Description:
Anna O'Brien
leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious
Library of Congress until she stumbles across a baffling mystery of a ship
disappeared at sea. She is thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, but
her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman
for help. Luke Callahan was one of the
nation's most powerful congressmen until his promising career became shadowed
in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian,
he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are
unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from
any romantic entanglement with a member of Congress. From the gilded halls of
the Capitol, where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the
scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon
embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is
bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for
themselves?
For
someone who is a booklover, who enjoyed politics, and has been to DC, this book
was a dream come true. Seriously, could the setting have been any more perfect
for me? I think not.
I loved
Anna from page one to the very end, but then, Camden is the queen of characters
as far as I am concerned. Luke is also someone who feels so real and so perfect
for Anna. Their strengths, weaknesses, fears, and foes were all so real. They
were both flawed yet so wonderful.
Although
I loved the story and the characters, I have to admit I felt that the spiritual
message was a bit weaker in the book than it was in the others. The whole story
was good, be not as strong as Into the
Whirlwind or Against the Tide.
This did not keep me from enjoying it immensely. There were also a couple of
places where some crude/indelicate references were made, but those were made
about people who were married.
The
setting was by far my favorite part of the book. Having had the privilege of
traveling to Washington, DC a couple of years ago, I was able to really see the
places she described. I felt as if I was revisiting this historic city. I also
agree with Luke, the Library of Congress is gaudy, and less money should have
been spent on it.
The
political side of things was intriguing to me, as I have worked at my state
capitol and find political history very interesting. Although many events were
fictional, they felt very authentic. Camden really did great job of capturing
the spirit of political life.
I highly
recommend this book for those who like flawed heroes, historical fiction, and
libraries.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange
for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The
opinions in this review are entirely my own.
