Books with author Meriol Trevor

The adventures of Rafael le Marre and his friends continue. Catherine Ayre and her cousin Giles come to Letzenstein in the summer of 1849. Raf is settled in Xandeln with a crowd of orphans-but Giles, at least, is not impressed with his unconventional ways. After a terrorist bombing in which the Grand Duke is thought to be killed, Julius Varenshalt tries to take political control. Catherine, and even Giles, fear for Raf's life-and indeed it has never more precariously hung in the balance.

Rafael le Marre collects three companions whom he leads on an adventurous journey from Paris to Letzenstein. The Revolution of February, 1848, has erupted in France. Paul and Christie, both English, and Jeanne d'Estel of Valmay, have concerns of their own to pursue. But when the generous-hearted Rafael is arrested by political enemies, harrowing days follow. Important truths of character come to light, and Rafael's stature emerges: the "Phoenix" arises again from the ashes.

It is 1847, a time of revolutions throughout Europe. Young Catherine Ayre has been called from her quiet home in England by a grandfather she scarcely knows, Grand Duke Edmond of Letzenstein. She becomes a pawn in the political unrest of the small country. Why does her grandfather so hate her uncle Constant, the rightful heir? And just who is Rafael le Marre? Catherine is swept into exciting adventures before she can feel herself a part of the small but fascinating country of Letzenstein.

This is the story of a Protestant young woman and her journey to the Roman Catholic Church. The fascinating novel is set in nineteenth-century England-a time when Catholicism was regarded with suspicion and prejudice against Catholics was commonplace. Leaving her sheltered life in the countryside, young Clem becomes acquainted with the fascinating ideas and people of Oxford-including a brilliant young clergyman, John Henry Newman. But when her relationship to a Roman Catholic man with a colorful reputation leads to an Italian elopement that is more innocent than it appears, the scandal drives a wedge between Clem and the upright Anglican circle of friends and family she left behind. Woven into the story of Clem and Augustine, their courtship and marriage, and Clem's conversion, is the vital, influential, and holy Newman, as seen through the eyes of friends. Meriol Trevor's engaging plot charts the ongoing friendship between Newman and the couple as it spans many years during which pivotal historical influences, such as the Industrial Revolution and the Oxford Movement, are shaping Victorian England. Many important events, personages, and ideas in the life of Newman appear in the story-his reasons for becoming a Roman Catholic, his differences with Cardinal Manning, his work in the Birmingham Oratory, and his being made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. The author, a renowned biographer of Newman, used Newman's actual correspondence as the basis for his parts in the dialogue.

One of the major characters in this novel of a Protestant young woman, and the Roman Catholic she marries, is the inspiring figure of Blessed John Cardinal Newman. In the story of Clem and Augustine, their courtship and marriage, and Clem's conversion to her husband's faith, the reader sees the vital, influential, and holy Cardinal through the eyes of friends. Like Newman, the fictional character Clem was born in the Protestant faith, and their acquaintance begins before he or she becomes a Roman Catholic. The novel charts their ongoing friendship as it spans many years during which pivotal historical influences, such as the Industrial Revolution and the Oxford Movement, are shaping Victorian England. Many important events, personages, and ideas in the life of Newman appear in the story--his reasons for becoming a Roman Catholic, his differences with Cardinal Manning, his work in the Birmingham Oratory, and his being made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. The author, a renowned biographer of Newman, used Newman's actual correspondence as the basis for his parts in the dialogue.

Melisande, a girl with actors' blood in her veins, finds life dreary; her family runs a London inn, "The Rose and Crown." Then, in November 1849, Rafael le Marre arrives, bringing Mel's lost cousin Toby with him. Unexpected experiences swirl in Rafael's wake: Mel meets Catherine Ayre and mischievous Charley the sweeper. Meanwhile, Raf stirs up the trouble that is native to his frank character. Several necessary resolutions must occur before Raf and company set out again for Letzenstein.

This is a colorful and dramatic story for youth about the life of John Henry Newman, famous British priest, preacher and pastor. To the Birmingham of 1849 comes Emmeline Erle, with her mother, and they are plunged from the sun of the Continent into a city of smoke and grime. The town is one of great contrasts; progress and poverty, industrial expansion and murky slums, new villas and filthy streets go side by side. Dark and light battle in the minds of its people too, principles of freedom and tolerance struggling with ignorance and prejudice, deep doubt of religious truth coexisting with fanaticism.Emmeline quickly makes friends - Lizzie, the pathetic, hardworking skivvy; the doctor's family; Daniel, the lonely schoolboy next-door; her rather prim schoolfellows and the warm-hearted boatmen on the cut. The most important person in the town, for both Emmeline and Daniel, however, is Fr. John Henry Newman, who is running a disused gin-palace as a chapel in one of the worst areas, attempting to bring help to the poor factory workers and the light of truth to citizens blinded by suspicion and bigotry. They learn to know and love this great man, and with him experience the anxieties of the cholera outbreak and the dangers of the 'No-Popery' riots.Caught up in one excitement or trouble after another, Daniel and Emmeline both finally arrive at happier times, while the walls of Newman's new church, a symbol of light in a dark town, rise into the foggy Birmingham sky.The panorama of Victorian England is brilliantly unfolded here - Birmingham, Oxford, Prince Albert opening a new railway, theatres, factories, The Crystal Palace. But above all, this book portrays in a remarkable and memorable way the character and thought of Blessed John Henry Newman.

Meriol Trevor The children had passed Jeanne during her struggle and got to the bottom of the steps. They saw that Raf's guards were released from the handcuffs and one of them was locking them on his wrists again so that his hands were behind his back, as in the chapel that morning. Julius was standing by his carriage, with his hand on the open door. It was ready to leave, by the open gate. A double row of soldiers were taking up their positions on the gravel sweep, lining up as a firing party with the front row on one knee. Stenken stood at one end to the side of the line, nearest to Rafael. Now Raf's guards left him standing alone on the other side of the gravel. "Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Catherine found she was saying over and over in her anguish. Julius called out, "Now, run for it, le Marre!" Rafael le Marre is in trouble again. His cousin Julius Waldemar has taken over the government, and wants the unconventional Raf out of the way - permanently. Catherine Ayre and her English cousin Giles have come to Lezenstein in the summer of 1849 and find themselves right in the middle of the political upheaval. Giles, not impressed with Raf or Grand Duke Constant, takes Duke Julius' side - to the danger of Raf and the Italian political refugees hidden at the le Marre castle of Xandeln. Julius seems to be in control, and time is running out for Raf and his friends.