Jewels for a Crown

Victorian Serenade #3

by Lawana Blackwell

Jenny Price graduated as one of Florence Nightingale's top nursing students. Her assignment: to care for Celeste Harrington, the spoiled 12-year-old daughter of remote and tormented Graham Harrington. Jenny is about to face the most difficult challenge of her life, a challenge that will test the limits of both her skills and her faith.

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Christian Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

416 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 1996

About the author

Lawana Blackwell is a full-time writer with 10 published novels, including the bestselling Gresham Chronicles series. She and her husband have three grown sons and live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Reviews

[Lyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Lawana Blackwell impresses me with her historical concepts. They are not at all trite, tired, worn. This is the first piece of historical fiction I've read featuring Epilepsy in the 1800s. Fascinating.

I thought the end relied a little too much on chance, the relationship buildup was not deep enough and the marriage proposal was rather sudden. Annnd the villain was a little too shallow, predictable, not really creative.

As a side note, it surprised me that Jenny referred to her step dad as just her dad. In this book she seems to think nothing of her real father apart from his being a drunk. Previously, I thought he seemed rather the victim. I was surprised that she forgave her mother but not her father, and seemed content to wipe him from her memories altogether.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Price just finished training at Florence Nightengale's school for nurses and now is obligated to work at the assignment of Nightengale's choice for two years. She is assigned to be the live-in nurse for the epileptic child of a rich widowed merchant. She discovers that this twelve year old has been given anything she wanted when she wanted it and, refuses to go along with that program. The girl's father is pleased and gives her authority over the child. Let's just say that the relationship between the nurse and her patient isn't the only one in the book. Ok, it was fluff, but fluff can be fun, and this is Christian fluff.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one, the only part that frustrated me is that the change of the "villain" character from the introduction to the end was so dramatically different and that the author didn't really clarify how that happened...

[Gwenyth Lynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an engaging story - Jenny remaining true to her principles and calling despite adversity, intrigue and spite was an inspiration to others to question their own attitudes, belief and behaviour.

[Sharon Haylock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again American spelling spoiled a good historical romance set in England. eg. Centre & sombre

I did enjoy the twist at the end, which you always knew was coming, but it was difficult to see how the story was going to wrap up in the few pages that were left.

[LizthePrude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one is my favorite so far. It reminds me of Anne (of Greene Gables) and Morgan Harris' story :) I really enjoyed it.

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. I like to read about challenges and the power of love.

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

[Kw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just fabulous.

[Bookworman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I did like the first two books in this series “The Victorian Serenade”, I really enjoyed this this one the best. It was very satisfying.

[Susan Phelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read one from this author before and enjoyed it, as I did this one. I might jest try her again!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the father/daughter relationship! This book had two loving, sweet, and genuine romances. The faith element is pleasantly prominent.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the beautiful story