Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden - REVIEWED!


About the Book: (from Bethany House)
After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy. 

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.

When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive? 

My Thoughts:
“I want you to find something Bane loves. And then bring it to me.” (p 91)

These words are uttered by a very evil man.  He is a man that uses people for his own purposes.  He uses terror to make them do his bidding.  And he is the largest opium dealer around.  And he has used a man one too many times, and man who is no longer a slave to greed, but a slave to grace.  What a blessed deliverance has been made in Alexander Bainbrige’s life – yet he still longs to see justice done in his lifetime and prevent anyone else from becoming a slave to opium.  He has set upon a very dangerous mission – a mission that allows for no distractions – and certainly not for any affection.

Oh, but God has a wonderful sense of humor!  Elizabeth Camden knows how to showcase it well, too!! Against the Tide is probably the most perfect blend of history, suspense, romance and a deep-rooted sense of justice I’ve ever had the pleasure to read!  Truly, it is just brilliantly balanced.  The characters are well-developed, the plot line is well-paced, and the chemistry between Bane and Lydia has made me laugh out loud (more than once!) and has also taken my breath away.  I think this pairing is just the most brilliant thing I’ve read lately!!

The way Bane and Lydia work to expose the wicked drug lord – for that is indeed what he is – was also well paced and historically accurate.  This is just a perfect blend of so many of my favorite fiction elements, it’s hard not to gush!  The Opium trade was real and devastating! Read this book!! You will love it!!  I did! Buy your copy today!!

About the Author:
Elizabeth Camden, author of The Lady of Bolton Hill and The Rose of Winslow Street, received a master's in history from University of Virginia and a master's in library science from Indiana University. She is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth is a member of ACFW and RWA and lives with her husband in Florida. Visit her website atElizabethCamden.com

No comments: