While I love Elizabeth Camden's writing and have actually been on a bit of a binge having read her entire Hope and Glory trilogy in addition to this one in the last week, this book was not my favorite of hers. I love a flawed hero, but this one was too flawed for me. There were far too many lies, large and small, for me to have ever trusted him, and were Jenny a friend of mine, I would have counseled her to stay far away from him! I understood and appreciated the theme of forgiveness, but a whole lot more of him proving himself not to be a pathological liar was needed rather than an apology and an "I'll never lie to you again."

Aside from that problem, I loved the rest of the book. The lesser-known historical events were fascinating. I loved learning about Japan's role in the Spanish-American conflict in the Philippines, and I was fascinated to learn about how pearls came to be cultivated. And as always, Camden knocked it out of the park with her multi-dimensional secondary characters! I loved them all!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.

I'd really give this probably 3.5 stars.

To the Farthest Shores is a historical fiction story set in 1904 about army nurse Jenny Bennet and naval officer Ryan Gallagher. They met and fell in love six years earlier, but Ryan left on a military mission, later seemingly abandoning Jenny and their tentative love. When they meet up again there is obvious mistrust on Jenny's part, but Ryan has a small hope that they can be reconciled. He needs Jenny's help to prepare for a new assignment, but with someone making attempts on Ryan's life and secrets on both sides, the deck is stacked against them.

This is one of those books where the characters' own flaws and fears keep them apart. You just want to shake them until they realize how dumb they're being. While this does make them realistic, it is also quite frustrating! Sometimes I felt it was dragged on a little too long. The suspense/mystery aspect was not quite as convincing. (Ryan couldn't figure out someone was trying to kill him after two attempts were made on his life. Come on guy.) It felt a bit like an afterthought to keep the plot moving, but sometimes it just didn't make sense and probably could have been left out altogether. I thought the supporting characters were great, and the story was definitely interesting enough to keep me reading.

If you are looking for a historical book with interesting characters looking for redemption then this is a good choice for you. If you're wanting something with mystery and suspense, then you should probably find something else. To be fair though, this book wasn't really publicized as such. All-in-all it's a good book that I enjoyed reading.

To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden is a stand-alone novel published by Bethany House. Camden has her own unique style of writing, and while most of her books have been “hits” for me, there have also been a handful of “misses”. To the Farthest Shores falls somewhere in between. The characters drew me in with their histories and heartbreaks, and the subplots involving Japanese culture during WWII and pearl farming were very interesting. When I read Ms. Camden’s writing, I feel as if I am learning something new while reading for pleasure. On the flip side, sometimes all the information about such random topics can bog down the story. While I did not think this was the case with To the Farthest Shores, there was a fine line between interesting facts being woven in and feeling decidedly not entertained. This book was right on the line, but still enjoyable for me; I finished it in a matter of days because the characters had drawn me in and I wanted to see them get their happily ever after. There was no memorable action or intrigue to keep the plot moving past the loads of information, just a desire to see the characters reconciled. I would still recommend it for history buffs and people who usually read nonfiction and would like some educational fiction to read, but for someone looking for a romantic saga to sweep you off your feet and get you swooning, this would probably not be it. All in all, I don’t say this to be negative. There are other books of Ms. Camden’s that balance romantic charm and fun facts well, especially her earlier books like The Lady of Bolton Hill and Against the Tide, and I would recommend those for readers who are new to her works.

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.*

To the Farthest Shores was an intriguing and enjoyable read that explored some heart wrenching consequences of duty, secrets, and dueling commitments. I enjoyed learning more about the pearl trade and industry in the early 1900's, and I loved how pearls both tore Ryan and Jenny apart and forced them to work together again. I could certainly see the depth of research Camden put into her story, and it made the novel very believable. The plot line of this novel was superbly written, and featured suspense, danger, intrigue, and romance in a way that left me glued to the pages. The topics of forgiveness, trust, and honesty were beautifully interwoven throughout the novel in a way that left no doubt of their importance in friendships and deeper relationships. I thought the characters in this novel were well developed, realistic, and easy to relate to. Jenny and Ryan were both complex characters that had much to learn from one another and from God as they sought to move beyond their pasts and to not repeat the same mistakes again. I also appreciated the other minor characters and their role in bringing the main characters together. Overall, I highly enjoyed this novel, and I would definitely recommend it and all of Elizabeth Camden's novels to any reader who loves a complex, satisfying historical romance.

I received this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent book - rich in historical detail and character development.

Nurse Jenny's heart was broken six years ago when her fiance, Ryan, left to fight in the Spanish-American War and never came back. He didn't die - he broke up with her through terse letter. Now he is back in California with a four-year-old child in tow. Ryan had been married to and widowed by another woman in the years he had been gone. If they can both overcome the pain of the past, can they work together to begin their relationship anew?

To the Farthest Shores was yet another intriguing historical romance by Elizabeth Camden. The settings and historical details were almost more interesting than the plot. The Spanish-American War, the advent of Pearl-farming, historical Japanese culture, nursing, US spy training, and sailor-kidnapping operations, to name a few. It was fascinating. I think the pearl-farming and the Japanese influences were the most interesting to me. Did you know that finding pearls to sell is no-longer hit-or-miss but that people have discovered a way to artificially induce oysters to create pearls?

The romance was interesting. Would you, reader, even consider dating a man who already left you to marry someone else because he accidentally got the other woman pregnant? I mean, he did the honorable thing by her, but the whole situation stinks from beginning to end. Let's just say that Jenny and Ryan have a lot to work through if they ever want their relationship to succeed. Yikes. Then there was the communication problems. How is a romance supposed to work between a woman who shows all of her thoughts on her face and hasn't a deceitful bone in her body with a man who was trained from birth to hide his emotions and is continually trying to protect her from the ugly truth? Their success seemed a little far-fetched at times. But their love for each other was genuine and their growth as individuals great. It was sweet to see them finally get together.

I enjoyed the story overall. It was well-researched, well-written, and intriguing. I look forward to Elizabeth Camden's next novel, and recommend this one to readers of clean, historical romance.

I did receive this book as a complementary copy from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Elizabeth Camden's new book To the Farthest Shore invites the reader to join Jenny on a journey through love, loss, redemption, and hope. The novel opens in 1898, and we meet Jenny and Ryan, a young couple in love with a bright future ahead. This future is interrupted with Ryan's announcement to Jenny that he must leave for a confidential mission. The story flashes to 1904, and we find Jenny serving as a nurse in a war hospital.

Ryan's duty to his country prevent him from fully following his heart. He faces choices that break his own heart, as he breaks Jenny's heart. Secrets and false assumption threaten to steal the love they once shared. Camden's writing style draws the reader into her story. We sympathize with Jenny, and sometimes with Ryan, and also feel their frustration with the obstacles they face.

Camden adds a healthy dose of surprises, and triumphs, in this story to keep us hoping. As Jenny and Ryan fight for their love, we cheer them on and realize that we can also fight for what we want, also!

Good wins against evil in this book, and offers hope when your circumstances look hopeless!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

When I picked up this book by one of my favorite authors, I found myself checking to see that it was by her. The style seemed different. It was not in a bad way at all, but you know how you start to feel like all the characters are similar?  I did not feel that way about this one. Ryan seemed so different than my other favorites by her, and I was intrigued by Jenny as well. 

The time period and history, which Ms. Camden is always a gifted story teller with, seemed to find those twists and turns that I have come to expect and enjoy. This is not one you will want to miss if you enjoy historical fiction. It is one that I will want to re-read again or suggest for  a book club. I throughly savored this one.

To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden is an intriguing story full of betrayal, secrets and heartache that makes it hard to put down.

Jenny Bennett is an Army nurse who accepts a marriage proposal (of a sort) from Ryan Gallagher, as he is about to be deployed overseas. He leaves her his only possession from his deceased father - a watch - as a promise of his intentions. Then one day she receives a letter terminating their relationship, without any explanation and she doesn't see him again for another six years - this time with a daughter in tow.

While the reader finds out Ryan's secrets before Jenny does there is still much to be intrigued about while reading this book. I liked how Jenny learned what true forgiveness was about and I liked the growth in Ryan's character as he made an effort to understand why Jenny was so hurt and bewildered by his actions.

The theme of forgiveness rang throughout this entire novel and was a good example of how God views our sins once forgiven - they are tossed into the sea and never remembered again. To the Farthest Shores is an excellent example of how wide our forgiveness should be when someone hurts us.

Jenny is a military nurse, who has overcome a hardscrabble past to make a respectable living for herself. Six years ago she fell in love with Ryan Gallagher, the pledged to write and then marry when he returned, but she received but one letter, a letter breaking off their engagement. But when he appears back on base with a four-year-old daughter in tow, Jenny wants answers.

Ryan was raised in Japan, the son of a missionary family, he learned the culture and language of the Japanese well. Six years ago he was recruited for a special mission in Japan, everything changed and Ryan never thought he'd see Jenny again. Now widowed, he wonders if he and Jenny may have a second chance at love.

Jenny is hurt that Ryan broke it off so abruptly and little explanation, and his reappearance in her life brings up the hurt that he caused her, especially when she sees his daughter, a reminder that he found someone else. Jenny is a hardworking woman, who takes pride in her work. She also does what she can to help her adoptive father, Simon, who took her in so many years ago. I like that Jenny is not perfect, it is hard for her to forget the pain of what Ryan did, she is vulnerable and relate-able.

Ryan knows that he has hurt Jenny and made mistakes that he cant take back, but he doesn't regret his beautiful daughter, Lily. Ryan is utterly devoted to his daughter, and is determined to teach her about both sides of her heritage. He is honest, yet at times oblivious. Ryan wants to make things right with Jenny, but doesn't know how. He is passionate about his dreams of Pearl farming, and raising his daughter.

I really liked Finn, he is brilliant and full of potential. He is very observant, and often sees things that others miss, yet he can he disrespectful and unruly. Finn is astute, and has a natural talent for piking up things, he can do well when he wants to, but struggles with demons that threaten to ruin his chances at working with the military.

Simon is the man who raised Jenny, he never had alot, but he made sure that Jenny had what she needed, and taught her about Christ. And Lily is so adorable, a sweet child who is well loved by her father.

Overall, this is a well written read about second chances, forgiveness, and hope. I loved Jenny, life hasn't been easy for her and she still beats herself up about things in her past as she tries to make things right. I liked her for her realistic vulnerabilities, strength and hardworking spirit. I loved learning about the early pearl industry. Finn was probably one of my favorites, because he can be such a cad, but also utterly charming and sincere, and I can't begin to imagine the adventures in store for him. Romance, mystery, forgiveness, from beginning to end this is a fantastic read. I had a hard time putting it down, and enjoyed it to the very end. Highly recommend!

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 it on my blog. Regardless, 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."

Elizabeth Camden has the most intriguing story settings and premises of any historical fiction author I know, and To the Farthest Shores is no exception. The Presidio and early 2th Century San Francisco and the Spanish-American War and spies? Yes, please1 I could not wait to devour this book! At first glance, her novels are exactly the kind of unique, intriguing, romantic, vivid, historically-accurate fiction I long to read.

But once I read them, Camden's novels also have an unfortunate penchant for letting me down. Perhaps my expectations are just too high, but each time I turn the last page, I'm left with a sense of unfulfilled promise. And once again, To the Farthest Shores is no exception.

There's something about the writing of Elizabeth Camden that keeps me glued to the pages, fascinated by the history, and invested in the outcome of the story. I loved the setting and the unique characters that had obstacles that they are working to overcome, and learn valuable lessons along the way. In the beginning Jenny and Ryan seem to be the perfect couple, but as they face trials- Jenny from her past, and Ryan from his future- their flaws are revealed and there is a lot for them to learn about communication, trust, and forgiveness. I would have liked to see more romance in their relationship, but their drawn-out struggles prevented it. A bit of suspense kept the pace of the story moving forward when Ryan and Jenny's relationship was stuck in a rut. The developments in the pearl industry, the details of the navy, nursing, and spying in late 1800's Japan, San Fransisco, and San Diego captured my interest and the characters brought the setting to life. Jenny's surrogate father Simon and Finn, the spy Ryan is training to take over for him were two favorites that provided important interactions and additional depth to the plot.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

I loved Jenny and her ability to stand up for herself in an age where women didn't do that very often. Camden ensures that Jenny stays within her era, though. The very flawed, but entirely believable characters kept me turning pages to find out how they would resolve their issues.

I’ve read several of Ms. Camden’s previous books. Some I loved, others not. To The Farthest Shores also belongs to the latter. I didn’t care for the main characters; Jenny and Ryan. I couldn’t connect with their actions. On the other hand, the research was well done and I enjoyed reading about the pearl farm.

I love the complexity of this love story. Janet and Ryan fall in love almost immediately. Within a few months they are torn apart. Six years later, their paths cross again and they are distant with each other. Their relationship seems to be unrepairalbe and secrets contintue to keep them apart.

I read a lot of books. One thing that rarely happens is when a book captures most of my attention. When I was not reading this book, I was thinking about this book. My heart ached for the characters. I was drawn to the story of young love that is broken because of war.

This book takes place six years after Ryan and Jenny promised that they would marry when he came back from the Philippines. There has not been contact between the two other than a letter from Ryan saying that Jenny should forget about him. He comes back to the States with a half Japanese daughter and many unanswered questions. Jenny cannot trust him. He broke her heart and was married to another woman an ocean away.

I was caught up in this story. I understood both sides of the dilemma. (Of course, as a reader you are aware of information that one or more characters may not know.) I understood that Ryan could not be completely forthcoming because of the time he spent in Japan as a spy. I understood that Jenny had a horrible childhood that made it difficult for her to trust or let anyone in emotionally.

There are many great lessons in this book. One of my favorite moments is when Jenny is talking to Finn, a man being trained to become a spy in Japan. Jenny is telling Finn about her issues and asks how she should look at the little girl that is Ryan's daughter. He told her to look at her as a "gift from God". Sometimes difficult things happen to people, but a blessing can come from them, like an innocent and beautiful child.'

I won't say that this book is perfect, but the way that it made me feel was. I will take that as a gift.

This book has kissing, someone overcoming drug addiction, talk of past sexual activity, and violence. (Someone is trying to kill Ryan.)

Elizabeth Camden is the author I go to when I want more than "fluff" to read. Her stories are always very emotional and real. I love the historical time frames that she writes about (without shoving the history down your throat.), and she really manages to bring her characters alive.

All that being said, I struggled with this book because I didn't love Ryan. I wanted to. He was a good guy, but I mostly wanted to slap him. I also didn't love Jenny. Not really sure why, but maybe because I just wanted her to make a decision and stick with it. All her back and forth, while real, was annoying to me. This story also didn't go in the direction I wanted it to go. I struggled with some of the content wishing it would have gone differently. I did enjoy Finn's character though. Well, by the end of the book anyway, when he cleans himself up from his addiction.

I'm not sure this is a book that I would pick up and read again. Maybe if she comes out with a story on Finn and I need to refresh my memory, but probably not. It also probably isn't a story I would recommend to others. I will still keep reading this author though, because her writing is really great.

I’ve read most of Elizabeth Camden’s novels, and haven’t had a bad one yet. She avoids the more common time and place settings for historical fiction/historical romance, and her novels often feature women in unusual settings and occupations. To the Farthest Shores is similar, set in turn-of-the-century San Francisco, and featuring a civilian nurse in an Army hospital as the main characters.

But the beginning of To the Farthest Shores was shaky in comparison with Camden’s earlier novels, and I found it took a long time to settle. The story starts with Jenny Bennett and Lieutenant Ryan Gallagher professing their undying love as Ryan is about to be sent to fight in the Philippines in 1898. But he doesn’t come back … and when he does—six years later—he has a daughter in tow. And he’s pretending not to know Jenny. And lying to her. We soon find out what happened in the intervening years (through a big pile of backstory), but Jenny doesn’t find out until much later in the book.

There were a lot of secrets, and that annoyed me because it disobeyed one of my felt’ rules of fiction—that we can trust our point of view characters, that they have no secrets from the reader. I love the tension that comes from a novel where the reader knows something one of the main characters doesn’t know, and we’re then waiting with baited breath for the character to find out. When will they find out? How will they react? So much room for tension … that’s removed if the reader doesn’t know what the secret is (in Jenny’s case) or even that there is a secret (in Ryan’s case).

The story included references to early military intelligence, the search for the ability to culture pearls, and even a reference to the still-present conversation around equal pay. The research seemed solid, and never overpowered the story. The one glitch I did find was mercurochrome—something I’d never heard of, so looked up. The Kindle dictionary told me was a trademark for a disinfectant, dating from the early 20th century. In fact, it was first discovered in 1918, which means Ryan was unlikely to be using it in 1904. He was clever, but not that clever.

Overall, the story showed promise and ended well, but I found Jenny and Ryan’s secrets—and the fact they both hid them—took away a lot of the tension and therefore took away a lot of the power of the story. The story lacked in any Christian content, a trend I’m not altogether happy with, and not what I expect from a major Christian publisher like Bethany House.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

I always wait with such high hopes to Elizabeth Camden's next book. To The Farthest Shore did not disappoint.. Just the right amount of intrigue and romance are always in her books.. And I know that with each story you lean about a piece of history. This is one author that I would love to meet.