The River Rose, Water Wheel Series #2
4.6
5
12
12
A Great Tale by Gilbert Morris
Jeanne is a struggling young widow, with a daughter named Marvel. Jeanne suddenly finds herself the heir to a boat called the Helena Rose. But another heir also surfaces, Clint Hardin, a man of many surprises with the voice of an angel.
Can Jeanne and Clint learn to share a riverboat, and perhaps more?
My daughter finally talked me into reading one of her favorite authors, Gilbert Morris. There were some great characters, and some cute child characters. Things kept happening, which kept the story moving.
I really liked how Clint built a great relationship with Marvel, Jeanne's daughter. Jeanne was a very strong character, who was just so protective of her daughter and wanted the best for her.
Out of the side characters I just thought that the Doctor was well built, and was a kind man who encouraged Clint in his journey towards faith.
I really liked the scenes towards the end of the book, there was a phenomenal courtroom scene that was just brilliant! That was one great lawyer!
Overall, this was a great book that moved at a steady pace. With plenty of action, especially at the end. This is a stand alone book, though second in a series, the characters of this book have no connection to the characters in the first book. The only connection to the first book is a similar circumstance with a riverboat. So don't be afraid to pick this one right up :) The characters were good and I thought that the characters were very likable, especially Jeanne, because she went through a lot! An enjoyable read.
I received this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
October 24, 2012
1841 Memphis, TN.
Mature reading audience.
1851, Memphis, TN. After being widowed, Jeanne Bettencourt struggled to make ends meet for her and her six-year-old daughter, Marvel, as a chambermaid at the Gayoso House Hotel. Jeanne was always leery and alert when working in the rooms of the men staying at the hotel. Even her daughter was aware that âÂÂshe didnâÂÂt like men very much.â The real issue is that she didnâÂÂt trust them.
Her life was about to change for the better when a distant, unknown Hardin relative passed away and she became a half-heir to his estateâÂÂa paddle wheeler steamboat. She grew up on one, so she was elated. However, the other half-heir was Clint Hardin, a tough man who had his way with women. Being a Christian woman, Jeanne was uncomfortable âÂÂlivingâ on the boat with him, but both needed money, so they made a business arrangement where she would pilot the boat and he would keep up the mechanical end. Though courting wealthy plantation owner, Mr. George Masters, Jeanne began her new life as a steamer pilot. Masters wasnâÂÂt happy with the arrangement, but she needed income.
The River Rose, by Gilbert Morris, was an entertaining and great historical book! I found that the descriptive events of the daily trappings of the river, the gathering of supplies, the procuring of new customers and cargo, the bantering from the male pilots, the noise and filth of the docks, and the keeping of the logs during the eight-day trips made for an interesting read. I loved the bantering of being nicknamed the âÂÂpetticoatâ pilot. The author fires up the ante with Clint falling for Jeanne and an unexpected shock waiting for Jeanne at the end of their fourth run.
Though I did not care for ClintâÂÂs lifestyle before working on the steamer, he endeared himself to me as he was so gentle and caring for Marvel. He thoroughly loved the little girl. All the other characters who worked the steamer each had their own little quirks, but I really enjoyed Ezra Givens. He seemed gruff and crusty hard, but he was really a softy on the inside. HeâÂÂd been working the steamer with the previous owner, and remained as part of the âÂÂinheritance.âÂÂ
JeanneâÂÂs thankfulness to God for the small things in life as a chambermaid, and the circumstances that followed her after receiving the steamer, were a light to those around her, and was instrumental for steering her through her daughterâÂÂs illness and the shocking news and trial upon returning from her river trip. Her care for Roberty came from a heart willing to help this homeless child.
Having read other books by Mr. Morris, I knew IâÂÂd find an excellent read with detailed descriptions of every episode. He accomplished it once again. You will be amazed at how his writing will stay with you, as he has a way of gleaning and sharing historical information that sticks with you.
There was one thing that somewhat frustrated me. The title of the boat on the cover didnâÂÂt match the name on the boat in the book. I kept waiting for it to be renamed. Not sure if that was intentional or an oversight. Though Jeanne had been raised on a steamer, I found it hard to imagine a single woman working on a steamer with all men, except for her daughter, in that time era.
The River Rose is Book 2 in a three-book series. However, The River Rose is a stand-alone novel with zero overlap in characters or plot lines between the books. They are a series in the sense that all three books take place on Mississippi River paddle wheelers during the 1850s.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from B&H Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade CommissionâÂÂs 16 CFR, Part 255.
August 17, 2012
The River Rose
Great book!!Easy read. Exciting story line about the Mississippi River and the paddlewheel boats. Great love story, too.
August 9, 2012
A great read from a gifted author
I absolutely love to read. But one of my pet peeves is to start reading a book and not be able to get truly interested until about chapter 5 or 6 because of all the âÂÂintroductoryâ material. Gilbert Morris has a history (no pun intendedâÂÂhe writes historical fiction) of writing books that grab you on page one. This book is no different. From the moment I picked it up, I was hooked. The characters were fascinating, the setting was charming, and the story line was well thought out and very intriguingly written.
The River Rose is book #2 of the Water Wheel Series. I was a bit concerned about reading it since I havenâÂÂt read book #1 as of yet. But even though it was part of a series, it was entirely enjoyable as a stand-alone novel. Usually when I read a novel thatâÂÂs part of a series (not book #1), I can always tell when the author is âÂÂcatching the reader upâ with what they missed in book #1. In this case, the book was so seamlessly written that I didnâÂÂt get that sense at all.
This book is particularly written for the Christian Historical Fiction audience with a good amount of romance as well. However, I believe that it would appeal to the non-Christian audience as well. The Christian aspect of the book doesnâÂÂt feel like itâÂÂs crammed down your throat, but instead is very tastefully written. I would highly recommend this book to any of my friends. ItâÂÂs a keeper!!
August 3, 2012
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