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Lost Castle #1
The Lost Castle
Launching a brand-new series, Kristy Cambron explores the collision of past and present as she discovers the ruins of a French castle, long lost to history.
A thirteenth century castle, Chateau de Doux Reves, has been forgotten for generations, left to ruin in a storybook forest nestled deep in France's picturesque Loire Valley. It survived a sacking in the French Revolution, was brought back to life and fashioned into a storybook chateau in the Gilded Age, and was eventually felled and deserted after a disastrous fire in the 1930s.
As Ellie Carver sits by her grandmother's bedside, she hears stories of a castle . . . of lost love and a hidden chapel that played host to a secret fight in the World War II French resistance. But her grandmother is quickly slipping into the locked-down world of Alzheimer's, and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family's history.
Sparked by the discovery of a long forgotten family heirloom, Ellie embarks on a journey to French wine country to uncover the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty--the castle so named for Charles Perrault's beloved fairy tale--and unearth its secrets before they're finally silenced by time.
Set in three different 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, and an enchanted castle that inspired the epic fairy tales time left behind.
A thirteenth century castle, Chateau de Doux Reves, has been forgotten for generations, left to ruin in a storybook forest nestled deep in France's picturesque Loire Valley. It survived a sacking in the French Revolution, was brought back to life and fashioned into a storybook chateau in the Gilded Age, and was eventually felled and deserted after a disastrous fire in the 1930s.
As Ellie Carver sits by her grandmother's bedside, she hears stories of a castle . . . of lost love and a hidden chapel that played host to a secret fight in the World War II French resistance. But her grandmother is quickly slipping into the locked-down world of Alzheimer's, and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family's history.
Sparked by the discovery of a long forgotten family heirloom, Ellie embarks on a journey to French wine country to uncover the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty--the castle so named for Charles Perrault's beloved fairy tale--and unearth its secrets before they're finally silenced by time.
Set in three different 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, and an enchanted castle that inspired the epic fairy tales time left behind.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2018
417 people are currently reading
8160 people want to read
About the author
Kristy Cambron
20 books2,734 followersKristy Cambron is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes from the space where beauty, art, and history intersect. She's an award-winning author of historical fiction, including her internationally bestselling novels, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN and THE PARIS DRESSMAKER, as well as nonfiction titles. Her work has been named to Cosmopolitan's Best Historical Fiction Novels, Library Journal’s Best Books, and has been featured at People Magazine, Once Upon a Book Club Box, Frolic, Book Club Girl, BookBub, and Country Woman magazine.
Her new novel, THE FRENCH KITCHEN, is available now -- in which an ex-pat wife haunted by her experiences as an undercover agent in the American OSS during WWII crosses paths with chef Julia Child in a post-war Paris cookery class, complicating the carefully constructed high-society world she’s built to hide her past.
Kristy holds a degree in art history/research writing and spent fifteen years in education and leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation, partnering with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling. She's also served as Vice President and a literary agent with Gardner Literary.
Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three basketball-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read.
(Note: *Kristy does not use AI in her work. Please visit: kristycambron.com/contact for more information.)
To connect with Kristy, visit:
Kristy's Website: https://kristycambron.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristycambron/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kristycambron
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCambronAuthor/
And sign up for her newsletter: https://kristycambron.myflodesk.com/
Her new novel, THE FRENCH KITCHEN, is available now -- in which an ex-pat wife haunted by her experiences as an undercover agent in the American OSS during WWII crosses paths with chef Julia Child in a post-war Paris cookery class, complicating the carefully constructed high-society world she’s built to hide her past.
Kristy holds a degree in art history/research writing and spent fifteen years in education and leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation, partnering with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling. She's also served as Vice President and a literary agent with Gardner Literary.
Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three basketball-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read.
(Note: *Kristy does not use AI in her work. Please visit: kristycambron.com/contact for more information.)
To connect with Kristy, visit:
Kristy's Website: https://kristycambron.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristycambron/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kristycambron
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCambronAuthor/
And sign up for her newsletter: https://kristycambron.myflodesk.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 811 reviews
January 15, 2018
Amazing! You will need to keep the box of tissues handy and a lump in your throat is guaranteed! What does a grandmother with Alzheimer's, an 18th century French woman and the grandmother's granddaughter all have in common? How about foxes,French wine and a brooch ? This story about the Sleeping Beauty is remarkable, partly based on fact part fairy tale. Beautiful sumptuous you will swear you are there with the vivid descriptions described within. Three story lines taking place here that I'll admit are slightly confusing to keep track of at first but the more you read the easier it is to understand and it all masterfully ties together at the end. Cambron is a master storyteller here and I don't know how her next one can beat this one as she's at the top of her game here!
Pub Date 06 Feb 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date 06 Feb 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 30, 2018
This novel is unique in that it has three storylines in different time periods going on at once. All the stories revolve around a castle and vineyard in the Loire Valley. I’ve traveled here and love this setting. The stories go back and forth between the French Revolution, WWII and the present. The transitions between these stories could’ve been better, trying too dicipher when and where the story was took a lil time to figure out. I still really enjoyed it overall & would recommend.
March 8, 2018
I love this author's evocative writing style, making it easy to get lost in a different era. The three different stories all focus on a strong female- Aveline, an aristocrat in hiding during the French Revolution, Vi, who is on a mission and also in hiding in Nazi-occupied France, and Ellie, our modern-day heroine who is searching for answers and connecting the secrets of the past. I have to admit that I really struggled with the triple timeline that gave each story equal attention, I generally prefer when one story is central and the other(s) are used to enhance it. I was fascinated by each character's journey, but felt drawn out of it too quickly with each shift. But I wouldn't let my personal hangup prevent you from reading this book- so many of my reader friends are raving about it, and it really is beautifully written!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
March 26, 2018
When this book ended, my brain couldn't stop whirling.
Everything came together so well—all three settings, 1789, 1944, and Present day. I'm so amazed how Krisy Cambron weaved all three stories into one. It is her most well-written, easy to follow stories yet. And it is only the first of a trilogy—I can't wait for the next two!
Three woman—Avaline, Vi, and Ellie. They each have stories that reach into the heart of mankind and reveal raw emotions. I couldn't decide who I preferred more. There is something special about each woman that made me anxiously await for each of their chapters.
The descriptions were phenomenal. Everything came to live through the imagery words and it really did feel like a fairy tale, adorned with the most glorious sights and scenes. There are dark and sad moments, but so many happy times too. The theme of the story is faithfully living the life God gives each of us.
Spiritual content was more than in The Illusionist's Apprentice, but still light and minimally threaded throughout. Somehow, though, it seems stronger because of the way this author brings to life her theme and intentions of a beautiful story. The romance is soft and sweet. It never came too soon, but followed the story perfectly.
Content: There are several kisses, some slightly detailed, but all written sweetly. There are a couple social drinking scenes, and a setting involving a winery. There are a few intense scenes surrounding war, and some blood mentioned. Nothing overally detailed on that account. Also, there was one phrase that I consider a profanity (although that might not have been the authors intention).
This is the type of book I could read again and view it through fresh eyes. Also, a warning: once you start this, don't put it down for too long in between reading times. It will grip you far too much ;) If you've never read Kristy Cambron, then you must try one of hers. Because her stories are the type that will linger for years to come, ones I would consider a classic in every essence of the word.
“'Titus says the land is a witness of the generations who have come before. That it stands resolute. It's the same yesterday. Today. And who knows what tomorrow will look like. He likens it to God's influence over creation. That He's immovable. Steady. Watching from a distance, yet ever-involved. A bit like a lost castle, hmm?'”
*I received this book from Thomas Nelson publishing in exchange for an honest review*
Everything came together so well—all three settings, 1789, 1944, and Present day. I'm so amazed how Krisy Cambron weaved all three stories into one. It is her most well-written, easy to follow stories yet. And it is only the first of a trilogy—I can't wait for the next two!
Three woman—Avaline, Vi, and Ellie. They each have stories that reach into the heart of mankind and reveal raw emotions. I couldn't decide who I preferred more. There is something special about each woman that made me anxiously await for each of their chapters.
The descriptions were phenomenal. Everything came to live through the imagery words and it really did feel like a fairy tale, adorned with the most glorious sights and scenes. There are dark and sad moments, but so many happy times too. The theme of the story is faithfully living the life God gives each of us.
Spiritual content was more than in The Illusionist's Apprentice, but still light and minimally threaded throughout. Somehow, though, it seems stronger because of the way this author brings to life her theme and intentions of a beautiful story. The romance is soft and sweet. It never came too soon, but followed the story perfectly.
Content: There are several kisses, some slightly detailed, but all written sweetly. There are a couple social drinking scenes, and a setting involving a winery. There are a few intense scenes surrounding war, and some blood mentioned. Nothing overally detailed on that account. Also, there was one phrase that I consider a profanity (although that might not have been the authors intention).
This is the type of book I could read again and view it through fresh eyes. Also, a warning: once you start this, don't put it down for too long in between reading times. It will grip you far too much ;) If you've never read Kristy Cambron, then you must try one of hers. Because her stories are the type that will linger for years to come, ones I would consider a classic in every essence of the word.
“'Titus says the land is a witness of the generations who have come before. That it stands resolute. It's the same yesterday. Today. And who knows what tomorrow will look like. He likens it to God's influence over creation. That He's immovable. Steady. Watching from a distance, yet ever-involved. A bit like a lost castle, hmm?'”
*I received this book from Thomas Nelson publishing in exchange for an honest review*
February 15, 2018
As intricate as a French tapestry, as lush as the Loire Valley, and as rich as Ellie’s favorite pain au chocolat, The Lost Castle satisfies on every level. The three timelines weave and build upon each other, as the three heroines navigate dangerous times and unravel ancient secrets. Kristy Cambron’s writing evokes each era in loving detail, and the romances are touching and poignant. C’est bon!
March 2, 2018
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.
“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.
February 22, 2018
I loved this book. The cover was enough to get my attention. But the story...my goodness, it was amazing! I gravitate to these types of books, but adding a third period to the plot was a wonderful idea.
The plot itself unravels slowly, moving between three periods in the Castle's history: the French Revolution, World War II and the resistance in France and the current time. I was briefly concerned that I would be confused, but that was not the case.
The central story revolves around Ellie, a young woman whose grandmother is in a nursing home afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. She asks Ellie to travel to France to find the lost love of her life. Well the story had me there. I was hooked. As it continues, we meet Ellie's grandmother as a young woman and a cast of characters who originally inhabited and visited the Castle many years before.
I devoured this book. It had everything I was looking for: a great plot full of history, a castle, great characters and an author who knew how to write.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The plot itself unravels slowly, moving between three periods in the Castle's history: the French Revolution, World War II and the resistance in France and the current time. I was briefly concerned that I would be confused, but that was not the case.
The central story revolves around Ellie, a young woman whose grandmother is in a nursing home afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. She asks Ellie to travel to France to find the lost love of her life. Well the story had me there. I was hooked. As it continues, we meet Ellie's grandmother as a young woman and a cast of characters who originally inhabited and visited the Castle many years before.
I devoured this book. It had everything I was looking for: a great plot full of history, a castle, great characters and an author who knew how to write.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 2, 2019
This story is set in three different time periods. The pace starts very fast and once all three stories connect at the same castle, it slows down drastically to a point that I lost interest in reading it. It gets very stagnant and unengaging.
Set during the French Revolution in the Loire Valley, Aveline is about to celebrate her engagement to the Duc et Vivay and is about to become the “mistress of a grand chateau and multiple estates, and become a social princess in the top ranks of the beau monde: France’s most elite nobility.” But right before her engagement party, she receives a missive by carrier. A warning to leave the Loire Valley as violence is spreading due to populace starvation. The poor and hungry are revolting by attacking estates and burning them. While she tries to retrieve her mother from the party, the windows shatter and fire explodes inside.
In present time, Ellie cares for her ailing grandmother Vi at a nursing facility in Michigan. At her recent visit, she sees a photo of a man she has never seen before and questions her grandma about the man. Vi relates her story to Ellie, which slips into third time period of WWII. After hearing her grandma’s story, she rushes to Loire Valley in search of the man in the photo.
Set in 1944, the end of WWII, Vi recollects her story as she was trying to hide from SS officers in the Loire Valley. As she is searching for a place to hide, she comes upon the ruins of a castle. She takes refuge in an old chapel nearby. As she is enjoying a moment of peace, she hears an intruder. A uniformed man asks her to leave for the safety of the villagers as they are carefully watched by SS officers. But instead of leaving, she asks him to hide her.
And this is where three stories connect at the ruins of the same castle and slow down with an uninteresting dialogue not moving the story forward.
Set during the French Revolution in the Loire Valley, Aveline is about to celebrate her engagement to the Duc et Vivay and is about to become the “mistress of a grand chateau and multiple estates, and become a social princess in the top ranks of the beau monde: France’s most elite nobility.” But right before her engagement party, she receives a missive by carrier. A warning to leave the Loire Valley as violence is spreading due to populace starvation. The poor and hungry are revolting by attacking estates and burning them. While she tries to retrieve her mother from the party, the windows shatter and fire explodes inside.
In present time, Ellie cares for her ailing grandmother Vi at a nursing facility in Michigan. At her recent visit, she sees a photo of a man she has never seen before and questions her grandma about the man. Vi relates her story to Ellie, which slips into third time period of WWII. After hearing her grandma’s story, she rushes to Loire Valley in search of the man in the photo.
Set in 1944, the end of WWII, Vi recollects her story as she was trying to hide from SS officers in the Loire Valley. As she is searching for a place to hide, she comes upon the ruins of a castle. She takes refuge in an old chapel nearby. As she is enjoying a moment of peace, she hears an intruder. A uniformed man asks her to leave for the safety of the villagers as they are carefully watched by SS officers. But instead of leaving, she asks him to hide her.
And this is where three stories connect at the ruins of the same castle and slow down with an uninteresting dialogue not moving the story forward.
June 26, 2018
The Lost Castle is the first book I've read by Kristy Cambron, but I have been wanting to read her books for a while now. This story was amazingly well-written. It is set during three alternating time periods - the French Revolution, World War II, and present day. While all three were great storylines, my favorite was the one set during WWII. I loved how all the stories connected and you get to see how at the end of the book.
It was a beautiful story and definitely held my interest. It did take a few chapters to get used to the alternating storylines, but once I got partway done it was a breeze to read and I didn't want it to end. I loved all the characters. The present day romance was a favorite and I loved the ending.
All in all, The Lost Castle was a great read and I recommend it to fans of historical and/or contemporary romances, as you kind of get both with this story. I'm looking forward to the next book!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*
It was a beautiful story and definitely held my interest. It did take a few chapters to get used to the alternating storylines, but once I got partway done it was a breeze to read and I didn't want it to end. I loved all the characters. The present day romance was a favorite and I loved the ending.
All in all, The Lost Castle was a great read and I recommend it to fans of historical and/or contemporary romances, as you kind of get both with this story. I'm looking forward to the next book!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*
April 23, 2018
About this book:
“A thirteenth century castle, Chateau de Doux Reves, has been forgotten for generations, left to ruin in a storybook forest nestled deep in France's picturesque Loire Valley. It survived a sacking in the French Revolution, was brought back to life and fashioned into a storybook chateau in the Gilded Age, and was eventually felled and deserted after a disastrous fire in the 1930s.
As Ellie Carver sits by her grandmother's bedside, she hears stories of a castle . . . of lost love and a hidden chapel that played host to a secret fight in the World War II French resistance. But her grandmother is quickly slipping into the locked-down world of Alzheimer's, and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family's history.
Sparked by the discovery of a long forgotten family heirloom, Ellie embarks on a journey to French wine country to uncover the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty--the castle so named for Charles Perrault's beloved fairy tale--and unearth its secrets before they're finally silenced by time.
Set in three different 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, and an enchanted castle that inspired the epic fairy tales time left behind.”
Series: Book #1 in the “The Lost Castle” series.
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 58:12 at the beginning; A few Prayers; A Chapel/Church & Seeing Stained Glass; A few talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches/chapels & church going; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of Bibles; A mention of miracles;
*Note: a ‘Judas!’ is exclaimed, and a ‘why in God’s name’ is said; A few mentions of evil people & their actions; A few mentions of calling others devils; A mention of something feeling hellish; A mention of a place being like an inner chamber of hell.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’ and two ‘blast’s; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A mention of cursing someone; A bit of eye rolling; Seeing a loved one shot, bleeding, & dying (semi-detailed); An explosion & fires (up to semi-detailed); Bombs, Smoke, Gunfire, & Bodies (up to semi-detailed); Pain, Passing out, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Taste testing wine (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of wars, violence, revolutions/uprisings, fighting, deaths, & bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of explosions, bombs, fires, injuries, blood/bleeding, & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of those shot, injured, & killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of Nazis, their guns, gunfire, executions, firing squads and hanging people; Mentions of prisons & attacks; Mentions of cowards to fled & wanting to hit them; Mentions of stealing & thieves; Mentions of threats; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of wine, winemakers, & drinking; A few mentions of a butcher & his bloody products; A few mentions of cigarettes; A couple mentions of jails; A couple mentions of animal & human waste; A couple mentions of pubs; A mention of dead cattle (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of a snuff box;
*Note: A few mentions of celebrities & singers; A few mentions of car brands; A mention of HGTV.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, not-detailed kisses, six barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Touches & Warmth (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of a misunderstanding of a man keeping a woman; A few mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of a kiss & kissing; A couple mentions of breakups; A mention of a man slowly looking at a young woman’s body; A mention of a crush; Love, falling in love, & the emotions (x3).
-Ellison “Ellie” Carver
-Viola Hart
-Aveline Sainte-Moreau
P.O.V. switches between them
Switches between 1788, 1789, 1790, 1941, 1943, 1944, & Present Day
365 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
What an ending.
I have to say first, right off the bat, this cover is absolutely stunning. It definitely gets put in my Favorite Book Covers category.
For the story, I’ve mentioned before that I really am not a fan of books split in different time periods, going back and forth between them.
I think this author is trying to make me a fan, however.
I did get confused a bit at first about the three time periods and our main three ladies, but by the first third in, at the end of each chapter, I didn’t want to switch to someone else, I wanting to keeping following that heroine! But then, I would read the next chapter and not want to switch from her point of view! It was a never-ending cycle while reading this one. ;)
All the romances were very clean and sweet, and I liked all three young women. (I do have to think that Lady Vi in the 1940s was my favorite, though, which I think quite a few other readers will agree with me. ;) ) I wish there was a bit more faith content, but I do appreciate that it was all decently clean while being set during a major war and a revolution.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Thomas Nelson) for this honest review.
“A thirteenth century castle, Chateau de Doux Reves, has been forgotten for generations, left to ruin in a storybook forest nestled deep in France's picturesque Loire Valley. It survived a sacking in the French Revolution, was brought back to life and fashioned into a storybook chateau in the Gilded Age, and was eventually felled and deserted after a disastrous fire in the 1930s.
As Ellie Carver sits by her grandmother's bedside, she hears stories of a castle . . . of lost love and a hidden chapel that played host to a secret fight in the World War II French resistance. But her grandmother is quickly slipping into the locked-down world of Alzheimer's, and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family's history.
Sparked by the discovery of a long forgotten family heirloom, Ellie embarks on a journey to French wine country to uncover the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty--the castle so named for Charles Perrault's beloved fairy tale--and unearth its secrets before they're finally silenced by time.
Set in three different 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, and an enchanted castle that inspired the epic fairy tales time left behind.”
Series: Book #1 in the “The Lost Castle” series.
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 58:12 at the beginning; A few Prayers; A Chapel/Church & Seeing Stained Glass; A few talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches/chapels & church going; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of Bibles; A mention of miracles;
*Note: a ‘Judas!’ is exclaimed, and a ‘why in God’s name’ is said; A few mentions of evil people & their actions; A few mentions of calling others devils; A mention of something feeling hellish; A mention of a place being like an inner chamber of hell.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’ and two ‘blast’s; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A mention of cursing someone; A bit of eye rolling; Seeing a loved one shot, bleeding, & dying (semi-detailed); An explosion & fires (up to semi-detailed); Bombs, Smoke, Gunfire, & Bodies (up to semi-detailed); Pain, Passing out, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Taste testing wine (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of wars, violence, revolutions/uprisings, fighting, deaths, & bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of explosions, bombs, fires, injuries, blood/bleeding, & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of those shot, injured, & killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of Nazis, their guns, gunfire, executions, firing squads and hanging people; Mentions of prisons & attacks; Mentions of cowards to fled & wanting to hit them; Mentions of stealing & thieves; Mentions of threats; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of wine, winemakers, & drinking; A few mentions of a butcher & his bloody products; A few mentions of cigarettes; A couple mentions of jails; A couple mentions of animal & human waste; A couple mentions of pubs; A mention of dead cattle (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of a snuff box;
*Note: A few mentions of celebrities & singers; A few mentions of car brands; A mention of HGTV.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, not-detailed kisses, six barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Touches & Warmth (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of a misunderstanding of a man keeping a woman; A few mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of a kiss & kissing; A couple mentions of breakups; A mention of a man slowly looking at a young woman’s body; A mention of a crush; Love, falling in love, & the emotions (x3).
-Ellison “Ellie” Carver
-Viola Hart
-Aveline Sainte-Moreau
P.O.V. switches between them
Switches between 1788, 1789, 1790, 1941, 1943, 1944, & Present Day
365 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
What an ending.
I have to say first, right off the bat, this cover is absolutely stunning. It definitely gets put in my Favorite Book Covers category.
For the story, I’ve mentioned before that I really am not a fan of books split in different time periods, going back and forth between them.
I think this author is trying to make me a fan, however.
I did get confused a bit at first about the three time periods and our main three ladies, but by the first third in, at the end of each chapter, I didn’t want to switch to someone else, I wanting to keeping following that heroine! But then, I would read the next chapter and not want to switch from her point of view! It was a never-ending cycle while reading this one. ;)
All the romances were very clean and sweet, and I liked all three young women. (I do have to think that Lady Vi in the 1940s was my favorite, though, which I think quite a few other readers will agree with me. ;) ) I wish there was a bit more faith content, but I do appreciate that it was all decently clean while being set during a major war and a revolution.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Thomas Nelson) for this honest review.
November 18, 2019
Absolute Perfection
Avaline : A young lady trying to express her point of view in a time of war. She is supposed to marry the duke's firstborn son. But perhaps she loves someone else and a different way of life. Can she restore the castle of her life or is it destined for destruction?
Ellie : A young lady trying to figure out the true side to her grandmother before it's to late. Did she ever truly know the grandmother that raised her or is her grandmother hiding something? Will she ever unearth the secrets kept from her so long? Can she bear all the mysteries of the castle along with hidden secrets?
Vi : A young lady who wants to help stop the Nazis advance. She must learn to trust someone else to keep her going. Can she bear the weight of war or must she keep pressing on for survival?
Three different lives. Three different loves. But they all lead back to the restoration of this lost castle. Will the sleeping beauty ever awake again? Or is she destined to continue to see war take her down?
Don't read the continuing paragraph if you haven't finished the book! It would ruin the whole story!
Nooooo Julian did not just die! *cries* I cannot believe that happened...... "I watched as those golden eyes closed never to reopen again." That... *Pauses* *tears flow* was such a sad ending..... now I know it worked out for the other two, but Viola was my favorite character.... And then she went on to marry another man!? I could not do that.... of course she never loved him as much as Julian, but.... It was terribly sad.
Avaline : A young lady trying to express her point of view in a time of war. She is supposed to marry the duke's firstborn son. But perhaps she loves someone else and a different way of life. Can she restore the castle of her life or is it destined for destruction?
Ellie : A young lady trying to figure out the true side to her grandmother before it's to late. Did she ever truly know the grandmother that raised her or is her grandmother hiding something? Will she ever unearth the secrets kept from her so long? Can she bear all the mysteries of the castle along with hidden secrets?
Vi : A young lady who wants to help stop the Nazis advance. She must learn to trust someone else to keep her going. Can she bear the weight of war or must she keep pressing on for survival?
Three different lives. Three different loves. But they all lead back to the restoration of this lost castle. Will the sleeping beauty ever awake again? Or is she destined to continue to see war take her down?
Don't read the continuing paragraph if you haven't finished the book! It would ruin the whole story!
Nooooo Julian did not just die! *cries* I cannot believe that happened...... "I watched as those golden eyes closed never to reopen again." That... *Pauses* *tears flow* was such a sad ending..... now I know it worked out for the other two, but Viola was my favorite character.... And then she went on to marry another man!? I could not do that.... of course she never loved him as much as Julian, but.... It was terribly sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2018
Oh my goodness, I loved, loved this beautiful book by Kristy!!! It is a wonderful fairytale for adults! I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series. 10**********stars for me.
Read
April 21, 2020This three-way time slip novel has all the adventure and heart a reader could want. The romance wasn't overdone at all, in fact I found the love stories to be subtle and refreshing than many I've read. I can't imagine how much time it took to research not just one but three different time periods for one book! While I definintely had a favorite of the three threads, I appreciate how weaving them together gives us a glimpse of the importance of both place, and family history. This is the kind of novel that makes me want to dig into my own family's past. As usual, I also loved the Author's Note at the end, which explained how she poured some of her own experiences into the characters in the novel. Finally, I love the covers for this series. They are gorgeous and really stand out among the crowd.
February 6, 2018
Confession...I've never read a book by Kristy Cambron before. She is a new to me author. I actually get her newsletters and have enjoyed reading those and seeing what she has coming up. I kept seeing this book pop up on friend's reading shelves and happened to see it on NetGalley. I debated. The cover is gorgeous and the synopsis sounded very intriguing to me. After a little more debating, I took the plunge. Best decision ever! I really didn't want this book to end. I didn't want to set it down. I just wanted to stay immersed in it and the three storylines. It was such a beautiful read. The way the author gives us a little teasing glimpse of the castle at the beginning then whisks us away and dips us into three storylines was very well done. Each of the three stories being told throughout the novel don't seem very connected other than the castle, but the further the stories evolve, the more they are interconnected. I couldn't read fast enough to watch it all play out and see how the author was going to connect certain aspects. Very well written. Beautiful writing for sure.
You might be a little unsure at the beginning for what is happening because each chapter gives us a short glimpse into one story then we're pulled from that and put into another story. After the initial introduction of each story, the continuing chapters start off with a glimpse of that story's characters' past, then halfway through, the chapter jumps back to the current time for their story. Hopefully that makes sense. Maybe it would be better to say that each chapter shows two different moments in time for that particular story and characters. Don't skip ahead, just enjoy the journey. We have a modern-day story, a story set during WWII and a story set during the opening of the French Revolution. And yes, it all revolves around the castle, three women, and three beautiful hearts.
Ellie is our modern day story heroine. She is on a race against time. Her grandmother has dementia and is declining quickly. She is terrified, she is hopeful, she is willing to do anything to have a moment with her grandmother one last time before she is gone forever. When her grandma starts talking about the Sleeping Beauty's castle and the fairy tale, Ellie is unsure what to think about it. But her grandma seems to have a strong moment of clarity that Ellie knows it is important. She soon finds herself setting out on the adventure of a lifetime. What she might find scares her, what she might lose scares her, what she stumbles upon completely touches her heart and soul. But finding a way to uncover everything about it is crucial and proving very impossible. Will the people at the estate next to the Sleeping Beauty castle help her? Will they have the answers she needs or will she return home unable to solve the story her grandmother sent her to discover?
Lady is our heroine for the World War II story. She has many hidden secrets. She's in danger. When she encounters a beautiful, hidden and sleeping castle she can't help but stop. Yet, she might have just placed herself in more danger stopping than continuing on to her destination. After all the horrors she has been a part of and witnessed, she doesn't know who she can trust and if her heart will ever heal. But the castle calls to her. If she can unlock its secrets maybe, just maybe she can find a way to save herself in the process.
Aveline is our French Revolution heroine. She is about to celebrate her betrothal to Phillippe, the Duc et Vivay's son and become one of the highest ranked aristocrats in the land. Her experiences leading up to the French Revolution have changed her, have shaped and molded her. The night of her engagement ball, the castle is attacked and she is left scarred and needing to discover the depth of her character. What choices will she make to save those she loves, the land she is coming to love, and the man who is coming to heal her inner scars?
Oh, just writing about these characters and rethinking/reliving their stories in my mind right now brings back the beauty of this novel. Definitely lots of suspense, heartache, struggles, healing, love for the land, a beautiful history of a sleeping castle and a story showing how lives and generations can and are connected. We just have to reach out to find them.
Read it! I can't say anything more than that to express how much I recommend this story. Kristy Cambron definitely has a new reader to enjoy her beautiful stories.
Content: Clean. There are moments of peril due to the subject matter of the French Revolution and WWII but nothing graphic. Sweet love stories that are clean, just kissing. Some talk about God but nothing preachy, it fit the stories and time periods very well.
I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
You might be a little unsure at the beginning for what is happening because each chapter gives us a short glimpse into one story then we're pulled from that and put into another story. After the initial introduction of each story, the continuing chapters start off with a glimpse of that story's characters' past, then halfway through, the chapter jumps back to the current time for their story. Hopefully that makes sense. Maybe it would be better to say that each chapter shows two different moments in time for that particular story and characters. Don't skip ahead, just enjoy the journey. We have a modern-day story, a story set during WWII and a story set during the opening of the French Revolution. And yes, it all revolves around the castle, three women, and three beautiful hearts.
Ellie is our modern day story heroine. She is on a race against time. Her grandmother has dementia and is declining quickly. She is terrified, she is hopeful, she is willing to do anything to have a moment with her grandmother one last time before she is gone forever. When her grandma starts talking about the Sleeping Beauty's castle and the fairy tale, Ellie is unsure what to think about it. But her grandma seems to have a strong moment of clarity that Ellie knows it is important. She soon finds herself setting out on the adventure of a lifetime. What she might find scares her, what she might lose scares her, what she stumbles upon completely touches her heart and soul. But finding a way to uncover everything about it is crucial and proving very impossible. Will the people at the estate next to the Sleeping Beauty castle help her? Will they have the answers she needs or will she return home unable to solve the story her grandmother sent her to discover?
Lady is our heroine for the World War II story. She has many hidden secrets. She's in danger. When she encounters a beautiful, hidden and sleeping castle she can't help but stop. Yet, she might have just placed herself in more danger stopping than continuing on to her destination. After all the horrors she has been a part of and witnessed, she doesn't know who she can trust and if her heart will ever heal. But the castle calls to her. If she can unlock its secrets maybe, just maybe she can find a way to save herself in the process.
Aveline is our French Revolution heroine. She is about to celebrate her betrothal to Phillippe, the Duc et Vivay's son and become one of the highest ranked aristocrats in the land. Her experiences leading up to the French Revolution have changed her, have shaped and molded her. The night of her engagement ball, the castle is attacked and she is left scarred and needing to discover the depth of her character. What choices will she make to save those she loves, the land she is coming to love, and the man who is coming to heal her inner scars?
Oh, just writing about these characters and rethinking/reliving their stories in my mind right now brings back the beauty of this novel. Definitely lots of suspense, heartache, struggles, healing, love for the land, a beautiful history of a sleeping castle and a story showing how lives and generations can and are connected. We just have to reach out to find them.
Read it! I can't say anything more than that to express how much I recommend this story. Kristy Cambron definitely has a new reader to enjoy her beautiful stories.
Content: Clean. There are moments of peril due to the subject matter of the French Revolution and WWII but nothing graphic. Sweet love stories that are clean, just kissing. Some talk about God but nothing preachy, it fit the stories and time periods very well.
I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
February 2, 2018
“The Lost Castle” by Kristy Cambron is one of those rare books that I am still thinking about days after I've finished reading it! I had heard so many good things about this author, so when I saw she was writing a story centered on a ruined castle I had to read it! I love castles—my wedding took place in a castle-like building and my dream vacation was to Scotland to see castles, of course!
"The Lost Castle" by Kristy Cambron is the first in the "Lost Castle" series. The beginning immediately draws the reader in with questions and enchantment. Ms. Cambron wows with breathtaking settings and landscapes. She has an eye for detail and includes lavish descriptions of the setting and food (I became very hungry while reading this book!).
The reader is transported from a castle ball, to revolutionary Paris, to French vineyards, to a French chateau and back to present day. There are three different stories going on in this novel, all set in different time periods. It is a bit confusing at times keeping all the storylines and characters straight at first, but by the end Ms. Cambron does an amazing job of weaving all the stories together. The ending is so amazing, with many plot twists and surprises!
Ms. Cambron presents a story that points to the ultimate Story. She shows us through these tales that life is a story we are writing and a gift from God which we cannot waste. We must live each moment to the fullest because we are never guaranteed tomorrow!
Content: This is a clean read. I would give it a PG rating for some violence related to war and a few other things. Some examples are: references to a "dame" and a woman being a "kept" woman, violence related to war, mention of a man drinking himself to death, and a man assesses a woman's figure.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars.
Genre: Christian Fiction; Historical; Romance; Multiple Timelines
I want to thank Kristy Cambron, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
"The Lost Castle" by Kristy Cambron is the first in the "Lost Castle" series. The beginning immediately draws the reader in with questions and enchantment. Ms. Cambron wows with breathtaking settings and landscapes. She has an eye for detail and includes lavish descriptions of the setting and food (I became very hungry while reading this book!).
The reader is transported from a castle ball, to revolutionary Paris, to French vineyards, to a French chateau and back to present day. There are three different stories going on in this novel, all set in different time periods. It is a bit confusing at times keeping all the storylines and characters straight at first, but by the end Ms. Cambron does an amazing job of weaving all the stories together. The ending is so amazing, with many plot twists and surprises!
Ms. Cambron presents a story that points to the ultimate Story. She shows us through these tales that life is a story we are writing and a gift from God which we cannot waste. We must live each moment to the fullest because we are never guaranteed tomorrow!
Content: This is a clean read. I would give it a PG rating for some violence related to war and a few other things. Some examples are: references to a "dame" and a woman being a "kept" woman, violence related to war, mention of a man drinking himself to death, and a man assesses a woman's figure.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars.
Genre: Christian Fiction; Historical; Romance; Multiple Timelines
I want to thank Kristy Cambron, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
December 5, 2017
"But then the brooch, the photo....the discovery of a lost love and the breaking open of a story she'd never known existed. As fairy-tale romances went, Ellie had to admit that finding him in the photo and giving him her grandmother's decades-long answer to a secret proposal was up there"
The three separate time periods --modern day, WWII and the French Resistance and the height of Revolutionary France are interwoven well with the crux of their action emblemized in a decaying castle in the Loire Valley. While the descriptions and historical verisimilitude are exceptional throughout, I found myself a little disappointed when it turned to the modern setting once more. Mostly because Cambron is such a superb historical writer and it is in these instances that her voice truly comes to life and the world is painted in such a deft and intricate way.
Personally, my favourite story was that of Avaline and Robert: the second son of a duke who manages the vineyard in the cottage adjacent the eponymous castle. Their love story was heart tugging and unfolded gracefully and naturally on the page as well as set during a time period I wish was involved more in CBA fiction. Fans (like myself) of the Alice Network will appreciate the tenacity and verve of Vi's mission as well as her budding relationship with Julien.
It is Ellie and Quinn's story that I felt the most detached from ( though Titus' link in the chain that binds the centuries was incredibly poignant. That being said, I fell deeply into this accessible and immensely readable tale. It just meant ( in a good way) that since the interlocking historical events were so heart-pulsing and fascinating, the modern counterpart became ( quite understandably) a duller shade in comparison.
Cambron did well at putting the ticking time of Alzheimers on her modern frame --- comparing its destruction to the wars that threatened the the preceding portions of the complex book.
And some of the words cultivated magic: "Spring was toying with them, keeping Paris under skies of a colourless gray, plaguing the streets with a chilling drizzle that refused to release its steadfast grip in winter."
All in all an exceptionally smart and well-plotted look at an enchanted castle shrouded in an enchanted wood with a keen eye for historical detail and a fresh fuse of imagination. 2 out of the 3 narratives get an A+ for me.
I would love to read more about Avaline and Robert--- that just deserved a novel of its own. Indeed, readers, go find Robert--- he is one of my favourite heroes this year.
read it!
April 30, 2018
Three timelines incredibly and intriguingly woven together bind this story of three women, Ellie (current day), Vi (World War II) and Aveline (French Revolution), who are all connected by their ancestry and tied to the French castle, La Belle au bois dormant or The Sleeping Beauty.
I found the three timelines a bit confusing at first; but once I fell into the rhythm and pattern of the interwoven storylines I found it captivating and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next to each of the women. The three men, Quinn (current), Julien (WWII), and Robert (French Revolution) were all strong, caring Prince Charmings.
This was a well written, well researched blend of the past and present that felt like a fairy tale in itself and spun a web that pulled me into the story so much that when it was finished I wanted to hop on the first plane and find this wonderful castle. Definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I found the three timelines a bit confusing at first; but once I fell into the rhythm and pattern of the interwoven storylines I found it captivating and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next to each of the women. The three men, Quinn (current), Julien (WWII), and Robert (French Revolution) were all strong, caring Prince Charmings.
This was a well written, well researched blend of the past and present that felt like a fairy tale in itself and spun a web that pulled me into the story so much that when it was finished I wanted to hop on the first plane and find this wonderful castle. Definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
February 10, 2018
I wouldn’t be able to choose a favorite storyline woven expertly through this book if forced, and that, dear friends, is the mark of a truly terrific split-story novel. Each thread, whether taking the reader through revolutionary France, the resistance during the Second World War, or lead by the heart of a loving granddaughter , I was immersed and enchanted. If I could board a plane for France right this minute, I would. These stories will stay with me long after turning the last page and I can’t wait to return and visit the characters who’ve become my new friends.
August 14, 2019
4.5
Reading Challenge Categories:
-Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book you think should be turned into a movie
Reading Challenge Categories:
-Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book you think should be turned into a movie
October 10, 2018
2.5 stars
Review and Cleanliness Report coming soon!
Review and Cleanliness Report coming soon!
March 10, 2018
I was intrigued by the beginning of this novel and was soon swept away by the loveliness of the ethereal setting I found within its pages.
Three women. Three different time periods. Each of them equally captivating.
Kristy has taken her writing to a whole new level with this novel. I was blown away by the characters and the beautiful cadence of their stories. This book warmed my heart with contentment each time I opened its pages to discover a little more of the story it holds within. I was especially touched by a scarf, a brooch, a portrait, and one larger-than-life fairy-tale castle and the significance they each play in the book and in the character’s lives.
And now, I sit happily and eagerly as I wait for the next book in this series.
*I am on the author’s launch team and was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.*
Review originally posted on https://bookshelvesandwindows.wordpre....
Three women. Three different time periods. Each of them equally captivating.
Kristy has taken her writing to a whole new level with this novel. I was blown away by the characters and the beautiful cadence of their stories. This book warmed my heart with contentment each time I opened its pages to discover a little more of the story it holds within. I was especially touched by a scarf, a brooch, a portrait, and one larger-than-life fairy-tale castle and the significance they each play in the book and in the character’s lives.
And now, I sit happily and eagerly as I wait for the next book in this series.
*I am on the author’s launch team and was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.*
Review originally posted on https://bookshelvesandwindows.wordpre....
October 1, 2021
I have had this book for far too long on my Kindle. I did enjoy it very much though. I think I enjoyed the second (Lady Vi's story) and the third (Ellie's story) timelines the best as I tend to connect to WWII timelines the best. I was having a hard time connecting the first timeline (Aveline's story) to the rest of the storylines. I did like the connection Aveline had with Robert and how he saw her from the inside, not what she looked like on the outside. So for that aspect, I did like the first storyline.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to more of this trilogy. I am giving this book 4 stars, I did enjoy it, but because I had difficulty with the first timeline.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to more of this trilogy. I am giving this book 4 stars, I did enjoy it, but because I had difficulty with the first timeline.
November 7, 2020
I can see why people love this book. The writing is strong, and all of the characters are interesting and likable. It’s centered around a castle, and it transports us to vineyards in France which all felt dreamy. Although I did enjoy the story, I personally struggled with the three different story lines that were not told in chronological order. It just felt like it was a little too much for a novel of this size. I enjoy time slip novels, but this one, although told well, made me loose my connection to the characters.
I’m glad I read it though. It is a good story. There were times that I even thought it would make an interesting movie. I think I enjoyed the 1700’s time slip story with Lady Aveline the most. I would have enjoyed an entire story with just those characters.
I’m glad I read it though. It is a good story. There were times that I even thought it would make an interesting movie. I think I enjoyed the 1700’s time slip story with Lady Aveline the most. I would have enjoyed an entire story with just those characters.
April 10, 2018
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which did NOT have to be positive. What follows are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Stylistically written, The Lost Castle is an immersive trio of stories surrounding events that occur around the mysterious lost castle. I especially liked how there were several things that showed up in each of the ladies' POVs. From the vineyards to the paintings to the landscapes, the scenes were exquisitely designed and intricately decorated. The characters' personalities really popped off the pages, making them come to life and nearly step from the book into my living room -- or so it felt.
It took me until chapter five to feel settled into the rhythm of this story. At times, the story was a bit tricky to follow, but I caught back up to it fairly quickly. I'm thinking a second read-through might be in order to fully understand everything. Especially the late-1700s-era scenes. Those were a bit heavier in politics than I'd prefer, so I think I'll need to at least go back and read those bits again to better understand Aveline's journey. The WWII scenes featuring Vi were incredible. Her arc was my favorite of the three POV ladies, by far. In each of Aveline's, Vi's, and Ellie's journeys, I experienced heartbreak, joy, compassion, and a host of other incredible emotions.
Possibly the most fun part of this book was uncovering the secrets of the lost castle. Ellie was a great hostess for that particular part of her journey, and I enjoyed trying along with her to figure out everything.
There were a few shadows that darkened this book a smidge for me (which is why I'm only giving it four stars instead of five). First, there were two instances of taking the Lord's name in vain. This shocked me, because the author is known for her faith and deep diving into God's Word. I'm hoping these were mere lapses in focus or something, rather than meant from her heart.
Secondly, an apostle's and a saint's name were used as expletives once each. Along with another expletive and an expletive phrase, these disappointed me. They don't belong in Christian fiction books, which are meant to honor God. That type of language doesn't do that. Again, I'm hoping this won't become a habit for Ms. Cambron, as I love her emotional stories and would hate to have to give them up.
Thirdly, there were many terms used in eras prior to their existence. Most of those occurred in the late-1770s-era scenes, but there were one or two in the WWII scenes as well. Perhaps this won't bother a lot of other readers, but it's always been one of my pet peeves, even more so after I became a copyeditor, as finding these types of words is part of my job so that books can shine their brightest without interrupting the rate-of-reading flow for its readers.
Here are examples of the time-inappropriate word choices, with their date of origin in parentheses.
Used in the late-1700s scenes:
accelerant (1854)
pigmentation (1866)
ongoing (1877)
fairy-tale (as an adjective; 1963)
upkeep (1849)
primping (1801)
alright (1884; not widely accepted even now)
sideways (as an adjective; 1844)
leastways (1825)
solidarity (1829)
flip-flop (reversal of direction; 1900)
fusing (unite by melting together; 1817)
Used in the WWII scenes:
nosh (1957)
wicked-smart (1960s)
Note on "wicked smart": According to online sources, this type of usage of "wicked" to mean "really" was used in New England during the 1960s, but it has since honed nearly solely to Boston, Massachusetts. The character that used it in the WWII scenes was from England. That made the phrase "wicked smart" feel out of place as well as time.
A couple of times, the wrong word was used:
"aghast" instead of "agape"
"legionaire ants" instead of "legionary ants"
Other content:
* alcohol
* pubs
* a pub T-shirt
* tobacco products
Overall, this book was amazing. The characters' journeys were each ones that I loved. In fact, I loved them so much that I wished each had been written in its own volume, which would have made for an epic trilogy within the Lost Castle series. After having read this first installment, I'm definitely looking forward to the next one. It's going to be challenging to wait to see what happens next in this series until book two releases.
Stylistically written, The Lost Castle is an immersive trio of stories surrounding events that occur around the mysterious lost castle. I especially liked how there were several things that showed up in each of the ladies' POVs. From the vineyards to the paintings to the landscapes, the scenes were exquisitely designed and intricately decorated. The characters' personalities really popped off the pages, making them come to life and nearly step from the book into my living room -- or so it felt.
It took me until chapter five to feel settled into the rhythm of this story. At times, the story was a bit tricky to follow, but I caught back up to it fairly quickly. I'm thinking a second read-through might be in order to fully understand everything. Especially the late-1700s-era scenes. Those were a bit heavier in politics than I'd prefer, so I think I'll need to at least go back and read those bits again to better understand Aveline's journey. The WWII scenes featuring Vi were incredible. Her arc was my favorite of the three POV ladies, by far. In each of Aveline's, Vi's, and Ellie's journeys, I experienced heartbreak, joy, compassion, and a host of other incredible emotions.
Possibly the most fun part of this book was uncovering the secrets of the lost castle. Ellie was a great hostess for that particular part of her journey, and I enjoyed trying along with her to figure out everything.
There were a few shadows that darkened this book a smidge for me (which is why I'm only giving it four stars instead of five). First, there were two instances of taking the Lord's name in vain. This shocked me, because the author is known for her faith and deep diving into God's Word. I'm hoping these were mere lapses in focus or something, rather than meant from her heart.
Secondly, an apostle's and a saint's name were used as expletives once each. Along with another expletive and an expletive phrase, these disappointed me. They don't belong in Christian fiction books, which are meant to honor God. That type of language doesn't do that. Again, I'm hoping this won't become a habit for Ms. Cambron, as I love her emotional stories and would hate to have to give them up.
Thirdly, there were many terms used in eras prior to their existence. Most of those occurred in the late-1770s-era scenes, but there were one or two in the WWII scenes as well. Perhaps this won't bother a lot of other readers, but it's always been one of my pet peeves, even more so after I became a copyeditor, as finding these types of words is part of my job so that books can shine their brightest without interrupting the rate-of-reading flow for its readers.
Here are examples of the time-inappropriate word choices, with their date of origin in parentheses.
Used in the late-1700s scenes:
accelerant (1854)
pigmentation (1866)
ongoing (1877)
fairy-tale (as an adjective; 1963)
upkeep (1849)
primping (1801)
alright (1884; not widely accepted even now)
sideways (as an adjective; 1844)
leastways (1825)
solidarity (1829)
flip-flop (reversal of direction; 1900)
fusing (unite by melting together; 1817)
Used in the WWII scenes:
nosh (1957)
wicked-smart (1960s)
Note on "wicked smart": According to online sources, this type of usage of "wicked" to mean "really" was used in New England during the 1960s, but it has since honed nearly solely to Boston, Massachusetts. The character that used it in the WWII scenes was from England. That made the phrase "wicked smart" feel out of place as well as time.
A couple of times, the wrong word was used:
"aghast" instead of "agape"
"legionaire ants" instead of "legionary ants"
Other content:
* alcohol
* pubs
* a pub T-shirt
* tobacco products
Overall, this book was amazing. The characters' journeys were each ones that I loved. In fact, I loved them so much that I wished each had been written in its own volume, which would have made for an epic trilogy within the Lost Castle series. After having read this first installment, I'm definitely looking forward to the next one. It's going to be challenging to wait to see what happens next in this series until book two releases.
April 11, 2020
An interwoven story of three resilient women in different time periods centered around a storybook castle.
Set in France's Loire Valley in the midst of the vineyards that France is known for. Hidden amongst the grape orchards is the remnants of The Sleeping Beauty, a castle named for the famous fairytale.
Present day. Ellie Carver flies to France on a whim, trying to unravel the story of a picture of her grandmother and a handsome stranger. Her grandmother has Alzheimer's and Ellie is searching for clues to her family's history. What is her grandmother's connection to the castle?
1944. Lady Vi, Ellie's grandmother, on the run from the Nazis, stumbles into a cathedral seeking shelter. There she encounters a winemaker who vows to keep her safe, and is soon brought into the cause of the French Resistance.
1789. Aveline Sainte-Moreau is soon to be married and is awaiting to be presented at a ball being held in The Sleeping Beauty. Danger abounds for the privileged in the midst of the French Revolution, and the castle is stormed as the party begins, putting Aveline's life at risk.
As the story unfolds, I learned of the bravery and strength of each woman, as their backgrounds are revealed. A bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and a bit of history all encompassed in a magical castle.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Set in France's Loire Valley in the midst of the vineyards that France is known for. Hidden amongst the grape orchards is the remnants of The Sleeping Beauty, a castle named for the famous fairytale.
Present day. Ellie Carver flies to France on a whim, trying to unravel the story of a picture of her grandmother and a handsome stranger. Her grandmother has Alzheimer's and Ellie is searching for clues to her family's history. What is her grandmother's connection to the castle?
1944. Lady Vi, Ellie's grandmother, on the run from the Nazis, stumbles into a cathedral seeking shelter. There she encounters a winemaker who vows to keep her safe, and is soon brought into the cause of the French Resistance.
1789. Aveline Sainte-Moreau is soon to be married and is awaiting to be presented at a ball being held in The Sleeping Beauty. Danger abounds for the privileged in the midst of the French Revolution, and the castle is stormed as the party begins, putting Aveline's life at risk.
As the story unfolds, I learned of the bravery and strength of each woman, as their backgrounds are revealed. A bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and a bit of history all encompassed in a magical castle.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
February 9, 2018
A story unknown; a castle ruin with a secret held; and the captivating history of three women connected in a provincial fairytale landscaped through revolt and war. I was intrigued from the very beginning as three timelines begin the tale a single mystical character--a castle.
Set in France, the attention to setting transported me instantly to the French country side where foxes playfully weave through ripened vineyards of The Sleeping Beauty castle, Château des Doux-Rêves. I love how easily I was integrated into the story though it did take me several chapters to get acquainted with the flow of timelines. I loved the different plot lines and felt like it satisfied so many of my favorite genres proving Ms. Cambron is a masterful storyteller.
I enjoyed the formidable romances developed among characters of strength giving me cause to root for their happily-ever-after. The complexity of each plot entwined with enough suspense, drama, and mystery offering a page turning story impossible to put down.
The Lost Castle satisfied my book loving heart immensely. This is one of those books I'll happily and enthusiastically recommend whenever possible.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Set in France, the attention to setting transported me instantly to the French country side where foxes playfully weave through ripened vineyards of The Sleeping Beauty castle, Château des Doux-Rêves. I love how easily I was integrated into the story though it did take me several chapters to get acquainted with the flow of timelines. I loved the different plot lines and felt like it satisfied so many of my favorite genres proving Ms. Cambron is a masterful storyteller.
I enjoyed the formidable romances developed among characters of strength giving me cause to root for their happily-ever-after. The complexity of each plot entwined with enough suspense, drama, and mystery offering a page turning story impossible to put down.
The Lost Castle satisfied my book loving heart immensely. This is one of those books I'll happily and enthusiastically recommend whenever possible.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
April 8, 2018
Bien joue (Well done).
Three story lines are beautifully blended together in The Lost Castle. A castle in Loire Valley, France is the connector between the three.
In the late 18th century, Aveline is surviving as a member of the upper class during the revolution. In 1944, Violet is trying to escape capture by the Nazis and in the present day Ellie is clinging to her grandmother who is the last of Ellie's family. In each story line suspense and courage fill the pages.
The Lost Castle took this reader on a splendid journey. I look forward to what the next in the series will bring.
My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
Three story lines are beautifully blended together in The Lost Castle. A castle in Loire Valley, France is the connector between the three.
In the late 18th century, Aveline is surviving as a member of the upper class during the revolution. In 1944, Violet is trying to escape capture by the Nazis and in the present day Ellie is clinging to her grandmother who is the last of Ellie's family. In each story line suspense and courage fill the pages.
The Lost Castle took this reader on a splendid journey. I look forward to what the next in the series will bring.
My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
June 21, 2018
This book is beautifully written, with excellent character development, poetic descriptions, fascinating history, and enough mystery and action to keep the pages turning quickly. But it has 3 separate timelines to keep track of - and it slips between time periods even within those 3 timelines! It was too much for me. I couldn't remember each character's back story and felt like the romantic relationships didn't have enough time to fully develop since there were three of them sharing the space of one book. But I stayed up until 1 am to finish it, so it obviously was worth reading.
Also, of note: I started this book as an audio book and loved the narrator. She was great at differentiating between characters without sounding ridiculous and was amazing at all the different accents. I only finished it as an ebook because I can read faster than I can listen, and I was impatient to see what happened!
Also, of note: I started this book as an audio book and loved the narrator. She was great at differentiating between characters without sounding ridiculous and was amazing at all the different accents. I only finished it as an ebook because I can read faster than I can listen, and I was impatient to see what happened!
April 11, 2018
After the last time I got burned on a historical novel, I was wary to start a new one, but
The Lost Castle did not disappoint!
It will transport you to the beautiful French countryside to uncover some secrets in the past with a slow burn story and a very light, unassuming romance. You can also read this review on my blog.
The History Of The Lost Castle, Bit By Bit
The way the story is told is really comfortable, not too tense, not too slow. It's told in three timelines - Ellie's (present day), Lady Vi's (World War II) and Avaline's (taking of the Bastille). This is one of those historical novels where you truly do piece things together as the story goes, and it is well done. I was incredibly surprised that the author managed to get me to love a WWII story - I am usually not a fan of those. I think it's because it's not focused on bleakness and suffering - on the contrary, the main things are the fighting spirit, resistance, on belief that everything will be well. The writing also very good - not frilly, it's actually quite simple - but it will conjure up vivid vistas of the French countryside and the castle. I felt transported!
The Women Are No Wallflowers
Indeed, they are no wallflowers and no damsels (women being damsels is usually my problem with historical novels!) No, these women - all three of them - are capable and strong, easy to believe and not just surface-deep. Ellie has spunk and curiosity, Lady Vi has bravery and the will to risk things to fight for what she believes in, and Avaline has incredible integrity and the ability to remain stoic in the face of adversity. I really appreciated these female characters!
Low-key Romance
If you've read my reviews before, you might be aware of the fact that I don't like steamy or very prominent romance. I don't mind romance - but for me, it's got to be the zing of the story. The cherry on top - the sprinkling of cinammon. But definitely not the main piece. I was very lucky with The Lost Castle! The romance here is so unassuming and clean - it also takes the backseat to the main story. I found this really tasteful and well done. In the end, all the romances are sweet, and
Speaking Of The Ending And Some Other Stuff
The Lost Castle has the loveliest author's note I've ever seen - with everything about which parts of the story were invented, and which parts were not, and even which dramatic events were taken from the author's actual experiences, which I found very touching. The ending itself might also bring a tear to your eye. It's a mixture of sad and happy, and all in all, it's a very, very satisfying one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Read Post On My Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
The History Of The Lost Castle, Bit By Bit
The way the story is told is really comfortable, not too tense, not too slow. It's told in three timelines - Ellie's (present day), Lady Vi's (World War II) and Avaline's (taking of the Bastille). This is one of those historical novels where you truly do piece things together as the story goes, and it is well done. I was incredibly surprised that the author managed to get me to love a WWII story - I am usually not a fan of those. I think it's because it's not focused on bleakness and suffering - on the contrary, the main things are the fighting spirit, resistance, on belief that everything will be well. The writing also very good - not frilly, it's actually quite simple - but it will conjure up vivid vistas of the French countryside and the castle. I felt transported!
The Women Are No Wallflowers
Indeed, they are no wallflowers and no damsels (women being damsels is usually my problem with historical novels!) No, these women - all three of them - are capable and strong, easy to believe and not just surface-deep. Ellie has spunk and curiosity, Lady Vi has bravery and the will to risk things to fight for what she believes in, and Avaline has incredible integrity and the ability to remain stoic in the face of adversity. I really appreciated these female characters!
Low-key Romance
If you've read my reviews before, you might be aware of the fact that I don't like steamy or very prominent romance. I don't mind romance - but for me, it's got to be the zing of the story. The cherry on top - the sprinkling of cinammon. But definitely not the main piece. I was very lucky with The Lost Castle! The romance here is so unassuming and clean - it also takes the backseat to the main story. I found this really tasteful and well done. In the end, all the romances are sweet, and
Speaking Of The Ending And Some Other Stuff
The Lost Castle has the loveliest author's note I've ever seen - with everything about which parts of the story were invented, and which parts were not, and even which dramatic events were taken from the author's actual experiences, which I found very touching. The ending itself might also bring a tear to your eye. It's a mixture of sad and happy, and all in all, it's a very, very satisfying one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Read Post On My Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
June 25, 2018
Well, well, well. Guess who finally finished a book?? It's been OVER A MONTH since this has happened. Maybe my slump is finally over? *crosses fingers*
So I'm a wee bit conflicted here.
Lovely Things:
- French countryside *heart-eyes*
- basically all the descriptions were eye candy & I completely lost myself in the beauty of them
- this book makes me miss France so freaking much
- the characters were SPOT. ON.
- all three timelines (French Revolution, WWII, and modern day) were all super interesting & I almost never lost interest
- THE CHARACTERS. Have I mentioned how much I liked these characters??
- Julien and Vi are my OTP <3
- and so are Quinn and Ellie
- shoot, I love them all
- the writing style is kinda gorgeous
- THAT SCENE WITH VI AND HER BROTHER *sobs*
- I'm kind of in love with allllll the WWII scenes, to be honest
- oh, also pain au chocolat *grins*
Not-So-Lovely Things:
- it just kind of lacked . . . the magic I expected. It didn't make me connect like Kristy Cambron's books normally do. I felt a little detached at the end.
-
- there were some awkward sentences throughout the book
- parts of the plot didn't entirely make sense
- there was a mistake with the dates in at least one chapter
- honestly, there wasn't enough detail for each timeline and things felt pretty rushed. Which makes sense, considering there are three timelines It would have made the book flow better if there had only been two.
- like I said, it just didn't make me FEEL as deeply as it should have. The themes didn't resonate with me all that much, and though I really liked the characters, I didn't fall in love with them. Something's just missing.
Overall? I really enjoyed this, but I feel slightly let down. It missed the magic I've come to expect with Kristy's books. I'm left feeling like I missed something important. Still, I enjoyed the book and it made me miss France hardcore. Kristy definitely has a knack for creating realistic characters and crafting beautiful settings that transport you to another world!
3.5 stars
So I'm a wee bit conflicted here.
Lovely Things:
- French countryside *heart-eyes*
- basically all the descriptions were eye candy & I completely lost myself in the beauty of them
- this book makes me miss France so freaking much
- the characters were SPOT. ON.
- all three timelines (French Revolution, WWII, and modern day) were all super interesting & I almost never lost interest
- THE CHARACTERS. Have I mentioned how much I liked these characters??
- Julien and Vi are my OTP <3
- and so are Quinn and Ellie
- shoot, I love them all
- the writing style is kinda gorgeous
- THAT SCENE WITH VI AND HER BROTHER *sobs*
- I'm kind of in love with allllll the WWII scenes, to be honest
- oh, also pain au chocolat *grins*
Not-So-Lovely Things:
- it just kind of lacked . . . the magic I expected. It didn't make me connect like Kristy Cambron's books normally do. I felt a little detached at the end.
-
- there were some awkward sentences throughout the book
- parts of the plot didn't entirely make sense
- there was a mistake with the dates in at least one chapter
- honestly, there wasn't enough detail for each timeline and things felt pretty rushed. Which makes sense, considering there are three timelines It would have made the book flow better if there had only been two.
- like I said, it just didn't make me FEEL as deeply as it should have. The themes didn't resonate with me all that much, and though I really liked the characters, I didn't fall in love with them. Something's just missing.
Overall? I really enjoyed this, but I feel slightly let down. It missed the magic I've come to expect with Kristy's books. I'm left feeling like I missed something important. Still, I enjoyed the book and it made me miss France hardcore. Kristy definitely has a knack for creating realistic characters and crafting beautiful settings that transport you to another world!
3.5 stars
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