Today I'm turning my blog over to Elizabeth Camden, with a review of her latest release "Beyond All Dreams!!"ALSO -- Be sure to sign up for this tour's GIVEAWAY(s) (listed below)!! [Blog Tour will run from January 26 - February 17, 2015 | Giveaway ends on February 17, 2015 | Elizabeth's "Beyond All Dreams" Author Chat Party on Facebook is on February 17, 2015]
- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 546, Paperback - Pages: 369; Kindle Edition - File Size: 4070 KB | Expected Release Date: December 30, 2014 | Publisher: Baker Publishing Group : Bethany House Publishers | Obtained: Litfuse Publicity Group / NetGalley"Beyond All Dreams" by Elizabeth Camden
Author's Book Description : Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they’ve ever dreamed for their futures?
Anna O’Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across the baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. Thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.
Luke Callahan was one of the nation’s most powerful congressmen before his promising career was shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglements with members of Congress.
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?
My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! A young up-and-coming Congressman from Maine and a female Library of Congress map librarian's path cross. One dreams of things being peaceful everywhere and hopes to be the one to make it happen. The other hopes to uncover what truly happened to her father after finding a false report. Together they should be able to get through anything but will they be able to trust each other enough to see their dreams through to the end?
This novel is for Ancestry and Historical Romance lovers! Because it follows historical events really well, while throwing enough flirtation between Luke & Anna in the mix to keep you intrigued. In addition, because of Anna being a map librarian she is determined to get to the truth of everything no matter the consequences because she feels that the documents in the Library of Congress should be completely accurate as possible since you never know how future generations will look at that document and do with it later. Since Anna feels that way it made me really like her as a character, as I've been a genealogist for my family since 1999 and I completely understand where she was coming from. To top off my love for the characters I find out that Luke is a Congressman from Maine and I'm originally from Maine so yeah I found that pretty cool too.
Together I found I liked and respected Luke & Anna, where they were coming from because of their pasts to how they grew into their romantic relationship. Through it all, they were very sweet and accepting of one another. Also, it was fun reading their bantering. However, what really ruined my love for this novel was when Luke found out the real reason behind the false report and acted completely cold to Anna. I understand his temper, and I could have gotten over everything if he tried to work things out a bit quicker. Yet a few hours before finding out the truth, he talks about marriage then after he learns the truth, he acts like he doesn't even know her. Yes, he was protecting her in his own way but I just didn't like it and it made it hard for me to like the novel as I previously did. Nevertheless, with that being said I still like them together, how everything worked out between them, and the novel itself.
I recommend this novel to those who like doing Ancestry and/or like reading Historical romances!!
Purchase This Book Here : Kobo (e-Book)
Author's Novel Extras : Pinterest: Beyond All Dreams | Beyond All Dreams | Beyond All Dreams Sneak Peek
Book Teaser(s) :
"I can bring you a chisel and a clay tablet if you'd prefer. I believe they have some in the museum."
He set the pen down and fastened that enigmatic gaze on her. "Yes, please."
"Yes please . . . what?"
"I'd prefer a chisel and a clay tablet. You see, Miss O'Brien, I like old things. I prefer the challenge of a time when men went out and killed something when they were hungry, rather than opening a tin of processed meat. I don't want perfumed soap and a trickle of water from a copper pipe. I want a healthy blast from a frigid New England waterfall. I don't want the tinny noise from a gramophone. I want the thunder and vibrations of a real orchestra pounding out a Beethoven symphony. Technology has made us soft. I like hard muscle and loud voices and the satisfaction of a sweaty day of labor."
"You wear sparkly jewelry," she countered.
"I wear rocks hauled out of the land I own. Trophies, if you will." His eyes gleamed, and he looked flushed with health and vigor. Standing this close to him, she barely reached his shoulder, and his enthusiasm was palpable.
She held up the slim pen. "This is a trophy of modern times. If you'd like to fill out a research request, it is the device you will need to use."
"Miss O'Brien," she said in a long, slow drawl. "You don't think I intend to fill out that ridiculous slip of paper, do you?"
"I'm going to assume that was a rhetorical question and you aren't really expecting an answer." ~ within Chapter 3
"Will you go for a walk with me?"
"Not unless you calm down. I generally don't walk alongside men with homicidal interests in poison." ~ within Chapter 8
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Elizabeth, then please check out her website.
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.
Giveaway(s)!! :
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
- A copy of "Beyond All Dreams" by Elizabeth Camden
To Enter : Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/17. Winner will be announced at the "Beyond All Dreams" Facebook author chat party on February 17th. RSVP for a chance to connect with Elizabeth and historical fiction fans, as well as for the opportunity to win some great prizes!
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP TODAY. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and/or PINTEREST to increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 17th!
ALSO -- Be sure to check out Litfuse's other Blog Tour Reviews for this novel!!
Find Elizabeth Camden :
This book is going to be such a good read :)
ReplyDeleteI like.. dkstevensneAToutlookDOtCoM
This is really a great review...love your blog too!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete~Nicki
P.s. I have a giveaway on my blog!
http://bookreviewsforchristians.blogspot.com/2015/01/giveaway-susan-may-warrens-shadow-of.html
This was a very well written book with a great amount of intrigue and plot development. The love story wasn't the main focus and it kept me turning the pages. Very interesting and captivating.
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