I didn't know this was the third book in a series. I think if I had read the other two books first I would have enjoyed this one. There was a lot going on and I found it hard to keep up. This isn't the norm for me, so I split the stars in half and gave it three. Maybe one day I will be able to go back and read the first two. If you've read the first two, you will probably enjoy this one.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley.
All opinions are my own.

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

Completing the Lost Castle series, this novel is set in the 1840s, 1940s, and present day. In the 1840s the heroine is Elizabeth and in the 1940s the heroine is Amelia. Present day heroine is Keira Foley (sister of Quinn from the first novel and Cormac of the 2nd novel) and hero is Emory. The 1840s setting is the backstory for the newly-found portrait that is central to Keira’s story in the present day. Amelia’s story gives the background for the reason it was hidden. Cambron easily moves through the various time periods without much confusion for the reader. I read the first 2 novels in the series, so some of the action in this story made more sense to me than it would have if I had not read the other novels. I think you could enjoy the novel without reading the first two, but it is certainly a richer experience with more of the background. My personal favorite was Amelia (and her hero—Wyatt), but the entire novel was compelling and certainly interesting.

Present Day: Keira Foley takes on what should have been a one week job to survey an art find, but there's more to it than that. 1944: Amelia Woods is the keeper of Parham Estate, with children and American Officers on her property. 1843: Elizabeth Meade, an amateur artist, lost her father when she was young and has what she believes is a sketch of the man responsible. What ties these three women together across time?

This was a lot of fun to read. I will admit that the time it took me to read, I did forget some details, especially when it came to Elizabeth. I found myself having to go back to reread the chapters about her. Seeing the story woven across time was interesting, and just how these time periods were connected together.

I think my favorite was Amelia and her relationship with Captain Stevens. I had misgivings from the start, but I was delighted with how it turned out. I didn't realize it was part of a trilogy when I picked it up, but it definitely stands on its own just fine.

For readers looking for a heartwarming read that takes place over a hundred years, this would be an excellent read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a free digital version of this book to review!

Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 4
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 4
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

The Painted Castle is the third of Kristi Cambron's Lost Castle Series. She is the queen of multiple time lines. Kristy intertwines contemporary and historical stories in such a flawless way. I think I have read all of her books. One of my favorite things about her writing, she takes you to a location that you are not going to soon forget. Each time I finish one of her books, I find myself on the internet looking for more information about the people or the locations contained in her novels. I loved revisiting Ireland and the Foley family. I can count on one thing, I won't want to put her book down, even after the last page is read. She often brings a smile to my face and more than not, I will shed a few tears.
I received a complementary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

THE PAINTED CASTLE is another epic novel by KRISTY CAMBRON, which takes place over three generations. It follows on from Castle On The Rise, and, although it can easily be read as a stand alone, I really recommend reading the books in sequence, for pure enjoyment! I really like this author's way with words, her character portrayal and understanding of human nature, and the clever way her fictional characters fit in with the history of the times.
Starting in 1843 with Elizabeth Meade, following on to 1944 with Amelia Woods and ending with Keira Foley in the present day, the author has woven these three women's stories together at Parham Hill Estate Framlingham England, bringing this manor house and its surroundings alive with really beautiful prose. All three women have been badly hurt in the past and we see how they gradually find healing, largely due to the men in their lives, who also have a certain brokenness. It is a story of redemption and hope.
I like the historical aspect with Queen Victoria's secret painting by the famous
Franz Xaver Winterhalter playing a big part in the story, and also the vivid descriptions of the horrors of World War II and the fortitude of those who lived at the time.
It is an inspirational book with three wonderful romances running through it, and one I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed the first two books in Kristy Cambron's Lost Castle series, and this third book joins those two. Once again Cambron meshes three stories in three different time periods, all deeply intwined with the history of the Painted Castle. Characters come alive, secrets are hinted at and eventually revealed, and three women find love and fulfillment in unexpected ways. The lush descriptons, thorough research into each time period, and heart-wrenching emotions combine into a riveting story. I had a hard time putting the book down when it was time for bed.

You can read The Painted Castle without having read the first two books, but if you are able to read them in order, it will enrich your understanding of some of the characters and their backgrounds.

I highly recommend this book.

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

The Painted Castle, set to be released October 15, is the climax of the Lost Castle series by Kristy Cambron. Once again Cambron weaves the stories of the past with the modern life of the Foley family. A mysterious viscount, a penniless heiress, and a famous portrait artist provide the backstory set at Parham Hill Estate in Framingham, England. Flash forward to 1945 when a young English widow is housing children from Germany and London at Parham Hill. She is also asked to house American officers, one of whom is finding a way through the wall she has built around her heart. She tries to preserve the legacy of books and art left at Parham Hill, but it is difficult with German bombers making their way to the rural community. Flash forward to today. Kiera Foley is asked to come to Parham Hill, as it is being restored, to help determine the authenticity of a rare painting of Queen Victoria. As she and Emory dig into the stories hidden at Parham Hill, they uncover love stories that know no time boundary.

If you enjoy books, or art, or honey bees, or historical romance, The Painted Castle is the perfect read. Kristy Cambron has a talent for making her characters real and compelling. While each book has its own merit, you might want to read them in order: The Lost Castle, Castle on the Rise, and The Painted Castle. Their stories will take you to France, Ireland, and England. I highly recommend the whole series.

I was allowed to read his book early via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review.

I think you should totally read this entire series! It’s so fun and riveting and full of life and history! If you love nah of that then grab this series! You can start with the other two books while yo I wait!!

Absolutely loved this book!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fantastic novel that involves three storylines, each as enthralling as the next. It was hard to choose which one I wanted to read about more! Each of the characters were so special, but I think Amelia and Wyatt were my favorite romance.

Highly recommend!

The Painted Castle was such a pleasure to read. It completes the Lost Castle series that has taken readers to France, Ireland and now England. It was lovely to catch a glimpse of the Foleys, Quinn, Cormac and Laine from the first books, and of course Keira, whose story appears in this book.

The three different timelines in The Painted Castle are the 1830's Victorian era, the 1940's WW2 era and present day. I was most drawn to the story of Amelia Woods and Captain Wyatt Stevens in the WW2 era. Their love story was so poignantly touching and yet with a something of a "hope springs eternal" theme too. They had both suffered such loss and yet did their best to go on. Their story also focused the most on the significance of the Parham Hill Estate library and offered up my favorite passage in the book,

"But then I walked into a library one day and found the only person I've ever met who might understand. And books had the audacity to try to befriend me again. So much so that I no longer wanted the bombs. Instead, I wanted them, And her. And I wanted to ask if she could ever dare to care about someone again."

I can well understand the meaningfulness of this story to Kristy Cambron as the story of her heart, as her grandfather was also a pilot with the 390th Bombardment Group, the same fighter pilot group she portrays with her character Wyatt. The depth of feeling she has for this time period in her story was evident, so sincere and heartfelt.

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

The Painted Progressive is the third in the series and I recommend reading the first two first. The book is interesting and I enjoyed the characters.

I really, really wanted to like this book a little more than I did. Admittedly, it's mostly my fault because I didn't realize it was the third book of the series. I read some of Kristy's books in the past and really enjoyed them for their excellent plotting and fantastic writing style. This one was no different in terms of being well written but I felt there was a little too much going on with characters that didn't seem to have a clear connection for awhile. So I think it's a good bet that this would have been an excellent book if I read the previous two since I felt there was something lacking a bit in terms of background characterization.

An engaging read, right from chapter 1: a wedding, likeable characters, romantic setting and scenery, a wintry castle, and a handsome man appears on the scene at the end of chapter 1. And did I mention excellent writing? Plus, the cover is spot on for attracting readers! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

"I received a complimentary copy of The Painted Castle. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I really enjoyed the way in which this book was written - to show how a family’s and Ireland’s freedom were intertwined.
Ireland is a land of contrasts in which Catholics and Protestants have fought against each other for hundreds of years: this book personalizes that struggle.
In 1797, the Catholics and the Irish are at war - Maeve Ashford, a Protestant Heiress, unexpectedly comes upon Eoin O’Byrne, a Catholic whom she thinks he is a wounded horse thief.
You will freedom fighter siblings - Rory, a soldier fighting his way through Belfast in 1916, and Issy, his sister, a photographer who records the leaders and events of the uprising - and finally Lanie, Ellie, Cormac, Cassie and Quinn, the ones who are the benefactors of these events and families.
Enjoy the history and the families involved in Ireland’s struggle for freedom!

Didn't know this was a series before I decided to read and review! To me no sense in reading the third book if I didn't read the first two to me it wouldn't get a fair review!