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Tales of London #1
The Maiden of Mayfair
If the Truth is Revealed, Will She Lose All She's Grown to Love?
An orphanage in the slums of London is the only home Sarah Matthews has ever known. When she is suddenly whisked away to a wealthy widow's home in the prestigious Mayfair district, Sarah can't fathom what has happened. Why would this elderly woman, a stranger, want her company? But Dorothea Blake has reasons she isn't revealing.
As Sarah blossoms into a young woman, the secret Mrs. Blake harbors threatens to make them both outcasts among London's elite. When a visitor unknowingly stumbles upon the truth, he puts Sarah at risk of losing everything she holds dear, including the attentions of a new curate. Will the mystery of her birth remain buried forever?
An orphanage in the slums of London is the only home Sarah Matthews has ever known. When she is suddenly whisked away to a wealthy widow's home in the prestigious Mayfair district, Sarah can't fathom what has happened. Why would this elderly woman, a stranger, want her company? But Dorothea Blake has reasons she isn't revealing.
As Sarah blossoms into a young woman, the secret Mrs. Blake harbors threatens to make them both outcasts among London's elite. When a visitor unknowingly stumbles upon the truth, he puts Sarah at risk of losing everything she holds dear, including the attentions of a new curate. Will the mystery of her birth remain buried forever?
409 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
232 people are currently reading
1314 people want to read
About the author
Lawana Blackwell
25 books389 followersLawana Blackwell is a full-time writer with 10 published novels, including the bestselling Gresham Chronicles series. She and her husband have three grown sons and live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
August 1, 2016
I picked this up as a Kindle freebie a year or so ago, and it's free once again as of May 2016, which reminded me of this book and made me wonder why I dropped a 2 star rating on it back then. Clearly something in this rubbed me the wrong way, but I couldn't remember much at all about the plot, so I spent last night rereading most of this book to see if it was really two stars or if I should be a little nicer about it.
Set in London in the late 1800s, this is a coming of age novel with a little romance and a fair amount of religion. The wealthy and aging Mrs. Blake, all alone since her husband and scoundrel of a son died, is very mopey and depressed. But wait! 14 years ago her son got one of the servants pregnant. He denied responsibility, and Mrs. Blake promptly kicked the young girl out of the house. Now another of her servants advises her to find her missing grandchild, who's now 13, and do right by her. A months-long search leads her investigator to an orphanage, where Mrs. Forsyth, the nice Christian lady who runs the orphanage, hands over Sarah Matthews, a sweet young girl with a birth defect, a malformed hand. What Mrs. Forsyth isn't telling anyone is
Sarah is reluctant to leave her friends at the orphanage, but she's trying to be a good girl and so she soldiers on and tries to make the best of things, and slowly gets used to her fancy home and clothing and all the food she can eat. But there's a fair amount of prejudice against her as the presumed illegitimate grandchild, even though Mrs. Blake just calls Sarah her ward. We go through the adjustment with Sarah as she makes new friends and she and Mrs. Blake cautiously develop their relationship.
Around halfway through the book we suddenly jump forward 5 years: Sarah is now an attractive young woman, with a couple of guys interested in her. There's still the deep, dark secret Mrs. Forsyth is keeping, and a major surprise or two coming down the pipe for Sarah and Mrs. Blake.
This novel definitely has its limitations: it's quite slow in parts, the characters are pretty much stock characters (Sarah is a total Mary Sue, sweet and kind to all), and there's a fair amount of religious moralizing, which can get tedious. But if you like the sweet, old-fashioned tales and don't mind occasional preachiness, this has its charming moments and might be worth a look, especially if it's a freebie.
A slightly weak 3 stars, maybe 2.75, rounding up.
Set in London in the late 1800s, this is a coming of age novel with a little romance and a fair amount of religion. The wealthy and aging Mrs. Blake, all alone since her husband and scoundrel of a son died, is very mopey and depressed. But wait! 14 years ago her son got one of the servants pregnant. He denied responsibility, and Mrs. Blake promptly kicked the young girl out of the house. Now another of her servants advises her to find her missing grandchild, who's now 13, and do right by her. A months-long search leads her investigator to an orphanage, where Mrs. Forsyth, the nice Christian lady who runs the orphanage, hands over Sarah Matthews, a sweet young girl with a birth defect, a malformed hand. What Mrs. Forsyth isn't telling anyone is
Sarah is reluctant to leave her friends at the orphanage, but she's trying to be a good girl and so she soldiers on and tries to make the best of things, and slowly gets used to her fancy home and clothing and all the food she can eat. But there's a fair amount of prejudice against her as the presumed illegitimate grandchild, even though Mrs. Blake just calls Sarah her ward. We go through the adjustment with Sarah as she makes new friends and she and Mrs. Blake cautiously develop their relationship.
Around halfway through the book we suddenly jump forward 5 years: Sarah is now an attractive young woman, with a couple of guys interested in her. There's still the deep, dark secret Mrs. Forsyth is keeping, and a major surprise or two coming down the pipe for Sarah and Mrs. Blake.
This novel definitely has its limitations: it's quite slow in parts, the characters are pretty much stock characters (Sarah is a total Mary Sue, sweet and kind to all), and there's a fair amount of religious moralizing, which can get tedious. But if you like the sweet, old-fashioned tales and don't mind occasional preachiness, this has its charming moments and might be worth a look, especially if it's a freebie.
A slightly weak 3 stars, maybe 2.75, rounding up.
May 10, 2018
The Maiden of Mayfair (2001, Bethany House), first in the
Tales of London
series, by Lawana Blackwell is a standalone historical Christian novel, set in 1869 London. I read Blackwell’s
The Widow of Larkspur Inn
a while back, and wanted to try another one of her books. So I was excited to get The Maiden of Mayfair for free on Amazon not too long ago.
4 1/2 stars
The plot: Sarah Matthews is brought to an orphanage at three years of age by a fisherman who discovered her in the water. As a young teenager, she goes to live in Mayfair with Dorothea Blake, an older lady who has no family left. Sarah is a delightful girl, and in the first half of the book, set in 1869, she and Mrs. Blake grow closer to one another.
In the second half of the book, it’s 1875, and Sarah is a young woman. This story is just as much about Sarah’s relationship with others (particularly the sweet servants) as it is her relationship with Mrs. Blake.
What I liked:
*I absolutely loved the first half of this book. I’m a big fan of orphan stories, and this is a really good one!
*Based on my reading two of Lawana Blackwell’s books (from separate series), I believe that her trademarks are: excellent story-weaving, a large cast, brief, appropriate prayers and Christian concepts, and great writing set in England’s late 1800’s. The stories are somewhat slow-paced, but I think that adds to the authenticity. For whatever reason, possibly the orphan element, I read this book much faster than The Widow of Larkspur Inn.
What I didn’t like:
*In the second half of the book, there is a new character introduced that I really dislike. Now, I know that the reader is not supposed to like this person. And I do understand the two literary purposes of the character, but that doesn’t make me any fonder. The first half of the book was a solid five star read for me, but I’d rate the second half of the book 4 stars simply due to the addition of this character.
*Just as in The Widow of Larkspur Inn, I feel that this story was too light on the romance. For a book with 400+ pages, I think there’s plenty of room to develop the romance more without making the romance the focal point of the novel. However, the scene between the hero and heroine at the end was rather nice!
The bottom line: I’d recommend this book to those who like Christian historical fiction, or historical fiction set in England in the late 1800’s. I plan to keep reading Lawana Blackwell, even though her focus is not romance, because she weaves such rich, intricate (and authentic) tales.
4 1/2 stars
The plot: Sarah Matthews is brought to an orphanage at three years of age by a fisherman who discovered her in the water. As a young teenager, she goes to live in Mayfair with Dorothea Blake, an older lady who has no family left. Sarah is a delightful girl, and in the first half of the book, set in 1869, she and Mrs. Blake grow closer to one another.
In the second half of the book, it’s 1875, and Sarah is a young woman. This story is just as much about Sarah’s relationship with others (particularly the sweet servants) as it is her relationship with Mrs. Blake.
What I liked:
*I absolutely loved the first half of this book. I’m a big fan of orphan stories, and this is a really good one!
*Based on my reading two of Lawana Blackwell’s books (from separate series), I believe that her trademarks are: excellent story-weaving, a large cast, brief, appropriate prayers and Christian concepts, and great writing set in England’s late 1800’s. The stories are somewhat slow-paced, but I think that adds to the authenticity. For whatever reason, possibly the orphan element, I read this book much faster than The Widow of Larkspur Inn.
What I didn’t like:
*In the second half of the book, there is a new character introduced that I really dislike. Now, I know that the reader is not supposed to like this person. And I do understand the two literary purposes of the character, but that doesn’t make me any fonder. The first half of the book was a solid five star read for me, but I’d rate the second half of the book 4 stars simply due to the addition of this character.
*Just as in The Widow of Larkspur Inn, I feel that this story was too light on the romance. For a book with 400+ pages, I think there’s plenty of room to develop the romance more without making the romance the focal point of the novel. However, the scene between the hero and heroine at the end was rather nice!
The bottom line: I’d recommend this book to those who like Christian historical fiction, or historical fiction set in England in the late 1800’s. I plan to keep reading Lawana Blackwell, even though her focus is not romance, because she weaves such rich, intricate (and authentic) tales.
December 17, 2024
An excellent start to one of my all time favorite trilogies. This book is so well written, and beautifully tells a very tender and touching story about Sarah, a young orphan, who comes to live with her grandmother. Sarah's father was her grandmother's only son, a rake without conscience who impregnated a house maid - Sarah's mother - and then denied any responsibility. I'm a sucker for well written stories that tug at my heart strings. In the right hands, the old story line about an orphan who helps transform the people around her can be very enjoyable, as was this book, which also had a great depth and poignancy. And, although this is not really a romance, there are two engaging love stories. Three, if you count the one between Sarah and her grandmother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! It was long, and focused a lot on family relationships, stations in life, and the like ... and it was just really good! The Maiden of Mayfair is the kind of novel you read when you have time for a more slow-paced tale that flows over quite a bit of time - following the life of an orphaned maiden and her friends and family.
Looking forward to the next book in the series! Lawana Blackwell is definitely an author I need to read by more often.
Looking forward to the next book in the series! Lawana Blackwell is definitely an author I need to read by more often.
April 29, 2023
This was a pleasant read, but not very memorable for me. Though the characters each had distinct personalities, they were never explored as much as I would've liked, and the main conflict was just kind of...there?
The pace was slow yet peaceful—kind of nice for a change, but I admit that I crave a little more excitement in general.
I did enjoy learning a few things about life in London!
The pace was slow yet peaceful—kind of nice for a change, but I admit that I crave a little more excitement in general.
I did enjoy learning a few things about life in London!
July 8, 2017
Lawanna Blackwell is a pro at writing wonderful regency romance that is light on the romance and strong on faith elements. This is the first book in the Tales of London series and features Sarah Matthews an orphan who finds herself adopted by an elderly, wealthy widow. I loved the storyline and the twists and turns that Sarah's life takes due to the duplicity of many in her life. I loved the effect that Sarah had on Mrs. Blake bringing her out of seclusion and back to the joy in life. Her relationship with both Naomi and William, servants in the household, was both comforting and strengthening to Sarah. Vicar Knight was the epitome of a two-faced character. Definitely an enjoyable read.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "...maintaining one's integrity is more important than trying to impress others."
"There is nothing shameful about a person who lives a decent life. God is no respecter of persons, as the Scripture says. But you will occasionally happen upon people who take issue with anyone born into circumstances different than their own."
"True religion is loving God and having compassion for your fellow man....And part of loving God is gathering with other Christians to worship HIm...not to show everyone how righteous we are."
"...the more sin there is in a person, the more forgiveness God is willing to give."
FAVORITE QUOTES: "...maintaining one's integrity is more important than trying to impress others."
"There is nothing shameful about a person who lives a decent life. God is no respecter of persons, as the Scripture says. But you will occasionally happen upon people who take issue with anyone born into circumstances different than their own."
"True religion is loving God and having compassion for your fellow man....And part of loving God is gathering with other Christians to worship HIm...not to show everyone how righteous we are."
"...the more sin there is in a person, the more forgiveness God is willing to give."
March 23, 2019
A truly remarkable book! The author shows how just one person who has His love in their heart can transform the life's of so many around them, and did it very realistically. I especially liked it showing how His love can soften the hardest, most bitter heart. She shows too, many of the ways God uses our normal, every day activities and interactions to work in our life and others. We see people being saved and marveling as they experience God's love for the first time; we watch them grow in their faith and still others see how His love brings them joy and peace even in the midst of trials. As is usual we see a wolf attack the unsuspecting and the sheep. Then, instead of seeing how human intelligence wins, we're shown how God's love wins even against wolves. I know I'll be reading this captivating book over and over. " Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6.
April 14, 2015
I really enjoyed this story of Sarah, a sweet girl who has many strikes against her - not only is she an orphan, but one of her hands is deformed and so is shunned by society. It is because of this, that when a lawyer comes looking for the illegitimate grandaughter of wealthy Mrs. Blake, the administrator pretends that Sarah is the girl, thus giving her a chance at a new life.
Although the story was slow at developing at times, I loved Sarah and those that she was surounded with. It was a wonderfuly simple story about love and healing. I especially enjoyed the second section, when Sarah was older.
Although the story was slow at developing at times, I loved Sarah and those that she was surounded with. It was a wonderfuly simple story about love and healing. I especially enjoyed the second section, when Sarah was older.
October 2, 2013
Originally posted here: http://reetchampionbookreviews.wordpr...
Mrs. Forsyth and Mrs. Blake have a secret; one knows who Sarah Matthews is and the other only thinks she knows.
For Sarah Matthews adoption is not an option. She has a deformed hand and looks sickly; in a word she is “unadoptable”. St. Matthews Orphanage is the only home she has ever known and it is likely she will live out her life there. So when wealthy widow Dorothea Blake adopts her out of the blue, Sarah is surprised. Dorothea has a secret (if you can call it a secret; everyone from the scullery maid to the gossiping old biddies know the “secret” except Sarah) - Sarah is her granddaughter and it is only now in her lonely late years she has decided to find her. She adopted Sarah with the idea of telling her that she was her grandmother – at some point. But the fear of what Sarah would think about the whole miserable past and how she came to be in an orphanage holds her back. In a gripping read Lawana Blackwell tells the story of “The Maiden of Mayfair” as Sarah is thrown into various difficulties.
This was a great read! It was one of those books one would put aside and not dread coming back to so that it could be finished and done with. Lawana Blackwell developed a host of characters giving each the due attention they deserved. They all had their own impact on the story so they weren’t what you would call filler material. There were these little twists and turns in the plot which made for interesting reading and kept me on my toes. Never a dull moment.
I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Blackwell. Five out of five stars.
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we have not received compensation for our book review of “The Maiden of Mayfair”.
Mrs. Forsyth and Mrs. Blake have a secret; one knows who Sarah Matthews is and the other only thinks she knows.
For Sarah Matthews adoption is not an option. She has a deformed hand and looks sickly; in a word she is “unadoptable”. St. Matthews Orphanage is the only home she has ever known and it is likely she will live out her life there. So when wealthy widow Dorothea Blake adopts her out of the blue, Sarah is surprised. Dorothea has a secret (if you can call it a secret; everyone from the scullery maid to the gossiping old biddies know the “secret” except Sarah) - Sarah is her granddaughter and it is only now in her lonely late years she has decided to find her. She adopted Sarah with the idea of telling her that she was her grandmother – at some point. But the fear of what Sarah would think about the whole miserable past and how she came to be in an orphanage holds her back. In a gripping read Lawana Blackwell tells the story of “The Maiden of Mayfair” as Sarah is thrown into various difficulties.
This was a great read! It was one of those books one would put aside and not dread coming back to so that it could be finished and done with. Lawana Blackwell developed a host of characters giving each the due attention they deserved. They all had their own impact on the story so they weren’t what you would call filler material. There were these little twists and turns in the plot which made for interesting reading and kept me on my toes. Never a dull moment.
I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Blackwell. Five out of five stars.
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we have not received compensation for our book review of “The Maiden of Mayfair”.
December 14, 2021
Lawana Blackwell has a gift for sticking a group of mismatched people under one roof and transforming them into a family. In the first series I read by her, it was the Larkspur Inn and in this book it’s Mrs. Blake’s house with servants and the upper class alike. I love that so much. There are so many characters to love and root for in her books. Sarah’s story in this is a lovely one, but I almost think Naomi is more of a heroine. But they’re both so lovable. The happy endings in this make the book even better. My other favorite character is Marie. Loved her spunkiness!
November 14, 2015
I liked this story more than I expected to in the beginning pages, but I was easily caught up into the story of young Sarah Matthews and her sweet, caring heart, a single but sprightly cook Naomi, and a lonely old widow with a tragic family history. A beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances, with more than one happy ending! [though illegitimacy is discussed breifly, it was not the main plot]
dnf
July 3, 2024I loved the Gresham Chronicles, and A Haven on Orchard Lane, but this one just wasn’t for me. I’m not a fan of stories based on intentional deceptions.
July 13, 2025
A very sweet Christian romance. I’m surprised I liked this as much as I did.
February 8, 2013
I love the way Lawana Blackwell weaves a tapestry with her stories. The characters are like different colors of thread that she artistically and carefully weaves together in a story pattern that grabs and keeps my attention. What a delight humble Sarah Matthews is as the main character! She, her grandmother, Naomi, William, etc. all became people I cared about, even the neighbor kids next door. I really wanted everything to work out for them all. The end tapestry was a lovely story!
Major characters learn to overcome their prejudices and pompous attitudes, (so historically common in the English class system) to become better and enlightened people. That’s what makes stories from Regency and Victorian eras so fascinating to me. (Even later – love Downton Abbey, too!) This story was no exception. Predictable maybe, but still enjoyable to see how the whole things unfolds.
A side note - I don’t mind a bit of religion, but some authors get too preachy. This was just below my line of no return, but not enough to bug me. Ironically, the truly bad guy to the core was the assistant vicar. That was fun!
Overall, I like Lawana Blackwell’s stories – and it doesn’t hurt that I relish revisiting places in England that I have walked, enjoyed and love. It just adds such richness to my reading! I have ordered the two sequels in this Tales of London series and look forward to reading them.
Major characters learn to overcome their prejudices and pompous attitudes, (so historically common in the English class system) to become better and enlightened people. That’s what makes stories from Regency and Victorian eras so fascinating to me. (Even later – love Downton Abbey, too!) This story was no exception. Predictable maybe, but still enjoyable to see how the whole things unfolds.
A side note - I don’t mind a bit of religion, but some authors get too preachy. This was just below my line of no return, but not enough to bug me. Ironically, the truly bad guy to the core was the assistant vicar. That was fun!
Overall, I like Lawana Blackwell’s stories – and it doesn’t hurt that I relish revisiting places in England that I have walked, enjoyed and love. It just adds such richness to my reading! I have ordered the two sequels in this Tales of London series and look forward to reading them.
August 15, 2015
I normally hate to complain that I disliked a book, and I didn't truly dislike this one. I just don't really like it. While there are several characters that change significantly over the book's course, most of this is left to a four year gap that is in the center of this book. I truly understand the construction, but if you change your boy-crazy maid who is trying to act better into a happily married woman in one page, you may be missing part of the story. In a similar way, the romantic lead changes from a slightly begrudging but sweet correspondent into the main character's closest friend and confidant who would marry her in a heart beat. Similarily, the main character's birth defect is mentioned and a main part of the character, but I thought that having the seemingly illegitimate and disabled child of new money being courted by even a very rakish Lord was a bit too much, even if she is georgeous. Finally, in my list of complaints, so many of the characters that we see in any detail are so sweet and kind that the villain, who would normally just be a rakish scoundrel, seems positively sociopathic.
However, I did enjoy reading this novel, mainly because I liked the characters, especially Sarah, and I thought that the book was very sweet, which seems to be the author's intentions.
However, I did enjoy reading this novel, mainly because I liked the characters, especially Sarah, and I thought that the book was very sweet, which seems to be the author's intentions.
June 8, 2013
This is tough to rate because I enjoyed reading it while recognising its failures. The story is set in 19th century London, but it did not take very much reading to know that it was written by an American. It is an enjoyable story, reasonably well narrated with engaging characters. I truly wanted to know how it would pan out. It all pootles along nicely until you come up against a clanger of an error in language, as mentioned in other reviews. There are several and they are truly glaringly awful (my favourite, over which I lingered in incredulity was "uh-oh". In 19th century England? Slackness.). This sloppiness was bad enough for me to dock at least two stars from this book.
There was a strong Christian element to this story that was also somehow American in flavour. There were many moral musings that just didn't feel right coming from these Englishmen and women and reminded me of "Little House on the Prairie" style pep talks.
I give it three stars to be kind as I was engaged by the story; it was a good tale, but not a good piece of writing, which was a shame. Two to two and a half stars would be nearer the mark.
There was a strong Christian element to this story that was also somehow American in flavour. There were many moral musings that just didn't feel right coming from these Englishmen and women and reminded me of "Little House on the Prairie" style pep talks.
I give it three stars to be kind as I was engaged by the story; it was a good tale, but not a good piece of writing, which was a shame. Two to two and a half stars would be nearer the mark.
August 18, 2011
There are lots of twists and turns here to keep you guessing where Sarah's story will go from chapter to chapter. It begins with Sarah as a young orphen and how she finds herself living with a grandmother she never knew she had. The first half of the book is focused on her as a child as she adjusts to her new life. The second half of the book takes place when Sarah is about 19 years old and the rest of her history is revealed. The Maiden of Mayfair is so rich with details of the time period that you feel like you are there in the room with the characters. Some authors overdo the details and I find myself just skimming over a lot of paragraphs to get to the meat of the story but Lawana Blackwell writes so that I enjoy the details and don't feel bogged down by them. The romance is light and more of an undercurrant than the focus of the story but you know and connect with the characters so much that you smile at the happy ending.
February 19, 2019
I picked up this book because I loved the Gresham chronicles and didn’t expect to like it nearly as much as I did. I loved the complex characters, and how their decisions affected the people around them.
It’s hard to describe just what made this book so good. The characters were amazing, and the messages really good. This book was not preachy, but it had some good moral lessons, and Christian content.
My only complaint was there was a character who was implied to have a promiscuous lifestyle. While it was realistic, I didn’t enjoy reading about it.
Overall, good book. The characters were gold.
It’s hard to describe just what made this book so good. The characters were amazing, and the messages really good. This book was not preachy, but it had some good moral lessons, and Christian content.
My only complaint was there was a character who was implied to have a promiscuous lifestyle. While it was realistic, I didn’t enjoy reading about it.
Overall, good book. The characters were gold.
May 8, 2013
This is the second Christian fiction I have read by this author and I highly recommend it.
Sarah Matthews gies from an orphange to London's wealthy society, but never loses the faith in God she was gifted with as a a handicapped child child. No one can change that self awareness and with her kindness she teaches others, including her benefactoress that she cannot give up on anything, even if the truth hurts.
Given a good life, she in turn imparts care to others, even when their motives aren't all above board.
This is an author I will seek out
Sarah Matthews gies from an orphange to London's wealthy society, but never loses the faith in God she was gifted with as a a handicapped child child. No one can change that self awareness and with her kindness she teaches others, including her benefactoress that she cannot give up on anything, even if the truth hurts.
Given a good life, she in turn imparts care to others, even when their motives aren't all above board.
This is an author I will seek out
March 4, 2016
I am surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did, given how much I disliked _Widow of Larkspur Inn_. Some of it may be because I'm in a different mood and place, but more if it is no doubt because this book, while fantastical in many ways, is the product of a more mature writer and has fewer leaps in logic. This story has more in common with Dickens, and I suppose my love of Dickens is also part of why I enjoyed it.
November 16, 2014
Another delightful read from Lawana Blackwell! I was hesitant to start this series as I loved the Gresham Chronicles so much, but I loved this first book in Tales of London! Miss Sarah Matthews will absolutely steal your heart and that's about all I'm going to say.
April 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this book and am so happy it is a series that continues on with some of the same pivitol characters we grew to love, while also introducing new characters in each book.
The start of this book was a little slow for me. I am not sure if it was due to my still mourning missing the characters I grew to love from the 4 book Gresham series and trying to get used to new characters. The story line started out strong and the characters were introduced well. It took my brain some time to catch up and get used to the new characters, but once I did, I couldn't put the book down. I finished the last page of this book and started the 2nd book without skipping a beat.
Lawana Blackwell has such a beautiful style of writing. She captures the essence of life in the 1800s so well, and adds in the right amount of intrigue in skeptical characters and romance. I love the intimate relationships the characters have with God and the beautiful Biblical reminders about life and love.
The start of this book was a little slow for me. I am not sure if it was due to my still mourning missing the characters I grew to love from the 4 book Gresham series and trying to get used to new characters. The story line started out strong and the characters were introduced well. It took my brain some time to catch up and get used to the new characters, but once I did, I couldn't put the book down. I finished the last page of this book and started the 2nd book without skipping a beat.
Lawana Blackwell has such a beautiful style of writing. She captures the essence of life in the 1800s so well, and adds in the right amount of intrigue in skeptical characters and romance. I love the intimate relationships the characters have with God and the beautiful Biblical reminders about life and love.
September 21, 2021
The twists and turns of life are on full display in this lovely novel of Victorian London. We get it all: life and death, lies told in pursuit of good, guilt, shame, classism, deceit, and punishment along with kindness, caring, selflessness, respect, and romance.
From scenes at an orphanage to life in a mansion, Blackwell creates characters who are memorable and important to the story. The dialogue among them is revealing, smart, and funny in a way that makes them more than their "status" in society. Out of kindness, people do the right things even when there may be consequences. The twists and turns of the plot are intricate and often surprising which keep the pages turning. A charming read that was, in its own way, very calming.
From scenes at an orphanage to life in a mansion, Blackwell creates characters who are memorable and important to the story. The dialogue among them is revealing, smart, and funny in a way that makes them more than their "status" in society. Out of kindness, people do the right things even when there may be consequences. The twists and turns of the plot are intricate and often surprising which keep the pages turning. A charming read that was, in its own way, very calming.
October 17, 2017
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! So many twists and turns! I loved the authenticity of each character and their silent pleas and prayers -isn't it true? In a moment of stress and confusion you'll silently pray, please help me through this, give me strength, keep my loved ones safe. And the peer pressure to look down on others, the deception and manipulation from people we trust or love, it's all true, it's real life.
And through it all, Sarah is impossible not to love, she's every lonely, lost forgotten child that you want to reach out and hug. I can't wait to recommend this book to my sister.
And through it all, Sarah is impossible not to love, she's every lonely, lost forgotten child that you want to reach out and hug. I can't wait to recommend this book to my sister.
June 26, 2021
An orphanage in the slums of London is the only home Sarah Matthews has ever known. When she is suddenly whisked away to a wealthy widow's home in the prestigious Mayfair district, Sarah can't fathom what has happened. Why would this elderly woman, a stranger, want her company? But Dorothea Blake has reasons she isn't revealing.
As Sarah blossoms into a young woman, the secret Mrs. Blake harbors threatens to make them both outcasts among London's elite. When a visitor unknowingly stumbles upon the truth, he puts Sarah at risk of losing everything she holds dear, including the attentions of a new curate. Will the mystery of her birth remain buried forever?
As Sarah blossoms into a young woman, the secret Mrs. Blake harbors threatens to make them both outcasts among London's elite. When a visitor unknowingly stumbles upon the truth, he puts Sarah at risk of losing everything she holds dear, including the attentions of a new curate. Will the mystery of her birth remain buried forever?
May 3, 2023
I really loved this novel.
I especially loved the Biblical Christian messages that came thru.
It was great to see the application of scripture, in character and deed.
God's hand was always there.
Even though we also see some failures and sins,
we also see amazing transformations,
when God's word changes, not only their mind, but their behaviors.
Nevertheless, it remains clean and sweet.
it also shows how God's love, acted out by true Christians, over time, can soften the heart of the worst curmudgeon.
Will read more of this author.
I especially loved the Biblical Christian messages that came thru.
It was great to see the application of scripture, in character and deed.
God's hand was always there.
Even though we also see some failures and sins,
we also see amazing transformations,
when God's word changes, not only their mind, but their behaviors.
Nevertheless, it remains clean and sweet.
it also shows how God's love, acted out by true Christians, over time, can soften the heart of the worst curmudgeon.
Will read more of this author.
May 9, 2021
This must have been one of the author's first books, as it simply didn't live up to her other Christian fiction novels I have read and truly enjoyed. Too many characters - most of them we don't get to know well, hence I kept getting them all mixed up. Some strange twists in this one that I didn't enjoy. This is the first of a trilogy and I won't be continuing on with it. Thankfully, Ms Blackwell's later books seem better thought out and more readable. Just my take on it.
June 21, 2017
A favorite since Gresham. Didn't disappoint!
Looking for something while I wait for some faves for release and returned to a favorite author from a few years ago. I so enjoyed another series from Gresham. This one is equally as enjoyable and I am anxious to find the next installment.
Looking for something while I wait for some faves for release and returned to a favorite author from a few years ago. I so enjoyed another series from Gresham. This one is equally as enjoyable and I am anxious to find the next installment.
March 8, 2018
Refreshingly old fashioned
I loved escaping into world where character rules. The story was wonderful about an orphan girl and what happens to enrich her life. Wisdom and civility abounds. The contrast to the real world and it's deceits is wide. I don't even think people know what telling the truth is anymore. Definitely a kinder, gentler setting. I really enjoyed it.
I loved escaping into world where character rules. The story was wonderful about an orphan girl and what happens to enrich her life. Wisdom and civility abounds. The contrast to the real world and it's deceits is wide. I don't even think people know what telling the truth is anymore. Definitely a kinder, gentler setting. I really enjoyed it.
May 23, 2019
Women of Faith
Sarah! The focus of this novel. Also you will hear the word, Orphanage, and deformities. But also you will hear 💕 faith, and scripture to validate that which is offered to help heal others. Through tears, smiles, heartbreak and rejoicing. The verse from Amazing Grace will come with. IT’S GRACE THAT BROUGHT ME SAFE THIS FAR, AND GRACE WILL SEE ME HOME.
Sarah! The focus of this novel. Also you will hear the word, Orphanage, and deformities. But also you will hear 💕 faith, and scripture to validate that which is offered to help heal others. Through tears, smiles, heartbreak and rejoicing. The verse from Amazing Grace will come with. IT’S GRACE THAT BROUGHT ME SAFE THIS FAR, AND GRACE WILL SEE ME HOME.
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