The Lady of Bolton Hill

The Lady of Bolton Hill
By Elizabeth Camden
Bethany House, 2011. 334 pgs. Fiction

As teenagers, Daniel Tremain and Clara Endicott's love of music helped them form a friendship that transcended class boundaries. Then Clara, the daughter of an educated, influential minister, is shipped off to England to live with an aunt, and Daniel, whose father has recently died in an industrial accident, is left to pull himself and his family out of their impoverished circumstances. Years later, Daniel has become an industry tycoon and one of the most influential men in his field; Clara, now a journalist who champions the working poor, returns to Baltimore, and their attraction to one another flares up immediately. However, the devoutly Christian Clara is troubled by Daniel's animosity toward God and his need for vengeance against the man he blames for his father's death and his mother's suicide. With their opposing beliefs, a marriage seems impossible.

This is an excellent pick for fans of inspirational romance. Clara and Daniel are both sympathetic characters, and Daniel's struggle with wanting vengeance is something most readers will be able to relate to. The historical details were interesting, showing life in Baltimore in 1879, but didn't take over the story or bog down the writing. The conclusion, and how Daniel sorts out his feelings, is one that seemed a bit rushed and I would have liked to see it developed a little bit more, but overall, I think readers will be satisfied with the plot and the characters.

AE