Well-Spoken Wednesday--The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden Review

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Summary from goodreads: 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.





The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a fairly typical Christian historical romance, and indeed the author did not disappoint in that area.  It's always comforting to read a romance where there is excitement, a strong female, a dashing rogue, and plenty of tension.  And add to that--nothing inappropriate in the least.  After all, it is Christian!

I did find myself drawn into the story, but I cannot say I loved any of the characters.  Clara and Daniel were fine, but I was not enthralled with them.  Sometimes I even found Clara a little annoying.  She was a Christian, and I had no trouble with her Christian views, but I felt that she didn't live in reality.  The story got a little far-fetched for a historical romance at times, but to the author's credit, she did allow some bad things to happen to the characters.

I was not terribly impressed with how the Christian views were woven into the story.  At times, it seemed a little forced, and I get tired of Christian authors feeling they need to force the entire gospel message into a book. If it a Christian novel, then the Christian views of the book should be woven seamlessly into the story line.  The thing that did impress me was the view that was stated concerning suicide.  I was quite pleased to read that, and I felt that author took a risk that really worked in that area.  I applaud her for that!

In conclusion, if you are up for a story that is a light historical read with a basically engaging story and a strong Christian message, give this book a try.

I was provided a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  All opinions are 100 percent mine, and I was not financially compensated in any way.


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About Elizabeth Camden

In her own words:

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.

I decided to become a librarian because I can think of no other career in which you get such a wide exposure to all aspects of recorded knowledge. I have been an academic librarian for fifteen years, where on any given day I get to research the sonnets of Shakespeare, learn what makes pelican feathers pink, or compile demographic statistics for starting a new company.

I married relatively late in life, which turned out to be an odd kind of blessing. I had gotten very good at leading a solo life, and although I was not particularly content being alone, I had become reconciled to it. Then when I was in my mid-thirties and just a few weeks after buying my first house, I met the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. My years as a single woman taught me many things. I learned to be independent and resilient. I learned how to manage my investments, earn and save enough money to have investments, mow my own lawn, fix the rickety appliances in my sixty-year old house, and spend the holidays on my own when travel to family was not possible. Most importantly, it taught me never to take my husband for granted. I give daily thanks for the blessing of being able to share a life with my favorite person on the planet.

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.