A Former Dance Hall Girl. A Handsome Young Doctor. Can Rose overcome her past? That’s Rose’s RedemptionRose Rhodes changed not only her name after the tornado; she changed her outward appearance. No more was she Rosalie O’Roarke, former dance hall girl. She loves her new work as a nurse-in-training to handsome Doctor Scott Allison. As Scott and Rose’s relationship begins to change from … professional to personal, they must deal with figures from Rose’s past who make life anything but easy. Rose is concerned that the town will discover her dance hall girl past, especially when Jake Thomas, the man who viciously beat her, asks all over town where Rosalie O’Roarke went. But both Rose and Scott are in for surprise encounters with Christ that will change their lives forever and help them see His plan for them. In fact, they will see God at work all over New Boston. A gung-ho sheriff attempts to clean up the town from its wildness, but at what cost?
Rose’s Redemption won second place in the 2017 Golden Leaf Award at the Advance Novelist Retreat and was a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Phoenix Rattler Contest.
Published in connection with Hartline Literary Agency, serving the Christian book community.
more
My Thoughts on Rose’s Redemption:
When I read book one in this series, Meghan’s Choice, I wanted to know more about Rosalie! She was such a great character. I admired her spunk and pluck and wanted to know how she ended up being a dance hall girl out in Kansas.
Great read. This author has a way of making you feel like you’re there which is great! The characters are fun and evolve throughout the book. Though this is book two in a series you can easily read it without feeling like you missed out on too much that happened in book one.
This is a slow read for me. It’s not a super fast get it done so the suspense ends type of book. This is more of a slow and steady and savor the romance type book.
I recommend this book. It definitely fits for when you just want a sweet read where you’re not looking for the murderer. That’s not to say there is no small amount of mystery or suspense because there is.
You have the cowboy who brutally beat Rose back in town. He feels Rose is his property and is looking for her. As far as most people know she just disappeared after the tornado but a few know the truth that Rosalie is Rose. Can she remain safe and unharmed from him? What about love? Can a dance hall girl find love?
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Rose’s Redemption
A continuation of the book Meghan’s Choice. I loved being with the characters again. I am hoping there will be a 3rd book.
Rose works for the Doctor in the small town. Being a historical book I loved comparing how much the doctor knew then and now. So interesting when they were ordering new things.
There is so much to Rose’s story that I don’t want to give any of it away. She is trying so hard but past keeps coming back to haunt her.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
What I think you should know:
Rose’s Redemption is the second book in the Known By Heart series, because the story is a continuation of Meghan’s choice, I recommend that you read it prior to this book. This book is focused on Doctor Scott Allison and Rose Rhodes, formally Rosaline O’ Roarke, a soiled dove who has reinvented herself and is hiding in plain sight as Doctor Allison’s nurse.
What you might want to know:
Being from Rose’s perspective we learn more about her abuse at the hands of her former customers and how she came to be a soiled dove. Rose’s story is not an easy one to read, it is heartbreaking, but inspiring to see her strength and determination to change her life. Scott who I did not like Meghan’s Choice has had a change of heart and wants to become not just a man, but a man that he can respect.
What I found intriguing about this book:
Donna L. H. Smith, the author allows the characters to have encounters with an Angel, but not just any angel, an angel that appears to the characters and give them insight that allows them to make the choice to change their lives. It draws them closer to God. I can only imagine what changes would be made in lives if God chose to let angels appear openly to people today. It makes for a very interesting book. I look forward to learning more about the characters in the next book.
Who will enjoy this book ( Just to name a few):
Fans of Historical Fiction
Fans of Western Fiction
Fans of Christian Fiction
Fans of Romance
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
I have been anxiously awaiting the next book in this series and am excited to tell you how much I loved it. The author takes a character that is tarnished, lets us witness her transformation and along the way give us a lesson in forgiveness and acceptance. I can’t say enough good things about Rose. She had a background that was shall we say not ladylike and is determined to change her life. It is very difficult for her to accept the friendship of Meghan and I loved how Meghan looked past Rose’s sins and showed her friendship. There is a lot to learn from this story of redemption. I can think of a few times I thought I would never be forgiven for things I had done.
There are a few graphic scenes where I wanted to cry as Rose was being beaten. I think in a way she felt like she deserved it because she was tainted as a woman. Jake is a nasty character and has no respect for women. His character is well written and gives us a look at what rage, jealousy and pride can do to a person. I admire the author for not sugar coating the story but be able to do it in a clean respectful manner.
Scott is a changed man from the first book and I loved his experiences he had with Rafe. They are very emotional and worth reading to find out what happens when Scott is faced with trying to forgive himself for his past.
There are eventful things happening in the book that deals with the railroad, an almost tragedy with Rose and faith that is felt throughout the book. I don’t want to give the story away because it is one that needs to be experienced on your own. The author is gifted in showing characters that take a journey through forgiveness that was eye opening for me. Rose is the highlight of the story and she reminded me of the story in the bible about the woman that was accused of something. Jesus spoke up and said, “Ye without sin cast the first stone.” It such a powerful statement and is very relevant to this story.
The author does leave a cliffhanger which entices me to anxiously anticipate the next book in the series.I highly recommend this series to everyone looking for a story strong in faith and shares how forgiveness is a choice and what happens when you open your heart to God.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Rose’s Redemption is Book Two in Author Donna L H Smith’s Historical Christian Western fiction series. I really enjoyed this book. It can be read as a stand alone. Book One is Meghan’s Choice.
The author takes readers back to 1870’s New Boston, Kansas, a gritty railroad town, for Book Two in her Known by Heart Series. Here we are reunited with old friends and make new ones. The book grabbed my attention from the beginning and I was immediately invested in the story.
The characters are realistic and wonderful. They are well rounded with flaws as well as redeeming characteristics. The town is a rough, Western town with bars, cowboys, and a railroad. My favorite thing is the boarding house. Author Smith does an excellent job taking me there.
The author has done her research well on that time period and place. She writes with a love for God and it shines through her story. I love Christian fiction that brings glory to God.
This tale deals with love, trust, forgiveness, prejudice, and redemption. There are many life lessons tucked in this story. It has a few twists to keep readers on their toes and want to keep turning those pages. I thought it was better than book one.
I highly recommend this western Fiction book. Most anyone will enjoy it and be inspired. It gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me. Celebrate Lit provided a copy but this is my honest review.
Rose’s Redemption is the new release by Donna L.H. Smith, and the second book of the “Known by Heart” series. The first book was Meghan’s Choice, and you can read my review of that book here.
The story setting is still the old western town of New Boston, where Meghan’s Choice also was set. As a matter of fact, Meghan and the main character, Rose, of Rose’s Redemption, are friends–a friendship that began in the first book.
Rose has had a very difficult life, and in Rose’s Redemption, those difficulties aren’t over. As she tries to change her life for the better and begins to hope that she could have real love, someone from her past comes back to find her.
I enjoyed Rose’s Redemption very much. Though, in Meghan’s Choice, Dr. Scott Allison was not my favorite character, he redeems himself in Rose’s Redemption, and he plays a big part in the new life Rose tries to make for herself. Meghan and the characters from Meghan’s Choice still played a part in this story as well, so as a reader, I got to know them all better.
The characters in Rose’s Redemption are well-developed and I enjoyed meeting some new characters in New Boston in this installment of the “Known by Heart” series. I really like Rose and rooted for her the whole way through the book.
The story’s conflict was also well written, better than the conflict in Meghan’s Choice. I found the conflict in Rose’s Redemption to be more intense and realistic, and it kept me turning pages.
Donna L.H. Smith also had an interesting way of having some of her character’s experience God that drew them to Him. It was tastefully done and not preachy nor was it overdone. I don’t think someone who prefers not to read Christian novels would be offended or find it overbearing.
Donna L.H. Smith’s writing is stronger in Rose’s Redemption and she did a much better job of developing her characters and making me like them and care about them. She also included some subtle hints as to what may come in the next book, and I look forward to reading it.
If you enjoy stories with an old western setting, intense conflict, and sweet romance, I hope you will read Rose’s Redemption too.