Lucy is a whiz at reading and translating morse code. Her brother, Nick, is a gifted plumber who wants to help out in the tenements to make the lives of the poor better.  The only fly in the ointment is their Uncle Thomas who has embroiled the family in a law suit for forty years over the use of a specialized pump that will get water to the upper floors of tenement buildings so that the residents don't have to haul water up multiple flights of stairs. 

Elizabeth Camden has written an intriguing turn-of-the-century novel with mystery, skull-duggery, and underhanded dealings. Lucy's abilities with morse code landed her a job with the Associated Press, transcribing stories as they came in for the newspaper in New York.  She meets Sir Colin Beckworth, who has an office in the building and works for Reuters.  Together they work on defeating Uncle Thomas' in the lawsuit about the pump.  When Uncle Thomas' father, Jacob, comes to town, he finds Nick and offers to teach him all that there is to know in taking care of the family business.  Jacob wants to leave his entire estate to Nick. 

This is a five star book, just based on the excellence of the writing.  It holds all the hallmarks of a good read:  intriguing plot twists, engaging characters, and interesting settings.  The only thing this book lacks is that I am not an afficionado of mysteries.  I'm still giving the book five stars, even though it is not my favorite genre.  Two Thumbs Up, and a transcribed morse code message.

My appreciation goes to Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Wow. 

Lucy Drake and her brother Nick has been fighting their devil of an uncle for as long as they can remember, a trial that's been going on for over forty years over the financial rights to her grandfather's invention.

She works in Associated Press as a telegraph operator, She meets Sir Colin Beckwith who seems to be bad news, but they both soon realize they could be of help to one another.

Since this is not a very long book I'm not going into more details, this book is very fast-paced and yet full of information that didn't bore me out, I dived into the 1930s in a blink of an eye I didn't have any problem picturing new york city or any of the other locations mentioned in the book, I love a good historical fiction, it gives you so much information and there is just this feeling about lives where life was simple and smooth without the complication of today's rush and speed technology.

All the Characters had depth, I might be a little too amazed by Colin's character, but yet again he deserves it. The villains in this book look like as if they came out of a comic book, SO WICKED with no sense of empathy.

The romance was a little cliche, but that's aside I can't say enough about this book, I totally see myself reading more of Elizabeth Camden

Do you like pertinent information in a novel being given to you gradually, or do you want to know it immediately? While I find it can be intriguing to put the pieces together, especially in a mystery novel, there are also times when I want to know NOW! I was in one of the latter moods during the opening pages of A Dangerous Legacy. I wanted to know what the legal issue was and I wanted it yesterday! Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long to discover why Lucy and her brother didn’t have much of a life outside of their jobs and the courtroom. I was also charmed by the cricket reference in those early pages and the accuracy of the detail in it. Yes, Britain, my home country, known for tea (which I can’t stand) and cricket (which I adore).

Fans of shows such as Downton Abbey will enjoy this tale of those who have, those who don’t, and those who fall somewhere in between. Colin is one of those members of the British aristocracy who is land rich and cash poor. He’s looking to marry a wealthy American heiress so he can repair his ancestral home and provide not only for his family but also for those who live and work on the estate. The pretensions of the Gilded Age are fully displayed, with the newly wealthy flocking to him because of his title. Lucy and Nick show concern for the have-nots, while they themselves are in the in between crowd. Readers will also get an insight into the news wire rivalries, sewers, and insane asylums of the early twentieth century although, personally, I could’ve done without the sewer knowledge!

A Dangerous Legacy was a book I really enjoyed. I liked Colin and Lucy: they were down to earth, practical people who were honest with each other, although they did show their emotions. There were no contrived misunderstandings between them either. There were plenty of dramatic moments and some equally beautiful ones too. And, the nice things is, I didn’t have to say a complete goodbye to these characters as this is the first in a new series! The second book, featuring Lucy’s brother, is coming out in early 2018. Sounds like you’ll want to have read this one first though.

Thank you to Bethany House for my complimentary electronic copy of A Dangerous Legacy, which I downloaded from NetGalley. No review was required.

Lucy Drake and her brother are fighting a forty-year legal battle with a relative over a successful plumbing invention. Their purpose is altruistic. The relative's? Not so much. But the battle is taking a toll and getting dangerous.

Colin Beckwith is an English aristocrat with a moldering estate and the need for a wealthy wife. The problem arises when he meets Lucy. While Colin is steadfast in his plan to marry into money, the author gives him a good reason, along with that proper English "stiff upper lip." She also gives him a fear that brings him off the lofty heights he might otherwise occupy in his mind and in the minds of others. 

I won't go into detail about the physical peril that lurks for the two of them, but it's a desperate situation. My only issue was with an instance in which they escape a potentially dangerous episode and immediately seem to feel all is well. "Phew! We escaped that and we can go on about our lives." (My quote. It's not in the book.) Had it been me, I would have continued to look over my shoulder, knowing the threat remained. It seemed a bit unrealistic, and I kept wondering why Colin wasn't worried about Lucy.

The romance is there, of course, but somewhat muted (for a romance novel). However, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, their issues, and the theme of not sacrificing our lives---our "souls"---to bitterness and circumstances that won't bring happiness. A must read just for the evil conspiracy.

Brave Lucy and her brother Nick are in a terrible situation. They are involved in a long-standing lawsuit against their nasty family involving the ownership of a patent for valves. This has practically sent them penniless although they are both employed, and in their spare time they help the poor  by secretly installing the valves.

When Lucy, a telegraph operator at AP Press, discovers secrets about her family, the adventures start. Together with her young rival, Colin, who works at Reuters, she gets involved in dangerous situations - even ending up in an insane asylum at one stage! When they discover that Lucy's family may be even more evil than they thought, it's a race against time to stop a terrible assassination plot. Lucy has to struggle to keep the faith, however, there isn't much religion in this book.

Lucy and Colin were engaging characters and the historical setting was well-researched and interesting.  I found the story rather far-fetched, however, and I admit to just skimming the end. I may try more of Elizabeth Camden's books.

I received this free ebook from Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley in return for an honest review.

This is book one in the Empire State series, and I look forward to reading more from this series. This book has some laughter, mystery, loyalty, frustration, personal growth, history and of course romance. 

Sir Colin Beckwith, is a handsome and frustrating man. There were times I wanted to just shake some since into him, however I think given the time period he acted exactly as he should have. I loved his personality, determination and the way Camden just made him an imperfect hero type character in this novel.

Lucy Drake, is a unique lady. She is pretty, hardworking, and determined woman. Who is trying to finally make right the on going family feud, sometimes at any cost it seems. I love her relationship with her brother and also the sparks and laughter she and Colin share.

A Dangerous Legacy contains some hallmarks of a great novel- it is well-written, staged within an inventive setting, contains brilliant characters, and has a perfectly-paced and imaginative plot. I love Elizabeth Camden's books because they are so unique. She comes up with ideas for stories placed within such detailed and creative settings, which makes for quality story-telling. This isn't a sappy romance book where the love story drives the characters. This is a book about interesting, intelligent characters who fall in love. The distinction sounds subtle, but it informs every part of this book and sets the tone in a most pleasing way. I feel more intelligent having read this book, and it was made even more pleasing because of the love story and faith journeys that the characters experienced. 
If you're looking for an awesome book to read, I'd highly recommend this one!

Lucy Drake's mastery of Morse code has made her a valuable asset to the American news agencies as a telegrapher. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Newly arrived from London, Colin is talented, handsome, and insufferably charming. 

Despite their rivalry, Lucy realizes Colin's connections could be just what her family needs to turn the tide of their long legal battle over the fortune they were swindled out of forty years ago. When she negotiates an unlikely alliance with him, neither of them realizes how far the web of treachery they're wading into will take them.

Honestly, I’m not quite sure what I think of this book.  Elizabeth Camden always writes such unique stories and I always enjoy the history and different settings she utilizes.  I didn’t have too terribly many expectations for this book, since some of hers have been favorites, and others simply under the heading of “good.”  I definitely didn’t dislike it, and is without a doubt, unique.  There were a couple times when the story went a direction I wasn’t expecting, which was fun, but there were moments that didn’t quite mesh, leaving me feeling a bit discombobulated. 
As always, Ms. Camden does an excellent job of setting the stage and creating a compelling story, filled with unique historical details and curious characters that made me alternate between wanting to hug and strangle them.  I loved the setting, New York City in the very early 1900s, telegraph operators, a generations-long feud, and a conspiracy.  The author somehow manages to make something that sounds quite ordinary, (like telegraphy) rather extraordinary, which is one of my favorite things about her books.  She makes history interesting and intriguing!  And I really enjoyed the suspense side of the story, with the perspectives alternating and making me wonder what could possibly happen next!
I also quite liked the characters.  Lucy Drake is a spitfire, for sure.  She’s stubborn and determined, often unwilling to bend, something that serves her well in dealing with her relations.  She’s also kind and has a strong sense of justice, with a deep desire to do good to those around her.  Sir Colin Beckwith is a little less altruistic, though for the most part, his heart is in the right place.  He’s an titled Englishman and comes across a bit haughty at times, though part of it is learned, some is a defense against the world.  He struggles with his past and memories that chase him, even in the daylight.  Both have their strengths and weaknesses, which makes them come alive on the page.  I loved seeing them grow and change throughout the story, not staying the same, but learning from mistakes and making new ones.  I’m very curious to see if Lucy’s brother, Nick, will have a story of his own (hint, hint)!
Overall, I found this to be an intriguing story, complete with suspense and a well thought romance.

Great read! The characters are loveable, the story draws you in before grabbing a hold of you and taking you on a wild ride until the very last page when it lets you off 'the roller coaster'. I really enjoyed this book! Received from the publisher for our honest review.

Elizabeth Camden's books are so quirky that they fill your heart with fuzzy feelings and make a silly smile impossible to be hidden.
Plus, she has the talent to pick "simple" historical facts/inventions (many things we might actually take for granted today) and spin a fascinating story that grows very strongly in your heart. And the way she ties all these little details to support the main plot is truly astonishing. Maybe you've heard that her novels are veeery detailed, but no fear, there's nothing randomly put just to fill the story.

I love layered stories in which you deeply get to know the characters as the story progresses, and in which history is richly enlaced into the plot. I know Elizabeth Camden is one of these writers, though I haven't read many of her books. Nevertheless, something I am quickly finding out to be true is that she can write heroes annoyingly infuriating who make you want to wipe away their roguish grin during the first pages, but, also, who can gain your heart quite quickly.

Colin Beckwith is one of these said heroes. At the same time, especially in the beginning, he can be snobbish and maddening, as you get deeper into the story, you'll find out he's a man who's been given a burden he's not sure he's fit to carry it out and who, when chasing after his dream, got himself trapped into a conflict he now spends his present time trying to forget.  Honestly, Colin can be described with the same words he used to describe his home back in England: from the outside, it looked like a castle, inside it was a wreck. He's been forced to keep a mask in order to preserve his family's legacy - or at least he sees this as the only way - and the only thing keeping him sane is the opportunity to still work with what he loves, even if not in the front lines.

Once again, though, he's mistaken. His supposed sanity and his heart will be tested when he meets Lucy Drake. They come from different social classes, have been raised with a different perspective of life, work for competing companies, what can they possibly have in common? Apparently, nothing, until they stumble into each others' secrets and are forced to form an association. Even so, soon they will find in each other a kindred spirit because of more than just shared passion for telegraphy but due to decades-old inherited burdens, which they fight with all their might for.

As they get to know each other, how long can they continue to put their families' legacy in front of their own personal desires? How far becomes too far once you've known true sense of camaraderie alongside peace and happiness?

I'm so excited there will be one more installment to this story. Nick's book couldn't come soon enough :)
surely one of the best reads of the year!

A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden is the first book in An Empire State Novel series.  It is 1903 in New York City where Lucy Drake works as a telegraph operator for the Associated Press and she lives with her brother, Nick.  The AP’s rival news agency Reuters (located in the same building) has a new man at the helm, Sir Colin Beckwith.  Colin is attracted to Lucy, but he needs an heiress for a bride. Colin has a Whitefriars, a family estate, to maintain and it takes money (especially since it is falling down with disrepair).  Lucy and Colin slowly develop a friendship.  Lucy’s family has been in a heated forty-year legal battle with relatives, and Colin has the means to assist her family gain some valuable information.  But, someone does not like Colin nosing around and will do what it takes to put an end to it.  What have Colin and Lucy stumbled into?  

A Dangerous Legacy is well-written and has great characters.  The author always creates such delightful, well-developed characters.  The mystery captured my attention.  I wish it had been slightly more challenging to solve.  The book has a fast pace and an interesting premise.  I had not read about news agencies prior to this novel and I found it fascinating.  There is just the right amount of humor in the story.  There are some definite laugh out loud moments.  The book has romance, intrigue, suspense, humor, homing pigeons, Morse code, bad guys, and so much more.  Ms. Camden did a wonderful job at capturing the era in A Dangerous Legacy.  My favorite line in the book was “broken free of a dangerous legacy”.  I give A Dangerous Legacy 5 out of 5 stars.  This is one of those books that I started around 9 p.m. and I stayed up late to finish it.  I could not put it down.  I am eager to read the next book in An Empire State Novel series.

Elizabeth Camden masterfully weaves consistent tales, full of rich history and details. Her work is always in the details. I am impressed with the efforts she puts into her writing, to retell true events from the past, entwined with her appealing fictional characters. They are not quick easy reads, and I enjoy being able to fully loose myself within the pages. 

'A Dangerous Legacy' is the first in a brand new series, set in New York, appropriately titled 'Empire State'. It introduces us to the Drake Family. One side being incredibly wealthy and positioned to influence, not only the local society, but also the political world. The other side of the Drakes are trapped in a state of near poverty due to a 40 year long battle to prove that a water valve, invented to regulate water pressure - was by rights the ownership of their grandfather, not the Uncle that now has extortionate prices and rakes in the millions in profit. Lucy and Nick Drake have devoted their lives and much of their earnings for legal fees, in order to keep their case in the courts. Everything has been put on hold for them, including the very opportunity to marry & settle down. They endure constant threat of loosing everything, except they have one secret up their sleeve. 

Lucy, a telegrapher for the AP works in the Western Union Telegraph Building in Manhattan. Her path crosses early on in the story with Sir Colin Beckworth, a British aristocrat who works for Reuters. Not only is he a titled landowner, he is also heavily in debt, inherited from his father. His estate in England is in a terrible state of disrepair. Colin feels the weight of the responsibility for his sister and his tenants that rely on him for their survival. He is in New York in his efforts to snag a wealthy heiress, into a marriage that will save his home. Love? That doesn't really come into it. What he does not expect, is to develop a friendship and attraction with strongwilled, passionate fighter and beautiful, Lucy Drake, who takes him on a journey that will not only risk his chances at gaining that financial security, but uncover criminal activity and put both of their lives in peril. 

Upon finishing this book I was intrigued into the building so commonly used as the backdrop, the telegraph office in which both of these prestigious news agencies were based in real life. It was demolished in 1914, but what a fantastic looking building! Worth a google!

As always I loved the story, but I do look for small inspirational pieces. Anyone who is high profile enough will appreciate that its almost impossible to keep themselves out of the press. But you don't have to be celebrity to suffer the difficulties that come when unfounded gossip is spread about you by other means. Comments made that are untrue are incredibly hurtful, and often times almost impossible to defend. When other people make a choice to spread gossip and lies about another, that is their choice to make. I admire what Lucy says towards the end of the book: When dealing with the Count she says quote "I don't care what people say about us... I care about who we are" and then later "There are things you can control in the world, and things you can't". For those of us who have experienced this, it can be extremely painful. Especially when people you consider your friends choose to believe it. This was a powerful reminder to me today, that there are just some things you cannot control. Learning to be OK with the unkind things people say, is a real challenge. However, as always we should focus on caring about who you ARE. That is far more important, and those that truly bother to get to know you, will know that and value it. 

I eagerly await the next installment, that will follow Nicholas Drake. 

Thank you to Netgalley & Bethany House for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Wow!!! this is the second book I've read by Elizabeth Camden and I'm really impressed!! yes its a romance but it isnt just a romance theres a bit of mystery trying to figure out who exactly is behind the plot and definitely growth for both characters! I'm not sure I can say enough good things about his book! I loved the look at how stories were sent, and learning a bit about the Reuters. I loved the bit of history with the pipeline and the first transatlantic message sent via morse code.

How long can you hold your breath?

This is one that I didn’t want to end, even though it had some really tense chapters. Fabulous Christian historical mystery with touching, endearing characters. Lucy Drake is a telegrapher with the AP whose Grandfather was an inventor.  He allowed his brother to market and sell one of his inventions while he was away at war, but when he came back he found that he didn’t have a share in the money or company. Lucy’s family has been involved in a lawsuit to regain their share in the company. Even though she and her brother have been threatened for years, they have no idea the lengths that their Uncle and cousin are willing to go to.  They meet Sir Colin Beckwith, who works for Reuters, and they would never guess the value his connection will be to them. You won’t want to put this down as Lucy dives further and further into the legal fight, and eventually a fight for her life and that of a high-ranking political figure as well. Lots of depth to this story! Very interesting characters and background that will keep you involved right to the end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Brother and sister Nick and Lucy Drake look like average, hard-working New Yorkers in 1903. Nick’s job takes him deep under the city working for the water authority. His sister Lucy’s job takes her all over the world—whilst sitting in the Associated Press’s telegraph office. While they’d like a shot a romance, their unscrupulous Uncle Thomas seems to ruin every chance they’ve ever had.

When Sir Colin Beckworth arrives at the AP’s rival news agency, he and Lucy immediately clash. Although he has charm aplenty, he also suffers from British snobbery and the need to marry a wealthy woman to shore up his family’s estates.  He and Lucy form an uneasy partnership when each discovers a wrong the other has committed. 

Colin even volunteers to help Lucy discover more about their Uncle Thomas and the evidence he supposedly has that will ruin the Drakes court case against him. When Lucy hears (illegally) a transmission that may put the President’s life in danger that involves either her uncle or her cousin, Colin investigates. 

As Lucy and Colin become better acquainted, they each fear for their heart—knowing full well that they could never pursue a romance. 

Camden creates unique characters surrounded by rich history. Readers who enjoy inspirational romance as well as suspense will enjoy this book.

Historically interesting, I was hooked in by the premise of Reuters versus the Associated Press as well as the idea of a well-reasoned legal drama. The news agency portion of the story is fascinating but the family lawsuit didn’t live up to the hope I had for it. Whilst being at the centre of the strife, in essence it’s a simple fight and the reader spends little time in the court room. I enjoy both Lucy and Colin, our leading characters, as they are interesting people with complex histories. The book disappointed me in pace, I found the writing repetitive in several places, over and over Elizabeth Camden restated key facts about characters and it disrupted the story. The first 25% had me ready to set it aside, we just weren’t moving at all and then a twist occurred and curiosity carried me for the next 50%. The ending for me was lacklustre though, a huge build up to a resolution of a 40 year fight fizzled out as did the romance. The conclusion is unexpected, which I always enjoy, but all in all not a fantastic read, 3 out of 5 on the enjoyment scale.

A Dangerous Legacy is loaded with history and intrigue, and touched with a light flavoring of romance. I love when fictional stories include factual historical events. Recorded history is expertly woven throughout, and adds so much to the plot. 

My favorite character in this story is Sir Colin Beckwith. He has his faults, but he is a unique and charismatic man. Lucy Drake is also an interesting character, but I have to say, I wasn’t as deeply drawn to her as I would’ve liked. I liked and sympathized with her, but only developed a surface-level emotional connection.

I feel as if I was transported to the early 1900s, and learned a lot of fascinating information about Morse code, carrier pigeons, how the AP and Reuters transmitted information to news agencies, and the first trans-pacific cable. I imagined living during that time, when women were expected to live very different lives than those of today, and wondered if I would’ve been as strong as Lucy Drake. I admire how fought for the moral right, even if meant bending the law and sacrificing many years of her life. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot was strong, the characters were interesting, and the ending was satisfying. I feel the story’s pacing lagged in the middle, but I stayed the course, and was glad I did.

3.5 Stars


Cover: Love
Title: Love
Publisher: Bethany House 
Pages: 352
First Lines: The amount of female attention her brother garnered never failed to amaze Lucy. Even when he was wearing grubby coveralls and carrying a sack of plumber’s tools, girls flocked around Nick as though he were Casanova.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and NetGalley.

Elizabeth Camden is an auto-buy author for me…not because I love everything she writes. It’s because she’s a good writer and more than that…one of those rare ones who is able to create different heroines and heroes in each novel. I never know what to expect and I love that feeling. I will admit that with this one, I started it, and then put it back down. Usually I can tell where a book is going almost from the first few chapters. I couldn’t with this one. However, once I picked it back up, I fell in love with it. My thoughts:

What I liked

The plot. Here we have a bit of a Bleak House (Charles Dickens) situation. Lucy and her brother are in the midst of fighting a legal case that’s been fought for generations. The family that they’re fighting though is not just legally annoying; they do everything they can to tear down Lucy and her brother’s life. Then you have Colin who is a titled gentleman from London. At first I didn’t know where he fit in as he is trying to marry an heiress. And yet somehow these two plots managed to get tangled in such a lovely way.

Lucy. My initial reaction was oh goodness, Lucy is going to be one of those heroines who is really rabid about something to the point where she  puts it above everything else…but she’s not. She’s kind and generous and smart and thoughtful (Camden creates some of the most brilliant heroines). Obviously she cares about the legal case but that’s because she has an innate sense of justice. The case does drive her, but never to the point where she becomes unlikeable.

Colin. Colin is a man with a great sense of duty and honor. Even though he’s trying to marry an heiress, you know it’s because he cares about his tenants at home and taking care of his family line. I like that he’s a man who can take charge and still lives with his nanny. He’s very smart and brave and yet suffers from a malady that makes him look weak. He’s complex, but loveable.

The romance. This was a romance based on honesty. Thank you Elizabeth Camden. Colin and Lucy are completely upfront with each other regarding what they want. There are no secrets and no hissy-fits. They enter their friendship/relationship with their eyes open. And this served to make their romance just that more tender, just that more sweet.

The history. I managed to learn so much about this era in time, about plumbing, about honing pigeons, about journalism, about telegrams and so much more…all without the author stopping to give me long paragraphs explaining how it worked. She was able to interweave all these facts into the narrative effortlessly.

Spiritually, both Colin and Lucy learn what’s really important in life and once they’re willing to give it up and trust God, He will make a way.

What I didn’t like

I guess I should say the beginning since it didn’t draw me in right away, but other than that, I really had fun with this book.

Romantic scale: 8

Overall, a real winner. As always I’m looking forward to the next Camden novel

** I received a copy from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

A Dangerous Legacy what a wonderful yet horrible story , wonderful because the whole story is amazing .  The author did an incredible job pulling your interest in immediately and were getting used to love the two characters Nick and Lucy and despise the uncle, and that is what makes it horrible the uncle . The horrible part is you fall so in love with Nick and Lucy and then you have the uncle who is loaded trying to destroy them, literally, throughout the whole book through the courts yes but also through lousy, sleazy, underhanded ways. Why are they going to court against their uncle – and the results will end up to do something serious for the two of them, well I'm not going to tell you , you have to read it to get that very serious answer. You won't believe where Lucy gets help from when she is taken to court a competitor from where she does her work doing Morse code her – hey I'm not going to tell you everything, but I will tell you it gets very interesting, exciting and exhilarating.