Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

This latest book by Lawana Blackwell will take you to Victorian London 1880 where 18-year-old Catherine Rayborn goes off to college in Cambridge. Catherine is thrilled about her independency and delves into her studies. Before long she is sought after by many eligible men. One man with a notorious past courts her and she convinces herself that he has changed and that his past doesn't matter. What will it take for Catherine to realize the difference between infatuation and love that is based upon true friendship and mutual respect? Will she follow her heart and find her true love? This book also continues the story of Sarah Rayborn Doyle who is enjoying married life with William. Will she be able to prevent Catherine's mistake of giving her heart to the man whose notorious past also includes her? Will Sarah also fulfill the longing in her heart to have children of her own? Wow! Great story about love vs. infatuation, college life, friendship and God's grace. I recommend to anyone who loves romance in Victorian London, intrigue and betrayal. I have waited a long time for this book and it was well worth the wait! I'm looking forward to the 3rd book in this series which will hopefully be released soon.

Four years have past since we left the lovable cast of characters of The Maiden of Mayfair. For the first part of this story the author splits the focus between Sarah, the main character in the previous book, and Catherine Rayborn, Sarah's cousin, who is leaving for her "fresher" year at Girton.

Young nineteen-year-old Catherine seems to fall in love at a drop of a hat, however, she's convinced she's finally found true love with Lord Holt. Despite warnings from her cousin Sarah, who has discovered their secret meetings, Catherine is determined to see Lord Holt no matter the price. And it is a steep one. Catherine begins a web of lies that could be her undoing. She begins scheming and lying to spend every free Sunday afternoon with the man she believes truly loves her.

Meanwhile, Sarah has married William, the love of her life and they are now blessed with an addition to their family. They've moved their family, and their extended family from Mayfair. The home they've moved into has ties to their past as well as Catherine's future.

Catherine gives up too much of herself for the man she loves, and she pays a dear price. When she finally discovers just what kind of man she's given her heart to, will it ever heal? Can she make things right with her friends and family, who she treated badly? And what about how she treated God?

This story is a good one, however, I did feel a few small lulls here and there. It was almost like, too little time spent here, and not enough time spent there. All in all it's a great read, and I'd recommend this book, and any other by this extremely gifted author.

Reviewed by Katharine L. Kroeker for ShortHand Publishing

I really liked Catherine's Heart. It showed girls that not all men are what they seem to be, and you really should really get to know the guy before you agree to marry him. I was glad that this book also continued with the story of Sarah and William.

I read The Maiden of Mayfair a couple of years ago and bought its sequel shortly after. But then I forgot all about it. A few days ago, in the mood for a novel set during the turn of the twentieth century, I was digging through my rather large TBR pile and found Catherine's Heart. As I read it, I remembered the characters in The Maiden of Mayfair and was absorbed with the wonderful historical accuracy, which is set in the beginning of the 1880s. It is eighteen-year-old Catherine Rayborn's new life as an university student at Gilton. She meets two lovely friends and three potential suitors. One is a dashing young man who likes to pull pranks, but possesses a kind soul. He has a great deal of success at his father's business, but there is an empty void in his heart that he can't seem to fulfill. The other is an army officer that Catherine finds charming. The third one is the notorious Lord Holt, a rake and someone who had treated William Doyle, Sarah's husband and protagonists of The Maiden of Mayfair, with contempt for having no rank and being what he considered to be a low-class citizen. Catherine has her heart set out on Lord Holt, or does she? After all, he has admitted to his sins and seems to regret his past actions. But something tells her that not all is right, especially when he wants them to meet up in secret. Will she be able to listen to what God, her family and friends and her very own instincts are telling her about him before it's too late?

The second part of the Tales of London is beautifully written and wonderfully told. You get reacquainted with the characters from the first book and meet some great new ones. A lot of things brought up on the Bible -- including those about disobedient children and overindulging parents, which could be found in Proverbs -- are here, and Lawana Blackwell tells them with a great deal of insight and Christian soul without sounding preachy. But the historical elements are what most impressed me about this novel. I love the way Blackwell describes the turn-of-the-century setting with its development of technology and the way in which women begin to become independent. The telephone is brought up a lot in this installment, and I felt as though I had been transported to this fascinating time period, which happens to be my favorite. The characterization is also excellent. Catherine is sweet and relatable, but she is so naïve that sometimes I wanted to get into the book and shout, "Can't you see that the man you are secretly seeing is a total jerk?" I loved Catherine's Heart and I look forward to reading the Tales of London 3. I hope it won't take as long to get to as it did me with this one though!

Catherine Rayborn is enjoying her first taste of freedom and independence after a sheltered upbringing. Her head and heart are easily turned by any young man who looks her way and gives her a kind word. Even though she knows better and has loving, supportive people in her life to offer Godly counsel, she allows her heart to rule her head.

Kudos to Ms. Blackwell for another wonderful series. Her writing is warm and genuine, and her characters draw the reader into the story at the very beginning. Most series weaken with each new addition, but Lawana Blackwell's characters stay strong and true to form. The storyline does not grow tiresome after several books. Unlike most series, I always regret when hers come to an end. She is probably my favorite writer of Inspirational fiction today. I can't get enough of her realistic, endearing characters and their stories.

Great work, Ms. Blackwell. Thank you for an excellent read.

A coming of age story about a girl attending college in Victorian England. By learning the hard way, she finds out the difference between love and infatuation. What a great ride!! Ms. Blackwell outdid herself!

Book arrived in excellent shape and as promised. I will definitely order from Amazon again.