Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Hello members, please join in as we start to read Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden. This particular group read goes from May 15-June 14th the summary is as follows-

Love and Lives are Threatened in Camden's Latest Offering

As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.

Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

A reminder- as always when we are posting comments about the book, please be sure to mark any plot spoiler comments with ******SPOILERS****** to alert those that are not done reading the book.

I'll start us off with the easy question-
Have any of you read any other books by Elizabeth Camden?

Okay, I am technically going to be reading this book at the same time as the group (as I'm reading it to judge the Romance category of the Inspys) but I'm not allowed to comment on any of the Inspy books while we're judging. So I'm just going to lurk during this month's discussion and not make any comments about the book ;)

But since this comment isn't directly related to the book, I can say that I haven't read any of Elizabeth Camden's novels before but I do own her previous two books. And I love the covers!

Ahhh just read it last month kol

I have this one from the library but have to finish Grave Consequences first as it's new to the library so have it for a shorter time span.

Probably will not get to this one. So behind in so much since I got bad bronchitis. And still on chasing Mona Lisa.

I'm so sorry you've been sick Karen and that you can't join us for this one. It's tough to have time to read them all! Hope you feel better soon !

Thank you.

I have not read any other books by Elizabeth Camden. I borrowed this through the Ohio ebook project, and am about 2/3 of the way through. Am enjoying it so far and is getting very exciting and full of intrigue.

I read The Rose of Winslow Street back when we read it for a group read- I think it was last year and really enjoyed it. I thought her character's were rich and the storyline was very good! I haven't started this one yet, but I am hoping soon!

Loving this book but sometimes find the spoken language too modern for 1876. I've just come across the word 'teenager' - spoken by Lydia and I know the term wasn't in use until the 1940's. Has anyone else noticed this?

D.C. wrote: "Loving this book but sometimes find the spoken language too modern for 1876. I've just come across the word 'teenager' - spoken by Lydia and I know the term wasn't in use until the 1940's. Has anyo..."

This is something I always forget, because the word teenager is so ingrained into society now. But you're right--according to OED the first recorded use of the word was in 1941, and it was hyphenated up until the 1960s! It's strange to think that people used to jump straight from childhood to being adults.

Rachel wrote: "D.C. wrote: "Loving this book but sometimes find the spoken language too modern for 1876. I've just come across the word 'teenager' - spoken by Lydia and I know the term wasn't in use until the 194..."

Yes teenager is a modern thing made up like so many other such nonsense.

I am totally loving this book!

I just finished this book and I am so glad I read it. I have not read anything else by this author however I will now. A truly enjoyable read.

Ok, I am late to this party but have finally started reading this book so I am just at the beginning and will pitch a question. (Please remember that anyone can pose a discussion question at any time.)

It was rather a tragic opening to this novel. What were your thoughts about the prologue? Did you get a sense of who Lydia's family was and their circumstances? Did you like Lydia right away? What are some of your initial thoughts?

Reading this now and really enjoying it.

I just finished and enjoyed it as well. I really loved how Bane would "mess with her desk" when she wasn't looking! Lol.

Did you believe the characters of Bane and Lydia as far as their pasts influencing their behavior now?
For Bane, his emotional shut down and not allowing others to get close to him and for Lydia, her constant need for order and control and security?

I can believe how Bane and Lydia's past lives influenced their behaviour, especially Lydia's need for order after her traumatic childhood, but I found that Bane opened up to Lydia far too quickly for someone who had sworn not to get close to anyone. It was the one niggle I had with this book. However once the relationship had been established, I was more comfortable with it. I liked this book so much, I am about to read The Lady of Bolton Hill. I was born in Bolton, Manchester so the name resonates with me although I know Bolton Hill of the title is not in the UK.

I am still reading this book, but I love it. I really appreciated the beginning because it painted a vivid picture of where Lydia began and what her motivation is. It is fun to read a strong female character. I enjoy all the characters so far and love the historical details.

I agree with both of you- I do think that the set up for Lydia especially was really strong as I have seen and know people with similar tendencies when their childhood has been uncertain and their need for order and control is heightened. I mean order is a good thing, it helps us in our lives, but to me control is quite another. Only our God has complete control and surrendering to Him daily with regards to control is something I am always working on- Not fighting God for the reigns. Do you think that by the end of the novel Lydia has handed over the reigns to God?

I thought Lydia was almost a little OCD and that Bane really enjoyed "messing with her mind." I think that both of them had to learn to let go and let God.

What did you think of the "opium" part of the storyline? I found that quite interesting and even the picture of the bottle towards the end of the book. It looked oh so benign and yet laced with opium, wow, very interesting.

The opium was so interesting, especially because it really was used in those medicines! Crazy!

I thought this was an interesting question from the discussion questions at the back of the book. "Lydia never actually forgives the admiral for his harsh treatment of her. As a Christian, is she obligated to do so?"

I think for Lydia, given her background, she was let down by so many of the people in her life, that being let go of by someone she had grown to admire and respect was more difficult. Maybe she was seeking too much validation from the admiral. She also lost the life she had so carefully constructed for herself. In saving the admiral's son and discovering God in her life, yes she should have reconciled her grievances with the admiral.

I've got this one on hold at the library, but there's no way I'll have it by the 14th.

Anna, i loved your answer to that question as you took into account her past and perhaps why it was more difficult for her to forgive. I also like an author that doesn't tie up all the loose ends of the story, as we all are in process and growing in our walks with the Lord. As a reader, I like a little room to imagine some possible outcomes in the character's futures.
As a Christian, I believe that we don't get the choice who we can forgive. As God forgives us all for are sins ,who are we not to do the same? That being said, because we are mere humans, forgiveness is never easy, but in the end, we are the ones that experience the most freedom from choosing to forgive others. Hopefully, in the future, Lydia would get to that point.

Rachel wrote: "I've got this one on hold at the library, but there's no way I'll have it by the 14th."

I hope you like it Rachel. As a historical fiction novel, it was an enjoyable read.

Cheryl wrote: "Anna, i loved your answer to that question as you took into account her past and perhaps why it was more difficult for her to forgive. I also like an author that doesn't tie up all the loose ends o..."

I agree with you wholeheartedly Cheryl and I think it is something we all as Christians continue to work on throughout our earthly lives.