Against the Tide: Christian Fiction book review

    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.

  

    Author ~ Elizabeth Camden

    I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.

     I married relatively late in life, which turned out to be an odd kind of blessing.  My years as a single woman taught me many things. I learned to be independent and resilient. I learned how to manage my investments, earn and save enough money to have investments, mow my own lawn, fix the rickety appliances in my sixty-year old house, and spend the holidays on my own when travel to family was not possible. Most importantly, it taught me never to take my husband for granted. I give daily thanks for the blessing of being able to share a life with my favorite person on the planet.

    Wow! It is not often that a book that is so full of twists and turns that it is hard to put down comes my way.  Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden is just such a book.

    The story begins with a truly poverty stricken family in the late 1800's. The family lives on a tiny, decrepit fishing boat.  It is now time for the oldest daughter, Lydia, to go to school.  Lydia leaves her father at the dock excited and fearful at the same time.  The day passes and she returns to the dock to meet the boat, but they never return.   She is now an orphan and is taken to the orphanage to live.  This tragic situation shapes Lydia for the rest of her life.

     Through much hardship and an unusual gift for languages, Lydia is able to get a job translating documents for the Navy.  This provides some security for her, but that soon comes to an end.  Talked into helping a young man, Bane, uncover an opium smuggling operation, she is accused of dishonorable actions and fired from her job.  How she regains her life, and helps Bane to uncover and convict the smugglers, is a tale full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can read them!

     I highly recommend Against the Tide, by Elizabeth Camden for both its historical accuracy and excellent writing.

Julieanne
Joy In Our Journey.com

Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group provided me with one copy of Against the Tide in exchange for Joy In Our Journey's honest review of this book.  No other compensation was provided.

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