Of Angels and Orphans

by Barbara T. Cerny

Audra Markham is a ten-year-old girl born into privilege, but only in the sense of wealth. The granddaughter of a Viscount, Audra is the object of ridicule in her spoiled and spiteful family. Alone and unloved, Audra seeks solace in the comfort of food. In another part of London, thirteen-year-old Nathaniel Abbot lives a wretched life, forced to steal food in order to survive. Living in squalid conditions at the local orphanage, Nathaniel and three of his friends are spared further suffering when Audra "rescues" them from their plight. Two lost souls that cannot find their place in the world suddenly find a place in each other's hearts. Follow the lives of Audra and Nate as they grow from loyal childhood companions to inseparable young lovers, struggling through the perils of their own lives and facing difficult decisions that threaten to keep them apart. Barbara Cerny grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado. She served twenty-two years in the US Army Reserves, retiring a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007. She is an information technology specialist and supervisor at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio and is currently working on her next book. She lives with her loving husband, Charles, and their two wonderful children, Oksana and Audra, in Dayton, Ohio.

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Barbara T. Cerny grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado. She served twenty-two years in the US Army Reserves, retiring a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007. She is an information technology specialist and supervisor. Barb writes historical romances, fantasies, and paranomals good for late teen and adults. She puts a lot of history and adventure into her work. Words are her passion, they do matter

Reviews

[Jane Stewart]

It’s ok but reads and feels like a book for teenagers or children. Conflicts are resolved in such nice, good, and moral ways.

I wanted more wrinkles. The characters were too one dimensional and predictable. Girl is overweight. Boy loves her because of what’s inside, not her appearance. Head of the orphanage is cruel, beats and starves the kids. Eventually he gets his due. There’s an educational feel showing how to start a new life in the new world which is nice for young ones to hear - what immigrants would do, where they would go, how to do the wagon train, how to start a new home and build shelters.

It’s a romance. There is no sex, although a wedding night is referred to.

DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 353 pages. Swearing language: moderate to strong. Sexual content: none. Setting: mostly 1803 London, England, New York, and Kentucky. Copyright: 2009. Genre: young adult historical romance.

[Anna]

Of Angels and Orphans is a deeply moving and emotionally rich novel that explores love, neglect, resilience, and redemption against the backdrop of Victorian-era London. Barbara T. Cerny crafts a powerful story centered on two young souls who begin life on opposite ends of society, yet are united by loneliness and a longing for genuine affection.
Audra Markham, though born into wealth and aristocracy, lives a life devoid of love. Ridiculed and emotionally neglected by her own family, she turns to food for comfort, making her a painfully relatable and sympathetic character. In contrast, Nathaniel Abbot’s life is marked by poverty and survival. Living in deplorable conditions at an orphanage, he and his friends endure hunger and hardship daily, highlighting the stark injustices of class and circumstance.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is the emotional bond that forms when Audra rescues Nathaniel and the other boys. Their connection grows organically, evolving from childhood companionship into a tender, enduring love. Cerny handles this progression with sensitivity and realism, allowing readers to fully invest in Audra and Nate’s journey as they navigate societal pressures, personal demons, and life-altering decisions that threaten to tear them apart.
The author’s storytelling is immersive, with well-developed characters and vivid emotional depth. Themes of belonging, compassion, and the meaning of family—both biological and chosen—are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. While the novel does not shy away from hardship, it is ultimately a hopeful and uplifting story about finding light in the darkest places.
Of Angels and Orphans is a heartfelt and memorable read that will resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven historical fiction and emotionally charged love stories. Barbara T. Cerny delivers a touching tale of two broken children who grow stronger together, reminding us that love can be found where we least expect it.

[MJ]

Now for some reason, I have been resisting reading this book for YEARS! Seriously, I read two of BC's others and I LOVE Gray's Hill and reread that one all the time, but I think for some reason maybe the title put me off this one...? Anyway, it's literally been sitting on my shelf for years, I'd see it and look away, and only got read now because I'm trying to make an effort to clean out the the over 500 tbr books sitting on my iPad this year :/

So... I really liked it. It was pretty cute and interesting how they sorted out the major problems. There are def issues with it being 1800's not modern day. So phases and mores just got out of whack, more and more by the end of the book.

But spoiler... We don't get to see El coupled up!?! The last section of the book just gets faster and faster and starts to summarise rather than show what's going on, but mainly, we don't see that one last step. Everything else is wrapped up in pretty bows, why not just slow down a bit and show us that too.

[Chelle Jolliffe]

I wish I could overlook the technical problems, but they were too distracting and totally broke my immersion in the story.

[Rubina]

She...

She is Audra Markham. A rich, fat girl belonging to the nobility. Teased by her siblings and cousins, looked down by her parents, she looses herself to a secluded area in her garden to books. No one knows that she has something which is very rare in a small girl. A beautiful heart. A heart that motivates her to become friends with some street urchin boys.
.
He .....
He is Nathaniel Abott aka Nate. A young boy forced to live in an orphanage because he lost his family to the epidemic. He is more learned than any of his peers and also more cultured. But due to hunger he is forced to steal food. One day such an incident forces him to seek shelter in the garden of Audra.


The Love Story....

The chance meeting in the garden of Audra, brings her in contact with the Nate and his friends. They nickname her Angel. For she is truly like an Angel to them. Bringing them stolen food to satisfy their hunger and books to satisfy their young minds.

To escape the savagery of the orphanage, Audra makes her family hire them in her estate. Soon the young ones grow to by strong youngsters and love joins Audra and Nate in a beautiful relationship. Of course in those days it was unacceptable and they had to keep their love a secret- specially from Audra's family.

Audra in the meantime decides to lose weight [ this is truly motivational now folks!!!] And she does. She becomes the beautiful Madame Butterfly and attracts the attention of an old Duke. When he offers for her hand in marriage, Audra's father readily agrees to it since it would improve their social status to have their daughter as a Duchess. Then the story takes another turn which I had not expected!!!

Instead of taking it quietly both Nate and Audra decide on fighting against it. They plan a strategy. Will they succeed or will Nate end in the gallows? What happens to all their friends? Is there a happily ever after?

What I liked.....

I really loved the narration style and the picturesque way the story is presented. Taking the readers to the old Victorian era is not small treat. The cobbled streets, the cobbler, the smithy or even the highwayman, all contributed in creating the aura of that era.

I loved the description of the cost of the tickets to America from England - $15. Wow! And to buy a stud farm in America.. guess the price? No wonder we say 'Old is Gold."

There are many characters in this story. Each character was well etched. The change in the atmosphere of the story from England to America was subtle, yet present. A job well done Ms. Cerny.

Coming to the characters. I loved Audra. Gentle yet fiery. A spunk of a girl who had great determination and she knew what she wanted. Though the story had some gruesome tortures by the bourgeoisie class on the commoner but they did not overtake the main theme of the story. Again very subtlely done Ms. Cerny.

What I didn't like....
Nate came out weaker than Audra. [Glares from the feminists around me]. I am not saying the I did not like Nate but after reading the story you have to agree with me that Audra is more adventurous, more spunky and definitely more loyal. [ Selena, remember Nate?]

[Miri]

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from the author herself and Barbara, thank you for sending it through!

I could not put it down. I was absorbed in. It had so many highs and lows and showed that no matter what your circumstances are and where you are from, obstacles can be overcome.

Audra, a beautiful and shy young girl who was mercilessly tormented by her family due to her weight problems seeks refuge in the garden and loses herself in her own world, wishing for acceptance for who she is.

Nate, an orphan due to circumstances not of his own who is fighting for his life and that of his friends (more like brothers) in an orphanage where children are treated as slaves and chattel to be bought.

A meeting of two innocent children, the hand of friendship extended and a relationship of love, loyalty and trust begins. These two strong children grow with each other and overcome many obstacles along the way to reach their forever.

I really enjoyed reading their story and the side stories of other characters, the era it was set in and the descriptions setting scenes. The hard fought freedom that they both gain through their journey and the courage it takes to set aside a life for a new one. Imagine! Two kids leaving England for the unknown Americas back in those days. Everyone loves a happy ending and so did I.

[Janice]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, especially since I went to junior and high school with the author! I like intelligent characters and plots, along with some historical dimensions. Each of the main characters had their own strength which added to the group's efforts. I like the 1800-ish setting both in England and America. Well done.

I just read another review of this book, and thought I would add this. . . . Part of what I really liked in this story was that each of the main female characters were very strong. That didn't,t make the men characters weaker, but rather allowed them to work together. I thought that Nate was loyal, but not submissive. Anyway, I want to read it again sometime. I'm starting Barb's second book today.

Excellent story and fun to read, again.

[Janie]

I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review.

What an exceptionally well written story.

I fell in love with this book and it's character's.
Set in the 18th century it tells the story of a love between an orphan and a rich child that only grows as they grow.
The lengths that they will go to in order to be together is remarkable!!!
This is a truly wonderful story and I can't wait to read more by this author!

[Susan Howard]

This is Barbara's first book and is suitable for young adults as well as adults. The historical detail is very good and this is a quick read. Try Barbara's books, you won't be sorry!