Until the Dawn

October 26, 2015
With fluid writing, Camden (With Every Breath) weaves together the history of the fictional Vandermark family, bringing mysterious secrets and past intrigues to the year 1898. Sophie Van Rijn is a dedicated nine-year volunteer for the Weather Bureau with dreams of working in a climate observatory in her hometown of New Holland in the Hudson River Valley. But with surly Quentin Vandermark’s sudden arrival at the Dierenpark estate, along with his son and bodyguards, Sophie’s weather station and the beautiful mansion she loves are in jeopardy. Quentin is furious with Sophie for turning his home into a tourist attraction and bans her from the formerly unused mansion, only for her to return day after day. Baffled by Sophie’s unending cheerfulness, Quentin is drawn to Sophie and is challenged by her to think beyond his belief that if he “can’t see it or touch it, it doesn’t exist.” Although Quentin is harsh and often cruel with his household staff, Sophie and his son ultimately teach him to allow his heart to love again. Camden’s delicately written romance—spiced with murder, superstition, and ancient secrets—will inspire readers with its “love trumps all ills” message. Agent: Steve Laube, Steve Laube Agency.

November 15, 2015
A skeleton staff has been responsible for the upkeep of Dierenpark, a mansion in the Hudson River Valley, after it was abandoned. Sophie van Riijn, a local girl who cooks for the staff, set up a weather station on the roof, and for nine years she has arrived every morning to take readings and transmit them to the government's newly established Weather Bureau. Then in 1898, Quentin and his young son, Pieter, visit the estatethe first Vandermarks at Dierenpark in 60 yearsand everything changes. Sophie's unfailingly positive attitude and quiet faith irritate Quentin, but he needs someone to tutor Pieter and to cook, so he hires her to come in each day. Sophie is horrified to learn that Quentin plans to blow up the estate to end the family curse. When secrets from the past are revealed, can she convince him to change his mind? Camden's (Beyond All Dreams, 2014) gentle inspirational romance is well researched and has a little bit of everything: science, magic, history, and suspense. A good recommendation for readers who enjoy Julie Klassen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)