MrsK Books: 07/01/2020

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron

Kristy Cambron

ISBN: 9780718095499

Publisher's Synopsis:

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?

"Fairy-tale weddings never included..."

MrsK's Review:

Laine has arrived in France for her best friend's wedding. The "Sleeping Beauty" castle with a winter wedding will be a "fairy tale" wedding come to life. At least that is what Laine imagined. "Enchanted" with the allusion of a castle wedding, the beauty of a landscape that time has not erased, as well as the historical intrigue that beckons to every aspect of Laine's antiquarian roots. As for this day, the only thing missing is her faith in an enduring love. Laine soon realizes that the prospect of a castle's ruins and a manor house might just be what would put a smile on her daughter's face, after all "who knew what treasures might be housed in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland? Will she follow the "persistent whispering" that beckons her to follow a path she never intended?

Ellie begins her wedding day as a "peaceful " bride. One of the most endearing aspects to Ellie's wedding day countenance is her graciousness. A graciousness that has been woven within her by her Granma Vi, as well as a determination to face life with a quest for truth.

Issy is not what a true Irish lady is expected to be in the year of 1915. Politically minded is not just a strength but a determining choice that could prove fatal. With her newly purchased Autographic Kodak in hand, she will follow her heart and do so much more than taking shots of the "sea and sky."
Yet, will Issy allow her "grit" guide her through the streets she knows in order to run dispatches through to those who are fighting for the cause?

One winter's night in 1797, on the sea cliffs of Castle Chryn, Maeve discovers a motionless thief who is hunted by many and a fool in her estimation. Is the clan O'Byrne really using their castle ruins as a beacon as a smuggling effort against the crown or is it something more sinister? Neither Castle Chryn, nor Ireland would "bleed for naught." Can Maeve's hope forge peace in their land?

As a reader, there were many advantages for reading this novel. Castles...check, Ireland settings...check, quick historical romance...check, and from a trusted author...check!
Enjoy this moment within a time that spans generational love, devotion, and inner strength, because "failth isn't prepackaged... it's messy at times."
MrsK

"Live every moment...

Fix every second of this night in your heart...

Protect it...

Visit it often."

An adventurous outing... A woven legacy worth saving... Delightful!

Read MrsK's "Lost Castle" review

Meet the Author:

KRISTY CAMBRON is a vintage-inspired storyteller, writing in the space where history, art, and faith intersect. She's an award-winning author of Bible studies and historical fiction—including her bestselling debut, The Butterfly and the Violin.
A self-proclaimed history nerd, she loves to chase all things research—going behind the scenes at a Ringling Bros. Sarasota mansion, touring a former TB sanitarium, making bee friends at a working honey farm, or embarking on a back roads jaunt across Ireland being a few. She holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and spent 15 yrs in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 corporation, partnering with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling.

Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can be found teaching verse mapping and penning her next stories in a beloved coffee shop corner with kayaks on the wall. To join on the story road, sign up for Kristy's WRITING DESK newsletter at: http://kristycambron.com, and visit the Verse Mapping Bible Study Community at: http://versemapping.com

"I received this book from the Fiction Guild for this review."

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)