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The Lady of Bolton Hill

by Elizabeth Camden (Goodreads Author)

3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 · rating details · 1,150 ratings · 181 reviews

When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.

But time has changed them both.

Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.

Can they withstand the...more

Kindle Edition, 338 pages

Published June 1st 2011 (first published April 23rd 2011)

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Jan 13, 2012 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, to-read-again, tortured-hero, clean, historical-romance, inspiration-romance, lost-love, favorites

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME!!! At first it seems it will be too predictable and that the main characters get along a little too well after their 12 year separation. I was looking forward to some tension and anger, especially on Daniel's part toward Clara. The tension and anger comes, but when you least expect it! And, that's where the UNPREDICTABILITY of this book comes in! Nothing ever happens the way you think it's going to! And so much more of the plot goes place...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Margaret rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bethany-house, june-2011, historical, christianfiction, christian-historical-fiction

Now this is a book that I completely loved beginning to end. Page one had me captivated. I'm always nervous about new authors, but Elizabeth Camden with this one novel has made it to the favorite's keeper shelf and I will desperately await more stories to come! What is so extraordinary about this novel is that it was a perfect setting, but for once (something I do not often find with historicals) I could easily translate this and see it in my head as an everyday occurrence in the current time. I...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Yiya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A wonderful read that teach us about love and forgiveness, The Lady of Bolton Hill, is an invitation to enjoy some time with Clara and Daniel. Coming from opposite backgrounds, they enjoy a common passion, music and Chopin. The tie that is made between them at a young age cannot be undone despite time, classes, money, pride or distance. Gripping since the first page, this is an outstanding writing that is constantly changing pace, and does not let the reader put it down.
Clara's father is a renow...more A wonderful read that teach us about love and forgiveness, The Lady of Bolton Hill, is an invitation to enjoy some time with Clara and Daniel. Coming from opposite backgrounds, they enjoy a common passion, music and Chopin. The tie that is made between them at a young age cannot be undone despite time, classes, money, pride or distance. Gripping since the first page, this is an outstanding writing that is constantly changing pace, and does not let the reader put it down.
Clara's father is a renowned minister; his family name is well respected, and all members are expected to live up to it. Clara is not the exception, but Daniel, who is poor and works in a mill with his father, becomes the greatest threat for Clara to honor the Endicott name. Therefore, Clara is sent to England, where she pursues her passion for writing and finds a niche of inspiration in the lives of miners, still children, having to live with injuries and illnesses for the rest of their lives. Of course, Clara's writing is not popular among the elite and has to face the consequences, even when she comes back to Boston. This is the principle that will rule her career - listening to the parties involved, and portraying the facts with the most accuracy possible. She does not realize that in her doing so, she might hurt those whom she loves most.
Daniel has had a rougher life, and he has had to make his way through every day. The owner of a brilliant mind, he is able to use what he has learned of the trade with his father, and create an enterprise that becomes the main source for railing materials. He has a noble and true heart, but is perceived as a cold man. Only Clara knows his true self.
This novel will try their characters, and both of them will have to learn to leave the past behind, and hold the best of each other. In the way, they will learn and remember that true happiness is not in how well we are able to control situations, but in how close we are to God, and in how capable we are able to share this with others, despite the circumstances. We are also reminded that God's love is available for anyone who seeks it, no matter what we have done or how dark our life has been.
A remarkable fact of the novel is the conclusion. It is not rushed, nor does it leave details out, a fact that is rarely seen nowadays. It leaves a great "after taste."
I highly recommend this book. Do not hesitate to spend a wonderful time with The Lady of Bolton Hill!
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany Publishers, in exchange for an honest review. This did not bias my review; the opinion expressed is my own. (less)

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Aug 05, 2012 Aimee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Clara Endicott lives a charmed life in Bolton Hill as the daughter of a doting, prestigious minister. Daniel Tremain, on the other hand, lives in poverty, working in the same steel mill as his father. Despite their differences, the two become the best of friends. Then, tragedy strikes. Daniel's father dies in an accident, and Clara's father ships her to England. Overseas, Clara becomes a respected journalist and a champion of the working class. Meanwhile, Daniel has patented new railroad technol...more Clara Endicott lives a charmed life in Bolton Hill as the daughter of a doting, prestigious minister. Daniel Tremain, on the other hand, lives in poverty, working in the same steel mill as his father. Despite their differences, the two become the best of friends. Then, tragedy strikes. Daniel's father dies in an accident, and Clara's father ships her to England. Overseas, Clara becomes a respected journalist and a champion of the working class. Meanwhile, Daniel has patented new railroad technology that makes him a very wealthy man. When Clara is forced to leave England, she is reunited with her childhood friend. The early romantic feelings they felt for each other are stronger than ever, but there are many problems the two face. Daniel is a bitter man, blaming a rival businessman for his father's death, and he does not share Clara's faith. Suddenly, Daniel's troubles find Clara and put her very life in danger. There are enough twists and turns to keep you reading until the very end, which is a very satisfying conclusion, indeed.

This book kept me entertained from the very beginning. Clara is not a shrinking violet, and she's not a perfect character, either. She does something in the book that I just couldn't believe, and I completely understood Daniel's anger with her. Daniel is irresistably charming at times--a complete flirt--and shockingly harsh and almost cruel at others. They were unpredictable and very realistic.

This is, first and foremost, a romantic story. Daniel is a great love interest and balance for Clara. He is a revered and even feared man, but with Clara he is very gentle and practically worships her. I found myself rooting for his redemption all along. The action scenes are susepenseful and well-paced. The villainous character, Alexander Bane, is a wonderful addition and comes at just the right time to increase the pacing in the latter half of the book.

The only criticism I can offer is that there were a few loose ends. In particular, we never find out what happens to a cruel professor who deals in the lucrative opium trade. With so many other ends tied up so neatly, I wonder how the author managed to forget about the most villainous of characters in the story. (less)

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Apr 18, 2012 Lori rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is probably somewhere between a three and a four star book. I liked it, but not as well as The Rose of Winslow Street by the same author. This one was a little too preachy for me. The repentance and reformation of the villain didn't feel probable. Even our hero made a rather remarkable change in direction. It isn't that I don't believe in miracles. I do. It's just that, in my experience, a change of heart and direction comes more gradually, rather than in a matter of hours or days. I did li...more

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Apr 14, 2012 Jess rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have mixed feelings about this book after reading it. Overall I did enjoy the storyline, it was easy to ready, had twists and drama in the right places, and had characters that were vivid, even if they were a little unrealistic at times.

There are two things that bring let this book down for me. The first is that it wasn't until halfway through that I realised it was a Christian book. Now to be fair it wasn't as 'preachy' as it could have potentially been, although there were times towards the...more

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Jan 18, 2012 Alisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Daniel's dreams are crushed when he is called away from taking the exam that might be his one chance at a college scholarship... because there has been an accident at the steel mill where he and his dad work, and his dad is trapped. Despite his heroic actions (and abandoning his chance at his scholarship) his dad dies... because of a faulty machine part.

Shortly after his dad's funeral, his best friend and the one bright spot in his life, Clara, is sent away to England to live with her aunt.

Twelv...more Daniel's dreams are crushed when he is called away from taking the exam that might be his one chance at a college scholarship... because there has been an accident at the steel mill where he and his dad work, and his dad is trapped. Despite his heroic actions (and abandoning his chance at his scholarship) his dad dies... because of a faulty machine part.

Shortly after his dad's funeral, his best friend and the one bright spot in his life, Clara, is sent away to England to live with her aunt.

Twelve years later... Daniel has become a successful businessman who is a little strapped for cash because of his vendetta against Alfred Forsythe - who Daniel holds personally responsible for the death of his father. Alfred Forsythe owned the steel mill that Daniel and his father worked for, and Daniel felt that the faulty machine part could have been prevented if Forsythe hadn't been trying to cut corners. Daniel has a lot of patents on superior railroad equipment, and he refuses to sell any of his equipment to Forsythe. If Daniel's company goes public, then he becomes one of the richest men in America, but he knows the board of the public company will agree to sell his equipment to Forsythe.

Clara returns to America after an anonymous benefactor pays for the best lawyer in England to get her released from prison there. She is a journalist, and wrote a story about the treatment of the children in the mines - which landed her in jail. She returns to America and plans to continue being a journalist.

For Daniel and Clara, friendship comes easy. They seem to pick up where they left off, but life is never that easy... Daniel carries a lot of anger and refuses to have anything to do with God, and then there is the article that Clara writes that seems to put a permanent wedge between them...

And then there's Bane who has been commissioned to destroy Daniel. His plan seems to be working perfectly at first, but he didn't count on how the strength of a virtuous and God-fearing woman could change his heart.

And right as Daniel hits rock bottom he realizes what is really important to him and what is worth fighting for (and what is worth letting go) - hitting rock bottom ends up being the best thing that ever happened to Daniel!(less)

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Dec 27, 2011 Ashley V. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was greatly pleased with The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden. I was given this book along with three others for Christmas and I knew nothing about it except what it had on the back. I was planning on reading just a few pages to see whether I would like to start reading it, but I was immediately hooked. From the moment the book starts the intense friendship between Daniel Tremain and Clara Endicott is beautiful and intriguing. Clara is a blue-blood with a Reverend father and Daniel is a...more

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Aug 13, 2011 Jolene rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of Christian Romance.

Twelve years after leaving America, Clara Endicott returns with dreams of pursuing truth and justice as a female journalist. As soon as she and her childhood friend, Daniel Tremain, meet, their hearts begin to reconnect and the spark of romance from twelve years ago ignites into a full-blown flame. Unfortunately, Daniel's long-standing grudge against the owner of the factory his father was killed in has made him a target of criminal activity. Will Daniel and Clara survive the danger? Can Daniel...more

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Jul 19, 2011 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden’s debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy’s girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As the...more This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden’s debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy’s girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn’t mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?

Clara’s dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn’t put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!

And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.

I received this book free from Bethany House book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55(less)

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Jul 09, 2011 Abbie Riddle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a sweet love story! This is such a great look at what happens when one is faithful always to share God's word with those we love the most.

A childhood friendship that spans oceans and years is reunited when the two cross paths again. Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain were from opposite social classes and yet the common love of music was the basis for a friendship that would impact them for their entire lives. When Daniel's father is killed at the mines and he loses any chance of ever going t...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Kevin Sorensen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-romance-historic-balti

(Once again, my wife reviews this historical romance novel.)

The setting of this story is in Baltimore, MD. The story starts out with an incident a steel mill that forever changed Daniel Tremain. Bitterness consumes him. Every business decision he now makes is based upon vengeance against rival businessman, Alfred Forsythe and Forsythe Industries. This all-consuming passion stands between him and Clara Endicott, the love of his life. “No matter how strong their friendship, how great her respect f...more

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Jun 16, 2011 Ada Brownell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: intriguing-book

THE LADY OF BOLTON HILL

I just completed Elizabeth Camden’s novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill. It is a suspenseful riveting historical romance where the setting is the age of newspaper muckrakers and workers’ union conflicts.
The Lady of Bolton Hill is such a great read it kept me up until 2 in the morning on one occasion. But it did much more—the reason I read Christian fiction—it lifted me above life’s shadows and planted my feet on higher ground because it reminded me redemption is much greater th...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden is a wonderful historical novel set in Baltimore in the 1800's.

Clara Endicott loves music and so does Daniel Tremain. The problem however, is that they are from two different worlds. She lives in the heart of luxury and he is struggling to keep his family fed after the accidental death of his father. While Clara's father, a minister, accepts the friendship for a time, when it becomes serious he sends her to London to finish her schooling.

Twelve years...more

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Jun 01, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: inspirational-historical-romance, female-journalist

RATIN:4.5)THE LADY OF BOLTON HILL by Elizabeth Camden is an exciting debut inspirational historical romance set in 1879 London and Baltimore,Maryland.The plot is well written with details and depth.The characters are believable,exciting and will capture your heart. It has faith,love,romance,suspense,intrigue,history,drug smuggling,the opium trade,female journalists in the 1800's and danger. Clara Endicott,parent is a weathly minister,she has made a name for herself by writing articles on London'...more RATIN:4.5)THE LADY OF BOLTON HILL by Elizabeth Camden is an exciting debut inspirational historical romance set in 1879 London and Baltimore,Maryland.The plot is well written with details and depth.The characters are believable,exciting and will capture your heart. It has faith,love,romance,suspense,intrigue,history,drug smuggling,the opium trade,female journalists in the 1800's and danger. Clara Endicott,parent is a weathly minister,she has made a name for herself by writing articles on London's poor,especially its children.She is deported back to Maryland after a month stay in a London prison for said articles,where she comes face to face with her old childhood sweetheart.It has been twelve years since they last seen each other.Daniel Tremain, was a poor lad who loved music and inventing things.He has now become a powerful industry giant and is out for revenge for the death of his father when he was only nineteen.While Daniel and Clara become reacquitte they also learn of Clara's father's deception. He and Clara's aunt withheld the letters they sent to each other for twelve years,leaving each of them believing the other that stopped caring.But Daniel's adversaries will endanger Clara,and they must face their fears.While Clara is deeply devoted to her faith,Daniel has questioned his.His father was killed in an accidental explosion,his mother commits sucide leaving him to raise is three small sister,with no income.So Daniel does the only thing he can and becomes a self made industry giant with the help of a few friends.But his success is fueled by his resentment of his past wounds,revenge and his need to destroy who he believes his is arch enemy.Clara's deep rooted belief in God's grace will force Daniel to face his own motives and either let his revenge go or face losing Clara forever.This is a fast paced story full of engaging characters, faith, acceptance, redemption,forgiveness and love.It also shows God's grace and forgiveness.A great debut and a must read. This is an author to watch for in the future. This book was received for the purpose of review from Library Thing and the publisher and details can be found at Bethany House and My Book Addiction Reviews. (less)

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May 31, 2011 Edna Tollison rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel...more

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May 13, 2011 Jasmyn9 rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, christian, historical-romance, arc

A rarity in 1800's, Clara Endicott is a journalist. She has made a name for herself in England by writing about the working conditions of London's poor. She has also wound up in jail for the same thing. An anonymous supporter helps her return home to Baltimore where she finds that life has changed. Her childhood best friend, Daniel Tremain, has risen from a mill worker to an industry leader and power house. But Clara finds that more than just Daniel's social and financial status has changed. He...more

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May 17, 2013 Carrie Penney rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, historical-romance, christian-romance, christian-fiction, tower-team, kindle-loan

Daniel and Clara have been best friends since they were children, both coming from different backgrounds but brought together from a mutual love of Chopin. Always playing music together, known pieces and scoring their own, something other then friendship started to bloom. Even if it was not noticed between the two.

Clara was to be sent to London to live with her Aunt. Under the guise of her pursuing her dream of writing, not realizing her father was purposely keeping her from the budding romance...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Shellie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a great story!! Here we have two loveable, although somewhat frustrating characters brought together by a profound love and talent for music. Clara, a wealthy and educated girl and Daniel Tremain, a steel worker never dreamed their lives would be torn apart. However, as Clara reaches the age of courtship, her father sends her to Europe so she can make her mark in the world. Twelve years later, she returns after having done time in prison because of an article she wrote exposing the truths o...more

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Jun 22, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Daniel and Clara come from different backgrounds but their hearts are joined forever in friendship through music. When their relationship grows deeper, Clara is sent off to England by her father, who doesn’t want her falling in love with a boy who wasn’t in her social class. After twelve years, the now grown Daniel is a successful businessman with a grudge, and Clara is a journalist who wants to write about the truth about working conditions. When criminals come to town to hurt them, can their...more

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Jan 26, 2012 Natasha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

An enjoyable romance with likable characters and a good message.

I honestly didn't realize that this book was a Christian work. I had downloaded because it sounded like it might be a good romance. And it was. The time period allows for the strong faith that Clara displays, but the author does not hit the reader over the head with Clara's faith. It is a part of her convictions and drives her journalism. Clara is unique in the fact that her father encourages her to pursue her journalism even though...more

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Jun 11, 2011 Joy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Daniel and Clara are childhood friends torn apart before their sparks of romance could ignite. When they cross paths twelve years later the heat between them creates an inferno on the page. The romance in The Lady of Bolton Hill got so steamy- for a minute there, I thought it might be headed in a whole different direction. Rest assured, we don't cross out of Christian fiction territory, but if you are a fan of edgy inspirational you'll enjoy the romance in this one.

There was much for me to love...more

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May 17, 2013 Wanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-historical-fiction, 2011

This book grabbed me from the start with its intricate plot that doesn't let go. The story begins in 1867 - Baltimore, Maryland, as tragedy strikes, when Daniel Tremain loses his father in a boiler explosion at a steel mill. Daniel was a brash and opinionated nineteen year old boy with no money and three little sisters to support. Sixteen year old, Clara Endicott, was his best friend and a fellow enthusiast of the great composer, Chopin. They were kindred spirits working together on Chopin compo...more This book grabbed me from the start with its intricate plot that doesn't let go. The story begins in 1867 - Baltimore, Maryland, as tragedy strikes, when Daniel Tremain loses his father in a boiler explosion at a steel mill. Daniel was a brash and opinionated nineteen year old boy with no money and three little sisters to support. Sixteen year old, Clara Endicott, was his best friend and a fellow enthusiast of the great composer, Chopin. They were kindred spirits working together on Chopin compositions; Clara on piano and Daniel on the cello. The two of them would escape into their magical world of music.

The Reverend Lloyd Endicott, Clara's father, aggressively intervenes in Clara's life by sending her to England. He desperately wanted to separate her from Daniel and claimed he had her best interest at heart.

I loved the strong willed character of Clara. She becomes a journalist in London. A scandal is created when she begins to work on a story about the horror of child labor, children being used as workers in a coal mine. Clara wanted to make a difference in the world, but she failed. No children had been rescued; no mine owners had been punished. Clara had been conquered and convicted, but finally blessed with the gift of freedom.

It has been twelve years since Clara had last seen Daniel and now she was returning to America. She was most anxious to see her oldest, most cherished friend, Daniel. Daniel is no longer living in poverty, but is now a powerful industrialist who is described as being wealthy, wickedly attractive who lacks social graces. He carries a huge vendetta against Alfred Forsythe, the man he blames for his father's death.

And the story unfolds --- Clara has come back into Daniel's life and it becomes quite clear he should keep her there. He wants Clara by his side. But, can Clara go through life alongside a man with the stain of vengeance corroding his soul?

This is a story of love, forgiveness, and grace with a strong theme about grievances that can take over your life. A fresh enjoyable read that I highly recommend. One negative comment: As much as I enjoyed this book, the storyline was difficult to believe - just not plausible. My rating is 4 stars. (less)

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Jun 04, 2012 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I got this book from the library because I loved another book from the same author, The Rose of Winslow Street. I didn't like The Lady of Bolton Hill quite as well, but I really did enjoy it. With some books, you wonder why the main characters are even together... you just don't see the chemistry. In this book, it was evident right from the start how completely comfortable Clara and Daniel were in one another's company. This author does characters and interactions very well.

There were chapters a...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5 Stars. United by a passion for music, Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain were the best of friends despite their wildly disparate backgrounds. Clara, the daughter of an influential minister, is a glittering but refreshingly unpretentious child of Baltimore's elite, while Daniel is a native of the tenements, destined for a future in the steel mills but with a drive to escape his upbringing and prove worthy Clara's affection. After a tragic accident derails his youthful dreams, Clara is shipped...more 3.5 Stars. United by a passion for music, Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain were the best of friends despite their wildly disparate backgrounds. Clara, the daughter of an influential minister, is a glittering but refreshingly unpretentious child of Baltimore's elite, while Daniel is a native of the tenements, destined for a future in the steel mills but with a drive to escape his upbringing and prove worthy Clara's affection. After a tragic accident derails his youthful dreams, Clara is shipped to England with the hope of discovering her passion and purpose in life, leaving Daniel to transform his family's tragedy into a springboard for advancement, marrying his thirst for vengeance with the drive to exceed his antecedents and prove worthy Clara's world. While in England Clara discovers her passion -- illuminating the darkest struggles of the working classes with the power of her pen -- and when her expose see her unceremoniously sent back to America, she and Daniel are reunited. After more than a decade apart, Daniel and Clara couldn't be more different -- but the connection and passion that simmered between them as teens remains unchanged, flaring to life once again after their first encounter. But as much as Clara would love to rekindle her relationship with her oldest friend, Daniel's stubborn, unrelenting obsession with revenge no matter the cost threatens to derail her most cherished hope. While Clara's passion for justice collides with Daniel's pride, an unseen enemy emerges, ready to strike. Can Daniel relinquish his hunger for revenge before he loses his truest friend, or will the hope of a future with Clara be ripped from his grasp forever?

Perhaps the best way to describe Camden's debut effort is intense. From the heady days of Clara and Daniel's early friendship to Clara's unceremonious deportation from England, Camden hits the ground running from the novel's opening pages. I loved the fact that Clara and Daniel's romance grew out of a childhood friendship. The intensity of their relationship, the way in which they "click" lends their budding romance an intensity and spark rarely seen in fiction of this ilk. Daniel is very much a hero cut from the same cloth as Darcy and Thornton of classic literature fame. Speaking of Thornton, this novel bears a striking resemblance in subject matter and romance to Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. Much like the mill owner John Thornton, Daniel rises to society's highest levels with a hard-edged grace, consumed with validating his newly-acquired position. And like Thornton, Daniel meets his match in the form of a social-justice minded, independent and unconventional woman who refuses to surrender to a love built on a foundation of vengeance and anger.

Bolton Hill's greatest strength lies in its insistence on pushing the boundaries of historical romance -- this is a novel infused with heated romance, weighty social issues, and high adventure. And therein also lies the novel's biggest weakness. Clocking in at a relatively slim 320-odd pages, there's almost too much going on to do any of the multiple, and equally potentially strong, storylines the justice they deserve. Roughly half the novel focuses on everything from the challenges facing female journalists in the Gilded Age and workers' rights, labor riots, and industrial rivalry while the second half features an expansive opium smuggling operation headed by a sinister Professor Moriarty-type figure whose brilliant, teen-aged lieutenant (think a 19th-century James Bond type) has Daniel's downfall in his sights. Camden has a appealing voice and intelligent, articulate prose that kept me rapidly turning pages. And while I appreciate the novel's reach it simply isn't long enough to do full justice to its characters or the multiple storylines.

Don't let Bolton Hill's gorgeously-rendered cover fool you -- yes, there's a romance (and oh, some of the moments Daniel & Clara share!), but there's adventure, danger, and an organic spiritual thread wrapped up in the pages of Camden's debut. In particular I liked the character of Daniel -- his strength, intensity, loyalty to his family, and whole-hearted adoration of Clara, though his spiritual arc felt a bit truncated (again, due to length limitations). With the promise of a tighter storyline, Camden's crisp prose and fearlessly fast pace mark her as an author to watch. And that teen-aged, villainous protege I mentioned earlier? He makes a most welcome return later this year in Camden's third novel, Against the Tide. (less)

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Jul 10, 2012 Ganise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bestbooksread-in-2012, read-in-2012

Amazing work, worth six good stars!!

My gosh, this book went beyond my expectations!
There is so much talent in Christian Fiction and when I do happen to pick up a great book like this one, I am not exagerating when I say that it is worth your time!
Inspiring, The Lady of Bolton Hill has been thoughtfully penned and brims with humour (more like hilarity!), sweet romance and adventure.
Even so, the most important part is that this novel is rooted in an unshakable Truth that will bless as you read.
Cla...more

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May 28, 2011 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thoroughly enjoyed The Lady of Bolton Hill by debut author Elizabeth Camden, as beautiful a story as the cover. This historical novel is set mainly in America during the Industrial Age of railroad tycoons, new technology, and social changes that follows the lives of childhood friend's Cara Endicott and Daniel Tremain.

Daniel and Cara meet when they are adolescents through their common love of music and Chopin. Cara is from a privileged home whose father is a well known minister and newspaper ow...more I thoroughly enjoyed The Lady of Bolton Hill by debut author Elizabeth Camden, as beautiful a story as the cover. This historical novel is set mainly in America during the Industrial Age of railroad tycoons, new technology, and social changes that follows the lives of childhood friend's Cara Endicott and Daniel Tremain.

Daniel and Cara meet when they are adolescents through their common love of music and Chopin. Cara is from a privileged home whose father is a well known minister and newspaper owner. Daniel comes from an impoverished background, a mill worker, who at the young age of 19 must care and support his three younger sisters when they are all orphaned. Cara's father does not approve of their friendship and sends Cara to London to live with an aunt when she is 16 for 12 years. During this time Daniel has become a wealthy man when his inventions are used in the growing railroad empires. Cara is a journalist who not only seeks out the truth but wants to change what she finds unjust. Their friendship and growing love for one another is tested due to the changes both of their lives have taken. Cara has never lost her faith no matter what troubles she has faced while Daniel still harbors bitterness and anger towards an individual he blames for his parent's deaths.

I love reunion/second chance love stories with a bit of angst and conflict and The Lady of Bolton Hill does not disappoint :) . The storyline focuses mainly on the romance between Cara and Daniel however Daniel's need for revenge puts Cara's life in danger which kept me turning the pages to see how it would be resolved in the end. The historical facts during this period of America's past were presented in such a way that not only kept my interest but I could visualize scenes, dress and people. It is a book about forgiveness, redemption, acceptance, respect and most importantly it is about love. A wonderful debut novel and I look forward to reading more from Elizabeth Camden.

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Jun 11, 2012 Bg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I picked up this book, I didn't read the description at all. As silly as this by sound, I really liked the cover. But as I began reading, I found that once again, I couldn't put it down. So now, I am sleep deprived but very satisfied.

Clara is sent away to London for twelve years leaving behind her best friend and childhood sweetheart Daniel who has just lost his father. Of course this doesn't keep Daniel down for long and not only makes him rich over the comes years, but also hard as a rock...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Holly Renee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite

Bethany House's newest author, Elizabeth Camden, offers readers a fresh new voice and captivating story in her debut novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill.

Childhood friends Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain are inseparable . . . until Clara moves across the world. Twelve years later, Clara returns to the city of Baltimore. The bond between Daniel and Clara quickly reignites and sparks into romance. But both of them have changed. Daniel has attained massive wealth from his company, and he has no qualms...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Ruth Hill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical

This book was a fairly typical Christian historical romance, and indeed the author did not disappoint in that area. It's always comforting to read a romance where there is excitement, a strong female, a dashing rogue, and plenty of tension. And add to that--nothing inappropriate in the least. After all, it is Christian!

I did find myself drawn into the story, but I cannot say I loved any of the characters. Clara and Daniel were fine, but I was not enthralled with them. Sometimes I even found Clar...more

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Christian Fiction...: ❀Abbi and Megan❀ The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden	38	22	Nov 28, 2012 12:38pm

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