Catherine's Heart (Tales of London Series #2) (Paperback)

by Lawana Blackwell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Book 2 of Tales of London. Eighteen-year-old Catherine Rayborn is thrilled with her first taste of independence when she begins Girton College in Cambridge in 1880. Amid all the excitement, however, comes the painful realization of the vast difference between true love and shallow infatuation. Lawana Blackwell skillfully endears a cast of loveable characters to readers in a story that will linger long after the last page is turned.

About the Author
Lawana Blackwell is a full-time writer with eight published books, including the bestselling GRESHAM CHRONICLES series. She and her family live in Louisiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764222597
• ISBN-13: 978-0764222597
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #198,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Story, November 25, 2002

By	M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This my first book by Lawana Blackwell takes you to Victorian London 1880 where a very innocent and sheltered young 18-year-old, Catherine Rayborn, is setting off to college in Cambridge. Catherine is excited and a little intimidated to finally be off on her own as a `fresher' in college. On that very eventful train ride she will meet up with a young lady Peggy who will become one of her dearest friends. Before long Catherine is soon caught up in studies and has engaged the admiration of a very nice young man, but rather than jeopardize her friendship with Peggy, she makes a choice that will have serious repercussions for that friendship.

Somewhat hurt by her first foray of losing her heart, the very naïve Catherine is introduced to a man with a less than illustrious past, although she is unaware of it at the time. He courts her, showing her a thoughtful and caring face, that she believes to be a true and honest character. Upon being found out, by her cousin that she has been seeing a notorious rake, she continues to see him thinking that her family doesn't realize that he was a changed man. She takes him at face value and convinces herself that his past doesn't matter. It will take a friends betrayal, before Catherine realizes the difference between infatuation and love that is based upon true friendship and genuine feelings.

This was a really nice story about looking for love when what she really needed was to find her own sense of self worth and finding that the most important acceptance was in God's grace. It also gives you a wonderful glimpse of a young girl in Victorian England attending college to obtain a certificate of merit rather than a diploma! Same four years of study but not yet up to par with the male counterpart!

This is a charming story I can recommend to anyone who loves romance in Victorian England along with lessons in good Christian behavior.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't wait for the next in the series!, December 30, 2002

By	J. Henry "j-nee" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I admit it: I like to escape into the pages of an old-fashioned romance every so often but am frustrated with the R-rated bodice rippers that have no moral fiber to them. This is a book (actually all books by this author) is one you can read in public and not be ashamed or embarrassed. It is an old-fashioned romance with an element of suspense. The characters have their flaws but the theme underlying the entire book is one of morals and Christianity. This is a book you can enjoy and then pass on to your mother or sister (which is just what I did). Thanks goes to the author for a well-written, well-researched, interesting book. I look forward to many more!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for young girls..., May 2, 2005

By	Shelley White (USA) - See all my reviews

I have been a fan of Lawana Blackwell for about 4 or 5 years now, and I've learned that you can't go wrong with her books. Catherine's Heart is no exception. This was probably the hardest book for me to get through, not because it was poorly written by any means (I sometimes think that Blackwell could re-write my phone book and it would be an interesting read), but because of the story. As a young girl who has yet to embark into the unknown world of boys and their charms, I found myself relating to the main character throughout the entire story. Catherine makes decisions that you know are not good for her, and it's difficult to watch someone you're investing time and energy into doing so. It was because of this that I believe Catherine's Heart is so powerful. I learned the importance of guarding your heart, especially as a young inexperienced woman. Every young girl should take time to read this book. I'm so thankful that I read it when I did before I do begin that portion of my life. Wonderfully written and beautifully told!