The Rogue's Redemption

by Ruth Axtell Morren

Only she could redeem him... He was tall and dark with eyes as blue as cobalt. In a glittering London ballroom Miss Hester Leighton saw a man who interested her more than anyone she'd met since coming to town. A woman of deep faith, Hester knew she should not keep company with Major Gerrit Hawkes, a jaded, penniless soldier haunted by nightmares of war. But their connection would not be denied. Hester was the only woman who'd ever made Gerrit feel...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037378600X
• ISBN13: 9780373786008
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Steeple Hill
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Regency and I'd Love to Read More!

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.

Another Fabulous Book by This Author!!

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.

Morren does it again!!

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.

Romance as it should be!

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.

Witty and revealing historical romance

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!