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Regency #3
The Healing Season
Though he'd found his life's calling ministering to London's underclass, Dr. Ian Russell hadn't yet found his life's mate. Then the former army surgeon encountered the enchanting stage actress Eleanor Neville. Ian's good works and strong faith set him apart from other men Eleanor knew. But despite his fascination with her glittering world, Eleanor feared her notorious past would end their future together before it had even begun. Could true love and faith overcome all obstacles and make their lonely hearts as one?
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
110 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 4, 2015
A nice Christian read
A book worth reading. Good lessons and a nice story line as well. It was nice to not be embarassed by the text.
A book worth reading. Good lessons and a nice story line as well. It was nice to not be embarassed by the text.
June 2, 2021
Questa recensione potrebbe concludersi in tre parole: Lento ;noioso ;delirante.
Vorrei davvero concludere qui e non perdere altro prezioso tempo, oltre quello già sprecato a leggere questo interminabile libro, ma un minimo sindacale devo farlo, anche per giustificare il motivo per cui vi consiglio di stare alla larga da questo libro.
Lento: interminabile come il mese di gennaio, ugualmente freddo senza sentimento ...in tutto il libro vedrete due baci , ma non come quelli di Liala, agognati e pieni d’amore; il primo di cui lui si pentirà disgustato e il secondo misurato e senza passione.
Delirante: tutto il libro è uno sproloquio religioso. Lui Ian russel è chirurgo ma per sua stessa ammissione avrebbe fatto il pastore metodista, religioso al punto di essere un borioso moralista, al punto di essere vergine a 32 anni pur di non cadere nel peccato , è letteralmente disgustato da lei Eleanor, attrice perché la considera al pari delle prostitute.
Ne è attratto ma la respinge tutte le volte rifugiandosi nella fede e ogni volta farà sorbire al lettore un versetto del Vangelo. Complimenti Ian Russell hai vinto il premio per lui di un Romance meno avvenente del 2021! Manco regalato ti volevo! Lei invece, con un trascorso dolorosissimo ,che aveva guadagnato ogni centesimo dei suoi soldi con fatica, invece di essere premiata nell’arco narrativo, e come sarebbe stato giusto, mitigare l’integralismo religioso di lui con l’amore, incontrando a metà strada i loro due mondi, viene punita e potrà avvicinarsi a lui solo in seguito a un bel lavaggio del cervello in cui si convertirà pure lei . Vi lascio immaginare a una laica al 100% come me quanto ha fatto incazzare ( lascio la parola francese perché solo quello rende adeguatamente) questa cosa .
Noioso: più Vangelo che storia, più versetti della Bibbia che sentimento.
Ma. Che. Palle.
Avrebbe potuto essere uno spaccato di uno storico che non vediamo mai, dato che le attrici di solito sono le amanti dei titolati e i chirurghi si vedono ogni tanto quando la protagonista o il protagonista cade da cavallo o vengono feriti in duello. Invece è stato un libro insulso che non mi ha mai emozionato neanche per sbaglio.
Unica cosa degna di nota ,anche perché perlomeno una stella la devo dare per forza è il fatto che comunque sia stato descritto bene il mestiere del medico -chirurgo all’epoca.
Rimpiango Di non essere una di quelle lettrici che riesce a lasciare a metà un libro se lo trova brutto. Gentile signora Morren mi devi mezza giornata sprecata.
Nella mia vita ho letto un numero infinito di storici e dico sempre che quelli non degni di nota vanno a finire in una sorta di minestrone nel mio cervello, ma questo non lo farà; questo sarà ricordato come il più brutto mai letto in assoluto.
Statene alla larga. ⭐️
July 3, 2017
Great read...frustrating ending.
I really had trouble putting this book down. I was so frustrated with his weakness and her manipulation. I wanted to slap them both but that's part of what made the characters real and in need of the Lord. I'm only giving it 4 stars because the novel seemed to just end. The heroin seriously needed to correct a massive offense against the hero. It was addressed but it could have and should have been an emotional scene of building up the respect and security the heroin had earlier obligated. Morren handled a very similar situation in the previous book of this series so well that I was anticipating the scene. And then....nothing but "please forgive me". I'm seriously frustrated. This poor man is still going to struggle with a major insecurity in my mind...oh well...it's just a book.
I really had trouble putting this book down. I was so frustrated with his weakness and her manipulation. I wanted to slap them both but that's part of what made the characters real and in need of the Lord. I'm only giving it 4 stars because the novel seemed to just end. The heroin seriously needed to correct a massive offense against the hero. It was addressed but it could have and should have been an emotional scene of building up the respect and security the heroin had earlier obligated. Morren handled a very similar situation in the previous book of this series so well that I was anticipating the scene. And then....nothing but "please forgive me". I'm seriously frustrated. This poor man is still going to struggle with a major insecurity in my mind...oh well...it's just a book.
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March 26, 2021(Ah, finally! A devil of a duke, huh? Quite distressing.)
A great piece, but I still feel Ian got a raw deal! Still, without Jesus, which one of us is truly worthy?
A great piece, but I still feel Ian got a raw deal! Still, without Jesus, which one of us is truly worthy?
August 30, 2009
I was immediately drawn to this book because of its connection to the theatre world, which I love. The spunky Regency heroine, Eleanor Neville, was hysterical as she mimicked cockney accents and put on various personas, but I quickly learned that she also had much depth, and old wounds, which she attempted to hide.
Almost as quickly, I fell in love with the hero, Ian Russell, a mild-mannered surgeon with a heart of gold. His world of herbs, autopsies, and amputations proved as fascinating as that of the London stage.
These two worlds collide when the good surgeon is called upon to help Eleanor’s fellow actress after a botched abortion. Eleanor works bravely at his side to rescue her friend. From that time on, the two can’t seem to avoid one another and are pulled together by many twists and turns within the story. This causes great angst for both of them. Ian has long awaited his pure “Rebecca” type wife to be brought to him by God, and he cannot fathom his attraction to this loose and godless woman. Eleanor has no need of love. She’s had enough of that in her past with poor results. She also has no need of Ian’s holier-than-thou attitude. What she does have need of is security, an ideal London address, and a chance to perform in one of the premier theatres, none of which Ian offers.
The Healing Season is about more than a doctor’s profession, it is about the Great Physician who is able to heal physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Only through God’s supernatural grace and intervention is this book able to come to its happily-ever-after ending. This is my kind of romance that illustrates true love is a gift from God and not merely a fleeting emotion. While reading this book I was struck anew with the reality that sometimes God calls His most faithful and sincere sons to minister healing, hope, and love to His most broken and deserving daughters.
Review by Dina L
Almost as quickly, I fell in love with the hero, Ian Russell, a mild-mannered surgeon with a heart of gold. His world of herbs, autopsies, and amputations proved as fascinating as that of the London stage.
These two worlds collide when the good surgeon is called upon to help Eleanor’s fellow actress after a botched abortion. Eleanor works bravely at his side to rescue her friend. From that time on, the two can’t seem to avoid one another and are pulled together by many twists and turns within the story. This causes great angst for both of them. Ian has long awaited his pure “Rebecca” type wife to be brought to him by God, and he cannot fathom his attraction to this loose and godless woman. Eleanor has no need of love. She’s had enough of that in her past with poor results. She also has no need of Ian’s holier-than-thou attitude. What she does have need of is security, an ideal London address, and a chance to perform in one of the premier theatres, none of which Ian offers.
The Healing Season is about more than a doctor’s profession, it is about the Great Physician who is able to heal physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Only through God’s supernatural grace and intervention is this book able to come to its happily-ever-after ending. This is my kind of romance that illustrates true love is a gift from God and not merely a fleeting emotion. While reading this book I was struck anew with the reality that sometimes God calls His most faithful and sincere sons to minister healing, hope, and love to His most broken and deserving daughters.
Review by Dina L
March 15, 2013
Well, once again, after reading some of the negative reviews on this book I began reading with a wary heart. And once again I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike some I liked and understood both the hero and the heroine. The hero is a devout Christian who has saved himself for his future bride and can't fathom the idea that she will be less than pure. The heroine comes from an abusive background who has never known a man worth trusting until she meets the hero. It's a long road for both of them. He loves her but feels he shouldn't. She loves him but feels she's not worthy.
I found the medical history very interesting and it made me appreciate so very much how far we've come. I was definitely educated in this area.
I did feel that the heroine's conversion was a bit quick in the end (which is highly unlike RAM first two books in this series). I felt that she should have gone through a longer period of learning about Jesus before she would want to asked Him into her life. I also felt that the hero should have asked the heroine's forgiveness for his harsh words toward her. There was something else that happened that I almost wish hadn't, but this isn't a 'fluff' book. It deals with some harsh realities and it was very well done. I just know I'm going to love the fourth book too, and then I'm going to be so disappointed that they are over.
I found the medical history very interesting and it made me appreciate so very much how far we've come. I was definitely educated in this area.
I did feel that the heroine's conversion was a bit quick in the end (which is highly unlike RAM first two books in this series). I felt that she should have gone through a longer period of learning about Jesus before she would want to asked Him into her life. I also felt that the hero should have asked the heroine's forgiveness for his harsh words toward her. There was something else that happened that I almost wish hadn't, but this isn't a 'fluff' book. It deals with some harsh realities and it was very well done. I just know I'm going to love the fourth book too, and then I'm going to be so disappointed that they are over.
March 21, 2016
Eleanor is an actress who really has talent. When she meets handsome doctor Ian, she is immediately attracted to him. However as she gets to know him, she realizes she is not the right mate for him. But as they get to know each other and find out more about their pasts, it becomes apparent that Ian is warring about his stringent Christian belief that only a virgin bride will do for him.
November 3, 2011
A wonderful book. It talks about an actress and a surgeon who is a believer. Their ways are different, yet they fall in love. The doctor struggles to avoid be with her, despite the fact that she always cross his way. The story is well-written and makes you feel near God. Love it.
November 10, 2015
Just like Eleanor can mimic a lady, when she really isn't one, this book mimics Regency Romance without really being one either. The tone is just slightly off throughout. And the whole tumor incident, oh pleeeease! Should have left that part completely out.
March 8, 2012
loved this one
April 13, 2012
Fantastic!!!!
July 29, 2016
didn't finish. didn't know where it was going. got boring
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August 26, 2017Although I normally cringe & retreat at 'romance' (fluff) books, this unique & very interesting one captured me due to its well-written and realistic story, wide assortment of characters, and the London setting of the early 1800s and its lovely strong Christian underpinnings. I surprised myself and really enjoyed this book(: It's not just 'boy-meets-girl', it's way beyond and has some unexpected twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews