The Maiden of Mayfair (Tales of London Series #1) [Paperback]

Lawana, Blackwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

This heartwarming Victorian rags-to-riches story puts orphan Sarah Matthews into a posh Berkeley Square home. Tales of London book 1.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In The Maiden of Mayfair, first in her Victorian Tales of London series, Blackwell evokes Dickens rather than the Brontes in her portrait of young Sarah Matthews. Sarah is the ward of the St. Matthew Methodist Foundling Home for Girls in Drury Lane. Although the orphanage is grim, she's lucky, for abandoned children are everywhere and often perish in the streets. And soon Sarah is rescued by a rich widow who suspects Sarah may be her granddaughter, the daughter of her profligate son. Blackwell's Victorian romances can seem tame even for the Christian market, although her period detail is always fine, and this series looks to be livelier than some of its predecessors. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...women readers from middle school on will enjoy. A good addition to any church library collection." -- Church Libraries, Summer 2001

"Sarah's moving story is not without tenderness and great understanding of the day." -- Romantic Times Magazine, January 2001

"This is a charming, tender and sometimes funny story that delves into Victorian social structure." -- Historical Novels Review, Aug. 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 1ST edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764222589
• ISBN-13: 978-0764222580
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Victorian inspirational!, January 17, 2006

By 

CoffeeGurl - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Maiden of Mayfair (Tales of London Series #1) (Paperback)

I bought this book because someone told me that Lawana Blackwell is a great author of inspirational/historical novels. Judging by The Maiden of Mayfair, I'd say my friend is right on the money. The Maiden of Mayfair is the first book in a Victorian series called Tales of London and it tells the story of a little orphan girl with a deformed hand and her sudden move from a seedy orphanage to a prestigious house in the Mayfair district. Dorothea Blake wants to mend her past mistakes by becoming her late son's daughter's guardian. Sarah is the product of her rogue son's indiscretion with a scullery maid. The woman was forced to abandon the baby in front of a church. Dorothea takes her in when she is thirteen and has no idea what to make of the girl at first, but it doesn't take much time to grow to love her. It matters little to her if the people in society shun her for taking in a grandchild who was born out of wedlock. The happiness that she gains with the presence of her granddaughter makes up for everything. However, there are secrets and deceptions that will come to light as the story progresses, things that could jeopardize Sarah's stability and happiness in her new home. There are various twists throughout the novel.

This is one of the most beautiful inspirational novels I have read. I love this story and the heartwarming and palatable way it's developed. And I love the characters! Naomi, Sarah, William, Stanley, Marie, Daniel and Dorothea are such wonderful, three-dimensional characters with flaws as well as virtues and I loved the warmth and familiarity between all of them. The servants are treated as family and you can feel the love come out of the pages. I wish I could read more about these characters, but I think the next installment will focus on a completely different story with its own characters. Ah, well. One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel is the subplot centered on the curator Ethan and his corrupt, conning ways. I like how everyone assumes he is a good man because he is training to become a vicar. What a realistic storyline! I loved the whole story and I couldn't put this book down. Lawana Blackwell is a wonderful storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her inspirational historicals. In the meantime, I recommend The Maiden of Mayfair and I cannot wait to give Catherine's Heart, the second book in the Tales of London series a whirl.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lawana Blackwell just gets better!, March 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Maiden of Mayfair (Tales of London Series #1) (Paperback)

I never thought Lawana Blackwell could top the Gresham Chronicles, but she pulls it off with this beautifully written novel of God's abundant grace and forgiveness. The characters are more than just realistic: they tiptoe into your heart, and then refuse to leave.The setting, though not the bucolic countryside of Gresham, is nevertheless exciting and evocative. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough! The only downside is this: we probably have a year to wait for the next installment of "Tales of London." Superb!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is definitely one of Lawana Blackwell's best!!!, April 25, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: The Maiden of Mayfair (Tales of London Series #1) (Paperback)

I loved this book!! It is heartwarming!!! I couldn't get over how good it was. Great romance, characters, plot everything!!! I couldn't put it down. I can understand how Sarah felt as she learns how to live in the wealthier and sophisticated part in the city of London. I was not disappointed in this book!! I'm soo glad that I've read it!!! Lawana Blackwell gives a great demonstration about the society of London in the 1870s and how wealthy people treat other people who were not as blessed as they are. I recommend to mature readers only since it contains "adult" situations. It also has mystery and intrigue. I can't wait for the next one!!! God bless, Mrs. Blackwell!