Midnight in Ruby Bayou

Rating:
Summary: So-so
Review: I love Elizabeth Lowell but I've been kind of disappointed with her latest series, this book included. I found myself skimming the pages, which is something I never did with her older, better novels. I'm not saying that she's not a good writer, which she is, but I enjoyed reading her pure romances better than these new ones which focus too much on the factual side of the gems than on the development of the characters and their relationship.

Rating:
Summary: Great Start.....Then a Fizzled Ending
Review: This was my first Elizabeth Lowell book and it was recommended by a friend, so I was not sure what to expect. At first the book started out awesome. What could be better than a midnight robbing of a Soviet musuem, followed by a greedy theif who lifts something he isn't supposed to, then two dead bodies and the list goes on. I felt the action of the book moved right along and the sparring between Faith and Walker was wonderful. Right up until the last few chapters. Then things started to get really slow. For one thing, for a Russian mafia to not show up the whole time Faith and Walker were at Ruby Bayou was just not believeable and then for him to show up at the end. Well, it was almost like Ms. Lowell just remembered that he was a central character. Then the whole part where Walker disappears into the Bayou is just a great mystery. All we know is that two went out and one came back....I think the ending of the book could have been spiced up with a chapter regarding the struggle on the skif in the middle of the swamp. I was also a little disappointed in that all of a sudden Walker decides he wants Faith in his life permanently and some of how he reached that decision would have been helpful. All in all it was an entertaining read and I will be looking forward to Ms. Lowells next book.

Rating:
Summary: house wine of the south
Review: I always read the dedication, etc. on books before I read them. I was intriged by "the house wine of the south" and it was worth reading the book to find out what it was. The only reason I rated this book a 4 instead of 5 is because Amber Beach is my all time favorite of Elizabeth Lowell's. I have enjoyed all the gem books because they have given me an insight into the gem/jewelry business. I like the family element, the mystery, and the panting until the inevitable is finally done. As always, it is delisciously sooooo hot.

Rating:
Summary: Elizabeth Lowell - Another Jewel!
Review: The romance/mystery of Midnight in Ruby Bayou brings Owen Walker and Faith Donovan together to continue the saga of the magnificent Donovan clan. This is the story of a strong man and strong woman who come together and surprise each other, woven togeher with enough bad guys to keep you guessing, enough good guys to keep your hopes up and enough down-home southern scandal to make you feel you are hanging over the back fence with a neighbor. We also learn of the present status of our past Donovan books. This book kept my interest (and I'm hard to please) even when I should have been turning out the lights and going to sleep. If you loved her past books, you'll love this one.

Rating:
Summary: ANYTIME in Ruby Bayou
Review: I love all of Elizabeth Lowell's books, especially the Donovan Series, and Midnight in Ruby Bayou was no exception. I found my heart going out to Walker, and wishing for a "Walker" of my own. Faith and Walker just complimented each other wonderfully, both vulernable, both hurt by their pasts, a great combination. The chemistry was there from the start and I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to see what she does with Justin and Lawe!

Rating:
Summary: Not so pleased
Review: I am a huge Elizabeth Lowell fan and have read all of the other books in the Donovan series and this was my least favorite. I don't feel there was as much intensity as in the others; Too many bad guys, not enough romance. However, I do look forward to reading about Justin and Lawe Donovan!

Rating:
Summary: midnight in ruby bayou
Review: DO I LOVE THE DONOVANS? THANK YOU ELIZABETH LOWELL. I HAVE READ ALL OF YOUR BOOKS; THE OLDEST TO THIS NEW ONE. I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN.I FELL IN LOVE WITH OWEN WALKER AND FAITH DONOVAN AND THEIR STORY. FAITH HAS A TALENT TO DESIGN JEWELRY; FAITH HAS A WONDERFUL FAMILY THAT LOVES HER; BROTHER ARCHER WANTS HER PROTECTED AND THE RUBYS; ENTER THE WONDERFUL MAN, WALKER. THANK YOU E.LOWELL FOR THE PLOT OF WHO HAS TAKEN THE BIG FIST OF A RUBY; AND THE SEXUAL, SWEET STORY OF LOVE BETWEEN FAITH AND WALKER. "SUGAR" THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. "SUGAR" THIS HAS GREAT LOVE-SEX SCENES............KEEP UP THE GREAT STORIES E.LOWELL WITH HOT SEX................LOVE YOUR BOOKS..........A GREAT BOOK FOR ANYONE.

Rating:
Summary: The Donovans are still exciting
Review: Ms. Lowell hits the mark again in her latest installment of this popular family. Since there are only two siblings left to write about, I am fearful that there will less adventures to explore. Faith, the character in the newest book is a character that was thought to be a weakling in the previous books, but I was glad to find out that she was just a woman who yearns for the happiness that her other siblings have. She is strong, smart, and refuses to let past failures stand in her way of finding real happiness. Owen is not bad as her man of choice. He is just as strong as her brothers.

Rating:
Summary: Midnight in Ruby Bayou
Review: Faith Donovan had immersed herself into the creation of exquisite jewelry since the breakup of a disappointing relationship. An important commission has come her way, and now Faith must see to it that she obtain rubies of the highest quality. That quality comes with a very high price. Owen Walker knows what that price is but won't tell her for her own sake. Faith suspects Owen may be hiding a secret, but would that secret come at the expense of her very life? This reviewer, and perhaps the audience, has come to expect more from Elizabeth Lowell. There's also more information about the geology and precise mathematical cutting of rubies than there is romantic suspense. The big disappointment comes when we find the previous books in the Donovan series superior to this letdown of a conclusion.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, not really good
Review: Although not as bad as many novels I have read, I felt that Midnight in Ruby Bayou lacked the pace, character development, action and romance of the previous novels in the Donovan series. Yes, there was some pace, etc., but it was as lacklustre as the plot. Usually a Elizabeth Lowell book is edge-of-seat reading, but this one I found a struggle to finish. What kept me from giving up was the information on the rest of the Donovan family - and this is why I awarded it three stars in the end. Not bad, just not up to Ms Lowell's usual standard.