A TOWN CALLED RUBY PRAIRIE

In the first installment of the Coming Home to Ruby Prairie series, Smith dishes up a lightweight tale of smalltown life, sprinkled with plenty of Christian values. The 40-year-old widow, Charlotte Carter, has no children of her own, so she fills her rambling pink frame home, Tanglewood, with a motley crew of foster children: the rambunctious nine-year-old twins, Nikki and Vikki; rebellious 15-year-old Beth and needy Donna, Maggie and Sharita, all with baggage from the past. Down at the 'Round the Clock Cafe, colorful locals swap quips with Kerilynn Bell, mayor of Ruby Prairie and owner of the restaurant, while the aging members of the dwindling Ruby Prairie Women's Culture Club keep the social and charitable functions of the town humming along. Charlotte is sure she can take care of the girls by herself, but when disaster strikes, she realizes she's taken on more than she can handle. Ruby Prairie's community comes to the rescue. Smith is the author of several books, including Homemade Humble Pie & Other Slices of Life , and is also a former foster parent, lending authenticity to her story line. But she deals out dialogue with a heavy hand, and the tension in the plot never rises past a simmer. Numerous point-of-view changes slow down the pacing. However, a generous dollop of humor and a sweet story line might interest Christian readers who want a gentle, Mitfordish read without too much angst. (May)