Beautifully written: "Until the Dawn" by Elizabeth Camden

about the book....

Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie van Riijn sees no harm in setting up a rooftop weather station for her work with the newly established Weather Bureau. While the villagers are suspicious of the mysterious estate and its tragic history, Sophie has come to see it as her own enchanted piece of paradise. 

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover Sophie trespassing on his land.

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie yet find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark can no longer be kept in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?

my review...

With a compelling plot immersed in beautiful prose, "Until the Dawn" has become one of my favourite books from Elizabeth Camden! The author has created a fascinating historical backdrop in the mansion of Dierenpark, a place shrouded with secrecy and tragedy. I loved watching the mystery unfold, chapter after chapter, as seen through the eyes of the loveable Sophie and the wounded Quentin. Their interactions are highly entertaining, sometimes humorous and very often touching. I so liked these characters that I just wasn't able to part from the book for a moment, reading it from cover to cover in just one day. The funny thing is I can barely put my finger on exactly what made this book so un-put-downable, just that I had to find out how things would resolve!.

I quite enjoyed the way the author explores science versus faith, finding a common harmony among them. As always, Camden excels at adding a true spirituality to her novels, pointing towards Jesus, but always in a way that only adds and never detracts from the story by becoming preachy. Quentin's struggles with unbelief and his brooding ways made his transformation all the sweeter. Indeed, I thought that both of the characters grew in marvellous yet realistic ways over the course of the story, such that I found myself inspired by the changes I viewed. And I don't mind admitting that there were a couple of scenes of this story that moved me to tears as I was wrapped up in the wonder of the story.

I am always eager to pick up the latest Camden novel, and this one delivers in every way. I greatly enjoyed this story and am positive you will too. I award this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

about the author....

Elizabeth Camden is the author of eight historical novels and has been honored with a RITA Award, Christy Award, and Daphne du Maurier Award. With a master's in history and a master's in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. She lives with her husband in Florida. Learn more at www.elizabethcamden.com.

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Until the Dawn