Against the Tide [Paperback]

Elizabeth Camden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2012

Love and Lives are Threatened in Camden's Latest Offering

As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.

Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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.


When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive?

About the Author

Elizabeth Camden received a master's in history from the University of Virginia and a master's in library science from Indiana University. She is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida. Learn more at www.elizabethcamden.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764210238
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210235
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (168 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. She has a master's in history from the University of Virginia and a master's in library science from Indiana University. 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. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida.

She regularly posts about the joys of the book world at http://elizabethcamden.com/blog

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Flooded with Mystery, Drama, and Powerful Emotions October 19, 2012

By Amber C. Stokes

Format:Paperback

Deep, dark, and captivating. I started this book one evening and finished it a while later in the early morning hours - not because it is a quick read, but because it completely swept me away with its descriptions and its flawed, amazing characters. Camden has a wonderful talent, and her writing continues to get more and more remarkable with each new book!

Against the Tide begins with Lydia, giving a sketch of her fascinating but tragic background and then diving into her life as a confident and intelligent adult with a unique career. Some of her quirks ring true for me, and I love her character for her strength and her all-too-real weaknesses.

Camden throws challenge after challenge Lydia's way throughout the story, and it's so horribly sad to witness what she goes through. But oh! The empathy!! What a beautiful thing to be able to feel a character's pain so much that it causes tears and gut-wrenching empathy! It is not an easy journey for Lydia - especially towards the end - but it is a meaningful one with hope and newfound purpose (with a nod to Bane's character - his deep devotion and passion). To be able to feel her emotions so deeply myself....to understand how hard it was for Lydia to make the right choices and to accept love while in such a difficult, humble state...it was a powerful reading experience.

Perhaps not everyone will connect with Lydia's character the way I did, but I really think that Camden does a marvelous job of getting into her characters' minds and hearts and helping the reader to do so, too. And while I was most impacted by Lydia's emotional struggles, this story also has plenty of intrigue and suspense, along with a romance that is thrilling, tender, and thought-provoking. There is a lot to love and a lot to ponder with this story!

If you enjoy a well-written historical romance that is flooded with mystery and drama, Against the Tide is a great read. But if you're like me, take note: you might just find that the emotion comes up like a sneaker wave and engulfs you.

*With thanks to the publisher through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One for the keeper shelf October 19, 2012

By i blog 4 books

Format:Paperback

I'm not surprised by the fact that Against the Tide captivated me from beginning to end. I am surprised by just how much it captivated me! I literally read the entire book in 6 hours. It was just that good! Elizabeth Camden has an amazing talent for writing stories and characters that come to life. At times I felt like I was part of the story. That combined with her knack for evoking strong emotions in her readers left me feeling as though I had ridden an emotional roller coaster--from excitement and giddiness to fear, frustration, and anger. It's all there! The storyline itself is just as powerful as the way Camden writes it. I loved the variety of topics addressed and how she brought them all together in the end to show how God works in every situation. Against the Tide is a beautiful story filled with romance and suspense and it has found a permanent spot on my "keeper" shelf! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House and CFBA in exchange for my fair and honest review.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tidal Wave Of Addicting Storytelling! October 24, 2012

By Wolfe Moffat

Format:Paperback

Having never heard of Elizabeth Camden before in my life, why take the risk and start reading her now? I still don't know the answer to that, but "Against the Tide" caught my attention, and I polished it off in one setting. This was pretty conservative, but it was also straight-forward, moved along at an incredible pace, and impressed me in a way that I haven't been impressed in since I read "Redeeming Love," by Francine Rivers!

We are introduced to Lydia Pallas, and realize that she is a strong-willed young lady, and it is made clear immediately that she is something special. She knows languages like nobody's business, and being the prodigy that she is, she can learn them quite quickly. So she is a translator for the Navy, and she does her job well. Lydia has had her breaks in life, and while they haven't all been easy, you more than likely won't catch her shedding a tear.

Alexander Banebridge is a man who is determined to take down the opium industry, and while waltzing into the lives of others, he stumbles onto Lydia. And while they are both attracted to each other, Bane prefers not to fall in love. But with Lydia, he just can't resist, and attempts to distance himself from her, especially after discovering that Lydia has a distinct trouble of her own. The determination to take on and take out all that is corrupt is fierce, and Bane is prepared to somehow take out his foe!

This was a treat, and please pardon the pun, but it was addicting! I had not the slightest clue as to why I wanted to read this in the first place. But I did, and I am so looking forward to reading more of Elizabeth Camden!