Not sure why i requested this novel, on reflection not something i can see myself reading or reviewing. thank you anyway.

This novel is unique in that it has three story-lines in different time periods all happening at once, plus it highlights strong female characters.

I have read and enjoyed books by Kristy Cambron in the past. She is a wonderful author and writes about subject matter that is appealing to a diverse audience. This book, however, is something special.

The cover is beautiful and is what originally brought the book to my attention. Then, I saw who the author was and knew I had to read it. The story, which captured my attention from the start, tells the tale of three women in three eras — French Revolution, World War II, and present day. However, for me, the main character really is the castle — La Belle au bois dormant, The Sleeping Beauty. It’s the one constant throughout the book. Some books told in different time periods can be confusing, but, Kristy Cambron transitions seamlessly between the three with no distractions.

The book genre is Historical Christian Fiction. There is not any religious content other than perhaps prayer and talk of God. There is kissing, but no sex, and no strong language. Even is you aren’t inclined toward Christian books, you will still enjoy this one. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and can’t wait for the next in the series.

Kristy Cambron's newest novel, The Lost Castle is a winning read! A triple time story set in modern day, World War II and the French revolution. It is centered around a medieval castle in the French Loire Valley. Cambron's story reads smoothly as she doesn't spend too much time on one storyline before moving to another. It flows well. Her subject matter is compelling. One subject it tackles which affects so many of us in our 21st century world when our elders are living longer lives and afflicted with dementias such as Alzheimer's. Our modern-day heroine Ellison finds herself in the long goodbye of her beloved and only living relative Grandmother Vi, who has been not only a Grandmother but also parented her due to the tragic loss of her parents as a young child. Ellie's Grandmother Vi's story is told amidst the French resistance during World War 2. The origins of the castle and the beginning of its story is set during the time of the French revolution.

The castle is set in the lush French countryside surrounded by vineyards and wine production is detailed. The theme of God's generational faithfulness is weaved through the story as well as the need of discovering one's purpose in this world.

Kristy kept me intrigued the whole way through as I pondered the mystery of how the three stories would intersect and the answer to the underlying question of just who was the modern day owner of the castle?

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion.

I loved this book. It was enchanting and haunting, I thought about it when I wasn't reading it and couldn't wait to get back to reading it, I was sorry when I was done. What a lovely story, that mixes fact and fiction, in such a beautiful place as the Loire Valley. I loved all three stories and they way they were told, how each tale enhanced the next. Aveline, Vi and Ellie were such strong, brave women, each in their own way. I cannot wait to read the next book, "Castle on the Rise" in the Lost Castle series.

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron is a novel set in many different time periods. To be honest, at first I found it difficult to follow the three stories in this book, set in three different time periods. I had my doubts about this book, but I am so glad I kept reading! The mysterious castle links the stories and the three women together. The castle itself almost becomes another character in this book and takes on a life of its own. I loved the bits of history in the book along with its incredible settings that came alive without tedious descriptions. The characters themselves were strong women, and I loved that. This book is full of romance and mystery and real historical events. It is the story of overcoming the odds and rising up again. I highly recommend this novel. It will keep you up later than you want to stay up! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

“Broken-down walls and crumbled stones seemed to possess a secret language all their own. What stories would they tell, if she finally listened?”

A castle lost to time, a family mystery, a grandmother ravaged by the disease of Alzheimer’s, a girl seeking to discover her family’s history and a journey that bridges past and present to change her forever. All of these elements combine to form a beautiful story of love, loss, and war that inspires a legacy of faith that extends to now and all future generations.

This story follows Ellie Carver a young girl caring for her grandmother who is suffering from the ravages of Alzheimer’s. As she visits her grandmothers bedside one day, she expects her to be silently lost in the world of her mind, but instead her grandmother begins speaking of a secret past, a lost love, a enchanted castle and a hidden chapel that played a special role in the French resistance during WWII. As Ellie is drawn in by her grandmothers words, and the mystery surrounding the castle she embarks on a journey that will take her to the Loire valley of France and lead her to discover who she truly is.

Bridging the past and present, this story is told between three time periods, the French Revolution, WWII, and present day. Cambron is a masterful story teller whose sense of environment and place really sets the scene for the reader. Her descriptive prose and attention to even the smallest detail, really brings each historical period to life. The character development of Ellie and her journey of self-discovery was one of the best parts of this book and the way in which she weaves the historical time periods together comes together nicely in the end to deliver a satisfying conclusion.

The one main complaint I have, was also one of the things, that as far as the development of the story goes, was the most successful. The waffling between three time periods often made me loose track of where in the story I was. It also felt like every time I got interested in one plot it would switch to another. Two different plots are hard to handle, three may have just been one to many to keep track of.

Overall this story was descriptively gorgeous, and though it isn’t without its mistakes, I loved the story as a whole and thought it came together nicely in the end. I give this book a solid 4 stars.

Thank you to #netgalley and Thomas Nelson publishers for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This historical novel was packed with history from the French Revolution and WWII. Strong make characters throughout tried to take care of the women. Each of the main ladies were strong-minded and very capable. The trouble I had was the three different time periods meshed together. I felt it didn't flow as well and sometimes abruptly changed from one period to the next. This was an interesting book and I know many will enjoy the romance of a lost castle.

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron was not what I had expected when I started it, but it was wonderful.  I had not looked into what the story was about, or even read the back of the cover, so I did not realize that it was a split-time story.  Now, if you've followed me for a little while you may know that I am NOT a fan of multiple time periods in one book.  I think they're confusing and jump around too much, not giving you adequate time to get to know the characters in each time period.  So I groaned aloud when I caught on that this book didn't just have two different time periods to keep up with, it had three.  I thought to myself, "This is going to be too much to juggle!" But I kept reading anyway, determined to give it a fair shot because I like Kristy Cambron's writings.

I'm pleased to tell you that it paid off! The book weaves together the stories of a girl during the French revolution, one during World War II, and present day, all centering around the setting of a, you guessed it, "lost castle" in France.  (Within these three time periods, there are flashbacks, making it more like five or six different ones to keep up with.)  Being a big fan of the book and TV series "Poldark" and having just finished the book Code Name Verity, I was familiar with both the French revolution time period as well as the SOE operatives during WWII.

Despite my lack of fondness for split-time stories, this book was excellent.  It is significantly easier to keep up with the time and characters if you read it over a short period of time.  The characters draw you in and I found myself reading several chapters of one character and then going back and reading through the next character's chapters instead of reading the book in the order it was written.  The story does a really good job of weaving itself together though and making sense, despite the jumping around.  I would recommend this to historical fiction fans, as the historical aspects were fascinating.  I did really enjoy this read once I got over my prejudice of the time-jumping. :)

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.  All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.

*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.*

Love. Castle. French countryside. Vineyards. If you enjoy these things, you'd enjoy The Lost Castle.

The Lost Castle is a love story that spans over two hundred years, where the 13th century castle Chateau de Doux Reves or The Sleeping Beauty (shared the same name as Perrault's famous fairy tale) in Loire Valley is the pivotal connection in these generations. The story is told in three different timelines: 1789 - French Revolution; 1944 - WWII; present & centers around the lives of Aveline, Lady Viola Hart & Ellie Carver. When Grandma Vi's health is failing, Ellie made an intrepid decision, embarking a journey to France hoping to uncover the secrets of the Sleeping Beauty castle; the castle which Grandma Vi holds dear to her heart. Why is the castle so important to her grandma? What is the connection of the castle to her family history? Most importantly, Ellie has promised her Grandma to search for the man in the photo to give him her grandma's decades-long answer to his secret proposal. It is a moving tale about family history & secrets, love lost & won, and God's faithfulness through the generations.

I always enjoyed multi-generational story and what sets this story apart is the three different timeline:- 1789, 1944 & present. Truth be told, it was frustrating & confusing in the beginning. I struggled in the first few chapters, trying to get used to the timelines, as I am used to reading books with two timelines. But Cambron did an excellent job in keeping me engaged & interested throughout the book through her evocative writing & intriguing plot. She held my interest as I simply can't wait to discover the connection of the castle in these 3 different women lives. So yes, there is definitely a good story build up and no plot holes! Moreover, despite the 3 timelines, Cambron managed to weave them together seamlessly through her mellifluous storytelling! It blew my mind!

Cambron's atmospheric writing is unbelievable! She transported me back to 1789 & 1944 effortlessly. I felt I was there with Aveline & Viola and she definitely brought the story alive! Her descriptions of vineyards, farms & market in France in Ellie's timeline is astounding! After finishing this book, I felt l just had a holiday in France! Yes, Cambron has proved herself to be one talented writer.

Characters are well-developed as equal attention was given to them despite the 3 different timelines. Likeable characters with the exception of Aveline's father, Baron Evrard Sainte-Moreau. Cambron is able to build connections between the characters and her readers. I like the personalities of all the 3 women - Aveline, Viola & Ellie. Strong yet full of grace, empathetic & sacrificial are the traits that made these characters so endearing.

Because this is a Christian historical fiction, the romance is light & not overwhelming. It leans more to sweetness & respectful kind of romance. No profanity of language too. There were references made to God and I appreciate it!

One of my favourite passages:
" 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 immoveable. Steady. Watching from a distance, yet ever-involved. A bit like your lost castle, hmmm? "

One of my favourite quotes:
"Violets bring the most remarkable colour to the places that have none. I think they're God's gift to a burdened world."


My only issue with this book is the timeline. As I mentioned earlier, it has 3 different timelines with different eras. I struggled at first, and it got a little overwhelming when the years in each era, were not in chronological order too. So I have to keep referring to the year at the beginning of the chapter so I won't get lost in the story!

In a nutshell, albeit a slow burn story (which certainly requires readers to exercise some patience), Cambron's evocative & atmospheric writing will keep readers engaged throughout the book. A simple yet intriguing plot, the story will definitely captivate you with its alluring power to keep you reading. Just like some wine that gets better as it ages, so does The Lost Castle - it gets better as you read on. In the end, you just want to stay lost in this story for a long time and never leave. An astounding read!

*** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron is a wonderful read! I loved the three different time periods that the book takes place in all about the castle and the people connected to it. Beautiful and emotional romances and sacrificial love set during turbulent times. Very descriptive as all of Kristy's books are. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron is a wonderful read! I loved the three different time periods that the book takes place in all about the castle and the people connected to it. Beautiful and emotional romances and sacrificial love set during turbulent times. Very descriptive as all of Kristy's books are. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am not usually one to love split time novels, as I usually dislike having to keep track of multiple storylines. However, this book is above and beyond any other split time story I have read. The author does a fantastic job of weaving together the storylines in such a seamless fashion that it makes the novel easy to read and enjoy. I found the history from three very different time periods to be incredibly fascinating and, as a result, the book was difficult to put down! The author did a great job with her research. The love story entwined in each time period was romantically interwoven among such an interesting setting, a castle full of broken and triumphant history, a perfect metaphor for the characters’ lives. There were also twists and unexpected surprises. I very much enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Most highly recommended!

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.

Ellie's grandmother is all the family she's got - unfortunately, grandma has Alzheimer's and is slowly, but surely disappearing. However, one day Ellie finds her really worried about something, and in a flash of clarity, her grandmother uncovers a secret about a man she loved before she was married to Ellie's grandfather. Lady Vi is feeling a lot of anxiety over this story, and Ellie knows nothing about it - so she follows the only lead she can and that takes her to The Lost Castle - the crumbled remains of a beautiful building in rural France, with a history, and also with a secretive owner who doesn't want anyone snooping around.

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 [spoiler]we even get a satisfying ending! Which is not a thing that can be said about a lot of 'past romance sequences' in historical books.[/spoiler]
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. Also, let me share my favorite quote:
"I think all along, it's what she was trying to tell me. That the story we're writing in this life, day by day, it's a gift from God and we can't afford to waste a moment of it."
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was an interesting one. I was excited to receive it because the cover was just beautiful and I had seen social media posts about it in several places.

First off, I love how Kristy begins the Prologue with Isaiah 58:12. Just a special passage of mine that is meant to bring hope to the Israelites in a desperate time.

I appreciate the effort Cambron went into in order to write a detailed story spanning the French Revolution, WWII, and present day. She combines several different eras and weaves them all into one story with all the loose ends tied up. I love Aveline's character. She's brought up royally, but doesn't allow that to impede her courtesy and love for others, along with practicality for herself. Robert's relationship with her is one that I love as well. He cares for her when she comes into danger and treats her respectfully, allowing to find her own interests and desires whether or not they coincide with his. Quinn, also, with Ellie, causes her to think, yet enables her to grow her trust of him in small and practical ways. Really, I think the world needs a few more men like Cambron creates in her stories.

One thing Kristy does well is creating good male characters to contrast or compliment her female characters. Robert, Julien, and Quinn all bring out the best in their relationships with female characters and they bring hope and humor (sometimes both) to the story.

I wasn't sure exactly how to write a review of this book because for some reason I didn't connect well with it. I've read both her books in the Hidden Masterpiece series and I loved them and the characters, plot, and depth resonated with me deeply. I feel like Cambron tried to cover too much history in a short amount of time and it didn't come out quite so deeply. It was a bit disappointing as I wanted to love this book, and I still haven't detailed all the reasons why I didn't quite love it (maybe some of it was the French language and lifestyle :P), but I'm happy to say that it's not because of her writing style or character development. She writes with high quality and her characters are well done. I can say that of each of the three books I've read by her. And if you love good romances and history, this is one of many books for you.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Lost Castle will sweep you up and transport you to the Loire Valley in France while you journey to the French Revolution, World War II and present day. This novel tells the stories of three generations of women; first, a young woman who is to meet her fiancé for the first time during an elaborate engagement ball but the French Revolution has other plans; then a woman on the run during World War II finds herself receiving aid from an unlikely group of French resisters; and then in present day Ellie Carver is trying to learn more about her grandmother's secret past and finds herself in the Loire Valley in France searching for answers among castle ruins.

Each story is compelling and offers a glimpse into important times during history. I truly became invested in each character's plot line and thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The descriptions of the castle and also the detail on the wine country are so vivid. I believe The Lost Castle is to be a three part series, so I am looking forward to further installments. Having not read a book by Kristy Cambron before, I was impressed with her writing style and character development. I also appreciated the section at the end of the book detailing some of the historical facts and research behind the story.

I received The Lost Castle courtesy of Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The way this story is told over the different periods kept me reading until very late. It was so easy to read but had excitement, romance and travel. I really enjoyed it.

Kristy Cambron’s latest split-time inspirational romance is a delight! The Lost Castle takes you from a thirteenth-century castle in France’s Loire Valley – the original Sleeping Beauty castle, Chateau de Doux Reves – while the French Revolution rages to the same castle in WWII, and then to present-day Michigan, where Ellie Carver clings to her aging grandma’s last days.

As Grandma Vi slips further into the haze of Alzheimer’s disease, Ellie is astounded by the story she tells of a castle forgotten in the woods of France. Desperate to find the truth of her only family’s past and give Vi closure before it’s too late, Ellie travels to France, where she finds history and a legacy she never imagined – and love finds her.

Let me just say: Go ye forth and READ. THIS. BOOK.

I loved the history and the romance of these settings, the espionage and resistance angles, the emotional ties to the characters that wouldn’t let me put this down. Aveline’s fight for the life she wants. Robert’s devotion. Ellie’s journey of self-discovery. Quinn’s struggle with family duty (did I mention he’s Irish? That accent!). Vi’s mysterious past. Julien’s sacrifice. Titus’s feisty dedication to the old ways. The brooch that connects all three women through the centuries. The legends of the castle, the winery, the foxes in the grove….

Hoooo-eee, I’m gonna have to go watch cartoons or eat some ice cream or something to decompress from this read! Kristy, Kristy, Kristy…why do you do this to me?

I always enjoy reading Kristy Cambron's historical fiction novels. I believe The Lost Castle is my favorite so far. It is different from her other books due to the main character being a 13th-century castle in France's wine country. The story bounces back and forth from France's revolution to 1944, and on to modern day France following the lives of 3 women and their involvement with Chataue de la Mothe-Chandeniers or The Sleeping Beauty. The plotlines are strong with witty, enjoyable characters. Kristy has certainly researched her facts and created an enjoyable work of historical fiction. So grab your tea and settle in for a great read.



I was given a copy of The Lost Castle for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Romance, clean
Lovely 3 period romantic read that was very well crafted. Beautifully told in the past, near past, and present with 3 different story lines centered around a castle, a vineyard and the people who passionately defend it and make their country home. Beautiful twists and turns and the past and present intermingle and the loves of the past influence the future as the past secrets are revealed.
Beautifully lush characters and setting, drama and tension with the different wars, and loved how the secrets were gradually revealed over the course of the novel. Lovely romance in all the time periods. Loved the courage of all the MC as they faced war, deprivation, and illness. Perfect read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with some clean romance mixed in. Beautiful, poignant, dignified, passionate, and courageous characters made for a lush and complex read. Highly recommend. Definitely will read more by this author.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion or my review. My opinions and thoughts are my own.

I have such mixed feelings about this story! It was a little confusing at first to jump around between so many different time periods, and I really had to pay attention to the date at the beginning of each chapter. I was also extremely curious to see how Kristy would wind together the stories of Aveline, Viola, and Ellie. Their stories were spread out over more than 225 years, and all of them ended up in the same place in France, the Loire Valley, for different reasons. Ellie went in search of her grandmother's past during World War II, despite receiving very little information from her grandmother, whose health was ailing. Aveline traveled there for her engagement party on the eve of the French Revolution. Viola, Ellie's grandmother, wound up there in the time leading up to D-Day. As usual, I enjoyed the history lesson as it played out in Aveline's and Viola's lives. I found Aveline's story to be more complex and compelling than Viola's, and I really related more to her character's awakening of France's political climate and a desire to examine and change her values. Ellie and Quinn, the two modern-day main characters, drove me a little crazy. When Ellie arrived in France in search of her grandmother's history, I feel like she went about it in all of the wrong ways. I'm sure that that was due to her own personal past, but as I am a lover of genealogy and history, I was so impatient for Ellie to come right out and ask the pertinent questions and really start her research! That's just my own silly pet peeve, though. Quinn is quite unlikeable at first, but isn't that how a lot of great love stories start? Just like all of Kristy's other books, the romances in the story build subtly and slowly, and it's so satisfying when they finally come together!

***I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.