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Tales Of Hope #1
The Ruby Float
If you've ever read Kon-Tiki, then The Ruby Float is your opportunity to sail the high seas again. In Kon-Tiki, a crew of six grown men journeys across the Pacific by raft in hopes of reaching a far-off island in French Polynesia. The adventure is extremely risky, to say the least.
But what if the raft, a similar raft, were built and crewed by two young kids, a brother and sister with no sailing experience? And what if they were seeking something more wonderful than the crew of the Kon-Tiki, the author of a mysterious message that promises something that seems beyond belief. Which crew would you join?
Of course, if you decide to join our adventurers, you'll need to take along some good books, for you may hit the doldrums and find yourself with nothing to do. Ask any able-bodied seaman and he'll tell you what to bring--The Chronicles of Narnia, The Ruby Float and Theodora's Children (Book 2 in the Tales Of Hope series). And don't forget to add several bars of tasty white chocolate.
This book is for anyone who loves:
Stories with a solid Christian Theme
Stories that are Bigger than Life
Stories about Courage
Stories about Overcoming Fear
Stories about Family
Tasty White Chocolate
But what if the raft, a similar raft, were built and crewed by two young kids, a brother and sister with no sailing experience? And what if they were seeking something more wonderful than the crew of the Kon-Tiki, the author of a mysterious message that promises something that seems beyond belief. Which crew would you join?
Of course, if you decide to join our adventurers, you'll need to take along some good books, for you may hit the doldrums and find yourself with nothing to do. Ask any able-bodied seaman and he'll tell you what to bring--The Chronicles of Narnia, The Ruby Float and Theodora's Children (Book 2 in the Tales Of Hope series). And don't forget to add several bars of tasty white chocolate.
This book is for anyone who loves:
Stories with a solid Christian Theme
Stories that are Bigger than Life
Stories about Courage
Stories about Overcoming Fear
Stories about Family
Tasty White Chocolate
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2011
16 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Rick Nau
4 books33 followersRick studied writing at UCLA, honing his skills by attending the Santa Barbara Writers Conference for many years, where he had the opportunity to learn from gifted writers such as Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Sloan Wilson (Man In The Grey Flannel Suit), and William F. Buckley (Airborne: A Sentimental Journey). While there, he penned the award-winning short story Daph, set during the polio epidemics of the 1950s. He has written three novels, which comprise the Tales Of Hope Series. His fourth novel in the series, The Kingdom of the Flowers, is now in work. Rick lives in Los Angeles with his wife Bettina, who keeps him busy tending to the needs of the dozens of hummingbirds she loves.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 13, 2017
The Ruby Float by Rick Nau is a most beautiful Christian allegory. As with Rick Nau's other book, Theodora's Children, this story is timeless and relevant yesterday, today and forever.
The Ruby Float is a story within a story. As the children sit at the feet of their great grandfather, the reader is reminded that Jesus told stories and people sat at His feet to listen. Within His stories were great truths, and so it is with The Ruby Float. Jesus asked that we come to Him as children. The Ruby Float demands to be read through the eyes of a child - wide eyed, full of wonder and open to the truths of the Alpha and the Omega.
The reader is drawn into the story from the start, with delicious descriptions of a picnic, reminiscent of the Famous Five picnics of Enid Blyton.
The style of The Ruby Float is warm and welcoming. The reader 'feels' the arms of the book figuratively wrap themselves around the reader. We long to hear the truths contained within the tale.
Very much like C.S. Lewis' Narnia, the reader enters a world where a spiritual battle still rains. We are reminded that it is a battle for our hearts, minds and souls. "If we probe a little deeper... we'll find waters that are dark and disturbed." We are required to shine as beacons of hope and light in a dark world.
There is an air of love pervading the whole novel. The reader 'feels' included in this love but reads with heart breaking, "He worked... hoping... he could earn the love of his father and mother." We are reminded that God loves us unconditionally. We do not need to earn His love. He already loves us.
Within each one of us, there is a God-shaped hole that only He can fill. "He was longing for a love much greater." Nothing but God will truly satisfy.
There is an innocence and a child-like trust within the novel. The children instinctively know who they can and cannot trust. We need to know that we can trust God. We can trust Him in the calm waters and also when the storms rage.
The Ruby Float has many instances which remind the reader of Bible stories - Climbing the mountain like Abraham and Moses; Noah's ark; Jonah and more. These are designed to link the reader to the past, reminding us that the same God who spoke then, can speak life into our situations today and tomorrow. He is not a distant God but One who draws near. If He feels far away, it is not Him who has moved. "It was my heart that was far from His."
The Ruby Float contains words from scripture that lodge themselves in the reader's heart, bringing a sense of peace and calm.
I have found both The Ruby Float and Theodora's Children incredibly beautiful. The words have penetrated my very being with their beauty and their truth. I think both books have the power to change lives and draw people closer to Jesus. Jesus drew others to Him through His stories - the same can be true today. People respond to stories.
For me, The Ruby Float and Theodora's children have the power to become classics and stand proudly beside C.S. Lewis' Narnia books in homes and shops. They are not designed to be read once and forgotten. They are classics to read again and again. We can read them to our children and grandchildren. They are timeless classics that will last.
Invest in The Ruby Float and Theodora's Children today. See their beauty. Let them 'speak' to and impact your life and the lives of your children.
Simply beautiful.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The Ruby Float is a story within a story. As the children sit at the feet of their great grandfather, the reader is reminded that Jesus told stories and people sat at His feet to listen. Within His stories were great truths, and so it is with The Ruby Float. Jesus asked that we come to Him as children. The Ruby Float demands to be read through the eyes of a child - wide eyed, full of wonder and open to the truths of the Alpha and the Omega.
The reader is drawn into the story from the start, with delicious descriptions of a picnic, reminiscent of the Famous Five picnics of Enid Blyton.
The style of The Ruby Float is warm and welcoming. The reader 'feels' the arms of the book figuratively wrap themselves around the reader. We long to hear the truths contained within the tale.
Very much like C.S. Lewis' Narnia, the reader enters a world where a spiritual battle still rains. We are reminded that it is a battle for our hearts, minds and souls. "If we probe a little deeper... we'll find waters that are dark and disturbed." We are required to shine as beacons of hope and light in a dark world.
There is an air of love pervading the whole novel. The reader 'feels' included in this love but reads with heart breaking, "He worked... hoping... he could earn the love of his father and mother." We are reminded that God loves us unconditionally. We do not need to earn His love. He already loves us.
Within each one of us, there is a God-shaped hole that only He can fill. "He was longing for a love much greater." Nothing but God will truly satisfy.
There is an innocence and a child-like trust within the novel. The children instinctively know who they can and cannot trust. We need to know that we can trust God. We can trust Him in the calm waters and also when the storms rage.
The Ruby Float has many instances which remind the reader of Bible stories - Climbing the mountain like Abraham and Moses; Noah's ark; Jonah and more. These are designed to link the reader to the past, reminding us that the same God who spoke then, can speak life into our situations today and tomorrow. He is not a distant God but One who draws near. If He feels far away, it is not Him who has moved. "It was my heart that was far from His."
The Ruby Float contains words from scripture that lodge themselves in the reader's heart, bringing a sense of peace and calm.
I have found both The Ruby Float and Theodora's Children incredibly beautiful. The words have penetrated my very being with their beauty and their truth. I think both books have the power to change lives and draw people closer to Jesus. Jesus drew others to Him through His stories - the same can be true today. People respond to stories.
For me, The Ruby Float and Theodora's children have the power to become classics and stand proudly beside C.S. Lewis' Narnia books in homes and shops. They are not designed to be read once and forgotten. They are classics to read again and again. We can read them to our children and grandchildren. They are timeless classics that will last.
Invest in The Ruby Float and Theodora's Children today. See their beauty. Let them 'speak' to and impact your life and the lives of your children.
Simply beautiful.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
August 22, 2017
Here are several reviews of the book that appear on Amazon.com:
Amazon Reviews (All 5 Stars):
This book is a refreshing tale of adventure and hope. The journey with Nate and Sam across miles of ocean on a makeshift raft to a remote island is just the beginning. I highly recommend climbing aboard with them to enjoy a deeper journey toward faith and redemption. David Cuff
Author Rick Nau manages to weave a story filled with danger, adventure, and courage with hope, love, and redemption. In short, the brother and sister who embark on their journey to save their grandmother discover more than they bargained for. A truly inspirational story. DC Magic
Amazon Reviews (All 5 Stars):
This book is a refreshing tale of adventure and hope. The journey with Nate and Sam across miles of ocean on a makeshift raft to a remote island is just the beginning. I highly recommend climbing aboard with them to enjoy a deeper journey toward faith and redemption. David Cuff
Author Rick Nau manages to weave a story filled with danger, adventure, and courage with hope, love, and redemption. In short, the brother and sister who embark on their journey to save their grandmother discover more than they bargained for. A truly inspirational story. DC Magic
February 19, 2019
Unexpected book
I would recommend this book. At times it seemed to drag on a little, but finished well. Another way of telling a great truth.
I would recommend this book. At times it seemed to drag on a little, but finished well. Another way of telling a great truth.
July 17, 2020
This is a sweet tale of a brother and sister and their search for hope to give their grandfather as he deals with his wife's illness.
August 4, 2020
Wonderful tale
Would make a great book to be read to or by adolescent to young readers. An adventure story that introduces two young children to Christianity.
Would make a great book to be read to or by adolescent to young readers. An adventure story that introduces two young children to Christianity.
September 19, 2014
I love this story by Rick Nau! Grandfather Jesse tells stories to his grandchildren Daph and Josh. Everyone will enjoy his stories that are about God’s faithfulness and love, told as adventures that depict the loving nature of God.
In this story, Jesse is telling his grandchildren the story of The Ruby Float. It is about Hank who tells his grandchildren Sam and Nate about building a raft and sailing. They also search for treasures. Hank’s wife Harriet gets sick and Hank doesn’t come to tell Sam and Nate stories. Sam and Nate are left to explore on their own. Sam finds a ruby float with a message inside, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” With Harriet’s sickness, the children want to find out more about this man the Alpha and Omega, and how you can be dead but still live. They had never heard of him before. They use the information given to them by Hank to build a raft and follow where they think this float came from, an island out in the ocean.
Sam and Nate work together to get the raft to the island where they think these floats have come from. A storm comes upon them; they are shipwrecked. What will happen now? Can they find out about the floats and where they came from? Or more importantly, learn about this man they are seeking?
Embark on this adventurous journey to learn about the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Sam and Nate learn all about Him to take the message back to Hank and Harriet and to anyone who will listen. The message: that whoever believes in Christ shall never die. Hank and Harriet need the peace this message offers. Sam and Nate share the message with everyone who will listen.
I look forward to reading more of these stories by Rick Nau. They are simple enough for children to understand, but profound enough to hold the interest of adults. In each story I am drawn in to the characters and the message of God’s love and the true meaning of salvation, not by works, but by the grace of God. I love the cover of this as well. When you read the story you will see the significance. Sometimes I don’t understand how a cover was chosen. This one is perfect.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
In this story, Jesse is telling his grandchildren the story of The Ruby Float. It is about Hank who tells his grandchildren Sam and Nate about building a raft and sailing. They also search for treasures. Hank’s wife Harriet gets sick and Hank doesn’t come to tell Sam and Nate stories. Sam and Nate are left to explore on their own. Sam finds a ruby float with a message inside, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” With Harriet’s sickness, the children want to find out more about this man the Alpha and Omega, and how you can be dead but still live. They had never heard of him before. They use the information given to them by Hank to build a raft and follow where they think this float came from, an island out in the ocean.
Sam and Nate work together to get the raft to the island where they think these floats have come from. A storm comes upon them; they are shipwrecked. What will happen now? Can they find out about the floats and where they came from? Or more importantly, learn about this man they are seeking?
Embark on this adventurous journey to learn about the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Sam and Nate learn all about Him to take the message back to Hank and Harriet and to anyone who will listen. The message: that whoever believes in Christ shall never die. Hank and Harriet need the peace this message offers. Sam and Nate share the message with everyone who will listen.
I look forward to reading more of these stories by Rick Nau. They are simple enough for children to understand, but profound enough to hold the interest of adults. In each story I am drawn in to the characters and the message of God’s love and the true meaning of salvation, not by works, but by the grace of God. I love the cover of this as well. When you read the story you will see the significance. Sometimes I don’t understand how a cover was chosen. This one is perfect.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews