Until the Dawn

Elizabeth Camden has written several books wrapped around and in various mansions in different locations throughout the United States. Until the Dawn resides in the Dierenpark Mansion owned by the Vandermark family in New Holland, New York. The Vandermarks have been absent from the mansion for nearly sixty years. There is a fabled curse on the mansion that has been talked about for generations and often is the subject of tours for vacationers. When Sophi Van Riijn finds out that the family is returning, she knows she has work to do getting the house ready for the family. She is not prepared for Quentin, Pieter, and Nicholaas, nor the upheaval they will bring to the area.

Quentin is very rabidly anti-God, anti-myth, anti-anything that cannot be touched, seen, tasted, smelled, or heard. When he arrives at his mansion, he dismisses every staff member that remained at the house. Sophie couldn't be fired because she was never employed, but she did need access to the house because she was a volunteer for the national weather service and had a station on the roof. Because she appealed to Quentin's scientific mind, he allowed her to continue her weather research. Because she had a kind heart with her scientific mind, he wanted her to tutor his son, Pieter. Because she could cook like a dream, he hired her to do the cooking for the household.

When Grandfather Nicholaas moves in and brings in a number of professors in biology and anthropology to find out if the curse is true, Sophie has to move in to be able to feed the new guests at the mansion. Due to Sophie's proximity, Quentin begins noticing her and enjoying her company. Pieter has blossomed under her tutelage and Quentin could hardly resist her for loving his son. The only fly in the ointment is Quentin's lack of faith and Sophie's total dependence on God.

Elizabeth researches her subject well and uses her research to tell a compelling, page-turning story that won't let the reader rest until it is finished. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and Sophie's Blueberry Muffins.

My thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book.