Monday, February 9, 2015

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden - REVIEWED



About the Book:
Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across the baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. Thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.

Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen before his promising career was shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglements with members of Congress. 

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?

My Thoughts:
Pieces of paper with words and lines on them that have the ability to change the world.”  (p. 167)

Luke’s love for the written word rivaled Anna’s love of cartography and her work at the Library of Congress.  Luke was a politician who made Anna’s acquaintance when he came to the library for a reprieve from politics.  Their unlikely pairing to work together on a report on oyster taxation opens the door to a relationship that is tumultuous at best.  Luke and Anna are more similar than they dare realize, and as they begin to learn about each other, it becomes apparent that between the two of them they have quite a few skeletons that haunt their past.

Anna hates secrets, and above everything, she want to dispel the mystery surrounding the death of her father.  What she could never imagine, was that there would come a time when all of the secrets she worked so hard to bring to light would spill out on the eve of war.  What Luke never dreamed was that Anna’s secrets held the key to his political success.  A more unlikely duo you’ve never met!


Elizabeth Camden has a unique ability to combine significant historical events with well-developed characters and complex relationships in a way that draws the reader in and then surprises you with unexpected twists and turns that leave you really thrilled at the way it all comes together.  This is a very well-written, captivating story that was so much more than I dared to expect.  I highly recommend  Beyond All Dreams!

About the Author:

Elizabeth Camden is the award-winning author of four books, including Against the Tide (2012), winner of a RITA Award, Christy Award, and Daphne du Maurier Award. With a master's in history and a master's in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Florida. Visit her website at www.elizabethcamden.com.

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