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Flowers of Eden #3
A Rose So Fair
Plucky Rose Linwood grew up on her grandfather’s Arkansas tenant farm, a life her two older sisters never cared much for. Working alongside her grandpa, though, Rose learned to love the land as much as he did. Now her sisters have married and moved on, Grandpa has gone to his eternal reward, and Rose is determined to make a go of the farm on her own. But crops have been slow to recover since the drought of 1930-31, and the whole country struggles in the grip of the Great Depression. Drifters looking for work or handouts roam the countryside, some of them up to no good, so Rose keeps her trusty Winchester rifle at the ready.
Caleb Wieland, Rose’s best friend, isn’t the farmer his late father was, and he’s about to lose his cotton crop to boll weevils. He’d let the farm go and search for work he’s more suited to, except he can’t desert his widowed mother. Besides, he’s been quietly falling in love with Rose since they were in grammar school, and the thought of leaving her behind is too much to bear. He’d give anything to win her heart, but Rose’s stubborn independence is proving as thorny as the flower for which she’s named.
Caleb Wieland, Rose’s best friend, isn’t the farmer his late father was, and he’s about to lose his cotton crop to boll weevils. He’d let the farm go and search for work he’s more suited to, except he can’t desert his widowed mother. Besides, he’s been quietly falling in love with Rose since they were in grammar school, and the thought of leaving her behind is too much to bear. He’d give anything to win her heart, but Rose’s stubborn independence is proving as thorny as the flower for which she’s named.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2017
301 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Myra Johnson
62 books560 followersNative Texan Myra Johnson writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. Myra is a three-time Maggie Awards finalist, two-time finalist for the prestigious ACFW Carol Awards, winner of Christian Retailing’s Best for historical fiction, and winner in the Inspirational category of the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards.
After living five years in Oklahoma, then eight years in the beautiful Carolinas, Myra and her husband are thrilled to be back in the Lone Star State enjoying wildflowers, Tex-Mex, and real Texas barbecue! The Johnsons share their home with a very pampered rescue dog and a cat with attitude.
Follow Myra on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/profile/myra-..., for deals and new releases.
Awards of note: When the Clouds Roll By, Till We Meet Again, Book 1 (Abingdon Press 2013), won the historical fiction category of the 2014 Christian Retailing's Best Award. Autumn Rains (Heartsong Presents 2009), won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript.
Myra’s writing career was launched in 1985 when she sold her first short story while taking a course through the Institute of Children’s Literature. Myra later joined the ICL staff as a magazine writing instructor, teaching hundreds of students the fundamentals of story and article structure, plotting, character development, and market analysis. She now writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups.
Myra and her husband have been married for 50+ years. The Johnsons have two married daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
After living five years in Oklahoma, then eight years in the beautiful Carolinas, Myra and her husband are thrilled to be back in the Lone Star State enjoying wildflowers, Tex-Mex, and real Texas barbecue! The Johnsons share their home with a very pampered rescue dog and a cat with attitude.
Follow Myra on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/profile/myra-..., for deals and new releases.
Awards of note: When the Clouds Roll By, Till We Meet Again, Book 1 (Abingdon Press 2013), won the historical fiction category of the 2014 Christian Retailing's Best Award. Autumn Rains (Heartsong Presents 2009), won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript.
Myra’s writing career was launched in 1985 when she sold her first short story while taking a course through the Institute of Children’s Literature. Myra later joined the ICL staff as a magazine writing instructor, teaching hundreds of students the fundamentals of story and article structure, plotting, character development, and market analysis. She now writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups.
Myra and her husband have been married for 50+ years. The Johnsons have two married daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 9, 2017
A Rose So Fair is a gripping and heart-touching story!
This book truly brings to life the difficult days of the Great Depression, where daunting problems arose to test people's fortitude, but also helped reveal the strength of faith and the ability to overcome trials with the help of others.
I admired Rose Linwood with her fierce loyalty to her grandfather's farm and the dream she shared with him. She singlehandedly struggles to raise a cotton crop in order to satisfy the requirements of the leased property. Caleb Weiland is a great protective and persistent hero. He is torn between his financial responsibilities and his desire to have his love accepted by Rose. Both of them go through extremely difficult situations. I wasn't sure how their differences and problems could be resolved since they were both such strong people, but after many emotional hills and valleys, the end is beautiful...sweet and satisfying.
I also enjoyed the other members of the family, including the two older sisters whose earlier stories evolve in this third book. Both drifter Quimby and the stray dog, Delano, add to the impact of the book. All the folks of Eden, Arkansas, felt so real.
The romantic tension is sweet, the thread of faith is comforting, and the message is thoughtful. With friends and family, along with trust in God, we are stronger together. I deeply enjoyed this book with its portrayal of life in the 1930's with love, faith, and strength overcoming difficulties. I highly recommend A Rose So Fair.
Favorite quotes:
"No matter how far away they send me, you'll always have my heart."
"God doesn't want or expect us to carry our burdens alone."
She said it reminded her nobody's perfect, and that loving someone takes a whole heap of forgiveness.
*I was given a copy of this book with no requirement to write a positive review. I'm honored to offer my honest opinion of this book.
This book truly brings to life the difficult days of the Great Depression, where daunting problems arose to test people's fortitude, but also helped reveal the strength of faith and the ability to overcome trials with the help of others.
I admired Rose Linwood with her fierce loyalty to her grandfather's farm and the dream she shared with him. She singlehandedly struggles to raise a cotton crop in order to satisfy the requirements of the leased property. Caleb Weiland is a great protective and persistent hero. He is torn between his financial responsibilities and his desire to have his love accepted by Rose. Both of them go through extremely difficult situations. I wasn't sure how their differences and problems could be resolved since they were both such strong people, but after many emotional hills and valleys, the end is beautiful...sweet and satisfying.
I also enjoyed the other members of the family, including the two older sisters whose earlier stories evolve in this third book. Both drifter Quimby and the stray dog, Delano, add to the impact of the book. All the folks of Eden, Arkansas, felt so real.
The romantic tension is sweet, the thread of faith is comforting, and the message is thoughtful. With friends and family, along with trust in God, we are stronger together. I deeply enjoyed this book with its portrayal of life in the 1930's with love, faith, and strength overcoming difficulties. I highly recommend A Rose So Fair.
Favorite quotes:
"No matter how far away they send me, you'll always have my heart."
"God doesn't want or expect us to carry our burdens alone."
She said it reminded her nobody's perfect, and that loving someone takes a whole heap of forgiveness.
*I was given a copy of this book with no requirement to write a positive review. I'm honored to offer my honest opinion of this book.
July 4, 2017
I'm both excited and a little sad to be reading the last book in Myra Johnson's Flowers of Eden series. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to very dear friends with no idea if I'll ever meet up with them again.
The author has given avid fans of the Linwood sisters a stupendous send off though, with plenty of sisterly interaction and a heartwarming epilogue that I savored in a contented buzz of bibliophile delight. No worries if you haven't read the first two books -- The Sweetest Rain and Castles in the Clouds -- book three can definitely be read as a standalone...though I highly recommend reading the entire series.
So what captivates me about this series? Definitely the Linwood sisters. Each uniquely talented in a different way -- but they all share one common familial trait -- pigheaded stubborness! Which makes for some great sibling dynamics, aka, hot-headed discussions. But Bryony, Lark and Rose are also fiercely loyal to one another. There's no doubting their mutual love, though their strong personalities often clash.
And speaking of strong personalities and stubbornness -- throw in a healthy dose of fiesty and more than a dash of digging-in-my-heels-and-never-giving-up and you get a good idea of what Rose is like. As pretty -- and thorny-- as her name.
Caleb is smitten...but our prickly Rose doesn't make it easy for him. She doesn't do change well (and I can totally relate to that!) But there have been a lot of changes in her life in recent years -- both sisters marrying, the birth of a niece, the death of her beloved grandfather...it's enough to send her running scared. There is something so heartwarming about Caleb's steadfast loyalty -- his sweet determination to woo Rose and win her heart.
Their tumultuous love story is set against the backdrop of a nation struggling to recover from a severe economic downturn. Johnson has incorporated some fascinating details into the plot and her author's note at the back of the book is worth reading. I learned a lot and, as I've said before, I love getting history lessons through fiction!
An exceptional conclusion to the Flowers of Eden series -- even though I'm reluctant to leave Eden behind.
The author has given avid fans of the Linwood sisters a stupendous send off though, with plenty of sisterly interaction and a heartwarming epilogue that I savored in a contented buzz of bibliophile delight. No worries if you haven't read the first two books -- The Sweetest Rain and Castles in the Clouds -- book three can definitely be read as a standalone...though I highly recommend reading the entire series.
So what captivates me about this series? Definitely the Linwood sisters. Each uniquely talented in a different way -- but they all share one common familial trait -- pigheaded stubborness! Which makes for some great sibling dynamics, aka, hot-headed discussions. But Bryony, Lark and Rose are also fiercely loyal to one another. There's no doubting their mutual love, though their strong personalities often clash.
And speaking of strong personalities and stubbornness -- throw in a healthy dose of fiesty and more than a dash of digging-in-my-heels-and-never-giving-up and you get a good idea of what Rose is like. As pretty -- and thorny-- as her name.
Caleb is smitten...but our prickly Rose doesn't make it easy for him. She doesn't do change well (and I can totally relate to that!) But there have been a lot of changes in her life in recent years -- both sisters marrying, the birth of a niece, the death of her beloved grandfather...it's enough to send her running scared. There is something so heartwarming about Caleb's steadfast loyalty -- his sweet determination to woo Rose and win her heart.
Their tumultuous love story is set against the backdrop of a nation struggling to recover from a severe economic downturn. Johnson has incorporated some fascinating details into the plot and her author's note at the back of the book is worth reading. I learned a lot and, as I've said before, I love getting history lessons through fiction!
An exceptional conclusion to the Flowers of Eden series -- even though I'm reluctant to leave Eden behind.
September 23, 2021
Plucky Rose Linwood grew up on her grandfather’s Arkansas tenant farm,a life her two older sisters never cared much for.Working alongside her grandpa, though,Rose learned to love the land as much as he did.Now her sisters have married and moved on,Grandpa has gone to his eternal reward, and Rose is determined to make a go of the farm on her own.But crops have been slow to recover since the drought of 1930-31,and the whole country struggles in the grip of the Great Depression.Drifters looking for work or handouts roam the countryside, some of them up to no good,so Rose keeps her trusty Winchester rifle at the ready.Caleb Wieland, Rose’s best friend,isn’t the farmer his late father was, and he’s about to lose his cotton crop to boll weevils.He’d let the farm go and search for work he’s more suited to, except he can’t desert his widowed mother. Besides, he’s been quietly falling in love with Rose since they were in grammar school,and the thought of leaving her behind is too much to bear. He’d give anything to win her heart, but Rose’s stubborn independence is proving as thorny as the flower for which she’s named.Arkansas alternated between both drought and floods—the Flood of 1927, followed by the Drought of 1930–1931 and the Flood of 1937.The CCC put more than 200,000 young Arkansas men to work across the nation—many in one of the seventy-seven companies in four regions within the state.The men performed more than 100 types of jobs such as building parks, developing hiking trails, planting trees, and saving millions of acres of farmland from soil erosion.Many CCC projects in Arkansas are still enjoyed today, such as the Crowley’s Ridge,Devil’s Den,Mount Nebo, and Petit Jean state parks.The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)was a United States federal law of the New Deal era designed to boost agricultural prices by reducing surpluses.The government bought livestock for slaughter and paid farmers subsidies not to plant on part of their land.The money for these subsidies was generated through an exclusive tax on companies which processed farm products.There were many drifters who travelled endlessly for work,food and shelter.
May 4, 2023
Finally, Rose
Never a more stubborn, entrenched farm girl existed! Rose Linwood was determined to make a successful farm out of Grandpa's legacy--only it was a tenant farm and government interference into agriculture was about to end her endeavors. Meantime, Caleb was finding success in a non farming endeavor via the CCC, another government intervention to end the depression. It looks like he has failed in his campaign to get Rose to marry him, until a cloud of dust approaches the bus stop where he waits to go back to the CCC. Such a great read, and a great wrap-up to the Flowers of Eden series.
Never a more stubborn, entrenched farm girl existed! Rose Linwood was determined to make a successful farm out of Grandpa's legacy--only it was a tenant farm and government interference into agriculture was about to end her endeavors. Meantime, Caleb was finding success in a non farming endeavor via the CCC, another government intervention to end the depression. It looks like he has failed in his campaign to get Rose to marry him, until a cloud of dust approaches the bus stop where he waits to go back to the CCC. Such a great read, and a great wrap-up to the Flowers of Eden series.
February 11, 2019
After reading the first two books in this series I HAD to read the third and final book. It is a quick read but it is so good. It's not super deep but the characters are what made me keep coming back to this series. Rose is so stubborn, but are we not all like that truly? And Caleb, oh Caleb. So much persistence and patience! I like the basic but profound biblical truths wrapped up in this series without it just hitting you over the head with it. If you need a quick, lovely, encouraging read this series is a good one.
August 19, 2023
Best book of the series!
I absolutely loved this beautifully written story of love, faith and family. Caleb's love for Rose was like the love of God the Father - pure and unconditional. Myra Johnson is my new favorite Christian author. Just downloaded another 3 book series of hers...can't wait to get started!!
I absolutely loved this beautifully written story of love, faith and family. Caleb's love for Rose was like the love of God the Father - pure and unconditional. Myra Johnson is my new favorite Christian author. Just downloaded another 3 book series of hers...can't wait to get started!!
August 6, 2017
I enjoyed this final book in the series. I found Rose irritating at times, and the lack of communication hilarious and realistic, while frustrating.
The time period is very well done and I learned some new things as well.
The time period is very well done and I learned some new things as well.
March 16, 2023
Roses have Thorns
Great Read..Loved Rose and Caleb's story..Also revisiting their families..Greatly appreciated The CCC lifeline that Caleb and thousands of other Tired Hungry Young Americans grabbed and how it Helped crush as well as the families..
Great Read..Loved Rose and Caleb's story..Also revisiting their families..Greatly appreciated The CCC lifeline that Caleb and thousands of other Tired Hungry Young Americans grabbed and how it Helped crush as well as the families..
April 28, 2023
Great series!
I loved all three of these books. Myra has been added to my list of favorite authors. She is quiet the story teller. Held my interest so well. This third book about Rose brought tears to my eyes more than once. I recommend this series highly.
I loved all three of these books. Myra has been added to my list of favorite authors. She is quiet the story teller. Held my interest so well. This third book about Rose brought tears to my eyes more than once. I recommend this series highly.
February 8, 2024
A Rose So Fair
I especially enjoyed the final book of the Flowers of Eden Series. The three sisters were very different from each other and made each book unique. This book brought a strong ending to the series. I highly recommend the entire series.
I especially enjoyed the final book of the Flowers of Eden Series. The three sisters were very different from each other and made each book unique. This book brought a strong ending to the series. I highly recommend the entire series.
May 4, 2024
Three Loving Sisters !
I enjoyed these three book in this series. Couldn't put my Kindle down. Each book in the series kept the loving connection of The Three Sisters. . I would recommend this series for a Good Read!!
I enjoyed these three book in this series. Couldn't put my Kindle down. Each book in the series kept the loving connection of The Three Sisters. . I would recommend this series for a Good Read!!
June 16, 2024
A Good Series
I enjoyed the era and the settings for these books. You can almost experience the trials and discouragement in the droughts and other weather related disasters which caused crops to not yield enough to pay bills.
I enjoyed the era and the settings for these books. You can almost experience the trials and discouragement in the droughts and other weather related disasters which caused crops to not yield enough to pay bills.
January 30, 2025
Flowers of Eden (Book 3)
So enjoyed this series. Very well written. Read all three books in three days. Was very sad when I finished the third book and there wasn't a fourth book to continue Bryony, Larkspur and Rose's lives. I will definitely read more of Myra Johnson's books.
So enjoyed this series. Very well written. Read all three books in three days. Was very sad when I finished the third book and there wasn't a fourth book to continue Bryony, Larkspur and Rose's lives. I will definitely read more of Myra Johnson's books.
August 13, 2023
A Rose So Fair
I really liked this third book in the Flowers of Eden Series. Nice to see how the sisters’ lives took shape. Love never fails!
I really liked this third book in the Flowers of Eden Series. Nice to see how the sisters’ lives took shape. Love never fails!
February 13, 2024
A rose so fair
I enjoyed reading all three books from Myra Johnson they were interesting give a insight into American history.
The three girl's were all strong women.
I enjoyed reading all three books from Myra Johnson they were interesting give a insight into American history.
The three girl's were all strong women.
April 3, 2025
Nice ending to the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews