Sarah Beth LaBranche has a gift. It's an uncanny ability to remember everything she sees. Unfortunately, born into a poor family with an abusive father, Sarah Beth has no chance of using her gift to better the living situation for her mother and young brother.
When Sarah Beth's life comes in danger at the hands of her father, the pre-teen runs away from home. Be it fate or bad luck, Sarah Beth runs into a couple who offer to help her. She believes they're taking her to a safe haven. In reality, they take her to New Orleans where her virginity can be bought for a hefty price.
Embarrassed and ashamed of her new profession, Sarah Beth feels she can't face her mother and tell her what she's done.
The years pass by and Sarah makes the most of the hand she's been dealt. She's beyond literate now, writing thesis-quality work in an attempt to gain more knowledge within her photographic memory.
Sarah Beth now lives two lives, each dramatically different from the other. Half of the time she's a whore in a high-class house. On the flip side, she's a respectable border in the home of Annedette Cheramie.
In New Orleans, a large city divided by class, it is very easy for Sarah Beth to keep her secret. What complicates matters is the existence of Ms. Cheramie's grandson, Frank. He's a handsome doctor for whom Sarah works and has fallen in love. However, she cannot act on her feelings because of her past.
Dr. Cheramie and Sarah perform well as a team, which makes the mutual attraction all the more difficult. Frank must never know why Sarah must refuse his advances.
Magdalenes details the heart-breaking and courageous history of Sarah Beth LaBranche. She starts life at the bottom, only to fall further when she reaches New Orleans.
A Yellow Fever outbreak forces Frank and Sarah Beth to work very close to each other, making it even more difficult to fight the feelings they have for each other.
Magdalenes is a smart historical romance. The characters are intelligent and driven. The plot has the right amount of triumph and tragedy. Hayden is kind enough to create a story that is not syrupy sweet with players who are refreshingly human.
I must admit, I am not a fan of history or romance. However, Magdalenes worked for me and it will appeal to a wide audience as well. The plot flows nicely and is quite realistic. Hayden did his research for this novel and it shows. The history of New Orleans is fascinating. The medical discussion relating to Yellow Fever is interesting without being boring. Quite an accomplishment when it comes to discussing medical science with laypersons.
The turn-of-the-century New Orleans setting is great as well. It takes special talent for an author to create a backdrop to which unfamiliar readers can relate. One does not have to visit the city to see it through the author's words. Hayden's description enhances the overall reading experience.
Magdalenes is the ideal novel for romance fans who like a little more depth in their story plots. The historical time frame lets readers escape to another era. Hayden's talent rewards them with a good story. It's a win-win situation.
Magdalenes is a lengthy novel. Don't confuse it with weekend reading. However, it is a story worth your time. Not only will you enter the world of Sarah and Frank, you'll learn something about the past as well.
