Brave Lucy and her brother Nick are in a terrible situation. They are involved in a long-standing lawsuit against their nasty family involving the ownership of a patent for valves. This has practically sent them penniless although they are both employed, and in their spare time they help the poor by secretly installing the valves.

When Lucy, a telegraph operator at AP Press, discovers secrets about her family, the adventures start. Together with her young rival, Colin, who works at Reuters, she gets involved in dangerous situations - even ending up in an insane asylum at one stage! When they discover that Lucy's family may be even more evil than they thought, it's a race against time to stop a terrible assassination plot. Lucy has to struggle to keep the faith, however, there isn't much religion in this book.

Lucy and Colin were engaging characters and the historical setting was well-researched and interesting. I found the story rather far-fetched, however, and I admit to just skimming the end. I may try more of Elizabeth Camden's books.

I received this free ebook from Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley in return for an honest review.

This is book one in the Empire State series, and I look forward to reading more from this series. This book has some laughter, mystery, loyalty, frustration, personal growth, history and of course romance.

Sir Colin Beckwith, is a handsome and frustrating man. There were times I wanted to just shake some since into him, however I think given the time period he acted exactly as he should have. I loved his personality, determination and the way Camden just made him an imperfect hero type character in this novel.

Lucy Drake, is a unique lady. She is pretty, hardworking, and determined woman. Who is trying to finally make right the on going family feud, sometimes at any cost it seems. I love her relationship with her brother and also the sparks and laughter she and Colin share.

Lucy Drake's mastery of Morse code has made her a valuable asset to the American news agencies as a telegrapher. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Newly arrived from London, Colin is talented, handsome, and insufferably charming.

Despite their rivalry, Lucy realizes Colin's connections could be just what her family needs to turn the tide of their long legal battle over the fortune they were swindled out of forty years ago. When she negotiates an unlikely alliance with him, neither of them realizes how far the web of treachery they're wading into will take them.

Honestly, I’m not quite sure what I think of this book. Elizabeth Camden always writes such unique stories and I always enjoy the history and different settings she utilizes. I didn’t have too terribly many expectations for this book, since some of hers have been favorites, and others simply under the heading of “good.” I definitely didn’t dislike it, and is without a doubt, unique. There were a couple times when the story went a direction I wasn’t expecting, which was fun, but there were moments that didn’t quite mesh, leaving me feeling a bit discombobulated.
As always, Ms. Camden does an excellent job of setting the stage and creating a compelling story, filled with unique historical details and curious characters that made me alternate between wanting to hug and strangle them. I loved the setting, New York City in the very early 1900s, telegraph operators, a generations-long feud, and a conspiracy. The author somehow manages to make something that sounds quite ordinary, (like telegraphy) rather extraordinary, which is one of my favorite things about her books. She makes history interesting and intriguing! And I really enjoyed the suspense side of the story, with the perspectives alternating and making me wonder what could possibly happen next!
I also quite liked the characters. Lucy Drake is a spitfire, for sure. She’s stubborn and determined, often unwilling to bend, something that serves her well in dealing with her relations. She’s also kind and has a strong sense of justice, with a deep desire to do good to those around her. Sir Colin Beckwith is a little less altruistic, though for the most part, his heart is in the right place. He’s an titled Englishman and comes across a bit haughty at times, though part of it is learned, some is a defense against the world. He struggles with his past and memories that chase him, even in the daylight. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, which makes them come alive on the page. I loved seeing them grow and change throughout the story, not staying the same, but learning from mistakes and making new ones. I’m very curious to see if Lucy’s brother, Nick, will have a story of his own (hint, hint)!
Overall, I found this to be an intriguing story, complete with suspense and a well thought romance.

Great read! The characters are loveable, the story draws you in before grabbing a hold of you and taking you on a wild ride until the very last page when it lets you off 'the roller coaster'. I really enjoyed this book! Received from the publisher for our honest review.

Elizabeth Camden's books are so quirky that they fill your heart with fuzzy feelings and make a silly smile impossible to be hidden.
Plus, she has the talent to pick "simple" historical facts/inventions (many things we might actually take for granted today) and spin a fascinating story that grows very strongly in your heart. And the way she ties all these little details to support the main plot is truly astonishing. Maybe you've heard that her novels are veeery detailed, but no fear, there's nothing randomly put just to fill the story.

I love layered stories in which you deeply get to know the characters as the story progresses, and in which history is richly enlaced into the plot. I know Elizabeth Camden is one of these writers, though I haven't read many of her books. Nevertheless, something I am quickly finding out to be true is that she can write heroes annoyingly infuriating who make you want to wipe away their roguish grin during the first pages, but, also, who can gain your heart quite quickly.

Colin Beckwith is one of these said heroes. At the same time, especially in the beginning, he can be snobbish and maddening, as you get deeper into the story, you'll find out he's a man who's been given a burden he's not sure he's fit to carry it out and who, when chasing after his dream, got himself trapped into a conflict he now spends his present time trying to forget. Honestly, Colin can be described with the same words he used to describe his home back in England: from the outside, it looked like a castle, inside it was a wreck. He's been forced to keep a mask in order to preserve his family's legacy - or at least he sees this as the only way - and the only thing keeping him sane is the opportunity to still work with what he loves, even if not in the front lines.

Once again, though, he's mistaken. His supposed sanity and his heart will be tested when he meets Lucy Drake. They come from different social classes, have been raised with a different perspective of life, work for competing companies, what can they possibly have in common? Apparently, nothing, until they stumble into each others' secrets and are forced to form an association. Even so, soon they will find in each other a kindred spirit because of more than just shared passion for telegraphy but due to decades-old inherited burdens, which they fight with all their might for.

As they get to know each other, how long can they continue to put their families' legacy in front of their own personal desires? How far becomes too far once you've known true sense of camaraderie alongside peace and happiness?

I'm so excited there will be one more installment to this story. Nick's book couldn't come soon enough :)
surely one of the best reads of the year!

A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden is the first book in An Empire State Novel series. It is 1903 in New York City where Lucy Drake works as a telegraph operator for the Associated Press and she lives with her brother, Nick. The AP’s rival news agency Reuters (located in the same building) has a new man at the helm, Sir Colin Beckwith. Colin is attracted to Lucy, but he needs an heiress for a bride. Colin has a Whitefriars, a family estate, to maintain and it takes money (especially since it is falling down with disrepair). Lucy and Colin slowly develop a friendship. Lucy’s family has been in a heated forty-year legal battle with relatives, and Colin has the means to assist her family gain some valuable information. But, someone does not like Colin nosing around and will do what it takes to put an end to it. What have Colin and Lucy stumbled into?

A Dangerous Legacy is well-written and has great characters. The author always creates such delightful, well-developed characters. The mystery captured my attention. I wish it had been slightly more challenging to solve. The book has a fast pace and an interesting premise. I had not read about news agencies prior to this novel and I found it fascinating. There is just the right amount of humor in the story. There are some definite laugh out loud moments. The book has romance, intrigue, suspense, humor, homing pigeons, Morse code, bad guys, and so much more. Ms. Camden did a wonderful job at capturing the era in A Dangerous Legacy. My favorite line in the book was “broken free of a dangerous legacy”. I give A Dangerous Legacy 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of those books that I started around 9 p.m. and I stayed up late to finish it. I could not put it down. I am eager to read the next book in An Empire State Novel series.

Elizabeth Camden masterfully weaves consistent tales, full of rich history and details. Her work is always in the details. I am impressed with the efforts she puts into her writing, to retell true events from the past, entwined with her appealing fictional characters. They are not quick easy reads, and I enjoy being able to fully loose myself within the pages.

'A Dangerous Legacy' is the first in a brand new series, set in New York, appropriately titled 'Empire State'. It introduces us to the Drake Family. One side being incredibly wealthy and positioned to influence, not only the local society, but also the political world. The other side of the Drakes are trapped in a state of near poverty due to a 40 year long battle to prove that a water valve, invented to regulate water pressure - was by rights the ownership of their grandfather, not the Uncle that now has extortionate prices and rakes in the millions in profit. Lucy and Nick Drake have devoted their lives and much of their earnings for legal fees, in order to keep their case in the courts. Everything has been put on hold for them, including the very opportunity to marry & settle down. They endure constant threat of loosing everything, except they have one secret up their sleeve.

Lucy, a telegrapher for the AP works in the Western Union Telegraph Building in Manhattan. Her path crosses early on in the story with Sir Colin Beckworth, a British aristocrat who works for Reuters. Not only is he a titled landowner, he is also heavily in debt, inherited from his father. His estate in England is in a terrible state of disrepair. Colin feels the weight of the responsibility for his sister and his tenants that rely on him for their survival. He is in New York in his efforts to snag a wealthy heiress, into a marriage that will save his home. Love? That doesn't really come into it. What he does not expect, is to develop a friendship and attraction with strongwilled, passionate fighter and beautiful, Lucy Drake, who takes him on a journey that will not only risk his chances at gaining that financial security, but uncover criminal activity and put both of their lives in peril.

Upon finishing this book I was intrigued into the building so commonly used as the backdrop, the telegraph office in which both of these prestigious news agencies were based in real life. It was demolished in 1914, but what a fantastic looking building! Worth a google!

As always I loved the story, but I do look for small inspirational pieces. Anyone who is high profile enough will appreciate that its almost impossible to keep themselves out of the press. But you don't have to be celebrity to suffer the difficulties that come when unfounded gossip is spread about you by other means. Comments made that are untrue are incredibly hurtful, and often times almost impossible to defend. When other people make a choice to spread gossip and lies about another, that is their choice to make. I admire what Lucy says towards the end of the book: When dealing with the Count she says quote "I don't care what people say about us... I care about who we are" and then later "There are things you can control in the world, and things you can't". For those of us who have experienced this, it can be extremely painful. Especially when people you consider your friends choose to believe it. This was a powerful reminder to me today, that there are just some things you cannot control. Learning to be OK with the unkind things people say, is a real challenge. However, as always we should focus on caring about who you ARE. That is far more important, and those that truly bother to get to know you, will know that and value it.

I eagerly await the next installment, that will follow Nicholas Drake.

Thank you to Netgalley & Bethany House for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Wow!!! this is the second book I've read by Elizabeth Camden and I'm really impressed!! yes its a romance but it isnt just a romance theres a bit of mystery trying to figure out who exactly is behind the plot and definitely growth for both characters! I'm not sure I can say enough good things about his book! I loved the look at how stories were sent, and learning a bit about the Reuters. I loved the bit of history with the pipeline and the first transatlantic message sent via morse code.

How long can you hold your breath?

This is one that I didn’t want to end, even though it had some really tense chapters. Fabulous Christian historical mystery with touching, endearing characters. Lucy Drake is a telegrapher with the AP whose Grandfather was an inventor. He allowed his brother to market and sell one of his inventions while he was away at war, but when he came back he found that he didn’t have a share in the money or company. Lucy’s family has been involved in a lawsuit to regain their share in the company. Even though she and her brother have been threatened for years, they have no idea the lengths that their Uncle and cousin are willing to go to. They meet Sir Colin Beckwith, who works for Reuters, and they would never guess the value his connection will be to them. You won’t want to put this down as Lucy dives further and further into the legal fight, and eventually a fight for her life and that of a high-ranking political figure as well. Lots of depth to this story! Very interesting characters and background that will keep you involved right to the end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Brother and sister Nick and Lucy Drake look like average, hard-working New Yorkers in 1903. Nick’s job takes him deep under the city working for the water authority. His sister Lucy’s job takes her all over the world—whilst sitting in the Associated Press’s telegraph office. While they’d like a shot a romance, their unscrupulous Uncle Thomas seems to ruin every chance they’ve ever had.

When Sir Colin Beckworth arrives at the AP’s rival news agency, he and Lucy immediately clash. Although he has charm aplenty, he also suffers from British snobbery and the need to marry a wealthy woman to shore up his family’s estates. He and Lucy form an uneasy partnership when each discovers a wrong the other has committed.

Colin even volunteers to help Lucy discover more about their Uncle Thomas and the evidence he supposedly has that will ruin the Drakes court case against him. When Lucy hears (illegally) a transmission that may put the President’s life in danger that involves either her uncle or her cousin, Colin investigates.

As Lucy and Colin become better acquainted, they each fear for their heart—knowing full well that they could never pursue a romance.

Camden creates unique characters surrounded by rich history. Readers who enjoy inspirational romance as well as suspense will enjoy this book.

Historically interesting, I was hooked in by the premise of Reuters versus the Associated Press as well as the idea of a well-reasoned legal drama. The news agency portion of the story is fascinating but the family lawsuit didn’t live up to the hope I had for it. Whilst being at the centre of the strife, in essence it’s a simple fight and the reader spends little time in the court room. I enjoy both Lucy and Colin, our leading characters, as they are interesting people with complex histories. The book disappointed me in pace, I found the writing repetitive in several places, over and over Elizabeth Camden restated key facts about characters and it disrupted the story. The first 25% had me ready to set it aside, we just weren’t moving at all and then a twist occurred and curiosity carried me for the next 50%. The ending for me was lacklustre though, a huge build up to a resolution of a 40 year fight fizzled out as did the romance. The conclusion is unexpected, which I always enjoy, but all in all not a fantastic read, 3 out of 5 on the enjoyment scale.

A Dangerous Legacy is loaded with history and intrigue, and touched with a light flavoring of romance. I love when fictional stories include factual historical events. Recorded history is expertly woven throughout, and adds so much to the plot.

My favorite character in this story is Sir Colin Beckwith. He has his faults, but he is a unique and charismatic man. Lucy Drake is also an interesting character, but I have to say, I wasn’t as deeply drawn to her as I would’ve liked. I liked and sympathized with her, but only developed a surface-level emotional connection.

I feel as if I was transported to the early 1900s, and learned a lot of fascinating information about Morse code, carrier pigeons, how the AP and Reuters transmitted information to news agencies, and the first trans-pacific cable. I imagined living during that time, when women were expected to live very different lives than those of today, and wondered if I would’ve been as strong as Lucy Drake. I admire how fought for the moral right, even if meant bending the law and sacrificing many years of her life.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot was strong, the characters were interesting, and the ending was satisfying. I feel the story’s pacing lagged in the middle, but I stayed the course, and was glad I did.

3.5 Stars


Cover: Love
Title: Love
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 352
First Lines: The amount of female attention her brother garnered never failed to amaze Lucy. Even when he was wearing grubby coveralls and carrying a sack of plumber’s tools, girls flocked around Nick as though he were Casanova.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and NetGalley.

A Dangerous Legacy what a wonderful yet horrible story , wonderful because the whole story is amazing . The author did an incredible job pulling your interest in immediately and were getting used to love the two characters Nick and Lucy and despise the uncle, and that is what makes it horrible the uncle . The horrible part is you fall so in love with Nick and Lucy and then you have the uncle who is loaded trying to destroy them, literally, throughout the whole book through the courts yes but also through lousy, sleazy, underhanded ways. Why are they going to court against their uncle – and the results will end up to do something serious for the two of them, well I'm not going to tell you , you have to read it to get that very serious answer. You won't believe where Lucy gets help from when she is taken to court a competitor from where she does her work doing Morse code her – hey I'm not going to tell you everything, but I will tell you it gets very interesting, exciting and exhilarating.

This was suspenseful, a mystery, a trip back in time, and a delightfully sweet romance. The many story components made it compelling. You think you know what's going to happen, however Elizabeth Camden treats it like it's real life and makes things all complex. Well, with much more interesting real life complexity.

The protagonists are charming with their witty repartee. It is fun to see Lucy and Colin falling for each other even when they're not supposed to do any such thing.

All of this makes it sound like everything is sweetness and light, but that is not the case. There are family battles that would make you wish you were an orphan. Revelations concerning abominable situations of the time are truly frightening. Moral dilemmas are sprinkled throughout.

Elizabeth Camden consistently writes an intriguing novel and this is no exception. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Elizabeth Camden layers her books into such intricate plots and dynamic characters that you can’t help but get drawn into. Her stories contain such depth and research that you can nearly walk down the streets of a book’s setting and visualize it all – the merchants, the architecture, the carriages and early automobiles, the characters passing you by on the sidewalk…. The glimpse into the history of telegraphy and the AP versus Reuters competition is fascinating, too.

If you enjoy books full of romance and mystery and history, you’ll like this one. Go check it out, y’all.

I don't usually read much fiction set in America, so I have not read anything written by Elizabeth Camden before. I chose this story mostly because it had a British hero.

Her writing style is lovely, the historical details were well-used, and the characters ones that the reader could care about(even if their actions seem a little inconsistent at times). Its only for personal reasons that I don't give it a higher rating: I'm sure New York is a great city, but I have never been there, and I don't really identify with the setting. Also, I did not really care for the ending: or rather, I did not like the way that it was brought about.

I requested a copy of this title from NetGalley and listened to the Audible version of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Elizabeth Camden does it again. Her ability to write real characters with real emotions pulls you into a different world. Even if you don't agree or like to characters, you can't fault that they are very well portrayed.

I will say that I think the description of the book is a tad misleading. While technically everything is true, Colin doesn't really threaten her job, as he works for a different company (although the companies are rivals, they share a surprisingly good relationship..at least that is what I read in the back of the book history stuff). He also discovers her secret first when she sort of bribes him (after getting mad at him for trying to bribe her...so that was interesting) and they freely tell each other their secrets. And she doesn't really have anything to find regarding her families stolen inheritance. He does do some reporting work and investigative journalism to find information for her, so I'm assuming that's what that is referring too, but really, back of the book synopis, not great for this one.

Both Lucy and Colin are great, and while I didn't love their relationship while he was planning something else, I loved that she told him no (in essence) when circumstances changed. I actually really liked that he was kind of a jerk at that time. It all seemed very realistic to me.

Great time frame, amazing characters, and an interesting story line. All winners in my book. I will definitely keep reading more from this author!

Going into this book I was not sure what to expect. This is the first Elizabeth Camden novel that I have had the pleasure of reading and it will not be my last. The authors ability to infuse a story surrounding intrigue, danger, and New York, with an accurate and exciting historical narrative caught me from the very beginning.

Camden is excellent in her dialogue, characterization, and her story telling is unparalleled when it comes to discussing the nuances of life in the early twentieth century. A strong, resourceful heroine, Lucy, who does not mind working and fights for the rights of the poor, an excellent brother/sister connection which only pulls me farther into the story, and an interesting look at a time where modern technology was only just being introduced, and the problems that come from that. Sometimes historical fiction can be burdensome with small details and references that I am not educated about, but A Dangerous Legacy gave just enough information about telegraphers and the inner working of twentieth century plumbing to keep me interested. Not to mention the inevitable romance, that does not feel forced, or rushed in any way between Lucy Drake and Sir Colin Beckwith.

Lucy and her brother Nick Drake, as part of the ‘family business’ after their father passes away, are drawn into a forty year old legal battle, at the hands of their rich uncle, Thomas Drake; the case, fought by two warring brothers, tells the tale of an invention of a water valve that can provide running water inside houses. The Drake siblings, not nearly as well off as their uncle who lives as Lord in a manor in a nearby town, scrape by in their small Greenwich Village apartment. The legal battle does not just test them physically, but the Drake siblings fight to honor their fathers memory and his vision. Since Nick is a plumber by occupation, he aims to use this valve to bring running water to the tenements at a fraction of the city cost.

In tandem with this overarching plot, we see Lucy’s experience with Reuters Agency, her job as a telegraph operator, and her ongoing relationship with Colin Beckwith. Here Camden shines as well with her ability to write historical fiction; she interestingly explains the history of Morse Code, Lucy’s job as a telegraph operator, and even discusses homing pigeons. The world Camden spins around Lucy and Colin is so exciting and important to the overall story. Lucy’s job, and her relationship with Colin, gives her the experience needed to help the Drake siblings fight the battle and help restore their fathers vision. With a few twist and turns thrown in there for good measure!

Camden excels at being nuanced and complex. Her character and world building, interspersed with accurate historical fiction and subtle religious themes help make this book a 4.5 stars for me. Add in the mystery and suspense, as well as a lovely romance plot and this book has everything going for it. While not what I usually read, I was surprised to find that I loved it so much. Will once again be picking up any Elizabeth Camden books in the future.

It's been a while since I last picked up one of Elizabeth Camden's novels, since I've been trying to whittle down my to be read stack of books. Finishing this one has made me want to go back and pick up the last couple that I have missed!
At first glance, this story reminds me a bit of <i>Bleak House</i>, since Lucy and her brother have spent their lives embroiled in a family lawsuit. This story has so much more going on to make it it's very own though. I love the historical details and the glimpse of how life was in certain areas in the early 1900's. I also found it interesting to catch a glimpse of some of the reasons behind American heiresses marrying titled English. This book is a delightful read whether you are into history or not, since it is fast pace and has mystery and intrigue. I highly recommend picking up this one!
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.