Description: Ruth Livingstone's life changes drastically the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow and quietly secludes herself until her father is acquitted of a crime. But with the emergence of the penny press, the imagination of the reading public is stirred, and her father's trial stands center stage. Asher Tripp is the brash newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist.
I found this to be a solid romance, it doesn't stand out to me but it was enjoyable enough. The scenario sets the couple up to keep some pretty big secrets from each other but of course once they are revealed all turns out well. I'm not sure I would be as trusting.
Fans of Christian romances, especially historicals set in the "olden days" will enjoy this one. ( )

Ruth Livingstone, daughter of a minister involved in helping the soiled doves, finds herself alone, with a toddler and pursued by the press for a story, true or not, about her father's involvement in a murder. She must stay under the guise of being a soiled dove in order to keep from being found.

Her struggles with her father's ministry, his innocence and her lies to remain protect from those around her make her question her faith and her God.

Spiritual lessons are incorporated into life's events.



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Ruth Livingstone's life is suddenly changed when her father, Reverend Livingston, places a young child in her care and sends her away from her home, to a small village in New Jersey. She can tell no one her real name and must act as if the child is hers, until her father can be cleared of serious charges against him and the child's dead mother.

Ruth finds her new life hard for many reasons, but finds some solace tending a forgotten garden along the River. Here she meets Jake Spencer, a man recovering from a serious fall (or so he says). He also is in town hiding his identity so he can "get the scoop" on Ruth for the newspaper he works for. Both have a lot they are hiding from each other and so their whole relationship is based on lies. But love does begin to bloom. Then the secrets come out and that tender blossoming love will see if it can stand the test of time.

I liked the story, but was a little confused throughout the story why Ruth's father did what he did with the child and with his daughter Ruth. It will become clear near the end of the story. It was not a fast paced, action packed, romance read, but a "slow and steady wins the race" kind of book. ( )

LOVE'S FIRST BLOOM by Delia Parr is a inspirational historical fiction set in 1838 New York City. It is well written with depth, details and the characters are enchanting,and enduring. It has romance, forgiveness, hope, faith, love,heartache, secrets, tragedy,turbulent times, injustice, web of deception,false identity, and the danger of media coverage. The characters are engaging, timid, learning to trust, and moving along with their lives ever through tragedy. The hero, Jake, is a newspaperman, trying to redeem himself with his brother, knows the true identity of the Widow Malloy and finds himself falling in love with her and her child. The heroine, Ruth, is the daughter of the Rev. Livingstone, who is charged with the death of a prostitute.She is sent away by her father with the young child of the prostitute with a false identity to protect her and the child. She is accepted into a network of believers of Rev. Livingstone's work with prostitutes. There she assumes the identity of the Widow Malloy with her child, Lily. She meets Jake, who is also leading a false identity. He is calming to be a carpenter. He soon becomes attached to Ruth and Lily. He will do want he has to to protect her and her secret. But when the truth comes to light, will she truly believe he loves her or will he betray her?This is a heart felt story of how the newspaper twists things to their own use, to sale more paper. Not really caring who is hurt or why. Along the way Ruth will learn secrets of her father she never knew of him, but she keeps her faith. Will new love survive the betrayal?This is a story to read it is heartwarming to know true love can prevail. This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at Bethany House Publishers and My Book Addiction and More. ( )

Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.


Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.

Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.


When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?

This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review. ( )