Three romances all woven together through time. If castles could talk!

Ellie Carver has been taking care of her aging grandmother, returning the favor after her grandmother took her in when her parents were killed in a car accident. She has loved to hear her grandmother’s past stories. One day, her grandmother suddenly seems anxious and begins talking about a castle and a man that she needs Ellie to find to tell her that she has chosen him. With only a photograph for reference, Ellie takes a leap of faith and boards a plane to France to help fulfill her grandmother’s dying wish without knowing of anything that awaits her.

In 1944, France’s Loire Valley is under German occupation, but the French Resistance is growing strong. Viola is a British implant who has escaped from Paris and is trying to find a way to get information she has learned back to Britain. She stumbles upon a dilapidated church where she finds hidden food stores. It is here she meets members of the French Resistance who already know who she is. Hoping to make her way back to freedom, she finds herself falling for one of the members and hopes they can survive the way to see the Allied invasion.

The same location in the 1700s holds a country estate for members of the French Nobility. Lady Avaline is engaged to one of the sons of the estate holder, but on the eve of their engagement, the peasants attack the castle. As they search for Lady Avaline to make an example of her, Robert, her soon to be brother-in-law, hides her and nurses her back to health after the attack while her fiancé and his father turn tail and run from trouble. As they put the estate back in operation, the pair find themselves growing closer together, but can this romance actually happen?

As the first book in a trilogy, this was almost having a full trilogy. Following three stories from three different time periods gives everyone something to love. Centered around the castle known as the sleeping beauty, each story tells of love, loss, and the willingness to change. I found myself enraptured with all three stories, but I felt most in tune with the WWII setting as that is time period that I feel Cambron excels at telling. However, each story was exciting and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of the characters.

Cambron also did a great job with scenery for each time period including how the landscape had changed at each juncture. From the French Revolution, to WWII into a war with Alzheimer’s, each story faced it’s set of challenges. I recommend this book to both historical fiction and romance fans. I challenge readers to find their favorite of the three stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I liked this book at the start, with Aveline’s story in the late 18th century drawing me in. Then the storyline switched either to Vi or Ellie, don’t remember who was next, Vi in 1944 and Ellie in the present. All their stories center around perhaps the main character, the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the Loire Valley of France.

Normally I like split-time stories very much. Maybe having three stories was one too many, but I found it a bit disconcerting. Just then I would get involved in one woman’s story, it would be time for another woman’s story. I also think the author presumes a fairly good grasp of history which I’m not sure is a safe assumption. Aveline’s story took place around the French Revolution, which I comprehended, but possibly not all readers would have much knowledge on that subject . World War II on the French front is somewhat better known about.

I loved the setting of the castle and could picture it! I believe Aveline’s story was my favorite and would’ve gladly read more about her and Robert.

I received a free copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book so much!! There are three stories running through this novel and I have to say I LOVED each of the stories equally and when it ended in a cliff hanger at the end of the chapter, I couldn't wait until that time period came up again in the novel, so I could find out what happened. The tender emotions in this book are incredible. The stories are so touching. What women doesn't love a book about a fairy tale castle, WWII and a modern day story wrapped up in one!! Historical mixed in with modern is my kind of story. I'm so glad this is a series, I can't wait to read the next book!!

In 1789 Aveline was all set to marry the Duc et Viyant's eldest son as arranged by her parents, but her engagement ball was interrupted by the French Revolution and she escaped with a little help. She is now living on the Viyant's estate and recuperating from severe burns, being attended to by a former maidservant and none other than Robert, the youngest Viyant son. He's disappointed in his father and brother as they fled from the attack scene, leaving family and guests to fend for themselves. Aveline is unused to hard labor but wants to be of assistance, but Robert is afraid she may be outed and attacked by participants in the Revolution. His goals are to preserve the Viyant's vineyards, help as many people as possible, and protect Aveline. In 1943/1944, Viola is attempting to escape the Nazis in France. She is a British citizen and had been sent to France to spy on the Nazis. She and several other women were slated for execution but she was able to escape into the French countryside before she is "rescued" by Julian and the French Resistance. Present day France and Viola's granddaughter Ellie is trying to unravel the mysterious past her grandmother presented to her. She's not sure what she'll find at the lost castle, but she's determined to go there anyway and has a local guide helping her out. Three different women in three different times but only one thing ties them together, the lost castle. Their lives have been changed forever yet all find love in the same place. Is it the castle or something more that ties them all together?

The Lost Castle is three intertwined stories set in one rural French locale. All three stories are told in flashback mode and that took me awhile to get used to, because we might be in Viola's story in 1944 in one chapter and then back to 1941 in another. The contemporary storyline is the only one that has a linear presentation. As a result of the constantly changing storyline (three different stories remember) and the changing timelines within those storylines, I found this to be a bit of a slower read than normal for me. Of course, that might also have been the gradually increasing migraine headache... I actually enjoyed reading The Lost Castle once I got used to the shifting storylines and all of the characters. There's a lot of action going on in this story, the build-up to the French Revolution, the Revolution itself, and then the aftermath in Aveline's storyline. In Viola's storyline we have World War II from 1941 through 1944 in both England and France. The contemporary storyline with Ellie presents her storyline and brings all three lines together (no, I'm not going to tell you how, read the book). For those of you that enjoy reading historical fiction blended with contemporary fiction, I recommend you read The Lost Castle. For those of you that simply enjoy reading complex romance stories, then again I recommend you read The Lost Castle.

To begin this review with all honesty, I'm going to go ahead and tell you that I struggle to read books with French words in them. I tend to just skip over them, because they're harder to pronounce. So, when I first started reading The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron, I thought I'd made a mistake. Although I loved her first two books, The Ringmaster's Bride and The Illusionist's Apprentice, I wasn't sure where this new one was going to go, and if I could really enjoy a book set mostly in the French countryside. At the end of the prologue, I still wasn't convinced. But, by the time I got to the end of the first chapter, I was hooked, and there was no turning back!

The most incredible thing about this book is that it's really three stories that are all joined together. The key between them is a beautiful lost castle, called The Sleeping Beauty. (Yes, it has a French name, no, I don't know how to say it.) The stories intertwine beautifully, and you'll be left guessing until the very end.

The first story begins in France in 1789, at the beginning of the French Revolution. Aveline Sainte-Moreau is about the descend the stairs of a country castle and meet her fiancé for the first time. However, just before she goes down, she receives a mysterious gift, and a message instructing her that she's in danger, and should do what the writer says. Before she can decide what to do, the castle is attacked, and she must flee for her life.

The second story begins in present-day Michigan, where Ellie Carver has been summoned to visit her Grandma Vi in her nursing home. Mrs. Carver has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and hasn't been able to recognize Ellie for a while. But, suddenly, Viola is talking about a man she left behind at the Sleeping Beauty Castle years before, and is convinced that she needs to find him to apologize for not returning. She is so upset, that Ellie is determined to find the mysterious man, and relay her grandma's message.

The third story (or maybe the second?) takes place in France in 1944, where Viola Hart is on the run from Nazis. She has a secret message that she needs to deliver, but when she's found hiding in a chapel, will she lose all that she's worked for? She decides to trust the mysterious man who found her stealing his winter food supplies, but she still wonders who he is, and what his secret is.

A photograph and the missing memories of her aging grandmother lead Ellie on the adventure of a lifetime, when she decides to travel to France to find the castle, and see if it can answer her questions. It seems she's run into a brick wall when she meets Quinn Foley, and he informs her that she's not allowed to go beyond the castle wall. But, Ellie didn't travel around the world to give up, so she perseveres to find the truth. She'll be surprised to figure out, the answer was right there in front of her all along!

The Lost Castle seamlessly intertwines three time periods into one amazing story, that you won't want to see end. I admittedly don't know much about the French Revolution, and I really enjoyed that part of the story. Aveline is the kind of heroine that we all love to read about--beautiful, strong and passionate. I equally loved the story of Viola and Julien in World War II. It's my favorite period to read about, and I feel like there are so many vantage points to take. The French Resistance movement was really fascinating for me. Viola was a different kind of hero. She was a woman who gave up a life of books and papers to sacrifice everything for her country--even though it looked like she would lose it all.

When the story moves into the present, and all of the loose ends begin to weave together, The Lost Castle truly becomes a masterpiece. The pieces slowly fall into place for Ellie as she goes back to an important place in her grandmother's past, and discovers the truth about a woman she thought she knew.

Every part of this story is centered around The Sleeping Beauty. She stands there with her broken walls, a silent witness to wars, love and loss--and a powerful testament to the faith of generations.

Kristy's books have a way to draw you in and take you to faraway, beautiful places. You can't help but love her colorful characters and beautiful scenery. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

If you'd like to order your own copy of The Lost Castle, click here. Remember, if you don't have a Kindle, you can get a free Kindle reading app for your iPhone or Android!



I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, and a favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

Kristy Cambron returns to the time slip genre in a big way. This time she’s tackling three time periods—the start of the French Revolution, pre-D-day World War II, and present day.
A castle known as the Sleeping Beauty (come on, how can you not want to read this story with that name alone?) ties these women together through centuries and generations. Each of the main characters faces challenges but it’s in the grove surrounding the castle they discover their strength, dreams, and hearts desires.
Cambron is a master at weaving these individual stories together to create one of her own—one with speaks of a firm foundation. One that stands through our bruised and battered lives, no matter our trials and struggles.
Don’t miss this beautiful new series.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

If you are looking for a lighthearted, mindless sort of read, this is not it. If you are looking for a read that will work that gray matter and stimulate your brain cells, then this book is for you. First of all, it is set in three different historical time periods, and it fluctuates between past and present within those time periods. Second, each time period has its own set of characters, and the reader is trying to determine the less obvious connections between the characters across the time periods. Third, while following the story, the reader is also searching mental files created in those long-ago world history classes trying to recall facts related to the French Revolution and the French Resistance during World War II. While that may all seem daunting, The Lost Castle is worth the effort. It is a tale of the power of the human spirit, and the beauty of upholding one’s convictions. It is a story of healing and rising from the ashes. It is a story not to be missed.
Born into nobility, Aveline Sainte-Moreau cannot understand or countenance the treatment handed out to the Third Estate by the members of the First and Second Estates. Her heart went out to the poor, down trodden and unrepresented people of France, a decidedly unpopular point of view among her family and peers. Viola Hart, survivor of a London bombing, felt compelled to use her language skills in service of her country, despite the misgivings of her brother and the danger involved. Ellie Carver realizes that Alzheimer’s is stealing her grandmother from her, just as the plane crash stole her parents when she was just a child. Now she must travel to France to discover her grandmother’s story, a story that may change everything. A special castle, a Sleeping Beauty, binds these brave ladies’ stories together.
Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of The Lost Castle in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for providing the review. As always, thank you, Kristy Cambron, for sharing your great talent.

The Lost Castle takes place during three different time periods. (The French Revolution, WWII, and present day.) I’ve read many dual-time stories, but this is my first split-time (triple) story. Kristy Cambron is a talented writer, and I LOVED her Hidden Masterpiece series, but this one was a tad more difficult to sink into.

The three stories unite at a castle, named The Sleeping Beauty. The descriptions are nicely done—not too much—just enough to visualize and place you there. The dialogue is easy to read and feels authentic.

It is evident a lot of research went into this book, and the characters are fleshed out nicely, but I had a time of remembering who was who. I kind of wish the story was told in just two POVs—Ellie and her grandmother. I was mostly drawn into Ellie’s scenes.

This story is a mysterious puzzle where you place the pieces where they belong as you go.

Overall: An interesting, suspenseful story. Thank you BookLook and NetGalley, for my complimentary copy.

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!!!

No.

Goodness me, what a jumble of emotions I’m processing right now! Tears, smiles, the lot! It’s safe to say you’re getting a lot of bang for your story buck with this latest release from Kristy Cambron. Not just two, but THREE different time periods weaving together to flesh out the story of the silent character in this novel: Château des Doux-Rêves—the castle of sweet dreams, or more affectionately, The Sleeping Beauty.

Through the years this castle bears witness to joy and sorrow, fear and courage, devastation, determination, and love, and all of this is bound up in the stories of three women: Aveline Sainte-Moreau, preparing to be presented to her betrothed, the Duke et Vivay’s son, on the very day the Bastille is stormed in Paris; Viola Hart, a young woman hiding from the Nazis in the Loire Valley in occupied France; and Ellie Carver, Viola’s granddaughter, on a race against time to deliver her grandmother’s decades-overdue answer to a secret proposal she’s never spoken of.

You’ll want to keep your wits about you, particularly in the early stages of the novel, as the story does move around a bit between the different time periods. I found it easier to settle into the novel when I was able to read for longer stretches rather than a chapter here and there, and my hint would be to pay more attention to the date that heads the historical sections than I initially did! We meet both of our historical characters at a critical point in their story, and then their stories both progress forward in time as well as filling in the events that led to the point where we first met them. If that sounds daunting, please believe it’s worth it and not as difficult to follow as it sounds!

Each story was engaging in its own right, but I confess it was Viola’s story that most intrigued me. I daren’t say too much, lest I give spoilers. I simply recommend you settle in and enjoy the unfolding story as Ellie seeks to discover the secrets of the The Sleeping Beauty of the Loire Valley.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through TLC Book Tours. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Where do I begin? There are so many emotions running rampant through my brain right now, I can't adequately express them all in words.

I have said it before, and I will say it again...Kristy Cambron has been a favorite of mine before I even read any of her books. Her words are filled with such LIFE and TRUTH that you can't help but feel surrounded by God's presence and filled with His love as you read. Whether this be a blog post, a book, or anything else.

With multiple timelines, the author keeps you on your toes as you jump from present day, to 1789 French Revolution, to the middle of WWII in 1944, and back again. Always centered around the lost castle in the Loire Valley. It is easy to keep track of where you are and the added dimension sheds light on the story in a new way.

Three courageous women, three swoon-worthy heroes, and a castle that binds them all together. I wish with all my heart that this whole story were real...To be able to look in my history book and see the names Vivay, Viola Hart, and Aveline Saint-Moreau staring back at me.

This is a story of Courage, of Love, of Passion, and of Faith. The Lost Castle has found a very special place in my heart, because this is a story that will change you.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Castle from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This book got three storylines from different time periods but will interweave towards the end. All three storylines centers around the "Sleeping Beauty" castle and the vineyard. It starts slow but it becomes more interesting towards the end. I'll definitely recommend this book.

This story is spread out between three women - three women who are strong willed and unwilling to conform to the world around them. They fought, loved, and lived through some of the most troubling times in history. Aveline who has her life arranged for her by her family, but wants something different. Vi, who refuses to sit back and watch the world change around her. Ellie - who wants to unlock the secrets of her grandmothers life, but unwilling to budge on what she sets her mind to.
Ellie wants to know about her grandmothers past, and the secrets that are locked within the confines of her mind. Alzheimer's has ravaged the once clear and brilliant mind, leaving her millions of miles away - not always knowing her granddaughter, or where she is. The secrets that haunt her grandmother send Ellie off on a search for the answers - all the way to France.
Once there, she encounters Quinn, who holds almost as many secrets as her grandmother. As the stories flip between Aveline, Vi and Ellie, the past comes to life once more.

Aveline's story really spoke to me. The French Revolution was a dangerous time. But her concern was not the money or the social standing. She bucked convention and tried to help those who needed it the most. Instead of marrying the man that was set before her, she found love in one of the most unlikely places, with someone who was willing to look past the scars and accept her for who she was.
Vi was someone who wanted to do her part in the war, no matter the cost to her, because she believed in what they were fighting for.

I really enjoyed reading through this book. It held my attention throughout, and the flipping back and forth was not really hard to follow at all.

Another masterpiece by Kristy Cambron...beautifully written. Love her work...every single page. Five stars.

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron has an intriguing premise. Certainly, romantics and historical fiction readers will be attracted to this novel. The ending of the book makes up for any perceived shortcomings in the rest of the story.

The stories contained within these pages are intriguing, but somewhat difficult to follow, because of the constant jumping back and forth between time frames. Even the time frames have their own flashbacks. The author's stories were decent and in retrospect, it would have been better to just read each time frame's story as a separate novella and then combine them just before the final chapters.

Stylistically, the words create an almost surreal atmosphere surrounding the mysteries of an ancient castle now in ruins. The emotions and poignancy are endearing and create longing within the reader. The characters presented are equally enjoyable in their own ways. Any grievances about the way the author organized the story are forgiven by the powerful and sweet ending. It was not exactly what was expected, but satisfying all the same.

The Lost Castle is the newest book by Kristi Cambron. I enjoyed reading it very much. I was captured from the first page and read it straight through. Cambron has a talent for transporting the reader to a different time and place, and I didn't want to leave. This story is written in three separate time periods: 1789, 1944, and present day.

The Lost Castle centers around Ellie Carver in the present day. Ellie is close to losing her beloved grandmother to Alzheimers. In a last ditch effort to recover her grandmother's past, Ellie travels to France, looking for answers.

In 1789, Avalina is a lady of wealth and privilege, engaged to a complete stranger. On the night of their engagement party, the castle is attacked by revolutionaries. Avalina's world is forever changed in one single night.

Viola Carver is tired of war and desires to do more to bring the war to an end. When she is captured while on a mission in France, she unwittingly stumbles upon the French Resistance and true love.

Three women, connected by time and the infamous, Sleeping Beauty castle, are the pivotal plots in this great Christian romance novel. My only negative comment is the difficulty i felt in keeping all three time periods and characters straight in my mind. Many times I had to go back and review which characters went with each story. But the stories were fantastic and I had to finish the book. Kristi Cambron does a great job and connecting all three stories at the end.

“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 was not at all what I expected. The split time was a little difficult for me to follow in the beginning, but I'm so glad I stuck it out. This story is not a quick read, but it's well worth the time you invest! There are three time settings and three different stories that weave a tale of perseverance, love, and strength. I absolutely loved how the castle itself was a character in the story...and a beautiful character at that! Overall, I enjoyed The Lost Castle and would give it my recommendation.

The Lost Castle is the beginning of a whole new series by Kristy Cameron called The Lost Castle. What a fabulous start to the series. I have loved all of the other books by this author and this one does not disappoint. I believe it is my favorite that she has written to date. The story is so beautifully written and so vivid in detail, I felt like I was right there among the main characters, Avaline, Vi and Ellie.



I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I give The Lost Castle a well deserved 5 plus stars. Such a great read!