Bees in the Butterfly Garden (The Gilded Legacy, #1) by Maureen Lang

Sep 18, 2012 Marianne rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was attracted to this novel mostly be the title, Bees in the Butterfly Garden. I have read a few novels by Maureen Lang, so I knew I was in for a treat. The main subject matter in this novel, did not, in fact, involve a lot about butterflies as we think of those pretty flowers with wings, or flower gardens, though these subjects were in the background of this novel. Instead, the bees seems to refer to the lifestyle of Ian, who was a protege of Meghan's dad in his occupation, and the garden is...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Renae Sattazahn rated it 3 of 5 stars

I recently read "Whisper on the Wind," the second novel in the Great War series by Maureen Lang. When I saw the opportunity to read "Bees in the Butterfly Garden," I leapt at the chance. Since the plot and setting is completely different, I was interested to compare this book to the first one I read.
"Whisper on the Wind" was a somber, slow-moving book set in the middle of the World War. There was a transparent plot with a very limited amount of romance. "Bees in the Butterfly Garden" was as far...more I recently read "Whisper on the Wind," the second novel in the Great War series by Maureen Lang. When I saw the opportunity to read "Bees in the Butterfly Garden," I leapt at the chance. Since the plot and setting is completely different, I was interested to compare this book to the first one I read.
"Whisper on the Wind" was a somber, slow-moving book set in the middle of the World War. There was a transparent plot with a very limited amount of romance. "Bees in the Butterfly Garden" was as far from that as possible.
The book is about Meg Davenport, a lifelong student at Madame Marisse's ladies school. As such a student, she is welcomed into the inner circles of New York's elite. When she discovers her father has died, she journeys to his funeral and meets his surrogate son, Ian Maguire, who seems to have taken her place as rightful child. Not understanding why her father would send her away for her lifetime, and then nearly adopt Ian as his own, she has some issues initially to work through. Once she arrives, she learns that her father -- highly esteemed by Madame Marisse -- was a professional thief and swindler.
Ian was her father's partner in crime, and Meg decides that she will show her deceased father what a mistake he made in replacing her with Ian by partnering with Ian in a heist to rob a prominent 5th Avenue family. She successfully garners an invitation to visit the Pemberton home for the summer, and works with Ian to formulate a plan to burglarize the home for the famous Pemberton gold.
Within a few pages the author hooked my attention. The plot for "Bees in the Butterfly Garden" is compelling and fast-moving. This book was interesting and enjoyable to read from start to finish. I loved the plot. I commend the author for creating fallible, believable characters. The twist at the end was genius. All around, this was a much more enjoyable book to read than "Whisper on the Wind."
My critique is aimed at the romance in the book. I would have been more excited to see a romantic dilemma. I was disappointed in the end, because I felt that the main character, Meg, chose the wrong man. The plot could have been enhanced by giving one of the other characters (George or Nelson) more of a spotlight starting about midway through the book, then gradually building to a point at the end at which she must decide which man holds her heart. It is common in romance to introduce the winning man right at the start, so my expectation was that Ian would win her heart. However, about 75% into the book I began to question whether the author was playing with me, and a more worthy opponent would win Meg (namely George, given his role in the book from the beginning, but I was silently hoping the author would write Nelson in at the end as the final romantic interest). If memory serves, this was well done by Julie Klassen in her novel, "The Apothecary's Daughter."
Maureen Lang is an author unafraid to take risks. I again commend her on the plot. Involving the main character in an illegal heist was one of the most fun, exciting, and risky plots I've seen in Christian fiction so far.
To the author... please keep writing risky plots. If you will, I will be among your most loyal readers.
This book was a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an objective review.(less)

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Aug 30, 2012 Meagan Myhren-bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, christian-living, drama, family, fiction, forgiveness, mercy

Bees in the Butterfly Garden
by Maureen Lang

Meg Davenport has lived most of her life in an exclusive boarding school. But when word comes that her father - John Davenport has died, Meg realizes that she will never get the opportunity to get to know her father. But when she goes to her father's funeral she is shocked to learn that her father is not the independently wealthy gentleman she always been lead to believe but instead a successful thief who charmed the wealthy out of their money.

Feeling...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Wanda rated it 1 of 5 stars

Meg has lived a life of luxury in an exclusive boarding school for the past fifteen years, always wondering what the future will hold for her and if she will ever get to know the father she rarely sees. Then she is confronted with not only the shock of his sudden death, but the knowledge that he was not at all the man she had envisioned. Determined to strike out and become like her father, Meg ignores all advice to the contrary and determines to become a professional thief just like him. Thus be...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Lisa Johnson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Title: Bees in the Butterfly Garden
Author: Maureen Lang
Pages: 399
Year: 2012
Publisher: Tyndale
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo... . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988
The main character in this book is Meg Davenport. She has spent most of her life at an exclusive bordering school in Connecticut. Her mother died when she w...more Title: Bees in the Butterfly Garden
Author: Maureen Lang
Pages: 399
Year: 2012
Publisher: Tyndale
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo... . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988
The main character in this book is Meg Davenport. She has spent most of her life at an exclusive bordering school in Connecticut. Her mother died when she was very young and her father sent her away to school so he wouldn’t have to bother with her so Meg thinks. Her father visits her about two times a year accompanied his “assistant” Ian. She excels in most everything at school, especially horticulture. In her younger years at school, she would try to escape in order to get to her father, but she would always be caught. After her last attempt at age 14, she comes to believe she must accept her life at school as her father doesn’t want her anyway. He only has time for Ian. She is jealous of the time Ian has with her father.
Now at age 18, Meg receives a not from Ian letting her know that her father has died. She attends the funeral with initial plans to return to school. During her visit, she learns about the past of a father who was a stranger to her. She decides she can’t return to school and should try to take up her father’s profession. He taught Ian everything he knew, so why shouldn’t Ian teach her? She has no desire for a husband right now and doesn’t want to continue school.
Ian is bound and determined that Meg will return to school and not go into her father’s business. He refuses to teach her anything about the business or become her partner. Meg’s father’s last request was that Ian take care of and protect his daughter. Ian also has loved Meg from afar. He thinks he is not good enough for her and knows her father would think the same.
Meg sets out on her own to prove that she does belong in her father’s business. She manipulates Ian into helping her against his own judgment. She takes up residence with a former acquaintance from school to design a garden as a present for her acquaintance’s mother. She finds herself living with a truly Christian family. They are very wealthy financially and spiritually, but are also very faithful stewards with what God has blessed them. As the story progresses, Meg and Ian both begin to doubt the merits of their plan. They see Christ demonstrated to them through this family. Both reach a low point, though separately, where they understand the love, mercy, and grace of God. They experience forgiveness and find faith in the One True God. Do you long for the same? Seek God first.
My rating is three stars.
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Jul 18, 2012 Charity rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have personally read many of Maureen Lang's other books. This one was a departure from her normal writing style of war era stories, which I was really looking forward to. I enjoy war stories but only to a certain degree. This time period is much more my type of thing. So I started in on Bees in the Butterfly Garden with high expectations. I ended it with mixed feelings.

The plot sounded very interesting and the characters were likeable. But I just couldn't get into the book. For some reason it...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

Sometimes the mind speaks for the heart playing and replaying what it must.

Meg Davenport, has a gift for landscape design. A student at Marisse's boarding school Meg was enrolled by her father when she was young to be groomed into a proper young lady. When she learns about the sudden death of her father, whom she has not been afforded the chance to know well, she feels compelled to travel back home.
Ian Maguire, a partner with Meg's father from the time he was but a boy, had become the object of...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Renn Shearin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue’s finest, Meg Davenport has all she’s ever needed . . . but none of the things she’s wanted most, like a family or a future not dependent on following etiquette and marrying well. So when her distant father dies, Meg seizes the chance to break every rule that has governed her life. Especially when she learns that John Davenport wasn’t the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age’s most talented thieves.

Poised to lead tho...more Raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue’s finest, Meg Davenport has all she’s ever needed . . . but none of the things she’s wanted most, like a family or a future not dependent on following etiquette and marrying well. So when her distant father dies, Meg seizes the chance to break every rule that has governed her life. Especially when she learns that John Davenport wasn’t the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age’s most talented thieves.

Poised to lead those loyal to Meg’s father, Ian Maguire knows the last thing his mentor would have wanted is for his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet Meg is determined, and her connections to one of New York’s wealthiest families could help Ian pull off his biggest heist yet.

But living in both worlds is more treacherous than Meg imagined. And as Ian's concern for Meg turns to love, he finds himself torn between greed and guilt. Can they find the legacy they both long for, or in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang was a very interesting and enjoyable novel that kept me spellbound. Over 400 pages long, it was a still novel that I did not want to end. The plot line was well written and detailed. There were instances of sadness, humor, mystery, and suspense. There was plenty of description of both characters and scenes, and the tone of the novel was varied.

The characters were also well developed and realistic. Meg Davenport and Ian Maguire were both complex and interesting characters who both were headstrong, independent, and running from God. I loved seeing their growth in understanding about God, morality, friendship, and trust. The supporting characters like Kate, Geoffrey, and the Pemberton family were also created in an enjoyable and interesting way and added tension, suspense, and some crazy pranks to the novel. I was greatly surprised by the beautiful, godly characteristics of the older two Pemberton siblings, considering Meg's remembrance of them, and I enjoyed seeing their influence on Meg.

The themes of the novel were clear, well thought out, and added greatly to the story. Some of these topics included love, trusting others and God, doing what is right even when it is hard, and living in a way that brings glory to God.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I cannot wait to read other books by Maureen Lang. I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review by Tyndale House Publishers.
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Jun 27, 2012 Tima rated it 3 of 5 stars

Meg has spent most of her life at an exclusive boarding school. When she learns of her father’s death, who she hasn’t seen in years, she returns to his home to learn about the man who paid for her schooling. What she finds is not what she expected. He is a thief, a con man. He didn’t have any contact with her because he wanted her to live a better life. But she sets out to become a thief as well. Her father is gone, but she wants to prove that she could have fit into his world. She tries to conv...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Delightful Book - Full of characters that experience deception, decisions and eventually discovery.
What a delightful story. This engaging story is worthy of the gorgeous cover. I was privileged to read an Advance Reader Copy. The second time I read it I caught all sorts of humor that was cleverly woven into the story. It is a book filled with deceptions,despair, decisions and eventual discovery. The characters were flawed in their thinking and choices and as the book progresses their life choice...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Candace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Maureen Lang's, Bees in the Butterfly Garden, is Book One in the Gilded Legacy Series. It takes place in the middle of New York High Society during the Gilded Age (i.e. 1883). Meg, a graduate of the prestigious Madame Marisse's School, finds herself at a crossroads when the truth of her lineage is uncovered. Her options become clear: return to Madame Marisse's to teach, find a suitable husband, or prove that her father was wrong to distance himself from her by following in his footsteps. Meg, ag...more Maureen Lang's, Bees in the Butterfly Garden, is Book One in the Gilded Legacy Series. It takes place in the middle of New York High Society during the Gilded Age (i.e. 1883). Meg, a graduate of the prestigious Madame Marisse's School, finds herself at a crossroads when the truth of her lineage is uncovered. Her options become clear: return to Madame Marisse's to teach, find a suitable husband, or prove that her father was wrong to distance himself from her by following in his footsteps. Meg, against the urgings of her father's closest friends, decides to jump head first into the 'family business.'

Ian has been intrigued by Meg since he was a small boy. While Meg's father, John, sent her away to become a true Lady, he took orphaned Ian under his wings and taught him all he knew. After John's death, Ian finds himself trying to both protect and distance himself from Meg. When she comes up with a risky, yet brilliant, scheme, Ian has to decide if he will go along with it. If he partners with Meg, her future could be at risk, however if he opts out it would allow Meg to follow through with her idea by partnering with a dangerous con man.

Bees in the Butterfly Garden has many interesting characters. My favorite was Evie, the teenage daughter of the family Meg decides to con. Evie is not the well mannered, proper lady of the time. She is instead a rebellious prankster who has a love for revenge. However, she isn't an evil person, just a lovable character, flaws and all. From getting kicked out of Madame Marisse's School, to having a crush on her older neighbor, the story is never boring when Evie is present.

Lang did a great job of painting the visual of New York in the late 1800's. She had the language down, as well as the dress and etiquette. At the start of every chapter, Lang included a quote about the rules of the time period. More times than not, Meg would then turned around and do the opposite of what the quote had eluded to. I think my favorite was the very first quote at the start of the Prologue, "A young lady of impeccable decorum never appears outside her home unchaperoned, uncoiffed, ungloved, or unhappy. (Lang, xiii).

I really enjoyed Bees in the Butterfly Garden, however it was hard for me to believe that Meg really could turn her back on the friends she had stayed with all summer and betray them. She found herself integrated into their household and for the first time in her life it felt like she was a part of a family. For her to then turn around and stab them in the back seemed very out of character. However, this was Meg trying to find out if she was truly her father's daughter. I was glad to find that she was contrite when all was said and done.

The chemistry between Meg and Ian was great. When they were in a scene together, I found myself hanging onto their every word. I wish that they had more scenes together. Little snippets and here there were not enough for me. I'm hoping that I get more of these two in the 2nd book of the Gilded Legacy Series.

I definitely recommend Bees in the Butterfly Garden, by Maureen Lang. It is a smart and fast read. If you enjoy reading historical fiction then this is especially for you. (less)

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Jul 17, 2012 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Maureen Lang in her new book “Bees in the Butterfly Garden” Book One in the Gilded Legacy series published by Tyndale House Publishers takes us to 1883 Connecticut and into the life of Meg Davenport.

From the back cover: “A young lady of impeccable decorum never appears outside her home unchaperoned, uncoiffed, ungloved, or unhappy.” —MADAME MARISSE’S HANDBOOK FOR YOUNG LADIES

Raised at an exclusive boarding school, Meg Davenport has everything she needs but none of what she’s wanted most—like the...more Maureen Lang in her new book “Bees in the Butterfly Garden” Book One in the Gilded Legacy series published by Tyndale House Publishers takes us to 1883 Connecticut and into the life of Meg Davenport.

From the back cover: “A young lady of impeccable decorum never appears outside her home unchaperoned, uncoiffed, ungloved, or unhappy.” —MADAME MARISSE’S HANDBOOK FOR YOUNG LADIES

Raised at an exclusive boarding school, Meg Davenport has everything she needs but none of what she’s wanted most—like the love of a family, or a future not dependent on following etiquette and marrying well. So when she receives shocking news of her father’s death, Meg seizes the chance to break every rule that has governed her life. Especially when she learns John Davenport wasn’t the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age’s most talented thieves.

Ian Maguire knows that John—his mentor—would never have wanted his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet she is determined to carry on his legacy, and her talent for garden design has earned her an invitation to stay with one of Fifth Avenue’s wealthiest families. With friends like those, Meg could help Ian pull off his biggest heist yet.

But living in both worlds is more treacherous than Meg imagined. And as Ian’s concern for Meg turns to love, he finds himself torn between greed and guilt. Can they find the legacy they both long for, or in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

If you read this blog then you know that I like history ”Bees in the Butterfly Garden” is chock full of history. Ms. Lang transports us back to an era that is gone forever and makes us feel as though we are there. Ms. Lang has given us great characters with great themes. Ian is torn between his profession and his friendship with the late father of Meg. He doesn’t want her to follow in her father’s footsteps, which is thievery, but he does see that she is potentially useful to him as he is also a thief. On top of that he is in love with her so that puts him in quite a dilemma. “Bees in the Butterfly Garden” is about friendship, love, betrayal, emotional bonds and finding your place in the world. This is a fun read filled with adventure and romance. I do not recommend starting this book late at night because it will cost you sleep as you will not want to put it down. Ms. Lang has given us an excellent beginning to a wonderful series and i am looking forward to the next one.

If you missed the interview for “Look To The East”, a different series from Maureen Lang, and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Apr 29, 2013 Camelia Urcan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've never heard of Maureen Lang or this book before, but the title drew my attention and, since the book was free for a limited time on Amazon, I decided to give it a shot - and that was a good idea.

The book presents the story of a lifelong student in a high-society school, where every little girl is prepared to become a lady, attract a handsome and suitable husband and live happily ever after. The problem is, Margaret (called Meg) is no usual rich girl; her father has kept her at a distance f...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Charity U rated it 4 of 5 stars

I’ll have to admit, first off, that this one had been on my to-read list for quite some time, ever since it came out, actually. But I hadn’t made any priority out of it…always thought it looked like a good read, but between the cover and title, I surmised that it was probably just a rather light and fluffy ultra-girly story, without anything in the way of real adventure between its covers. And then…I found it for free for my Kindle app. And boy was I ever wrong about the story! It was fast-movin...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Meg Davenport has everything she needs in the way of material possessions, but the one thing she wants she will never have. Raised in an exclusive school for young ladies, she has no family except for a father she never sees. Having given up her girlhood fantasies of running away long ago, she has resigned herself to a future of disappointments, disillusionment, and the death of every dream she's ever had.

But when her father dies, she wants to break every rule she's ever been made to follow. Det...more

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Aug 03, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Author: Maureen Lang
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc
June 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4143-6446-9
Genre: Historical romance

Meg Davenport has never wanted for anything—except her father’s love. She was raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue’s finest and trained to be the perfect society wife. When Meg was younger she used to try to run away, trying to get to the father she wanted to know, but she gave up when she was fourteen. When Meg learns that h...more Title: BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Author: Maureen Lang
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc
June 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4143-6446-9
Genre: Historical romance

Meg Davenport has never wanted for anything—except her father’s love. She was raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue’s finest and trained to be the perfect society wife. When Meg was younger she used to try to run away, trying to get to the father she wanted to know, but she gave up when she was fourteen. When Meg learns that her father has died, she vows not to return for the funeral—after all, he was never there in life, why should she be there in death? But things change, and she attends.

Meg has always believed that her father was a wealthy businessman—and he was, but not in the way Meg thought. Instead, she learns that he was one of the Gilded Age’s most talented thieves.

Ian Maguire doesn’t want Meg to follow in her father’s footsteps. But Meg is determined and her connections to the wealthiest families could help Ian pull off his biggest heist…or it could cost them everything.

BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN is the first book I’ve ever read where the bad guys were actually the hero and heroine. Ms. Lang has been a talented author of World War novels which I’ve loved, and so I greatly looked forward to BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN. The book is aptly named.

Meg is a very talented young lady, gifted in horticulture and she knows how to play the part of a lady. Ian has been trained to be a master thief, professions both do with ease. Ms. Lang has brought both of these characters to life, making the reader care for them. She is gifted with description. One can see the butterflies flitting around Meg in her butterfly garden at school, and the other surroundings. Even the handwriting is described so the reader can “see” Meg’s name on an envelope, surrounded by a black border.

I especially loved the tidbits at the beginning of each chapter, describing how proper young ladies were raised back in those days.

BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN isn't a fast read, but good for those times when you want a slower paced story. $12.99. 416 pages.
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Aug 23, 2012 Beckie rated it 2 of 5 stars

"Bees in the Butterfly Garden" by Maureen Lang centers around Meg, the daughter of a thief and con-artist who has been raised by elite boarder schools and their matrons. She had no relationship with her father to speak of and now he has died. Ian, an Irish immigrant, was raised and trained by Meg's father to be a thief as well. Meg is unaware of her father's career. When her father dies, she goes to his home and discovers his secrets. She decides to prove her worth to his band of thieves, a sort...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Kym McNabney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Since the age of five, Meg Davenport grew up in an exclusive New York boarding school. For all she had in a proper bringing up, she lacked in a family. It wasn’t until her father passed away that she discovers his secret…one that would drastically change her life.

Ian Maguire was Meg’s father’s mentee, one Ian looked up to since the age of nine. He always had feeling for the man’s daughter, but knew he was never to act on them. After all, Ian was everything her father was sheltering her from.

I...more

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May 17, 2013 writer... rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book reminds me of Joni Mitchell's song, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til it's gone?"

Raised in the luxury of a rural private school with the outcome of employment in that school, Meg's past, present and future is secure. Her father has seen to that. All her needs met luxuriously with the comforts of the age. But not the relational contact Meg longs for. Feeling disconnected from the only bit of family she has with her father, she chooses to be set adrift u...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Teresa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: other-fiction

Good Christian book. Meg attended and lived at school of how to be a lady since she was 4. Her mother had died when she was young and she didn't know her dad well. He would come visit her but say little. Sometimes he would come and she would not even know he attended a school performance. Meg is sent a letter to tell her of her father's passing and she goes home without chaperone. She finds out her father was a thief and that is how he paid for her schooling. He loved her and wanted a better lif...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Amber Stokes rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Bees in the Butterfly Garden has a clever title and a cover lovely enough to draw readers in like butterflies to flowers. But the attraction doesn't stop at the title or the cover - this story is unique and engaging! Historical-romance fans will find an enjoyable setting that offers the traditional pull of the descriptions of the high life in late-19th century America. But there's a twist: the hero is a thief, and the heroine - despite her fancy upbringing - wants to be one, too.

No matter what o...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Jenny rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was an exercise in the ridiculous. The main character, raised in polite, wealthy and respectable society, finds out her father was a thief. She stubbornly decides that she is her father's daughter and insists on helping rob her dear friends, ignoring all of the imploring warnings of those that love and care about her. Then, she regrets it, exactly as they said she would. It is a good example of Christian writing which defines mercy, justice and grace and how being Christlike can affect...more

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May 05, 2013 JoAnne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Started this book because of the title, but dismayed to find the book disparages bees (I'm a beekeeper and get annoyed at the perpetuation of the cultural image that bees are bad and butterflies are good). That off my chest, it was an interesting story of the struggle to do good in the midst of temptation. One lovely takeaway was the notion raised in the book that one has four choices when they have been wronged: revenge (not taken by anyone with any shred of decency), punishment, mercy, or grac...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Melmac MacDonald rated it 4 of 5 stars

Meg Davenport has spent most of her life at an exclusive boarding school in Connecticut far from the father she wishes would acknowledge her. She has every worldly comfort a girl could want and her learning has been superior. What she truly wants, however, is a relationship with her father. When word of his death reaches Meg she is both devastated and indifferent. She goes to the funeral with hopes of learning more about the father she never knew.

In New York she learns that her father's profess...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Catherine Richmond added it

Wow! Excellent! I liked so many things about this book:

1. The prologue is essential and draws the reader deep into the story.
2. The tension never slipped and kept building until I could not put the book down.
3. Fascinating characters. I don't think I've ever read about a band of thieves.
4. History and description are seamlessly integrated into the story.
5. An "oh, yes!" romance!

Meg was a finishing school graduate trying to uncover her family history and learns her father was the head of a notor...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Chelsey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Our story starts with Meg Davenport who is a student at Madame Marisse’s which is an exclusive boarding school for only the privileged. Meg soon finds herself, within the opening pages, receiving a note that describes her father’s death and that everything is already being taken care of. Immediately the reader learns that Meg’s father has not been the more influential part of her life. In fact, she does not really remember him at all because she has rarely seen him growing up. Meg, now eighteen,...more Our story starts with Meg Davenport who is a student at Madame Marisse’s which is an exclusive boarding school for only the privileged. Meg soon finds herself, within the opening pages, receiving a note that describes her father’s death and that everything is already being taken care of. Immediately the reader learns that Meg’s father has not been the more influential part of her life. In fact, she does not really remember him at all because she has rarely seen him growing up. Meg, now eighteen, has mixed emotions about his death and here is where my heart went out to her. Can you imagine? Being eighteen years old and growing up in a prestigious boarding school all your life without even knowing your own father? I cannot!! Meg is such a strong and independent woman and I absolutely loved her character.

Meg, being the curious character that I knew she was, decides that it is her duty to find out more about this man and why for all these years he had forsaken her as a daughter. I was nervous for Meg but I felt that she handled her situation well. This is the main reason that I encourage anyone to read this book. Here is a girl that has been alone most of her life and she is just so brave when faced with surmountable circumstances. She goes to her father’s home in the city, or what she believes is her father’s home, and learns that he is not at all the man that she thought he was. He was rich and very powerful, but only because he was a thief! Things just keep getting more and more heated in Meg’s life!

After many years of searching for a place to belong or at least feel safe and secure in knowing who she is and where she came from; I believe that Meg finally finds that. She honestly grows and changes alongside of the experiences that she has. I can even see some of her more rebellious side come out as she spends her summer with the wealthy Pemberton’s. Meg ventures after a taste of her father’s life and I do not blame Meg for doing so or even wondering what it feels like to be a thief. I was heartbroken at the fact that she felt like she need to be a part of the kind of work that her father did just to be close to him, and I still haven’t decided if I forgive her father or if I feel he made the right choice in leaving her out of his life and plans, even if he thought it was in her best interest. Every little girl deserves a father!

Maureen Lang, you have done your research! This time period, as well as its characters is represented quite well. The setting is everything that I hoped it would be. Not to mention the research Lang must have done in order to incorporate prominent girl’s boarding schools as well as thievery rings! What an odd mix to think about, but boy does she write a fantastic novel about both! I do not know much about either one of the above topics, but after reading this book I feel as if I also got a lesson in etiquette as well as thieves. I was lost in the words and the pages for hours on end. Maureen was kind enough to provide me with an autographed copy and I am eternally grateful. I am highly anticipating the next book in The Gilded Legacy Series! Thank you so much, Maureen.
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Sep 23, 2012 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-in-2012

Summary -
Meg Davenport has lived a sheltered life in one of the finest girls' schools in the country. When she receives word that her father has died, she sees her chance to break free from the rules that bind her and to learn more about the father she never really knew. She finds out that he wasn't the honest business man she thought him to be, instead he's one of the most talented thieves of the Gilded Age. Ian Maguire has always been treated as a son by Meg's father. He's now seeking the loya...more Summary -
Meg Davenport has lived a sheltered life in one of the finest girls' schools in the country. When she receives word that her father has died, she sees her chance to break free from the rules that bind her and to learn more about the father she never really knew. She finds out that he wasn't the honest business man she thought him to be, instead he's one of the most talented thieves of the Gilded Age. Ian Maguire has always been treated as a son by Meg's father. He's now seeking the loyalty of the men who worked with John Davenport. Meg manages to convince him to allow her to accept the invitation of spending the summer with one of Fith Avenue's wealthiest families as it will put her in a position to help him pull of his largest heist yet. Meg didn't expect to actually develop a genuine friendship with the family she's staying with. Nor did she expect to be influenced by their faith. Ian's recalling the messages of his own father - a preacher, and he's not liking how it makes him feel. Will this pair be successful in the con they're pulling, or will they lose everything that they've come to hold dear, including each other's love?

My Review -
This book started off a little slow for me, but by the time I about 50 pages into it, I was hooked. I wanted to know what would happen. There's a touch of mystery involved in how will Meg and Ian pull off their con. Both Meg and Ian learn about justice, grace, and mercy from their interactions with the family Meg's staying with. But they also learn about God's justice, grace, and mercy as well. I loved they way that each of them is drawn to the Savior. I hope to see some of these characters again as I'd love to see the youngest child, Evie, learn from her actions. Plus I'd like to see what is in store next for Ian, Meg, and the Pembertons. I don't know if this book is the first in a series or if it will stand alone. If it's a series, I will certainly be on the lookout for the next!

I received this book for free from the publisher, Tyndale, for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Lisa Tawn Bergern, Lynn Austin, Laura Frantz

Rating - 4 stars(less)

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Jul 04, 2012 Jane rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Where I got the book: pre-ordered on Amazon. Maureen Lang is a friend IRL. And I STILL never 5-starred a review till this one. Read on.

I feel that with this book, Lang has started to stretch herself out of the safer waters of the inspirational romance genre, and I like the result. Let me explain.

Th inspirational aka Christian romances I've read (and I'm not a huge expert on this) tend to follow a bit of a formula. Miss and Mr Wonderful are both really, really good people from Christian homes but...more Where I got the book: pre-ordered on Amazon. Maureen Lang is a friend IRL. And I STILL never 5-starred a review till this one. Read on.

I feel that with this book, Lang has started to stretch herself out of the safer waters of the inspirational romance genre, and I like the result. Let me explain.

Th inspirational aka Christian romances I've read (and I'm not a huge expert on this) tend to follow a bit of a formula. Miss and Mr Wonderful are both really, really good people from Christian homes but at least one of them has become estranged from God in the mildest terms. So I'm not talking they-turned-to-Wicca-and-became-a-high-priest(ess) kind of terms. We're talking about how they stopped going to church/praying/reading the Bible sort of terms. This sad fact is usually dropped into the narrative about page 10.

And one at least of them has a little flaw, often involving trust i.e. they will Never Trust Again Because They Were Hurt. The other half of the prospective duo has a much stronger faith, and takes the lead in guiding his or her consort toward the happy ending.

In other words, these people are good. Almost, but not quite, perfect. For me, this has always created an unreal sort of disconnect because, seriously? I need to be able to imagine myself in the heroine's shoes, and they never fit.

So to the plot of Bees in the Butterfly Garden. Meg has left her exclusive boarding school to attend her father's funeral, only to discover he was a successful thief and the reason he never came to visit her at school was because he wanted her kept strictly away from his lifestyle. Meg is, not surprisingly, pretty mad at her father for a) not telling her the truth b) being absent from her life, but this is also an aha! moment because she sees her own rebelliousness as having good, solid genetic grounds. Realizing that her pedigree is never going to get her the posh husband that she's been trained to expect, Meg decides to become a thief herself and prove her father wrong about not belonging in his life.

She ends up working with Ian, the man her father informally adopted as an apprentice thief and surrogate son, to rob the family of a schoolfriend, Claire. Meg is torn between proving herself a good thief, growing to like Claire and her family, coping with the criminal element, and dealing with the attentions of two very different suitors.

In a way, this is the usual formula flip-flopped. It's the secondary characters who provide the faith element, while the hero and heroine set about breaking the 8th commandment (and probably the ones about coveting and bearing false witness as well). Add to this an extremely light touch with the inspirational elements until you are thoroughly wrapped up in the story, and there's definitely more edge to this novel than the everyday inspirational romance.

And it all made for an absorbing story. I found myself not wanting to break off to go do, y'know, real life things, and that's a very good sign. Lang's writing is always polished and easy, with good editing and packaging adding to the experience, so there was nothing to shake me out of Meg's world. My criticism would be that I'd like more character development in place of setting, but I'm beginning to understand that setting is loved by romance readers and you can't throw out all the rules of the genre at once.

Of course I'm sure there are readers who like the safe approach. But I get excited when I see forward movement, hence the rating.(less)

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Jul 23, 2012 Rachel Brand rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, christian, historical, tyndale, net-galley, romance, 2012

GENRE: HISTORICAL ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: TYNDALE
PUBLICATION DATE: JULY 01, 2012
RATING:4.5 OUT OF 5 – EXCELLENT

PROS: Spiritual themes are fairly well-integrated and not overbearing; endearing secondary characters; good insight into two very different cultures in this time period

CONS: Some characters’ motives and actions aren’t entirely convincing

Meg Davenport has spent almost her entire life at an exclusive boarding school in Connecticut, far away from the life she wishes she were spending with her...more GENRE: HISTORICAL ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: TYNDALE
PUBLICATION DATE: JULY 01, 2012
RATING:4.5 OUT OF 5 – EXCELLENT

PROS: Spiritual themes are fairly well-integrated and not overbearing; endearing secondary characters; good insight into two very different cultures in this time period

CONS: Some characters’ motives and actions aren’t entirely convincing

Meg Davenport has spent almost her entire life at an exclusive boarding school in Connecticut, far away from the life she wishes she were spending with her father in New York. Although she has all the comforts a young woman her age could desire, she has never truly known her father’s love. When Meg is faced with the news that the father she barely knew has died suddenly, she can’t help but rush to his side in the hope that in death, she might know him more than she did in life. But her father’s protégée, Ian Maguire, is keen to keep Meg from knowing the truth about her father and his line of business. When Meg uncovers the truth – that her father was a successful and notorious thief – she hopes to follow in his footsteps in order to honour his name, and in the hope that it will bring her closer to him. Ian will do everything in his power to stop Meg from heading down the path that her father so desired her to know nothing of. But even Ian can’t help but admit that Meg’s schooling has helped her to make connections that could be incredibly profitable. If he cannot stop Meg from following in her father’s footsteps, the least he could do is help her, in the hope that his protection will ensure no harm will come to her. But once Meg finds herself in the middle of a web of crime, will it bring her the joy and comfort she truly hopes to find?

Having read some early reviews of Bees in the Butterfly Garden, I was intrigued to find that reviewers were split into two distinct groups: those who absolutely adored the novel, and those who found Meg to be an incredibly unsympathetic character. And when I began reading this book, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would find myself entrenched in the second camp. How many of us can really relate to a woman who throws away all the comforts she could ever want in order to pursue a life of crime? I will admit that Meg’s initial motivations weren’t the most convincing, but there were several other factors that allowed me to overlook my initial impressions and made me thoroughly enjoy this book. Following on from my love of Olivia Newport’s debut novel, The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, I can’t help but ponder what it is about the Gilded Age that appeals to me so. The particular rules of social etiquette, the conflict of old and new money and the high moral code of the upper class philanthropists are all factors that were present in both Maureen and Olivia’s novels, and I can guarantee that if you enjoyed one, you’re sure to appreciate the other.

I can’t admit to knowing a lot about this time period, and I know even less about the history of thievery and other such crimes. But I could tell early on that Maureen had done her research, both about girls’ boarding schools and the actions of the thieves involved in the line of work that Meg’s father occupied. As well as the details interwoven into the novel about social etiquette (from Meg’s need for a chaperone when travelling to the rules of mourning) and those on thievery (in particular, the details of ransoming and cracking safes), each chapter Bees in the Butterfly Garden also contained a quote from either the fictional Madame Marisse’s Handbook for Young Ladies or from a book on criminal activity during this time period. These quotes enabled me to understand some of the motivations of Meg and Ian, and also provided ample entertainment. I’m sure it’s not just me who adores novels that include such quotes, and Madame Marisse’s quotes in particular are sure to intrigue and amuse many a reader.

The secondary characters in Bees in the Butterfly Garden were similarly entertaining, particularly the sisterly banter between Claire and Evie, the old school friends that Meg lives with in New York. Evie’s antics provided an interesting contrast to Meg’s entrance to the world of thievery, and Claire and her brother, Nelson, enabled a gentle spiritual thread about grace and mercy to be wound into the book without feeling too overbearing. I never found Claire or Nelson’s beliefs to be forced into the novel in any way, and the way that Meg slowly began to tap into their ideas felt very realistic. Even if you find Meg to be slightly unsympathetic at the start of the novel, the guilt she begins to feel at deceiving her loving and godly friends can’t help but make her endearing.

Although I entirely bought Meg’s gradual change of heart, I can’t say that I felt the same way about Ian’s. His didn’t have the same sort of build-up, and although I understood the backstory about his father’s strong faith, his ultimate decision to change his ways didn’t come across as entirely realistic. There were a few other moments in the story where the underlying motivations of the characters didn’t seem as believable as it could have been – namely, Meg’s decision to leave her refined life behind and become a thief like her father, and Evie’s final prank, which seemed incredibly cruel, even for her. While I truly enjoyed reading about each of these characters, there were times when I just didn’t find their motives to be completely realistic. Thankfully, this didn’t detract too much from my reading experience, but I can see why it would bother some readers.

It wasn’t until I was nearly finished reading Bees in the Butterfly Garden that I realised that the novel was well over four-hundred pages long. I sped through this book far faster than some significantly shorter novels, a sign of how gripping it was and how much I cared about the fates of the characters. Although I had my gripes with the motivations of some of the characters, I truly did want them to succeed and find happiness by the end of the novel. I hope that other readers will be similarly enamoured with the Gilded Age and all the intrigue that it brings.

Review title provided by Tyndale.(less)

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Jul 23, 2012 Fala19 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, historical-fiction, favorites

Bees in the Butterfly Garden was a lovely and delightful read. It was a great story about struggling with who you are and who you are expected to be and discovering things you never knew about yourself. There were somber moments, but, also, many humorous moments that had me laughing out loud. After a little bit of a slow start, things really picked up and became so fast paced that I didn't want to put the book down for anything. I had a wonderful time reading this book and I will highly recommen...more

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Bees in the Butterfly Garden (The Gilded Legacy #1)

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