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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Lady of Bolton Hill Review and Giveaway!

Elizabeth Camden's debut historical novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill, was all that I hoped for from a new Bethany House author. Here's a blurb from the author's website:

Clara Endicott is beginning to make a name for herself as a journalist who is intent on exposing the dark side of industry.

In the splendor of gilded age America, she soon finds herself face to face with the childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished steel worker she once knew.

Daniel Tremain has risen to become a powerful industry giant. He had always idolized Clara, but when she writes an exposé about his company, it will trigger a series of events that threatens to destroy the only woman Daniel has ever loved.

While I'm usually not a fan of prologues, Elizabeth's is necessary to ground the reader in the one pivotal experience Daniel has as a young man that shapes his future. Daniel's reaction to his loss is drastic...and the bitterness he feels toward those he perceives as responsible begins to eat away at him. Clara's attempts to save Daniel from himself fall on deaf ears---so deaf, in fact, that I wondered what was going to change Daniel's mind. (You'll have to read it to find out, but it was realistic.)

I loved the childhood friendship between Daniel and Clara. I think it was always my girlhood dream that my best guy friend would suddenly realize that I was more than a homework tutor or character reference to get other chicks and that he would fall hopelessly in love with me. *sigh* Daniel and Clara have the sparks, and their first kiss is totally worth their years-long wait.

Clara is an interesting sort. She's making her way in a male-dominated field, and she's got issues of her own to deal with about male domination. What a paradox! I was pleased to see how she came to a healthier place emotionally in this regard.

Now....the villain...he's where I want to camp out. I mean, totally messed up internal psyche. Elizabeth gave him one heck of a back story, and his attempts to survive the hand he had been dealt had changed him. And survive he did, with memories of his far more innocent days haunting him. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll have to stop here...but this guy is scary. Like, psychopath-scary. And I especially love the way his character arc comes to a conclusion.

One can only hope for a follow up sequel to this book, featuring Daniel's hard-to-marry sister, perhaps? And I'd love to see a return of the "villain."

Fantastic read, Elizabeth. I hope you put me down on your influencer list permanently.

And I'm sharing the reading enjoyment, folks! Enter your email address in the comment section and I'll put you in the drawing for a copy of this book. (I'd appreciate it if you'd click on the "Follow" button in the right hand column, as I especially like to treat my readers with these giveaways.)

Drawing will end Sunday....so what are you waiting on?

Blog Tour Buddies: Today I'm over at Angela Sasser's blog and Robyn Campbell's blog where I'm holding a giveaway for my Writer's Guide to Creating Rich Back Stories! Stop on by!

17 comments:

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Jeanie,

It's nice to meet you. I'm stopping by from Robyn's site as well as Elizabeth Mueller's.... Great concept BTW for the character therapist. You have great presence in the blogosphere today...

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Have a great day.

Michael

Susanne Dietze said...

Jeannie, thanks for the review. You always do such a good job: I read your reviews, and then I have to get my hands on a copy of the book.

I'd love to read this one, too! Please enter me in the drawing. srdietze at sbcglobal dot net

Diane said...

Gorgeous cover and the book sounds good too. Love a strong villain! :O)

Unknown said...

Sounds like my kind of book! Excellent review ~ now I want to read it! Thanks for the contest! Here is my email address: biblioprincess15 (at) yahoo (dot) come.

Blessings,
Rachelle

Miss Sharp said...

A review from Jeannie - what a dream come true for a debut writer!

On this one: historical, check. Outstanding villain, check. Well-done prologue, check!

one(dot)day(at)comcast.net

Susan Anne Mason said...

This is about the third great review I've read of this book! That, and the gorgeous cover, make it a top of the list to buy book!

I don't know if I'm eligible for the draw since I'm in Canada. But I'll leave my email, just in case!! :)

Cheers,
Sue
sbmason at sympatico dot ca

Ann Lee Miller said...

Thanks for the chance to win. :) I'm a follower.

Ann_Lee_Miller[at]msn[dot]com

Katie Marie said...

Just found your blog and am now a follower. Lovely blog and I will be sure to stop by frequently and explore. :-D

Meanwhile, I'd love a chance at winning this book.

Thanks!

~ Katy
agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristen said...

This sounds like such a fantastic book. Thanks so much for the chance to win!!
Have a great day.
Kristen

kristengjohnson (at) gmail (.) com

Melissa Jagears said...

me, me!

rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

Rachel Leigh Smith said...

Don't enter me, I influenced too.

I'm right there with you on the villain! I wanted to camp out with him too. Well done all around.

Jillian Kent said...

Hey Jeannie,
I've visited Elizabeth's website recently. Very nice. And I'm a sucker for a great villain so you and Elizabeth have my complete attention. I'd love to read it.
jilly11(at)cinci(dot)rr(dot)com

karenk said...

a wonderful posting/review...thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel :)

~karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Susan Baganz said...

Definitely piqued my interest to read this story! silygoos at gmail dot com.

Maggie Brendan said...

Oh, I really wanted to read this book. I love the cover! Please enter me.

Anonymous said...

I'm dying to read this book! Sounds like my kind of novel. Hope I'm not too late to enter. Alice Lynn mplank@hevanet.com

Megan said...

I would love to read this book, please enter me.

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

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Both comments and questions are welcome. I hope you enjoyed your time on the couch today.