Castle on the Rise (A Lost Castle Novel, Band 2) - Softcover

Cambron, Kristy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0718095499 ISBN 13: 9780718095499

Verlag: Thomas Nelson, 2019

Inhaltsangabe

Spanning more than two centuries in Ireland, Castle on the Rise unites the legacy of three women who must risk mending their broken places for life, love, and the belief that even through the depths of our pain, a masterpiece of a story can emerge.

When Laine Forrester travels overseas to attend her best friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find the bride on the brink of a fairy-tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks, it seems the storybook lives they’d imagined are suddenly ripping apart.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending, Laine agrees to accompany the newlyweds to the groom’s home in Ireland—never expecting she’d be the one drawn in by its wide-open moors, backroads bordering the Irish Sea, and a mysterious castle that dares to keep its secrets hidden.

From the storied streets of Dublin to the shores of the Emerald Isle, Laine is drawn in to the land and its rich history. The castle ruins whisper stories of Issy—a photojournalist battling through the 1916 Easter Rising, and Maeve—the castle’s lady of legend, fighting for survival through the 1798 rebellion that started it all.

Praise for Castle on the Rise:

“Enchanting and mesmerizing!” —PATTI CALLAHAN, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis

“Castle on the Rise perfectly showcases rising star Kristy Cambron’s amazing talent! Perfect pacing, lovely prose, and an intricate plot blend together in a delightful novel I couldn’t put down. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of Secrets at Cedar Cabin and the Rock Harbor series

“Cambron’s latest is one of her best. Gripping and epic, this intricately woven tale of three generations seeking truth and justice will stay with you long after the last page.” —Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author

• Second in the Lost Castle series (The Lost Castle, Castle on the Rise, The Painted Castle)
• Can be read as a stand-alone, but best if read in order
• Sweet romance set in three time periods: present day, World War I/Easter Rising, and late 1700s
• Full-length novel (over 110,000 words)

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Kristy Cambron is a vintage-inspired storyteller writing from the space where beauty, art, and history intersect. She’s a Christy Award–winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling novels, The Butterfly and the Violin and The Paris Dressmaker. Her work has been named to Cosmopolitan Best Historical Fiction Novels, Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal’s Best Books, and she received a Christy Award for her novel The Painted Castle. Her work has been featured at Once Upon a Book Club Box, Frolic, Book Club Girl, BookBub, Country Woman magazine, and (in)Courage. She holds a degree in art history / research writing and spent fifteen years in education and leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling. Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three basketball-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read. Find her online at kristycambron.com; Instagram: @kristycambron; Threads: @kristycambron; BookBub: @KristyCambron; Facebook: @KCambronAuthor  

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Castle on the Rise

A Lost Castle Novel

By Kristy Cambron

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2019 Kristy Cambron
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-7180-9549-9

CHAPTER 1

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

— Isaiah 43:2 (nkjv)

Present Day
Les Trois-Moutiers
Loire Valley, France

Fairy-tale weddings never included rain on the guest list.

Or snow — and they had both.

November possessed an obstinate will, and Laine Forrester defied every raindrop that dared linger upon the leaded-glass windows on her best friend's wedding day. Misty hollows clung to the autumn landscape outside the estate house at the Domaine du Renard vineyards and shadowed corners of the guest suite inside. Even as the clock nudged toward evening and they'd begun fitting Ellie in her bridal gown, the sky refused to relent.

By the time Laine escorted Ellie along the road to Château des Doux-Rêves — "The Sleeping Beauty," as the castle was affectionately known — a thin layer of white had frosted limbs of wild plums that lined the road on both sides. Snowflakes drifted down to greet them against a palette of winter grays and violets.

Even with a stunning landscape, Laine now wished they'd thought better of the walk beforehand, as a tea-length bridesmaid dress of satin and lace was not winter's favorite companion. Each time the wind shifted, it sent those pretty little flakes straight down her bodice, and she was forced to reconsider the whole France is romantic notion she'd built up in her mind.

"Ellie — you're sure you don't want the driver to take us to the chapel steps? I'd hate for you to have to walk all this way."

"And miss this view? Never. I told the man to drop us off at the front gate or I'd refuse to pay him. And I meant it."

Laine had to admit, her friend was wearing the bride image well.

The glow. The confident smile. The little kick in her step as they walked ... all of it, down to the vintage 1930s bridal gown they'd found just days before, waiting in a shop window in Village Saint-Paul — the eclectic block that was home to some of Paris's best tucked-away treasures. Ellie had paired it with a loose-braided chignon at her nape in twists of ebony. It was in deep contrast to Laine's shorn and newly platinum style, but an equal complement to the wine and deep plums in their bouquets.

The bride draped a lavender-gray stole across her shoulders — the something old and something borrowed from her husband-to-be's grandmother. And despite a few noticeable shivers shared with Laine, Ellie seemed at peace — very unbride-like.

Even un-Ellie-like, come to think of it.

It seemed they'd flipped personalities, and Laine's usual steadiness had been replaced with a skittishness in every second breath. She trailed behind, ready to save the bride from falling into a snowbank.

"I still think Quinn would take issue with this. Does he know you opted for a hike through the forest before exchanging vows?"

"Who's going to tell him now?" Ellie challenged, angling her heel around a tiny patch of ice.

"Of course I wouldn't say a word. But it doesn't feel the least bit honorable to make you hike in those shoes — or in the snow, for that matter. We'll be the traditional something blue when we do get you to the chapel. Wraps only cover so much, you know."

"It's just a dusting." Ellie smiled one of those knowing grins that said she was listening, but just. "And you're not complaining. I can take it if you can."

"I know you, Ellison Carver. You're being gracious like your Grandma Vi taught you, but then you'll do exactly what you want to anyway."

"And I know you, Laine. You're as enchanted with this walk as I am. Admit it. All those years spent haunting the back rooms of your grandfather's antique shop mean your imagination is waking up again. And for a self-proclaimed history buff, a castle has to be the ultimate temptation. You're just mother henning me, but we're almost there. See?"

Laine lifted her gaze to the ghostly cutout of stone through twilight and trees. She exhaled low — like she'd held that breath for too long and the shock of beauty finally drew it out.

It did remind her of the vintage shop.

Of books that told stories ... Instruments that played melodies ... They were no less an art form than an ages-old castle whose spires touched the sky.

Ancient walls seemed to climb and crumble at the same time, six stories against the clouds. A moat surrounded the ruins, its waters still as glass. Tree limbs waved and creaked with the toying wind. And at the grove's edge stood a tiny chapel, with cobblestones leading to an open door, its candlelight inside glowing warm and inviting behind stained glass.

"I know what you're thinking," Ellie whispered. "It's freezing. I'm Ms. Clumsy, and the heels are a few inches too high for anything good to come of it. But I need to stand up next to Quinn. You know — tall versus petite-ish genes and all. I want to look that boy in the eye when I say 'I do.'"

"Actually ... I was going to agree with you. How many times in life does a girl get to live a magical moment like this?"

Laine paused, the kiss of candlelight through the trees making rhetorical questions sink deeper into her heart than they should. She bounced back a smile that wouldn't be questioned, no matter what was silently fracturing her on the inside. "I'm defenseless with this view."

"You and me both. I remember the first time I saw it, and it felt the same." Merlot lips spreading a soft smile across her profile, Ellie hooked her elbow around Laine's and leaned into her shoulder. "I just realized ... this is the last time we'll be together before I step through that door and become a Mrs. too. Any final advice?"

Laine accepted a wedding in France, though beautiful, for what it was: an escape from the life crumbling back home.

Now was not the time to share her brand of advice. Or brutal honesty. The story of a broken marriage and uncertain future would have to wait its turn. Maybe she could come clean when Ellie and Quinn returned from their honeymoon. Or in the spring, when life had settled down. By then, Laine and Cassie would be back home — in a new home.

She could face the truth when it felt safe to pick up the pieces and start again.

It was a battle, but Laine shoved the ache away. She held on to her smile with everything she possessed and stood back, marveling as Ellie dropped her train — satin and lace absorbing the glow of light from the chapel door. They paused together, the snow drifting in a dance around them.

"Live every moment," Laine whispered into the twilight. "That's what you said to me when I walked down the aisle, remember? I gift it back to you. Fix every second of this night in your heart. Protect it, and visit it often."

"Live every moment. Yes." Ellie half laughed, then paused and cast her gaze off in the distance. She creased her brow. Deep. Like she was lost somewhere else for a breath.

Funny, she always did that just before she ...

"Oh — no tears!"

Laine rushed forward a step and dotted impending tears with her gloved pinkie before Ellie could ruin her wedding photos with mascara tracks. "I'm so sorry. What did I say?"

"Nothing!" Ellie blinked, turning her face up to the night air as Laine continued...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Thomas Nelson
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2019
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0718095499
• ISBN 13: 9780718095499
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 384
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Thomas Nelson; https://www.thomasnelson.com/about-us/; ; Damson Lane; Hull; East Yorkshire; HU8 7DS; Vereinigtes Königreich
• Verantwortliche Person: Product Safety Manager; enquiries@harpercollins.ie; ; HarperCollins, Macken House, 39/40 Mayor Street Upper; Dublin 1; D01 C9W8; Irland