Dear Readers, I've loved reading Elizabeth Camden's novels, so when this one arrived, I started reading it right away. Her characters are very three-dimensional, and they have flaws that draw me into their lives. These did especially, because I love reading about historical Washington, DC, and I'm very interested in the Library of Congress. The book truly was page-turner, and the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading the book. You won't want to miss this one.
BIO: Elizabeth
Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida . Her novels have won the coveted
RITA and Christy Awards. 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 near Orlando , Florida .
Tell us a little
about your family.
I got married pretty late in life, which was a mixed
blessing. I know what it is to be lonely, but my life as a single woman taught
me to become a strong person capable of taking care of myself. Perhaps most
importantly, I will never take my husband for granted! Bill and I have been
married for fourteen years, and I give thanks for him every day. We don’t have
children of our own, but I was a custodial stepmom for the first five years of
our marriage. The girls are now grown and out of the nest, so it’s just Bill
and me. Life is good!
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I am attracted to the late 19th and early 20th century. This
is simply a fascinating era for me: it has the glamor and romance of an earlier
time, but modern technology and attitudes were beginning to take root. The kind
of highly skilled, professional heroines I write about would be harder to fit
in to earlier eras.
I especially like Washington
D.C. for a setting because there
were so many opportunities for professional women, beginning with the Civil War
and up until the present. The federal government has always been very open to
hiring women, so this is a great setting for me. My last book (With Every Breath) featured a woman
working in a government research trial dealing with tuberculosis in the 1890’s.
My current novel (Beyond All Dreams) features a heroine working at the Library of
Congress. I hope to write many more novels set in Washington , simply because it is so rich
with possibilities.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
I didn’t have a deep appreciation for how important it is to
get geographical details correct. My first novel was set in 19th century
Baltimore, and I really didn’t know all that much about the area. I did enough
research to get the street names and the local industries correct, but beyond
that? Baltimore
was merely a backdrop. My publisher picked a name for the novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill, which really
shone a spotlight on the Baltimore
suburb where most of the novel is set, but it wasn’t particularly imbued with
details of life in Bolton Hill. Oh boy! Before the novel was even released, I
was getting email from folks in Bolton Hill excited about the release. It was
profiled on a ton of Baltimore-area blogs. I felt pretty bad about the folks
who were buying the novel hoping for a great novel about their neighborhood.
Hey, I still love that novel, but I wish the title hadn’t given some people the
wrong impression.
I’ve never made that mistake again. I am very proud of the
research I do into the cities where I set my novels, down to the cuisine,
ethnic character, the climate, flora and fauna, and the personality of the
place. My novel Into the Whirlwind
was practically a love letter to the city of Chicago . I now routinely get email from folks
in the cities I write about complimenting me on “getting things right.”
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
Have you ever noticed that sometimes the simplest of
biblical verses can contain the most profound, universal truths? Lately the
phrase that has been resonating with me is 1 Peter 4:8. Above all, love one another deeply. If I were the type of person to
get a tattoo, this is the phrase I would use! It is beautiful in its
simplicity, yet so powerful and all-encompassing in its message. I see too many
people who are willing to extend compassion or charity only to those they deem
worthy. There is also a tendency to demonize those from the opposite side of
their political viewpoint.
It is difficult to watch the news these days that is filled
with so much political turmoil, racial incidents that spiral out of control,
wife abuse, etc. Above all, love one another! This does not mean you must
approve of the actions, but anger and demonizing the opposition has not been
working too well in solving the incidents I am referring to. Step back, take a
breath, and try to understand the other side. They may be wrong. In many cases,
they certainly are … but it is hard to truly solve these problems without
trying to understand our fellow man.
Tell us about Beyond All Dreams.
The novel is about a librarian who stumbles across a
baffling mystery of a ship that disappeared at sea. The ship and the entire
crew has never been heard from again, but Anna begins to suspect the government
knows what actually happened to the ship. The setting is at the Library of
Congress in 1898, and when the government stonewalls her attempt to learn more
about the missing ship, Anna turns to a charismatic congressman for help. As
the two of them begin piecing the mystery together, they become embroiled in
secrets much bigger than they ever imagined.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I am at http://elizabethcamden.com/
or https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethCamdenTravel 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
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!
Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will love it as much as I did.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Beyond All Dreams - Christianbook.com
Beyond All Dreams - Amazon
Beyond All Dreams - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
34 comments:
I would LOVE to win a copy of Beyond All Dreams. Thanks for featuring this book Lena.
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
Oh I just LOVE Elizabeth's books! I cannot wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway.
Loraine in TX
Love Elizabeth's books! Would love to win this one. Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Love a good mystery! Would love to read this one.
Pam in Ohio
Love a good mystery! Would love to read this one.
Pam in Ohio
Yes, I love mysteries, and I'm curious to read this one!
-Melissa M. from TN
I loved my time living in D.C. and have visited the Library of Congress so I'm interested in this book! Thanks for the giveaway.
Lis K from Virginia
garfsgirl AT hotmail DOT com
Sounds really great!
Great interview too!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Many Blessings and Smiles :) :) :)
Charlotte Kay, Georgia
Lena, thank you for the interview with Elizabeth. I would love to read BEYOND ALL DREAMS. Sounds like an amazing story.
Caryl in TEXAS
Thank you Lena for welcoming me aboard. And Hi to all the readers! I wish you ALL could win!
I am looking forward to reading this book, it would be great to win a copy, thank you for the chance.
Wendy from FL
wfnren at aol dot com
Thank you, Lena, for bringing this book to my attention.
Melanie Backus, TX
New author for me. Would love to read this book!
Susan in NC
suanlulu@yahoo.com
Beyond All Dreams sounds like an intriguing mystery. Please add me to the drawing!
Merry in MN
thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I just finished With Every Breath and really enjoyed it! Looking forward to another by Elizabeth!
Stephanie
Binghamton, NY
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
I have heard so many good things about this book! Looking forward to reading it someday!
Sierra
Indiana
I love Elizabeth's books! My favorite character she ever wrote is Alexander Bane. I'm looking forward to reading another riveting novel.
Anne, rural NC
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
Above all, love one another deeply...so simple, and so hard sometimes! Yet I continue to learn what I most need to. Would love to read this book! A librarian, a mystery...what else is missing? I live in Phoenix, AZ
I love when you feature an author that I haven't read before - it's like opening a big present! Looking forward to reading Beyond all Dreams. Elaine in Iowa
I love her books....please enter me!
Jackie in GA
I would love to read Beyond All Dreams. Jan in rainy West Texas
What a lovely interview! I would love to win a copy of Beyond All Dreams and appreciate the opportunity to do so!
Britney Adams, TX
I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Camden's books. I'd love to win Beyond all Dreams. Thanks for the giveaway and the interview with Elizabeth.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
Love to win and read your book about a librarian at the Library of CONGRESS. NOT READ A BOOK WITH THIS SETTING BEFORE. sm. wileygreen1( at)yahoo(dot)com Oceanside, CA
Historical Washington D.C. is very interesting to read about. Would enjoy this book!
Beth from IA
Beyond All Dreams is one of the books I am most looking forward to reading. Thanks for offering a copy.
Tennessee
Beyond All Dreams sounds lovely, suspenseful, and frustratingly like our government. :)
Oklahoma!
Hi Elizabeth & Lena! I have loved each of your books that I've gotten the chance to read and I'm very much looking forward to Beyond All Dreams!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Hi Elizabeth & Lena! I have loved each of your books that I've gotten the chance to read and I'm very much looking forward to Beyond All Dreams!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
I really enjoy Elizabeth's books and would love to win a copy of this one!
Oregon
I have heard such great things about this book! I'd love to win a copy! :)
Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) from NM
Looks Fantastic!!! Please enter me!
Blanch NC
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