From The Back
Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie van Riijn sees no harm in setting up a rooftop weather station for her work with the newly established Weather Bureau. While the villagers are suspicious of the mysterious estate and its tragic history, Sophie has come to see it as her own enchanted piece of paradise.
The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover Sophie trespassing on his land.
Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie yet find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark can no longer be kept in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?
The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover Sophie trespassing on his land.
Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie yet find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark can no longer be kept in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?
My Reflections:
Elizabeth Camden shares her love for history and vibrant ability to paint a canvas of beauty and heartache as we embark on her newest journey to Dierenpark. High atop of a small dying town sits an imposing abandoned castle, the playground to a select few caretakers and one Sophie van Riijn.
The lead character Sophie van Riijn is all sunshine and rainbows, the epitome of goodness. I really connected with this character as she struggled with the same feelings of failure and expectations from society that I have experienced. Sophie has a dream to run a weather station in her home town, it is her passion and she puts everything into it, that is until Quentin Vandermark shows up to muddle up all her plans.
Quentin embarks on a mission to carry out the wishes of his grandfather, destroy all traces of Dierenpark, return the land to its natural state and in return break the curse on the family. Quentin struggles with debilitating pain, his past and melancholy. A combination that has devastated his life and is trickling down to his young sons life as well.
Quentin was not my favorite character in the beginning of this novel. His hurtful words, his angry outbursts they were poison to the kind hearted Sophie. He did eventually warm up and his attitude was changed by the softening of God and with a little help from Sophie, it was slow and gradual as would be expected.
I so enjoyed this story, it peeled back layer by layer building slowly to reveal the gem within. A story with the transforming beauty of love and gentleness. Camden has the gift of infusing history and intrigue creating a symbiotic masterpiece. If you are looking to start the New Year off with a fabulous book this is your novel!
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!
THE AUTHOR
Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography Elizabeth Camden
Elizabeth Camden is the author of eight historical novels and has been honored with a RITA Award, Christy Award, and Daphne du Maurier Award. With a master's in history and a master's in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on...Continue reading about Elizabeth Camden
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