The Lost Castle By Kristy Cambron Book Review and Giveaway

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

Ellie Carver arrives at her grandmother’s bedside expecting to find her silently slipping away. Instead, the beloved old woman begins speaking. Of a secret past and castle ruins forgotten by time. Of a hidden chapel that served as a rendezvous for the French resistance in World War II. Of lost love and deep regret . . .

Each piece that unlocks the story seems to unlock part of Ellie too—where she came from and who she is becoming. But her grandmother is quickly disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer’s and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family’s history. Drawn by the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty—a forgotten castle so named for Charles Perrault’s beloved fairy tale—Ellie embarks on a journey to France’s Loire Valley in hopes that she can unearth its secrets before time silences them forever.

Bridging the past to present in three time-periods—the French Revolution, World War II, and present day—The Lost Castle is a story of loves won and lost, of battles waged in the hearts of men, and an enchanted castle that stood witness to it all, inspiring a legacy of faith through the generations.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book that I have read by author Kristy Cambron. The Lost Castle was an intriguing book. It has several stories going on in different time periods –actually three stories that all center around a lost castle in Loire Valley, France, which in an area known for wine.

I love books that have historical settings that weave together. For me there is nothing better than curling up to a good book that has some complex setting, and strong characters.

The story goes back and forth between three women with the story always centered around the family estate.

One era is the French Revolution and the year is 1789. It is t suppose to be a happy time for a young noblewoman and a winemaker-Aveline Saint-Moreau is about to be married but, the castle is overtaken during a turbulent time in Frances history. Aveline is the “Sleeping Beauty” of the mysterious ruined castle.

The next era is during War World right before D-day. You get acquainted with Viola Hart. She is an English woman that escapes the Nazis in France. Viola is part of the French Resistance and an English spy. Her story ties together the 1789 timeline and the modern day timeline of the characters.

Next is the present day Ellie Carver who is an American and the heir of the Domaine du Renard Ellie was raised by her English grandmother. Her grandmother has one last request for her granddaughter and that is to find the castle, the Sleeping Beauty and to send a message that she never got to do. She gives her a photograph with a mysterious man by the castle.

It takes a few chapters to put it all together but, wow, was it worth it. The story is complex but, not so complex that it’s confusing. Not many authors can jump back and forth like this and make the story flow so easily. I have to say that not many books surprise me throughout a book but, The Lost Castle was intriguing, a mystery, and very heartfelt. The author makes you feel like you can see the setting in your mind while you are reading the story. I was thrilled that all three stories had endings and not cliff hangers.

This was an unexpected read that I was extremely delighted with. I think I’m going to have to explore more books by Kristy Cambron.

There is a giveaway on Instagram:

I received a free copy of this product from TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information accordance with the FTC Regulations.