Rating: 
Summary: A gem of a story. :)
Review: This story centers around Faith Donovan, who, despite a recent bad relationship, seems much more emotionally healthy than her brother Archer (star of Pearl Cove). When she receives a commission to design a necklace for an old friend's wedding, she is thrown into company with Owen Walker, whom she had previously admired from afar.Owen has had an eye on Faith for a while, but she has sworn off men. Plus, she views him as less imposing than her huge brothers. He is able to use this to his advantage, however, as he guards her and her gemstones. No one thinks he could be dangerous, including Faith. Being in her constant company, he finally manages to get her attention--and chemistry takes it from there. Be prepared to get a little weepy at times; although Faith and Owen are fairly normal, tragedy has a tendency to strike around them.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not great!
Review: This fourth book in the gemstone series is a good read, but not quite as gripping as the first two. Here we meet Honor's twin, Faith, and her quest for recognition as a jewelry artist and her search for love. She and Owen Walker ( a bit player in Jade Island) are caught in the middle of a treasure hunt by the Russians and the U.S. for the "Heart of Midnight" ruby which was accidentally stolen from a Russian museum. The Russians have been informed that Faith has the ruby, and murder and mayhem follows her from sea to shining sea, which is why Archer insists that Walker accompany her to Atlanta and later on to Ruby Bayou where Faith is to deliver the ruby necklace she made for her college roomate's wedding. The final confrontations are a bit contrived and rushed, but all in all, this book was well constucted and exciting. The plot is good, the characters interesting, and the history of the gem excellent! I am becoming a jewelry expert reading this series. The only thing I disliked in this book was the fact that Archer was too much in control of the story, and all the husbands, wives and children being accumulated by the Donovans were overpowering and unnecessary to the plot. I am looking forward to meeting the twins, Lawe and Justin, and learning more about the search for gemstones.
Rating: 
Summary: Midnight in Ruby Bayou
Review: "Midnight" is standard Lowell writing. The author spends a substantial amount of time educating the reader about the history of rubies and the world gem market before digging into the plot, which was predictable to anyone who has read any of the earlier Donovan family novels. The three stars indicate that I enjoyed being updated on the lives of the other Donovans (and hope to see the stories of the two remaining brothers) and enjoyed the book in a general way, while not being terribly impressed by this effort. Unless you are a rabid fan, I would recommend waiting for the paperback...or (though amazon.com won't like this) checking the hardback out at the library.
Rating:
Summary: Ruby Bayou More of the Same
Review: Elizabeth Lowell's newest addition to the Donovan family series, Midnight in Ruby Bayou, covers very familiar territory. Like Amber Beach, Jade Island and Pearl Cove, RB pits a hero and heroine who are extraordinarily wrapped up in the lore, history and technical chemistry of a particular gem-- in this case rubies-- against the Russian mafia, the US Government (whom Lowell refers to annoyingly as Uncle), and a variety of violent and shady characters. In Ruby Bayou, the remaining single Donovan sister, Faith, a jewelry designer, and trusted Donovan employee and right-hand-man, Owen Walker, join together to protect Faith's latest creation-- a magnificent ruby necklace-- on its way to its destination in Savannah for Faith's best friend's wedding. I guess Elizabeth Lowell is trying to go more maintream in her writing, but this story could have been much better if there were more attention to the devloping romance and less attention to the ruby-coveting conspirators. Frankly, the combination of the Atlantic City mob, the Russian mafia, batty old Southern ladies, and hush-hush government operatives was a bit over the top. The story wasn't a bad one through and through, but I hoped for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Continuing excellence marks Midnight in Ruby Bayou
Review: It's hard to believe that anyone can maintain the level of excellence that Elizabeth Lowell had maintained in the Donovan series, but she has done it again with Ruby Bayou. Wow is about the only word to describe just how good this book is. By the name, you will guess that this book focuses on a mystery about the ruby trade (the others in the series focused on amber, jade and pearl trades). Though Ms. Lowell has written other books on the fine gem industry (Diamond Tiger and The Ruby (both under her Ann Maxwell pseudonym)), she still manages to bring new information to blend with sizziling sensuality and a great mystery. Also interesting, she brings Owen Walker (from Jade Island) as Faith Donovan's mate. Seemingly less intense that Ms. Lowell's other heroes in this series, he is a great character who compliments the hurt Faith. I always enjoy Ms. Lowell's male characters, as they are always very strong and genuinelly interesting... they aren't a copy of anyone! I think her husband's influence (she used to write with him under the pseudonym A.E. Maxwell) gives her books both strength and truth. This is a great stand alone-book, but it is even better if you read the others. Good reading!
Rating:
Summary: Stunning adventure!
Review: Last volume in Lowell's quad-ology (is this a word?), about Seattle's gem trading Donovan clan. Yes we have been here before but the author keeps the story fresh with some interesting plot turns. This is not just a romance but also a pretty good adventure/thriller! If you have enjoyed the Donovan series thus far you should enjoy this book. I also recomend: "A Tourist in the Yucatan" Not a romance, but a good aventure/thriller!
Rating:
Summary: Ruby Bayou
Review: Midnight in Ruby Bayou follows in the tradition of the Donovan Family. Younger sister Faith finally meets her romantic match in Donovan International troubleshooter, Owen Walker. Very entertaining, Faith is asked to design a wedding present for her college roommate, who is marrying into the Montague. This book is a fast-paced look at the Montague family's troubled history with beautiful Burmese's rubies and skeletons in the closet. Faith and Owen are forced to run the gauntlet to save a ruby treasure in time to avert and international incident, while contending with the Russian mafiya, and family's destructiveness. A completely entertaining read, this book is a great addition to the Donovan family series, but may at times appear short on detail.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: Elizabeth Lowell is one of the best authors around. I have enjoyed any book I have ever read by her and this book is no exception. I definitely recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and Enjoyable...................
Review: Had to read this book after reading Pearl Cove and enjoying yummmmmmmmy Archer Donovan and his love Hannah. Faith Donovan the youngest sister and jewelry designer and Owen Walker best friend and Ruby expert goes with Faitn Donovan to the Bayous for her best friends wedding and to present her a beautiful Ruby Necklace. But, the Heart of Midnight a giant ruby is lost and a Russian is trying to find it and murder anyone who gets in his way and Faith may be next. I really enjoyed this one. I would like her to write about their twin brothers and the Emerald trade,but I highly doubt it. Looking forward to reading Color in Death by her and all about Sapphires. Read this book it's highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite of Series
Review: As series books go, I usually enjoy full length ones. However, with this one I was put off by all the details in Jade Island especially and let this one linger forever in my pile. I shouldn't have put it off, as this one was actually my favorite in the series.
Though there is a lot of detail about Ruby's included, they don't encompass the story so completely as to take away from the romance as Jade did. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed watching Faith and Walker's interactions.
The only thing I didn't like was it seemed to take them forever to act upon their attractions to each other. But still a very good book and as far as I'm concerned, the best of the series for action rather than details!
|
