Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang

About Maureen

I was raised with the notion that time + work = a paycheck and sitting around having fun thinking up stories surely cannot be considered work. On some days I might actually agree with that statement. Writing really is fun, or I don’t think I’d have a passion for it. But on other days I realize it really is work, and that’s what this website is all about. This is a picture of the work of a novelist — well, of one novelist anyway. Me.


I grew up as one of the youngest in a six-kid, boisterously loud German-Irish family in the suburbs of Chicago. Eight of us in a house with only one bathroom! We didn’t really argue, although just to be heard over all the noise it might have seemed that way to an outsider.


So whom did I marry? A quiet, reserved son of a German brick layer. While our family gathering decibels would compare to the lift off of a jet from nearby O’Hare, his family gatherings would register more like the soft rustling of oak leaves.


I grew up loving to tell stories, and God has blessed me immeasurably to be able to tell them to a wider audience these days.


For the latest goings-on, check my blog! I’d love to connect on Facebook.

About Book

Book 1 in The Gilded Legacy series!

Ian Maguire is determined to stop Meg Davenport from following in her father’s footsteps. He was, after all, a thief. But considering Ian learned everything he knows from Meg’s father, he may not be able to convince her otherwise, not even when they both end up over their heads in the biggest heist of Ian’s unlawful career. In trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

Page Count: 432
Trim Size: 5 1/2 X 8 1/4
ISBN: 978-1-4143-6446-9
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: June 2012

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Read Excerpt on Tyndale

Raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue’s finest, Meg Davenport has all she’s ever needed . . . but none of the things she’s wanted most, like family, or dreams of a future that includes anything other than finding a suitable match. So when her distant father dies, she seizes the chance to throw etiquette aside and do as she pleases. Especially when she learns that John Davenport wasn’t the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age’s most talented thieves. Poised to lead those loyal to Meg’s father, Ian Maguire knows the last thing his mentor would have wanted is for his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet Meg is determined, and her connections to one of New York’s wealthiest families could help Ian pull off his biggest heist yet. But are they both in over their heads? And in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

My Thoughts

Meg Davenport was very young when to started attending a prestigious boarding school for the daughters of high society. Her father, John Davenport wanted the best for his little girl or did he just want her out of his way. She felt he did not love her because he rarely came to visit her. She stayed at the boarding school year round even on holidays. She was rebellious at first not wanting to follow the rules but eventually she became the perfect role model to all the young girls at the boarding school. She has every intention on staying on after graduation to teach at the school.


Then her whole life changes when she receives a message that her father has died. Secrets, deception and lies reveal who and what her father really was. Now she feels as if she must take on a new role because she is unworthy of what she had learned and earned at the school.  As far as she was concerned not only had her father deserted her and so had God. Now she was on her own and had to prove she is worthy of her father's reputation. 


Why do we need to prove ourselves worthy to the world?  Instead we should be praying for God's will in our lives.


The author created a very head strong young woman in the character of Meg. The biggest surprise in the book was that the least likely characters were the ones God used to steer Meg in His direction onto the path He had planned for Meg all along.


John Davenport's protege, Ian Maguire, was a preacher's son. Ian had lost his whole family and John took him in and trained him well. His life also took on an unexpected turn when his mentor died. The Lord was becoming very persistent in wanting Ian to return to Him. The more Ian tried to protect Meg the closer he drew nearer to God.


What does God have planned for the many characters in this story? God has a plan for everyone.


I highly recommend this book.


I rated this book a 5 out of 5

Disclosure
I won a free copy of this book from the author. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.