BEYOND ALL DREAMS - Elizabeth Camden - One Free Book, Plus Much More

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/ElizabethCamden

Travel 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

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/17. Winner will be announced at Elizabeth's 2/17 Beyond All Dreams Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Elizabeth and historical fiction fans, as well as for the opportunity to win some great prizes!
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

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.

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Beyond All Dreams - Christianbook.com
Beyond All Dreams - Amazon
Beyond All Dreams - Kindle

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