THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET by ELIZABETH CAMDEN

Title: The Rose of Winslow Street
Author: Elizabeth Camden
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 1, 2012)
Pages: 342

THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET is the first book I’ve read by Elizabeth Camden, but it won’t be the last. In many cases a novel starts out with a bang, just to dwindle within the first fifty pages. Then there are those that don’t start out well and continue in the same pace. With THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET, it started out at an ever pace, nothing causing my heart to race. But in a relatively short time the story took off.

I was hooked!

Liberty Sawyer is not what she appears. She is beautiful, well dressed and comes from a fine family. An outsider would never suspect the horrifying secret she guards so fiercely.

Michael Dobrescu has only recently arrived in America. He shocks the town of Colden, Massachusetts by storming in and taking over the Sawyer’s home.

To Libby’s father’s horror, she befriends Michael despite his outrageous claim on their home. Michael is not what he appears and in spite of her father and the people of Colden, Libby can’t seem to get Michael out of her thoughts.

As an aspiring writer there aren’t too many books I come across that I don’t edit as I read. THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET is one of those few. Most of us don’t have the luxury to sit for long hours to complete a book in one sitting. Many books have places where we are able to comfortably set it down. THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET is not one of them. The only good place to stop is upon completion.

The writing is exquisite. The plot is captivating. The characters are amazing. I loved the uniqueness of both Michael and Libby. I’m not sure if I can ever look at a rose in the same way after reading MS. CAMDEN’S novel. I’ve certainly learned a great deal about roses and perfume.

Michael was such a wonderful mix of strength, masculinity, protectiveness and tenderness. His chosen profession and passion in life is a bipolar difference from his outer appearance.

Libby’s “disability” was refreshing and unique. A true testament to how God made us each distinctively different, yet with a talent or passion to be carried out for the good.

The faith portion was carried out lightly in a way that will please readers no matter where they are in their journey. It’s not preachy, yet one has to admire the characters solid beliefs and morals.

It’s not very often that I immediately purchase another book by the same author I’m reading before I’ve even completed it. But that’s exactly what I’ve done. I can’t wait to receive my copy of THE LADY OF BOLTON HILL. I have no doubt the pages will captivate me in the same way THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET has.