In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.
Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.
As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.
My Thoughts:
When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden transported me back to Germany at the start of World War I. This well-written novel held lots of historical details and provided a unique perspective of that time. The serious subject matter anchored the plot, but the story was not overly dark due to the characters being mostly safe as workers at the US Embassy. I appreciated how the novel brought this difficult period to life without drowning me in sadness.
Although I enjoyed the setting, plot events, and historical details, the romance elevated When Stars Light the Sky to a five star read for me. Camden deftly weaved together at least three romantic tropes (grumpy/sunshine personalities, enemies-to-lovers, and marriage of convenience). These elements provided rich soil for character growth and for the romantic tension between Inga and Benedict. Their initial difficulties made the development and fruition of their relationship especially satisfying. Plus, I adored the ending.
Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.
As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.
My Thoughts:
When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden transported me back to Germany at the start of World War I. This well-written novel held lots of historical details and provided a unique perspective of that time. The serious subject matter anchored the plot, but the story was not overly dark due to the characters being mostly safe as workers at the US Embassy. I appreciated how the novel brought this difficult period to life without drowning me in sadness.
Although I enjoyed the setting, plot events, and historical details, the romance elevated When Stars Light the Sky to a five star read for me. Camden deftly weaved together at least three romantic tropes (grumpy/sunshine personalities, enemies-to-lovers, and marriage of convenience). These elements provided rich soil for character growth and for the romantic tension between Inga and Benedict. Their initial difficulties made the development and fruition of their relationship especially satisfying. Plus, I adored the ending.
When Stars Light the Sky lands as book two in the Women of Midtown series by Elizabeth Camden, but the novel works well as a standalone. Characters from book one feature briefly, but the setting and atmosphere of the two stories are very different. There is a light faith element that will appeal to Christian readers. Five stars for this all-around lovely novel!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Author Bio:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Author Bio:
Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America, featuring clever heroines and richly layered story lines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won Christy, Carol, and RITA Awards and have appeared on the ECPA Bestsellers list. She lives in Citrus County, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books. Learn more at ElizabethCamden.com.
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