CRITICAL PRAISE FOR
RUTH AXTELL MORREN
LILAC SPRING
âLilac Spring blooms with heartfelt yearning and genuine conflict as Cherish and Silas seek Godâs will for their lives. Fascinating details about nineteenth-century shipbuilding are planted here and there, bringing an historical feel to this faith-filled romance.â
âLiz Curtis Higgs, bestselling author of Grace in Thine Eyes
âMorrenâs engrossing style is sure to please her readers as well as win over new fans. This pleasing saga has likable characters and just enough tension to satisfy gentle romance enthusiasts.â
âLibrary Journal
WILD ROSE
Selected as a Booklist Top 10 Christian Novel for 2005
âThe charm of the story lies in Morrenâs ability to portray real passion between her characters. Wild Rose is not so much a romance as an old-fashioned love story.â
âBooklist
âA beautiful, believable love relationshipâ¦Richly defined characters and settings enhance this meaningful novel.â
âRomantic Times BOOKclub
âAn uplifting and spiritual tale of small town life in turn-of-the-century New England. Wild Rose is a gentle, but poignant offering from Ms. Morren and proves that she is an author to watch in the coming months. This is a book you will not want to miss!â
âRomance Reviews Today
WINTER IS PAST
âInspires readers toward a deeper trust in the transforming power of Godâ¦. [Readers] will find in Winter Is Past a novel not to be put down and a new favorite author.â
âChristian Retailing
âRuth Axtell Morren writes with skill, sensitivity and great heart about the things that matter mostâ¦. Make room on your keeper shelf for a new favorite.â
âSusan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author
âFaith journeys are so realistic, all readers can benefit from the story. Highly recommended.â
âCBA Marketplace
London, 1814
T ertius Pembroke, Fourth Earl of Skylar, observed his future bride across the drawing room.
âSheâs a comely lass, isnât she?â his father, the Marquess of Caulfield, asked in the false hearty tone Sky recognized as the striving-to-please one when he wasnât at all sure his news would be well received.
When Tertius said nothing, his father went on. âLook at that porcelain skin, those exquisite arms, the dainty turn of her ankle.â He was positively gushing now.
Sky surveyed Lady Gillian Edwards, determined to find some fault with his fatherâs choice. He took a critical appraisal, from the crown of her brunette curls cut in the latest short fashion to the tips of her silver slippers.
What he found in between was in no way displeasing. Pale skin delightfully tinged pink at the cheeks bespoke untouched innocence. A pleasant tinkling sound reached his ear when she laughed at what the young dandy beside her was saying.
Comely indeed, he thought, noting the even white teeth.
âA true English rose,â his father added.
A low-cut evening gown revealed a creamy bosom. There was nothing inordinately immodest about the fashionable neckline, just enough to whet a manâs appetite. A silver ribbon cinched in the high-waisted white gown.
âWell, havenât you anything to say?â his father demanded. âDidnât I tell you Iâd picked the best for you?â
âSo you did.â At that moment, the young ladyâs glance strayed to him. The two stared at each other across the room. He weighing, judging. She caught in midsmile, a smile that slowly died as it wasnât returned, and she stood transfixed, as if uncertain what to do next.
Then the moment passed. His father nudged him on the elbow. âCome, Tertius. I told the duchess we would be here this evening to present you to her daughter.â
Skylar made no reply, having become resigned if not wholly convinced of his duty to marry and produce an heir. Heâd made it clear to his father earlier that he would commit to nothing until heâd seen the young lady.
âDuchess.â Bending over her hand, his father greeted the stately woman seated near her standing daughter at the opposite end of the drawing room. âDelighted to see you. As always, you are looking more splendid than all the ladies present.â
His fatherâs eloquence grated on Skyâs nerves. He, in turn, bowed over the duchessâs gloved hand.
âLord Skylar, my youngest son. It has been long since you last met, nigh on ten years, I believe.â
âLord Skylar.â The Duchess of Burnham gave Tertius the barest nod while directing her comments to his father. âI remember. He was making his mark here in London.â The elegant, middle-aged woman appraised him. âYou are much changed, my lord.â