A Place to Call Home

Rubyville #1

by Deborah Ann Dykeman

Annabella Barton is a headstrong, independent woman of the 1880s. She loves her parents, and she loves Rubyville, Kansas, the town her parents founded. Annabella King is also a headstrong, independent woman of the 1980s. She has lost her parents, and her love for Rubyville, Kansas, is what keeps her going. Meeting Michael Langworthy in the summer of 1980 will change her life in ways she never thought possible. It will also change Rubyville. The lives of these two young women will forever be entangled and their love for Rubyville will bind them together.

211 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Deborah Ann Dykeman has eleven published books available through major online retailers. Her Rubyville series has been loved by many. Deborah strives to get at the heart of a person’s walk with God. Through her stories, characters face many issues that are rarely discussed in Christian circles. Deborah’s nonfiction short stories, “Twice in a Lifetime” and “Joshua’s Story”, have both placed second at the Called to Write Conference. Deborah has been married for forty-one years. She and her husband have five children and eight grandchildren. She has been a homeschooling mom, Sunday school teacher, AWANA director and a pastor’s wife. She has worked as a CNA and an Activity Director. When not writing, designing covers, marketing or attending events, she is working on home renovation projects. She loves to meet with her readers and hear their stories. Deborah resides in the beautiful Flint Hills region of the state of Kansas.

Reviews

[Nathan Dykeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Nicely written!

While it is not my 'go to' choice of genre, this book deserves a five star rating due to its creativity, yet familiarity, in its choice of topic and delivery. The author has a way of capturing your full attention, allowing little time for distractions or breaks. Perfect for those who want an uplifting story, while not ignoring the hurts of reality, this book is a must for encouragement and a reminder of the need for a proper focus on God in our lives. Would recommend, and looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Aimee M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Througout this book, my emotions were everywhere. First I was sad for Annabella King about how she lived her life after her parents's death, then I was really happy for her when she and Michael Langworthy fell in love, and at the end I became anxious to finish the story because I had to see if Michael survived or not after his car accident.
I know that I have the rest of the series to complete but I will have to say that this one is my favorite one. What an excellent romance story!!

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win review. I really loved this book about a lady recalling her happy times in Kansas.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Goodreads Review of A Place to Call Home by Deborah Ann Dykeman

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I absolutely loved reading A Place to Call Home! From the very beginning, the vivid and beautiful descriptions of the scenery captivated me, creating a rich and inviting atmosphere that felt like home. Dykeman’s writing made it easy to immerse myself in the world she created, and I felt like I was right there with the characters.

The book had such a lovely, comforting perspective that gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling throughout. It balanced emotional highs with calm yet engaging moments, making it an unpredictable and captivating read. The emotional rollercoasters were real, and they kept me hooked, but there were also moments of peace and reflection that made me pause and appreciate the depth of the story.

I couldn’t put this book down! Every chapter felt like a treat, and I truly enjoyed every single moment of the read.

Overall, I’m giving A Place to Call Home 5 stars! If you’re looking for a heartwarming, emotionally charged story with beautiful writing and a cozy, feel-good vibe, this is the perfect book for you!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the storyline, and the characters. I did think there could of been a little more character development, explore the emotions a bit more. Annabella "got over" her past an issues too quickly and easily when Michael showed up. As well as her journey back to faith. A good story though, and I look forward to rest of the series.

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Christian fiction novel should appeal to those who want clean reads, but some romance. Those that appreciate small towns and even remember when some of the smallest still had business districts, etc., will definitely understand many of the feelings of the characters here. Author Dykeman never actually tells us how far the diner is from Rubyville, or how far residents must travel for groceries and other services (at one point a MC says it will take about half an hour to return from an ice cream run), but this would make it even more relatable to rural readers.

But our story does show the healing effects of love and place and contains likable characters. Annabel King, our female MC, is very stand-offish at the beginning, but eventually is able to appreciate that one might come to love and need others.

Although not heavy-handed, this one contains more religious content that some in the religious fiction genre, but I feel the target audience will appreciate the lessons here.

[PottWab Regional Library]

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[Kerstin Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay , I read all four books and one was awesome, two was even better , three was awesome and four , I don't have words to properly describe it , I am totally in love with Rubyville, Annabella, Orin, and the generations that follow. If I could I would give this series 10 stars.