Customer Reviews

The Rogue's Redemption (Regency Series #4) (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #55)

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

 

 

It may be coincidence that Major Gerrit Hawkes meets Miss Hester Leighton at a masquerade ball, but he never expected her to see through his roguish veneer to the wounded soldier inside.

Major Hawkes can't figure out why Miss Leighton evokes such protective feelings in him, but he can't imagine using her as he's done with so many other women. Instead, he takes Hester under his wing and helps her navigate the ballrooms at other social events of London.

Hester quickly comes to admire Major Hawkes-and has trouble believing it when her chaperon cautions her about the man who is rumored to have ruined many a young woman's reputation. She sees the shadows in the Major's eyes and wants to help him find God - the only One who can offer the Major true peace. When Hester must leave London and return to America with her father, she risks leaving her heart to a rogue who denies that he wants it.

After Hester's departure, Major Hawkes finds himself even deeper in despair than before. He has only one hope of finding the peace that he so desperately seeks - leave everything and sail to America to find Hester. But will her father, and Major Hawkes' past sins, be too much for him to overcome?

Morren has a wonderful talent for making historical fiction come to life. From the sights, sounds, even the characters' insights and motivations, it is obvious that the author has done her homework. However, each detail is included in such an unobtrusive way that the reader who doesn't really care about historical accuracy won't be overwhelmed with information.

While the dialogue in this novel fits the time period of nineteenth century England and America, it is also witty and at times, revealing.

The romance thread is definitely one of the major focuses of the book, but Morren also gives both the hero and heroine their own obstacles to overcome. You will identify with Hester and her struggle between honoring her father's wishes and following her heart. And I believe Major Hawkes' search for peace and battle with his own mortality will touch many hearts.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended!

To date it has been hard to find Regency books in the CBA market, but I'm delighted to say that this is starting to change.

Ruth Axtell Morren has written a wonderful Christian Regency romance that is flavored with the time period and sensory details that will have you experiencing a delightful taste of England. When reading this book you will feel the emotional impact of one man's change of heart from the rogue he was to a new creation in Christ who loves the heroine with a passion and a new restraint.

Morren has captured the dialogue of the period, created 3-dimensional characters with flaws and strengths that make you root for them in their goals, and layers enough conflict in the story that makes you wonder how they will be brought together in the end. It's a great and wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone who loves historical Christian romance.

I love this author and have read (and thoroughly enjoyed) ALL of her work, especially the Winter is Past Series. Once again, I could not put her latest book down.
Such compassion rose up inside of me for all of the characters in this book. Young Hester only wants a friend, and the only one offered to her in London, is someone who is wrong friendship material; but she is drawn to him and eventually concludes that he needs a friend more than she does, but more than that, she knows he needs to meet the Friend who sticks closer than a brother (The Savior, Jesus). Hester, sees Garrit through the eyes of her Lord; beyond his faults and prays for his needs and even when she falls in love with him, she leans on her relationship with Jesus and does the wise thing by obeying her father and most of all, the word of God and her faith, which she refuses to violate or compromise, by leaving London and the man she loves.
As a parent of older daughters, I couldn't help but feel for Hester's parents, who pray that their children will find Godly people to befriend and, in the right timing, marry a like-minded believer. When they steer from our 'perfect ideal and standard' by choosing friends who are not believers, it is a stressful situation and one that constantly gets taken before the cross of Christ.
Then there is Garrit, who is a 'type' of all of us in our worst condition. So depraved in his sinful, selfishness, you see him slowly being wooed and drawn by the Holy Spirit because of the prayers of the saints around him. I didn't find myself saying "serves you right" when he was at his lowest state, despite him being the villian in the book, "Dawn In My Heart" because I knew that each of us must reach that point where all we can do is look up to God, no one else can save us. I found great similarities to portions of the book of Hosea and saw the love God has for His people, even in the lowest, most base conditions and that only He sees from the heart and is with us no matter where we go. But for the grace of God go I! Judgement belongs to God.
My prayer is for the reader to see exactly how far God's redemption really goes - and how depraved behavior can be overcome from the GUTTERMOST to the UTTERMOST. If only one person gets that message, this book will be well worth it.

I have previously read Winter is Past, Dawn in My Heart and now just finished Rogue's Redemption. Dawn in My Heart is my favorite of the series this far. Rogue's Redemption follows closely in second. (It's interesting that those two are my favorites since Gerrit was the bad guy in Dawn... and is now the hero in Rogue's...) Hester Leighton has come to London with her father- her father for business purposes and Hester in hopes of finding a husband. She is quite an unconventional lady- she is a skilled archer, can out run a man in a foot race, and rides her horse astride not the more customary side-saddle. She is also smart and quick-witted. Her father has secured Ms. Bellows, an older woman who squires young ladies to society events and provides introductions to suitable mates. At one such event, a masked ball, Hester meets Gerrit for the first time. Gerrit Hawkes could have any lady he chooses, but Hester catches his attention. Her eyes show a mischievous twinkle that her otherwise shy and demure exterior would not suggest. From then on Hester and Gerrit become friends. Hester would like that friendship to develop into a great love but knows she would not give her heart or hand to anyone but a good, Christian man. Gerrit has been a rake in the past and feels that Hester is too pure and innocent for him but he can't help but feel attracted. He tries to continue with his rake-ish activities but finds himself unable to `perform' because he loves Hester.

This is the part that bothered me. Ms. Morren didn't need to chronicle his efforts to consummate his affairs with prostitutes or his lady `friends'. She could've simply said that he couldn't bring himself to feel desirous of another woman. Not repeatedly mention that he couldn't perform and that `it happened to the best of men'. This is bridging on too much information for a Christian novel. Granted there is no real explicitness it still wasn't necessary or appreciated.

Other than that bit, it was a good story with a sweet romance and beautiful story of redemption. I was happy to read a historical with a different sort of heroine rather than the usual fawning, self-absorbed, and fake innocent socialite. I enjoy reading regencies because of the scenery and traditions. I hope Ms. Morren continues this series but keeps more with the traditional regency qualities without the suggestive episodes.

I really enjoyed all four books in this series. Ruth is an excellent author and I look forward to reading more by her.

This book follows up with the story of Major Garret Hawkes who played the villian in book II. It shows that all God's children are redemable if we just open our hearts to His call. I've always felt that even Judas Iscariot would have been forgiven if he had just repented so it doesn't surprise or repulse me when a villian such as Major Garret Hawkes turns his life over to Christ and finds happiness.

I've had some friends that don't care for stories like this because they found the villian to repulsive and had a hard time believing he could/would change. I think stories like this just show us more fully God's redeeming power. And Ruth's ability to tell a good story only adds to the believability.

Major Gerrit Hawkes is first mentioned in Morren's other book, Dawn in my Heart. I was interested from the first few pages with the witty dialogue and characters. The hero in the book is a rake who encounters a American/English lady in a masquerade ball. There is a real depth to Miss Leighton and Hawkes. I wont go into any more details since the other reviews do a good job of discussing the book.

The book is beautifully written and one that I couldn't put down. It has a lovely christian message that God change us no matter our past sins. This author has done a great job!

I highly recommend this book to any fan of the Regency era who also enjoys an inspirational message!

this is a christian regency romance. the period details i found absolutely correct, the romance tender and the christian principals and testimonies real and touching. the hero is a rake who falls in love with a pure, christian girl, who seems to be the only person in the world to believe that there is some good left in him. he romances her very respectfully and tenderly and eventually follows her back to America! i have never read about a hero doing a more romantic and brave thing! he finally becomes a Christian in earnest, but it takes a long journey and a great deal of adventure for him to win her hand!

The Rogue's Redemption is a timeless love story than spans two continents. The author masterfully takes her readers on a journey across the ocean into the London ton and back to post revolution America. On the journey, we meet Hester Leighton and Major Gerrit Hawkes.

Hester travels to London for a season in society while her father conducts his logging business. She attends galas, balls and many social events. This beautiful, faith-filled young woman raised in Maine on love and strong Christian values find it difficult understanding London elite culture.

While attending one of the balls, she meets Major Gerrit Hawkes. Gerrit was raised into this society but now feels like an outsider. He is familiar with using others to get what he wants, as most in his world do. But Hester's pure innocence intrigues him. Memories of the war and the ways he has hurt many people make him feel unworthy of her affection.

Despite societal differences, faith issues, and separate lives, Gerrit and Hester develop a strong friendship that grows into a deep abiding love. When Hester returns to Maine, must their relationship end? Or will true love find ways to overcome the obstacles they face?

Reading this book is like a refreshing wind on a spring day. Ruth Axtell Morren has once again written a love story that touches the heart and soul of her readers. Sit back and enjoy!

This book meets the standard I have come to set for Morren and has earned a 5 star rating from me.

This book opens at a masked ball where the American heiress, Hester Leighton, is presented to a duke while members of the ton surrounding remark on her hoping to "snag a title." (When you actually MEET Hester, you become quickly aware that this is NOT the case...she is pure and innocent of the world of London nobility) The handsome war hero, Garret Hawkins, observes the scene and immediately feels drawn to Hester.

Before long a friendship buds as he tries to help her into the right circles all the while fighting his growing feelings toward her. Hester, in turn, allows her admiration bud into love for the self proclaimed rogue, never believing that he is the person he warns her of and instead seeing the man God would have him believe he IS.

I don't want to spoil the book for anyone. Suffice it to say that this story is magnificently written. You can feel Gerrits regret, his suffering, his desire to change. And you can feel Hester's love and patience and hope. Your heart truly takes the ride with these wonderful characters.

One quick note... this book has two settings... one in London and the other in Bangor, Maine. It is really neat to see the differences spelled out on the pages. Imagine being a "redcoat" Major and stepping into a country that hates you!! Just a GREAT book. It is so much more than a romance meanwhile the romance was spectacular!!!!!

Please keep writing this series!!! I eagerly await the next installment.

If you love romance that's truly heart-tugging, you'll love this brand new book from Ruth Axtell Morren. I was captured by the sparkling dialogue from the very beginning, between the heroine, American girl, Hester Leighton, on her first trip to Europe, and the handsome Major Gerrit Hawkes, the jaded younger son of nobility. For the first time, Gerrit is seeing his culture and acquaintances through the eyes of the ultra religious, naïve American. He sees himself as well, and doesn't like what he sees--a man guilty of every vice and sin known to man. Even as he vows to stay away from her, to protect her from himself, he is too drawn to her to keep his promise. He must prove he is a gentleman, or stay away from her forever.

As the story progressed, and as the two needed each other more and more, this book just got better and better. I think anyone would enjoy getting into the mind of Gerrit Hawkes and following him through his progression from "rogue" to "redeemed." I highly recommend this book.