A complimentary review copy was provided to me.
I have really been enjoying Historical Fiction lately. Most of the Historical Fiction that I have been reading is set in England, so when I was given the chance to check out a new book by Elizabeth Camden set in Washington D.C. in the late 1890s called Beyond All Dreams, I jumped at the chance.
The book jumps right in to the story in the first chapter, introducing Anna O'Brien and Luke Callahan. We are also given just a bit of background to help set the stage. The story starts out a little bit slow, but then quickly gathers momentum pulling the reader into the story.
I felt that the story really said a lot about being content and what happens when you push beyond normal boundaries and experiences. The outcome of doing so certainly is not always what you had hoped or expected, but as the title suggests, sometimes the outcome is beyond all dreams.
I really enjoyed the balance of historical fact inter-mixed with the fictional tale. You could tell the author had done her research, from the opening of the new building for the Library of Congress to the Tourmaline mine in Maine. The history going on around the story helped to make the characters and events in their lives more real to me as a reader.
The story is told in third person, yet there are plenty of insights offered by the narrator into what the characters are thinking. This really helped me as a reader get to know the characters and allowed a nice balance of learning about more than just one character's inner thoughts.
I really enjoyed the book and found the experience of reading it satisfying. I would recommend the book to others that enjoy historical fiction or romance.
I haven't read any of Elizabeth Camden's other books, but based on my enjoyment of this book, look forward to reading others.
You can learn more about the book and author, as well as find other reviews on the
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About the book:
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?
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1BbxWeR
About the author: Elizabeth Camden is the author of six books and a RITA and Christy Award winner. With a master's in history and a master's in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Florida.
Find Elizabeth online: website and on Facebook
No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.
