Wild Rose

by Ruth Axtell Morren

All her life, Geneva Patterson was an outcast in Haven's End. Plain, awkward, thought to be unmarriageable, she endured the townspeople's cruel taunts in solitude. But then she encountered a man who made her dream of more....

Once a respected sea captain, Caleb Phelps had been accused of a shameful crime. He still held his head high, but pain shone in his eyes. Believing in his innocence, Geneva longed to help this proud man find redemption—through God's grace and a woman's love.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ruth Axtell Morren wrote her first story when she was 12--a spy thriller--and knew she wanted to be a writer.

There were many detours along the way as she pursued more realistic goals. She studied comparative literature at Smith College, where she received a Bachelor's degree; spent her junior year in Paris; taught English and lived as an au pair in the Canary Islands; worked in international development in Miami, Florida. It was there she met her husband, a Dutchman from Suriname, who took her to the Netherlands to live for six years.

In Holland Ruth began crafting her first serious story in between having children Justin, Adaja and Andre. It was there, too, she gained her first recognition as a writer when she made the finals in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest in 1994.

After the initial euphoria wore off, it was still several years before she made any progress. Ruth and her family moved back to the U.S. to the east coast of Maine. It was the ideal location--surrounded by spruce and fir, a short walk from the rocky seashore--to hunker down in front of her computer and write the stories simmering at the back of her mind.

Ruth's inner journey of faith parallels her outward journey--seemingly circuitous, sometimes wandering in the desert--yet ever-guided by the Good Shepherd.

Ruth currently teaches Spanish to her children and a small group of elementary school children in an after-school program. She also enjoys gardening and has recently learned to knit. Living in rural Maine has given her an opportunity to learn to start a fire in a woodstove on a cold winter morning, shovel snow and realize how many stars are in the sky at night.

also writes under the name Ruth Axtell

Reviews

[Hannah]

I think I read this last fall. It's a story that I really enjoyed and that has stuck with me. The setting and the initial premise seemed very similar to "Her Good Name" by this author, but it quickly diverged into a totally different path. Wild Rose is the heroine, who is unpolished and has been pretty much a hermit for years. And the older hero must come to recognize her potential...and even then she ultimately will shock him with what she makes of herself. This is the type of story that will warm your heart and keep you turning pages.

[Gerrie]

She's a good writer, but the preaching really detracted from my enjoyment of an otherwise good story.
One star removed for that.

[Lisa]

Oh, how I enjoyed this book! It was so romantic! Definitely my kind of story. I've read most of Ruth's books and I'm sorry to say that I only have one or two more to go before I've read them all. Makes me wish that authors like Ruth could WRITE FASTER! LOL!

I loved the realism of this story. I always feel like I'm right there in the story when I read Ruth's books. I can't say enough about Ruth's writing ability. I'm especially impressed by the easy flow of conversation. For me, Ruth is right up there on my top ten favorite authors list.

It was wonderful watching Geneva blossom into a wonderful young woman. She loved Caleb right from the start but it wasn't the same for Caleb. All he saw was a sweet young girl in overalls. I was actually hurt when it was suggested that it might be unseemly for her to spend so much time with him and he just laughed, and said 'just look at her.' It took a shocking and embarrassing moment to open his eyes and after that he was a goner. It was so refreshing to read a story where the heroine and hero weren't gaga over each other from start to finish. These characters were so much more interesting and I liked that they grew as friends before falling in love.

[Elise Wilson]

While browsing around for inspirational romance novels, I discovered this author and book and after reading many positive reviews decided to give it a try. I enjoyed it a lot. However, I did have to get past my initial fear that the hero and heroine seemed incompatible as romantic partners. My issue was not so much that they come from vastly different backgrounds, but rather that their developing relationship appeared more like siblings, than potential lovers. I know that friendships often develop into more intimate relationships, but in the beginning, I just couldn't see this happening between the main characters.

However,with the skill of a great storyteller, including good character development, Morren pulls it off masterfully. And by the end I was sold on the chemistry between Geneva and Caleb, making for a wonderful love story. Importantly, I also appreciated how Morren interweaves the themes of faith in God, forgiveness and grace, and God's love throughout the story. Readers will necessarily come to the conclusion that faith in and love of God precedes and makes possible love of another. I plan to read more of Ruth Morren's novels.

[Lori Taylor]

Good, clean romance novel. I really like this author. Clean romance, good morals and a touch of spirituality.

[Melissa (Always Behind)]

Decent historical--great stuff about seeking God. Geneva and Capt. Caleb are from two different worlds and fall in love.

[Marianne]

Excellent book, gripping story.

[Jw]

I’m not a big fan of historical romance like this. For some reason I got hooked on this one ..it wasn’t a great book but the story was ok and I wanted to see how it ended. A good read but I wouldn’t read it again.

[Anna Teruel]

This book though it may be a back alley book is now one of my favorites,I will forever cherish this book.
The characters were written so that you felt you really knew them and grew to love them. This book will jerk tears out of you but great books always do.

[Anna]

Solid for Christian fiction

[Inez Dekker]

Standaard romannetje

[Martic]

3 1/2 stars. Ms. Axtell is a superb writer and I’ve enjoyed many of her stories. Except for a couple of cringy scenes which lowered my rating, I really liked this rags-to-riches love journey.

[Christy]

I admit to having judged many books by unsightly covers or unfortunate silly titles; and this book was a lot like that. Judging outward appearances plays a huge role in this book. Geneva and Caleb appear quite different but in all reality they are much the same. The story is all romance and while that is not my favorite; because of the atmosphere of the story and Geneva I was able to read it and enjoy it a great deal. I could easily visualize Geneva fishing in her boat and on her knees tending her garden. I could feel the heat of the summer and envision the village in which Geneva sold her vegetables and fish. I also felt sadness at a particular loss towards the end of the book. I did find at the end of the story the read had lost it's initial warmth and wildness that drew me so in the beginning. In all a very nice romantic pull.

[Highland-dreamer]

I've enjoyed all of Ruth Axtel Morren's novels so far, and this one did not disappoint. All of her stories are unique, and the characters are so well-developed, I feel like I know them. This story centered around a wealthy Bostonian and a poor New England farmer. The story developed gradually, but I was never bored, just curious as to what was going to happen next and how it was all going to unfold. A beautiful story.

[Tracy]

I have to admit that I am always a sucker for a good clean love story, and this meets all my requirements. It's well written and engaging, and I think it really captures the raw beginnings of the love between 2 good people.

[Ashley]

This book was good for a christian author she didn't get all preachy.

[Amanda Thompson]

A beautiful romantic tale...read it aloud to your lover!

[Holly]

I found myself just wanting to get through this book. It started off great, however im not sure what happened toward the middle and end. It just lost all its apeal.

[Dorothy Hensel]

truly enjoyed this book

[Melissa T]

This kept my interest more than most (until 3:00 a.m.!), and the characters seemed more real to me. Great one for the airplane ride.

[Shauna]

I really enjoyed this book. Reminded me of that movie called Tammy and the Bachelor. My dad was in the navy and is a great cook and can even sew. Not dresses but hey....

[Elecia]

Fun read

Quick and uplifting. I enjoy this author you will too when you try her books. Now to find another good rest.

[Carolyn Lockwood]

This book was well written. The characters were believable and engaging. The conversation natural. The religious references were skillfully presented.

[Nicole]

It was kind of like a Cinderella story, but the "Prince" was kind of not so charming. There was noticable growth in the characters over the course of the book, which I personally like.

[Diana Martinez]

Enjoyed story

[Kitty Tomlinson]

Story of Ginny and Caleb, both outcasts of society, who find redemption through the love of Christ.

[Sarah Grass]

Sweet. (But I prefer a little more subtle Christian approach like Klassen.)