From the desk of Jayda Justus:
Three bestselling authors collaborate on a compelling tale of how an English castle holds the secrets of one family through the centuries.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Set at Leedswick Castle, an imposing stone fortress in the English countryside, this novel explores the lives of the Alnwick family over three separate timelines, linked together by a curse that ensnares generations in its tangled web of deceit.
1870: New York socialite, Beatrice Holbrook, flees from disgrace in America to become one of the “Dollar Princesses” who exchange money for titles in England. She catches the eye of the reclusive Charles Alnwick who is set to inherit his family’s titles but is burdened by a war injury of both the body and mind. After a hasty marriage, Beatrice finds herself trapped between the stone walls of the castle where her new family’s chilly reception is colder than the weather outside. When a scandal threatens her new union, Beatrice must decide who she really is and what she wants the future to hold. Is her strength enough to break the misery engulfing the Alnwick family?
1917: As men come home from the warfront disfigured and changed, artist Elena Hamilton finds a new purpose as a painter of masks to help the wounded ease back into society. She is sent to Leedswick Castle to create a personalized mask for Tobias Alnwick whose face was mangled at the Battle of the Somme. As the reserved Tobias and the gregarious Elena work together, they find themselves falling in love, but will the Alnwick curse lead to their ruin?
1945: As World War II winds down, Alec Alnwick wants to use Leedswick Castle to rehabilitate soldiers like himself. Based on his wartime correspondence with an Austrian psychoanalyst, Alec enlists the doctor’s niece, Brigitta, who is also a doctoral candidate to help those haunted by the war, but her work is hampered by the Alnwick curse that still has a grip on Alec and the castle. Can they work together to redeem Alec’s family legacy before it’s tarnished beyond repair?
MY THOUGHTS
As someone who spent last summer traipsing around England and visiting castles and manor homes galore, I absolutely adored this book!
Love Triumphs Over All
I loved the romantic elements of all three stories, proving that love is stronger than any curse. Charles and Beatrice’s sheer devotion to each other, even though they were practically strangers when they married, was sweet and endearing. Brigitta’s determination to help Alec even to her detriment showed her true love. And in my favorite love story of the three, Elena and Tobias’ tender yet fun relationship made me smile. The three different stories all center around the theme of love conquering all, refreshing in today’s cynical society.
Little Known History About War
I was so interested in the storylines surrounding the different aspects of war. I knew about the horrific wounds suffered by many WWI soldiers, but I had never heard about the painted masks. I had to Google it to see pictures, which are jaw-dropping. With so many books written about WWII, it’s hard to find a unique story, but the authors’ focus on the mental anguish suffered by the soldiers after the war and their care was fascinating. In our world where we are aware of PTSD and the effects of trauma, it’s hard to imagine a time period where they were little understood and not discussed. I am continually shocked by the horrors of war and their lingering repercussions.
Step into Downton Abbey
This book is written for those who want to be immersed in the world of Downton Abbey. Beatrice and Charles remind me of Cora and Robert Crawley, an American heiress and an English Lord who married out of necessity but found love amidst the crumbling walls of a centuries-old castle. I couldn’t help but picture Matthew Crawley during the WWI storyline and enjoyed imagining his son as Alec, turning his ancestral home into a hospital for WWII soldiers. There’s even a wink to Downton Abbey in the book as a character mentions the excavations to find King Tut’s tomb, which was financed by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle where the TV show was filmed. If you’ve missed being in that world, you must read this book!
5 out of 5 Stars
WE RECOMMEND THE CASTLE KEEPERS FOR THOSE WHO:
❤️ Love stories set over multiple timelines
❤️ Want to read about little known aspects of history
❤️ Like to read sweet romances full of dedication and devotion
❤️ Enjoy the world of Downton Abbey
BOOK INFORMATION
- The Castle Keepers: A Novel, by Aimie K. Runyan, J’nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan
- Harper Muse (May 2, 2023)
- Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook (384) pages
- ISBN: 978-0785265320
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Collaborative Novels, Inspirational Fiction
AMAZON | PUBLISHER | ADD TO GOODREADS
We received a review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Cover image courtesy of Harper Muse © 2023; text Jayda Justus © 2023, austenprose.com, an Amazon affiliate.
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Neat that you had your castle visits in mind when you got into this book. Intriguing how the terrible scars war put on them was a big part of each story and romance. Enjoyed getting your thoughts on it, Jada!
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