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18th out of 137 books
—
19 voters
Chateau of Echoes
When Frédérique undertakes an extensive restoration of her chateau, she uncovers an ancient treasure, kisses her reclusive life good-bye, and gets talked into hosting a handsome American for an extended stay. Little does she know, she's unwittingly concocted a recipe for intrigue, romance, and possibly disaster.
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
August 31st 2005
by NavPress
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I both liked and disliked this book, luckily not in equal measure.
I enjoyed the modern parts of the story with Freddie living in her Breton Chateau, taking in guests as and when she chose, in order to pay for refurbishment of her beloved home.
Also Alix's journal, set in much earlier times. This was a complete contrast, showing a young, immature girl not in control of her life.
For me, the downsides were the frequent wordy descriptions of all the clothes Freddie and her guests wore. I could not de...more
I enjoyed the modern parts of the story with Freddie living in her Breton Chateau, taking in guests as and when she chose, in order to pay for refurbishment of her beloved home.
Also Alix's journal, set in much earlier times. This was a complete contrast, showing a young, immature girl not in control of her life.
For me, the downsides were the frequent wordy descriptions of all the clothes Freddie and her guests wore. I could not de...more
This is the first Siri Mitchell book I have read. The book's description convinced me to try the book. I am not sure it entirely lived up to my expectations but it did not totally disappoint, either. For one, the description of the story made me think it would be much more lighthearted than it was.
I am not sure how to rate this. Mitchell writes well, in a general sense, and I would read other books by this author.
Things I liked:
The characters
The house and the setting
That there was more going on...more
I am not sure how to rate this. Mitchell writes well, in a general sense, and I would read other books by this author.
Things I liked:
The characters
The house and the setting
That there was more going on...more
There were things I liked and those I didn't in this story. In the end, the dislikes won and I felt this story was a little self-indulgent. It is two stories in one - the main story is a modern day woman running a B&B out of a chateau in France. The second story is journal entries from Alix, a woman who lived in the chateau centuries before. I loved these journal entries! Reading about life during that period was fascinating. But the modern story just dragged on - especially because the main...more
I enjoyed the story in this book. The heroine is reluctant to let herself be interested in the love interest and this makes their relationship develop very slowly. When reading a love story, I find it more satisfying when the author makes you wait. Siri Mitchell does a wonderful job here with characters who have believable reasons for holding back. And even though most of the action takes place inside the same house (chateau, I should say), it didn't feel monotonous. Overall, the story was great...more
Having fallen in love with Siri Mitchell's historical fiction, I decided to try her 2005 release, which is set in contemporary France. Getting a different and earlier view of a favorite author can be interesting, so I dove in not knowing what to expect, and ready to assess this one on its own merit.
Frederique Farmer is the owner of an ancient chateau who has discovered a set of fifteenth century journals on her property. The historical significance has made her home of some distinction, but Fred...more
Frederique Farmer is the owner of an ancient chateau who has discovered a set of fifteenth century journals on her property. The historical significance has made her home of some distinction, but Fred...more
Taking place in France, Cranwell has come to Freddie's chateau to research Alix de Montot, a fifteenth century young woman who lived in the chateau. So while we learn about Freddie and Cranwell, we also get Alix's story written in diary form. Cranwell's intrusion into Freddie's well-ordered world, and also learning about Alix's arranged marriage, makes her look at her life and her belief's and how she really feels about it all. Freddie, Cranwell, and Alix are complex people whose layers take a w...more
I love the setting, a secluded chateau B&B in France. The history of the area comes to life through the diary of a young bride who lived in the chateau a few hundred years earlier.
The story is a beautiful blend of a contemporary story and a historical one combined. The book is full of flavors, colors, and smells. It's almost like an affordable getaway to this quiet bit of France.
The story is a beautiful blend of a contemporary story and a historical one combined. The book is full of flavors, colors, and smells. It's almost like an affordable getaway to this quiet bit of France.
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This was alright - the story flowed well, although a few random parts seemed disjointed (the ride back to the chateau in Cranwell's car; Severine's... well, her entire character/plot.) The main character got on my nerves, too - she was depressing and cynical, for very little reason. If you can get over the faint distaste for Frankie, not a bad read.
A well written book weaving 15th Century France together with modern day ideas. Interspersed in the modern story are excerpts from the diary of a young girl in 15th Century Brittany. All set in the same old chateau, you begin to feel like you are living in a different world. Many references to different foods written in the the French language gave it a very authentic voice.
May 02, 2011
Becky
added it
This book is set in France, which is awesome! (I went through a phase where I only wanted to read books set in France...) The story was - ok. The ending was totally abrupt. I was a little disappointed overall because of the lack of any message (considering I found it in our church library) and that ending really threw me! I enjoyed the authour's writing style, so I wouldn't automatically dismiss reading her work - just not a fan of this book.
I mostly enjoyed this book, but for being a Christian romance, I was surprised at the amount of sex talk there was. Nothing inappropriate necessarily (from what I remember), but it startled me. Not what I was expecting.
This was enjoyable but the details on the food was far too much for what I cared as were the details on the Quest and the Arthurian legend. It was good in that I learned quite a bit but I felt the exceeding detail killed the mood of the story for me.
I really really liked reading this book. Its a sweeping story within a story, and the 'character' of the Chateau is so descriptive. I especially loved reading the substory of Alix and Awen, thru the journal of Alix. Being 13 and married is odd, and Siri Mitchell's take on an extremely poignant and at times heart wrenching look into falling in love as you literally grow into your role as wife, is done very deftly.
The book makes me want to live somewhere epic like that. This was the first book I...more
The book makes me want to live somewhere epic like that. This was the first book I...more
Cute, Clean, easy, and entertaining. Sometimes we just need this kind of book. I did seem to be hungry almost the whole time I was reading it though.
I liked the book, but there's sure lots of narrative about what the person wears and what she cooks...maybe a bit too much detail.
Liked the double story-line, the baking, and the setting. Found the ending a bit odd...but overall an enjoyable read.
Frederique, widowed in France, buys a castle, where she finds diaries of a 15th century owner
I think I liked this book so much because of its atmosphere, setting, and all the gourmet cooking references.
The only thing I could have done without: the overly-detailed descriptions of what the characters were wearing. Otherwise, a compelling story in an exotic setting.
I finally read the book! I did enjoy it, as I enjoy most of her books (with certain caveats). I liked the setting, the storyline (for the most part), and the heroine and hero. I thought it was well-written and interesting. I liked how she interwove the old diary entries in with the modern-day story.
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Bought this book tonight to read. Was on clearance (4.97 or something like that) so even better as I don't care to actually support this author...more
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Bought this book tonight to read. Was on clearance (4.97 or something like that) so even better as I don't care to actually support this author...more
Nice easy ride - celebration of food and hospitality.
This book is very well written.
Aug 09, 2011
Sue
added it
Really liked this this one!
One of my favorite books! Tells the story of a woman, Freddy, whose parents and husband were killed in the same year. To find healing, she buys a chateau in France and opens an inn. During renovations, she finds a chest of 13th century books which also contains the journal of a young medieval girl Alix. As we learn both Freddie and Alix's stories, we see how God works through time and history to save and heal His people.
I absolutely love this book. It was very well written to my standards anyway. I would recommend it to anyone.
Mine had a different cover on it. A clean novel with a surprise ending. I love the B&B in the chateau.
I love this book, although I only recommend it for mature readers. It has two love stories going on at the same time, sort of, and both are set in an authentic French chateau. I also like the first-person point of view. This one stays on my shelf. This is the second time I have read it, and I'll probably pull it down and stroll through it again sometime.
Really enjoyed this book. A little bit of a mystery a little romance and on top of it all a Christian book without being preachy. Loved the setting in a castle in France. Someone loaned this book to my sister after our mother died and it was a delightful escape. It was like a gift to have something this peaceful to read at such a turbulent time.
Siri Mitchell is so many notches above the average. She is always able to slice to the tender emotional parts in a way that the characteristics and tendencies revealed seem so plausble. All the tissue explosed precisely supports what lies underneath--even when she reaches the heart of the matter.
Although Chateau of Echoes was not quite as good as Kissing Adrien and The Cubicle Next Door, the plot was very engrossing and held my interest throughout. It took a while for me to really relate to the characters, but once I got into it, I couldn't put the book down.
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Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.
But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listeni...more
More about Siri Mitchell...
But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listeni...more
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