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Ruby's Letters
Updated cover edition found here.
You never know what you’ll find behind the wall of a closed up fireplace.
Emma Hopkins is a recently divorced chimney sweep trying to make it in a man’s world. When she wins a huge job in Brooklyn Heights , she finds more than she bargains for; a sexy general contractor who makes her blood boil and an evil spirit who wants her dead.
Ryan Atkinson struggles to keep his once-successful general contracting business alive, but horrors in his past have made him a shell of the man he once was. Now he has to face those fears to save Emma from a murderous ghost hell-bent on revenge.
Together, Ryan and Emma become ghost hunting partners, hoping to solve the mystery behind Ruby’s letters. What they uncover is a one-hundred year old murder and a budding love that can’t be denied.
You never know what you’ll find behind the wall of a closed up fireplace.
Emma Hopkins is a recently divorced chimney sweep trying to make it in a man’s world. When she wins a huge job in Brooklyn Heights , she finds more than she bargains for; a sexy general contractor who makes her blood boil and an evil spirit who wants her dead.
Ryan Atkinson struggles to keep his once-successful general contracting business alive, but horrors in his past have made him a shell of the man he once was. Now he has to face those fears to save Emma from a murderous ghost hell-bent on revenge.
Together, Ryan and Emma become ghost hunting partners, hoping to solve the mystery behind Ruby’s letters. What they uncover is a one-hundred year old murder and a budding love that can’t be denied.
- GenresParanormal
270 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2014
5 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Van Well
4 books38 followersMaggie writes contemporary romance, sometimes with a supernatural twist. She lives on Long Island with her husband, four insane children (no idea where they get that from) and two entertaining Italian Greyhounds: Rosie, and Santa's Little Helper. She also has two ringed-neck doves, because, ya know, who doesn’t like getting woken up at two in the morning by cooing?
Maggie’s love of the ocean was her inspiration for the fictional seaside town of Seashore Cove. She’s addicted to café mochas, Godiva chocolate, and hidden object games.
Maggie’s love of the ocean was her inspiration for the fictional seaside town of Seashore Cove. She’s addicted to café mochas, Godiva chocolate, and hidden object games.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 9, 2014
This story touched on themes I adore... contemporary romance, history, suspense, ghosts... and blended them in the most perfect way. In Ruby's Letters, we're treated to a tale of Emma, a female chimney sweep - who is a strong woman comfortable and respected in a man's world - and Ryan, a truly and deeply wounded hero with whom many of us can identify. Their story would be as romantic, their road to love as bumpy, without the added element of battling ghosts - one good and one evil - and a hundred-year-old mystery. Yet that added layer lent a thrill to this story that, in the end, left me teary. Righting wrongs of the past, and overcoming horrors of the present are feats Emma and Ryan struggle to overcome, but overcome they do, and in a most satisfying way. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has experienced the pain of untold truths and the torturous pleasures of a budding love. Ms. Van Well brings the paranormal to us in vivid swirls of emotion and guides us through the heartache and healing of the ages via her hero and heroine in a story so well worth the read.
September 2, 2017
Fun and feisty ghosts make up this paranormal romantic intrigue. Some days it sucks to go to work, this chimney sweep finds a skeleton when she is cleaning. A sweet romance.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 16, 2015
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Ruby's Letters is a fun paranormal romance featuring some feisty ghosts and a century old mystery. Forget skeletons in the closet, main character Emma finds a real skeleton in a brick fireplace. The find sparks a ghost hunt, as well as a second chance at love.
I really liked Emma's relationship with her ex-husband Jared. So many exes are written as embittered, so it was nice to see two who were still supportive and got along. While Emma was a sweet and loving character, I found her to be a tad bland. Romantic interest Ryan was seriously wounded. After surviving a hellacious ordeal, he suffers from panic attacks and nightmares. He definitely brought out the nurturer in Emma.
Emma's employees, Bart and Carlos, were delightfully written. They never failed to make me laugh. I also loved Emma's neighbor Sheila-- she had an eccentric personality that really shone through. The first third of the book was fast-paced and interesting, but things slowed down a bit after that. While I enjoyed the mystery and the character interactions, something was missing. I always felt on the outside looking in, if that makes any sense.
Overall, I enjoyed Ruby's Letters. It's a fun read with a sweet romance between two characters who really need each other. I liked the interaction between the ghosts-- it was interesting to see the world from their points of view.
Ruby's Letters is a fun paranormal romance featuring some feisty ghosts and a century old mystery. Forget skeletons in the closet, main character Emma finds a real skeleton in a brick fireplace. The find sparks a ghost hunt, as well as a second chance at love.
I really liked Emma's relationship with her ex-husband Jared. So many exes are written as embittered, so it was nice to see two who were still supportive and got along. While Emma was a sweet and loving character, I found her to be a tad bland. Romantic interest Ryan was seriously wounded. After surviving a hellacious ordeal, he suffers from panic attacks and nightmares. He definitely brought out the nurturer in Emma.
Emma's employees, Bart and Carlos, were delightfully written. They never failed to make me laugh. I also loved Emma's neighbor Sheila-- she had an eccentric personality that really shone through. The first third of the book was fast-paced and interesting, but things slowed down a bit after that. While I enjoyed the mystery and the character interactions, something was missing. I always felt on the outside looking in, if that makes any sense.
Overall, I enjoyed Ruby's Letters. It's a fun read with a sweet romance between two characters who really need each other. I liked the interaction between the ghosts-- it was interesting to see the world from their points of view.
November 8, 2014
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
Emma is a chimney repair specialist running a successful business and raising her six year old daughter. Ryan is a General Contractor trying to rebuild his business while fighting his emotional demons. They are forced together on a jobsite renovating an older home and the chemistry between them is instant. While working on a Chimney in the house Emma discovers a body hidden inside and a fantastic ghost story begins.
Wow. I loved this story from the start. The character building is superb drawing you in from the first page. The dialogue is witty and made me laugh out loud on a several occasions. Emma’s crew was fantastic with a great humor. The relationship between Ryan and Emma evolved beautifully with Emma’s daughter playing a significant part.
The ghost story was interesting and intriguing. Following clues given to them Emma and Ryan start to solve the mystery behind the body in the chimney. With one ghost helping and the other trying to stop them the suspense builds.
When I started reading I could not put it down and I was up until the early hours reading so I could finish it. This story combines several genres including a contemporary romance, mystery, suspense and a story of good verses bad.
It is a fantastic story that I would happily recommend
January 9, 2015
Review to come after the tour date...
August 15, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I don’t really know what drew me to purchase Ruby’s Letters. Maggie Van Well is a new author for me, one that I am very glad to have found. So it wasn’t the author. The cover is delightful and appealing. And the description of the story makes a ghost lover like me want to know more. A combination of all of that and maybe a slight shove from a ghostly hand… who knows why we are drawn to certain stories. But I am extremely grateful to whatever impulse caused me to start reading this delightfully entertaining novel.
This story is set in the year 2006. While I do not normally give spoilers – that is an important date for you to remember, for many things that happen to the characters within Ruby’s Letters count the years backwards.
Emma is a chimney sweep – or rather one of the owners of a company that deals with the cleaning, creating and repair of chimneys. Ryan is the general contractor on the building that is currently under renovation. While working on one of the fireplaces in the old building, Emma uncovers a skeleton that had been walled up in the fireplace. We know when the woman was killed and hidden by the newspaper found with her bones. The 1800’s. When the bricks came tumbling down Emma had felt a blast of icy cold air, a tingle that dashed through her quickly then left as if it had never happened.
Once the police have left and the building is approved for continued work strange things begin to happen. Small things at first, slowly growing in occurrences and in strength. Emma had released a ghost when the fireplace had been dismantled. One very good and innocent ghost, and one very angry, nasty ghost. Good-Evil. A battle is being fought and evil will do anything to win.
Ryan’s life changed five years ago. One moment in time ravaged him, changed him from the happy, laughter-filled man he was into an almost completely destroyed man. His nightmares, fears and memories have left him a shell of his former self – and he sees no end to his personal hell.
While he feels an attraction for Emma, he is reluctant to pursue it. Emma as well feels the sparks between them and is confused when Ryan moves forward towards her, then almost immediately backtracks into rudeness and the silent treatment.
One matchmaking ghost who sees soul mates will do all in her power to unite them, evil will do anything to keep them apart.
Ruby’s Letters is such an intricate story, blending the past and the present seamlessly into a story that captures your attention and won’t let go until the final word. The sadness and despair that can be felt throughout this story are easily countered by the love between Emma and her daughter, the growing love between Ryan and Emma and the determination of one good ghost to make everything right. I was captivated by this well thought out story and enjoyed every single moment of my time with the characters. If you enjoy paranormal romance then you may be just as charmed by this gem as I was. I hope you’ll pick up Ruby’s Letters and take a chance – on the other end you will find a wonderful love story on so many levels.
I don’t really know what drew me to purchase Ruby’s Letters. Maggie Van Well is a new author for me, one that I am very glad to have found. So it wasn’t the author. The cover is delightful and appealing. And the description of the story makes a ghost lover like me want to know more. A combination of all of that and maybe a slight shove from a ghostly hand… who knows why we are drawn to certain stories. But I am extremely grateful to whatever impulse caused me to start reading this delightfully entertaining novel.
This story is set in the year 2006. While I do not normally give spoilers – that is an important date for you to remember, for many things that happen to the characters within Ruby’s Letters count the years backwards.
Emma is a chimney sweep – or rather one of the owners of a company that deals with the cleaning, creating and repair of chimneys. Ryan is the general contractor on the building that is currently under renovation. While working on one of the fireplaces in the old building, Emma uncovers a skeleton that had been walled up in the fireplace. We know when the woman was killed and hidden by the newspaper found with her bones. The 1800’s. When the bricks came tumbling down Emma had felt a blast of icy cold air, a tingle that dashed through her quickly then left as if it had never happened.
Once the police have left and the building is approved for continued work strange things begin to happen. Small things at first, slowly growing in occurrences and in strength. Emma had released a ghost when the fireplace had been dismantled. One very good and innocent ghost, and one very angry, nasty ghost. Good-Evil. A battle is being fought and evil will do anything to win.
Ryan’s life changed five years ago. One moment in time ravaged him, changed him from the happy, laughter-filled man he was into an almost completely destroyed man. His nightmares, fears and memories have left him a shell of his former self – and he sees no end to his personal hell.
While he feels an attraction for Emma, he is reluctant to pursue it. Emma as well feels the sparks between them and is confused when Ryan moves forward towards her, then almost immediately backtracks into rudeness and the silent treatment.
One matchmaking ghost who sees soul mates will do all in her power to unite them, evil will do anything to keep them apart.
Ruby’s Letters is such an intricate story, blending the past and the present seamlessly into a story that captures your attention and won’t let go until the final word. The sadness and despair that can be felt throughout this story are easily countered by the love between Emma and her daughter, the growing love between Ryan and Emma and the determination of one good ghost to make everything right. I was captivated by this well thought out story and enjoyed every single moment of my time with the characters. If you enjoy paranormal romance then you may be just as charmed by this gem as I was. I hope you’ll pick up Ruby’s Letters and take a chance – on the other end you will find a wonderful love story on so many levels.
June 5, 2015
Such a fun read with vivacious characters. Plenty of mystery, thrills and sweet romance. I loved the slow sexy build between Emma and Ryan. Their chemistry sizzles and as they expose themselves to each other – it’s pitch perfect. I found the moment when Ryan shares his ‘secret’ quite affecting. All the characters were well-developed. I found the relationship between Emma and Jared extremely refreshing. I admire the fact Van Well stepped out of the gender role box with her characters. A well done paranormal with a mix of genres making it a fantastic read. The two ghosts and their interaction add a layer to the narrative and characters.
A step out of my normal genres comfort zone, more than willing to read more from Maggie Van Well and her creative approach to contemporary paranormal romance.
A step out of my normal genres comfort zone, more than willing to read more from Maggie Van Well and her creative approach to contemporary paranormal romance.
November 5, 2014
I was fortunate to read Ruby's Letters before it was released and thought it was great fun! You've got a spooky ghost story plus a romance -- just in time for a chilly weather read.
Main character Emma is a strong woman who's making it on her own in a traditionally male field. I love that! She quickly falls for the GC -- General Contractor -- and YUM. Ryan is hot!!
When they discover a body hidden in the home they're remodeling, a load of secrets comes tumbling out. The best part? The ghost has a penchant for matchmaking...
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Main character Emma is a strong woman who's making it on her own in a traditionally male field. I love that! She quickly falls for the GC -- General Contractor -- and YUM. Ryan is hot!!
When they discover a body hidden in the home they're remodeling, a load of secrets comes tumbling out. The best part? The ghost has a penchant for matchmaking...
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January 12, 2015
I received a review copy
If you follow my blog, you know that I love some magic in my books. Ruby’s Letters delivers a little of everything: intriguing storyline, a dash of romance, a mystery, and ghosts! Because it’s the way I roll, I think I liked the murder/mystery/ghosts the best while reading, but it was so fun to follow along and try to figure everything out – including how the ending would come about. What I also really enjoyed was the humor breathed throughout the pages. A truly fun novel to read, and I highly recommend!
If you follow my blog, you know that I love some magic in my books. Ruby’s Letters delivers a little of everything: intriguing storyline, a dash of romance, a mystery, and ghosts! Because it’s the way I roll, I think I liked the murder/mystery/ghosts the best while reading, but it was so fun to follow along and try to figure everything out – including how the ending would come about. What I also really enjoyed was the humor breathed throughout the pages. A truly fun novel to read, and I highly recommend!
January 25, 2016
Loved the paranormal element in this romance. Believable.
September 14, 2017
I received this ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. So thank you netgalley and publishers.
This is a story aboutEmma and Ryan who are working on refinishing an old house. There are good and the bad ghosts, Ruby and Hilary. Make sure you pay attention to everything or you might get a little lost, at times it was confusing but it all came together at the end. With that being said I don't want to be a spoiler so go read it for yourself. It was interesting, this was my first book from this author, honestly I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. It was a decent and quick read. 3 stars
This is a story aboutEmma and Ryan who are working on refinishing an old house. There are good and the bad ghosts, Ruby and Hilary. Make sure you pay attention to everything or you might get a little lost, at times it was confusing but it all came together at the end. With that being said I don't want to be a spoiler so go read it for yourself. It was interesting, this was my first book from this author, honestly I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. It was a decent and quick read. 3 stars
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews