Book Review: A Daring Venture

I received Elizabeth Camden's latest book, A Daring Venture, to review. Mrs. Camden is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her books contain good themes, strong women, and bits of history that aren't always common knowledge.

This book is no different, yet is an enjoyable story in its own way. The main character is Dr. Rosalind Werner, a scientist whose goal is to purify water and eliminate waterborne diseases. She and her brother were orphaned as children when their parents succumbed to cholera. As a female scientist, she faces people not trusting her work and rumors about her character. Yet she is determined and honest... until her colleague decides to take a giant step ahead with their research and she must decide if she will support him and continue their work. Hiding a secret could hurt her new relationship with Nicholas Drake.



Nicholas Drake was a prominent character in Camden's previous book, A Dangerous Legacy. We met him then, a determined plumber who worked with his sister to find a way to deliver water to every apartment building in New York. In A Daring Venture, Nick is hoping to become the newest commissioner on the State Water Board. He finds himself on the opposite side of a court case with Dr. Rosalind Werner. What a difficult situation to be in, Nick and Rosalind get along so well and neither want to back away from the energy and relationship quickly building between them. Yet how can they move forward when they are opponents in this water filtration controversy?

This book showed a different side of Nicholas Drake than I remembered from the previous story. Perhaps it's just that we get to know him better in this one. It was nice to see that Lucy and Colin were included here and there. There is no need to read the previous book, this one stands alone.



From the publisher:
"As a biochemist in early 1900s New York, Doctor Rosalind Werner has dedicated her life to the crusade against waterborne diseases. She is at the forefront of a groundbreaking technology that will change the way water is delivered to every household in the city-- but only if she can get people to believe in her work.

"Newly appointed Commissioner of Water for New York Nicholas Drake is highly skeptical of Rosalind and her team's techniques. When a brewing court case throws him into direct confrontation with her, he is surprised by his reaction to the lovely scientist.

"While Rosalind and Nick wage a private war against their own attraction, they stand firmly on opposite sides of a battle that will impact far more than just their own lives. As the controversy grows more public and inflammatory and Rosalind becomes the target of an unknown enemy, these two rivals will face higher stakes than they ever could have known."

Find A Daring Venture at Bethany House and Amazon.

I received this product for free from Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the FTC Regulations.