Ruby

Rare Gems #5

by Kathi S. Barton

Ruby Erickson was the best OR surgeon the small hospital had. Management had mandated that the doctors were to turn away any people for treatment that couldn’t pay. Under strict orders to follow the rules or else…Ruby operated on the young woman anyway. She’d never live long enough to survive the trip to County.
Josh Ewing was suffering from a bad breakup. He had moved to the small town to get away from his cheating ex-girlfriend and former best friend and partner. His sister Bri was here and was all he had left in way of family. When Bri comes up missing, Josh is beside himself with worry.
He finds his sister in a small hospital listed as a Jane Doe in critical condition. When he finds out that the doctor who saved her life had lost her job because she didn’t turn his sister away, he wants to do all he can for her…
She cut Josh off with a finger punching to his chest. “You’re damn right I saved her life. And do you think that because you put money in my account or paid nearly a hundred grand to my loans that I’m somehow going to be beholden to you? You fucking bastard, take it back. All of it, right now.” Josh shook his head and braced his arms over his chest as if to do battle. Quentin took a step back now. He wasn’t stupid. “You heard me, I want you to take back that money now, or so help me you’re going to need it for your own hospital bills.”
“Even if I could—which I don’t care if I can or not—I won’t do it. You risked a great deal to save her life, and I pay my debts.” Ruby growled and took another step toward Josh. It took Quentin several seconds to realize that something had happened in that short period of time.
Ruby didn’t have time for a mate, not now not ever. Josh wasn’t happy about it either, but discovered once he got past her stubborn surface, that she really was a rare gem.
But trouble doesn’t elude them for long. That ex-girlfriend of Josh’s was into some heavy stuff―things he didn’t know about―things that could get them all killed―things that put them all on the radar of the wrong people…

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Shapeshifters, Romance

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2015

About the author

Kathi Barton, author of the bestselling series Force of Nature, lives in Nashport, Ohio with her husband Paul. In addition to writing full time Kathi likes to spend time with her eight grandkids, three children and three children-in-laws. She writes to relax and have fun.
Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman brings them to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi on line and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans. aaronskiss@gmail.com.
Follow Kathi on her blog: http://kathisbartonauthor.blogspot.com/

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby Erickson is a gifted surgeon who is working in a mismanaged hospital when she she saves the life of a woman. She is fired and looking for another place to work when she meets Josh Ewing. He has paid off her loans and has a job to offer her as new manager of the hospital. Ruby is furious, she is an independent woman who can take care of herself. The only problem is he is her mate and she has to come to terms with that fact quickly as there is a threat out there trying to eliminate him.

I liked the beginning but some of the dialogue is a bit much at times. At times the book goes all over which got me distracted from the main characters. I think the first book is the best.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Ruby' is the fifth book in Kathi S. Barton's "Rare Gem" series. If you've been following the series, you'll remember that Ruby is the one that is a doctor at the same hospital that Diamond works at and has just as much, if not more, compassion and empathy for her patients. As a matter of fact, they have a new Director who has been turning patients who have no insurance or means to pay the bill and sending them to the County hospital. Employees are dropping like flies as this man either suspends or terminates them for breaking any of his rules. As she was about to leave the hospital one night when a woman, Bri, was brought in by ambulance because her injuries were so severe and because she had no identification and she appeared to be homeless by the way she was dressed. Ruby made the call to operate immediately because transferring her would be like signing her death certificate. Needless to say, the director came in right in the middle of surgery to berate her and when she was finished proceeded to fire the last doctor on staff. Josh Ewing had just moved to be closer to his sister after being dealt a blow by his fiancée and who he thought was not only his best friend but business partner when he found not only them in his bed but with the pool boy as well. When he received a phone call from a man using his sister's phone asking if he was Lilywhite's brother. He informed him which hospital his sister was in and that he needed to get there but when he arrived no one seemed to be working there and had no idea who his sister was. Apparently, she was in ICU listed as Jane Doe. Having learned where she was, a list of her injuries, and taken to her room he met Bart, the homeless man that had befriended Bri and tended to look out for her while she worked with the homeless on the streets. This is such a great storyline. Rufus, a vampire and Sloan's friend, finds his mate in Bri, and Ruby finds her mate in Josh but nothing is easy for our Hero and heroine. Twists turns and surprises surround this couple and kept this reader completely engrossed. The only gem left to find their mate is Emerald and I can't wait to see what's in store for her.

[Elaine Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not The End Yet!

Josh & Ruby's story has many bad people in it, a reformed bad guy, lots of sex scenes & characters from the previous books in this series, it also has a death of a close friend to Ruby & Brianna (Josh's sister & Rufus' mate).

Josh was burnt by his supposed best friend & fiancee & moved to be closer to his sister, Brianna, who gets shot one night & winds up on Ruby's table (Ruby's a surgeon at the local hospital). Ruby saves Brianna's life at the cost of her own job as there was a dickhead running the hospital to the ground & he felt that they shouldn't be treating any of the homeless people that come in & he was under the impression that Brianna was homeless.

When Josh gets a call from Bart (Brianna's & Ruby's friend) Josh drops everything (as he was away on business) & rushes to his sister's side. Here's where everything gets more interesting as not only does Ruby find her mate in Josh but Rufus finds his mate in Brianna.

You will have to read the book to find out what happens next; this was an excellent book & I'm now off to read the next book in this series.

[Niki Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well damn, I thought Sapphire was scary when she was angry but Ruby is a close second. Putting her patients before herself gets Ruby into lots of trouble with her crooked boss, but it was the right thing to do. When her patients brother arrives and finds out what is going on he sets out to make it right. Ruby never wanted a mate but fate will not be denied and her patients brother is not going to go away quietly. Boy, Ms. Barton likes to make her characters work for their relationships. These two are explosive when they get together. So far I think this is my favorite story, lots of twists and turns in this one that I did not see coming. The storyline is filled with drama, danger, betrayal, and some awesome characters. Ms. Barton also throws in a little moral about judging people by what they look like. Drawn in from the first page be prepared to be wowed.

I was given an ARC for an honest review.

[LaVida Brisco - One Last Page Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Red

Spectacular book from start to finish. Ruby is a wolf shifter who's also a superior OR surgeon having trouble at the hospital about turning patients away who don't have insurance. Until a young woman is bought in and she works on her knowing the consequences but doesn't care, as luck would have it the woman has a powerful and rich brother (Josh) who turns out to be Ruby's mate. Josh was a man recovering from a cheating ex and wasn't looking for love just a new direction in his life. When these two meet the sparks fly and so does Ruby temper. Neither is looking for a mate but as luck saw fit they are a perfect combination with stubbornness and sizzling chemistry. Once again this is a great addition to the Gem series I love that we got to catch up on previous characters from earlier books. I can't wait for the next one!!

[Vettech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare Gem Ruby Erickson is the doctor of the family and an amazing surgeon. Feeling stressed working at a small hospital, run by an idiot that feels the need to fire all the doctors that work there. Ruby treats a young girl with no identity saving her life. Turns out she is the sister of hot rich hunk Josh Ewing. Ruby never has time to date and Josh is getting over a no good cheating ex-girlfriend. When Ruby meets Josh for the first time she is not happy to find he is her mate and of course poor Josh is totally clueless, but does feel the overwhelming urge to touch the beautiful young doctor and never let go.

This Rare Gem story was a whirlwind love story with all sorts of bad guys and gals to make it one of my favs in this series.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby saved a girl that was brought into the hospital that was almost died .. But the hospital she worked for was doing some major cut backs.. Ruby got fired for saving the girls life instead of sending her to another hospital .. Turns out the girl she saved her brother Josh is well known and has alots of money and happens to be her mate !!!! And it also turns out his sister is someone mate as well .. Come on this journey with us on this 5th book in series .. Dark Fantasy werewolves not for everyone !! Please download first chapter free to see if you like it !!!!!!!!!

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will keep this short so that I do not spoil anything. I liked Ruby and her unsuspecting mate. I also liked several of the supporting characters in this story and would have enjoyed more information about them. I also did not see the twist coming and was pleasantly surprised toward the end by the change of events. This was an easy adult read that fit well with the other stories in the series. 3.5 stars

[Laura Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic write from Kathi. A surprise twist in the story which made the book even juicier. Love the Gem girls and looking forward to last book. Two great main characters with excellent supporting characters. I've read all of kathi's books but I do have a special place for these leading ladies.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first word and I could not put it down.

It moved along at a great speed, not to fast nor to slow. Has awesome and amazing characters that you feel like you know personally and a story that will not let you down.

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. Loved it.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby is a surgeon and loses her job by operating on a young woman who is brought into the hospital. Meet Josh whose sister is the girl Ruby saved and who is also Ruby's mate. Josh's sister turns out to be someones mate also.

Come along on the journey of Ruby and Josh - you won't be disappointed. Another great book by Kathi S Barton.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most interesting book of the Jem series. There are so many thing that I love about this book I can't just name one. Ruby in love s awesome.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hospital that Ruby is working at has been turning patients away because they "look" like they couldn't pay. But this doesn't stop Ruby from helping those patients when needed. When she operates on one Jane Doe to save her life she now finds herself unemployed.

Josh Ewing has moved to be with his sister and get a fresh start after finding his partner and fiance in a compromising position. When Bri (his sister) is missing he'll stop at nothing to find her, but when he finds her at the hospital and the doctor who operated on her unemployed he will do what it takes to pay off his "debt" to her.

Ruby and Josh aren't the easiest of couples. Ruby has herself convinced nobody will want to mate her because she's dedicated to her job and a bitch on her best of days. Josh has trust issues after going through what he did with his ex. But the ex-fiance isn't going to let Josh get the best of her and it will take all the family to take down the enemy.

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**