The Royal Handmaid

The House of Winslow #32

by Gilbert Morris

Book 32 in the bestselling House of Winslow series. Wealthy Rena Matthews feels called to take the gospel to the South Sea islanders. She gathers volunteers to go with her from the upper strata of society. When rough-looking Travis Winslow volunteers, Rena wants to refuse him, but her father insists she take him along. They set out in her father's yacht, but a storm drives them hundreds of miles off course and into a reef on a deserted island. Will they ever make it to the mission? Or will God bring the mission to them?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rena talks her father into allowing her to take his boat to a faroff mission field. Travis Winslow inserts himself into the expedition. When the storm crashes the boat and the party ends up on a deserted island, they have to learn to fend for themselves.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. It was a combo of Robinson Crusoe and a coming of age book. This is a clean romance but with exciting action and surprises along the way.

[Heather Burdge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! An amazing story!! I couldn’t stand the main character at the beginning and to be honest throughout the whole story. But wow, still turned out to be an excellent read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 - I didn't think I would like this book too much since it was about missionaries but having them stranded on the island and all the hardships and trials they had kept the story alive. They were quite creative in things they did to survive on the island. Romances developed so that is always fun to have in a story. Moving to the second island to be among those natives and teach them about God was quite the experience - especially since only one of them spoke the language at first. Novak taking off on his own in his own boat was risky. But to have him and Rena's father find them in the end was a nice ending to the story. Also, Travis and Rena falling in love was a given but they definitely had their challenges before they finally confessed their love to each other. Having a baby on the island by caesarean section was a little overboard but baby and mother came through it just fine. Enjoyable read.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my books on tape. I did recognize the Christian author as one of the better ones. The book has some value as entertainment and as a Christian living lesson. A wealthy girl, just
graduated from college, and her fiance organize a group of 12 to go as missionaries to a South Sea island. They are stranded on a deserted island following a shipwreck. The interesting part of the book was the way they survived. As always, hard times bring out the best as well as the worst in people. One latecomer to the group becomes the real hero with his servant heart, acceptance of the weaknesses of the 'missionaries,' and his very practical survival skills.

[Michele Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is in the House of Winslow series. At the beginning of the book Rena Matthews is an arrogant and rich young woman. Travis Winslow is a poor young man who joins Rena's group of educated and wealthy people to the Souh Seas to become missionaries to the natives. Travis's natural leadership ability comes out when the group becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island after a storm. Rena becomes humbled after having the comforts of home taken away from here and has a deeper faith in God.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series by Gilbert Morris is one of my absolute favorites. Each book follows at least one member of a generation in the Winslow family tree and the member(s) gets saved and finds true love. There's also some commentary on the social conditions of the time frame. Truly interesting.

[Jencey/ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a missions trip that goes slightly arye.

[Kim]

Even though this book was a little predictable I enjoyed it.

[Margret Melissa (ladybug) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, this book is so interesting. I find myself being unable to put it down when I get started.