A Favorite Setting with Strong Protagonists | Review: A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden

A Daring Venture

by Elizabeth Camden

About The Book

As a biochemist in early 1900s New York, Doctor Rosalind Werner has dedicated her life to the crusade against water-borne 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 Nickolas 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. 

My Thoughts

My thoughts are somewhat torn on this book. There were parts of it that I enjoyed, and parts that I didn’t care for. What I did like was the heroine and hero. I like Rosalind because she’s a strong heroine, and also because she didn’t pretend to be perfect. She knew that she had made mistakes and didn’t try to pretend that she hadn’t, but for the most part she tried to correct them. And I liked seeing a woman doctor in the early 1900s, simply because you don’t see it done much in Christian fiction. I thought Nick was a good hero because he doesn’t put on airs and act pompous. He protects Rosalind and his sister, but he doesn’t act like some puffed up hero. And, of course, I love the setting of the book. It’s one of my favorite eras.

The things that I didn’t care for are the subtle faith theme and the fact that at times it felt just a bit too modern. I hate to be nitpicky, but I do wish the faith theme was more overt. And while I loved the setting and the research is well done, at times the writing seemed more modern than I care for.

All in all, I thought A Daring Venture was a good book. There were things here and there that I didn’t care for, but I liked the book for the most part.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.