"Against the Tide" by Elizabeth Camden

Against the Tide (October 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Camden.*

Lydia Pallas grew up poor and then became an orphan on top of that in Boston in the latter part of the 1800s. She has the gift of language in her ability to quickly pick up vocabulary and understand sentence structure. This earns her a coveted career as a translator for the U.S. Navy. To secure such a professional job as a woman during this time is especially impressive. It is through her translator job that she catches the eye of the exceptionally attractive Alexander “Bane” Banebridge. He is driven to put a stop to the opium trade and has a tormented past because of that trade. His fight with it causes him to deny himself non-secret friends and loved ones, security and a permanent place to call home. When the enemy goes on the offensive, Bane resorts to a ploy he is not proud of. But Lydia is ready to jump in with both feet to help Bane. Can Lydia keep her wits about her? Can she overcome her obstacles? Will Bane maintain the upper hand?

            Camden’s novel gives readers a lot to think about, but in a very engrossing, constantly-moving book. I enjoyed this book immensely from the deepness of the history to the richness of detail with which Camden wrote to the denial of Lydia’s major issue to the internal battles of Bane and to the innocent romance and intensity of danger. I was riveted from the first page.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly 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.”