Against The Tide

Title; AGAINST THE TIDE

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Publisher: Bethany House

October 2012

ISBN: 978-0764210235

Genre: Historical

After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.

When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive?

AGAINST THE TIDE is kind of a sequel to The Lady of Bolton Hill. Bane was a secondary character in that book, and not exactly a good guy. However, AGAINST THE TIDE easily stands alone. It’s an interesting story line dealing with the opium trade in the 1800’s. It was interesting to learn about the effects of addiction to this drug.

Due to her upbringing, born of a Greek father and a Turkish mother, Lydia was raised on fishing boats, going from country to country. Her ability to learn languages came in handy though as she found work with the U.S. Navy. Alexander Banebridge hired her on the side to translate documents for him, but his mission could put Lydia in danger.

Lydia was very tough, and meticulous, everything had to be in order before she could even think. Bane on the other hand was very mysterious. I did enjoy the story and it is very different than most historical novels I’ve read recently.  $14.99. 368 pages.