A Dangerous Legacy

"Talent is a gift from God," he would say, "It's a sin to hoard our talent. There is nothing special about me except I can build things to make life better for the people around me. And when I do that, I feel God smiling on me." (excerpt from A Dangerous Legacy).

When the Drake family remains divided over the rights of the invention of a pressure valve, Lucy and her older brother Nick, believe they are following God's purpose in insuring that every single home or apartment building has the available to provide clean water, through the installation of the valves her Uncle Eustace, had invented. He was only swindled out of his legal rights when he was called to serve his country, and left a partially signed contract with his brother. What he failed to understand is that it limited where he could sell those valves, while his brother was free to sell them outside Manhattan for whatever he wanted and whenever he wanted.

Now that Uncle Thomas Drake is on the move to prohibit Lucy and Nick from utilizing their valves that Eustace's taught Nick to make due to the legalities of the contract. He has even stooped to spying on them in whatever means he can utilize. Although Lucy, as a telegraph operator for the Associated Press has developed her own way of spying on them through the use of the telegraph wire Nick has subtly hooked up that no one can see. Until the one time, he rival at the Reuter's press, located in the same building as Lucy, hears the coded message and realize it has nothing news worthy to provide to the AP. So Lucy and Colin Beckwith come to an agreement, that she will not pass along rumors of Colin's dinner behavior that would humiliate him in the public's eye, if he will remain quiet about the secret wire she is using to enable her to stay apprised about the legal status of their lawsuit with her Uncle.

I received A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden compliments of NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. The thing about Elizabeth's novels is that the reader doesn't realize they are learning about a piece of historical fact that she has woven in to keep them unaware, while providing just the right blend of fiction to keep them glued to the outcome of the story. Now I completely understand how water reaches the tops of those high rise apartments and businesses. I also didn't know that two rival newspapers really did work in the same building but on different floors and how the AP had to lease out using Reuter's Telegraph wires to gain news from the Eastern countries until they were able to lay their own Pacific cable. Also of historical note is the reason and construction details for the Panama Canal which readers will find at the conclusion of this novel. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This is the first novel in the Empire State series.

For more information about A Dangerous Legacy, Elizabeth Camden or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden

You can find Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Dangerous Legacy, please visit Bethany House Publisher's website. 

To The Farthest Shores

I love a great historical novel based around facts because after you read them not only do you feel like you have personally time traveled to said location, but you also have learned something about history along the journey. In Elizabeth Camden's latest novel, To The Farthest Shores, Jenny Bennett is making preparations as a nurse to say goodbye to the love of her life, Lieutenant Ryan Gallagher who is about to be shipped out since President McKinley declared war against Spain and the base has been mobilizing for conflict. Troops from across the nation streamed into the Presidio, preparing to sail for the Spanish colonies in the Far East. He promises to come back and without a ring to seal his intentions to marry her when he returns, he gives her his father's pocket watch which he intends to swap out with a ring.

So now Jenny spends her time caring for the men at the hospital located in the Presidio, those who are amputee's struggle to come to terms with how to make it now that they are home again. The men love her ability to care for them as if they are the only ones there and many marriage offers accompany their heart-felt thanks, but Jenny is waiting on Ryan. However when the war ended and no letter or notice from Ryan, she got worried and checked the lists for wounded, killed or missing service men, but no sign of Ryan. She even took it upon herself to contact anyone she knew in attempts to locate him, but it would take a year and a half for the letter to come. The only letter she would receive from Ryan, notifying her that he had a change of heart and was no longer coming home. He was going to stay in the Navy.

Left with a broken heart, she tried to find ways to stay busy and the last thing she expected to see was Ryan walking in the park with a little girl named Lily who claims that Ryan is her father. When she tries to confront Ryan, all he does is allude all her questions and has hoped she has moved on with her life. Rumors begin to circulate around the base that Ryan skipped out on serving his time in the Navy or that he became a war profitteer and eluded his time to serve his country. Without any explanation, Jenny has to assume that some of those rumors must be true. She is determined to find out the truth if she ever hopes to move on in her own life, if only she still didn't have feelings for Ryan.

I received To The Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Baker Publising Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. This is such a wonderful novel about not only the war, but also about the creation of cultured pearls and oyster farming. In the Historical note section, readers learn about the Military Information Division or MID that was established in 1885 as a branch of the U.S. Army and was one of several organizations charged with gathering intelligence about foreign nations. These unit were not integrated until the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947. Now as well I have an understanding not only of how pearls are created but the differences between cultured and natural pearls. I easily give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This novel does contain Reader Discussion Guide Questions, which makes this perfect for a book club.

For more information about To The Fartherst Shores, Elizabeth Camden or where you can pick up a copy of the novel, please click on the links below:

To The Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden

You can find Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on To The Farthest Shore, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

From This Moment

"She'd learned along ago that courage was not the absence of fear, but the willingness to confront it."

Stella West learned quite a long time ago, the living in a man's world, she couldn't be afraid of those that would try to push her aside, from her father to the men who she would later work for in the art world. When she moved to London to become a well accomplished and much in demand artist, she had the world at her fingertips. She could go anywhere and demand most anything, but despite all her influence, she could save her beloved sister Gwendolyn and she had to watch her mother fall apart and sink into a deep depression that could very well consume the rest of her family.

She left it all behind when she was told Gwendolyn had drowned and knowing that her sister was the strongest swimmer in her family, she knew something was amiss and she was bound and determined to figure out just what happened to her. Piecing together small clues was leaving her frustrated and discouraged. All she had to go on was what she knew and that her sister was working with someone with the initials A.G. to uncover the corruption plaguing the city of Boston and the men responsible for getting bribes to simply looking the other way.

She needed help and it was about to come looking for her instead. Romulus White had been trying to figure out a way to persuade Stella West to come work for his magazine, Scientific World, as an illustrator. But after three years of failure, he must figure out a way to convince her to work for him. God was about to throw that opportunity right into his lap. Romulus was well known in the city and had lots of connections with high ranking people and that is what had garnered success for his magazine who he co-owned with his cousin, Evelyn. It seems now that Romulus and Stella had something on common and it would take working together to make the best of things. He used honey to attract friends, while Stella seemed to fling vinegar wherever she went. How will it all turn out in the end?

I received From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from an eBook of this novel in exchange for my unbiased and personal review. I've been a huge fan of Elizabeth Camden's novels partly because they always feature a strong and determined female character, who while she could use the help of the man in her life, she doesn't rely on it like a crutch. This is such a beautiful working relationship between the two because even though Romulus conveys his intentions to not marry until he is at least 40, Elizabeth believes she can work through that in her own mind. I think that rings true to most women when confronted with the same situation. We believe we can find a way to work through it and convince the man, he truly needs this person in his life and it doesn't apply to her after all. I love the authentic details that Ms Camden always uses as her setting and in this case readers get a glimpse historically at the challenges of magazine publishing, illustrations, photography and subway building in this historical romance novel. For me, well worth every single 5 out of 5 stars and inhaled this one in hours!

For more information about From This Moment, Elizabeth Camden or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden

You can find Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on From This Moment, please visit Bethany House Publisher's website. 

Beyond All Dreams

Never in her wildest dreams did Anna O'Brien ever expect her life to be anything but ordinary. She achieved what she wanted for her career as a librarian working in the map department in the Library of Congress. It wasn't a job that was offered usually to women and as such her job as well as those of a handful of women working in the library were offered on a temporary basis to see how it might work out. For Anna, it was her dream job. As a lover of books, she adored simply being in the library, and working in the map department kept her close to her father, who died aboard a ship lost at sea, while working on mapping the ocean floor.

One of her many tasks was doing research for the congressmen who might need facts about the ocean currents, the location of various sea life found near the coastlines, as well as a handful of any other subjects dealing with the maps in which she took great pleasure in keeping in a meticulous manner. Her best friend was a boy she grew up with Neville, who was teased all through school for his nervous ticks and twitches. Anna could relate to him more than most when her father forced her to drink lye while he was drunk when he caught her swearing. It forever changed her voice and made her extraordinarily self conscience when anyone heard her voice.

She knew previous women had lost their position in the library when they were found flirting with the many attractive congressmen and members of the government that stopped into the library. Anna vowed that would never be an issue for her until she met Luke Callahan, a congressmen who needed her assistance in research to help win back the position he had lost when a rival childhood friend decided to make an example out of Luke's behavior and demoted him to working for the fisheries commission, but Luke wasn't prepared for the spitfire that Anna was either. Not used to the determination offered by Anna, she called Luke on his less than professional attitude whenever it seemed fitting and he found her a breath of fresh air in a world of politics and lies.

When Anna learns that her father's ship may not have sank where the Navy claims it did, she believes it is in her best interest to correct the facts. The more she digs, the more she ruffles a few feather in the U.S. Navy and they will stop at nothing to ensure that Anna gives up her research even if it means removing her from her position as librarian. Anna isn't willing to give up so easily just because a handful of Navy officials pressure her into giving up. She isn't about to let anyone bully her, and hopes to gain Luke's help in searching for the truth.

I received Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. The best part of this novel is the strong determination of Anna's character. She isn't willing to lay down her convictions that the truth may be discovered and believes her father may in fact still be alive. I love her convictions to follow the research wherever it leads and found myself relating to her quite a bit. She isn't willing to let a man rule her heart and tries to do all she can to assert herself despite all of Luke's attempts to win her heart. You are rooting for them both at so many times throughout the novel but it seems like something always gets in the way. I love that this one is based on the true story surrounding a ship that was apparently lost at sea in a way to keep the truth a secret during a time of difficult relations with Spain at the time that would have led to war. For me, once again Elizabeth Camden has capture my heart in this story and deserves 5 out of 5 stars! I can't wait for her to write another novel and she is one of my favorite historical romance authors!!!

For more information about Beyond All Dreams, Elizabeth Camden or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

You can find Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Beyond All Dreams, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page.

Travel back in time to the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress in Elizabeth Camden's newest release, Beyond All Dreams. From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?

Elizabeth is celebrating the release of Beyond All Dreams with a Kindle giveaway and Facebook party on February 17.
 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• One copy of Beyond All Dreams

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/17. Winner will be announced at Elizabeth's 2/17 Beyond All Dreams Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Elizabeth and historical fiction fans, as well as for the opportunity to win some great prizes!

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 17th!

Into the Whirlwind

While the cause of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 still is a mystery and left up to debate, it is the setting for Elizabeth Camden's latest historical novel Into the Whirlwind. We get a glimpse into the lives of Mollie Knox, the owner and proprietor of the 57th Illinois Watch Company one that she has managed to keep running long after the death of her father. Something virtually unheard of in this time period was a woman with a strong business sense and the unique ability to forecast future needs in order to keep ahead of the competition making the finest pocket watches sold exclusively at Hartman's, one of Chicago's finest department stores.

To say that she is more than intimidated to deal with Zack Kazmarek, Hartman's attorney is an understatement and she lives in fear that their next meeting will mean nothing but bad news for her company. It is one her father started after he fought with the 57th Illinois Infantry, a regiment that met its end backed against a cliff and was decimated in a three-day shootout that killed, crippled, or maimed the majority of the soldiers. The survivors of that battle were like brothers to her father, and he sent out word that any wounded veteran of the 57th could find employment at his watchmaking factory in Chicago. He renamed the company in honor of his old battalion, and fifteen of the forty employees were veterans with various afflictions. It was these employees that concerned her the most. If the company were to fail, what would these people do for work?

So when she received a note on gold letterhead and engraved ink asking her to meet with him to discuss a potential business venture at her office at 2pm, Mollie had every reason to be concerned. Zack Kazmarek was the legal mastermind behind the city's most elite mercantile empire. Half of Chicago was in his back pocket and the other half was afraid of him. Mollie fell into both categories. He had always been coolly polite to her, but Mollie knew better than to let that lull her into a false sense of security. After all, the rumors about Mr. Kazmarek were legendary. It would definitely be a life changing meeting for both of them but could either of them handle what would become of that fateful meeting?

You'll have to find out by picking up a copy of Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden. For those of you that love historical fiction novels, then this is simply perfect for you. Once again Elizabeth manages to create a strong female character that shows both her determination to move ahead despite all the odds facing her as well as taking the advice of the people who are working at the company including Frank,  the company's blind attorney, who can see more than those around him. This is such an exceptional novel and once again, I was completely captivated by the first page until the final one and easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. I received Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review.

For more information about Into the Whirlwind, Elizabeth Camden or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

You can also follow Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews of Into the Whirlwind from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764210246
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210242
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches

The Rose of Winslow Street

Libby Sawyer is well loved by the children of Colden, Massachusetts. She breathes life into her paintings capturing the flowers and plants in such detail they almost seem to be real. She can visualize the paint colors in such detail she can have them mixed without knowing what goes into them. That's good because Libby can't read. She's spent her childhood trying to learn with countless tutors and teachers but no one has been able to help. Her father doesn't think highly of her at all and has made sure to keep Libby's self esteem as low as possible when it suits him. Being a creative inventor, he has asked Libby to document his inventions so he has a record of his progress but he doesn't see her talents behind his own personal needs.

Michael Dobrescu has moved his entire family from Romania in search of a home left to him in a will from his late Uncle Constantine when he moved to America. When he arrives to Massachusetts, he finds the house in great condition, locked and at one point apparently lived in. However Michael is confident that once he gains possession of the property, he will allow the courts in the US decide whether the property is really his. It's easier to defend a property once you are in it. So he moves his two young boys, his ailing sister and his friends into the home to stay.

Only when the residents of Colden learn that the Dobrescu family has claimed the Sawyer home while they are on summer vacation, this is where the story will get interesting. Within Libby and Michael's lives they are both maintaining secrets that have brought them to a crossroads at the Sawyer home and will ultimately change not only their lives but the lives of every single person who crosses their paths.

I received The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and truly LOVED this heart-felt story set in the 1900's as families were beginning to come to America in hopes of a great life. This is such a great story that showcases the beauty of what is inside us all if we are simply willing to embrace the way God has created us instead of trying to be something we aren't. It teaches us about simplicity and unconditional love through the pages of this novel and once again, Ms. Camden does an exceptional job at transporting the reader to a different time and place! Another wonderful 5 out of 5 stars!

Here's even more great information about the book, the author and even a first chapter sneak peek!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Rose of Winslow Street Bethany House (January 1, 2012)

by Elizabeth Camden


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.


ABOUT THE BOOK

The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.


When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with the mysterious past.


As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Rose of Winslow Street, go HERE.

The Lady of Bolton Hill

Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain have been friends since childhood. Their love and passion of music is what drew them together despite their differences in backgrounds and wealth. Clara was from a wealthy family, her father a pastor of a large church and her brother Clyde, a missionary working with the Navajo Indians.

Daniel Tremain came from a difficult upbringing. His father was killed in a boiler accident at the steel mill where they both worked, with Daniel's natural ability to think outside of the box and come up with a solution that would free him. Fortunately it worked, but his father died from burns and injuries from the weight of the boiler. Now faced with raising his three younger sisters and helping his mother cope with the loss, Daniel's only escape is in meeting with Clara to share his gifted love of music.

As they grew older, Clara's father feared that her attachment to Daniel would grow into love and he had her shipped to London to continue her career as a writer and pursue her achievements without the distraction from Daniel.

Daniel struggled with dealing with his mother's suicide, leaving him to care for his sisters and find ways for them not to go hungry at night. Gifted not only in his musical ability, Daniel also found ways to invent new ideas to make the railroad industry more profitable and thus his patents made him a wealthy man.

Now circumstance will bring Daniel and Clara together once more with God having a destiny in mind for them both. For Daniel it will be dealing with his parents death and the bitterness he can't let go of, and for Clara it will be seeing the best in people despite what her family wishes for her.

In the latest novel by Elizabeth Camden, The Lady of Bolton Hill, is a great story that shows just how much bitterness and revenge will ultimately cost some who refuse to allow God to handle judging others. Set in Baltimore, Maryland in the late 1800's, the reader is in for a treat and this one won't rest until you've read the final page.

I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and this one hands down receives 5 out of 5 stars. When a book is rated this high it means you will stay up reading it long past the time you need to sleep just so you can find out what happens next. This one you won't want to put down until you see how it all turns out in the end.

Here's even more great information about the book, the author and where to get a first chapter sneak peek.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Lady of Bolton Hill Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Elizabeth Camden



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.



A word from Elizabeth: I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.



As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.



When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.



But time has changed them both.



Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.



Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts, and lives, hang in the balance?



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lady of Bolton Hill, go HERE.