Maid to Match [Kindle Edition]

Deeanne Gist (Author)

Book Description

From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled--by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Tillie Reese, a bright young woman hindered by the extreme poverty in the mountains of New York, gets the job of her dreams—a position as a housemaid in George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate. Surrounded by beauty and opulence, Tillie doesn't mind the physical demands of being a servant. Meanwhile, Mack Danver will do anything to save money so he can get his sister out of the school for orphans. His twin brother, Earl, is a footman for the Vanderbilts, and when Mrs. Vanderbilt sees Mack, she decides to make the handsome brothers a “matched set.” Although well read, Mack is a mountain man at heart, and he hates being at the beck and call of the privileged upper class. However, the need to save his sister trumps his distaste. Then it's love at first sight for Mack and Tillie, but rules against the help dating each other make Tillie fight her attraction with all the strength she can muster. Gist's snapshot of the lives of late-nineteenth-century servants is rich in detail, and readers will root for Gist's characters as they face one difficult situation after another with courage and faith. Another crowd-pleaser from this popular author. --Shelley Mosley

Review

"Gist has written another great story full of laughter, romance and a mystery to solve" ---- Romantic Times gives Four Stars * * * *

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 291 KB
• Print Length: 365 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764204084
• Publisher: Baker Academic (June 1, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003IGDDD4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,464 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 101 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Deeanne Gist May 21, 2010

By Susan Snodgrass

Format:Paperback

It was really nice to be able to read another Deeanne Gist novel, especially after having one in February, her book, Beguiled, written with another author.
This one is extremely rich in detail about Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. She has done some remarkable research and it is absolutely fascinating. However, that is just one aspect of the story. I never give away any plots of the books I review, but this one is full of all the goodness of a Deeanne Gist book. Mack Danvers is a wonderful man, caring of women and children in a time when they were mostly considered property. Tillie wants to spend her life as a ladies maid, not even thinking that maybe God has another plan for her life that includes love and a family all her own. That's all I'm giving away, but this book is rich in history and God's love, guidance and direction. And also a good measure of healthy, clean romance thrown in. Don't miss it.

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Dreams, God's Plan June 4, 2010

By O. Brown HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

*****
This lovely romance is set in Ashville, NC at the Biltmore estate at the turn of the century, and is rich with intriguing details about the estate, the servant class, the social order of the time, and so much more. The author, Deanne Gist, goes to great lengths to make the story historically accurate. Reading this novel is an adventure, exploring a portal to a world that none of us would normally know much about. Today we are in many ways class-less, but at the time this novel takes place, opportunities were carefully circumscribed by social class. The Vanderbilts (who built the Biltmore) differed from many other wealthy people in that they cared for their servants and treated them as people. Still, to be limited by one's birth was hard and this experience is explored in this novel.

It is the story of Tillie, the head parlormaid at the Biltmore, a young lady who has been raised and educated to fulfill a high position in the home of the wealthiest people in the area--an amazing opportunity. When she falls in love she must choose between this dream of her entire life and the man she falls in love with. She must also discern what God's will is in her decision.

Although this is technically a Christian romance, I would call it a "Christian lite" romance, as faith does not have an overt role in the story line. I would expect that this is a novel that would appeal to all fans of historical romance, no matter what their faith leanings.

Highly recommended.
*****

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not really for me May 23, 2011

By J. Lewis

Format:Paperback

I don't think I'm saint-like enough for this book. It was difficult for me to relate to Tillie and Mack. Tillie constantly put helping other people at the top of her priorities for the future. It just baffled me that she put such heavy weight into being able to give other people monetary aid as a high motivation to keep her job. (It never seemed to strike her that she could give of her time if she had a different job.) Conversely, one of the reasons why she wanted to keep her job was because of the status and prestige. It felt like too big of a contradiction for me. Besides that, I found her to be a very weak and at times, a stupid character. She didn't seem to put much thought into how much she would like being a lady's maid. She completely ignored her motion sickness problems and put too much emphasis on what her mom wanted. She didn't think very logically about her decision and took way too long to make it.

I actually did enjoy the first half of this book. It was fun reading about Biltmore and the life of the servants. The romance between Tillie and Mack was sweet and realistic. However, once the orphanage came to be a main part of the storyline, I lost interest and started skimming. The characters involved with the orphanage were very thin and the villain was a caricature. I couldn't understand why he didn't work the kids like slaves to keep the house clean. He had no qualms about beating them. It just seems like that would saved him and his wife work and made them look better if someone happened to want to see the back of the house.

I couldn't comprehend Tillie and Mack's sacrifice at the end of the book. The obstacles that they would have faced would have been incredible. It wasn't all that happy of an ending for me.... The first half of the book was a 3 or 4 star rating and the second half was a 2 star. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved every minute of this one! June 18, 2010

By Rebekah VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have enjoyed reading all of Deeanne Gist's books, and this one was a treat! Not only are the characters wonderfully developed, the setting of The Biltmore was a fabulous twist on Gist's historical fiction. I'm especially fond of the way Gist portrays her heroines with real emotions and desires like real women, not a cleaned up, whitewashed version of a female that leave a Christian woman wondering if she's somehow sinning to have these desires.

I absolutely recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction and romance with godly influence.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Maid to Match June 3, 2010

By Karen A. Peale

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excellent storyline, well researched and flows beautifully. A definite read in my opinion. Ms. Gist books have a slightly spicy flavor, so if you are offended by spice I don't suggest reading this one. It was expertly done and never taken too far, but she really makes you feel the chemistry between a man and a woman. It was not a book that I put down and walked away from. In fact, I stayed up late to finish it. I've stopped giving out 5 stars unless it is a terrific read because of the economy. I don't want people to waste their money. You will not waste your money or your time reading this book. I actually found it educational because she included a lot of how Biltmore was built and ran.

More About the Author

Deeanne Gist -- known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee -- has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary love stories. Add to this four RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you've got one recipe for success.

She has a very active online community on her website at www.IWantHerBook.com and at www.facebook.com/DeesFriends.