow. Very hard to have any empathy with the main characters.
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