Wild Rose
by Ruth Axtell Morren
Published by Steeple Hill
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Lacy J. Williams
Morren is an excellent storyteller. Wild Rose will keep you turning pages until the satisfying end.
Geneva Patterson—”Salt Fish Ginny” to the townspeople of Haven’s End—has only herself and her faithful dog Jake to rely on. Ever since her father’s death, she has taken care of herself by selling vegetables from her garden and fishing. Dressed like a man in overalls and hat, she hopes to avoid those who would compromise her.
A careless prank by some youngsters while on the pier, throws Geneva in the path of Captain Caleb Phelps, heir to the Phelps shipping empire headquartered in Boston. Caleb is enamored by his fiance, Arabella Harding, and barely notices Geneva, though he offers her kindness by helping her when no one else would.
After Caleb is suspected of a crime against his father’s company, Arabella leaves him for another. He returns to Haven’s End, hoping to hide out until the scandal blows over and he’s more sure of his future. Little does he know that there is just as much gossip in Haven’s End as he left behind in Boston—or that his nearest neighbor is the girl he rescued on the pier so long ago.
A friendship is born when Geneva helps Caleb with his garden. It grows into something more when Caleb discovers the delicate wild rose hiding beneath men’s overalls. But will his past overshadow the tentative hope for a future with Geneva? Will Geneva’s social standing and rough upbringing keep her from a relationship with Caleb? Can she learn to trust the God that Caleb and his friend Mrs. Bradford have told her about?
Morren’s excellent use of internal monologue, dialogue and setting draws the reader straight into Haven’s End and doesn’t let go until the very end. The conflict between hero and heroine is poignant and well handled. Both characters struggle to overcome their past, and Morren uses these struggles to paint a picture of the God who wants to draw them near.
Armchair Interviews says: If you love historical romance, you won’t be able to put this novel down. Highly recommended.
Author’s Web site: http://www.RuthAxtellMorren.com