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: Cartography has historically been a very important skill and one that was highly valued and respected. The story’s female protagonist’s father was a cartographer for the United States; and he taught his beloved daughter, Anna, skills in the area of map study. Having lost her father at sea when a young girl, she grew up with her aunt and uncle. This was not a happy arrangement and left scars of the heart and body on Anna.
When she grew into adulthood, Anna was able to obtain a coveted job with the United States Library of Congress in the map library. She loved her job and realized that this gave her an opportunity to further investigate the loss of her father’s ship at sea. She also realized the tenuous position that female employees held since few valued the skills of ladies in positions such as she held.
While working in the map library, Anna met a congressman from Maine and is assigned to assist him in his research. She and Luke form a friendship and it develops into a sweet, budding romance. Anna realizes, though, that any romance or relationship between them would result in her abrupt dismissal from the Library of Congress as an employee.
Secrets abound in and around Washington and there are those whose careers would suffer if Anna pursues her quest to discover the true story behind her father’s ship.
I enjoyed roaming the halls of the Library of Congress and learning a bit of it’s history. Our Library of Congress has always served our Nation so it is worthwhile to learn about it. I enjoyed, too, the political fever that was leading up to the Spanish American War of 1898. Short lived though it was, it was avoided as long as possible and yet set the stage for further American expansion and conquest.
While historical fiction is truly that – fiction, it does serve well as a spring-board to further examine bits and pieces of history. This is a sweet, romantic read that treats the history lover with a journey into a world they so love – history. This is an easy book to recommend for his well-written prose that is all the while easy to read.
GIVEAWAY: A copy has been reserved by Litfuse Publicity Group for one of Chat With Vera's readers. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form below and let's see who will receive this little treasure. Begins February 10 & ENDS February 28 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to USA addresses only.
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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.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse Publicity Group to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.
I most likely would not because not that I am a follower I am just need a total leader I don't like to start trends and stuff like that
ReplyDeleteHaha Nothing so here ya go
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, the result of American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence.
Yes I would. I imagine a government office job in the 1800's was hard to get, but I know true love is even harder to find! Robin in NC rw620 at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten that Cuban independence was the cause of the Spanish-American War.
ReplyDeleteRobin in NC rw620 at aol dot com
That is a great question. I think that I would be in much prayer about it but would definitely chose God's pick of true love for me over the career. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI do not remember what we learned about the Spanish American war in school, but I am finding that learning history is more fun now when I am reading historical fiction like Elizabeth's book.
ReplyDeleteI know almost nothing about the Spanish American war.
ReplyDeleteI dated my first husband when we were in the military and he outranked me. It was against the rules then.
ReplyDeleteI think I might. It would depend on the circumstances, but probably would. sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI would need to do a little studying I'm afraid on the Spanish American War.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I would "date" a man if it was against the rules, especially in 1897. I would think my mindset would be that of the era, I probably wouldn't know any better. And plus, I do tend to stay within the rules anyway, lol!
ReplyDeleteOk I googled it, lol....this is what Wikipedia has to say: "The Spanish/American war was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, the result of American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence." So much for my history knowledge! :-D
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of a tough question. I do tend to follow rules but in this case I think it would depend a lot on the man. Perhaps he would be worth bending the rules!
ReplyDeleteI know that Teddy Roosevelt led his "rough riders" in the Spanish/American War.
ReplyDeleteI think I would consider a date with a special gentleman.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about the Spanish/American war.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a tough decision. I wouldn't want to lose my position, but would I be able to resist the man I'd fallen in love with? Probably not!
ReplyDeleteI learned on Wikipedia that the ten-week war was fought in both the Caribbean and the Pacific!
ReplyDeleteP.S. The Twitter link for Bethany House should be @Bethany_House
Susan Heim - thank you so much for helping me with the @Bethany_House Twitter name. I've fixed it now. :)
DeleteI don't think so, because I am generally a rule-follower.
ReplyDeleteOff the top of my head the only thing I recalled about the Spanish-American War is Teddy Roosevelt, the Rough Riders and the Battle of San Juan Hill.
ReplyDeleteI love Elizabeth Camden's books and have been wanting to read this one for a while! If I were in Anna's place, I probably would have avoided the guy to keep the dream job. We just studied the Spanish-American War in our homeschool, primarily through a biography of Teddy Roosevelt's life. I hardly knew anything about it so I found it really interesting! Thanks for sharing your review of this book at Booknificent Thursday!
ReplyDeleteTina
Hi Vera. I'm afraid I would go with my heart. What if that was the gentleman GOD had for me. But, would think twice if I was the only money maker at home.
ReplyDeleteMaxie > mac262@me(dot)com <
Vera, I think maybe this was the one between between Mexico and Texas. I live near where this happened. Only an hour or so from The Alamo. And about 20 min. to the San Jacinto Monument is. And they ave an re-enactment every year. Otherwise at my age my memory isn't very good and don't know anything about Wilapedia.
ReplyDeleteMaxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I think I would. If I loved him, I would feel like the job didn't matter.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I don't remember much of anything about the Spanish American War! I find that I love to read about history now but I evidently didn't retain my history courses back in school!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I guess I am old-fashioned...I probably would not have broken any rules to date the man.
ReplyDeleteI obviously didn't remember anything about the Spanish-American War. I had forgotten that control over Cuba was the major issue.
ReplyDeleteI might try to find a way to know the gentleman better in an un-date type fashion - group dinner or meetings, etc.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I know a little about the Spanish American War: Remember the Maine!, Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders storming up San Juan Hill, etc..
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I would have broken the rules at the chance for a true love.
ReplyDeleteSherri J (savvyblog(at)yahoo(dot)com)
I know very little about the Spanish American War. I did look and learned it really revolved around the ownership of Cuba.
ReplyDeleteSherri J