Ok, now that I am done I must admit it was a good read! I had to give it a chance! This is historical fiction, based on the life of the painter Raphael. It's about his forbidden love affair with the woman he loved & could never be with. Sad story! ( )

The Ruby Ring is a very satisfying read. The ending will make you think about it long after it is on the shelf. Historical fiction does not have to be dull. It would be helpful to have an art dictionary nearby but does not diminish the story if you don't. Raphael is given flesh and Mahgherita stays in the memory. ( )

Very little about this book rings true. Which is a shame, because it's a good story, but nearly every scene seems contrived and forced. A few of the scenes that actually deal with art and painting are better than others, but there are too few of those scenes. Once Raphael and Margherita get together, all of their interactions are much the same, with a few variations in words and emphasis. A potentially interesting addition to the painting-turned-novel genre, but not in the same league as some others. ( )

I couldn't get past page 30 of this one- the writing seemed really trite to me, and I don't like books that are so formulaic- with the typical guy's guy who has been with many women but never felt a connection with any of them until meeting the very typical female who stands out in a crowd not only for her beauty but also because she, unlike most ladies, actually speaks her mind. And then they of course fall in love, against all odds.