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Ruby Taylor Mysteries #1
Romance Rustlers and Thunderbird Thieves
Ruby Taylor is a fiery redhead with an attitude to match. Somehow her mom, a quirky ex-con-turned-Christian, coerces her into helping two women "wronged in love"—Maryanne (who is packing a loaded gun in search of her husband who walked out on her and stole her classic T-Bird) and Laura (whose "good-boy" fiance mysteriously disappeared two weeks before their wedding day). As she helps these two very different women, she must confront the anger over her own past and her deep-seated bitterness toward God. She uncovers a kidnapping and is thrown into a harrowing adventure with helicopters, flying buffalo, and a horse chase thrown in for good measure.
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 24, 2003
About the author
Sharon Dunn
147 books309 followersAfter almost 27 years of marriage Sharon's beloved husband Michael passed away in 2014. Together they had a life filled with adventure, laughter and unconditional love. She considers herself blessed to have been loved that way. She has three grown children and a busy cat named Sparky.
Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written over thirty books for Love Inspired Suspense many of which have appeared on USA Today Bestseller lists. Night Prey (Love Inspired Suspense) won the Carol Award from American Christian fiction writers.
Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her and sign up for her newsletter at her website http://sharondunnbooks.net/
Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written over thirty books for Love Inspired Suspense many of which have appeared on USA Today Bestseller lists. Night Prey (Love Inspired Suspense) won the Carol Award from American Christian fiction writers.
Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her and sign up for her newsletter at her website http://sharondunnbooks.net/
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 19, 2018
Romance Rustlers and Thunderbird Thieves by Sharon Dunn is the first book in the Ruby Taylor Mystery Series.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were fun and unique. The narrator, Ruby, is funny and sarcastic. She's not a Christian at the beginning of the book -- her mom is -- and you get to follow her spiritual journey to where she gets saved near the end of the book.
I appreciated the more realistic representation of Christianity. Once you become a Christian, your life isn't automatically perfect. You still struggle with sadness and hard times in your life. Nobody is perfect. But that's why we need Jesus and I felt like this book really showed that.
A lot of the time I find Christian fiction just has the characters be Christians and they don't really live it out. The only time you ever remember they are Christian is when they pray every once-in-awhile when they aren't doing so hot. This book didn't have any of that.
The book was also exciting. I liked the plot. The mystery was a little over-the-top, but at least it was unique and definitely not typical of a mystery book.
Content: Some mentions of "sleeping around", etc, abortions, "crap" once, some violence/fighting.
Overall, the book was funny and entertaining but sweet and touching at the same time. I greatly enjoyed it and will definitely be reading the next book in the series. 5 stars out of 5.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were fun and unique. The narrator, Ruby, is funny and sarcastic. She's not a Christian at the beginning of the book -- her mom is -- and you get to follow her spiritual journey to where she gets saved near the end of the book.
I appreciated the more realistic representation of Christianity. Once you become a Christian, your life isn't automatically perfect. You still struggle with sadness and hard times in your life. Nobody is perfect. But that's why we need Jesus and I felt like this book really showed that.
A lot of the time I find Christian fiction just has the characters be Christians and they don't really live it out. The only time you ever remember they are Christian is when they pray every once-in-awhile when they aren't doing so hot. This book didn't have any of that.
The book was also exciting. I liked the plot. The mystery was a little over-the-top, but at least it was unique and definitely not typical of a mystery book.
Content: Some mentions of "sleeping around", etc, abortions, "crap" once, some violence/fighting.
Overall, the book was funny and entertaining but sweet and touching at the same time. I greatly enjoyed it and will definitely be reading the next book in the series. 5 stars out of 5.
October 30, 2021
As I read I got hooked!
This story and author reeled me in as I read. I couldn't seem to help wanting to see where it all went next. This author knows the human condition very well and seems divinely inspired to pen it all into a good adventure and mystery. I enjoyed the story and the unfolding of the characters all the way until its conclusion. I recommend this story to all, for we are all in these characters somewhere!
This story and author reeled me in as I read. I couldn't seem to help wanting to see where it all went next. This author knows the human condition very well and seems divinely inspired to pen it all into a good adventure and mystery. I enjoyed the story and the unfolding of the characters all the way until its conclusion. I recommend this story to all, for we are all in these characters somewhere!
April 12, 2022
3.5⭐️
October 15, 2009
Review by Gretchen Hoffman
You know what they say about redheads… Well, Ruby Taylor is one of them. She’s got a hot-tempered attitude to go with her flaming red hair. She’s also a woman with a past. Her mom, a felon turned Christian during a ten-year stay in prison, loves to help anyone and everyone. Despite Ruby’s aversion to all things Christian, she ends up trying to help a woman who showed up in town looking for her thief of a husband and a young woman whose fiancé disappeared two weeks before the wedding.
Ruby gets thrown into a hilarious mess of an adventure—complete with a kidnapping, an obnoxious yet gorgeous cop her mom knows from church, a harrowing event with a helicopter, and much more. But as she dives further into the two women’s mysteries, Ruby must face her anger and bitterness over her own painful past.
Great novel. Ruby is quirky, fun, and a genuine character. I can’t wait for more of her crazy-fun adventures!
You know what they say about redheads… Well, Ruby Taylor is one of them. She’s got a hot-tempered attitude to go with her flaming red hair. She’s also a woman with a past. Her mom, a felon turned Christian during a ten-year stay in prison, loves to help anyone and everyone. Despite Ruby’s aversion to all things Christian, she ends up trying to help a woman who showed up in town looking for her thief of a husband and a young woman whose fiancé disappeared two weeks before the wedding.
Ruby gets thrown into a hilarious mess of an adventure—complete with a kidnapping, an obnoxious yet gorgeous cop her mom knows from church, a harrowing event with a helicopter, and much more. But as she dives further into the two women’s mysteries, Ruby must face her anger and bitterness over her own painful past.
Great novel. Ruby is quirky, fun, and a genuine character. I can’t wait for more of her crazy-fun adventures!
July 1, 2012
The mystery itself wasn't bad. I liked the idea, and it wasn't as predictable as I was expecting it to be. However, I didn't feel it moved as quickly as it could have. I often felt like telling the characters to move it along, and yet at the end I was reasonably satisfied with the story, I guess. Based solely on the review (I hadn't heard of or read this author before picking the book off the shelf), I wasn't expecting it to have as much religious flavor as it did -- not necessarily a bad thing but probably worth mentioning.
Overall, it was okay. On a last note, I haven't read any sequels and I'm not sure I will, but I really wish publishers would label books as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. if it was part of a series. When books follow the sequence of someone's life or journey, as this one does, I like to make sure that I read them in the right order. I was lucky to have picked this one up first, but I could have easily chosen the sequel and missed Ruby's initial Christian discoveries.
Overall, it was okay. On a last note, I haven't read any sequels and I'm not sure I will, but I really wish publishers would label books as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. if it was part of a series. When books follow the sequence of someone's life or journey, as this one does, I like to make sure that I read them in the right order. I was lucky to have picked this one up first, but I could have easily chosen the sequel and missed Ruby's initial Christian discoveries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2012
A fun suspenseful read that dealt with some real world emotions. Ruby is still living with her mom and ends up trying to solve two missing person cases. Ruby has a lot of emotional baggage to work through. The author does a great job with describing rubys past, and her reactions to Christians reaching out to her. I kept trying to figure out how she was eventually goin to be led to Christianity and how they were going to find Brian one of the missing people.
Overall an entertaining read that will keep you guessing. The author is very good at using creative descriptions as well.
Overall an entertaining read that will keep you guessing. The author is very good at using creative descriptions as well.
March 27, 2010
This was an excellent Christian novel as long as you don't expect a "real" romance with the typical ending. I loved the main character's spiritual journey. Many times that part of Christian novels is so formulaic and full of spouting the same old Scriptures as though everyone's experience will be a version of the Roman's Road. This book was not like that, AND it had as many funny moments as poignant ones.
July 18, 2009
I really enjoyed this book - it wasn't anything like I expected. The main character has a strong personality but has had some bad experiences she's trying to get past. Her sarcasm adds some piquancy the story. I was stumped by the mystery, but the best part of the story was Ruby finding herself in the midst of the broken pieces of her life.
March 14, 2010
This book was a little slow to start but I really enjoyed it after it began to pick up. Ruby is a funny heroine that I feel lots of us women can relate to on many levels. I will definitely read more of this series.
May 28, 2010
I enjoyed Sharon Dunn's book called Sassy Cinderella more than this one. I will read another one of her books to see if I enjoy it. Her books do not have a lot of romance or suspense, but they are wholesome and a quick read.
January 27, 2016
2* My opinion is that this book is mediocre. The action was just a little too far out to be believable or really draw me into the story. It passed the time and if that's all you want to do then this book is for you!
July 1, 2010
This was a light read. Little bit of mystery and a little bit of romance. I liked that it was a Christian mystery book. Would probably read more in this series.
August 19, 2011
Maybe my expectations of this book were too high after reading the book, but I found the book boring.
June 30, 2015
Very much enjoyed this, some really great word pictures. I did find myself more interested in the characters than in the mystery. Loved Ruby, she's an amusing character.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews