A Place of Refuge

Rubyville #2

by Deborah Ann Dykeman, Julia Ryan (Cover Design)

What do you decide in life, when one man is the perfect answer…but the other holds your heart? Annabella Barton is headstrong, independent and stubborn. Patience isn’t one of her virtues either. After leaving Orin Langworthy at the altar, she seeks a place of refuge in St. Louis, Missouri. Annabella’s Aunt Agnes welcomes her into her beautiful home on Lafayette Square. There, they live a busy life doing volunteer work at their church, City Hospital and the children’s home. The three children they take into their home make life just about perfect, if not a little chaotic…until Orin Langworthy returns. Thomas Pratt has loved Annabella since the day she walked into his church. She cares for him as well and enjoys all the attributes he has, the same ones she has struggled to gain. But is that enough to build a marriage on? When the great tornado of May 1896 tears through St. Louis, the decisions Annabella needs to make become more difficult. Rubyville, Kansas, is there, as it always has been, for her place of refuge. But a town or the people that live there cannot correct the mistakes made. Follow Annabella as she struggles between the great lady her mother wants her to be, the Christian woman God has designed her to be, and her own way of doing things.

202 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 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

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get started on this series, but I finally did! A very enjoyable story!

[Aimee M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to finish this book. I got really frustrated with Annabella and how she was so wishy-washy with her relationshiops between Orin and Thomas. The last few chapters of the story got better and I was able to finish in no time. Annabella finally gets her wish though at the end of the story.

[Kerstin Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more of Annabella and her love for Orin that spanned a lifetime. Wow well done. The book brought me to tears which tells me I was totally into it.

[Genevieve Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Goodreads Review of A Place of Refuge by Deborah Ann Dykeman

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I absolutely loved A Place of Refuge! From the moment I started reading, I was drawn in by the vivid descriptions of the small-town scenery. The setting created such a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that felt like home. Dykeman’s writing has a way of making you feel like you’re right there, living alongside the characters and experiencing everything firsthand.

The blend of emotional highs and calm moments kept me completely engaged. The story ebbed and flowed in a way that perfectly mirrored the characters’ personal journeys, making me feel invested in their growth. The characters themselves were wonderfully relatable, each dealing with their own struggles, which made their victories and setbacks all the more poignant.

What really stood out to me was how beautifully the book captured themes of love, forgiveness, and the strength of community. It’s a reminder of how vital it is to support one another and the power of coming together during tough times. This book left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a renewed sense of hope.

Overall, I’m giving A Place of Refuge 5 stars! It’s a heartwarming read that will inspire you to appreciate the bonds that hold us together. If you’re looking for a story about resilience, love, and finding solace in each other, this is the perfect pick!

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 2 returns readers to Rubyville and its residents from 1896 to 1925. As an historical novel, we see early small town Kansas with a thriving community. Portrayal of single women and their lives weaves throughout, including representatives from several generations. The stigma of being "different", orphancy, or extra-marital pregnancies winds through the story.

But, for most readers, it's the tale of a romance, with ups and downs, over decades. Annabelle Barton has two men that ask her to become their wife over the years. Her decisions and how they affect her life form the backdrop to the entire story.

I'll be reading the third volume.

[PottWab Regional Library]

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