Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron

Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron possesses a delightful richness to be savored!

about the book

A storied castle. A band of rebels. And a nation chasing the centuries-old dream of freedom . . . What legacy will they leave behind?

When Laine Forrester travels to France to attend her longtime friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find a bride on the brink of a fairy-tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks–a devastating diagnosis, a castle restoration put on hold, and the emergence of deep-seated family dynamics that threaten to derail the new couple’s fledgling marriage–it seems the storybook life Laine had imagined for her friend–and once, for herself–is suddenly crumbling before her eyes.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending for one of them, Laine throws support behind her friend and agrees to accompany the couple to the groom’s family home in Ireland, where the merging of a mysterious inheritance, long-buried wounds, and a fractured family set out to upend the trip from the start. It’s in the unlikely corners of a historic Dublin pub, and across the wide-open moors bordering Ireland’s majestic Wicklow Mountains, that Laine is slowly drawn in by the land and the people, sparking hope for something she never imagined possible: the courage to heal. But with secrets of her own–and a heart afraid to trust again–Laine must determine how much she’s willing to risk in mending the broken places within herself, and whether she believes that even through the depths of our pain, a beautiful story can emerge.

Set in three time-periods–the revolutionary era of the late eighteenth century, Ireland’s turbulent Easter week of the 1916 Rising, and present day–Castle on the Rise weaves a story of legacy, conviction, and redemption against the backdrop of Dublin’s storied streets, and the stretch of Ireland’s stunning emerald shores. It raises the question: given the choice between the fairy tale or a life of truly anchored faith–which legacy would you choose?

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my thoughts

There are books to be devoured and there are books to be savored. Like a deliciously rich dessert, this is a book to savor, reader friends. I often found myself lingering over the pages, contemplating the different time periods, and adoring the characters—modern-day Laine, 1916 Issy, and 1798 Maeve.

Laine (best friend of Ellie, our heroine from The Lost Castle) is a loyal and devoted friend and mother. Although her current concerns weigh her down, I admire the way she pushes through her own pain and disappointment for the sake of others. Laine willingly steps out of her comfort zone for her loved ones and the right cause. Her story inspired and encouraged me!

Rest assured, reader friends, I completely enjoyed each interlaced plot, every high and low, each historical fact and fictional embellishment. I will, however, leave the other two storylines for y’all to discover and explore for yourselves and enthusiastically urge you to do so! Although this book is part of a wonderful series it is also written to stand on its own. I highly recommend this series and eagerly anticipate the third installment!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

about the author

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller.

Her debut novel, The Butterfly and the Violin, was named to Library Journal’s Best Books of 2014 and nominated for RT Book Reviews’ Choice Awards Best Inspirational Novel of 2014 and for the 2015 INSPY Awards for Best Debut Novel.

Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin, was named Library Journal’s Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction) for February 2015 and a Top Pick for RT Book Reviews.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three young sons. Visit her website!

 

Castle series

book 3 coming October 2019

Are you a fan of stories with multiple time periods, reader friends?