Ruby Heartwood has been running for most of her life. She was left at a Catholic orphanage by her mother as an infant. Growing up, she felt could know things about a person by touching them. When she tells a nun what her life holds, the Mother Superior calls her evil and puts her in solitary confinement. Ruby escapes and hits the road as a fourteen-year-old.
Ruby’s had a difficult life. She earns her living going from carnival to medieval fair and on to another carnival, but her powers seem to be waning. One night during a wild rainstorm, she falls asleep in her van. In the morning she opens the door to a King Charles spaniel. She calls him Hitchhiker and they team up. She seems to be able to know what he’s thinking.
The town where she’s landed is Harmony Farms. She signs up for the Farmers’ Market and Makers Faire to use her psychic talents. She now adds the ability to communicate with animals. Although she usually moves on, Ruby finds she wants to stay in Harmony Farms. Perhaps she will find why she has been running away from everything for so long.
This is a wonderful story, particularly if you love animals. The story is about friendship, struggle and overcoming obstacles. I loved the animals not just Hitchhiker, but the other animals Rudy worked with. I thought Rudy’s character was great. Her life was a struggle, but she didn’t give up. If you enjoy a well written story, with a good ending, you’ll enjoy this one.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
No comments:
Post a Comment