“It’s been a long time since I’ve been so thoroughly engrossed in a novel . . . The Lost Castle kept me spellbound!” —Tamera Alexander, USA TODAY bestselling author of To Whisper Her Name and Christmas at CarntonBroken-down walls and crumbling stones seemed to possess a secret language all their own.What stories would they tell, if she finally listened?Ellie Carver arrives at her grandmother’s … they tell, if she finally listened?
Ellie Carver arrives at her grandmother’s bedside expecting to find her silently slipping away. Instead, the beloved woman begins speaking. Of a secret past and castle ruins forgotten by time. Of a hidden chapel that served as a rendezvous for the French Resistance in World War II. Of lost love and deep regret . . .
Each piece that unlocks the story seems to unlock part of Ellie too—where she came from and who she is becoming. But her grandmother is quickly disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer’s and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family’s history. Drawn by the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty—a castle so named for Charles Perrault’s beloved fairy tale—Ellie embarks on a journey to France’s Loire Valley in hopes that she can unearth its secrets before time silences them forever.
Bridging the past to the present in three time periods—the French Revolution, World War II, and present day—The Lost Castle is a story of loves won and lost, of battles waged in the hearts of men, and of an enchanted castle that stood witness to it all, inspiring a legacy of faith through the generations.
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I loved this book. There are three different stories that tie in together at the end very well. The stories are three different woman in three different time periods (Gilded Age, WW2, Present day) all based around the castle, nicknamed “The Sleeping Beauty”. They all find healing, love, and refuge in different unique ways.
It was fairly clean as well (mild violence). It was a little slow at times, but I would recommend it. I look forward to reading the next.
I received a free copy from the publisher via Net Gallery for my honest opinion.
When you think of three storylines in one book you automatically think overwhelming, but with a master storyteller you can’t go wrong. It is intriguing from the get go, as a granddaughter tries to understand her grandma Vi’s story, as she has Alzheimer’s. This sends her on a trek to France to uncover the story of the Lost Castle and how WWII and The French Revolution all play a part in a tale that leaves you gasping and shedding tears. The characters are so believable and have you wishing you could step back in time. The words so descriptive you can see the Lost Castle, hear the gunshots, and taste the fear. I highly recommend this read, especially if you like something different and that keeps you on your toes.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
” . . . the story we’re writing in this life, day by day, it’s a gift from God and we can’t afford to waste a minute of it.”
The lives of three women, separated by generations, change in a minute’s time. As one watches her grandmother slip away into the oblivion of disease, her heart is challenged to solve the mystery of a photograph that seems to matter more than either of them can ask or think. Another, has what should have been the most wonderful night of her life, torched by the flames of a political revolution that finds its intended target. Yet a third volunteers her life for the cause of freedom, when those she loves become victims in one of the worst wars the world has ever known.
At the center of it all lies a castle. Majestic, beloved, courageous; its walls protecting the stories of those who gave up their hearts when its foundation crumbled, only to rise again; in spite of the fact that there was a “lady who disappeared into the grove one night, and never returned”, or perhaps it was because of her.
Kristy Cambron has written a masterpiece.
I have such mixed feelings about this story! It was a little confusing at first to jump around between so many different time periods, and I really had to pay attention to the date at the beginning of each chapter. I was also extremely curious to see how Kristy would wind together the stories of Aveline, Viola, and Ellie. Their stories were spread out over more than 225 years, and all of them ended up in the same place in France, the Loire Valley, for different reasons. Ellie went in search of her grandmother’s past during World War II, despite receiving very little information from her grandmother, whose health was ailing. Aveline traveled there for her engagement party on the eve of the French Revolution. Viola, Ellie’s grandmother, wound up there in the time leading up to D-Day. As usual, I enjoyed the history lesson as it played out in Aveline’s and Viola’s lives. I found Aveline’s story to be more complex and compelling than Viola’s, and I really related more to her character’s awakening of France’s political climate and a desire to examine and change her values. Ellie and Quinn, the two modern-day main characters, drove me a little crazy. When Ellie arrived in France in search of her grandmother’s history, I feel like she went about it in all of the wrong ways. I’m sure that that was due to her own personal past, but as I am a lover of genealogy and history, I was so impatient for Ellie to come right out and ask the pertinent questions and really start her research! That’s just my own silly pet peeve, though. Quinn is quite unlikeable at first, but isn’t that how a lot of great love stories start? Just like all of Kristy’s other books, the romances in the story build subtly and slowly, and it’s so satisfying when they finally come together!
***I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Lost Castle, what a wonderful premise – you have such a great storyline and an intense one at that. It takes you through so many situations in so many Generations in one book.. The characters made by this author are so precious and unique you feel so much for them – your heart feels so connected to them. You not only feel for them and things are intense in this book – you are brought through so many situations and you say whaaaaaa? The author is very specific in their words because they want to build a world that you and I could live in – and we do when we are reading it – you are a part of this world – we are invested in this world and that is how the author made it – that is how you know this is one fantastical author. This is one story you truly will enjoy if you take the time to read it. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
If you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
Moving
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. This was a wonderful story. It brought together such a wonderful story of different periods of time into a beautiful story of love, overcoming bad & starting a new. I loved how Ellie cared so much for a grandmother who raised her and now was suffering from Alzheimer’s so find that she was even stronger than she believed growing up and to give her a final piece of a long lived life. But it also shows how strong women had to be through the centuries. I look so forward to reading more in this series. Thank Kristy, you write such wonderful stories.
Favorite Quotes:
“Don’t borrow trouble,” Grandma Vi had always said. “Don’t borrow— but be sure you don’t set out to buy it either.”
Tears, the real kind— the ones that meant everything was about to change and she must weather it all with newfound courage— refused to leave them be.
My Review:
The Lost Castle was not an easy or relaxing read, as the storylines were active and highly eventful while taut with tension, peril, infirmities, family drama, and three unexpected and inconvenient romances. Ergo, it required additional effort and attention to keep it straight; however, it was well worth the time and cranial investment. The book covered three different timelines and involved a French vineyard, the family who operated the vineyard, a ruined castle, and three different feisty females who made all the difference. I cannot imagine the staggering amount the research required to pull this one together.
The first two timelines were rife with wartime stressors occurring during the French Revolution and WWII, while the final timeline involved solving those lingering mysteries during the present day. The writing was atmospheric, highly emotive and deeply felt, scenically descriptive, and so vividly detailed that I fell right into each story feeling as if I could smell the flowers feel the vibrations of the bombs, and hear the gunfire. The characters were uniquely appealing, endearing, enticing, heroic, and continually intriguing to me. Their tales frequently squeezed my heart, although near the end it also stung my eyes, burned my throat, and had my chin quivering.
I enjoyed my time in France but I also picked up a few new words to add to my British Isles Vocabulary List, as one of my favorite characters was Irish. My first new addition was “chancer” a British term for an opportunist who takes advantage or manipulates others to their own benefit; then “olagonin’” meaning moaning/complaining; and finally “craicing” an Irish word for having fun. It’s always a bit of craic to pick up new slang.
The Lost Castle is a beautifully written masterpiece. Kristy Cambron writes fiction that feels like you’re reading a classic. Her beautiful descriptions paint a lovely picture for me. I say it often—I crave beautiful words on paper. Kristy’s books give me that and more. She is one of the few authors of modern day that possesses a melodic quality to her writing—the same tone and romantic aura that seeps from the literary greats like Dickens or Austin.
Here’s what I loved about this book!
Do you ever consider your legacy? Will you make a difference in this world? These are things I consider often. Now that I’m nearly middle-age, I wonder if people will remember me when I’m gone. Will my words or actions have an impact on anyone? Will I leave a legacy? The Chateau de Doux Reves is a thirteen-century castle that is steeped in history. We are taken on a journey with Ellie as she pieces together her grandmother’s connection to the castle.
The story is unique in that there are three timelines, modern-day, WWII era and the French Revolution. For each age, there are three strong women that readers are introduced to.
This book made me smile at times and cry at others. The author captured the uncertainty of life in a heartbreaking beautiful way. She captured life—with all of the ups and downs.
Everything about this book was on point. The cover. The love. The loss. The heartbreak. And most of all—the triumph.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely. Preferably with a good cup of coffee (or wine—read the book to find out why) and definitely a box of tissues.
This book was provided to me by The Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.