An interesting approach, combining three authors to follow the trajectory of one family, the Alnicks, in England first in 1870, then 1917, then 1945. In the first section, Beatrice is a dollar Princess, brought over from America to seek a husband after a disastrous season in New York. Charles is titled with a large estate that is bleeding money, so their match works for both of them. The couple grows to love each other despite rumors about Charles past. The second part is about Tobias Alnick who returns from WWI with intense damage to his face. When he meets Elena, the artist hired to recreate his look in a mask, he instantly feels a connection. Their son, Alec, also comes back from war with what today would be defined as PTSD. After corresponding with a Viennese psychoanalyst, Alec invites her to come to his castle and assist men returning from the war. All three stories emphasize the horrors of war, plus the changing social mores and beliefs in those eras. An interesting book with three related storylines somehow worked. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is not exactly one book, while still, in the many ways that it matters, it is a cohesive narrative. There are three authors, each taking a branch of the story. Unlike other short story collections, I decided to review this as a whole while mentioning the one I enjoyed more.
We first meet the family in question in 1870, as a wealthy heiress makes a good match and moves to her husband's seat in the country. It is delicately done, making the lead female protagonist an endearing figure. In this first case, we only get to know one-half of the couple, with the proportions increasing over the next two narratives. Beatrice is quickly involved in a scandal as her husband gets called in over the death of her husband. I think the best part of this story was the change in Beatrice's attitude, from bewilderment to confidence, and the fact that the story did not end the way I expected it to (and this includes the death of the peer as well). There is a lingering fact that is left over towards the end that will go on to become the founding part of the next two parts.
Artist Elena is to help paint a new face for the current heir to the castle. She has her own secrets from the past to hide. The romance continues to be a slow build, like in the first case. We also get to see more of Tobias's behaviour than his ancestor Charles. It is only because of the threat that Elena brings into the castle that the old story from the 1800s rears its head. It is not dealt with in this book. It is about Elena's and Tobias's life. They leave it to the next generation to sort things out while making a start on the findings that can help them.
In the last story, we have Alec, who wants to clear the name of his land and live there while putting the grounds to good use. He has been in contact with an Austrian Psychoanalyst who helped him through the harder times while he was still in the trenches. It is only when she arrives in person and grows fond of the land she is supposed to help bring alive that their relationship starts to change. This time we have almost equal time with both people to get a much more rounded picture.
With this final couple, they find the most accurate information to put the past to rest, although what they do with it is what the story is about. I suspected some of the things that eventually happened before the book came to a close.
At the start of the review, I thought I knew which writing I preferred or which couple's story was more intriguing than the other. After sorting out the facts and feelings and reaching this part, I find that I cannot make up my mind! All three authors have used skilled writing to bring very different leading ladies to life. Each pairing has a different balance. Charles, in 1870 is more in control, but Beatrice saves him all the same. Then Tobias is wounded both mentally and emotionally, and Elena is truthfully on equal footing, and they end up helping each other. Finally, the last plot has a little more involvement and pieces than the others. I cannot choose between the three, but I highly recommend this book to fans of historical stories with a dash of romance.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

The Castle Keepers contains novellas written by three historical fiction authors. Three timelines (1870, 1917 and 1945), three generations of women with a family curse at an English countryside estate. The history is rich, the mystery inviting - perfect for a much needed escape - as each story has its own unique characters and writing style. However, each story is connected by theme, place, and family history and set in the post-war years of three different generations of the Alnwick family.

Fans of historical fiction and romance will love this collection. As always, I find myself wishing for more than the brief a novella will allow. Yet, it flows as one book in three parts rather than three separate stories. A recommended weekend read.

Sometimes three authors get together to write a novella each, and then combine them into a novel. It doesn't always work, and I have been disappointed many times. But this book - wow! I don't know how they did it, but every transition was smooth and streamlined, each character and story held my interest, and the writing was of such high quality that it seemed that only one person was writing, instead of three. All three novellas were wonderful, and I found myself turning the pages quickly because I wanted to see what would happen. This book was unputdownable, and has something for everyone: love, history, WWI, WWII. I highly recommend this book! Do yourself a favor, and buy this! You will be in for a treat!! Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley. This was a wonderful experience and I only wish there were more!!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved how all three of these stories related together in different time periods. I really enjoyed the first story but never really liked the second two stories so that is why I am only giving the book 3 stars.

The Castke Keepers is made up of three novellas, each centered around a woman and the Alnwick family who occupy Leedswick Castle. The underlying theme is war, and how it so strongly affects the men of Leedswick Castle and what they feel like is a curse that connects the generations.

Each story is strong by itself, and the characters are well written. I wish there would have been more depth to the stories, and more interweaving of the characters, but overall a nice story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In this wonderful book of historical fiction, three authors have written a trio of novellas chronicling three generations of the Alnwick family, Leedswick castle, and the curse that has haunted them for generations. Three men scarred by war finding healing in the love of a woman.
I loved this collection of stories each in a different writing style and time period, but my favorite was Tobias and Elena. The descriptions of the beautiful grounds and gardens, the crumbling yet still elegant castle, and the complicated characters within its walls were fascinating.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A mix of short stories, each with their own beguiling characters and well written storylines to keep you entertained in spurts. I enjoyed the compilation and recommend it for anyone looking for a bit of romance and regency.

I've not read a book about one story, written by three authors before. It was incredibly well written, and stayed cohesive. I liked the thread of the castle, the house in London, the journals, the garden, the wars. A very good fictional read.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

True confession: I really didn't care for the first novella in this collection, and almost gave up at multiple points. I didn't find the characters particularly compelling, nor much of a plot to speak of. It really read as though it was setting up the other two, both much stronger and engaging reads.

So--if you pick up the read and experience similar...it is worth it!! Both stories 2 and 3 were delightful. I really enjoy Ciesielski's and McMillan's writing styles and have enjoyed several books by each of them, so was really excited about both their novellas here, and they did not disappoint.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Three Authors, three different timelines. One castle and one family. Leedwick Castle has been in the Alnwick family for hundreds of years, but a family curse haunts the generations. Can they break the curse and secure the family legacy? THE CASTLE KEEPERS contains three novellas written by three different authors and Aimie K. Runyan, J’Nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan smoothly weave together the stories of each generation’s heir affected by war and trying to reintegrate back into their lives. I enjoyed that each had a bit of mystery, romance, and history that fit together.
This is a wonderful collaboration by three great authors and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#TheCastleKeepers #aimiekrunyan #jnellciesielski #rachelMcMillan #harpermuse #tallpoppywriters #tallpoppyblogger #bloomreads

I could gush about how much I love each of these authors and their individual books, but that would take too long and I want to focus on the masterpiece created by these three ladies.

I love this book because these authors are using their unique voices to tell three different stories which are separate but also have threads of sameness.

The sameness in each story is a cursed English castle, the scars from war, a poison garden, and three strong women.

This is historical fiction and each story has romance and a hint of mystery.

Aimie’s timeline is 1870. She tells about an American Dollar Princess that marries for convenience. Once she gets to Leedswick Castle she encounters her new in-laws’ ire.

J’Nell’s timeline is 1917. She tells about an artist that goes to Leedswick Castle after being commissioned to make a realistic mask for an injured soldier.

Rachel’s timeline is 1945. She tells of an Austrian psychoanalyst who helps Leedswick Castle become a haven for men trying to successfully bridge the gap between the war’s end and their lives post war.

I loved all the stories. They were perfectly different! I think one of the most interesting parts of the book is in the 1917 timeline where a mask is made for a disfigured WWI soldier. I went online and learned more about how this was accomplished in real life.

An enjoyable combination of historical romance and cozy mystery.
Three timelines (1870, 1917, 1945) representing three generations of love stories involving the Alnwick family, where the firstborn son inherits the title of Marquess of Northridge and the cursed Leedswick castle in Northumberland. Each of the three future Marchionesses are unconventional choices for brides of English aristocrats, not from the same class as their husbands-to-be, and being strong, independent-thinking women. There are themes that tie all three timelines together, and each has a mystery to solve.

I read this in one sitting. I loved the three separate stories, yet how they all tied together at the family castle. Each story was written well for the time period and the characters were all wonderfully unique. Highly recommend.

I both loved and hated this book. I wanted more! Each story focused on the inhabitants of Leedswick Castle during a specific time. The thread of their ancestors' choices bound them all and seemingly had a negative undercurrent to each descendants existence. All three authors utilized the Alnwick family to highlight potentially little known historical facts. While the Alnwick family were the ones who owned and resided in the castle it was the women they met along the way that impacted their lives for the better.
Beatrice was a dollar princess which meant that her family had just recently become wealthy. The family then used that wealth to secure a British title for their daughter through marriage.
Elena provided readers a glimpse into the world of artists who dedicated their craft towards creating masks for soldiers who had suffered facial disfigurements during WWI.
Brigitta used her knowledge of psychoanalysis to assist Alec in transforming the castle to a rehabilitation center for returning soldiers. This was the first time in history that soldiers had the opportunity to heal from their injuries and learn new skillsets that they could convert into viable livelihoods. Not only were physical ailments allowed to mend, but psychological trauma such as PTSD was recognized and treated.
Three authors, three timelines, three women: a story that has courage, despair, and love.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

The Castle Keepers
By Aime K. Runyan and others
Pub Date: May 2023
Harper muse
Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The three novellas were well written and had the theme of inner strength,
Loved the three timelines. 1870, 1917 and 1945.
I highly recommend for lovers of historical fiction.
4 stars

I loved The Castle Keepers - it’s such a journey! Through the three novellas, you see the progression of a family and their estate across multiple generations. I found it interesting that all were touched by war in some way.

I also loved the theme of inner strength. It just takes that one person to see it and pull it out of you and the course of your life is altered for the better.

Across the stories, you will see tragedy, you will see scandal, and you will see some women with incredible grit and determination. Highly recommended for Historical Fiction lovers!

I have a great book recommendation for all historical fiction lovers! The Castle Keepers is a collection of novellas by three incredible authors; Aimee K Runyon, J’Nell Ciesielski and Rachel McMillan.

We first meet the Leedswick Castle in 1870 after NYC socialite Beatrice Holbrook flees the US for London and married Charles Alnwick. His family owns Leedswick Castle and Beatrice is excited for married life. But things done to as planned and she must roll with the punches.

The second short story moves along to 1917 during World War I and features Elena, an artist to help transform a wounded soldier’s scars into something beautiful. The soldier is Tobias Alnwick and his family hires Elena to help after his face is partially destroyed in the war.

The third story takes places during 1945 after the war are has ended. Alec Alnwick has returned to help return the castle’s legacy by using it to help wounded soldiers. This part reminded me of Downton Abbey, which I truly loved.

I loved how all these stories were separate, but worked well as it moved though the years. The castle had such a rich history and I loved each author’s take on their time with it. I don’t usually read novellas like this, but I’m really glad it did! This was such a fun way to showcase a few authors and have it all tied back to one common thing.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.

This book covers three separate women across three different timelines and their interactions with the Leedswick castle and the Alnwick family. They each develop into three little novellas about finding love and friendship in difficult times. Good book for anyone who has enjoyed Downton Abbey, or dual timeline historical fiction.
Overall giving this three stars: each of the three parts were their own little novella; there was some interaction with the previous story, but not the fully intertwined plot that you often see with this sort of book. Each of the three stories on their own had good character development and were quick to read. The title does stay true to each story as each one is figuring out a way to keep the castle and their family relevant in modern times.

The Truth Keepers by Aimie K Runyan

The first of three books set at Leedswick Castle. After Beatrice is shunned from New York society after a very unfortunate incident, she goes to London to be introduced there. While Charles is the bachelor with the highest title, he also is surrounded by scandal and appears rather odd. Shortly after arriving to the castle, tragedy strikes and the scandals surrounding the family grow. Will Beatrice be able to save her husband and the family name? A novella about bravery and being yourself.

The Memory Keepers by J'nell Ciesielski

I love learning new things when I read historical fiction. Did you know in 1917 the Third London General Hospital had a department that hired artists and sculptors to make masks for those disfigured during the battle? It was called the Masks for Facial Disfigurement Department otherwise known as Tin Noses Shop. This story follows Elena, an artist hired to create a mask for the Alnwick heir and her subject as she creates his mask. Trouble seems to follow Elena even though she has left London behind for now. Will Elena be able to escape her past? Will Tobias Alnwick ever feel comfortable being in public? A novella about finding oneself and embracing who you are.

The Dream Keepers by Rachel McMillan

Set at the very end of WWII, Alec Alnwick heads back to Leedswick Castle. After reading journals by a psychoanalyst and corresponding with him and his niece during the war, Alec decides to open up the castle to returning soldiers to help them acclimate back to society. Brigitta, the psychoanalyst's niece and budding psychoanalyst herself, joins Alec in his endeavor. The unexpected appearance of Alec's cousin seems to put everyone on edge. Will his appearance derail all the work Alec and Brigitta have worked to accomplish with the men? A novella about finding truth and overcoming one's own mind.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.