Category: Mainstream Publisher: Freelance with Copyhound
ISBN-10: 1976575672
Type: Fiction
Pages: 178
Copyright: August 2017
ISBN-13: 9781976575679
Price: $6.99 (eBook)
The Rubies Family Saga reveals the common Biblical truth that the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children. If we could find a life filled with only happiness, we would have utopia. As a life filled with love is also filled with equal pain, we must separate the good from the bad and bear the sorrow along with the joy, thus accepting life for what it is. This accomplishment is a goal of all mankind.
Rubies - Book Three in the Rubies Family Saga - Sins of the Mothers
Can we ever change the sins of the past or do we fall prey to their web of deceit and tragedy? Even though we are often determined to make a better life for our children, our good intentions cause the torrent of sins which become insurmountable.
In Book Two, The Widening Road, Marty was determined to give her children a better life but instead she pushed both her daughter into marriages that would destroy both their lives and their sanity.
Katherine was determined to marry for money but in the end, as her husband lays dying, she realizes she has fallen deeply in love with him and has never told him. The loss of his life becomes the catalyst for the destruction of her family.
She cannot forgive herself for what she has done and soon finds her absolution in the bottle. She has become a hopeless alcoholic.
Her two sons become adults, growing up in a loveless home, their only comfort being the grandmother who Katherine blames for the death of her husband.
Jeffrey reaches out to his mother and does his best to form a bond with her. Tim, on the other hand, resents his childhood and turns his back on his alcoholic mother.
Stacey, marries for love but finds in her husband the same abuse she suffered as a child. This realization comes close to destroying her sanity before she finally decides to make a new life for herself and her daughter.
As Stacey and Katherine begin their lives as single mothers, fearful of repeating the mistakes of the previous generation, they struggle to change the outcome of the curse that has been inflicted upon them.
As they face the death of the man that destroyed their family, the two sisters struggle to reconcile their feelings that flow between remove, regret, and vengeance. Stacey can forgive her father, but Katherine refuses.
When Stacey sees in her daughter, Vicki, some of the same character traits of her father, she realizes Vicki’s future is also in jeopardy. She becomes so caught up in her own life, she ignores her sister’s downward spiral and deteriorating health.
When her world crumbles beneath her feet, Stacey seeks the aid of a renowned psychiatrist, Gregg Phillips, and together they journey back in time to discover the root of Stacey’s emotional problems and why she has such a hatred for her ex-husband.
You’ll find yourself sympathetic to the plight of our heroines but also annoyed at their own inconsistencies as the Rubies curse continues to choke life from the good and leave behind the shadow of uncertainty.
Excerpt
Rubies Family Saga is the story of four women and their journey to find their life fulfillment while fighting to overcome a deathbed curse that continues to plague all of them throughout their lifetime.
The story is told by one of the four women as she relates to a psychiatrist the incidents of her mother and grandmother and why the women are so tormented.
Introduction
Duluth, The Present 1992
Gregg Phillips poured a glass of water for his patient and then sat down across from her.
“Stacey, I had no idea your sister had gone through such a terrible tragedy. Losing a husband is most difficult but losing a husband because of a suicide is the epitome of grief.”
Stacey rubbed the side of her neck with her fingertips, and then hugged herself rocking like a small child. Phillips knew the signs and he also knew Stacey Walker had a great deal more to reveal during her therapy.
“After Katy’s husband died, I determined I never wanted to be alone and that I would do everything I could to save my marriage.” Stacey spoke softly.
“As you are now divorced from Gary Walker,” Phillips replied. “I assume things changed.”
Stacey forced smile. “Yes, doctor, they changed a great deal. I discovered Gary had never reconciled the fact that he raped me to conceive our child, but I, in turn, had never forgiven him for what happened.”
“And your sister?”
“My sister never forgave Edward for leaving her alone and penniless, but most of all she never forgave herself
for letting him die.”
“That’s a tremendous burden,” Phillips replied. “Obviously, it was something that affected her a great deal.”
Stacey tilted her head and nodded. “Yes, it was a burden that destroyed her.”
***
Chapter One
Duluth, July 1973
Stacey pulled on her white denim shorts and fastened her blue halter-top around her neck. She quickly brushed her hair, grabbed a rubber band, and knotted her shoulder length red tresses into a ponytail. She picked up the sun tan lotion off the dresser and tripped lightly down the stairs.
"Where are you off to?" Gary said with a disapproving scowl.
She ignored his question then walked to the kitchen and began filling the beach bag with toys.
Gary's eyes skimmed her body. "I asked you a question, Stace."
She kept her back to him and tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. "Nowhere special. Katy and I are driving down to Brighton Beach."
Gary grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. "I don't want my daughter riding with that drunk!"
Stacey's green eyes snapped. "She's not a drunk! Besides, I'm driving."
Gary's brow furrowed. "Not a drunk! Then how come every time she calls on the phone, she can barely talk."
"That's a lie and you know it! Katy's having a rough time, especially now that her kids are in Boston."
"Well, she's the moron who agreed to keep a promise to a dead man."
"Shut up, Gary! Katy made a bargain with Edward to let the children spend their summers in Boston. It doesn’t matter to her that Edward is no longer living. She's trying to do the honorable thing."
"Yeah, I bet old Mrs. Parkingson is thrilled. She's laughing all the way to the bank."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Everybody knows your sister married the old guy for his money. Too bad she didn't know his mother controlled the purse strings."
Stacey yanked her arm from his grasp. "You're disgusting, Gary!"
Gary laughed heartily. "And you are little miss independence now that I bought you that new Oldsmobile this spring."
Stacey was so angry she wanted to spit. She crossed her arms to keep from shaking.
"You asshole! You bought me that car so I'd have transportation when you went on your little business trips. By the way, how many trips are planned for this month? Or are all your playmates here in Duluth?"
"Dammit, Stace!" Gary slammed his fist on the table. "No wonder I work for an ad agency that sends me out of town. You always pick a fight when I'm home."
Stacey walked toward the living room. "I don’t believe I’m hearing this. Now you're blaming me for your cheating!"
Gary's face flushed with rage as he followed close on her heels.
"Mommie, I can't find my shoes." A tiny voice echoed from the living room.
Gary plunged his fingers through his hair, trying to stay in control.
"Daddy will help you." Stacey turned to face him. "Won't you Gary?"
Gary reached to squeeze her chin in his hand. Gritting his teeth, he whispered. "This conversation isn't over."
"As far as I'm concerned, it is," Stacey said, wrenching her head away. She turned to Victoria and smiled. "As soon as Daddy finds your shoes, we'll go see Aunt Katy."
***
Katherine paced the floor in her tiny two-bedroom apartment just off London Road. She wished she could call the boys, but the budget wouldn't allow any more calls this month. She worried constantly about Jeffrey, especially when she put them on the plane for Boston. Timmy was his usual sedate self, but Jeffrey didn't even complain about leaving and that bothered her -- a great deal.
Katherine glanced out the window trying to spot Stacey's tan Oldsmobile. She wondered what was keeping her little sis. The noonday sun would be long gone if she didn't hurry. Katherine opened the refrigerator and reached for the bottle of Chablis. She poured herself a glass and plopped down in front of the television. She stared at the screen, and then pushed the off button.
She sipped on the wine and laid her head back on the sofa. She was thankful she had a college education and had remembered her accounting skills enough to get a decent job. The firm even had a branch in Minneapolis and she could transfer when she moved into Marty's house in the fall.
Sighing, Katherine stood up and walked to the window. At least the old bat had bought a new wardrobe for the boys for school. Of course, that was the end of her generosity. She was enjoying her sweet revenge.
At least staying in Duluth this summer, she could be near Stacey. Too bad she couldn't talk her into leaving that no-good bastard she married. She knew the soldier was cheating, she just didn't know how to prove it.
Katherine heard the honk of a horn as Stacey's car pulled into the parking lot.
She waved out the open window. "Be right down, kiddo."
She poured herself a half glass of wine and quickly slugged it down. She grabbed her beach bag and hurried down three flights of stairs.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Katy." Stacey pulled onto London Road. "Gee, there's a lot of traffic for Saturday."
"I think there's some antique car show at Canal Park. Didn't you see the cars when you drove by?"
"I think I was too angry to notice. Gary was giving me grief."
"What's the soldier's beef today?"
Stacey shrugged. "Oh, the usual: too much independence for his wife."
"Does he want a puppet or what?" Katherine threw back her head in laughter. "Gary wouldn't know how to work one if he had one."
"Daddy can make my clown puppet work," Vicki chimed in.
"I'll be this many on my birthday."
Vicki held up four fingers.
Stacey and Katherine giggled in unison.
"I can't believe she's growing up so fast," Stacey said.
Katherine nodded. "I know, mine are too. Timmy looks like a little professor with his new glasses. He resembles his daddy more each day.”
Katherine swallowed hard and grew silent for a minute. "Hey, did you see that awful putrid green the new owners painted Aunt Ginny's house?"
Stacey knew Katherine was changing the subject for a reason. She still couldn't talk about Edward without breaking down. "Yeah, it's pretty bad. It's a good thing you're moving into Momma's house. At least we can be sure that will be kept in shape."
Katherine lit a cigarette and blew the smoke out the window. "You know I don't care if Momma moves to Phoenix to be near Aunt Ginny, but I hate the thought of her being so close to Ronny."
"You've got to get over your anger, Katy."
Katherine lifted her chin and took another drag off her cigarette. "Not a chance, Stace. I'll never forgive Ronny or Sonny for what they did."
Stacey threw her a puzzled frown. She knew Ronny was a jerk and a lot like Daddy, but Katy's anger was much more than that. She wondered why.
Professional Reviews
It Was Amazing
It was amazing. Can’t wait to read them all.”
Will Read Entire Series
Can't wait for the next book. Will read them all
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