Bookworm Review: Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden

This review was first shared in episode 18 on the Historical Bookworm Show.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Her gilded world holds a deeply hidden secret.  

After years of tragedy, Gwen Kellerman now lives a quiet life as a botanist at an idyllic New York college. She largely ignores her status as heiress to the infamous Blackstone dynasty and hopes to keep her family’s heartbreak and scandal behind her.

Patrick O’Neill survived a hardscrabble youth to become a lawyer for the downtrodden Irish immigrants in his community. He’s proud of his work, even though he struggles to afford his ramshackle law office. All that changes when he accepts a case that is sure to emphasize the Blackstones’ legacy of greed and corruption by resurrecting a thirty-year-old mystery.

Little does Patrick suspect that the Blackstones will launch their most sympathetic family member to derail him. Gwen is tasked with getting Patrick to drop the case, but the old mystery takes a shocking twist neither of them saw coming. Now, as they navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger, Patrick and Gwen will be forced to decide if the risk to the life they’ve always held dear is worth the reward.

The Review

Elizabeth Camden continues her legacy of excellent storytelling with memorable characters who readers can root for. Underdog lawyer, Patrick, is tasked with pushing a criminal’s book through to publication despite the Blackstones trying to block it’s release as it will drag their reputation through the muck. He’s met his match in the sweet Blackstone heiress, Gwen, who is sent to change his mind. Readers will anxiously speed through chapters to see if the two will be able to breach insurmountable odds while also solving a decades old mystery that becomes deadly. Another great story from Camden with a sweet romance, ideals of acceptance, and very brief, mild violence.

In the mood for a charming historical romance mixed with danger then Carved in Stone should be on the top of your to be read pile.

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

About the Author

Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida, whose novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction.

Fidn out more about Elizabth on her webstie ElizabethCamden.com

Episode 18: Guest Lori Benton & a Review of Carved in Stone

Join guest Lori Benton for a chat about her latest release Shiloh Book 2 of the Kindred Series. Giveaway Link here!

We look at quotes from Jane Austin, Mark Twain, and Fredrick Douglas on our Pinch of the Past. Full article here.

In the mood for a charming historical romance mixed with danger then Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden should be on the top of your to be read pile! Full review here.

 

Episode 6: Guest Elizabeth Camden & a Review of Braced for Love

Join us for a chat with librarian and award-winning writer, Elizabeth Camden as she shares her wisdom about writing touching love stories, the worth of failure, and the inspiration behind her latest release The Prince of Spies. Find out more about Elizabeth on her website ElizabethCamden.com. If you like historical tidbits and fun vintage photographs, follow Elizabeth on her Facebook page Author Elizabeth Camden. 

On the Pinch of the Past we explore the odd and humorous slang employed by Tom Arleth, a secondary character in Grace Livingston Hill’s 1932 edition of Happiness Hill. This crackerjack of a character uses terms right from the era in which the book was written.

Our Bookworm Review features Mary Connealy’s latest release, Braced for Love. If you enjoy reading clean, western romance with a little danger, family values, and a marriage of convenience, you won’t want to miss Braced for Love, book 1 in Mary Connealy’s Brothers in Arms Series.