This may be Camden’s best work yet, and her stories always amaze me. Written on the Wind is sure to touch the heart of every reader who comes across it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Can Camden write a bad book? I don't think so. Written on the Wind blew all my expectations out of the water and I only regret it took me so long to read it! From New York City to the sweeping plains of Russia, this book has it all. The romance was incredibly sweet as both characters work toward their goals and fall in love along the way. Dmitri was such a lovable and endearing character and his struggle for survival was epic and incredibly well-written. The entire book kept the pages turning and I didn't want to put it down. Far above my expectations!

A beautiful and gripping tale. As always, Elizabeth Camden pens a gorgeous story that is both amazingly well written and enticingly well written. Bravo!

I think I liked this one even more than the first one! I loved Dimitri's character, and his story was exciting and moving. Natalia is such a strong, impressive character, too. I loved that they were drawn together, but kept butting heads and fighting at first. It seemed very realistic for their characters! And I loved that their relationship was developed well. The talk of music and literature was a good addition to the story, too. And the ending was perfect -they both changed as people, and changed their priorities accordingly. A great story, and I can't wait for the third!

Written on the Wind
by Elizabeth Camden
Pub Date 03 May 2022
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Historical Fiction


I am reviewing a copy of Written on
the Wind through Bethany House and Netgalley:


The man carried a dangerous secret, but will he live long enough to reveal it?


Dimitri Sokolov has been tasked with overseeing construction of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, but while doing so he witnesses an appalling crime, the truth of which threatens the Russian monarchy. Czar Dimitri has been stripped of his title, his property, and his freedom as part of an effort to silence him. However, Dimitri has one asset which the czar is unaware of: his deep and abiding friendship with Natalia Blackstone.



Natalia is the lead analyst for her father's New York-based banking empire and manages their investment in the Trans-Siberian Railway. Despite the distance between them, her relationship with Dimitri has flourished, but when Dimitri goes missing unexpectedly, he sets the wheels in motion for her to locate him. Upon joining forces, they embark on a dangerous journey where one wrong move could lead to their demise.  



Dimitri and Natalia will have to battle against all odds both on the steppes of Russia and in the corridors of power in Washington if they wish to preserve the railroad and expose the truth at the same time. Is their newfound love capable of surviving the ordeal?



I give Written in the Wind five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

After finishing the last pages of <i>[book:Carved in Stone|57042909]</i>, I didn't wait many moments before diving into <i>Written in the Wind</i>. I had meant to read these books a while ago, but my to do lists got away from me and it was when I downloaded <i>[book:Hearts of Steel|61137164]</i> for review that I realized I had been lacking. I'm astonished that I read the book in two days, but I just couldn't put it down. While not quite five stars for review, it is pretty darn close and now I'm making a list of all the backlist of Elizabeth Camden that I may have to go and read...

Much in the way that the characters in the first book were unique, Natalia and her Russian Count are not any personalities that I have come across on the page before. If I had not started to understand a little more about history and the power of propaganda, I may have missed some details, but it was a perfect time for me to have a better understanding and surprise of the power that it held even then. While this book doesn't quite get into it, you can feel the bubbling under the surface of turmoil in Russian politics. This book has a bit of action and mystery and I really enjoyed every minute of it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for provided a copy for review. I'm delighted to have bought a copy to have added to my collection for future reading. I'm so sorry that I didn't read it sooner, as I didn't know what I was missing. I've already started in the third novel.

Due to a personal difference in beliefs I will not be finishing or reviewing this book outside of Netgalley.

At first glance, Written on the Wind is very different from Carved in Stone in tone and theme. Instead of a romance that crosses classes, we have a Russian count falling for the daughter of New York banking royalty. And instead of sticking around New York, Camden also takes readers on a sweeping journey from the unforgiving Russian wilderness to the bustling harbor of San Francisco and the glittering glamour of Washington DC politics. Yet, in reality, the theme between these first two Blackstone Legacy novels is consistent – underdog heroes and strong heroines willing to fight battles on behalf of those who can’t fight for themselves.

We were first introduced to the endearingly dramatic Count Dimitri Sokolov when they needed his votes in Carved in Stone, and at the time I instantly fell in love with his and Natalia’s relationship. A reflection of a friendship born out of shared loneliness, the Trans-Siberian Railroad, great literature, and a love for Russia, their interactions via telegram are in turn hilarious and heartwarming. I was an immediate fan who wanted a whole book of their conversations. I got my wish in Written on the Wind, and it was even better than I anticipated. Dimitri is such a unique hero who you just can’t help loving even as you occasionally roll your eyes at him. His courage at great personal cost, his passionate masculinity (the hallway kiss at Natalia’s family home… whew. Still fanning), and his generous spirit are juxtaposed against his aristocratic stubbornness, his spoiled eccentricities and his lofty idealism. The combination of each of these distinctive traits in one proud Russian count is quite simply, and perhaps inexplicably, charming, and he makes Written on the Wind an unforgettable read.

Natalia is the perfect counterpart to the intensity of Dimitri’s character, though this doesn’t mean in any way that she is weak. Rather, her strength just shows up more quietly with an unrivaled determination for success and an elegantly down-to-earth intelligence to match. She doesn’t flaunt her business acumen unnecessarily but she’s confident in her abilities and in her knowledge. Camden doesn’t shy away from the struggles that a woman like Natalia would have faced on Wall Street in this era, either, and you’ll easily find yourself cheering for Natalia to succeed – even if that success ultimately looks different than we envisioned. Her friendship with Dimitri brings out her lighter side, and in turn she helps him stay a little bit more practical. (Only a little bit. This is Dimitri after all lol)

Bottom Line: With Written on the Wind, I officially have a new favorite Elizabeth Camden book! I loved every word of this delightful novel, and I’m still thinking about it days later. It’s unique and engrossing, not to mention educational. The atrocities that Dimitri witnesses, the growing tensions domestically and abroad as Russia hovers on the brink of revolution, the perspective of a woman on Wall Street in the early 20th century, and even the advances in the recording industry at the time… you will close this book feeling not only entertained but also smarter for the reading of it. And the romance …. goodness, this romance had me grinning and swooning and feeling like my heart was in my throat. Honestly, no words that I can find will adequately express what makes this novel so nuanced and completely wonderful, so you’re just going to have to read it for yourself and find out!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

"Wind tugged his hair as he stood on the open-air platform between the railcars. The train moved at only thirty miles an hour, but the railroad bed was covered with stones, and it would be a hard landing. Would this be the end? The weeks and months ahead were going to be hard, but it was time to act."

Count Dimitri Sokolov witnessed a horrific event that results in him being sent to Siberia Natalia Blackstone becomes concerned when she can't get in touch with the man who was her contact on the construction of the railroad. And so begins the transcontinental story that involves the railroad, banking, music and the highest in Russian command.

I love well-written Christian historical fiction books that allow the reader to be transported both in place and time. This book is partially set in Russia, New York City and even San Francisco. Parts of the book are connected to real life events - The Trans-Siberian Railroad and some of the problems that happened during construction. The end notes provide the facts along with identifying the characters that once actually walked the earth.

This book is definitely connected to the Blackstone Legacy Book 1, Carved in Stone. Reading that book first is highly recommended. The characters are authentic and enjoyable.

I did receive an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. But because I listened to the first book in the series, I decided to purchase the second one because I really enjoyed the narration. Pillar Witherspoon brings the characters to life. This series has opened up my mind to new experiences. I can't wait to listen to book three.

I enjoyed getting to know Natalia. She's a strong character, probably too brash at times. Well written, mostly relatable. While a rich girl, i liked her moving out on her own, attached to her own apartment away from her awful family. The devastation that happens later really hit home. I've grown attached to things to and to see the destroyed resonated with me.

The star-crossed lovers angle really did it for me. I liked following Dmitri's journey of interacting with the every-day people of his homeland, learning to forgive those that did him wrong.

Good sequel, probably a stronger book than the first in this series. Well written and fleshed characters.

Elizabeth Camden sure knows how to write an amazing historical romance that will pull you right in and you won't want to leave this new world you've entered. I loved learning about the early 1900's in Russia. Dimitri was handsome and funny and such a great match for Natalia. I loved their story so much and hope to see bits of them in book 3 of this series, Hearts of Steel!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 3 May 2022.

I have read about all of Elizabeth Camden's stories and am continually amazed at the history she researches to include in her story. If you enjoy a good, well written historical novel, then I highly recommend picking this up!

Twenty-eight-year-old Natalia Blackstone is an unusual woman for her time. She is a banker in her father’s bank, responsible for financing the building of the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia. Her main contact is Count Dimitri Sokolov, but he hasn’t responded to her last telegram.

When Dimitri reports witnessing an illegal massacre, he is stripped of his title and estates and sentenced to seven years in a Siberian prison. He realises he has to escape and find his way to the USA, where Natalia can help him make the truth about the massacre known. That’s obviously a tragedy, but I didn’t understand enough of the politics to see why this was so important to the Americans.

As a result, I didn’t find Written on the Wind as compelling as some of Elizabeth Camden’s other novels, despite the backdrop of the Trans-Siberians Railroad and the Russian setting. That’s a shame, because I’d been looking forward to Natalia’s story and to meeting Count Dimitri.

I think part of the problem was the friends-to-more plot. Natalia and Dimitri had been corresponding for three years before they met, and their relationship had progressed from business to personal. It therefore seemed natural that they’d like each other when they finally met in person, but the whole thing seemed too easy.

That’s not typical for novels by Elizabeth Camden, who usually manages to write stories with unique with original settings and issues. That uniqueness is one of the strengths of her stories. The building of the railroad and the Boxer Rebellion was unique, but that was the backdrop, the device to get Dimitri to the USA, not the central story.

However, I did enjoy the banter between Natalia and Dimitri, especially their different views on matters of culture and literature. The dialogue between them was a definite strength.

The other strength was one common to all Elizabeth Camden novels: the nuggets of truth hidden in the narrative and dialogue, particularly regarding the differences between Russia and the USA. These differences were often amusingly shown through Natalia and Dimitri’s views on literature:

"Novels should be written on an epic scale to explore and celebrate the depth of human suffering."

Written on the Wind is the second book in The Blackstone Legacy series but can easily be read as a standalone novel.

Thanks to Baker Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook review.

As someone who loves Russian history, this book caught my attention. I had not read the first volume in the series, but that made no difference in my ability to understand and enjoy this one. The story takes place as the Trans-Siberian Railway is nearing completion. Main character Natalia Blackstone has secretly directed the project from within the walls of her father's New York City bank. While doing so, she enjoyed corresponding via telegraph with her Russian counterpart, Dmitri Sokolov. (Natalia learned to speak fluent Russian from her late mother, a Russian-born American.) When word comes that someone else has replaced Dmitria as the director on the Russian end of the project, her worries know no bounds as his silence lengthens.
A masacre along the Chinese-Russian border and Sokolov's refusal to take part in it led to his dismissal from the project as well as the stripping his title of "Count", the seizure of his property, and sentencing to a labor camp in Siberia. Sokolov managed to jump off the train on its way to Siberia and spent the next several months working his way back to civilization. Eventually, he made his way to San Francisco, where Natlia came to meet him.
The rest of the book chronicles Dmitri's quest to have the Russian Czar apologize for the massacre. Dmitri longs to return his Russian home. The increased attraction between him and Natalia complicates his plans. The couple travels from New York to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Russian ambassador as well as various Americans in high places.
As usual with these sorts of books, the reader can assume that the two main characters will overcome the obstacles in their paths so that they can spend the rest of their lives together. The story plays out nicely without becoming syrupy sweet. All in all it is a good read that will appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction dating from the Gilded Age in America and/or the history of Russia immediately prior to the revolution.

I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Camden's books, and Written on the Wind was everything I love and expect from her writing. From the barrenness of the Russian wilderness to the hustle and bustle of NYC, Camden will take you on a journey that spans the globe. I loved meeting up with the characters from the first book and being introduced to new ones. The count was a little more whiney and pompous than I expected, but he certainly wasn't a wimp! In the end, his personality just made him that much more endearing, and made his earnest cause that much more impactful. Anyone who enjoys the story of Anastasia will enjoy the addition of the Romanovs and the hint at their tragic ending. The only part that I found disturbing was when Dmitri buries a diamond in his skull. I loved the unexpected twist at the end! I can't wait for book 3!

Written on the Wind is the second book in the Blackstone Legacy by Elizabeth Camden, but it can be read as stand-alone novel. Count Dimitri Sokolov's mission is to complete the Trans-Siberian Railway, but everything changes when he witnesses a crime that threatens the Russian monarchy. Losing his title, riches, and being exiled, he thinks that no one will notice his absence. However, Natalia Blackstone, who had been managing his investments, is determined to find him. Camden creates a stirring love story that shows that friends can become much more and fall in love.

This book was well worth waiting for! As with other books by Elizabeth Camden the settings felt very real, and the characters were wonderful. I loved how it began with Dimitri still in Russia, as it gave you a chance to see what his struggle was like before reaching Natalia. It was almost like watching two different worlds, that then mixed together into one amazing story! If you are new to Elizabeth Camden, or even a long time fan, I highly recommend this book!




I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

On the vast sweep of the Siberian taiga, Count Dimitri Sokolov witnesses atrocities he will never forget. Exiled for trying to speak the truth and bring things to light, Dimitri vows that the world will know no matter how much the country of Russia comes against him.

Natalia Blackstone has worked at her father's bank for years, even though it's not seen as seemly for a woman at the turn of the century. With her head for business, she's overseen many projects, including one that fostered a long-distance friendship with Count Sokolov. Now that Dimitri is in desperate need of help, the two friends will finally meet face to face.

I normally love Elizabeth Camden's books, but this one was hard for me to really sink into. I couldn't reconcile the Dimitri we got to know at the beginning of the novel, surviving desperate hardship and deprivation, with the flirty, pampered man he transformed into. Is he some wilderness survivalist, or is he an aristocrat who likes manicures? I could also never get a read on businesswoman Natalia and her anachronistic desire to prove herself with her own home. Also it seemed like there were simply too many historical storylines going on. Usually that's what I love best about Elizabeth Camden's novels, so I found that particularly disappointing.

However, none of this will detract me from checking out her books in the future, or rereading some of my favorites when the mood strikes. She's an excellent author and I have a whole list of novels to recommend if you're interested.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

When I saw that this book would have more of a Russian theme, I was immediately intrigued, especially since I know the author does excellent research. I was not disappointed. The research around the culture of the time period, the history and settings were so well done. It gives you insight not only into American history, but lots of Russian history that is not often known from before the time of the Czar's fall or removal.

This was my first Elizabeth Camden book and I will make it a point to read her others. This was such a beautifully powerful love story. The relationship between Natalia and Dimitri started with telegrams and then blossomed into love, political intrigue and heartache. They formed a great bond and put their resources together to gain justice for those who needed it. I wasn't sure how the book was going to end, honestly it didn't look good for our wonderful pair but on a cold, snowy street in New York the world came together perfectly.
Thank you to Elizabeth Camden and NetGalley for my review copy of this amazing novel. I'm off to add her to my TBR.