Of Angels and Orphans (Cerny)

Of Angels and Orphans 
Barbara T. Cerny, 2009
Strategic Book Publishing
351 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781631353413


Summary
Orphaned Nate will do anything for his Angel Audra. However, is he willing to become the most wanted jewel thief in the kingdom for her?

Audra Markham is a ten-year-old girl born into privilege, but only in the sense of wealth. The granddaughter of a Viscount, Audra is the object of ridicule in her spoiled and spiteful family. Alone and unloved, Audra seeks solace in the comfort of food.

In another part of London thirteen-year-old Nathaniel Abbot lives a wretched life, forced to steal food in order to survive. Living in squalid conditions at the local orphanage, Nathaniel and three of his friends are spared further suffering when Audra “rescues” them from their plight.

Two lost souls that cannot find their place in the word suddenly find a place in each other’s hearts. Follow the lives of Audra and Nate as they grow from loyal childhood companions to inseparable young lovers, struggling through the perils of their own lives and facing difficult decisions that threaten to keep them apart.

Author Bio
• Birth—N/A
• Where—Denver, Colorado, USA
• Education—A.S., Mesa State College; B.S., Arizona State University; M.S., Lehigh University
• Currently—Oakwood, Ohio


Author Barbara T. Cerny grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, which at that time was a small town of 30,000 people.

She left that little burg to see the world, garner three college degrees, and to serve in the US Army. After eight years on active duty and fourteen years in the reserves, she retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2007.

While deployed to the Middle East in 2005, Ms. Cerny finally figured out she had to get going on the real love of her life, writing. She wrote her first two novels during that time and hasn’t stopped. She is presently working on novels number seven, eight, and nine.

When not writing, Ms. Cerny works as an information technology specialist and supervisor for the US Air Force. She lives with her loving husband, their two active teenagers, two needy cats, and two turtles. The turtles patiently watch her write and listen to her intently as she discusses plot lines with them. (From the author.)

Visit the author's website.
Follow Barbara on Facebook...and Twitter.

Book Reviews
A wonderful, incredibly touching, incredibly well-done story about the quiet power of personal connection.
Steve Donahue - Historical Novel Society.


5-stars! I really loved the narration style and the picturesque way the story is presented. Taking the readers to the old Georgian era is not a small feat. The cobbled streets, the cobbler, the smithy or even the highwayman, all contributed in creating the aura of that era. Each character was well etched. The change in the atmosphere of the story from England to America was subtle, yet present. A job well done Ms. Cerny.
Rubina Ramesh - The Book Club.


5-stars! I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review. What an exceptionally well written story. I fell in love with this book and its characters. Set in the 18th century it tells the story of a love between an orphan and a rich child that only grows as they grow. The lengths that they will go to in order to be together is remarkable!!! This is a truly wonderful story and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
Janie Lucas, #38 Top Reader - Goodreads

Discussion Questions
1. OAAO is set in the late 1700's early 1800s. Does this time period work best for this story? Could this story happen today?

2. Audra thinks of herself as fat, ugly, and unloved by her family. Why do you think she feels this way? Did you ever feel this way while you were growing up --- as if you weren't actually a part of your own family? Do you think that’s a common feeling for some children?

3. Nate, Audra, Jack, and Joey commit a crime to save Audra from having to marry the Duke. Do you think this was the right move for them? Did the author over step the boundaries of her moral authority to make these teens commit such a horrible act?

4. Nate falls in love with 10-year old Audra nearly immediately. Is this possible? Was it love or gratitude? Have you ever had immediate chemistry with someone you've met, either in a friendship or a romantic relationship? Do you believe it's a physical response or an emotional one?

5. Audra is forced to kill her own brother in a fencing match to the death. Where do you think she found the strength, fortitude, or hatred (whatever you want to call it) to do that final, fatal action against her brother?

6. The author originally wrote this as a full romance novel, complete with sex scenes (still found in eBook version). She took them out to allow her daughter to read it. Do you feel it would have been better/worse/different with the sex scenes added back in? Which scenes? Lady Sarah seduces Nate and he spends that summer at the estate as her lover? Audra invites Nate to her (twice) before her marriage as she can't imagine if things fell through, giving herself first to Cleveland? In the bell tower of the church? Jack with Moira when the others left for the pub? Indy with Joey when she crept into his room?

7. If you were writing the ending of Nate and Audra's story, what would it be?

8. What did you think of Jack's interesting way of taking the jewels during the kidnapping? Did it do anything for the story? For Jack's character?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)

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