Eloise Drake’s prim demeanor hides the turbulent past she’s finally put behind her–or so she thinks. A mathematical genius, she’s now a successful accountant for the largest engineering project in 1908 New York. But to her dismay, her new position puts her back in the path of the man responsible for her deepest heartbreak.Alex Duval is the mayor of a town about to be wiped off the map. The state … map. The state plans to flood the entire valley where his town sits in order to build a new reservoir, and Alex is stunned to discover the woman he once loved on the team charged with the demolition. With his world crumbling around him, Alex devises a risky plan to save his town–but he needs Eloise’s help to succeed.
Alex is determined to win back the woman he thought he’d lost forever, but even their combined ingenuity may not be enough to overcome the odds against them before it’s too late.
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A Desperate Hope by Elizabeth Camden is book set in 1806 Upstate, New York.
The New York City Water Board is clearing the town of Duval Springs in order to build a reservoir.
Lots of interesting facts are woven into this story about the logistics and emotional upheaval of those involved, from the residents to the engineers. A seemingly impossible task is at hand. Can Eloise Drake and Alex Duval stop clashing enough to get the job done?
Eloise, an accountant with the Water Board and Alex, the mayor of the town being displaced, have a less than pleasant history. Can they overcome their past in order to make the future brighter for the inhabitants of a small town displaced by big government?
As an accountant, Eloise has ahead for numbers and relishes an ordered life. When circumstances throw her world off kilter, can she learn to adapt or use her strict expectations as an excuse to continue on her lonely path. Alex has a heart for his town and tries to help the people adapt to their fate.
Ms Camden gets to the heart if the issues, showing the attitudes and emotions of people in upheaval. I had heard about towns being flooded for dams and reservoirs but this puts a personal slant on exactly what such a project would entail. Such interesting detail shows the author did rigorous research.
The story did not just recount the logistical issues but brought some intriguing relationship dynamics and a mystery to be solved.
I recommend this to readers who like the unusual in their historical Christian fiction. I loved learning from an excellent storyteller.
*I recieved this complimentary book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
The setting is New York City 1896. Needing more water supply to the city, it was decided to violins a reservoir, which would wipe out the small town of Dubai Springs. Mayor Alex Duval is determined to fight for the survival of his small town, but being the NY water board accountant, his longtime love Eloise Drake will be the one he’s fighting against. But can she end up helping him out if the bind of losing his town?
Elizabeth Camden has created unique and intriguing characters in Eloise and Alex, and Alex is sure to have his hands full with the feisty Ms. Drake! I found it very heartwarming as I read the determined feelings the people of Duval Springs have of their small town. They were not easily giving up their homes and friendships. And I found the author did a really good job of weaving together the emotions and feelings of everyone involved. And emotions and feeling you are sure to experience as you read this journey if small town Duval Springs.
The one thing wanted to be different was a stronger emphasis on the Christian life in the characters. It is listed as Christian fiction and Bethany house is a Christian publisher, and I felt it was lacking in that area. Other than this, it is a very good read from this author.
I received this book from Prism Tours to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.
This was a compelling story of love and the industrious nature of humanity. I was drawn into the history of a dying small town standing in the way of progress. Eloise and Alex are on opposite ends of the personality spectrum. She is a planner and he is a risk taker. Together they balanced each other but until they began to work together, those opposing personalities were like watching magnets being pushed together at the same poles. 4 1/2 Stars – Full review is at my website.
I received this book complimentary as a participant of the Prism Book Tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.
As I read A Desperate Hope I was struck by the fact that in 1908 a young woman in New York City was enjoying a successful career as a CPA and auditor for the state of New York. Eloise Drake was also living a straight-laced life in an effort to atone for a mistake that she made as a teenager. What she doesn’t count on is being sent to Duval Springs to help in the project that will eventually demolish that town so that a huge reservoir can be built to furnish water for New York City. Eloise once lived near Duval Springs and it was there, as a teenager, that she experienced her first love affair. Now, her first love is the mayor of Duval Springs and he is determined to protect the town that he loves. Eloise’s mathemetical genius knows that this project is feasible but her heart allows her to understand why the people of Duval Springs want to save their town.
There are so many facets to this story. Young love, the embarassment and shame of being judged, the loss of innocence. There is also murder, mystery and the question of parentage but what I loved most is the presence of hope. Alex Duval was hopeful that Eloise would join his fight to save Duval Springs and Eloise hoped that her efforts would help because she realized that he and the citizens deserved to keep their homes. As they began to work together Eloise began to understand that God had made her a planner and Alex a dreamer. Loving each other again might not be possible but this was okay because “It was simply the way God had made them, and the world needed both sorts to succeed”.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and the fact that it is actually based on true events made it even better. There truly were several small towns in New York that were forced to either dissolve or to relocate so that The Ashokan Reservoir could be built. As I read the town people’s determined efforts I thought how I would feel knowing that the small rural town that I grew up in might soon be displaced and I could imagine their desperation.
A Desperate Hope is wonderful historical fiction filled with hope and faith. Author Elizabeth Camden reminds us that no one is beyond redemption and that forgiveness is possible for everyone. She shows Eloise and Alex’s growth from their past hurts and she allows other characters to change also. The way that she chooses to end A Desperate Hope is a wonderful testament to the power of love, both human and divine!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review.
This story will resonate with those of us who call big-hearted small towns “home” as well as anyone who loves to cheer for the underdog. Camden skillfully crafts complex characters into a rich story of history, romance, mystery, and suspense.
Eloise has a painful backstory which enables her to achieve professional success yet leaves her feeling insecure and unmoored. Alex is a former soldier turned small-town mayor. He’s the equivalent of the captain of a sinking ship.
The fictional town of Duval Springs may very well be my favorite character in this story and I have no doubt that its dedicated citizens would wholeheartedly agree. A Desperate Hope is an engaging and entertaining story and I’ll definitely be hunting down the other books in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
A Desperate Hope is the third installment in Elizabeth Camden’s Empire State series, but can be read as a stand-alone story. I savored this well-written novel and its combination of romance, adventure, enterprise, and mystery.
Of all the novel’s good qualities, I think I enjoyed the characters the most. Eloise and Alex were so different. Their personalities juxtaposed each other, yet they balanced and complemented each other without one being inferior to the other. Their snappy conversation and delightful flirtation both amused me and deepened my interest in the novel.
As the story progressed, the characters developed as their weak areas grew stronger. Likewise, the relationship between Alex and Eloise deepened past flirtation to mature into a true partnership of mind and heart. The story’s secondary characters were also well-crafted. I especially liked the author’s treatment of Bruce Garrett and the fact that I didn’t know the mysterious culprit until the big reveal near the end.
For me, the characters, their development, and the conflicted relationships shined brightest in this novel. I recommend A Desperate Hope by Elizabeth Camden to readers looking for an engaging historical fiction story of faith, relationships, and community.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I thoroughly enjoyed A Desperate Hope by Elizabeth Camden. Though this was the third book in the series, it read very well as a stand-alone.
Eloise Drake is tasked to maintain the budget for New York’s latest project, to buy out an entire small town, demolish it and then flood the valley for the purpose of building a new reservoir. To her dismay, the valley is the same one she spent many hours watching from the home of her guardian high upon the hill as a young child. The valley was also once the home of Alex Duval, the man who stole her heart, never to return it, leaving her a broken young woman.
Alex Duval, the mayor of a small town doomed for demolition, is shocked to see Eloise Drake once again after so many years have passed; he is even more dismayed to learn she is part of the team set to remove his beloved home from the map.
Despite the looming deadline, Alex hasn’t given up hope and comes up with a plan to save the homes and businesses of the village. The biggest obstacle? Getting Eloise on board with his plan.
Question is can both Alex and Eloise set aside their painful pasts to work together to prevent the destruction of this small and quaint village?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own.
Elizabeth Camden takes an interesting slice of history and builds a colorful and compelling story around it. Set in New York in the early 1900s, A Desperate Hope is about a town’s spunk and ingenuity in solving a seemingly insurmountable problem, about dreaming big, and working hard to make those dreams come true. Camden’s cast of characters come alive on the page. Alex Duval is an optimistic, courageous, go-getter whose vision of a way to save his town is inspiring. The heroine, Eloise Drake, is also endearing and fascinating as she tries to find her place in the world. Together, they are a magnificent team that can accomplish amazing things.
This riveting tale of courage, faith, optimism, and hope pulled me right in and kept me turning pages. With history, intrigue, suspense, inspiration, and more than a bit of romance thrown in, this story has something for everyone. I would recommend it to those who enjoy inspirational historical fiction.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Fighting to stem the tide of destruction on their town
My rating is 4.5 stars
Alex Duval is one of the most endearing and dynamic of heroes! Flawed, sure. No question about that. Yet his almost larger-than-life personality with his propensity to be dramatic, to dream big, to hope big, to love big, and to feel big touched my heart in a big way. He knew how to live life! He and his brother, Hercules, were both prone to weeping at touching moments due to their vast reservoir of emotions. His passion for his town and the people in it overflowed into everything he did.
Alex is the mayor who caused Nick so many problems in A Daring Venture as Nick tried to work with him to shut down the town to create a reservoir from the valley in which Duval Springs was nestled. Alex took exception to this and fought him tooth and nail to save the place that was so near and dear to his heart.
Eloise is quite interesting. She was also introduced in A Daring Venture. Her childhood story and feelings of not being valued touched my heart. Her love for rules and order arose from the events that drove both her and Alex from Duval Springs twelve years earlier. And her sense of adventure is now restricted to the calculating of figures in her head. She is strong, yet tender inside and a bit fearful of being outside of her element.
One of the things I particularly loved about Eloise was the way she hoped the best about her guardian. Despite the way he ignored her and the way the townspeople and those who worked for him viewed him, she was convinced he had something worthwhile deep within and was willing to stand up for him against the entire town.
This deeply emotional story tells of the desperate battle Alex wages to save his town. The risky plan he develops is rather amazing, even more so when you realize that it is based on actual historical events. Just don’t try to cheat and try to find what that plan was by looking up Duval Springs – the town doesn’t exist and never did so you’ll be wasting your time.
I fell in love with this town that was able to trace its history back to a visit by George Washington. (They even had a chair at the tavern reputed to have been used by him once.) And the tradition at the tavern for the young men heading off to war – wow!
As with the other books by this author, there is mystery and danger that kept my interest throughout. The deep love that Alex still had for Eloise after all these years despite what had happened to him was nothing short of spectacular, even if he did make some spectacularly stupid choices.
I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Sad this excellent series is over. I listened to this wonderful novel on audiobook.
Wow, what a deeply layered and entertaining story! So much goes on with secrets, mystery and heart tugging sorrow. Very well written with engaging secondary characters who make up town and friends. I loved the story line of Eloise and that she was a math geek during a time when women weren’t welcomed in those areas. Alex loved her for who she was and they both had to deal with a past that intruded on life. Small town life at its best in this story! This author did it so well that you feel a part of this town and the trouble they are going through. Beautiful love story and not your everyday romance!
I got the book from the publisher and was not required to leave a review.
CPA Eloise Drake likes her life to be orderly and stable, with straight columns that add up neatly into nice round figures, a stark contrast to her unconstant childhood, with unloving parents and fraught with conflict. When her newest assignment, assessing and valuing properties in preparation for the new reservoir, brings her face to face with her adolescent indiscretion, will she take a chance on love or stay with what is safe and predictable?
Alex Duvall never forgot the red-headed Eloise Drake from his childhood, and when she comes with the crew sent to blow up his town of Duvall Springs they find themselves at odds. Alex’s enthusiasm for his town, and his charismatic, indefatigable spirit gives Duvall Springs hope in the face of a state takeover, and he finds an unlikely ally in a copper-headed friend from the past. Will Eloise and Alex be able to save the town of Duvall Springs, or will the conspiracies and sabotage dash all of their hopes?
Alex is a passionate dreamer, and born leader. As Mayor of Duvall Springs he takes personal responsibility for his citizen’s well being and security. He is loyal and never gives up fighting for what he believes in, and is willing to try new things. I loved that he respects and admires Eloise and her brilliance with mathematics, he supports her, and encourages her to dream big too.
Eloise is cautious, and has had to walk on eggshells her whole life, she has learned to love safety and predictability. She is clever, organized, compassionate, and a people pleaser. I admired her determined spirit and all the hard work she put into attaining her certification and putting her past behind her.
While written as the third in a series, it works wonderfully as a stand alone read, though if you have read the previous two books in the series, Eloise’s story will pack an even bigger punch. I will admit that I missed the legal tension that was a strong component of the prior books, but I did like how this book tied in, and we got to see another side of the previous events.
A story about love, hope, community, determination, and faith. There is intrigue, mystery and the stakes are high as the citizens of Duvall Springs risk it all to fight for their way of life. I love how Ms. Camden brings the excitement and industry of the early 1900’s to life, with strong, independant, and intelligent heroines. A fast-paced read with winsome characters, highly enjoyable, I didn’t want to put it down!
A Desperate Hope is the third installment from Elizabeth Camden’s Empire State series. I have read the other books in the series and this one is my favorite. It is set in 1908 New York with Eloise Drake trying to put the past behind her. She is an intelligent woman who works as an accountant for an engineering project. However, this project may put her into a situation she tries to stay away from. While, Alex Duval realizes the town he loves and is the mayor of is threatened to be destroyed. This leads him asking for help from someone from his past. Will these be able to get over the past and work as a team to do what is right?
I enjoyed Eloise and Alex’s story. They are two unlikely allies in the beginning and loved their determination and courage. It is a beautiful, well written and powerful historical that takes the reader back in time and teaches them the lesson of forgiveness and fight what is right.
I am giving A Desperate Hope a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it. It is definitely my favorite novel written by Elizabeth Camden.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Nobody does historical fiction as well as Elizabeth Camden! She never disappoints.
I love books that feature intelligent and capable women, and Eloise Drake is exactly that. A math genius who has worked hard to obtain her CPA certification, Eloise proves herself a force to reckoned with in a world dominated by men. But all work and no play defines Eloise’s life.
Returning to the town where she spent much of her youth as a representative of the state of New York puts Eloise back in the orbit of Alex Duvall. The boy she once knew and loved once upon a time is now mayor of Duvall Springs.
Alex and Eloise are opposites in many ways. She’s straight-laced and follows the rules while he is a dreamer and jumps into schemes both feet first without any plan whatsoever in place. She’s from a wealthy, but emotionally distant family while Alex comes from the working calls with strong family ties. Yet the two of them together can move mountains (or at least towns).
An enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining conclusion to the Empire State series, A Desperate Hope encourages us to dream big and reach for the seemingly impossible.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Once again Elizabeth Camden delivers a great story with fantastic characters and a hearty dose of often unheard history. Based on the building of the Ashokan Reservoir in New York, the story engulfs us in the displaced townspeople, gives us realistic details of what it took to move entire towns.
Our heroine and hero are complete opposites, which makes their interaction fascinating and drives them to accomplish the impossible, sometimes while driving each other mad. And the supporting cast keep the story engaging, you don’t want the story to end, but can’t stop reading.
I appreciate this well researched historical fiction set in 1908 New York. Camden makes history come alive as she highlights the sacrifices made to build this huge reservoir in order to provide drinking water for New York City. I was drawn in by this engrossing story and soon I found myself rooting for these characters. I admire how they take risks and put their faith in each other. At the same time, opposites attract in a rocky romance in which the foundation of the relationship is poured when appreciation and acceptance of differences is applied. Camden skillfully balances a sense of adventure with some suspense and romance and that is exactly why I read her books. This is the third book in the Empire State Series, but it certainly can be enjoyed on its own. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Elizabeth Camden is a wonderful storyteller. There is only one of her stories that didn’t work well for me. Don’t worry. I won’t tell, but you can find all my reviews on Amazon. Anyways, A Desperate Hope finishes her first series. I have enjoyed all three novels. I love how her heroines are educated and don’t mind helping the little man. In this book, Eloise wants a place to be needed, but she returns to her home and runs into Alex, her first love. It is tangled emotions at first sight, but eventually, they learn to grasp and control their emotions and allow love to blossom. I really enjoyed the plot. It was different than anything I have ever read. Camden kept me engrossed in the plot, and I finished the novel in a little over three hours. I had a hard time putting it down. There is even a hint of a mystery in the novel, which I loved. Overall, A Desperate Hope is a wonderful ending to the series. I really enjoyed the characters and anxiously await what Camden comes up with next. If you are a fan of Camden’s other stories, then I recommend you pick this book up.
I received a complimentary copy of A Desperate Hope by Elizabeth Camden from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Elizabeth Camden’s A Desperate Hope is a detailed recounting of a stalwart little town whose members physically moved from its location in order to save it. Throughout the story is interwoven the up & down courtship of Eloise & Alex, along with the tumultuous relationship between Eloise & her biological father.
I was impressed with the engineering of such an enormous endeavor of moving whole buildings of an entire town. Having seen modern houses moved & how difficult & laborious that task is, doing so in the late 1800s seems even harder without the benefit of modern devices, although granted they didn’t have plumbing or electricity to deal with.
In all, A Desperate Hope is well-written historical fiction with enough mystery to keep readers coming back for more.
Elizabeth Camden writes books to get lost in—books that pull the reader into another time and place, set in unique locations with captivating, unexpected plots. This book is an incredible story with a slowly building mystery, lots of interesting history, and characters that belong together but are too stubborn and have too much against them for it to be possible. I could not put this amazing book down!
The historical detail in this book is incredible; I haven’t read anything like it before. The idea of entire towns being demolished to create a reservoir for another city was appalling, despite the discussion of the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few. I loved reading about it, about the emotions and challenges, and the impossible hope that springs to mind as a solution to their problems.
The characters are flawed and relatable; the main ones have a difficult history, and that adds some depth and tension to the plotline. Alex and Eloise are very different people with opposing ways to look at the world and that leads to conflict in some places, beauty in others when they help each other grow. The secondary characters are surprisingly nuanced and add to the overall novel in more ways than I might have otherwise expected.
Holding it all together is prose that is a pleasure to read and a message that needs to be heard. I love how the theme of hope, even when repeated blows have come, is gently woven throughout the narrative. It comes from different characters and in different forms, but the hope is always there, even when things look darkest.
While technically part of a series, I was able to read it as a standalone novel with no problem. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for older teens and up. The characters, plot, and setting combine for a fantastic novel that is sure to be enjoyed by fans of historical fiction. Camden has cemented her place as one of my favorite authors, and this book will be joining her others on my keeper shelf!
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.