From Russia to New York and everywhere in between. What an adventurous story! I loved Dmitri's survival aspect of the story, his humbling, and yet is quirky personality. And that's only half the book. The music industry in the 1900s was interesting to learn about, I'd never thought of the mathematics that went into the invention of the phonograph.
Natalia's struggle to be in a relationship with someone who couldn't have children affected her decisions, and that was interesting to watch play out. It's a very real decision some must make. I appreciated that these characters were a little older than typical CF. I just love how I always learn so much in Camden's books. I always recommend them and this one is no different!

I was so honored to get approved for an Elizabeth Camden ARC! And it did not disappoint!
The historical aspect of this book drew me in quickly and I learned about an event in Russian history I wasn’t aware of. She did a great job shedding light on crimes committed against the rural underprivileged class who were unable to fight back or implement change themselves.
My only reason for the missing star was the extreme vanity and privilege by one of the main characters. It made it hard for me to cheer him on while he crusaded for justice for the downtrodden.
But overall great addition to the series!

I love, love, love the ongoing influx of novels featuring all things Russia into today's book scene. _Written on the Wind_ is a welcome addition to the genre, and another stellar installment that lives up to my increasingly high expectations for author Elizabeth Camden! (No pressure, LOL.)

I loved Camden's _Hope and Glory_ series, as well as Book 1 in this (Blackstone Legacy) series, _Carved in Stone_. _Written on the Wind_ may be my new favorite, mostly due to its featuring all things Russia (even if the "cz" spelling was used rather than "ts" for the royals!). (I studied Russian in college, and thanks to that and an Edinburgh Museum exhibit on the Romanovs, I'm now firmly in the "tsar"/"tsarits" spelling camp.) Still, spelling aside, the read is fantastic: quick pacing, the perfect length to flesh out the storyline and details, and shoutouts to some of my favorite classical composers and classic reads. I may need to find an audiobook version of _War and Peace_ now--but maybe abridged!

I do recommend reading the series in order; this book features characters from Book 1, and the reader will benefit from knowing their story (as well as that of the Blackstone patriarch!).

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

“Sometimes our best memories are born during our harshest trials. They become happy only in hindsight.”

This second installment of The Blackstone Legacy is an intercontinental saga of epic proportions. From the frozen beauty of 1900 Russia to the bustling ports in American West Coast to cutthroat boardrooms of New York City, this tale of risking all to right an injustice will captivate you completely. Elizabeth Camden’s books are historical fiction at its very best, where history and fiction are seamlessly melded to create beautiful art.

I loved Dimitri and Natalia’s telegrams that felt like texting in the 1900s. Dimitri, though vain and melodramatic, grew exponentially through suffering and his unshakable faith was quite admirable. Natalia and her logical, focused intelligence made her a unique heroine in 1900s NYC. Their banter is fantastic and their relationship is quite fun. In the midst of the adventure and romance, there are delightful historical tidbits about the steel industry, railroad industry, and even the music industry.

I can’t wait for the third book in the series! I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Once again, Elizabeth Camden has weaved together an epic romantic saga while including the most interesting history. In the previous book, I was introduced to the two main characters and I anticipated their story for months. Simply put, I was thrilled by this story. It was delightful to learn more about these two very intriguing characters. Their stories were full and satisfying and the romantic portion was simply rewarding. I enjoyed the references to Russian vs. American literature which contributed to the well placed humor. I really didn’t want their story to end. Hopefully, there will be lots of updates in book 3. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Where do I even begin with Elizabeth Camden’s Written on the Wind? There is so much to say about everything that absorbed me into this story.

Let’s start with Dimitri. He’s not your typical hero. Sure, he’s steadfast, strong, and intelligent. He champions doing the right thing. But he’s also a bit of a hypochondriac and a man who likes to be well-groomed (including his oils and manicures). Camden writes this character so well. I was at times amused by him but mostly I loved everything about him.

And Natalia doesn’t fade into the background of Dmitri’s big personality. No, she stands up to him or stands beside him. She’s an intelligent woman with a drive to help her family succeed but she’s not selfish. Readers see this through her relationships with Patrick and Liam.

Camden also includes what readers love about her books—a deep dive into some parts of history. This time she takes us through the changing landscapes of Russia and from San Francisco to New York as readers learn more about the Trans-Siberian railroad, women in business at the turn of the century, and even the recording of music to records.

There are so many things I loved about this book but they can be summed up with this: This book breaks conventions and explores paths no one else in Christian fiction has done to-date, and that makes Written on the Wind stand out among the pack.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This was my most anticipated novel this year!!! Full of humor, intellectual banter, some suspense, rich history, and strong characters, @authorelizabethcamden didn't disappoint! I couldn't put it down!!! To watch both Demetri and Natalia get stripped from what they knew and loved yet fight for their conflicting passions through twists and turns was exhilarating!

Though this is the second book in a series it can very easily be read as a stand alone.
I have read all of the author's books, I won't miss one but this book takes historical fiction to a whole new level.
I love her books for how well researched they are and give me as many details as possible please.
There are historical books that are great that are similar to many others out there. This author's books shine in their own way because they have original story lines not the same ones many other authors use.
How about topics of Trans-Siberian Railway,the launching of prerecorded wax discs, and a woman who is the lead analyst for her father's New York banking empire and manages their investment in the Trans-Siberian Railway. Now you have to remember this is during the early 1900's when women were not easily accepted in these fields and expected to stay home and let the men take care of it all.
Very strong character development. I enjoyed reading history about Russia and about their culture.
Very interesting book. I look forward to the next book as this one is incredible!


Pub Date: 03 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About this book:

“Natalia Blackstone is a rarity in Gilded Age America. As a trusted analyst for her father's bank, she is helping finance the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. From her office in New York City, Natalia relies on a charming Russian aristocrat to oversee the construction of the railroad on the other side of the world.
But while overseeing the work, Count Dimitri Sokolov witnesses the deadly result of the Russian Monarchy's will to see the railway built. To silence him, the state has stripped Dimitri of his title, his lands, and his freedom . . . but Dimitri has a key asset the czar knows nothing about: his deep and abiding friendship with Natalia Blackstone.
From the steppes of Russia to the corridors of power in Washington, Natalia and Dimitri will fight against all odds to save the railroad and share the truth of what happened, but how can their newfound love survive the ordeal?”


Series: Book #2 in “The Blackstone Legacy” series. Review of Book #1 Here!


Spiritual Content- A Scripture is quoted; Prayers, Thanking God, & Crossing one’s self; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; A bit of witnessing (which mentions the Holy Spirit); Natalia lights candles and prays at her mother’s private chapel; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, blessings over food, & crossing one’s self; Mentions of chapels, churches, & cathedrals; Mentions of hymns & Christmas carols; Mentions of religious icons; Mentions of a baby’s christening & choosing a godfather not because of religious reasons, but political connections; Mentions of the pope & a bishop for the Roman Orthodox Church; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of Jews & a synagogue; A few mentions of nuns & convents; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of a Bible; A mention of a set of chocolates that were the finest things since manna; A mention of a musician making an instrument sound like a sacred rite; A mention of a man living like a monk; A mention of a mosque;
*Note: Mentions of Greek gods, goddesses, & Mythology; A couple mentions of Russian folklore believing that birch trees protect against evil (Dimitri says he’s a Christian, but does think the trees have protected the property); A mention of a godforsaken place; A mention of a food being like it was “kissed by the gods”; A mention of a talisman.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘give a fig’, a form of ‘shut up’, three ‘dumb’s, four forms of ‘idiot’, and seven ‘stupid’s; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Some eye rolling & sass; Almost dying, Being attacked, Being held at gunpoint, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Passing Out (semi-detailed); A bomb, explosion, pain, & passing out (including seeing a child thrown, semi-detailed); Dimitri socially drinks (& also drinks when deemed needed because of injuries/pain and to keep warm), smokes cigars with others (which he says he doesn’t like smoking, but the cigars’ fragrance), & plays poker; Many mentions of a massacre/rebellion, violence, shootings, drownings, & witnessing it (semi-detailed); Many mentions of drinking, social drinking, alcohol, making alcohol, saloons, & drunks; Many mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of bombs, explosions, an assassination, an assassination attempt, injuries, & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a dead body; Mentions of wars, fighting, & injuries; Mentions of Liam being kidnapped as a child (Book #1); Mentions of frostbite (up to semi-detailed), amputation, & someone saying how they can end their life (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of injuries, illnesses, blood/bleeding, & pain (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of thinking someone is a hypochondriac & thinking they’re dying; Mentions of convicts/prisoners, prison camps, arrests, & being exiled; Mentions of bandits/thieves, robberies, & stealing; Mentions of smoking, cigars, pipes, & tobacco; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of eavesdropping; A few mentions of serfdom (similar to slavery); A few mentions of a communist anthem; A few mentions of opium dens; A few mentions of blackmail; A few mentions of poker & gambling; A couple mentions of close calls with death (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple mentions of street gangs; A mention of dog waste;
*Note: A couple parts reference adoption in ways that may be hard for some adoptees to read: Such as Natalia’s father saying they never adopted because “[He wasn’t] sure if [he] could love a stranger’s baby. One can never be sure what sort of people the parents are.” and later when a woman tells her husband not to adopt another child while she’s not around; Mentions of novels, authors, & characters (including spoilers for all of them: ‘War and Peace’, ‘Little Women’, and the ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’); A couple mentions of damning details about someone in a newspaper.


Sexual Content- Trying to kiss someone (barely-above-not-detailed), three hand/palm kisses, a fingertip kiss (borderline semi-detailed), two forehead kisses, an almost (detailed) kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, two border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kisses, a semi-detailed kiss, and a detailed kiss (mentioning desire and being aroused); Remembering a kiss & embraces (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to kiss & embrace (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Nearness, Warmth, Hand holding, & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Even though he says he heart belongs to Natalia, Dimitri slightly flirts with another woman, a moonlight stroll is mentioned and she kisses him; A man asks Dimitri if Natalia is his mistress; Mentions of a man dallying with the servants, one becoming pregnant, & his illegitimate child; Mentions of flirting, winks, & blushes; Mentions of reputations & chaperones; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of a woman saying Dimitri is looking at Natalia with lascivious eyes (which he retorts that his eyes are full of reverence and that he knows the difference “between crude physical needs and something more lasting”); A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of someone saying a ballerina is a little better a prostitute; A mention of a cheek kiss; A mention of a woman not doing something salacious with a man; A mention of men singing bawdy songs; A mention of a man’s eyes shining with masculine appreciation when he looks at Natalia; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of a man not being able to father children (*Spoiler* [Due to having mumps after puberty, Dimitri is considered to be sterile; It’s said that he “could enjoy marital relations, there would never be children as a result of them” Natalia wants to have biological children, is sadden by this fact, and doesn’t know if she could give up that dream. They both struggle with this fact. At the end, she realizes that if they adopted children like he said, the children would be lucky to have him as a father. *End of Spoiler* (hide spoiler)]); Mentions of miscarriages, a stillborn baby, & a mother dying in labor; A few mentions of seeing a mother nurse; A couple mentions of Natalia and her new stepmother being the same age; A mention of a woman’s gown with a plunging neckline; A mention of a woman’s hefty bosom.

-Natalia Blackstone, age 28
-Dimitri Sokolov, age 34
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1900-1902
352 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars

Well, that was an adventure in every sense of the word.

Like most of Elizabeth Camden’s books, I was completely sucked into the world and the character’s lives by the opening chapters. I can’t place was it is about the author’s writing style, but, oh, I love it so.

I really enjoyed reading about Russian culture and some of the historical events that took place in the early 1900s. It was all really interesting.

It was partially a long-distance relationship, while I really enjoyed seeing in a historical novel. I wasn’t a fan of the few parts that had sexual tension between Natalie and Dimitri when they were together. Some of it was more than a bit much in my opinion, so because of those few elements (and some mentions of other things), however, the ratings are lower for this book. There were a couple kisses that if this wasn’t a contemporary book, the phrase “make-out” could have been used for both of those scenes.

I did like Natalia and Dimitri when they were together due to their personalities being great together, but also their separate parts. She was very much a planner and gets things done; He was more of the flying on the wind (😉) personality, but he had a great way with words. He could be light-hearted and yet also serious, but it never felt like it was two separate characters with the same name. Overall, they both were good characters. I do think they balanced each other out well, personality wise. I appreciate how they discussed and conversed with each other and there weren’t any secrets kept for long. I do wish there had been more faith content and discussions, but I’m somewhat satisfied with what was there.

After only partially enjoying the first book in this series, I was a little hesitate about this one. I don’t know much about Russian history, so I think that’s why. I was concerned about keeping up with the characters and events, but I’m a bit proud to say that I feel like I did well while reading. The timeline of this book being stretched around two years made it realistic and helped break up certain events.

For older teens and up, who are interested in Russian history and culture, this may be a fascinating novel. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the third book with Liam’s story when it releases.




*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
* I received this (Advance Reader Copy) e-book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this honest review. Having read an ARC, there are some details listed in this review that may have been changed in the final print edition.

This second book in Elizabeth Camden's Blackstone Legacy series focuses on Natalia Blackstone, the only female business analyst in all of New York City. Employed by the Blackstone Bank, Natalia was the bank's leading analyst for Russian investment. Specifically she was in charge of the bank's financing of the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. While never meeting in person, over the years Natalia had developed a friendship with Count Dimitri Sokolov, her point of contact for the railway. While she had imagined what he looked like, and how it might be to meet him in person, she could never have imagined the circumstances that precipitated their finally meeting face-to-face or Dimitri's initial appearance.

Elizabeth Camden's thorough and extensive research is always apparent in her historical fiction. Her understanding of international business and politics of the early 1900s was amazing in this story. Given the current situation between Russia and Ukraine, it was especially interesting to read about Russia's interaction with villages along the Amur River as the Trans-Siberian Railway was being constructed. Camden refers to it as a series of pogroms in her author's note; pogrom meaning an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group.

I am giving this book five stars, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Written on the Wind from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

There is nothing typical about Written on the Wind. Camden bravely explores a story and characters whose path and traits set a new level of precedence in the genre, especially with the forming of the hero. With fascinating historical detail, a riveting romance, and brilliantly depicted settings from Russia to NYC and Washington, DC, this novel of convictions and purpose is one that will resonate with readers and cater to history lovers.

Count Dimitri Sokolov is as complex and multifaceted as his vast homeland of Russia. He cannot be easily categorized or labeled, exhibiting strength and tenacity and being, at the same time, slightly vain and needy. His emotional intelligence is exemplary, as exhibited when he sets his mind on pursuing Natalia. I swoon over all the tiny things that make him so atypical, one small example being his enjoyment of manicures, yet he is completely a masculine gentleman. Another big trait of his I won’t point out for spoilers’ sake, but I’ll say it’s a breakthrough in the inspirational fiction genre and one I am proud of Camden for tackling with such alpomb. Yay for a historical romance beta hero!

Natalia Blackstone is accomplished and has great tenacity to achieve anything she sets her mind to, yet the strictures of the business world at the turn of the century inhibit her progress at times. She is a counterpart to Dimitri’s personality, with the right contrasts in perspective and harmonically aligned goals. The friendship between Natalia and Dimitri and all of their interactions are full of wit and crackling with an electric tension the reader can sense. This friendship is an appropriate foundation for their romance, one that is as dramatic, at times, as the Russian literature Dimitri loves. My favorite aspect of their relationship is that, with every stage of their journey from friendship to romance and beyond, the allure of their connection transcends proximity and instead pairs them on a level of intelligence and integrity.

My love for this book can be attributed 85% to Dimitri and 15% to the rest of the story, and with a structure and characters as fantastic as this, that is a great ratio :). When it could be predictable in a particular climactic moment of choice for Natalia, I LOVE that it isn’t. I hope readers embrace this book for what it is: a declaration and perspective of love and sacrifice.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House for access to this arc.

I’ve read many of Camden's novels and am impressed by the historical backdrops and details she includes in them. This one is different and fascinating. However it strikes me as more a historical novel with a romance rather than a historical romance. There’s a saga feel to it as well as long stretches of time when the hero and heroine are on opposite sides of the world and unsure if they are pursuing a relationship or not. The start is strong but I feel it slowed down and lost momentum by the end.

I haven’t read “Carved in Stone,” the first book in the Blackstone trilogy but apparently the telegram relationship between Dmitri and Natalia was sparingly shown in it. Dmitri has spent the last three years in challenging conditions overseeing the construction of the vast Trans-Siberian Railway which is being partly (but still massively) funded by loans from the vast Blackstone Bank located in New York City. Natalia Blackstone, for a long time the only child of her father, has been raised to take her place there as an analyst and oversee projects, one of which is the Trans-Siberian Railway.

She and Dmitri have exchanged telegrams over the years which has led to the development of a close friendship. They discuss literature, music, weather conditions, and Dmitri’s health. As he is chatty and tends to dramatize a lot, Natalia teases him about that while he bemoans her taste in German composers – really he has little appreciation for Beethoven. As her mother was Russian, she likes Russian composers but felt betrayed by Tolstoy killing off Prince Andrei. Dmitri argues that suffering is in the Russian soul and the best books have the hero die nobly. They cheer, spur, and goad each other on. Then tragedy strikes.

For his refusal to order his men to aid the Russian Army in clearing ethnic Chinese from a settlement north of the Amur River, Dmitri is arrested, stripped of his title, lands and wealth, tried and convicted, then sentenced to years of hard labor in the iron mines. It is essentially a death sentence as few return. But he has an escape plan and his faith in Natalia helping him expose the massacre keeps him going through it. Will Natalia be willing to risk not only her reputation but also the bank’s in order to aid Dmitri in assuring that the cover-up is revealed and force the Czar to publicly reaffirm the Treaty of Aigun?

As with most of her books, the story is filled with details and I wound up learning a lot. The telegrams exchanged between the MCs are delightful and show much of their personalities and interests. Dmitri’s past grumblings about the conditions under which he lived while working in Siberia and his health might have made Natalia chide and tease him but the horrors he faces and overcomes in the months during which he crosses over 4,000 miles to freedom prove he’s no lightweight.

When he arrives in America, and at this point I’m madly applauding Dmitri for overcoming obstacles that would thwart most of us, he and Natalia finally meet and realize that their friendship goes beyond “work friends.” Natalia is astonished and horrified at what Dmitri’s been through and why he was arrested. Yet when he reveals his initial plan, designed to force the Czar’s hand, she’s also horrified as it risks everything she’s worked for and achieved as a woman in the banking industry of 1900 New York. Her father loves her, has supported her in the face of the standard “woman banking analyst??” denigrations but Natalia is under no illusions that if her actions harm the bank’s reputation or bottom line, Oscar Blackstone won’t yank her from her position.

Natalia is smart though and comes up with an alternative plan. She’s dismayed when Dmitri insists on enlisting backup aid in the form of Natalia’s snobbish step-mother but Dmitri’s come too far and fought too hard to ignore someone who can help him no matter if his friend Natalia and her step-mother “not so cordially” loathe each other. The machinations walk the reader through the halls of power and influence in NYC and Washington as well as including some fascinating tidbits about historical personalities. It’s political hardball and ultimately someone will pay a price.

At this point, the plot seems to start meandering a bit. Our two MCs are faced with situations that pull them apart again – I’d guestimate that approximately 1/3 of the book has them separated – and life choices which they fear will keep them apart. This is – I think – only the second book I remember reading in which a case of mumps as an adult impacts a hero’s ability to father a child. Added to this, Natalia veers off in a new business direction while Dmitri faces some hard truths about conditions in Czarist Russia. There’s also some follow up for the couple featured in “Carved in Stone” plus more page time for the hero of the next book. With all this happening, I felt I was losing the relationship of Dmitri and Natalia here and had to keep reminding myself that they were supposed to end up together. Frankly at times I had my doubts. I list the book as an inspie though I’d call it “lite.” Both characters are religious and pray as well as call on God to help them but there is no proselytizing. It’s not specifically mentioned for Natalia but I assume she is also Russian Orthodox as she prays in a private chapel her mother set up in their home.

I loved the start of the book, the relationship between Dmitri and Natalia, Dmitri’s determination to survive and see justice done, and the way that they work together to achieve this. The last third of the book kind of let me down and didn’t match the intensity of the rest. Dmitri’s declaration scene was lovely but they seemed to sort of sputter into their HEA rather than roar into it. B-

Natalia and Dimitri are an odd pairing. They have gotten to know each other through the telegraph. They figure that they will never meet since he is in Russia, helping with the Trans -Siberian Railway, while she works in a bank in New York. I loved that Natalia ran a huge part of this bank. It was fun to learn a little about the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Boxer Rebellion. This book has some romance and some suspense. This book kept me wondering if Dimitri could accomplish letting the world know about what happened in Russia near the Chinese border. I also was not sure if Natalia and Dimitri could find a way to get together. I enjoyed reading about how albums were first made also. This was an interesting time period. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Written on the Wind might just be my favorite Elizabeth Camden novel yet! I loved Natalia and Dimitri, as individuals and together—the romantic tension was spot on. And when Natalia gave Dimitri manicures...you know the romance is real.

Our main couple exchanged telegrams for years prior to the events of this book, but they don’t meet in person until a quarter of the way through. Even though it’s unusual to have the couple be separated so long in a romantic story, readers truly need that time to get inside the characters’ heads, especially Dimitri’s. I can promise you that their time together most definitely makes up for the time spent apart. I enjoyed seeing Patrick and Gwen again, and I absolutely cannot wait for Liam’s story.

Anyone who enjoys intricate historical fiction with a heavy dose of romance needs to read Camden’s books, and The Blackstone Legacy series is a perfect place to start. 4.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Written on the Wind was another epic historical romance from Elizabeth Camden. It's the sequel to Carved in Stone, but could easily be read as a standalone. It follows Natalia Blackstone, who's helping fund the Trans-Siberian Railway while working at her father's bank, and Count Dimitri Sokolov, who's been stripped of everything for just trying to do the right thing.

I loved Dimitri from the very beginning, just from Natalia's correspondence with him. But when we actually met him? Oh man, swoon alert! I fell hard for him. You could tell right off the bat that he was a man of stand up character with tons of grit, determination, and courage. He was also hilarious, and a bit of a snob, but an absolutely charming one, nonetheless. His and Natalia's banter was one of my favorite parts of the book. They were so good together!

Like I always say with an Elizabeth Camden novel, the history was fascinating. I didn't know a whole lot about the Boxer Rebellion or the Trans-Siberian Railway beforehand, so I really enjoyed learning more about that.

All in all, this was a wonderful read that I enjoyed a great deal. If you're a fan of historical romance, pick up a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Elizabeth Camden is one of my go-to authors, and I look forward to reading each of her new releases! I think one of the things I enjoy most is that she always incorporates a strong female lead in her stories, which are generally set around the turn of the twentieth century when women were not so prominent in leadership roles (except society- wise) as they are in most aspects of our world today.

This book is number two in the Blackstone Legacy and while reading book one would increase your understanding and enjoyment of this story, it can be enjoyed on its own.

Russian Count Dimitri Sokolov was an interesting character and I enjoyed his backstory in Russia. The way he and Natalia connected through telegrams was interesting and unusual! Natalia’s New York banking family is wealthy but she has an independent streak. Count Sokolov is Russian to the core, and I did not know how these two very strong characters would mesh.

Read this book to find out! Interesting historical fiction!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

With dual settings in New York and Russia in 1900, Written on the Wind, the second book in The Blackstone Legacy series by Elizabeth Camden, is a masterpiece that solidifies Camden as one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Impeccable historical research is apparent throughout the story, and the historical notes in the back of the book add to an understanding of the events involved. I was vaguely aware of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Boxer Rebellion, but I didn’t know much detail about them before I read this book.

Camden is a master at creating colorful, engaging, multi-layered characters and building a riveting tale around them. This story features Natalia Blackstone, a lead analyst in the Blackstone banking empire. She manages the bank’s investments in the Trans-Siberian Railway and strikes up a friendship through telegrams with Count Dimitri Sokolov who is overseeing the railway construction in Russia. When Dimitri witnesses a crime and ends up missing, Natalia steps in to find him. I loved the interaction between these two characters. Dimitri is so charming, humorous, endearing and courageous—a fantastic hero.

Suspense, intrigue, history, and romance combine with inspiration to make this book a captivating adventure and ensure its place on the list of my favorite books this year. It’s headed for my keeper shelf.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

"When Natalia saw the world through Count Sokolov's eyes, everything became more vivid. Sunsets were not the end of the day, they were blazing fires of a dying sun as it reclined in exhaustion" (location 107). At first Natalia and Count Sokolov don't seem to make sense together. Natalia's favorite spot is the floor of the bank where research fuels the industrial revolution. The Count is all passion, poetry, and flirtation. Yet they balance each other. Unfortunately, they live on opposite sides of the earth.

The characterization in this book is amazing...both for the positive and the negative characters. I loved Count Sokolov's way of charming everyone. He exudes life. I also liked Natalia. She's a strong woman and I respected her desire to learn how to take care of herself and to make her way in the man's world of business. It was fun seeing characters from book one again and I appreciated seeing a different side of Poppy. The characters made this book for me. I wanted to see how they'd work through the severe conflicts and how things would turn out for them. I cared for them.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. It was historical without getting bogged down by it. It had great dialogue. I look forward to the next book in the series!

This is a fascinating historical novel, the 2nd in The Blackstone Legacy series. It takes us from Russia to New York to Washington, DC. The historical depth is outstanding, the characters are well developed and the storyline keeps you turning page after page until the end. Wonderful book well worth reading.

#BookRevew: WRITTEN ON THE WIND by Elizabeth Camden

I have been looking forward to reading more about Dimitri and Natalia. You don’t need to read the first book to enjoy this one. Dimitri’s experiences in Russia and his trek to find Natalia were exhilarating and suspenseful. Their meetup was just a tad too easy though. I enjoyed their good communication then and more so now in person but sometimes Dimitri wanted Natalia to cater to his wants and I wasn’t a fan of that. I liked them separately but I’m not sure about them as a couple.

It was fun to read Natalia’s close relationship with Liam and how they supported each other. Poppy could be frustrating especially to Natalia. Natalia had to prove herself in a field dominated by men. I was delighted with her passion for music. I enjoyed knowing more about the Trans-Siberian Railway project that she spearheaded as well as the Boxer rebellion and other historical details during those times. The story also mentioned the czar and Russia’s system then.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, especially the first half. The few faith elements came from Dimitri. His resilience and determination was inspiring. This book is full of action and heart. It’s an encouragement to many of us to not give up and have faith.


Rating: 4 stars
Series: Blackstone Legacy Book 2
Pub date: 03 May 2022

Thank you Bethany House Publishers and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.