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Lilac Spring (Wild Rose Series #2)
Book 2 of the Wild Rose series.
294 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2005
6 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Axtell Morren
21 books76 followersRuth Axtell Morren wrote her first story when she was 12--a spy thriller--and knew she wanted to be a writer.
There were many detours along the way as she pursued more realistic goals. She studied comparative literature at Smith College, where she received a Bachelor's degree; spent her junior year in Paris; taught English and lived as an au pair in the Canary Islands; worked in international development in Miami, Florida. It was there she met her husband, a Dutchman from Suriname, who took her to the Netherlands to live for six years.
In Holland Ruth began crafting her first serious story in between having children Justin, Adaja and Andre. It was there, too, she gained her first recognition as a writer when she made the finals in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest in 1994.
After the initial euphoria wore off, it was still several years before she made any progress. Ruth and her family moved back to the U.S. to the east coast of Maine. It was the ideal location--surrounded by spruce and fir, a short walk from the rocky seashore--to hunker down in front of her computer and write the stories simmering at the back of her mind.
Ruth's inner journey of faith parallels her outward journey--seemingly circuitous, sometimes wandering in the desert--yet ever-guided by the Good Shepherd.
Ruth currently teaches Spanish to her children and a small group of elementary school children in an after-school program. She also enjoys gardening and has recently learned to knit. Living in rural Maine has given her an opportunity to learn to start a fire in a woodstove on a cold winter morning, shovel snow and realize how many stars are in the sky at night.
also writes under the name Ruth Axtell
There were many detours along the way as she pursued more realistic goals. She studied comparative literature at Smith College, where she received a Bachelor's degree; spent her junior year in Paris; taught English and lived as an au pair in the Canary Islands; worked in international development in Miami, Florida. It was there she met her husband, a Dutchman from Suriname, who took her to the Netherlands to live for six years.
In Holland Ruth began crafting her first serious story in between having children Justin, Adaja and Andre. It was there, too, she gained her first recognition as a writer when she made the finals in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest in 1994.
After the initial euphoria wore off, it was still several years before she made any progress. Ruth and her family moved back to the U.S. to the east coast of Maine. It was the ideal location--surrounded by spruce and fir, a short walk from the rocky seashore--to hunker down in front of her computer and write the stories simmering at the back of her mind.
Ruth's inner journey of faith parallels her outward journey--seemingly circuitous, sometimes wandering in the desert--yet ever-guided by the Good Shepherd.
Ruth currently teaches Spanish to her children and a small group of elementary school children in an after-school program. She also enjoys gardening and has recently learned to knit. Living in rural Maine has given her an opportunity to learn to start a fire in a woodstove on a cold winter morning, shovel snow and realize how many stars are in the sky at night.
also writes under the name Ruth Axtell
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 19, 2009
In the beginning I wasn't very thrilled with the characters or the story, though as the book progressed they started to grow on me. It turned out to be a decent story, however there were still a few things that totally didn't enchant me especially about the characters. I didn't like the way Cherish tried to make Silas notice her. She initiated the whole relationship, which kinda works with the story, but it could have been done better. Mr. Winslow; I totally didn't get his attitude changes. Though plausible, some of the things he did seemed slightly far fetched in a way. Silas; his past hurts, though apparently relevant to the story, play such a little part in anything except to explain oh that's just how he is kinda thing... it was like it was supposed to be better developed but fell short for me.
August 24, 2024
This book was great. Love the slow burn romance but even more, I love how much Scripture, prayer, Christian guidance, and preaching was contained in the novel. I was most pleasantly surprised that characters from Wild Rose, which I read a month or so ago, showed up at the end of this story, which makes sense since this is the second book in the series. Ms. Morren is a superior wordsmith and storyteller.
June 27, 2019
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this sweet story. Moves at a gentle pace. After the week I've had it was nice to relax in this story.
September 18, 2025
4.5🌟
The story is told in close proximity third person and takes place in 1800's Haven's End as we follow Cherish, a young woman who grew up loving anything to do with boats and Silas, a man who became a apprentice to Mr Winslow at his shipyard at the age of 12. Their friendship grew greatly throughout the years, but as Cherish returns from a year of traveling around Europe a new woman, Silas begins to see her in a new light but he doesn't feel deserving of her. We follow them as the navigate their daily lives at the shipyard, grapple with the consequences of love and navigating life after everything has been stripped away.
This book surprised me with the beautiful, heartwarming and convicting faith content that was mainly spoken through Pastor McDuffie but both Cherish and Silas develop their own faith in Jesus Christ and we see them praying multiple times through this book, attending church for the Sunday sermon and Tuesday choir. I loved the faith in this book so much. It heavily affected my own reminding me of some of the core Christian principles I adhear to and watching fictional people navigate it.
It's not the best book ever written and the characters are not fully 3 dimensional to me merely because none of the main characters had any interests outside of the shipyard and the forbidden romance. All their problems existed to further the narrative and did not add depth to the characters. I also wish we had explored Silas's backstory a lot more and provided more depth to his life before Haven's End however I still really enjoyed it for what it was.
This story covers a perceived one sided love between the main characters , strggling with approval from a father , shame over one's class in society, love for building and designing boats, ridiculous rage, two love triangles and so much more.
It made me think about the amazing grace and mercy of the gospel message, that Jesus sacrificed everything so we could be blessed with the gift of salvation if we choose to repent, believe in Him and lay our lives as a living sacrifice unto Him.
Content Warnings ⚠️
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
The story is told in close proximity third person and takes place in 1800's Haven's End as we follow Cherish, a young woman who grew up loving anything to do with boats and Silas, a man who became a apprentice to Mr Winslow at his shipyard at the age of 12. Their friendship grew greatly throughout the years, but as Cherish returns from a year of traveling around Europe a new woman, Silas begins to see her in a new light but he doesn't feel deserving of her. We follow them as the navigate their daily lives at the shipyard, grapple with the consequences of love and navigating life after everything has been stripped away.
This book surprised me with the beautiful, heartwarming and convicting faith content that was mainly spoken through Pastor McDuffie but both Cherish and Silas develop their own faith in Jesus Christ and we see them praying multiple times through this book, attending church for the Sunday sermon and Tuesday choir. I loved the faith in this book so much. It heavily affected my own reminding me of some of the core Christian principles I adhear to and watching fictional people navigate it.
It's not the best book ever written and the characters are not fully 3 dimensional to me merely because none of the main characters had any interests outside of the shipyard and the forbidden romance. All their problems existed to further the narrative and did not add depth to the characters. I also wish we had explored Silas's backstory a lot more and provided more depth to his life before Haven's End however I still really enjoyed it for what it was.
This story covers a perceived one sided love between the main characters , strggling with approval from a father , shame over one's class in society, love for building and designing boats, ridiculous rage, two love triangles and so much more.
It made me think about the amazing grace and mercy of the gospel message, that Jesus sacrificed everything so we could be blessed with the gift of salvation if we choose to repent, believe in Him and lay our lives as a living sacrifice unto Him.
Content Warnings ⚠️
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
December 19, 2011
I should really read more comprehensive reviews before embarking on the stash in my Kindle library. The summary of the story was decent enough, but I thought that the story did not live up to it. The character development was lacking and there were too many plot holes. Mr. Winslow's change at the end was too sudden, for instance. Silas and Cherish's back and forth, push and pull mood swings were aggravating at times.
The main thing I could really like to see in the summary was the reference to God, since there was so much of it in the book. I started skimming through their revelations, scripture analyses and prayers after a while.
I do think that the author captured a love story well enough, despite everything. I felt Silas' passion for building and Cherish's passion for Silas. I'm just not sure how many other 'non-believers' I would recommend this book to.
The main thing I could really like to see in the summary was the reference to God, since there was so much of it in the book. I started skimming through their revelations, scripture analyses and prayers after a while.
I do think that the author captured a love story well enough, despite everything. I felt Silas' passion for building and Cherish's passion for Silas. I'm just not sure how many other 'non-believers' I would recommend this book to.
September 11, 2014
2.5 stars--ok historical about ship builder's daughter falling in love with his apprentice. Good spiritual teachings.
August 31, 2016
Enjoyable read.
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June 20, 2011I really tried to read this book, but I could never read more then 3-4 pages at a time!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews