HEARTS OF STEEL - Elizabeth Camden - One Free Book

Welcome, Elizabeth. Please tell us about your new book. Hearts of Steel is a gilded age romance featuring Maggie Molinaro, who survived a hardscrabble childhood and a decade of sacrifice to create the most successful ice cream factory in New York. When she offends a corrupt banker, she unwittingly sets off a series of calamities that threaten to destroy her life’s work. Steel magnate Liam Blackstone has fallen in love with Maggie and is prepared to lay everything on the line to defeat the enemy who is trying to destroy them both. It is a briskly paced, whirlwind romance about hope, optimism, and the power of love to achieve the common good. 

Hearts of Steel is the third novel in The Blackstone Legacy series. What is the theme that ties these books together? At the center of the trilogy is the powerful Blackstone banking family, and each novel delves into a fascinating, real-life business crisis from the dawn of the twentieth century. Hearts of Steel is a spirited love story about the power of community to overcome corruption in the ice industry. The other novels focus on the burgeoning steel industry and building the Trans-Siberian Railway. Although the novels are linked, each one can easily be read on its own.

You are known for writing love stories built around little-known historical events. What real-life historical events did you feature in Hearts of Steel? Charles Morse was a robber baron who tried to monopolize the ice industry in the early part of the twentieth century. At the time, ice was the only way to keep food cold, factories operating, and people comfortable in a world without air conditioning. When Morse seized control of the industry, he caused restaurants, grocers, and the entire food industry in New York to grind to a halt. People died of heatstroke, and morgues closed—it was a mess! My heroine’s ice cream factory goes out of business because of the ice monopoly, and she joins forces with the hero to save not only her company but also expose the political system that made such corruption possible.   

What is the significance behind the title Hearts of Steel? The steel industry plays a huge role in the trilogy, so that is the surface meaning of the title. The deeper symbolism relates to Maggie’s and Liam’s difficult upbringings. Both came from impoverished backgrounds, and the struggles they endured on their way to becoming successful adults has made them strong and yet they remain deeply compassionate people. When they see a wrong, they want to make it right. Throughout the novel, they give, suffer, and sacrifice, which makes their hearts become stronger and more resilient.     

What about the character of Maggie Molinaro do you think your readers will most resonate with? Maggie is a self-made woman who dropped out of school at age fifteen to sell ice cream out of a pushcart. The beginning of the story traces her hard-knocks journey from the slums until she becomes the owner of a successful ice cream factory. When the novel’s villain targets her company for destruction out of spite, I think the readers will be doubly invested in seeing Maggie triumph because they’ve seen how hard she worked to achieve her success. 

Readers will also enjoy how Maggie has a foot in two worlds: the working-class factory life and the splendor of New York high society. She is relatively new to financial success, so it’s a bit of a struggle for her to feel comfortable in Liam’s world. 

What role do spiritual themes play in this novel? I wanted to explore what it means to be a “good Christian.” Liam was raised outside the faith and doubts his ability to live up to the Christian standards he has set for himself. He falls short time and again, but by the end of the novel, he learns the tremendous value of failure. Most people who tackle huge challenges will encounter failures along the way. Some will give up, while others will dust themselves off and stand up to try again. This is true whether in daily activities, long-term goals, and spiritual journeys. Liam will encounter failure in all three and still triumph by the end. 

I hope readers will be inspired by his journey. Like Liam, we are often our own worst critics and obsess over our personal shortcomings and failures. But failure can be a powerful lesson, and very few people who accomplish great things will evade painful failures. I wanted to present failure as a normal part of life, that spiritual failures and doubts are not lifelong conditions but something that can be overcome.  

How can readers connect with you? I am very active on Facebook, where I post daily snippets of interesting historical tidbits as well as sneak-peeks into my upcoming novels (https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethCamden/) I always love hearing from readers, who can contact me at elizabeth@elizabethcamden.com 

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing this new novel with my blog readers and me. It is on the top of my to-be-read pile.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hearts+of+steel+elizabeth+camden&i=stripbooks&crid=COUK03D0GE8P&sprefix=Hearts+of+Steel%2Cstripbooks%2C109&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_15

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, 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 

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.

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

Christian Book Store

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

INTO THE WHIRLWIND - Elizabeth Camden - One Free Book (Print in US, Ebook Outside US)

Welcome back, Elizabeth. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

I plan on continuing to publish a book about every nine months … all of which will feature a mix of romance, and a dash of mystery and adventure.

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 I also developed the self-confidence 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 twelve 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!

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Oh my, yes. I used to read a lot of novels for pleasure…but now I read mostly nonfiction to research my writing project. Although I always want the romance to be front and center in my books, I don’t care for “wallpaper history” books. That’s the term I use for historical novels that has use the history merely as a little window dressing….like a long dress or a fancy ball. I like to weave interesting historical events into the plot of my books.

What are you working on right now?

My next book (to be released summer, 2014) is called With Every Breath, and is my first medical drama. The hero is a doctor in the 1890s … brilliant, passionate, and willing to repeatedly risk his life in his quest to cure a deadly contagious disease. The heroine is his research assistant. I think it is both the heaviest and the funniest book I’ve ever written. The subject matter is terribly sad, but the rivalry and chemistry between the hero and heroine crackles from page one. It was huge fun to write.

I'd love to feature the next book on my blog. How do you choose your settings for each book?

I am wedded to the late 19^th 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. Women were entering professions. Telephones, medical advances, and architecture were all beginning to revolutionize the world. Perhaps most importantly, attitudes were in flux. The seeds of civil rights, votes for women, and concern for the poor were taking root, so I feel like I have a lot of freedom with my storylines. The kind of highly-skilled, professional heroines I write about would be harder to fit into earlier eras.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wished I believed in the value of networking! As a profoundly introverted person, I had no interest in joining writers groups or trading manuscripts and advice. I figured, heck, I’m a research librarian. I ought to be able to figure out how to do this myself! Naturally, I made every mistake in the book. I think I set my career back three or four years because of this type of thinking. I didn’t even know about organizations like American Christian Fiction Writers or contests like the Genesis. These are great ways to get your writing before the right people. I eventually got published, but I got there the hard way. 

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Gratitude. I’ve had my fair share of loneliness and disappointment in life. The Lord never promised us an easy life, and I didn’t have one, but the last few years have been the happiest of my life. I am thankful every day for the family He finally blessed me with. I am grateful that I have two careers I love (as a librarian, and as a writer.) In these tough economic times, I am grateful for my job and a roof over my head. I think it is important to count our blessings every day.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

Humility. By this I mean the ability to read your work with a neutral eye. Note your strengths and weaknesses, and be willing to fix them. If agents and editors are sending you form rejection letters, this is valuable feedback. Painful, but valuable. Don’t be defensive. Pick up your pride and reassess your work.

Read widely and deeply. I read memoirs, biographies, old newspapers written during the era I’m writing about. For fun, I read as many of the high-quality novels I can cram into my day. I read science fiction, urban fantasy, old westerns. I think it’s a mistake for a writer to read only within the genre they write about. Reading in other genres helps inject fresh techniques and perspectives into your genre.

Develop your own voice. This takes a while. I think most of us begin our writing journey by emulating our favorite writers. There’s nothing wrong with that. It is a great way to learn, but publishers are eagerly looking for something fresh and original. If you’ve got a distinctive tone and feel in your manuscripts, you are more likely to get a second look.

Tell us about the featured book.

Mollie Knox is a woman whose comfortable world is shattered the night she loses everything in the legendary Chicago fire of 1871. As she struggles in the aftermath of the fire, two powerful men vie for her affection. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her.

Into the Whirlwind is a turbulent love story set amidst the rubble of Chicago as Mollie endures the challenge of survival and the triumph of rebuilding the city.

I’ve read the book and loved it! Please give us the first page for my readers.

Chicago, 1871

            A wall of fire towered over Mollie. The city of Chicago had been burning for hours, the scorching wind stirring up firestorms that barreled down the narrow streets and illuminated the night sky. It was getting hard to breathe. Smoke and ash hung in the air, coating Mollie’s throat until her thirst grew more painful than the blistering heat. The crush of people jostling to flee northward made it hard to even keep standing.

The city Mollie loved so well was being destroyed as flames engulfed buildings, weakening them until they collapsed into piles of rubble, blocking escape routes and sending throngs of people into greater panic. By tomorrow, Chicago would be nothing more than a smoldering ruin.

            “Mollie, watch out!” Zack shouted. She followed his gaze. A riderless horse careened straight at her, cutting through the people packed on the street. A woman screamed and dove for cover, but Mollie was trapped by the wagon beside her. She flinched away from the stallion’s flailing hooves just as Zack’s hands closed around her waist, hauling her out of the way the second before the horse barreled past.

“Thank you,” she gasped before her throat seized in a fit of coughing.

“Come on,” Zack commanded, grabbing her hand and pulling her forward. “We’ve got to get across the river before the bridge burns. We can make it, Mollie.” He grinned down at her, his teeth flashing white against his soot-stained face.

Zack Kazmarek was a savior in the chaos; his powerful build shouldering through the crowd and helping them both get further north. A layer of ash covered his jacket, but it couldn’t disguise the fine cut or his confident manner as he pushed onward. Zack had accompanied her into a literal inferno, but never once had he complained.

Why would a man who disliked her be so generous? For three years Zack had been icily aloof toward her, so why should he risk his life to help her?

The crowd thickened near the Rush Street Bridge. Ahead of them, people yelled and started pushing the crowd back. It was impossible to hear what they were saying over the roar of wind and the clamoring bells, but as she got closer, Mollie saw the problem.

The bridge was on fire.

She shouldered through the crowd. “We can still make a run for it.”

Zack dragged her back. “Are you insane? You’ll get yourself killed!”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I am at http://elizabethcamden.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethCamden

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing this wonderful book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Into the Whirlwind - Christianbook.com
Into the Whirlwind - Amazon.com
Into the Whirlwind - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET - Elizabeth Camden - Free Book

I had a wonderful Christmas holiday with all my family yesterday, so I'm a little later getting a start today.

I'm thrilled to have Elizabeth Camden back with us. I loved The Lady of Bolton Hill, so I know I'll enjoy reading this book as well. Welcome, Elizabeth. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write the kind of books I enjoy reading.  I always aim for a brisk pace that features highly intelligent characters who are plunged into profound emotional conflicts.  Although I love imbuing my stories with interesting historical detail and plot twists, the romance will always be front and center in my books.  My ideal reader is someone who loves a good stormy romance, but also wants glimpses of wit, delight, and joy sprinkled into the mix.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I can’t point to a single day.  Every now and then, usually when I am doing something terribly mundane like tending the garden, I will suddenly be swamped with a profound feeling of well-being, even joy.  C.S. Lewis has written a lot about the concept of joy, and he speculates that these feelings are when we experience the transcendent, the glimpse of the eternal that is only fleetingly available.  For me, these feelings of joy have no association with grand events or spectacular entertainment……they come upon me during simple, mundane times.  I wonder if it is because this is when I let my guard down and become open to the blessings that have been showered on me.  

How has being published changed your life?

I used to have a lot of fear.  Even though I loved writing, I desperately wanted to share it with someone, and I feared I never would.  A different sort of fear overcomes a writer when they know their writing is going to hit the streets and there will be people who don’t care for it, but I can handle that.  

What are you reading right now?

My Reading Life, by Pat Conroy; Dark Fever by Karen Marie Moning, and Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger.

How do you choose your settings for each book?  

I love the gilded age, but I also love writing about women who had some sort of a career.  This funnels me toward an urban setting.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I think I would choose Condoleezza Rice.  Despite her phenomenal accomplishments, (concert pianist, fluent in Russian, provost of Stanford University, Secretary of State, etc.) she seems like a friendly and genuinely humble person.  She also knows everyone, had been everywhere.  I’ve seen her on interviews, and she is equally conversant in foreign policy or football.  I really admire people like that.   

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?  

For many years I suffered from the same malaise that afflicts the majority of unpublished writers.  I didn’t have a distinctive voice.  When I first started writing, I emulated the writers who I adored the most.  I think this is pretty common and not necessarily a bad thing.  It helped me learn the craft, but frankly, those early manuscripts are not publishable.   My hunch is that agents and editors read the first few pages and simply didn’t see anything fresh to offer.  It took me a while to screw up the courage and start to give free reign to a more distinctive voice that naturally emerged after a few years of “starter-manuscripts.”  

What advice would you give to a beginning author?  

Learn how to have a constructive relationship with rejection.  The odds are extremely high that you will go through a fair amount of rejection before finally getting The Call.  This is actually a good thing.  The few times I have heard seasoned authors who got published on their first manuscript, they inevitably end up saying they wished that book had stayed in their closet.  I’ve got a couple of those.  When I wrote them, I thought they were fabulous, and I couldn’t understand why they weren’t getting agents to pound down my door.  After I got over those instinctive defensive reactions, I carefully analyzed my writing, my voice, and what I could offer an already saturated market.  I actually began to take more risks in putting something fresh and different into my writing.  

Tell us about the featured book.  

The Rose of Winslow Street is set in 1879.  Libby Sawyer’s quiet, respectable life in Colden, Massachusetts, is shattered when a bold stranger from Romania invades her world.  In short order, Michael Dobrescu seizes her house and declares ownership in an attempt to unravel a century-old mystery that is hidden deeply within the house.  Fascinated by this enigmatic man, Libby uncovers layers of mystery surrounding Mr.  Dobrescu’s amazing past….and his plans for the future in which she plays a startling role.

The Rose of Winslow Street is a celebration of manhood.  I think all women secretly long for a man who adores children, sets his woman on a pedestal, and will lay his life on the line for a cause he believes in.  These qualities can oftentimes come bundled with a heavy dose of things that drive women nuts.  I wanted to write a book that is open-minded about this sort of raw, brawny man.  Michael Dobrescu is a brash, brawny hero who alternately makes Libby weak at the knees or want to throw him out of the house for his sometimes thoughtless, blunt masculine demeanor.  He was hugely fun to write!

Please give us the first page of the book.

Colden Massachusetts, 1879

The stately houses of Winslow Street looked utterly safe and respectable in the hot summer twilight.  Mikhail knew all that was about to change.

He surveyed the neighborhood through the carriage window’s narrow opening.  Immense sycamore trees sheltered the homes, with only the chattering of a few sparrows to break the tranquility of the evening.   A trickle of perspiration slid down the side of Mikhail’s face and his fist tightened around the club on his belt.  Beside him, Lady Mirela remained rigid as the carriage bumped and rolled over the gently worn cobblestones.  Everything about this neighborhood spoke of wealth, stability, and decorum.  It hardly looked like a place for the pitched battle that was about to occur.

  

 On the opposite bench his two boys were playing a game of thumb-wrestling, oblivious to the turmoil roiling inside Mikhail, for he had always sheltered the children from the danger and uncertainty that was so much a part of his world.  His gaze flicked to Turk.  The man’s bulk could barely fit inside the tight confines of the carriage.  The wooden box cradled in Turk’s ham-sized fists looked ridiculously delicate, but the contents of that box were too precious to be jostled with the rest of the family’s belongings piled atop the lumbering carriage.  The only ornamentation on the box was the elegant brass hinges that held the lid securely closed.  Nothing about it’s plain appearance hinted at the priceless vials stored within.

The carriage slowed to a halt and Andrei looked up eagerly.  “Are we here?” he asked, excitement brimming in the twelve-year olds’ eyes.

Did the boy’s voice just crack a bit?  It was the second time Mikhail had noticed that husky tone breaking through the childish voice, indicating his son was on the verge of becoming a man.  Normally Mikhail’s heart would have swelled with pride at the symbol of his son’s impending manhood, but not this evening.

“Yes, we are here,” Mikhail said, forcing his voice to remain calm as he gazed at a stately house, looming three stories tall in the gathering darkness.  An elegant wrought iron fence surrounded the property, but it there was no lock on the gate.  Embellished with fancy scrolls and spindly bars, the fence was for decoration, not protection.  Such a useless gate spoke volumes about the sense of security these people took for granted.  His mouth thinned and years of training urged him to wrap his hand around the revolver tucked in his pocket, but he stifled the impulse.  Tonight called for clear-headed courage, not brute force.  He looked at Andrei.  “I want you to stay in the carriage and look out for Lady Mirela, is that clear?”

Andrei would probably rather look after a hive of bees than stay with the ominously silent woman who accompanied them, but Mikhail gave the boy no choice.  “Okay,” Andrei finally said.

Mikhail locked eyes with Turk, the only other person in the carriage who understood the magnitude of what they were up against this evening.   “Guard the box,” he said to Turk as he twisted the handle of the carriage.  “I will take only Joseph with me.  There is no need for too much manpower on our first approach.  Tonight, we will rely on the law to get what we want.  Force is our last resort,” he said as he stepped down into the street.  The well-being of his entire family depended upon the next few minutes, and Mikhail’s eyes were like chips of granite as he stepped out of the carriage.

The green, woodsy scent of hawthorn trees surrounded him as he emerged from the carriage. It was a good omen, yes?  A place that smelled this fine would surely be a safe place to bring his family to live.   

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I blog about the romance genre and what’s going on in the industry at http://elizabethcamden.com/blog

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Rose of Winslow Street, The


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 Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

THE LADY OF BOLTON HILL - Elizabeth Camden - Free Book

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I stay away from writing myself because I try to avoid boring my readers.  I am way too mild-mannered to be interesting, so this is where my imagination comes into play.  Like all writers, I draw on my own experiences of what it feels like to be lonely, intimidated, joyous, or triumphant….but that is where it ends. 

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I remember when I was in third grade the teacher asked us to write down what we wanted to be when we grew up.  I had just finished reading Stuart Little by E.B. White and I was devastated by the ending.  Too sad!  I said that I wanted to grow up and write happier endings to books that ended badly.  Most third graders have yet to appreciate the voracious, blood-thirsty beast that is known as Copyright Law, so my idea didn’t make it past the fourth grade.  After that, I put the idea on ice for about twenty years.

As a more serious answer to your question:  Have you ever fallen in love with an art form so badly that you wanted to go beyond simply enjoying it, and start producing it?  I think this is how most artists, musicians, and writers get lured into their craft, and it was the same for me.  Reading has always been such a significant part of my life that I got to the point I wanted to try producing the kind of novels that had such a major impact on my life.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Because I write historicals, I need to pick something that is appropriate to the era.  I really don’t want to read a Victorian with the heroine named Taylor or Madison. There is a great resource at the Social Security Administration called the Popular Baby Name Index: www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/

You can pick a year all the way back to 1880 and see the top 500 male and female baby names.  As I scan the list, a good one will usually pop out at me.  In the year 1880, the names Bertha, Edna, Irma, and Myrtle were all really big.  No offense against anyone with those names, but I don’t think they would be suitable for a romantic heroine.  Still, the list contains a smattering of names like Clara, Grace, Lilly, Julia.  All of these sound appropriate to the era, but still very palatable to modern sensibilities.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I suppose that would be my marriage.  I certainly think it is the thing that brings me the greatest joy in life.  I got married too late to have children of my own, but I inherited two terrific step-daughters who have been a real treat.  I went through most of my adult life as a single woman, and I will never, never take the joy of a family for granted.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Pride?  I’m not sure that is precisely the right word, but I can’t think of a better one.  When I completed my first manuscript, I thought it was a masterpiece.  I sent it off to a handful of top agents and checked my mailbox daily, getting ready to sign on with the best who offered. When no one did, I was stunned.  Was it possible my query was answered by a secretary?  Or an intern who was too green to spot blazing talent?  Or maybe you had to know someone to get your foot in the door, so I shouldn’t beat myself up because it wasn’t my writing that was holding me back, it was the system.   To make a long story short….this kind of thinking went on for a couple of years. 

After more rejections than I can count, I came to accept that these excuses were not getting me any closer to landing an agent.  I swallowed hard, did a gut check, and started from scratch.  I read voraciously.  I read the classics, genre literature, memoirs, anything that exposed me to writing that was fresh, original, and sparkly.  I also read dozens of books about the writing craft.  Some were better than others, but all of them helped me learn the ropes and spot some of my problems.  When I went back to work on a new manuscript, there was a marked shift in the reactions I received from agents.  I had a ton of requests for full manuscripts, but still no offer.

Then came phase three of my writing life.  I was convinced I was awful.  I was too blind to spot my problems and I needed to let go of this irrational dream to ever write a novel. 

But the thing was, I liked writing.  I liked everything about it and didn’t want to quit, even if no one ever read it.  I became a little more risky in the type of writing I submitted to agents, and then things finally gelled. I think it may have been the combination of ignorant self-confidence, a willingness to critically assess my work, and some strategic risks in the content of where I decided to stretch the genre that finally bumped me up to the next level. 

Tell us about the featured book?

One of my favorite romantic plots concerns lovers who are reunited after several years apart.  In The Lady of Bolton Hill, Daniel and Clara were quite young when they met and shared one of those intense, immediate bonds that can sometimes flare up between teenagers.  They are separated by Clara’s disapproving father.  The book begins when Clara returns to the United States after more than a decade abroad, and the chemistry between Clara and Daniel immediately blazes back to life.  The problem is they have followed such wildly divergent paths that they don’t know if they can find a way back to each other, even though they both crave it.

Something that was very important for me is that both my characters be very passionate people, but who are still fiercely intelligent and sensible.  Have you ever read a book where the conflict between the hero and heroine could be solved by a simple honest conversation?  There was no way I was going to let Daniel and Clara off the hook so easily!  Although it is clear they are madly in love, they will be put through the wringer before they can get to a happy ending.  I love a good turbulent story with love, betrayal, heartbreak, all punctuated with periods of soaring joy and utter delight.  That is what I aimed for with The Lady of Bolton Hill.  I’ll be curious to hear from folks if they think I got it in the ballpark.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I blog at http://elizabethcamden.com/blog  Three times a week I write about my thoughts on the romance genre (in novels, movies, real life, etc.)  In my day job I am a librarian, so I also post lots of pictures of mouth-watering libraries.  I hope you’ll swing by for a peek!

Thank you, Elizabeth, for this peek into your writing life.

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