I’m not sure quite how Kristy Cambron manages to weave stories set in three different time periods, but she does so beautifully. Not once was I confused about which story I was in, which time period I was in, or which characters belong to which time period. Each story on its own was captivating, but seeing how they intertwine was amazing. First, you have to give kudos to an author who can even dream up a story such as this one. And then her writing ability just pulls you right in. Her descriptions are vivid, her dialogue is engaging, and her research speaks volumes.

My favorite character was Amelia. She was strong willed, nurturing, and determined. The very first scene where the soldiers are essentially telling her they are going to staying on her property was delightfully funny, and I found myself drawn to Amelia’s character. I can’t even imagine hosting children near such a place as she did, and add in the soldiers that were taking base there – I couldn’t tear myself away from it.

Elizabeth’s story was just mesmerizing to me – trying to find her father’s murderer, and then coming face to face with him under unlikely circumstances. But her ability to sketch, and Cambron’s ability to bring that to life on paper, makes me wonder if Cambron has some artistic ability herself. Let me just say this – thanks to Cambron’s detailed descriptions, I felt like I was looking at the eyes of the murderer, and they were ingrained in my head throughout the story.

Present day Keira was just as wonderful a character as the others. The world of art fascinates me, mostly because I know nothing about it. But how can you tell a real from a fake? How do you know what time period a painting came from? This is a perfect example of how Cambron does her homework before writing a book. I may not be an art major, but Cambron makes it seem so easy and simple. In fact, she makes you feel as if you are the character, searching for clues and bringing it all together.

I’m always nervous about multiple time periods in a story, especially three. But Kristy Cambron never disappoints. Her uniquely written stories are a joy to read, and while I am sorry to see this series go, I know it just means she has something else great in store for us! The Painted Castle has something for everyone – history, art, romance, mystery, and adventure. Highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a heartwarming story entwining three different generations in three different time periods, and at the heart of each is the same special library and the mysterious portrait it holds. The portrait mystery is based on a real portrait of a young Queen Victoria painted by Franz Winterhalter, known as "the secret picture," featuring Victoria in a more informal pose for her husband, Prince Albert, and the mystery of who painted the copy of it and how it came to be walled away in a secret library drives the present-day story.

It's rare that I enjoy all of the story lines equally in a multi-stranded story. I usually find myself drawn more to the past, but in this case I was hooked on all three. Three women trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after tragedy and heartache, trying to find themselves and their place in changing worlds. I was so engrossed and so anxious to see how each story would play out that I did not want to put the book down. The suspense, the anticipation, the romance--all struck a perfect balance. And it was an emotional read on many levels. This is inspirational fiction, but that theme is very light. It's practically nonexistent in the two past story lines but it's surprisingly more relevant in the present-day story, and I thought that a nice twist.

I'm tempted to rate this five stars just on all the feels alone, but I can't overlook how rushed the resolutions of each story line felt. Endings can make or break a book. The ending certainly doesn't break this one, but after so much delicious buildup, I would have liked a little more time spent on wrapping up each story. Some things took place off the page and I questioned why the reader wasn't made privy to those plot points as they happened. And I still have some questions, particularly about Viscount Huxley. It's still a satisfying ending; I just wanted a little more insight and closure to make it perfect.

I have not read the first two books in this series, and I did not feel this story suffered at all for not having read them as they are only loosely connected, but I definitely want to read them now! The Painted Castle is rich, emotional storytelling, weaving together three eras and illuminating how, though times change, the human experience doesn't. Highly recommended for romantic historical fiction lovers.

This is the third book in the Lost Castle series, I've loved each book in the series, but I think this one is my favorite. There were three stories included in this book, one from the 1800's, one from WWII and one from the present day. Each story kept me turning pages, I loved that the female characters were strong women, who found strength amidst adversity. I loved all three stories and how engaging they were, I couldn't wait to continue reading, to find out what would happen next. Keep reading past the end, I loved reading about how the author chose certain parts of the book, there are also some discussions questions if you want to read this as a book club read.

The Painted Castle is the third and final book in the Lost Castle series by Kristy Cambron. Such good reads--all three! But I think this is my favorite. Castles, heroines, art, mysteries to solve and, of course, romance. I enjoy historical romance and with this time-slip novel set in three different eras, (Victorian, WWII, and contemporary) there is a lot of 'historical' going on! One tidbit of history I found to be quite interesting has to do with a curious monkey and a man with a yellow hat and the authors who brought them to life. The author has a masterful way with words that puts the reader right into the scenes--she knows how to bring the story and her characters to life. The characters are realistic and their actions and emotions are reasonable and relatable. I especially liked the WWII story--the hero was quite the hero--I so wanted Amelia to move beyond her past and connect with him. I liked how the tie-in between the three stories is revealed layer by layer throughout the book and also the great cliff-hangers between the various sections of the stories. The Painted Castle is, as the title suggests, a story about a castle but it is so much more. There is courage, compassion, grief, and the message of faith in the ever-present God who is working in our lives to build stories that become our legacy to those who come after us. This is a book for readers who love historical romance. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. I received a complimentary copy of the book through CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and the opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

Kristi Cambron has again produced a split time novel. The painted Castle is the third book in her Lost Castle series. While it takes a while to get into the book as you are skipping back and forth between 3 different times and 3 different sets of characters. As I gt into each story I began to appreciate the talent that it takes to write 3 separate storylines and then fit them together in a way that makes sense, and even better, entertains. Kristi is one talented lady! I love reading about castles and she does an excellent job with descriptions. Referring back to the series I really enjoyed the three distinct castles, one each in France, Ireland, and England. The Foley family is quite engrossing and protective of each other. So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a great read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

It's that time of year when many people are looking for the best bargains whether it be  Christmas gifts, Black Friday sales, or just everyday BOGO deals. Are you one of them? Well, if you are and if you're looking for a book that has three absolutely amazing stories that are tied together, then you should definitely look for The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron! It is a single story that tells three connected stories during three different time periods. The first story is about an artist in Victorian England, the second is about a widow in World War II and the third is about a modern day art historian who has to learn the stories about the other two ladies' lives for her new job. Which story was my favorite? That, my friend, is a very good question. I think my favorite was the story I was reading in the chapter I was on. I would get caught up in the story for the chapter or two and want to know more, and then the author would switch to a different story where I would pick up where the story left off before and I would start the process of getting caught up in the story all over again! I loved how Elizabeth's story had somewhat of a sinister mystery involved, how Amelia's story told about World War II and the challenges even the  British countryside faced, and how Keira's story was a mystery in figuring out the history of the manor. I also loved how each one included romance. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially time slip novels. 

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

Set in three time periods this story shows how generations of families are tied together through time. Hidden paintings and treasures are the focus of a discovery in a castle and this book concludes the Lost Castle novels with this story of art and secrets long buried in England. Interesting characters and interesting details, this was my favorite of the series.
I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary.

The Painted Castle is book 3 in the Lost Castle Series, I have only read the first book and think these work well as standalone even though there are brief mentions of the previous books here, not enough to spoil book 2 (yea I gotta read it soon).

Dual time periods are my favorites and when it turns into a triple feature, well I’m in my happy place. It takes a talented author that can pull off 3 storylines that come together. Kristy Cambron has done it with this book.

The setting was an old English Manor from the days of Victorian England to WW2 and then-current day. The Painted Castle is a story of the mystery surrounding a painting - it’s authenticity, why it was hidden for so long and how did it become hidden.

The characters are real with hurts, secrets, and hearts hardened because of said hurts and secrets. There are the historical elements that I always enjoy, especially seeing another glimpse of strong women not just during WW2 but in the past when women weren't supposed to be strong and have a mind of their own. The art world, both past and present added something different and the plot woven around it was unique and realistic- definitely shows the authors' research was done.

The Lost Castle is a series I recommend, I was entertained and totally absorbed in the pages.

My thanks to TLC Tours for the opportunity to be part of this tour and an ARCin exchange for honest review.

I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Lost Castle series. This fascinating novel is set in three time periods. I found it engrossing, and especially liked the World War II storyline. I have recommended the Lost Castle books many times to friends!

This was a book that I said yes to before realizing that it was part of a series. When I realized that it was indeed part of a series, I was a little apprehensive about reading it because it was the third book in the series.

But I really wanted to read it because it sounded so incredibly good and I love ‘sweeping’ novels and this book promised that and so much more so I didn’t want to pass on in simply because I hadn’t read the other books.

So I decided that I was just going to have to read it and see how it went. I know I have had my eye on the first book for quite a while so I debated about going back and reading that one first but ran out of time so I went into this one simply hoping that I wasn’t lost in the series!

Summary
It was supposed to be a one-week job: survey an art find, collect a hefty fee, and use that to settle historian Kiera Foley’s life back into balance. But from the moment she sets foot in the East Suffolk countryside, the mysteries surrounding the old English manor and the enigmatic art thief who’s employed her stir more questions than answers. Then, Kiera finds the existence of a portrait captivating enough to upend all of her expectations. This one could be a twin—a painting so close in composition to a known masterpiece, it may be rendered priceless if it truly captured the likeness of a young Queen named Victoria.

Set in three time periods—the rapid change of Victorian England, the tumultuous skies over England’s eastern shores in WWII, and modern day—The Painted Castle unfolds a legacy of faith, family, and stories that are generations in the making. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
So I had zero call for worry on being lost in this story. It was easily a standalone book. I wasn’t at all lost which was such a relief! I think the series implies that the books will be connected through characters, which is often the case with series where characters carry over etc. But from what I could tell with this one, it was specific to the castle rather than the characters if that makes sense. I was so relieved that this was the case! It was an outstanding read for me and I immediately ordered the other books in the series because I was roped into this one from the very beginning.

There is nothing that speaks to my heart like multigenerational historical fiction with castles and manor houses! The three timelines in this book flowed seamlessly and effortlessly. It’s not often that I feel that each timeline is fully formed and strong. Often one story is stronger than the other but not in this case. Each one was exciting, interesting, and well developed! It was so well done and I enjoyed each plot independently as well as woven together.

This is an ambitious book and I thought that Cambron executed it exceptionally well. There was a lot of ground to cover not just with the timelines but with the characters as well as incorporating some of the Christian themes. It wasn’t an easy novel to weave together I’m sure, but Cambron made it look effortless!

If I had to pick a character that I liked most I think I would say Amelia. It’s difficult to say why but I just felt such a connection to her and really enjoyed her storyline. This book had a lot to love and I was hooked from the beginning as I have said. I loved all the characters and never felt bored or as though the book was in any way slow. It clipped along at a nice pace and kept me more than interested. I can’t wait to read the other books in this fantastic series!

Book Info and Rating
Kindle Edition, 400 pages
Published October 15th 2019 by Thomas Nelson (first published October 2019)
ASIN B07QK71PX9
Free review copy provided by publisher, Thomas Nelson in partnership with TLC Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 5 stars
Genre: historical fiction, christian fiction

First, let me say, this stands alone, but I do love a good series. I'm now addicted. From the time frames to the art, I did not want to miss a single word. I adore the multiple points of view. When a book is good enough, even the WWII setting becomes fascinating. Cambron pulled that off for me with this novel. Romance, history, mystery, and subtle faith make this book strong. I didn't lose interest in any of the three-time lines and I am now looking forward to more books by this author.

"Three stories for one. Or one story through three lives. Wouldn't it be magic? Is it magic? The Painted Castle is the story of 3 women, 3 periods, 3 loves and many losses. It is an amazing story where everything connects and interconnects over a painted castle - a cottage built out of love for one's love.
The Painted Castle's heroines are almost sisters or babushka dolls. Three women living in her own time by the time's rules, laws and measurements. Be it 19th century English aristocracy, WWII widow or modern time rebelous daughter of Irish pub owner. All women are tied together by their love of art: books or paintings; history, puzzles and strong will to survive and overcome all obstacles on their way.
Romance plays a big role in this book. You barrack for the heroines, you want them to recognise the loves of their lives for what they trully are and to be happy.
Spolier alert: you do get happy ending... three of them.
This story is a fairytale for grown women. A very light, interesting, emotional read. You feel for the characters. You gasp, laugh, cry and bite your lip, in places.
I highly recommend this book and the other two in the series. "

I think this is the first time I read a time slip novel written over 3 different eras. Made for a really interesting read. Each era was equally as captivating as the next. To be honest, this book didn't grip me from the very beginning. But as I grew to learn more about the characters, it became an easier read.

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

Just as in the first two books in this series, there are three story lines in this book, with one present day and two different time periods. This is book three in the series and each story is self contained, but there are characters from previous books and there are connections that I would say its best to start at the beginning, but not necessary.

To review this specific book. This may have been my favorite of the trilogy. This book felt as though all three stories were connected and felt more cohesive than the other two. Kiera is the star of the current storyline and she has returned to Ireland after some drama while she was trying to pursue her dream job. Her dream job will come into play with the other storylines and I loved that.

One storyline is from 1833 and follows a young woman who watches her father get shot and from there is trying to figure out what is next for her and her mother. In 1944 England, Amelia Wood is a widow and living in a large home, she is "invaded" by the US army to take over her home as a base of sorts and interesting things happen from there. Because I am more familiar with English history over Ireland or France, I think I could sink into these stories more and had to do less research to understand the implications of the time and place.

I hope there are more to come in this series, I have enjoyed inhabiting these big castles and homes and learning about the history of the place in three different time periods, so interesting to see a home's function throughout the years.

Wow. This book spanned three time periods and weaved a tale of love, hope and Christ throughout the book. I liked the castle as the main focus and all its mysteries which intriqued me. I don't know a lot about the art world so I enjoyed learning more about that. What does a castle have to do with three very different women? Well you'll have to read it and find out. Each time period was well written and captured my attention. Each brought its own unique story to the book. It's hard to weave three different plots into one main story and have the reader stay interested in all three. But Kristy Cambron has successfully done that. Reading about the lives of Kiera, Amelia and Elizabeth was fun. I felt like they were real people and someone I wish I could get to know.

I love this quote from the book. It captures the theme of this book.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s never about the end of a road, is it? It’s about living and loving in the journey we take to get where we are. Right now. Right to this very moment.” Emory.

I recommend this book to my family and friends.
I received this book from the publisher to read and give my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

I wasn't aware that this book was part of a series (Lost Castle), but I still enjoyed it without having read the previous titles. The author deftly connected three stories from different time periods, they are all related to a portrait of Queen Victoria. The painting begets a mystery that slowly reveals the stories of two women who had ties to the manor where the portrait resides. All three stories kept my interest, I truly cared for the three main characters. This book appealed to me as I love stories involving art, mysteries, and old English manor houses. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys well developed characters and historical details regarding England from the 1840s to the present.

Kristy Cambron closes out her Lost Castle series with The Painted Castle, the story of Kiera and Emory. Reminiscent of an old movie, the accused art thief and the art historian/evaluator work together until the fire of rumors and truth gets too hot and combustion takes place.
Happily, we are simultaneously fed snippets of the survival of the castle manor and its inhabitants during WW II, plus another possible love development.
To make things even better, if not more complicated, Cambron weaves in and out yet a third tale of a young girl who sees her father murdered and grows up vowing to get revenge.
This is one tapestry that shows the immense skill of the author, working so many different strands seamlessly together into a beautiful, satisfying and educational product. Authors like Cambron are opening my eyes to the world of WWII. I have always avoided reading about this time due to the great pain and terror it produced, but Cambron shows there is life between the times of terror. Love, kindness, and a desire to help others can flourish like a determined weed between cracks of cement in an otherwise ugly, resistant world of hate and war. I love seeing the best of humanity come out and shine forth brightly when it seems the worst of humanity is winning for a season. I especially saw this in Amelia and Wyatt’s story, which takes place at Parham Hill during the Great War.
My recommendation? You can read this book as a stand-alone. If you do, hurry and get the first two books like I plan to, and find out the riches you ‘ve missed out on.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. This in no way affected my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.

The Painted Castle is a charming and entrancing time slip story – and this reader was so completely entranced that I finished it on one single rainy afternoon.

Like the previous books in this series, The Lost Castle and Castle on the Rise, the story is set in three distinct time periods. In this particular castle, the 1840s, the 1940s and the present. What links the three time periods in this story is a portrait. And a secret. And a secret about the portrait.

In the present day, disgraced art expert Keira Foley is back in Dublin working in the family pub, after her disaster-at-love derailed her career. And it’s there that suspected art thief Emory Scott tracks her down. Scott has a project that he believes is right up her alley – and will provide her with professional vindication as well.

He’s in charge of the restoration of Parham Hill Estate in Suffolk, and he has a portrait that he needs Keira to identify and authenticate. It’s a portrait of Queen Victoria, and it looks like a companion piece to the famous “secret picture” painted by famed portrait artist Franz Xavier Winterhalter in the 1840s. The portrait shows a young, newly married Victoria, with her hair down, looking as if she is thinking rather wicked thoughts about her new husband.


Queen Victoria by Franz Xaver Winterhalter. Signed and dated 1843
Speculation about the existence of such a picture formed a piece of what crashed Keira’s professional career. The personal crash was something else altogether. But determining whether this portrait is what it appears to be is an inducement guaranteed to bring Keira to Parham Hill – where the long-shuttered estate casts its own spell on both Keira and Emory – whatever their initial thoughts on the matter – or each other.

As they research the history of the estate, the past they discover comes alive through chapters revolving around the actual painting of that portrait – and the circumstances that brought Winterhalter’s surprising apprentice to the notice of the Queen.

Alongside the chapters in the 1840s, the portrait of the artist as a young woman, readers are also treated to a later and much more recent chapter in the estate’s – and the portrait’s – history. In the 1940s, during WWII and the repeated German bombings of London and the English countryside, the young widow of the last owner of the Estate is doing her level best to keep body and soul together, not just for herself and the estate, but for a host of children sent to the country for safety – and two German-Jewish orphans smuggled out of their homeland after Kristallnacht.

When the nearby U.S. Airbase requisitions the use of Parham HIll for quarters for excess officers, Parham HIll and its lady, Amelia Wood, open their doors and their hearts. Particularly to one American officer who captures her heart – in spite of how deeply, painfully inadvisable it is to build even friendships that can be taken away in the blink of an eye – or the drop of a bomb.

It is in the 1840s that the portrait is painted, in the 1940s that it is hidden, and in the here and now that it is brought to light. Churning up secrets and lives every step of the way.

Escape Rating A-: I picked up The Painted Castle because I really enjoyed The Lost Castle – and was surprised by how much I did enjoy it. I was expecting more of the same with The Painted Castle and I was definitely NOT disappointed. At all.

That being said, I don’t think one absolutely HAS to read the first two books in order to get into the third. There are links, but they are all in the present and add depth without having the story dependent on having read the previous. Particularly as the link in the present is between Keira and her two brothers, while the important storyline in each book is the link between the women in the three separate time periods.

What makes the interlinked stories so interesting is that all the stories are impacted, in one way or another, by great change. In the 1840s it was the Industrial Revolution – which does impact that part of the story, although not in the way that the reader, or the heroine of that period, initially believes.

The upheaval of the World War II era is obvious, even on the home front.

And then there’s the now, where both Keira’s and Emory’s lives are more than a bit of a mess – as is the neglected estate they are investigating and renovating. And change always stirs up plenty of the elements that make a great story. In this particular case, not one but three.

I think it’s the World War II story that had the greatest depth – or at least it’s the one that pulled at my heartstrings the strongest. But all three have their tragedies – and their triumphs.

My rainy afternoon in The Painted Castle was VERY well spent. So well spent that the middle book in this series, Castle on the Rise, which I have not read – YET – has moved up a whole bunch of slots in the towering TBR piles. The first book in this trilogy, The Lost Castle, was lovely, and so is this entry in the series. I expect great things from that second book and am looking forward to the reading treat some rainy afternoon – soon.

Cambron finishes her Lost Castle series with a bang. Her first book took the reader to a French Castle, the second to an Irish Castle, and the last takes us to the castle at Parham Hill Estate Framlingham England. Once again Cambron employs a split time story line each of which could be a wonderful stand alone novel. The time periods are mid 1800's, 1944 World War 2 as England is being bombarded by the Germans, and finally modern day as the castle is being restored. The central focus that blends the 3 periods together is a painting. The contemporary period is also connected to the previous two books through the Foley family.

Elizabeth Meade, Amelia Woods and Kiera Foley are the female MC's in each time period. Each is a strong, independent female who has unusual pursuits for her time period. The male MC's were each unique and interesting. I especially appreciated that the romance for each time period played a background to the suspense element.

This book grabbed my attention for start to finish as the suspense drove the plot. Each story line was equally intriguing and kept me turning pages. The descriptions of the locale and the castle brought the book to life and made me want to hop a jet and fly to England.

Each book in this series reads well as a stand alone; but you are definitely missing something if you don't read them all.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Books are a completely personal kind of journey. On the first page they ask us not only to be willing, but to be moved, changed, persuaded, even made new by the time we reach the end. Everyone's walk through is different."

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

My Thoughts on The Painted Castle:
At first, I wasn’t sure what to think. I was sucked into the story but the story kept changing! There are three stories within this one book that all combine and rotate around one painting. But each story is a different period in time.

I’m not sure which story is my favorite. If I had to choose one it would be that of Elizabeth. I love her character. She’s so full of passion and drive and yet she can admit when she’s wrong. Plus of course she gets to fall in love and she’s also seeking a murderer.

Good mysteries always get me. This one has a mystery in two of the three storylines. Well, you could say there is one big mystery that overpowers the whole story. And then there are two sub mysteries that work within two of the smaller storylines.

Of course, each of the subplots also has a romantic story going on too. Because what would a book be without a good romance going on. Here you get three.

Because there are three different plots it can get a little bit confusing at times. I also really would have liked to hear more about the WWII storyline for after the war. It’s hard to tell you what I want to know without giving stuff away though so guess I’ll keep those thoughts in my head.

I highly recommend this book but be prepared to give it your full attention or you’ll get lost in the time changes.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.