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. 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.
- 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
- AmazonBeyond 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.
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