Southern Ruby

By: Belinda Alexandra

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Forbidden love. Family secrets. A twist of fate. The stunning new generational saga from Belinda Alexandra, best-selling author of Tuscan Rose and White Gardenia.

In New Orleans - the city of genteel old houses covered in Spanish moss, of seductive nightlife, of Creole, voodoo and jazz - two women separated by time and tragedy will find each other at last.

Amanda, orphaned as a child and suffering the loss of her beloved grandmother, has left Sydney in search of a family she never knew. Ruby, constrained by the expectations of society and class, is carrying a lifetime of secrets. Amanda's arrival sparks revelations long buried: a double life, a forbidden love, and a loss that cannot be forgotten.

Southern Ruby is a sweeping story of love, passion, family and honour. Alternating in time between the 1950s and the eve of Hurricane Katrina, it is also a tribute to a city heady with music, drama, history and superstition which has borne the tumults of race and class and the fury of nature but has never given up hope.

©2014 Belinda Alexandra (P)2016 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Filled with glamour, heartbreak, drama and suspense." ( The Age)
"Intrigue, passion, betrayal - all the ingredients for a must-read novel." ( Woman's Day)

Interesting Story - HORRIBLE accents

I enjoyed the story, but Caroline Lee's reading in this was jarring. The accents were terrible and her pronunciation of some of the words was just odd.

One of the best books I've listened to in years.

Could not put it down. Brilliantly written and sourced. Her best effort to date. I cannot give higher praise for this book.

Ruby is a fascinating character!

I was unsure about the book, because of the long length. It was written so well, and the author kept you interested in each character throughout the book. I laughed, gasped, was appalled, cried tears of joy and sorrow. Defini

Brilliant. I would give it more stars if able to.

I disagree with some of the reviews. Being an Australian I thought the narrator did a brilliant job on the accents. These reviewers concentrated more on that then the brilliance of the author. I thought this would be a book about the deep south "cottonfields". WOW was I pleasantly surprised. This book has it all. Great story, romance, history and pure entertainment. Loved all the characters. It's set in today but also covers slavery, the protests, the Katrina devastation. I will be downloading more of this author's books that's for sure.

All the good, the bad and in between southern style

This book is so good!
Great history. Lots of New Orleans history. Voodoo, creole, plantation homes and yes racial inequality because during this time period it was something that could not be left out of this story. So many brave people both black and white that fought for equal rights. Loss of life and love. Old stories new stories. My only complaint is not about the story but about the narration. The southern accents and the pronunciation of places in the south were terrible. The story itself is so great that I just dealt with the bad narration!

Great book

This is one of the best books I've read it has everything happiness sadness and thriller

Absolutely the best ever book

This is one of my favorite books ever !!! This duo is amazing. I love, love this story and I honestly think you will too .. beautifully written and funny !! You will not be disappointed.

Great book!

Well written, read and researched! Vivid characters, meaningful stories and surprising twists! This the 2nd B.A. book I've listened to I'm on to the 3rd.👍

So, Love does conquer all !!!

This story was very well written. And the storyline, as well as, the storytelling was captivating. I especially enjoyed being able to identify with much of the setting and surroundings. I also appreciate the realistic dialect and cultural expression. My daughter lives there and has many French-creo friends. The research and hard work is vivid and was obviously shown in the details of the story.

One of my faves

Oh, this book was good and it was hard to hit the stop button ! I recommend and will listen to this one again and again. Great narration again by Caroline Lee.