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The Livingston Legacy #2.1
The Black Knight's Tune: Ruby's Story
RUBY STEWART is a slave living under the false pretenses of a freed black women in New York in 1853. She abides in turmoil longing to know where she came from. This unrest has caused her to be plagued by dreams and visions of a man she calls the Black Knight and a woman with haunting green eyes. Ruby's only recollection of her past is the name Mag, until she receives a letter from friend Willow Hendricks in the South describing a slave girl that passed through her family’s plantation over twenty years ago. Does Ruby dare hope this slave child might be her?
Meanwhile her job as a journalist at the Manhattan Observer––a penny newspaper––has Ruby fighting feelings for boss and friend Kipling Reed. She struggles with the impossibility of a relationship between a woman of color and a white man. But her skin color isn’t the only hindrance standing in the way of this romance. The unavailable Willow Hendricks has won the eye of Kipling. Torn by her feelings of a love that can never be, will Ruby be able to put the questions of her past to rest?
Meanwhile her job as a journalist at the Manhattan Observer––a penny newspaper––has Ruby fighting feelings for boss and friend Kipling Reed. She struggles with the impossibility of a relationship between a woman of color and a white man. But her skin color isn’t the only hindrance standing in the way of this romance. The unavailable Willow Hendricks has won the eye of Kipling. Torn by her feelings of a love that can never be, will Ruby be able to put the questions of her past to rest?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
114 pages, ebook
Published March 3, 2019
About the author
Naomi Finley
14 books158 followersNaomi is a writer guided by a deep devotion to humanity and the stories that shape us across time. Drawn to the lives lived before us, she finds inspiration in the shared memory, resilience, and wisdom carried forward through generations.
Through her historical fiction, Naomi creates characters who feel real, tender, and unmistakably human. She is devoted to portraying people as they are, flawed, resilient, searching, and capable of profound love. In their struggles and survival, she believes we come to understand ourselves more fully.
For Naomi, storytelling is an act of remembrance and connection. A place where we meet our own humanity through story, learn from lives not our own, and return to what binds us together across generations and time.
Through her historical fiction, Naomi creates characters who feel real, tender, and unmistakably human. She is devoted to portraying people as they are, flawed, resilient, searching, and capable of profound love. In their struggles and survival, she believes we come to understand ourselves more fully.
For Naomi, storytelling is an act of remembrance and connection. A place where we meet our own humanity through story, learn from lives not our own, and return to what binds us together across generations and time.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 23, 2019
Magnolia
If you've had the pleasure of reading Finley's first two books in A SHADOW OF THE SLAVES series, you will certainly enjoy the short novellas that dig deeper into characters that steal your heart. I recently finished both books and I remember thinking to myself I'd really like to know more about her/him. Finley must have read my mind and just in time, too. As I approached the last page of A GUARDIAN OF THE SLAVES, I was sad to say goodbye to Livingston Plantation, Willow, Whitney, Mammy, and especially Jimmy. Book Three, A WHISPER OF WAR, isn't due to release until next year or so. That's a long time to suffer without characters that feel more like friends. Until then...
Each novella provides the reader with a deeper understanding of individual roles in an outstanding series. Taking place in pre-Civil War South Carolina, slavery is a way of life in the south. However, there are those that know deep in their soul that slavery is cruel and must be abolished. Finley gives each character an important role and in doing so, gives voice to slaves and the injustices placed upon them. Ruby's story may be a fictional account but it speaks volumes about family life as a slave. Ruth's journey to freedom is once by boat and, at long last, through love.
If you've had the pleasure of reading Finley's first two books in A SHADOW OF THE SLAVES series, you will certainly enjoy the short novellas that dig deeper into characters that steal your heart. I recently finished both books and I remember thinking to myself I'd really like to know more about her/him. Finley must have read my mind and just in time, too. As I approached the last page of A GUARDIAN OF THE SLAVES, I was sad to say goodbye to Livingston Plantation, Willow, Whitney, Mammy, and especially Jimmy. Book Three, A WHISPER OF WAR, isn't due to release until next year or so. That's a long time to suffer without characters that feel more like friends. Until then...
Each novella provides the reader with a deeper understanding of individual roles in an outstanding series. Taking place in pre-Civil War South Carolina, slavery is a way of life in the south. However, there are those that know deep in their soul that slavery is cruel and must be abolished. Finley gives each character an important role and in doing so, gives voice to slaves and the injustices placed upon them. Ruby's story may be a fictional account but it speaks volumes about family life as a slave. Ruth's journey to freedom is once by boat and, at long last, through love.
May 13, 2026
I love novellas that I can divulge quickly. ☺️ This one sustains detail that makes it worth the read. The FMC, Ruby Stewart, is a black journalist in the late 1800s. Her next feature story takes her and her colleague down to the south for research purposes, however, Ruby receives more than that. For me, Ruby's origin story really pulled me in. I was curious to learn how she avoided slavery and maintained a decent upbringing under white parents. The pacing is quick but provided just enough description for a coherent story.
Solid 3.75...will be continuing this series.
Solid 3.75...will be continuing this series.
January 9, 2020
Captivating
This was such a greatly written novella! It speaks to the unjust of the South during this time period, but also enriches our knowledge that there were so many willing to help each other at such a high cost. My favorite line in the book... ““I pray de Lard never allows you to see folkses in colors.”” As true then as it is today!! Can’t wait to read your other writings!
This was such a greatly written novella! It speaks to the unjust of the South during this time period, but also enriches our knowledge that there were so many willing to help each other at such a high cost. My favorite line in the book... ““I pray de Lard never allows you to see folkses in colors.”” As true then as it is today!! Can’t wait to read your other writings!
June 11, 2019
Loved reading Ruby's story
This book should be read after you read the first book in the series. This book concentrated on Ruby who was introduced in the book series and is about her life in the North with adoptive white parents and tells how she came to find out about her father and ended up meeting him. A very good short read novella.
This book should be read after you read the first book in the series. This book concentrated on Ruby who was introduced in the book series and is about her life in the North with adoptive white parents and tells how she came to find out about her father and ended up meeting him. A very good short read novella.
February 24, 2024
excellent story
I enjoyed reading the second of Ms Finley’s books. I would suggest she learn the difference between she and her. Just finish by reading she was, she did etc as opposed to her was, her did. When using these adverbs it will become clear which to use if you add the verb which could be used next.
I enjoyed reading the second of Ms Finley’s books. I would suggest she learn the difference between she and her. Just finish by reading she was, she did etc as opposed to her was, her did. When using these adverbs it will become clear which to use if you add the verb which could be used next.
June 23, 2019
Excellent
Of you like reading of the antebellum South you'll love this one. Be sure to read A Slave of the Shadows and Guardian of Slaves, the full length novels that precede this novella. You'll love them too!
Of you like reading of the antebellum South you'll love this one. Be sure to read A Slave of the Shadows and Guardian of Slaves, the full length novels that precede this novella. You'll love them too!
April 10, 2020
Short and Sweet
This story ties up loose ends for Ruby, if you ever wondered about her life. It flows quite nicely and can be read on a Saturday morning. I found the overall story to be absolutely sweet and precious in the end.
This story ties up loose ends for Ruby, if you ever wondered about her life. It flows quite nicely and can be read on a Saturday morning. I found the overall story to be absolutely sweet and precious in the end.
May 29, 2020
Hard earned "freedom", still...
Ruby is a delight and a restoration of a family history that seemed dead to one and alive, only in vague dreams and visions, to the other. But the dead can be resurrected and visions made clear. Love abounds all over the place!
Ruby is a delight and a restoration of a family history that seemed dead to one and alive, only in vague dreams and visions, to the other. But the dead can be resurrected and visions made clear. Love abounds all over the place!
March 5, 2019
Family's Reunion
This book was refreshing . Despite their separation father and daughters Years later thousands of miles a part celebratory loved exist
This book was refreshing . Despite their separation father and daughters Years later thousands of miles a part celebratory loved exist
June 9, 2019
Beautiful heartwrenching story
5 stars and AAA+ for such a well written story thru the eyes of a freewoman. Just beautiful! LOVED IT!!
5 stars and AAA+ for such a well written story thru the eyes of a freewoman. Just beautiful! LOVED IT!!
September 10, 2019
Great read
Wonderfully told story from the heart, the importance of family, whether by blood or not, everyone needs someone to share their life with
Wonderfully told story from the heart, the importance of family, whether by blood or not, everyone needs someone to share their life with
November 2, 2019
Quick, short story. I look forward to reading other books by this author
October 31, 2024
Enjoyable Book
Nice story, easy reading, you can feel the life the enslaved felt prior to the Civil War. This series is excellent!
Nice story, easy reading, you can feel the life the enslaved felt prior to the Civil War. This series is excellent!
January 22, 2025
Read the novellas first
Excellent novella to the beginning of the series. This one gives a more in depth background to Ruby's life. Well worth the read before the series.
Excellent novella to the beginning of the series. This one gives a more in depth background to Ruby's life. Well worth the read before the series.
February 25, 2026
Every one of the novellas are necessary. Finley's probably my favorite historical fiction author.
March 16, 2026
In my opinion this book added very little to the overall story.
January 2, 2020
A great read !
I like the tone of the novel. I will highly recommend this book especially if you like historical fiction.
The ending was a good surprise.
I like the tone of the novel. I will highly recommend this book especially if you like historical fiction.
The ending was a good surprise.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews