The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden ~ Review

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

My Review:

When I started “The Lady of Bolton Hill” I was surprised with some of the topics covered in the novel. The professions of the characters and the high concept of the plot were not ones I expected when I opened the cover. It gave the book a unique standing in today’s historical fiction.

The characters are put into situations that push them out of their comfort zone and their true colors shine through. Daniel has been pushed through heart-wrenching circumstances and that colors a great deal of his actions, but after a certain point in the story I became fatigued with the way he treated Clara. This did not last long however and didn’t drag through a great deal of the book.

While I enjoyed the concept of the story and the plot moved forward with action (especially the ending), I was not able to be “brought” into the story. I didn’t experience it *with* the characters and felt more informed than anything.

The book on the whole is good, interesting historical facts and a unique plot, but this book didn’t entertain me personally like I would have enjoyed. That isn’t to say though that another reader won’t have a different opinion.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.