An excellent read!! Congratulations, Elizabeth!
935788
I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth's first book, The Gifted! There were parts of the book that were predictable; characters acted and reacted as the reader expects. However, there are some great plot twists and unexpected character "reactions." Similar to Hunger Games & Divergent, at times...yet completely different! I have recommended this book to several of my students; middle school and high school alike, as well as adults.  Wonderful job, Elizabeth!!!
2621799
A Lot of Names To Remember .....but so worth the read! I had no idea that there were so many women waiting in the wings to be crowned queen after the death of Henry VIII. This book details their lives, their loves and all of the intrigue at Court. I found it hard to put this book down. As a Kindle edition it is hard to get to the chart showing the lineage. I suggest you keep a little chart of names on a sheet of paper so you can keep track of who is related to whom. I have no complaints about this read at all. It is a long book but ever so worth the time invested. Pure bliss!
3863083
I have read all three of the wonderful books that make up Sandra Byrd's Ladies in Waiting Series and have to confess that Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I is my personal favourite. It's the kind of book where you promise yourself just one more chapter... only to realise that several hours have passed, darkness has fallen and you're still reading!

This is as much a testament to Byrd's masterful, impeccably researched and deliciously detailed storytelling, as it is to her authentic and dynamic characters, who step off the pages to whisper in your ears tales of intrigue and forbidden romance. Byrd knows how to grab the reader's attention and transport them to bygone days.

I felt particularly drawn to Byrd's protagonist, Elin von Snakenborg, a spirited and charming woman, and formed an immediate connection with her that developed into a strong bond as the story unfolded. I turned the last page with a longing to hear from my "friend" again.

Through Elin's eyes, we get a unique and intimate look at England's formidable Elizabeth I, and of her tantalizing and often tumultuous court. We see a side to Elizabeth that is fragile and conflicted, and normally hidden behind her queenly faade.

Roses Have Thorns is a truly captivating tale of love, friendship, loyalty and treachery and I heartily recommend it!

It is a story that will remain with you long after you've turned the final page. For me, it's also awoken a curiosity to seek out the real Elin von Snakenborg.

Thank you Sandra for another fascinating and gripping story - what a way to conclude the Ladies in Waiting Series!
4693211
I enjoyed the read and getting to know Elizabeth's family.  I liked going along with her as she lived her life away from teaching and her falling in love again as she had some high-profile adventures.  Actually I wished there was a 4.5 I could give the book!
1821255
Elizabeth is down to earth, realistic, pragmatic wise, funny and eloquent. I bought the book because I respected and admired her. After reading the book, I love her! I would enjoy spending time with her, not to ask a single question about what happened or how she has deal with it--she fully answers all that--but because she is such a warm, intelligent, wise and charming person. The insights she shares are applicable to anyone and everyone. I recommend this book with full confidence. It is well written, compelling and uplifting. Elizabeth, you are so much more interesting than I ever realized. In the media, you seemed sweet and brave. In your own story, you are authentic, human and a whole person. This is the best book of triumph since Victor Frankel's Man's Search For Meaning.
2518617
A fascinating tale about a forgotten queen - I enjoyed everything about this book. I loved the setting, the characters, and the obvious work that went into describing the details of everyday life in the past. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series!
4219020
Elizabeth Camden is Bethany House's new, talented author. After reading "The Lady of Bolton Hill," I just hope she can write as fast as I can read. This book boasts an intricate plot, excellent detail about life in the late 1800's including business practices and the opium drug trade.
On Elizabeth's website, she writes that her novels "have a brisk pace, plenty of intrigue, romance, and fiercely intelligent characters..." All of this is true. The book was moving fast from the very beginning, the romance felt genuine, the struggles of the characters were realistic, and the mystery tied all parts of the plot together.
Let me say once more -- I'm really looking forward to the next novel. If my hunch is correct, and I hope it is, then the next main character will be Alexander Banebridge. If this isn't the plan, then I sincerely request it. There's so much potential there for a good story, that I hope Elizabeth doesn't feel overwhelmed by it and choose to focus on someone else.
Now for the suggestions. I have only one suggestion for this most excellent book. Toward the end when the mystery is solved, the criminal mind behind it all surprised me. I love surprises (in books!), but when the villain is revealed and I either haven't heard the name before or have heard of it just a couple times, I am slightly disappointed. I prefer to be given a few clues throughout the book so that I can narrow down the suspects and find out if I am correct toward the end. In this case, I feel that it was impossible to have a fair chance to solve the mystery.
That said, Bethany House is lucky to have Elizabeth Camden! I will definitely keep posted about new books from her. I hope to see several published soon! Elizabeth, please don't take three years to give us another one!
This book was a gift from the publisher in exchange for a non-biased review.
3621573
Definitely an excellent read!  She did not disappoint!
368293
When Elizabeth Lawsons father, Lord Stirling, flees his position in Williamsburg, she is left behind with a ransacked home, no friends, and a faithless fiance who wants nothing more than to distance himself from the unpopular Tories. Her fiances cousin, Noble Rynallt, is made of truer stuff, however, and he gives Elizabeth shelter until she can decide whether she will flee to England or remain in tempestuous Virginia. A patriot himself, Noble had no intention of marrying with war so soon on the horizon, but his growing attraction to Elizabeth makes him desire to be more than just a Good Samaritan. Unwilling to be beholden to Noble any longer than necessary, Elizabeth takes up menial work as a seamstress and a lacemaker to support herself. But when anonymous accusations surface claiming that the former belle is now a British spy, Elizabeths tenuous position is threatened once again.

The characters in this book are beautifully rendered, and the romance exquisitely crafted. Both of the characters are gracious and steadfast, Elizabeth seeking liberty from the tyrannical selfishness of her father while Noble seeks liberty from the sorrows of his past. When Elizabeth changes her given name to Liberty (Libby), Patrick Henrys phrase, Give me Liberty or give me death! takes on a different meaning both for the reader and for the characters themselves. The story arc is different than that found in your typical historical romance, as the happily ever after arrives in its own time and not where one might expect. In some ways, the story line reminded me of one of Frantzs earlier books, Courting Morrow Little.

As in all of Frantzs stories, the historical details are far more than just a backdrop, and one comes away immersed in the world of 1775 and wanting to know more about this period. My husband and I are both fans of the TV show Turn (based on George Washingtons spy network), so the element of espionage in the story added to my interest. Another thing I appreciated was how adeptly the author wove religion into the fabric of the story. The characters actions are influenced throughout by their Christian beliefs and by their understanding of what the Bible calls them to do. Yet everything transpires in a manner consistent with the historical era, and there was no preachy-ness to take one out of the plot.

I used to not like American historical fiction, but Frantz has changed my mind on that. The Lacemaker is an excellent first read to start the new year, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the American Revolution or in well-crafted romantic historical fiction.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
2801628
Having read all of Elizabeth Musser's works, this is definitely my favorite!  The topic was relevant -- the issues so real.  I wasn't expecting this to be a page-turner, but it made a trans-Atlantic flight pass swiftly and enjoyably.  The character development kept me so interested; the format and style kept me anticipating the next steps as the story unfolded.  Seeing the way the characters were woven together in one way or another was just superb.  At times I felt like I was sitting in a graduate class on refugee study.  Being a resident of Europe myself, I have great appreciation for the different perspectives, insights, and objectivity.  Though a novel, the foot print of Truth and the reality of these stories encouraged me to ask "what can I do to help?"  I love books that inform, inspire and motivate, and Elizabeth has done it again with the strongest of redemptive qualities!  I am definitely gifting this book to those I love and it's one I will read again.
448819
A little slow at first, but an excellent read!!
3878392
This is an excellent read! I highly recommend this book!
968247
This book is a must read (I truly mean it!), for both caregivers and those receiving care. Straight up honest, blunt, and with a lot of humor thrown in. I was healed from the dreadful disease that Elizabeth is going through (Lou Gherigs), so it really hit home with me. Also, very evident in this book, is her faith! She isn't just passively waiting to see what happens. She is actively and aggressively pursuing her healing, and I look forward to hearing her testimony. She is a wonderful example to all, how a Christian should act, when faced with a circumstance as horrendous as Lou Gherigs. God Bless you Elizabeth, keep fighting!  ~~Tony Myers (Author) of "The Lord Jesus Healed Me" and "Unlocking the Mystery of Divine Healing"
3129982
I recently got my Kindle (Love it!!!) and this was the first book that I downloaded for free @ Gutenberg.org where there  are thousands of books for the public to enjoy. I had never read anything by this author but I have always enjoyed the subject of Cleopatra and that era, so I thought I'd give it a chance. I literally could not put this book down and I was saddened when it ended! I felt like I was right there, the intrique, the betrayal, the all encompassing love! My next stop..."King Solomon's mines" I can only hope that it is as magnificent as this one was.
4165171
While some parts of this book were almost too painful to read...Sari and Damien's story was so intense, and beautiful.  I loved how Elizabeth wove all of the other characters into this book as well...opening the door for future stories to be told.
Like most avid readers, there are several authors on my short list...Elizabeth is at the top!  I honestly feel as if she shares a part of herself with every new book!  Thank you!!!
1465056
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  After reading my last book, which was extremely long for no apparent reason, this book was a breath of fresh air.  The book seemed a little long, but the author had something to say.  She did n't just rattle on about nothing.
Georgianna and Elizabeth became good friends when she visited Netherfield.  Georgianna invited Elizabeth to visit her in London.  Of course one thing lead to another and Darcy and Elizabeth ended up falling in love.  This is a very condensed way of stating it, but we'll worth the read.
4136776
Finally!! A book that I can actually believe could be like a true story. I thought it was soo awesome that you the writer gave the reader an insight in both Elizabeth's and Christian's point of view. It made me love and understand the characters much better.
It was definitely a very beautiful story!!