Book Review: The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden

Excerpt: The roses were gorgeous, the thickness of the stems indicateing they were at least twenty years old. The way they twisted and climbed along the fence was as though an artist had carefully trained them for maximum display. The abundant blooms cast off a rich fragrance, a sign of the roses' perfect, vibrant health. He hefted the ax to his shoulder and took careful aim at the largest of the rosebushes. Two clean whacks and the bush was cleaved in half. With a booted foot, he kicked the vines down from where they had been trained to cling to the fence. He grit his teeth together as he attacked the next bush, funneling all his rage and despair into his swing. Over and over he hacked through the thick, woody stems that grew in abundance along the side of the fence.

The door opened behind him, and Michael saw Turk framed in the doorway. "You know what you are doing there, mate?"

He swung another mighty blow at a rosebush in full bloom. "I want these roses out of here by sunrise. Tomorrow I will cart them away and burn them someplace where Mirela will never have to tolerate them again." The Rose of Winslow Street, pg 43.

Back Cover: In the small town of Colden, Massachusetts, Libby Sawyer leads a quiet, predictable life. Yet beneath the surface, she is haunted by a secret.

Newly arrived on American shores, Michael Dobrescu is far from predictable, and his arrival in Colden is anything but quiet. Michael's shocking claim to be the rightful owner of Libby's father's house immediately alienates him from the appalled citizens of Colden.

Despite her own outrage, Libby is unwittingly fascinated by this enigmatic man who seems equally intrigued by her. As the court's decision about the house looms and the layers of mystery surrounding Michael's past are unveiled, Libby's loyalties are tested in ways she never imagined.

Torn between family obligation and the stirrings of her heart, dare she trust a man whose intentions and affections are so uncertain?

My Review: Elizabeth Camden gives readers a story full of complex characters in difficult situations. I loved the way that the story unfolded, like a flower, one petal at a time. This novel is full of mystery, and with each new discovery comes a greater understanding of the characters and their deep motivations. Family ties are very important to both the main characters in this story, and causes great conflict between them. I loved the characters individuality. They were wonderfully flawed. This is a  really good book.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers of historical romance.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.