Customer Reviews

Dawn in My Heart (Regency Series #2) (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #39)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I found this book with its characters to be human and true to life. It was another book that I could hardly put down and caused me to get all of her other Christian fiction books which I have now read and found to be as engrossing. I will be recommending this book as well as her others to my circle of Christian reading friends. Mrs. Morren will quickly become a favorite of anyone who loves historical Christian fiction. Her style of writing is inspirational and sensitive with beautiful believeable love relationships and this book is no exception. I was inspired to read her books by another review such as this that found her style of writing to be exceptional.

First of all, I would like to mention that, while this book is the 2nd published in this series, I think it really should be read 1st. You need to have it read in order to make sense of some references in "Winter is Past."

Tertius Pembroke, Earl of Skylar, returns home from the Caribbean after his older brother dies heirless. He has bouts of sickness and is quite hallow in both appearance and spirit. While he was known to carouse as a youth, as a man witness to his father's philandering (proven by his illegitemate half sister) and his mother's broken heart, he has vowed that when he does marry he will be faithful and expects the same of his spouse (even though society deamed it acceptable to take lovers).

The extraordinarly beautiful Lady Gillian Edwards finds herself betrothed to the old, cold, Tertius though her heart belongs to another--A young officer she has worried for while the country was at war.

But as their courtship moves forward, she finds him less despicable and the two actually look like they might have a future together, afterall. Until...

Well, I don't want to give it all away. Let's just say that not everyone has the benefit of a Christ-filled home. This book is a wonderful example of how He can redeem those who have not been raised knowing Him.

It is also a good reminder of one of the reasons it is good to keep yourself pure for your spouse. Because even though he might make promises, even though you pledge your love, things don't always work out the way you plan.

In response to another reviewers opinion of the explicitness of the wedding night-- It does not describe any details other than his shock as he pulls away from her. So do not fear-- the book is not as scandalous as you have been warned.

This is a book of second chances. If you are of the "hate the sin, not the sinner" kind of mind and enjoy a good book with a realistic approach in describing God's grace and redemption, than this is a book you might enjoy.

I have to admit that even though I read reviews often, this is my first time to review a book. I feel obligated to warn fellow unsuspecting readers about this book. Let me start by saying that I have been reading Christian fiction since I was in junior high (let's just say a long time). I think that I am an open minded person and try not to judge a book by it's cover (ha ha). The other books that I have read by Morren were well written and overall good reads. I didn't hesitate to pick up this latest book "Dawn in My Heart". After the third or forth chapter I was shocked and even checked the publisher to make sure I was really reading Christian fiction. I'm in my late twenties. I don't think that I am out of touch with reality but when I pick up a Christian fiction book, I guess I have different standards than I do when I rent a movie. The main characters aren't Christians in the beginning of the book which explains why their behavior is less than perfect...but the level to which Morren takes several issues is uncalled for. For instance, the wedding night scene is just gross and I don't think that I am alone when I say that this book does not fit into the Christian fiction category even though the characters do turn to Christ in the end. I did finish the book hoping that I would have an overall positive opinion of the book and it just didn't happen. Even in the final chapters the wife is still having an affair and is almost raped by her 'lover' before she goes home and ends up consumating her year long marriage with her husband. That just does not say romance to me. Sorry Morren, I just think you took things way too far.

After reading Winter Is Past and thoroughly enjoying it, I wondered if the rest of the series would be as good. Well this second book sure is. I absolutely hated the hero in the first half of the book and absolutely loved him in the second. What I like most about Ruth's ability to write a good conversion story is that it doesn't happen in just a couple of pages and thereby comes across as hokey and fake. The hero's conversion takes time and struggle. He goes through hell and back and comes out winning your heart.

My favorite part is when Althea shows up and she kicks Satan's butt!

As with the first book, Ruth's writing style is excellent. Her conversations flow nicely and come across with a realistic feel. You really get to know the characters and who they are and why they are the way they are.

After reading the two negative reviews left on this book I have to say that if you like your Christian Romance books to be all peaches and cream then no, this book is not for you. But if you like a book that is realistic (we are all sinners) and presents an excellent story of conversion then you will enjoy this book. I found the wedding night to be very realistic based on the plot and the type of person the hero was at that time. And I didnt' feel it crossed the line in any way. ***** REVEAL: The hero at the time of his wedding night was an egotistical creton that thought it was okay for a man to have lived a life of promiscuity but when he takes a wife she must be a virgin. And the heroine was a terrified innocent that was taken advantage of in a previous relationship by an unscrupuous man.

This is amazing! I was so reminded of God's lovingkindness, patience and forgineness towards me! The storyline was very well developed, the characters believable and engaging. I am a super fan of historical novels and Morren is my new favorite author! I have to add this because of another review: There's absolutely NOTHING improper or "unchristian" about this. Even when the author describes the characters "heathen" behaviors, she does so very properly and with purpose. I'd give this to my teenager daughter to read. Thanks, Mrs Morren, for using your gifts to encourage the church.

I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book. I was ready for it to be like every other book out there, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't! It is a very unique story that kept my attention until the very end. Now I have to say that I normally do not read any of the "Steeple Hill" or "Love Inspired" books because I think they are cheesy and dumb. But from the start this one was different and it was able to hold my interest and keep me reading.

This was my first book by Ruth Axtell Morren and I loved it. I loved how different it was. I also loved how salvation and redemption were woven throughout the storyline. I figured out about half-way through that this was number 2# in a series, but that didn't take away from the book at all. The characters are very real, and I like that they aren't portrayed as perfect, but as normal humans with a sin nature. I think if you are one to read historical fiction and romance books then you will love this one! It's not your typical fiction book, I promise!

Storyline:

Lady Gillian is in need of someone to marry. She needs to settle down, raise a family, and forget her past. The Early of Skylar (Sky) has recently returned and is need of a wife so that he may raise an heir. Their first meeting does not go so well, but after awhile both agree to marriage. There is only one thing holding Lady Gillian back, a man from her past. But is he who she thinks he is? Sky also has demons from his past haunting him, and both come to the marriage full of lies about their past. God's love breaks through this marriage after Sky gets very sick and comes close to dying. But can God's love and Salvation save their marriage before it's too late?

I suspected that I would love this book based on the 2 negative reviews...and I was right! This is a great book. For the whole first half (at least) of the book we see two people living their lives completely without God. This book could be any other secular fiction book. But then God meets them at their lowest points. They really do hit rock bottom before turning to God. And when they do it turns their life around. This was a great Regency romance, so realistic of the period and of how much people can mess up their lives when they are pursuing the wrong things. Read it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't find the explicit description of the wedding night as a previous review mentions. Instead I found a book filled with a wonderful theme of redemption.

I took a chance on this book because it's not in my typical genre. Thank God I did! If you are looking for a good read with believable characters and a plausible, complex plot, then this novel is for you. Providing compelling story-telling with twists and turns and authentic dialogue, this piece also presents an historically accurate picture of Regency England. This historicity does not get in the way of a story well told. I heartily recommend this book for those who want a satisfying page turner and appreciate good writing.

I was not able to finish this book. I had high hopes for it, considering the fact that Winter is Past is one of my top five favorite books. I even purchased it rather than getting it from the library. I was very disappointed.

I couldn't get past the first 100 pages. It was like watching a train wreck. I knew it was coming, and I didn't want to read about it happening. The characters were going down paths I could clearly see were wrong. They were lying to cover things up, and I just knew they would get caught in the act at any moment. I didn't want to find out how bad it was going to get.

I had no motivation to keep reading it, so I haven't touched it for over a year. I thought I would eventually go back to it, but I really don't care to. Maybe the third book in the series will be better?