Carved in Stone - (The Blackstone Legacy) by Elizabeth Camden

Carved in Stone is the first book in Camden’s new series, “The Blackstone Legacy”. As I’ve come to expect, this new release of Camden’s featured a stunningly beautiful cover, strong characters, and niche historical aspects to learn about while reading. Carved in Stone also explored the dynamics of social classes and wealth in relation to romantic relationships and how that and even how different familial background/ethnicity affects a relationship. This book kept me hooked and did not disappoint. Thank you to Bethany House and Net Galley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive. *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The first in a captivating new series set in the Gilded Age, Carved in Stone introduces the powerful Blackstone family, as secrets are revealed with the future of the largest merger in US history at stake. Gwen Kellerman loves her life at college hosting gatherings of some of the most inquisitive minds, drawing comfort from the familiar. But her safe haven is at risk of going under, a chance sighting has her fighting to save the college alongside Patrick a principled young lawyer who dislikes everything her family represents. Does their love stand a chance? A captivating and engaging novel, and an excellent introduction to the powerful Blackstone family. I loved how this book juxtaposes the lives of Gwen, Liam and Patrick, who come from vastly different backgrounds, as they try to find common ground and fight for what matters. Gwen is passionate about education, and longs for the close family connection that she was robbed of throughout her life. I admired her willingness to help, her compassion, and courage. Patrick is a hardworking and compassionate lawyer, he holds high standards of integrity for himself, and he is a wonderful friend. Overall, a wonderful introductory to this brand new series by Elizabeth Camden. I loved the characters, rich history, and engaging plot. I'm so excited to see what happens next with this series, crossing my fingers for more on Liam and Natalia! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden is the beginning The Blackstone Legacy series. The author transports readers back to 1900 in New York City between the Five Points neighborhood and Manhattan. The author provided beautiful word imagery that allows readers to visualize the scenes from the book. I can tell the author did her research for this book with her descriptions of Five Points, the way people dressed, conveyances, attitudes, and behaviors, and so much more. Elizabeth Camden also includes interesting historical details that enrich the tale. The characters are realistic and developed. Patrick is an Irish immigrant who was fortunate to have a benefactor who helped him attend law school and become a lawyer while Gwen grew up in the world of academia and wealth. Patrick and Gwen begin on opposite sides of an issue, but they soon find themselves working towards the same goal. Carved in Stone was well-written with gentle pacing. It started off a little slow for me, but I soon became engaged and was swiftly turning the pages to see how the story would unfold. Carved in Stone reminds us that appearances can be deceiving. We should not judge a person based on their appearance, background, or their differing opinions. It reminds me of the phrase, “Never judge a book by its cover.” The other lesson is the art of compromise. Carved in Stone is our introduction into the complex and large Blackstone family. It will be interesting to see what happens next with the Blackstone’s. Carved in Stone is an intriguing historical novel with baleful book, stainless steel, an extravagant yacht, a compromised college, a flush family, and rough neighborhood.

A new series by one of my favorite authors!! She never disappoints! Set in the early 1900’s in New York City, this was a fantastic historical story full of everything I love: an engaging unpredictable plot based on historical events, endearing, flawed, yet growing and bettering characters, mystery and suspense, danger, a swooning romance, and an inspirational message that makes you reflect upon your own life. Glen and Patrick’s journey was deeply emotional and I was rooting for each of them from page one. Their coming from opposites worlds made the romance even more appealing, and I wanted to go on and on until I could be sure they would be guaranteed a Happily Ever After! A complete page tuner! And it didn’t feel like a fairy tale love, on the contrary, it felt quite realistic. And, they were so relatable: Patrick, so loyal, trying to earn respect as a hardworking man and provide for his mother, battling with the feeling of failure to God after leaving the seminary. His love for the less fortunate, his heart of gold. Gwen’s love of science, her kind heart and free spirit. They were both so relatable and endearing. I loved how Patrick was willing to do anything for Gwen, he would stop at anything to protect her! And I loved reading the book from both, the hero and the heroine’s, point of view. It’s like an insight into their minds and hearts! I loved the historical part, the research the College made for cure to different diseases. And the Blackstone-Malone plot story so complex, it immerses you right away! Talk about unpredictable! This book never lagged! And I loved the side characters! Can’t wait to read Natalia’s story next! There’s also a faith inspired message, in a very natural way, about trusting God, not living to others expectations, letting your pride go, and about unconditional love being worth over anything else and the power it has to overcome anything life throws you, as long as you love and are loved! A fascinating novel about a love “carved in stone” that I highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Set in 1900, Carved in Stone is full of interesting characters and contrasts the lives of working class Irish like lawyer Patrick O'Neill and the Blackstones, a family of wealthy investment bankers. A young widow, Gwen Blackstone Kellerman has no interest in banking, preferring to teach a class of botany at Blackstone College, which was founded by her late father. When she is sent by her grandfather and uncle to Patrick O'Neill in hopes he will persuade his client to stop publication of a book that would reflect very negatively on the Blackstones, it is the beginning of their unusual friendship. There is an interesting mystery that has plenty of surprises. One of the characters went from having a hard scrabble life to one of luxury and the difficulties of that were explored. I really enjoyed Carved in Stone and am already looking forward to book two which I am happy will feature Natalia and the Siberan Count Sokolov. Elizabeth Camden's books are always well written and full of interesting historical details that enhance the story. I received a complementary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

3.5 stars "I want to get married someday, but I will wait until I know it's right, because there will be no going back on those vows. They will be carved in stone . . . " But would Patrick O'Neill wait just a bit too long, allowing pride to cloud his thinking while his heart took a beating? After all, Gwen Blackstone Kellerman is clearly an heiress of unfathomable fortune, while Patrick could best be described as a priest-in-the-making turned lawyer-for-the-lowly. In spite of the societal and economic gulf looming large between them, what draws them together will have to prove stronger than what threatens them to break apart, for danger abounds in their gilded world, leaving a decades old family mystery just begging to be solved. Surprisingly, this plot line seemed to meander about through pages and chapters that were quite interesting and often intriguing, but lacked a general cohesiveness that would have given it additional strength. That being said, it's a wonderful story with characters that will undoubtedly reappear as the series progresses, doggedly tugging on your heart strings as they navigate their advantages and opportunities. How satisfying that in this story Patrick finally admits that "I got too caught up in worrying about what people thought of me when I should have been counting my blessings for the miracle that brought you into my life", . . . agreeing with all of us . . . that for Gwen to be alone, "would be a crime". I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased a copy. The thoughts and opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Every time Elizabeth Camden writes another novel, I immediately put it on my Want to Read list! Elizabeth Camden has a gift for creating characters that make areas of history come alive that I had never thought of before. When I see her name on a cover, I know that I will be transported in time to walk through streets I’ve never seen and make friends with people I didn’t know. Carved in Stone, set in the Gilded Age, brings to life the conflicts between the rich and the working class, with multiple subplots that keep the reader fixated to the very end. Gwen’s idyllic world of botany on a sheltered college campus comes crashing down as she meets Irish immigrant Patrick O’Neill, a struggling young lawyer determined to solve a mystery surrounding her family. I tire of reading countless historical fiction novels about the glorious lives of rich people with whom I fail to identify. However Elizabeth Camden weaves her story between the world of the working class and that of the rich upper class, bringing both sides to life. I highly recommend Carved in Stone to readers on every level. *I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I sat down to start this book when I had a small window of time between work and appointments…big mistake. I was late for my appointment and I’m pretty sure no one heard from me for two days while I finished this book!! It was such a gripping story! There was history, romance, and intrigue. As I’ve come to expect from Elizabeth Camden, she took an overlooked part of history and wove her story around it. If you’re looking for a book to read I highly recommend this one! You won’t be disappointed 5/5 stars!

A kidnapped heir presumed dead, a young widow trying to save her father's legacy, an older widow struck by a horrible disease, and an attorney striving to survive and succeed while serving New York's downtrodden people. All of these elements work together to create a compelling tale, but fans of Elizabeth Camden would expect nothing less. Once again she has used an important, historical social concern as a backdrop for a bit of suspense and romance. I highly recommend this new series, The Blackstone Legacy, as well as this author. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Carved in Stone from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Elizabeth Camden has a way of painting little known historical facts during the Gilded Age into full masterpieces and her inaugural novel in The Blackstone Legacy series is no exception. The author fuses the founding of a conglomerate steel corporation with advancement in science and medicine, the swirling decadence of the elite with a close look at the slums and tenements within the backdrop of 1900 New York City. The main characters are opposites as well but they work to bridge the differences in their worlds and, in many ways, learn to complement each other. This story has it all - great historical background, spellbinding backdrop, fluid writing, deeply layered characters, intriguing suspense, achingly tender romance, and a seamless faith thread. I loved Patrick and his steadfast loyalty as the lawyer and spiritual counselor for the downtrodden. I needed a bit more time to warm up to Gwen, the ivory tower princess wrapped up in botany and comforts of academia, but her compassion and generous spirit won me over. Their flirtations are quite delicious and the humor sprinkled throughout the book is quite unexpected but equally enchanting. I loved learning about development of tetanus serum and vaccine among many other things. If you enjoy historical romance, this book will captivate you. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I received the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.