Beyond All Dreams….Book Review!

Beyond All Dreams.…Book Review!

As most of you know, the Captain and I recently went back to Kansas for the wedding of  our grandson!  

Click on the following link if you would like to see that post: Winter Weddings….And The Color Purple!

Flying to Kansas in February means lots of snow and certainly cold and blowing winds….and this trip was no exception.

Bad weather also means delayed flights or re-routed flights and flight cancellations…and the Captain and I experienced all of the above.

I only tell you that to say this…..I had plenty of time to catch up on my reading.

This book is called “Beyond All Dreams” written by Elizabeth Camden and the below synopsis is from the publisher.

“Sweeping and Romantic Historical Drama from an Award-Winning Author
Anna O’Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across a baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. She is thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, but 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 until his promising career became 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 entanglement with a member 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 themselves?”

I really liked this book.

The fact that Anna, the main character, works in the Library of Congress attending to maps and surrounded by all kinds of books and architecture fascinated me.  There was mystery and romance and the book kept me “reading just one more page”.  

I liked the historical references and the descriptions of fashion and culture of that time period, as well as the descriptions of the all female boarding house and the foods they prepared. (you knew I would have to talk about food didn’t you?) 

Elizabeth Camden has a way of showing the intricate and well structured cast of characters, making them personable, as well as showing their imperfections. Her characters are portrayed so well…that I could visualize them vividly. I also found it interesting to learn about the movers and shakers in Washington DC and the “inside work” used to extract votes for popular and unpopular causes.

Anna belongs to a group of only 6 women, who were on a trial basis to see if they would “work out” in the Library of Congress. Anna was determined to not allow anything to jeopardize the positions of these women.  She took her work seriously…and then along came Luke, a congressman from Maine… who not only challenges her but frightens her also. 

There are many political dynamics at play that stand in the way of Anna’s search for the truth about her Father and the mysterious disappearance of the lost ship. The story line grows more intense as loyalty and trust is threatened and priorities are tested in the face of the impending Spanish-American war.

Did I say I really enjoyed this read? 🙂

I certainly did!

 

 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this book!