The Castle Keepers

I received this audiobook as a gift from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not sure what to expect from this collection of three novellas set in a "cursed" Castle in England, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The stories are well-written, engaging, and full of historical details and romance. The narrator did a great job of bringing the characters and settings to life.

I was captivated by each story and the characters' journeys. I loved how the authors incorporated historical facts and events into their plots and made me feel like I was visiting the castle with them. I also liked how each story had a different tone and mood.

I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves historical fiction, romance, and castles. It was a wonderful listening experience that surprised me in the most incredible way. I couldn't stop listening to this book and I'm sure you won't either.

"The Castle Keepers" by Aime K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, Rachel McMillan, Narrated by Ann Marie Gideon. It was an emotion ride that is filled with love, sorrow and humor. I couldn't stop listening to the book and I finished this in 1 day and I repeated it 3 times, because it was so well narrated and the narrator really depts their emotions into the story and I was overwhelmed with emotion. Definitely worth the time to listen. Grab a tissue, you will need it.

Thank you!

I just reviewed The Castle Keepers by Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, Rachel McMillan. #TheCastleKeepers #NetGalley

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I really enjoyed this collection of historical novellas. Each novella is written by a different author, but I found that the three authors melded their stories very well together as they wrote about these three generations of family.

Each generation has a man returning from war, each wounded in ways seen and unseen.

There is a running theme of a “curse” hovering over the castle that each generation inherits, and I loved the continuation of the Poison Garden throughout each story.

The first story takes place in 1870, and deals with the drama of Dollar Princesses, which I always enjoy.

The second story takes place in 1917, and includes a fascinating story of the FMC creating a lifelike mask to cover the MMC’s traumatic facial wounds.

And the final story takes place in 1945, and focus more on the PTSD elements of war.

I thought the audiobook narrator did a great job with all the accents and voices without being distracting (she had American, English, and Austrian accents to cover).

This is a great read for those that enjoy historical fiction with a heavy romantic twist to it (no more than kissing), and some mystery and intrigue to keep the story moving.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing me with an Audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Castle Keepers by three authors is a beautiful story about PTSD and its effects on the soldiers and the people around them. Each story is about a different generation of a family that seems to be cursed and how each of them deal with it. I really liked the stories, but my favorite was probably the middle story. I am thankful for the opportunity to read and listen to this, as I also had the audiobook version. Thanks to the publisher and the audio publisher for this opportunity. All opinions are my own.

Altogether they have three stories in this beautiful delicious historical romance book my favorite was Helena and Tobias but as soon as I say that I think of their son story which I also love the story with the American actress it goes from one couple to their sons romance three generations and every story has a touch of war and drama and romance in every story is so worth reading on its own much less altogether I loved this book and listen to it as an audio and thought the narrator did such a great job not only with the different accents but setting a great tone for the book. It was such a good book a total five star read and if you love historical romance there’s three different eras, three different romances and one great book. This is a fabulous read and one I highly recommend. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher Harper Muse but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The Castle Keeper’s is a delightful collection of generational stories that connect through the beauty of an old family estate. The stories center on the Alnwick family, beginning in 1870. I loved all the stories, but this one was truly special as it kicked it all off. I love the tenacity of Beatrice to overall her hardships. I especially enjoyed the love story that built between Beatrice and Charles. A very tender tale that truly drew me in and captivated me. The continuation with Elena and Tobias was uplifting and fun. Yes, there were difficulties to overcome, but Elena’s free spirit and her ability to see the true heart of people, no matter their outward appearances, was genuinely special. I loved seeing her draw out Tobias and Tobias return to a fully living version of himself under her unconditional love. Lastly, Brigitta and Alec show how true change, transformation, and redemption are possible. Both are willing to take a risk to try something new and, in the process, learn that new paths can be forged beyond old stories and curses. I love how this generational tale captures various personalities, love stories, and the hope of better things to come.
I had the privilege of listening to an audiobook copy as well. Ann Marie Gideon did an excellent job as the narrator. She captured the various characters, male and female, of all ages and truly brought them to life through the listening experience.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. Cover is beautiful. I really enjoyed these 3 short stories that are intertwined. I reay enjoyed the first two a lot. I wish they first story would have been a full length book ha. The third was probably my least favorite but it was entertaining. I was so happy to read a book that didn't have sex and cussing. The narrator did a great job.

The Castle Keepers is the perfect title for this book. I tend to enjoy books that take place in old homes and castles and Leedswick Castle was such a fantastic setting. It worked well for the book to be divided into three parts and I found the stories of each of the three Alnwick gentlemen equally compelling. The narrator was fantastic and I devoured this audiobook - - fascinating historical fiction!

Wow. Just wow. This is the first time I have read anything by any of these authors and you can bet I will be reading more of their works. I am super impressed with the flow of the stories. It was hard to remember that each one was written by a different author. They were that good! This story has stuck with me over the last couple weeks since I finished. I believe, in part, the narration played into that-it was superbly executed.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review 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.

The perfect blend of three novellas over the course of 80 years. What a lovely concept and three stories that took you back in time. For those that enjoy historical romances, I highly recommend. Great narration in the audio book.

Great collection! I can't believe this was so cohesively written by three authors. Loved the story of three generations of castle keepers. So interesting to see how the care of the castle changed through the ages. A delightful historical novel.

This is such a good book. I truly loved seeing how this story unraveled. Having it show three separate generations while still making the stories intertwined was amazing. All the characters were relatable, and the relationships between everyone were believable. I truly loved the love stories and how each one took help from the past story/generation. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good, romance, historical, family book. The scene stays in the same place but skips years, and it's nice to see the Keepers of the Castle.

The Castle Keepers, Three Stories, Three novellas somehow connected by a family and castle that had many memories to hide.

1870 Beatrice, was an American married to a British whose family was not what she really expected, she lived through many disdains and rejections as well as many secrets that kept lurking behind the castle walls.

1917 The story of Tobias who carry the scars and the evidence of WWl. wanting to keep himself hiding in a castle from the rest of the world, his parents try to help him by hiring someone to somehow fix what he detested the most, that side of his face that made him lose all confidence and happiness in life.

1945 The story of Alec, is a survivor of WWII, he also carries the scars of what that terrible episode left on him, leaving him crippled and unable to move forward with his life, seeking help to be able to maybe see some of that hope he once had, by opening a place where similar cases and people can come and have decent and proper care with a therapist that can help many but mainly Himself.

This was a great ride, I really enjoyed each story and character, and I love how they connected even if the stories were so far apart in time.

The Narrations by Ann Marie Gideon were great, I enjoyed so much her voice and the way she brought the characters to life.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse, for the advanced copy of The Castle Keepers in exchange for my honest review.

Where to start! So much about this book drew me in and made me want to read it. So many aspects I loved, so many small details that MADE this story.

Entwined in each story is a curse, an English Castle, the garden, secrets, war and all its tragedies. Love, strong women and dark tales, are all woven beautifully together.

The audiobook quite literally brings the characters and times to life, adding so much more to this book. Fantastic narration that really has you drawn in. The authors note at the end is definitely worth a listen for insights into how this story began and historical background.

The cover -
Talk about radiating strong women, historical romantic vibes . And it so delivered on all of that!

Three novellas in one -
Written by three different well known historical fiction authors. Set across 75 years from 1870 to 1945.

Each novella focusing on a different member of the Alnwick family. Honestly, this concept is brilliant and carried off perfectly. You feel right there with everyone of them at different points in time.

Tales of love -
Each women's story weaved perfectly onto the next. Following three very different women as they meet and fall in love with a 'cursed' male of the Alnwick family.

Think dreamy, old style romance described the way it was in Austen and Brontes time.

A beautiful captivating read perfect for fans of historical fiction, womens fiction and storytelling that will capture your heart.

Thank you to #netgalley and #harpermuse for the #giftedaudiocopy.

Since I have been reading so many alternating timeline novels lately, it was refreshing to read a book that had 3 distinct sections, each of a different time period, in chronological order. It almost read like 3 short novels. It was also refreshing to have a novel that focuses on the effects and healing process of PTSD in wounded veterans before many people of the time knew about that condition. Poignant and thought-provoking!

Leedswick Castle has housed the Alnwick family in the English countryside for generations, despite a family curse determined to destroy their legacy and erase them from history.

1870. After a disastrous dinner at the Astor mansion forces her to flee New York in disgrace, socialite Beatrice Holbrook knows her performance in London must be a triumph. When she catches the eye of Charles Alnwick, one of the town’s most enviably-titled bachelors, she prepares to attempt a social coup and become the future Marchioness of Northridge. When tragedy and scandal strike the Alnwick family, Beatrice must assume the role of a lifetime: that of her true, brave self.

1917. Artist Elena Hamilton arrives in Northumberland determined to transform a soldier’s wounds into something beautiful. Tobias Alnwick’s parents have commissioned a lifelike mask to help their son return to his former self after battle wounds partially destroyed his face. But Elena doesn’t see a man who needs fixing—she sees a man who needn’t hide. Yet secrets from their past threaten to chase away the peace they’ve found in each other and destroy the future they’re creating.

1945. Alec Alnwick returns home from the war haunted but determined to leave death and destruction behind. With the help of Brigitta Mayr, the brilliant young psychoanalyst whose correspondence was a lifeline during his time on the Western Front, he reconstructs his family’s large estate into a rehabilitation center for similarly wounded soldiers. Now Alec’s efforts may be the only chance to redeem his family legacy—and break the curse on the Alnwick name—once and for all.

I loved this. The strength and compassion of these women are remarkable. I would definitely recommend this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!! It is so well written. I felt like I was there with the characters in the castle and the gardens.
It’s a three part story that ties several generations of one family. A curse on the castle keeps each generation inside the walls, and away from angry nearby townspeople.
What I loved most about this novel, were the love stories of each generation, and the strong women, each ahead of their time.
I give this novel 5 stars! I definitely recommend it if you are a fan of historical romance!

Delightful book with enlightening historical practices. I loved the castle setting and creativity with possible historical uses of a castle.

Very enjoyable read. Will be easy to recommend to many different kinds of readers. I’d like to read more from this author.

This delightful collection of novellas is centered around a beautiful castle that has imprisoned its inhabitants for decades. My favorite stories were those of American Dollar Princess Beatrice Holbrook and artist Elena Hamilton.
The three authors did an amazing job writing about three different generations of Alnwyck men and the women in their lives and drawing connections with those that came before.
The narrator did an excellent job bringing the stories to life.

I received a complimentary audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Muse, and the authors for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Good things seem to happen when my favorite authors collaborate! I loved how the history of Leedswick Castle and the Alnwick family was written anthology style, with three separate stories linking one generation to the next. Each story felt appropriate to its time period and was rich with historical details. The couples involved each have obstacles to overcome and the fact that each of the heroes were veterans carrying burdens of their own, made their proper romance realistic and satisfying. This was a very enjoyable audiobook with fantastic narration.

3 generations, 3 mysteries, 1 castle and... a curse? The Castle Keepers is a set of three novellas by Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan. I absolutely love historical fiction and mysteries and both together is the hight of perfection! All three are well written but the first story is my favorite!

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The three different time periods were interesting, and I felt like I learned a little bit more about WWI with the second story. I had not heard about the efforts to provide soldiers with prosthetics, especially during WWI. Some of the plot points were a bit far-fetched, but this is historical fiction, after all. Having three different authors gave each story a different voice, but they were all still connected. I would have liked a small epilogue at the end of each story, although the second and third gave some updates on the previous story's characters. Overall a delightful book!