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Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko

About the book:

A thirteenth century castle, Chateau de Doux Reves, has been forgotten for generations, left to ruin in a storybook forest nestled deep in France’s picturesque Loire Valley. It survived a sacking in the French Revolution, was brought back to life and fashioned into a storybook chateau in the Gilded Age, and was eventually felled and deserted after a disastrous fire in the 1930s.

Sparked by the discovery of a long forgotten family heirloom, Ellie embarks on a journey to French wine country to uncover the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty–the castle so named for Charles Perrault’s beloved fairy tale–and unearth its secrets before they’re finally silenced by time.

Set in three different 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, and an enchanted castle that inspired the epic fairy tales time left behind.

My Review:

Wow. Just, I mean, wow. It is not often that I have read a book that is set in three different time periods and been able to follow it so well. This book is masterfully written and woven to connect the time periods, the characters and to be so engaged. I loved it. I found myself wanting more as I read, wishing for each one to have the desires of their hearts. Romance? Not really. While there is a faint romantic thread to the storyline, that is not the focus of this book at all. It is so much more the fight from each character to preserve history, a legacy and grant them a reason to keep going.

If you are a historical fiction lover, pick this book up. The author will have you hooked on her books with this one. Don’t usually read historical fiction? Well, give this one a try.

I ended up with an extra copy of this book, so if you would like to enter for it,  comment on this post and tell me your favorite historical fiction book, and leave a way for me to contact you.

This book was obtained through the publisher. The opinions found herein are my own.

You can buy this book from local booksellers, but also on Amazon. “The Lost Castle”

martyomenko@yahoo.com

Martha Artyomenko is an unpublished fiction author who has published some nonfiction magazine articles and reviews over the years. An avid reader and mother of four sons, she brings her many years of expertise to play when writing realistic fiction about topics of mothering, domestic violence, and childbirth. In her free time, if she is not reading, you will find her walking while musing about her next story to write or traveling to learn history for another story. Martha Artyomenko supports authors by running an active social media group (Avid Readers of Christian Fiction) and newsletter promoting niche fiction authors that would otherwise be unknown. Join me by leaving a comment or signing up for the newsletter.

This Post Has 44 Comments

  1. allofakindmom

    I just started reading the ebook version of this book, I’d love to have a real (print) copy! My favorite historical fiction…that is a difficult choice. I really liked Kristy Cambron’s other books, and could pick any one of them as a favorite, I think my all-time favorite of hers, though, would have to be The Ringmaster’s Wife. my email is allofakindmom at gmail dot com

  2. Kailey Bechtel

    This book sounds good! Thank you for sharing! I can’t pick just one favorite historical fiction book. My favorites are written by Jocelyn Green!

    My email is: kaileybehrendt @ Gmail (dot) com

  3. Cindi Altman

    My favorite historical fiction is A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers.
    It not only taught me a lot about the time period but changed my life in a very positive, spiritual way.

  4. Heather Day Gilbert

    I recently loved A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green–learned a lot about the French Revolution. I would love to win Kristy’s novel–thanks so much for this giveaway!

  5. Carrie Adams

    I love Susan Meissner’s time-slip books, incorporating a modern storyline with a historical one. I love how she connects them! I’m currently recommending The Fall of Marigolds by SM. Kristy Cambron is one of my newest fave authors, so I’d LOVE to win this book! Thanks! :~) cadams4jc@gmail.com

  6. Paula S.

    My favorite right now is A Song Unheard by Roseanna White. I love all that I have read by her. I also love Tammy Alexander. There are a lot to love out there! Thanks, Martha, paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

  7. Patty Rude

    A hard question to answer for an avid reader=) Two more recent favorites are The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green and Burning Sky by Lori Benton.

  8. Lisa

    I am currently reading and loving The Butterfly and the Violin. I loved The Ringmaster’s Wife and all of Lynn Austin’s books I have read. Thanks for the chance! ldean.6986@gmail.com

  9. Gina

    I enjoyed reading The Nightingale. Thanks for the opportunity to win The Lost Castle!

    gmeekma@gmail dot com

  10. Charis Zdrojewski

    Way too many good historical books to pick from!
    gracelz1(at)hotmail(dot)com

  11. Connie Kaiser

    I hope it’s okay to enter a series because Refiner’s Fire series by Lynn Austin is my favorite and I have a hard time picking one of those three. The book you reviewed above sounds great! I love stories like that. Thank you so much, Connie Jnckaiser@att.net

  12. Gina Holder

    This book sounds so fascinating. It’s definitely on my TBR list. I love reading historical fiction!! Thank for this giveaway.

  13. joyce152

    I love it when books jump from one time period to another. Like Oak leaves by Lang. It takes some very creative writing skill!

  14. Nana

    I love Kristy Cambron and her writing but most importantly I love historical fiction. My favorite historical read for 2018 has to be The Alice Network. Not CF but a really good book.

  15. Lila Diller

    I’m not a big historical fiction reader at the moment, but I realize I have a ton on my To Be Read pile. I used to read the House of Winslow series by Gilbert Morris, and that was always my standard, before I got out of the habit of reading hf. Thanks for the opportunity to win a free book! ;)

  16. Sandra Padgett

    One of my favorite historical fiction is Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar. I have all of Cristy Cambron’s books on my TBR list. I’ve read The Butterfly and the Violin and A Sparrow in Terezin. OUTSTANDING! slvie50athotmaildotcom

  17. Rachel Dodson

    I LOVE the love comes softly series! readerscorner01(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. writinglynda

    My favorite historical fiction book is Christy by Catherine Marshall. It started my love for the genre, and Christian fiction in general. I look forward to reading this one, too! Thanks for the giveaway! Danandlyndaedwards (at) msn (dot) com.

  19. Carolyn Neinas

    My fav…The Colonel’s Lady by Laura Feagan Frantz. Courting Morrow Little a close 2nd.

  20. catherine3g

    Wow, this sounds fantastic! And goodness, narrowing to favorites is hard! I loved Connie Willis’ To Say Nothing Of The Dog!
    And you have my info :)

  21. Stephanie

    Picking and all time favorite would be difficult but my favorite recent read is The War that Saved Me. Excellent!

  22. Beckisue Knight

    My favorite Historical Fiction book is The Lady of Arlington.

  23. Suzanne W

    That’s good to hear that it was easy to follow the transition from one time period to the next. I’m excited to read this one! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    suzieq16132 at yahoo dot com

  24. Emily Potter

    My fave historical fiction would have to be Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It never gets old!! I would love to win The Lost Castle, as it sounds amazing.

  25. Chantel Brankshire

    Oh, I’m really enjoing Melanie Dickerson, thanks to your suggestion. I have read all of the available Fairytale ones and loved them. I read another book called the Huntress of Thornbeck Castle and that was really good too!

    1. Kristy Cambron

      Chantel ~ I am a huge Melanie Dickerson fan myself! Her fairy tale retellings are beautiful. ;)

  26. Perrianne Askew

    I loved Freedom’s Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
    perrianne(DOT)askew(AT)me(DOT)com
    Perrianne

  27. Melbacheez

    This book sounds so good!😊
    My favorite historical fictions would be “A Voice in the Wind” by Francine Rivers and George McDonald books.
    Thank you for the opportunity to win!

  28. KatharineWhite

    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is my favorite book right now! I can’t wait to watch the new movie but I feel like it is going to be very disappointing because I love the book so much!

    katharine salo at gmail dot com

  29. Brenda Murphree

    I have been seeing this book and would love to win. Please may I have 3 favorites or really 2 series and 1 other? Sydney Betts series this being #1 “A River Too Deep” are among my favorites. Susie Finkbeiner Series “Song of Home” and I have to say Jocelyn Greens “A Refuge Assured”. I hope that don’t disqualified me. Thanks for the giveaway!

  30. Rebecca Maney

    I will have to mention my favorite historical, . . . . . just this year. “The Lacemaker” by Laura Frantz kept me spell bound.

    1. Kristy Cambron

      Rebecca ~ It’s on my TBR pile for sure! Laura is just as lovely in person as her writing is in her books. ;)

  31. Lisa Gallup

    My favorite historical fiction book? Hmmm. I Loved Short straw bride by Karen Witemeyer! Thank you for the giveaway!

  32. Cheryl Barker

    Almost impossible to choose a favorite historical fiction — I’ve loved so many. Guess I’ll go way back and mention one I read for the first time in high school – Gone With the Wind.

  33. attennos39

    My favorite historical fictions are a Voice in the Wind series, Out of Egypt Series by Connilyn Cossette and Land of Silence.

    Sonnetta_jones(at)hotmail(dot)com

  34. Kerri

    I love so much about historical fiction. One of my latest favorites is Jodi Hedlund’s With You Alwayys and Tricia Goyer’s A Daring Escape.

  35. Maleah

    One of my favorite historical fiction is author
    Bodie & Brock Thoene (Zion Covenant series). Every one of their books are excellent. I look forward to this new series I hadn’t heard of before. Thanks!

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