While I enjoyed this story, I feel that it would have worked better as three books. There are three different time periods with a different cast of characters in every one, except for one person: her story starts when she is older with Alzheimer’s and then goes back in time to when she was young. The book switches back and forth between the three stories. Since there aren’t an overwhelming amount of people to get to know, that part wasn’t too difficult; however, the book took another twist and had some previous dates thrown in, so if you were 1789, the next time that person came up, it might go back to 1788. That really threw me the first time it happened. My opinion is that there really was enough material that could have been enlarged on to make it a series, which would have made this easier to read.

The author did do a nice job of keeping all these plots and characters organized, and the little details bring all the people and time periods to life, and the descriptions were so well written, I felt as if I could visualize the surroundings. The main character in each story was a strong female who faced and overcame obstacles largely by themselves or with help from other people. Even though it is published by Thomas Nelson, and listed as Christian Romance, I didn’t see that the characters looked to God even when the circumstances were difficult. Religion was seldom mentioned. Honestly, I think those who prefer secular books, without the bad language and sex scenes that are usually in them, would like this too because it seems to lean toward the secular market to me.

While I prefer Christian books that have more of a Christian message, I did like the stories in this one. For that reason, I am giving this book three stars on Goodreads which means I did like it.

I really enjoy Kristy Cambron's lyrical writing, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on her book The Lost Castle. From the cover to the synopsis, the story captured my imagination, begging me to dive into the lives of the three heroines and follow them as they told their story. With The Lost Castle being a mixture of historical and contemporary romance, I knew what I was getting into when I opened the novel. I knew the story would take place in the past, but I also knew the story would have something to do with a lost castle, and all three time lines would intertwine around that castle.

The writing is clear and concise. Like I mentioned earlier, I enjoy Cambron's writing. Her writing sings with imagery and flowery prose. I have no problem admiring her sentence structure and ability to capture a wonderful story as she writes. She is a wonderful painter with her words. The story is told in three different perspectives in three different time periods, so it could have been hard to follow, but not with Cambron subtitling the chapters with the time periods.

As for the characters, they are different with each of them wanting noble conquests. Aveline Sainte-Moreau, the heroine from 1789; Viola Hart, the heroine from 1944; and Ellie, the heroine from present day. Aveline, at the beginning of the story, tries to do what is expected of her. Viola, tries to be a heroine during World War II with her linguist skills and the SOE. Whereas Ellie, tries to save her beloved grandmother before she disappears from her life all together. Each individual character is on a journey of self-discovery, which centers around the castle in France.

The plot mingled and intertwined with each other. In time slip novels, there is always something connected the different time periods together. In The Lost Castle, it is surprisingly enough the abandoned castle in the outskirts of France. All three stories centered around the concept and the meaning of the burnt out castle. The plot was completely unique, and I have never read anything like this novel. The Lost Castle gripped my attention, and I honestly couldn't wait to see how the three story lines would end up.

The spiritual element isn't too preachy either. It is subtle, but I enjoyed pondering about it long after I closed the book. We all our beautiful, wonderful creatures modeled by God, but things happen, and our walls crumble, then we build up new ways to keep from being burnt again. But sometimes, it takes allowing God to fully come in to change and make us beautiful again. (I could be far-reaching here!) I really enjoyed the idea. Very timely for this world.

Overall, The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron is a wonderful thought out story with a unique setting. With vibrant characters, Cambron invites me into the lives of three strong heroines with a sweet fairy tale story of a castle needing to be brought back to life. I really can't wait to read the next two books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Well, I feel a little bit torn with this story. While I love Kristy's books, I felt like this one almost has too much going on with it, since the story is split between three different time periods. I felt a little overwhelmed for part of the story. It is worth it with how it comes together in the end. I enjoyed the different view of the French Revolution and WWII. I would of personally liked a bit more depth to Ellie's story. That said, I still thought it was an excellent story and I enjoyed it immensely.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have read other books by Kristy Cambron, but I was disappointed in this one. I felt each story was interesting, but I had trouble switching between three such different stories. Just when I would get interested in one story, it would switch back to a different story. I also found it hard to make the connections between the stories. I like Kristy Cambron, but this just wasn't my favorite.

Kristy Cambron's writing style has a way of drawing the reader right into the story. I kept turning the pages, eager to find out Grandma Vi's story and couldn't wait to see how Ellie unraveled the mysteries of the past.
The Lost Castle is an interesting three generation story centered around The Sleeping Beauty castle. My favorite storylines were about Grandma Vi and Ellie. I didn't really connect with Aveline's life, although I do see how it fits into the whole story.
This is a good book to get lost in while unraveling the castle's mysteries.

I fell in love with Cambron's work in her first novel. She writes very convincingly in a dual time period. This time she again writes in more than one time period. Three major time periods, but goes back and forth with five, actually. I understand why she had to do it for this story, but it was a bit confusing for me. I wish she'd kept it to just two. I think the story could have been told quite well with a dual timeline.

Ellie Carver's grandmother is slowly slipping away from Alzheimer's when she begins telling Ellie of the past and her part in it. A lost love, a brooch and a valley in France call out and Ellie sets out to discover what has her grandmother so disturbed. Her journey takes her back many years, even a couple centuries. A tale told well, but here is where I lost interest, when the 1780s came into play. It was written so well and captured my interest in every respect but this one. I'm sure Cambron's fans will enjoy this very much.


*My thanks to the publisher for a preview copy of this book . My opinion is entirely my own.

This book is a masterpiece! Truly a work of art, a book not be read but inhaled. It takes you on a journey of fairy tales and legends secrets and love and the un-fairytale-like messiness of life. It follows the story of three women, in three different times but all touched by the Sleeping Beauty. This book had me laughing so loud I was worried I would wake everyone in the house and crying into my pillow. It's one the best books I have ever read and will forever remain one of my favorites.

I just didn't enjoy this book. I felt like every time I got invested in a story it changed. 3 stories back and forth was too many. The pacing initially was pretty good, but screeched to a halt about 1/3 of the way into the story. I had to force myself to finish--I just didn't care how the story ended.

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron is the most delightful Christian historical and contemporary romance. Like a cosy sweater, Kristy Cambron's stories just cocoon the reader from start to end.
The novel has a triple timeline mainly set in France - late eighteenth century, 1941-1944 and present day. As the story unfolds, the reader takes great delight in travelling through the time periods.
The stories are linked by strong, brave women. Women who are educated, know what they want and will go to extraordinary lengths to get it.
Love never dies. The love stories are beautiful. Love and legacy last down the years. Our lives are as they are because of those who have gone before.
War is cruel. "War changes everything." War produces men and women who are prepared to fight evil and unjust regimes in whatever way they can. Ordinary men and women take a stand. "Sometimes peace must be earned with sacrifices of those willing to run into the fight." There is a time to run away and a time to say enough is enough. "I want to do something."
The Nazis invaded France. Life changed. The novel shows how even in times of war, we can have an oasis of peace. "Vines... a mirage of normalcy in their war-ravaged world."
At times of great hardship, we may question God's goodness. "Surely God would see them. And would intervene." We have to trust that God is good even when life says otherwise. The novel reveals how God can use us to do His work here on earth. "He's been an answer to her most desperate prayers."
Whatever we are going through we must not lose hope or we will be lost. "We're determined to cling to hope."
There is the hard topic of Alzheimer's. It is a cruel disease, robbing us of our loved ones bit by bit. "Alzheimer's progress in stealing their world."
When we look at our grandparents and others of their generation, it is all too easy to just see them as 'old.' We forget that they were once young. That they loved and they laughed and they lived. The novel reminds us of this.
The Lost Castle is a perfect delight. I adore Kristy Cambron's novels and cannot get enough of them. I am excited each time I pick up one of her novels and sad when it ends. I have read every novel that Kristy Cambron has written and each one is my very favourite... until the next one comes out.
If you have not yet 'discovered' Kristy Cambron, you can. Pick up a copy of The Lost Castle and delve in today. You will be glad you did.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This novel is unique in that it has three storylines in different time periods going on at once. The transitions between these stories could’ve been better, but I still really enjoyed it overall.

Ellie Carter is watching her last family member succumb to old age and Alzheimer's. Her beloved grandmother who raised her has become more restless of late and Ellie is trying to figure out why. During Ellie's visit, a photo is found in a book. A photo of her grandmother and a man Ellie's never seen before in front of a castle. The back of the photo says Loire Valley, France 1944. Ellie is shocked she's never heard of her grandmother being in France during WWII, let alone this man who is not her grandfather. She immediately goes to France to see if she can find answers that will give peace to her grandmother and answers to her.

Aveline Sainte-Moreau prepares to meet her fiancé, the heir to the Duc et Vivay, as the Third Estate rumbles revolutionary tides across France. Even though women aren't supposed to even know politics or economics exist, Aveline has been too interested for her own good. She hopes her future husband will appreciate her interests more than her father. But is that too much to hope for? And as a member of the Second Estate, is her family safe anywhere in France?

Viola Hart can no longer stand by idly while she watches the Nazis bomb her British home city, so she signed up with SOE and months later finds herself a fugitive in Nazi occupied France. She stumbles into the Loire Valley starving and exhausted, looking for food and accidentally meets Julian, a member of the local French Resistance.

As the stories of Aveline, Vi, and Ellie spin out and come together, one character remains central, a castle in the Loire Valley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and all three very different women's stories. It is told enthrallingly, and even though chapters alternate between stories, the clear dates at the beginning of chapters and the castle weaving throughout helps it flow quite well. (But do take note of dates as Vi and Aveline's stories go back and forth in time a few times.) Figuring out how they all tied together was a fun puzzle that kept me engaged too. The writing really makes the Loire Valley come to life and points out ways an area can change drastically as well as stay the same over long periods of time. The choice to weave together these three time periods in one book isn't one I've seen before, but I liked it. I think Aveline was my favorite of the three main characters, but Vi is a close second. Ellie comes in third only because she frustrated me with how she went about her hunt for answers once she gets to France. It didn't make sense to me that she felt like seeing the castle would give her more answers than showing the photo of her grandmother around and asking if anyone knew the man in it. I will acknowledge that since she is in a highly emotional state so she's not likely to think super logically. It also sounds in the end like even if she did show the photo certain people wouldn't have given her answers straight out, that they felt she had to go on a journey of discovery. Her story does end up pretty touching and cute. All three of the women have romantic interests, but each story plays out in very different ways. The Christian elements in this are light, with just casual comments about faith or God's provision. It isn't preachy at all. It feels like natural conversations and as something woven into their lives. I liked the way it was done. The author says this is the start of a series, but this book feels pretty complete as a stand alone. I do have just one lingering question -- what happened to Vi's brother and his family that Ellie thinks her grandmother is the last of her living family?. I'll be ordering a copy of this for our library. I think it will appeal to teens as well as adults.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond some kisses. The French Revolution chapters and WWII chapters include some severe injuries and deaths. A very bad wound is bloodily described in a WWII chapter. Wine making is the main income of the Loire Valley, so those who have issues with drinking wine may want to avoid this book.

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.

An absolutely riveting read by an outstanding author. I think this is her best book yet! I loved how readers were pulled through the past and present into a fascinating read that kept one on the edge of your seat. I loved getting to know all of the 3 main characters and the periods which the lived in. Well written and utterly engaging this book was outstanding.

Split time—1789, 1944, present day with 3 wonderful heroines! Cambron weaves together a beautiful tale of love and bravery in the face of adversity. Her gentle handling of Vi’s Alzheimer’s is so authentic to anyone who has seen a loved one succumb. I really wasn’t ready for the story to end. You won't go wrong if you take the time to read this novel.

What can an 18th century noble Frenchwoman, a lady ravaged by Alzheimer’s and her granddaughter have in common? Nothing—until Lady Vi has a moment of lucidity and tells her granddaughter, Ellie Carver, about a mysterious first love. When Ellie finds a never-before-seen photograph of her grandmother as a young woman posing with a handsome young man along a castle wall, she knows she has to uncover the story.

What Ellie discovers has the power to heal—not just her, but an entire community.

I loved this book for many different reasons. The layered stories feel like what I imagine biting into one of Adriano Zumbo’s Desserts must be like. If you love mystery, romance, suspense, and good stories, this book is for you.

An awesome historical story! At first it was confusing with the changing of timelines, within the timelines. But it all came together beautifully. And because of that I would not recommend it read over time. It should be read over a few days, so the timelines don't get confusing and lost.

I quickly got pulled into this book. There are several smaller story lines that all connect in some way. i really loved this book

I have loved all of Kristy Cambron's previous novels, and this new book is no exception. I love the way she is able to tell three distinct stories that weave together in the end. The plot lines center around the beginning of the French Revolution, World War II in France leading to D-Day, and present day France all set surrounding a castle in French wine country while telling stories of love, loss, bravery, and healing. I was happy to see that this novel was the beginning of a series and look forward to reading the next book.
I was provided this book by Netgalley for my honest opinion.

Kristy Cambron captured my heart with her debut album The Butterfly and the Violin and I have been following her ever since, reading each of her novels as they come out. I was ecstatic to be accepted to read the ARC for The Lost Castle prior to its publication. What a beautiful piece of literature this is!

The Lost Castle timelessly weaves together three stories of three women in the picturesque French countryside of the Loire Valley, around a castle that encompasses the French Revolution, World War Two, and present day. Cambron brilliantly paints an incredible story of loss, love, and triumph - even amidst the darkest days of revolution, war, and losing a loved one.

Kristy does a beautiful job of creating an awe-inspiring landscape through her words, painting delicate portraits of the world around her characters. "Sunrise was already streaking yellow in a line across the stone floor, piercing the chapel with colored light sifted through the stained glass. Strange, but Vi could hear birdsong in the stillness, a melody just as lovely as ever. And a loud cry cut the morning—a hawk maybe, circling somewhere overhead. It was peace. Defiance even, as if nature itself resisted war with beauty in the birth of the day’s first moments." I really loved her descriptions of nature and the colourful backdrop she placed her characters into.

I also appreciated how Kristy tied all three of the stories together. I'm not typically a huge fan of criss crossing dates so much in a book, but Kristy did a masterful job of linking all three together with the castle as the main backdrop and touchstone that she kept coming back to. As always, Kristy's characters themselves shone beautifully and their relationships with one another sparked intricately and effervescently.

In short, Kristy has managed to write not only a charming fairytale about a French castle, but a timeless story about loss and love that revolves around a familiar landmark such as the ones we all know and love. Kristy takes a lofty thing like a castle, something that we usually reserve for shallow stories or noble poetry, and brings it to the human level: reminding us of the true things in life that transcend boundaries or time itself, things like loss, adversity, strength, and love.

Thank you so much to Kristy Cambron, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.