RUBY

by Janis Flores

Ruby's story begins with a brief prologue. She has just turned twelve when her mother, Dixie, takes her to meet a grandmother she never knew existed, who lives alone in in the mountains near the fictional town of Henna Glenn, Idaho. The meeting doesn't go well. Dixie.had severed all ties with her mother,Sorcha, after a wild and forbidden trip to Las Vegas when she was sixteen hat resulted in her becoming pregnant by a man she had just met and knew only as "Fitz." Since then Dixie has eked out a meager living by pole dancing and bringing home the truckers who pass through the town, leaving her lonely daughter to fend for herself. On the way to meet the grandmother, Dixie stops to rest, while a. bored Ruby wanders away a short distance and discovers a hidden pond, She is just taking a drink when she looks up to see a beautiful white wolf watching her from the other side. She is not afraid; for she has studied wolves from the time she was young; and has dreamed of the day when, as impossible as it seems, she might establish a sanctuary to keep them safe from the hunters who prowl the mountains looking to kill every one they can find. Just then, her impatient mother calls her to stop dawdling, and the wolf disappears into the forest. Knowing how her mother, along with the rest of the townspeople, regard wolves as vermin, Ruby resolves to keep that encounter a secret. She will meet the wolf she calls "Waya", with his family many times over the years. For now, mother and daughter continue their trek up the mountain,only to discover that Sorcha has no interest in taking care of her granddaughter while Dixie flits off to Los Angeles with a new trucker boyfriend to make her "fortune" there. The book then begins with the story of Ruby'slonely life over the next four years, her only friends the wolves who come to visit her in a private clearing in the forest. Then comes the night when her life is forever altered by a man named Darrell Oates, whom DIxie has invited to their rundown trailer with the hope that he will marry her and take her away from her depressing existence. A mean drunk, Oates discovers a lost kitten Ruby rescued and tried to hide from her mother. When he kills the kitten, Ruby attacks him, and the situation escalates until Dixie, half drunk herself, grabs a gun and shoots him twice in the chest. Barely realizing what she's done, she shoves the gun in Ruby's hands, insisting she take the blame for shooting Oates. When a hysterical Ruby tries to object, Dixie says that at her age and tells her she has to take the blame for shooting Oates. Her reasoning is that Ruby won't go to prison because she's too young, and that when she gets out of Juvenile Hall, they'll go to LA and start over. Ruby spends four years at Sutter Detention for Wayward Girls. During that time, she makes friends with the gang leader, Marva Paxton, by teaching her to read. In turn, Marva teaches her how to handle a knife, a skill that in the future will save her life. Ruby also meets a young man, Neil Lander, who adopts the white mixed breed dog named Tundra that Ruby has been training

340 pages, Paperback

Published December 17, 2024

Reviews

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely stole my heart. From the very first page, I was drawn into Ruby Fairchild’s world — her quiet strength, her struggles, and her incredible bond with Waya, the majestic white wolf, felt so real that I could almost hear the wind in the Idaho Mountains and see the snow glistening in the moonlight. The author has woven a story that is not only beautifully written but deeply moving, blending adventure, suspense, and heartfelt emotion into a journey of self-discovery and belonging.

The themes of loyalty, family, and courage are explored in a way that lingers long after you turn the last page. I found myself cheering for Ruby, feeling her heartbreaks, and celebrating her victories. This is the kind of book that stays with you — the kind you press into a friend’s hands with a smile and say, “You have to read this.” A masterpiece of storytelling.

[Elizabeth Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unforgettable story! Ruby Fairchild’s journey is both thrilling and deeply emotional, and her bond with Waya, the white wolf, is nothing short of magical. The author masterfully blends suspense, adventure, and heartfelt moments, creating a story that is impossible to put down.

Ruby’s courage, resilience, and search for belonging truly resonated with me, and the vivid descriptions of the Idaho Mountains and the wild wolves made the setting feel alive. This book is a beautiful reminder that family is more than blood, and strength is found in the connections we choose. A must-read for anyone who loves adventure, heart, and unforgettable characters.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby as a heroine is instantly recognizable and authentic as someone who has been subjected to many of life’s injustices, and still finds a way to rise above her circumstances by delving within to see who she really is. She is accompanied by some wonderful guides, from her grandmother Sorcha who reluctantly takes Ruby in and then becomes her beloved teacher; to Waya, Ruby’s elusive wild soulmate of a white wolf, who opens Ruby’s heart to the fierce protectiveness and loyalty that is already part of her character. Ruby navigates the twists and turns of her life with grace and wholeheartedness, even when she is making mistakes in love and loyalty that she is determined to learn from. Her journey from tormented child to self-confident and loving adult is an inspiration. By the end of this book, you will feel as if Ruby is that friend who you care for deeply, and are always rooting for.