My Review of The Rose of Winslow Street (CFBA)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Rose of Winslow Street Bethany House (January 1, 2012)
by Elizabeth Camden
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden 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 in central Florida.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.

When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with the mysterious past.

As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Rose of Winslow Street, go HERE.

MY RATING

Summer

MY REVIEW

From the synopsis, The Rose of Winslow Street sounds like a story about a pushy man who claims ownership of a house belonging to a rich girl, leading to a battle in court and then happily ever after. But while that may describe some of the bare bones of the book, from the very get-go the plot is much more complex and extraordinary than that!

Michael Dobrescu takes family very seriously, and he'll do anything to provide for his own. But when the path to protecting his family takes him to the house on Winslow Street, it cuts off the professor who labored for years to improve the house - as well as the professor's big-hearted daughter. Emotions run high, secrets run deep, and tension - romantic and otherwise - simmers just below the surface in this well-written, engaging, and very unique historical romance with Romanian flair.

Camden caught my attention with her debut, The Lady of Bolton Hill, but she captured my imagination with The Rose of Winslow Street. Full of resiliency, rejuvenation, and roses, this book has it all - including a difficult-to-top, romantic gift and that happily ever after previously mentioned. Stunning!

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