For the heroes of the 390th, and all who fought so brilliantly during WWII, whose history and legacy we are losing to time every day . . . For those who ran toward trouble instead of away from it . . . For the evergreen courage that is a testament to us all . . . And for being willing to put their lives and futures on the line so descendants like this granddaughter can sit in a home office, thumb through photos and postcards, and pen a novel that is as much a part of my heart as any I’ve written before it . . .
Thank you.
To my ever-patient, protective, and completely wonderful publishing family at HarperCollins, I thank you for your belief in me: Amanda Bostic, Allison Carter, Jodi Hughes, Paul Fisher, and Savannah Summers. To Kristen Ingebretson—many thanks for your absolutely brilliant cover designs. And to my dear friend, editor extraordinaire Becky Monds—you make every day better for allowing me to share the stories of my heart. To Julee, for your beautiful skill and patience in helping this author gal take a story from manuscript to shelf-worthy book. To author sisters who stood in the gap, encouraged, or supported through the writing of this book: Beth Vogt, Sarah Ladd, Katherine Reay, Sara Ella, Rachel Hauck, Susan May Warren, and Colleen Coble. And to Rachelle Gardener: You are the best. You inspire me to be a wildly imaginative thinker and dreamer, and above all, you are a first-class friend. Thanks for all you do.
Oh, how I adore a good character name supplied by reader friends! Thanks to those who helped name characters in this book: To Maggie Walker, my bestie from high school, for embarking on a beekeeping adventure with this author gal, and for loaning her unique brand of awesome to Maggie Jane (M. J.); to the real Cebert Byron (or C. B., as you’re known), for mailing my many book packages at the post office; to my nephews, Ben and Eli, for naming two members of the modern-day Parham Hill crew; to beloved friend Marlene (Amelia) and her prince charming, Steve (Wyatt Stevens), whose Christmastime wedding inspired the love story between our WWII-era characters; to our oldest son, Brady, who suggested the enigmatic Henry Darlington (Darly) his delightfully rumpled yet very British name; to our youngest son, Colt, who inspired the curiosity of young Luca; and to our middle son, Carson, whose sketch of a curious figure in a top hat became the character of Keaton James from the very first lines of this novel.
For noticing a young art student who stumbled into class the first semester of college, and for the more than two decades of investment made in me since, I send my most ardent thanks to Anne E. Guernsey Allen, PhD, professor of fine arts at Indiana University Southeast. You helped shape my love of art and history, and to fill the space for which God was counting on someone to step in and encourage what seemed an incredibly faraway dream, He used you. Thank you for changing my life.
Thanks to curators at the 390th Memorial Museum in Tucson, Arizona, for allowing this curious author to peek through your archives and benefit from the absolutely brilliant information and legacy of stories you’ve gathered on this brave group of fighting men.
Big, bee-buzzing appreciation goes to Tracy Hunter and the rest of the farm family at Hunter’s Bee Farm in Martinsville, Indiana. Not just for the research tour of the honey-making world you’ve been experts at since 1910, but for helping this sometimes-fearful author gal and her bestie to buck up and be fear-less for one glorious beekeeping day. Many thanks!
To the amazing community of women at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky; to my momma, for reading the messiest of first drafts I could ever come up with; and to my best friend—my husband, Jeremy—for whispering, “Why don’t you marry me?” long before Emory did in this story and changing my whole world because of it. And to our three adventure-seeking sons, Brady, Carson, and Colt . . . Thank you. I love you all.
And to my Savior, who defines all that I am—every story begins and ends with the grace and ardent love I can only receive from You.
About the Author
Photo by Whitney Neal Photography
Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her novels have been named to Library Journal Reviews’ list of Best Books of 2014 and 2015 and have received nominations for RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best Inspirational Book of 2014 and 2015, as well as INSPY Award nominations in 2015 and 2017. Kristy holds a degree in art history from Indiana University and lives in Indiana with her husband and three basketball-loving sons.
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Website: www.kristycambron.com
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Praise for Kristy Cambron
“Another page turner! Kristy Cambron will enthrall readers with this gripping tale of three uniquely troubled women from different centuries yet linked by secrets hidden behind the walls of an ancient English castle. Enjoy the ride as Cambron uses her trademark skill peeling away the mystery surrounding East Suffolk’s Parham Hill Estate and the answer to each woman’s heart—one tantalizing layer at a time. The Painted Castle is a story compelling, beautifully written, and sure to thrill a broad range of historical fiction fans!”
—Kate Breslin, bestselling author of Far Side of the Sea
“Meticulously researched, intricately plotted, and elegantly written, Kristy Cambron weaves a haunting yet heartwarming tale that spans generations. With vivid descriptions and unforgettable characters, Cambron draws her readers into a world full of secrets and romance. Highly recommended!”
—Sarah E. Ladd, bestselling author of The Governess of Penwythe Hall, for The Painted Castle
“The Painted Castle is a richly layered narrative for readers of Pam Jenoff, Rachel Hauck, and Sarah Sundin. Cambron’s welcome knowledge of visual art as well as her penchant for marrying passion for location with splendid descriptive construction create an ode to the timeless quest for romance across the centuries. The Painted Castle wields an artist’s attention to detail, impeccable research, and sheer soul that stir savvy readers to recognize they are being given the rare opportunity to peer into an author’s heart.”
—Rachel McMillan, author of Murder in the City of Liberty
“A brilliant ending to the Lost Castle series, The Painted Castle captivated me from start to finish. When woven together, each of the three storylines created a beautiful tale of redemption, authenticity, and courage. From the gorgeous setting to the sweet and gentle romances, The Painted Castle is Kristy Cambron at her best.”
—Lindsay Harrel, author of The Secrets of Paper and Ink
“Enchanting and mesmerizing! Castle on the Rise enters an alluring land and time with a tale to be treasured. Ireland comes to life with as much vivid light as the characters of this dual-timeline tale of redemption and love. For those of us who love Ireland and its misty shores, its myths, and its mysteries, Kristy Cambron brings it all to life. More than once I wished to walk through the pages of Castle on the Rise and join Cambron’s magnificent women on a quest for the truth, and for love.”
—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, for Castle on the Rise
“Vivid visual descriptions will make readers want to linger in the character and time period of each chapter, but they will become quickly immersed soon after starting the next. Romance fans will appreciate how Cambron builds multiple love stories within this richly historical, faith-based tale.”
—Booklist for The Lost Castle
“Cambron once
again makes smart use of multiple eras in her latest time-jumping romance. Cambron spins tales of resiliency, compassion, and courage.”
—Publishers Weekly for The Lost Castle
“As intricate as a French tapestry, as lush as the Loire Valley, and as rich as heroine Ellie’s favorite pain au chocolat, The Lost Castle satisfies on every level. Kristy Cambron’s writing evokes each era in loving detail, and the romances are touching and poignant. C’est bon!”
—Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of The Sea Before Us and the Waves of Freedom series
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been so thoroughly engrossed in a novel. Kristy Cambron grabs you from the start and weaves a fabulously intricate and intoxicating tale of love and loss. Her settings are breathtaking, her historical detail impeccable, and her characters now dear friends. The Lost Castle kept me spellbound!”
—Tamera Alexander, USA TODAY bestselling author of With This Pledge
“An absolutely lovely read! Cambron weaves an enchanting story of love, loss, war, and hope in The Lost Castle. Spanning the French Revolution, World War II, and today, she masterfully carries us into each period with all the romance and danger of the best fairy tale.”
—Katherine Reay, award-winning author of The Austen Escape
“Readers will be caught up in themes of family, loyalty, and courage—as well as a mystery and even a bit of a fairy-tale romance—in Kristy Cambron’s The Lost Castle. Cambron weaves together the lives of three very different women with vivid emotion against the lush backdrop of France.”
—Beth K. Vogt, Christy Award–winning author
“Cambron’s lithe prose pulls together past and present, and her attention to historical detail grounds the narrative to the last breathtaking moments.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review, for The Illusionist’s Apprentice
“Prepare to be amazed by The Illusionist’s Apprentice. This novel will have your pulse pounding and your mind racing to keep up with reversals, betrayals, and surprises from the first page to the last. Like her characters, Cambron works magic so compelling and persuasive, she deserves a standing ovation.”
—Greer Macallister, bestselling author of The Magician’s Lie and Girl in Disguise
“With rich descriptions, attention to detail, mesmerizing characters, and an understated current of faith, this work evokes writers such as Kim Vogel Sawyer, Francine Rivers, and Sara Gruen.”
—Library Journal, starred review, for The Ringmaster’s Wife
“Historical fiction lovers will adore this novel! The Ringmaster’s Wife features two rich love stories and a glimpse into our nation’s live entertainment history. Highly recommended!”
—USA TODAY, Happy Ever After
“A soaring love story! Vibrant with the glamour and awe that flourished under the Big Top in the 1920s, The Ringmaster’s Wife invites the reader to meet the very people whose unique lives brought the Greatest Show on Earth down those rattling tracks.”
—Joanne Bischof, award-winning author of Daughters of Northern Shores
“Cambron expertly weaves together multiple plotlines, time lines, and perspectives to produce a poignant tale of the power of love and faith in difficult circumstances. Those interested in stories of survival and the Holocaust, such as Elie Wiesel’s ‘Night,’ will want to read.”
—Library Journal for The Butterfly and the Violin
Books by Kristy Cambron
The Lost Castle Novels
The Lost Castle
Castle on the Rise
Stand-Alone Novels
The Ringmaster’s Wife
The Illusionist’s Apprentice
The Hidden Masterpiece Novels
The Butterfly and the Violin
A Sparrow in Terezin
Copyright
The Painted Castle
© 2019 Kristy Cambron
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
Published in association with Books & Such Literary Management, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, California 95409–5370, www.booksandsuch.com.
Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version. Public domain.
Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
ISBN 978-0-7180-9552-9 (trade paper)
ISBN 978-0-7180-9554-3 (audio download)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Cambron, Kristy, author.
Title: The painted castle : a Lost Castle novel / Kristy Cambron.
Description: Nashville, Tennessee : Thomas Nelson, [2019]
Identifiers: LCCN 2019018157 | ISBN 9780718095529 (softcover)
Subjects: | GSAFD: Christian fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3603.A4468 P35 2019 | DDC 813/.6--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019018157
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