Loved this book! Beautifully descriptive and such an interesting book!! I felt connected to the characters and really enjoyed this one!

An enjoyable novel taking place in three different centuries. Kristy Cambron describes the history and the beauty of Ireland and holds the readers’ attention in this captivating novel. This is the second book on the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand alone novel. I love split timeline stories, but at times, it was a little confusing who some of the secondary characters were in each of the three storylines, and I had to go back and reread parts. Readers will learn about so many interesting details about the history of Ireland throughout the novel. Overall, this is a wonderful story that fans of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron is an entertaining time-slip novel that lovers of history will not want to miss. The author takes readers to Ireland where over the centuries three strong and vibrant women dream dreams, are confronted with storms of life and yet find the resilience to weather through those storms, and are able to learn to trust despite things of the past that have brought doubts and fears. Maeve of the late 1790s, Issy of 1916, and Laine of the present day, each have their hopes for a better future and their stories are set in the shadow of the Castle Chryn where 'the rise allowed something new to always grow.' Ireland comes alive with the author's descriptive writing style. It is easy to be drawn into the Irish countryside with sentences like 'standing again where ancient stones drew an outline against the early morning sky and the sea crashed the rocks in as vast and blue and heart-stirring a manner as she remembered.' Readers are transported from a contemporary setting to the times of the Irish rebellion for freedom and the author's excellent blending of historical research and riveting characters has created a wonderful story of three strong and courageous women. It's said that Ireland has a million stories if one stays long enough to learn them all. Cambron tells three of those stories in this compelling and powerful book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I did not read the first book of the series, and as it turns out, that's fine. Maybe the secondary characters would have been a little richer, but I believe the novel stands up perfectly as a stand-alone.

So, this is one of those stories that has 3 different tales set in different times. I didn't really get the importance of them all connecting, but I enjoyed the individual stories on their own. In fact, I would have enjoyed a whole novel for each one. The writing is enjoyable and Cambron really does a great job of setting the stage and making you feel like you're in Ireland. She really portrays it as the magical land it is.

The only thing I didn't like about it, and I feel bad because it's my fault, is that it is Christian fiction. I didn't realize that going into it. That genre is just not my cup of tea. However, I will say that for being a part of said genre, I did enjoy it. There was nothing overtly preachy in it and it mainly centered on making the right choices and showing kindness to others.

If you're in the mood of an innocent romance with a turbulent historical backdrop, then I'd say <i> Castle on the Rise </i> is worth giving it a go, even if Christian fiction isn't strictly you're thing.

I absolutely loved reading Castle on the Rise. I was swept away into this vibrant story and felt like I was almost there in Dublin, Ireland. This exceptionally penned story follows the lives of three-leading couples across three time-periods, in a split-time novel that kept me turning pages late into the night! I couldn’t put this book down, I just had to know what would happen next! While this is the second story in the Lost Castle series, it easily stands on its own. Trust me when I tell you that you will want to set aside some quiet reading time to enjoy this gem of a story!

Set in Ireland’s tumultuous history, this story shares the real struggles that occurred on Irish soil for Ireland to gain its freedom from England. While I had read in history books about the uprisings, Cambron brought a new life to the historical events and gave them a face through the lives of these characters.

The deeper I got into the stories the more the characters touched my heart. I found myself even slowing down my reading as I wasn’t ready to reach the end. Expert tip: have a box of tissues on hand! I loved this book and I am eagerly anticipating the third book in the Lost Castle series!

(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.)

My Rating 3.75 Stars
This was a massive story in one book. Three different women, three different eras and rebellion on all fronts. This story packs a wallop, that’s for sure! I enjoyed the dual timelines, the location and the characters. What was hard for me was the grittiness and sadness during the two past timelines. That was hard to read and at least one of the plot points I didn’t care for in the earliest timeline. For me, this book ended up being a bit unexpected in the direction it took. This book isn’t a quick easy read, but for a trip to Ireland and an immersive reading experience, this book fits the bill in spades. I would give this somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. I am looking forward to the last book in this set this fall!!


I received this book on NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Castle on the Rise (A Lost Castle Novel, Book 2), by Kristy Cambron, is a captivating book from the first page to the last. Events in present day Ireland compliment events from one hundred and two hundred years ago to create a tri-timeline story that is simply riveting. Elements of mystery, history, and romance are thoughtfully intertwined in this well-researched novel. With excellent pacing and vibrant descriptions, important details are carefully revealed and hidden truths are uncovered as the story reaches its dramatic and satisfying conclusion.
In the face of dangerous circumstances and daunting secrets, the characters in this novel possess an inner strength and determination that is profoundly inspiring. As they struggle with fear, loss, threats, and uncertainty, the characters manage to cling to hope and to strive for purpose. As it both conceals and reveals its mysteries, the Irish castle setting itself also becomes an important character that adds to the strength, charm, and intrigue of the story. Furthermore, in the dim light of trials and broken dreams, profound themes of perseverance, justice, courage, sacrifice, and love shine brightly as beacons of hope and encouragement.
Castle on the Rise is an incredibly fascinating and moving novel. The intermingling timelines are truly compelling, and the enduring themes are intensely satisfying. It is certainly an emotionally-stirring and thought-provoking book. This novel is well-written, engaging, and memorable. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
*I received a copy of this novel through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

I am on a Kristy Cambron kick!! What a great author! I still have at least 2 more on my shelf waiting for me! AND I really want to delve into her verse mapping books and community as a new way to really dig into scripture.

A Castle on a Rise is a split-time novel that follows 3 fascinating women in 3 different time periods all connected to the same property. At first I was afraid that having three separate plotlines I wouldn't get enough from each one, but I was wrong. I enjoyed each of the stories equally, and I feel like I got a bit of a history lesson through it. In unique ways, each woman's inner strength propelled their decisions and actions moving the book forward quickly. I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, but it is one that scenes and characters have just stuck with me.

A couple years ago I had seen a couple books by Kristy Cambron popping up different places. I was intrigued by the covers and seeing that some of my friends on Goodreads had read or were reading them, made me even more intrigued. When the first book in this series showed up on NetGalley, I thought to myself, "why not take a chance and see?" I was completely pulled into the story from the very beginning and couldn't set the book down. Then when I came to the end and found out there was going to be a second book in the series, I was ecstatic! I'd been watching for any signs of it being available, and once again it came available for review on NetGalley. I requested it straight away and had it sitting waiting for me until the publication date came closer. Can I tell you how hard it was to not pick it up earlier? When it came up next on my "to read" list, I took a deep breath and began reading.

If you don't want to read both books and want to jump right into this one, the author wrote it in such a way that it could be a stand alone novel. But because of how much I love both of them, and the main modern day characters have a somewhat integral part of this story in this second book, I would recommend reading them in order. Again, you could get by without doing that though.

I would also highly recommend that you give yourself some chunks of time to immerse yourself into this story when you are reading it. Not that you have to read it all at once, but with the three different time periods and each chapter jumping to one of the three (present day, 1916, late 1700's, present day, 1916, late 1700's, etc.) it takes a little time to figure out what's happening. Once you're a few chapters in for each story it really helps to be established with what's happening. I didn't have a lot of time when I was reading the beginning of the book so it took time to remind myself what was happening and which story I was in. But by the time I was further in, I had longer chunks of time for reading and I felt like I'd connected with the stories and could jump back and forth between the three easier.

The three main female characters are Laine (present day), Issy (1916), Maeve (late 1700's). I don't think I could say that one of the three stories was my favorite over the others. I was hooked pretty completely with all three. At first they seem to be unconnected except for the Castle ruins in Ireland. Then the further you read, the more little connections start to appear and by the end everything is revealed. I loved it. I became invested in these characters and connected with them emotionally throughout their struggles and triumphs, that I was laughing with them, cheering them on, and crying along with them in their deep heartaches. The emotions will tug at your heartstrings in this one. Beautiful story. I love having books that show connections throughout time as well as within our own moments of life because there are so many connections we have to each other without always truly realizing it.

There are some happily ever afters in this book but if you're looking for a fluffy, lighthearted and fun read, this isn't the book that will match that. It is full of heart and soul. It is full of heartache and healing. It is full of forgiveness and love. Most importantly, I think, it is full of hope. Kristy Cambron has written a beautiful novel that captivated me, yet again, from the beginning. And good news, there will be a third book. I look forward to that one with just as much anticipation as I had while waiting for this book.

I hope if you take a chance with these two books (or just one of them) that you can feel the emotions and messages written throughout these characters' lives, dreams, failures, struggles and hopes.

Content: Clean. There are moments of peril and violence in the different time periods. There is a secondary character who is pregnant from being raped but there are no details given. This does deal with the topics of cancer, adoption and divorce. I thought it was well written and showed the characters trying to heal and overcome the changes those topics bring into their lives. Some Christian elements throughout. Not overbearing but fit in well with the time periods and the characters' lives.

I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I love each and every one of Kristy's books!! This one surpassed all my expectations. She manages to write a story involving three storylines that blend perfectly!! What I love most about her writing is her research. You can always tell Kristy puts so much research into her books!! As a historical fiction reader, we love learning through our authors!!

Rich, knowable characters and vivid descriptions bring Kristy Cambron's Irish historical fiction novel, Castle on the Rise, to life in the reader's mind. For anyone who has been to Ireland or loves Irish history, this book offers an accurate view of the Green Isle and its rich history. Cambron weaves together three story lines from three different time periods and ties them together with a satisfying ending.

Having lived in Ireland, I can attest that Cambron accurately and beautifully describes various famous locations in Dublin and County Wicklow. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, for the most part. I have to say that through the first half of the book, I just kept wondering when or if the three stories would begin to entertwine. Not until the last third or fourth of the book did "clues" or "hints" begin to bring them together. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed Castle on the Rise, with its likable and very real characters, and I look forward to reading other novels by Cambron.

Note: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

Such an evocative telling of three different yet connected stories. I have to admit I struggled with the triple storyline in the first book The Lost Castle, but with this one I found the setting of Ireland so compelling and loved the history I discovered among its pages. I don't remember learning about Ireland's struggle for freedom in school, and I am especially grateful to the author for bringing it to life in such a meaningful way. It made me want to learn even more and follow up with my own research... a definite sign for me of an amazing book!

While I didn't feel connected to the characters' emotions in the way that I feel them as well, they were so interesting and I was filled with compassion as I read of their struggles and strength amid adversity. This isn't a book you want to read in spurts. I did better reading it in longer sittings so I could stay immersed and keep track of the three stories easier. As I got deeper into the book the stories began to converge with small details and links through history, and I couldn't wait to see the modern day characters discover the mysteries of the castle and its previous inhabitants. By the end my heart was full and I shed a few tears as each story wrapped up. There's something so earnest about war based in revolution, and the author did an excellent job portraying that passion and desperation for freedom from oppression. Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Pick up Castle on the Rise, and you might as well be picking up your very own ticket to Ireland. Kristy Cambron’s lyrical prose is the perfect vehicle for bringing the Emerald Isle to life—its atmosphere, its history, its sights, and its sounds. Including that swoony accent! I found myself equally invested in all three of the storylines that make up this novel, and I loved these characters, yet for some reason, I’m not quite able to gush about this one. And for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.

Perhaps a little bit of it has to do with following three different stories. Yes, they were connected. Yes, they were all easy to follow, but when I’m engrossed in a story, I like to stay right there, and I think the constant switching just broke that engagement a little. That’s not the story’s fault so much as my own total immersion reading style not being best suited to a three-way time-slip novel. Then again, that didn’t stop me from gushing about the first book in this series. And it certainly won’t stop me from reading the next.

Another possibility is that I didn’t quite get the sense of resolution I was looking for. In some ways it felt as though Ireland was the protagonist in this story, the other characters merely vessels through whom her story was told. But at the risk of giving a spoiler for people who don’t know their history, neither of the historical storylines ended with the freedom Ireland was looking for, and independence was already historical fact in the contemporary storyline. So in that sense, maybe it felt as though a key part of Ireland’s story was missing.

When it came to the three female protagonists, each had to reach a point where courage and resilience rose up in the face of disappointment and loss, but in many ways, I felt as though they’d only just grasped that in the final pages of their stories. As a reader, it was almost like someone taking away your dinner plate before you’d had a chance to eat those last few choice morsels. Then again, if this one is anything to go by, perhaps Laine and Cormac’s story will continue into the next book. And I certainly hope we get more of Quinn and Ellie from The Lost Castle, because there have been some developments in their story too.

Bottom line: regardless of what may or may not be preventing me from gushing about this one, it really is a gorgeous and engaging read, especially if you have any love for Ireland. Go back and reread my first paragraph to remind yourself of all the reasons why.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Kristy Cambron is one of the authors that made me fall in love with slip time novels because she crafts stories that connect and interweave in such creative and interesting ways. I have really enjoyed this castle series! I particularly liked this book because of the rich Irish history (a place I once lived). The author does the beautiful country justice with its descriptions and drew me in with its intriguing characters. I also liked seeing how the story played out as it flowed and moved. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next!

I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron is a fascinating book. The author skillfully weaves the book together out of three stories in different time periods, all set in Dublin. You’ll be turning the pages fast to see what happens in each of the stories. The present day story tells the story of Laine, the friend of the main character in The Lost Castle. Even so, this book definitely can be read as a stand-alone novel. Why read this book? Read it for the compelling women main characters who all face tragic circumstances but learn how to overcome them. Read it for the gorgeous descriptions that make Ireland come alive and make you feel like you are there. Read it for the fascinating bits of Ireland’s history throughout time. Read it for the stories of good people who overlook differences and discover the power of love to overcome all. I absolutely loved this novel and can’t recommend it enough. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

WHY I CHOOSE THIS BOOK

Kristy Cambron's books and I have a strange relationship, yet despite that I always find myself wanting to read her latest release and get lost in her lovely writing. The first book in this series, Lost Castle, was one of my favorites Miss Kristy has written, so when an ebook of Castle on the Rise was up for review on NetGalley, I excitedly requested it. 

WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BOOK

Here's my strange relationship with Miss Kristy's books: Her writing voice is one of my favorites. It's nearly lyrical with long, flowing sentences, descriptions that whisk you straight to wherever the book is set, and rich thoughts that pull you into the heart of what's happening. Yet her plots and delivery of information often leave me confused. Take the Ringmaster's Wife for instance - I felt like each scene was one of the most beautiful I'd ever read, but when you added them all together the book didn't seem to flow. And that was kinda how this book was. 

First off, I think I would have enjoyed this book better if I was reading a physical copy. I was reading a NetGalley ebook version, and sometimes the formatting's a tiny bit messed up, so I might have lost some of the story through that. Plus, I do better with keeping track of different time periods in books when I can easily flip back and forth to remember what's happening. So, do yourself a favor and request this book at the library, listen to it as an audiobook, or buy a physical copy. I'm fairly sure you'll enjoy it better that way. 

Next, the writing was beautiful as always. Every time I pick up one of Miss Kristy's books I'm a little in awe over how magically she weaves words together. Her sentences have a cadence that I don't find often in writing, and completely draw me in.  

And then comes the plot. Y'all. I was confused. I understand it's a style, and I understand it's not my style, so this really isn't a negative overall, it's just a negative for me. Miss Kristy has a way of writing where you see what's happening, but only in a vague way where the focus is on the outcome, not how you got to that outcome. Then five chapters later you realize revisit what happened and realize that what actually happened wasn't what you thought at all. Logically I know this is a cool way to write and probably is cheered on by many readers, but for me it just leaves me being like What? But why couldn't I just know this five chapers ago? Which, writing that I'm laughing at myself because that's the way I view all of life. I like knowing all of the information up front and being able to stand back and view the picture as a whole, so it's no wonder I enjoy the same in literature.

Also, the time periods and setting... I didn't realize how little I knew about Irish history until I was reading this book. The wars, uprisings, and ideals being fought for were ones that I only have the vaguest knowledge of, so therefore the details being discussed in the book were leaving me slightly confused. That isn't a bad thing on the author's part, it simply means if I would have gone into the book knowing more about the subject I probably would have enjoyed it better. 

And then we come to the characters... Sadly, I wasn't really able to relate to any of them, and since I'm a character-driven reader this was another drawback for me. It wasn't that the characters were poorly written - because they weren't. They just weren't the character's for me to fall in love with or relate to. 

 CONCLUSION

There were a few slight things I didn't like in the book, but for the most part, the reason it only get's three stars from me is simply because it wasn't the right book for me. Still, because of the beautiful writing, I'm glad I read it.  

RATING

I’m giving Castle on the Rise 3 out of 5 stars.

((NetGalley was totally amazing to provide this book for review - all thoughts are my own. I mean, obviously.))

Many of us have been asked the question, "If you could go anywhere you wanted, where would you go?" My answer has always been Ireland. Thanks to the gifted author with her vivid descriptions, I feel like I have traveled there. The beauty of this story is that it takes place during three time periods. The historical details were so intriguing and I was torn as to what period I liked. Each one told a story that weaved into the other without hesitation.


Laine is in the present day and travels to France to help her brother with an issue of inheritance dealing with his friend. Along the way, she will have decisions to make and some soul searching that will have readers delving into her story with anticipation. I liked her determination and loved going along with her as she explores places.

Issy's story is set in 1916 where we find her going out into the trenches of the Easter Rising . She captures pictures with her Kodak camera that take in the tragedy of a place fighting for freedom. I loved her spunk and how she never gave up.

Maeve's story is set in 1798 and finds herself trying to save her family's castle from being in ruins. Her story set the stage as the author starts to untangle each woman's life and show how each one became an important part to the overall story line. It was hard for Maeve to trust anyone and will find herself questioning her decisions.

The story moves at a good pace and was easy to slip into different time periods with ease. I loved how the author took us from present day where Laine is struggling with issues from back home, to a courageous Issy who uses her camera to capture bullets flying and chaos breaking out, to Maeve who is desperate to save her home .

Each woman is searching for something that will take readers on a journey as we watch them struggle to find answers and hope.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Having read the first novel in the Lost Castle series, I was looking forward to another castle! Unfortunately, as with the first novel, I found it difficult to make sense of the three storylines as I read. A bit more context for the historical background would have been great in the 1798 and 1916 storylines. It took me much longer to read this novel than usual because I simply wasn't drawn in. It's also a novel that involves characters in tough and challenging circumstances - this too, played a negative role in bringing me into the story.

On a positive note, I do admire the amount of research that Kristy does in writing her books. I also enjoy her wordsmithing as evidenced by this particular quote: "Not because we're hiding away from peace and joy in this place, but because we've no room left to hold all of it that we possess."

I am thankful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC. This review is solely my own, and I have not received any compensation for doing so.

I enjoyed the last novel in this series, titled The Lost Castle. It was a magical story. So, I looked forward to reading this novel.

I enjoyed the atmosphere as the author swept me into a castle in Ireland and a fairy tale wedding in France between Ellie Carver and Quinn Foley. It was an interesting well written story with likeable characters. I found this one harder to read because of the three-story lines. This is a sequel but can be read as a standalone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-issues-book-fun-mag

Three more stories centered around a new set of castle ruins. This series is fantastic!

As Ellie and Quinn’s wedding approaches, Ellie’s friend Laine Forrester travels to France with her daughter Cassie to attend. Shortly after the wedding, Ellie drops a bombshell concerning her health to Laine and explains that she and Quinn will be traveling to Ireland to visit his estranged family over a personal mater. She asks if Laine and Cassie will come along because of her experience with antiques. But Laine has been holding secrets of a failed marriage from Ellie as well. Quinn’s brother Cormac has become a welcome distraction in Ellie’s life and Cassie has become quite taken with him as well. Once in Ireland, Laine begins to learn the history behind the family’s pub that has been in business since the late 18th century and all the events that the pub has survived in the past. When Laine discovers that the family has been left a castle estate, she begins to help catalogue the items left there, including several pianos. But no one could believe the role this castle has played in the revolution and rebellion throughout Ireland’s history.

There have been a lot of reviews about the controversy of this book. First of all, this is a work of fiction. The author did a great job portraying the time period that each of the stories are set. The language and phrases used by the characters fit both with the location that the book is set in as well as the time period. There was some negativity mentioned about alcohol, which is part of the culture of Ireland and the fact the part of the book is set at a pub yields that this is going to be part of the story. I challenge readers to not get taken in by minutia, but just to enjoy the stories that have been presented to them.

As far as the stories go, I enjoyed this book more than the first. Laine’s story is that of a broken woman who has been dealt blow after blow in life. She needs a strong companion, who has historically been Ellie, but with Ellie’s condition she won’t be able to fully rely on her. Enter Cormac who is something of a dark horse that finds a way to Laine’s heart. The companion stories of the 1916 Easter weekend uprising and the 18th century revolution also completed the story of the present in multiple ways. If I dive to far into these I’m afraid that I’ll start to reveal spoilers, so I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book to find out more!

The first book centers around Quinn with the second on his brother Cormac, even though neither is the primary character. Given that this is a trilogy, will the next book be told with their sister Kiera? I would love to see this story told with a member of their family as the primary character, but I’ll guess I’ll have to wait until next year.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.