Leading Lady (Tales of London Series #3) [Paperback]

Lawana Blackwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

Book 3 of Tales of London is set in the fascinating world of the London theatre at the close of the nineteenth century. Wardrobe mistress Bethia Rayborn incites the wrath of Muriel Pearce Holt, the new leading lady at London's Royal Court Theatre. Muriel plots revenge, but in scheming to steal Bethia's true love, she may lose the truest love she has ever known.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lawana Blackwell is a full-time writer with nine published books, including the bestselling Gresham Chronicles series. She and her husband have three grown sons and live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764222600
• ISBN-13: 978-0764222603
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of intrigue, romance and forgiveness in London., September 12, 2004

By 

Jennie "cooljennie2000" (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading Lady (Tales of London Series #3) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this new story by Lawana Blackwell. Set in the theatre world of London in the late 1890s, she creates a plot and subplots of lively characters onstage and backstage. Bethia Rayborn is the new wardrobe mistress of London's Royal Court Theatre. She accepts a seemingly innocent invitation for a tea outing with her cousin Jewel's cousin Douglas Pearce after the departure of her intended fiance, Guy Russell. That cup of tea turns into a persistant and relentless pursuit as Douglas begins stalking her after she repeatedly refuses his attentions. In the heat of anger as he continues to persist, Bethia writes him a scathing letter, sending Douglas off on a wild chase which results his death. Douglas's sister, Muriel decides to take her revenge on Bethia by becoming the new leading lady in the Royal Court with the intent of sabotaging Bethia's job and eventually steals Guy away from her. This story includes a handsome new actor named Noah Carey from York with a past of his own. I am loving all of Lawana's books and am looking forward to her upcoming release "A Table by the Window".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly engaging., April 27, 2005

By 

MAB (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading Lady (Tales of London Series #3) (Paperback)

"Leading Lady" was my first Lawana Blackwell book, and I was very impressed. I love the theatre, so I was drawn to the plot immediately, since it is set around the London theatre, just near the turn of the century. The characters are warm and inviting, taking you into their webs of love, deception, happiness, and anguish. Though predicable and stereotypical, the characters were very alive, and will make you forget that you probably already know how everything will end. The antagonist gets their comeuppance, and the protagonist lives happily ever after. My complaint is that the main characters kept shifting, and I couldn't keep track of how people were related to one another. It didn't hinder me from understanding situations eventually, but it was perplexing. I immensely enjoyed reading about classic London theatre and the gossip that revolved around it. If you love reading about life in the late 1800s, and enjoy the theatre, then this book is a must. I recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leading Lady, August 16, 2009

By 

Jennifer Dieleman "book worm" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leading Lady (Tales of London Series #3) (Paperback)

This was a perfect ending to a wonderfully written series! I enjoyed the plot line very much. Bethia was a character that was easy to relate to and enjoy. I had never read a story about the London theater so I found the descriptions of the acting, wardrobe, and backstage drama very interesting. Lawana Backwell is an author who takes the time in weaving her tales. I am looking forward to reading more of her books in the future!