The Making of a Mad Woman

About the Book

 She built an advertising empire on Madison Avenue. Then she walked away . . .

Manhattan, 1962. Josephine "Jo" Carmichael is the fashion world's reigning It Girl on the runways of Europe until she's forced back to New York for her estranged father's funeral. When she discovers his prestigious Madison Avenue ad agency is drowning in debt, Jo shocks everyone by wowing the board of directors and succeeding him as the new CEO. Branded "the boss's daughter" in a male-dominated industry, Jo must outwit her "Mad Men" rivals with a female team, win back major accounts, and prove she's more than just a pretty face--before her family's legacy goes up in smoke.

Present day, Port Huron, MI. Alex Carmichael has always lived in the shadow of her legendary grandmother, who once ruled the New York advertising world before mysteriously abandoning it for a quiet life running a flower shop in a lakeside Michigan town. Now, as Alex puts her own dreams on hold to care for her sharp-tongued, aging Gran, Jo makes one final, unexpected request that turns both of their worlds upside she insists on a return trip to New York.

With both of their futures in the balance, grandmother and granddaughter must come to terms with the truth behind Jo's sudden departure from the fast-paced world of a Manhattan C-suite all those years ago, and discover that ambition, sacrifice, love, and legacy are never simple.

Spanning decades from the Golden Age of advertising to today, The Making of a Mad Woman is a sweeping story of reinvention, family, and the courage it takes--for any generation of women--to claim the life they truly want. (Goodreads)

Releases February 9, 2027

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My Thoughts

This book surprised me in so many ways! After the first three chapters I was totally hooked and I loved how the dual timelines were written. This author is so talented and there are many little details in this story that are special. I have never watched Mad Men so I truly had no expectations at all in that regard. I enjoyed the 60s era and felt like I was really there in New York with them. Rarely do I love both timelines, but in this book I really did! I was excited to jump back and forth and there is a little hint of a mystery that is tied up in the end. There is clean romance but there is so much more within the pages of this story. The characters all have something hard to work through and several times I teared up. I just loved everything about this story and it is one of my favorites of the year.  

I highly recommend! 

Five stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Authors I Am Thankful For

Today is a Thanksgiving freebie for TTT and it made me think about what authors I am thankful for. I am grateful that they have written stories and continue to do so. Many of these title are older but these authors are still writing and I love them all! 

What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof

The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater

The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate

Sunrise by Susan May Warren

You Belong With Me by Tari Faris

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson

The French Kitchen Review

About the Book

 As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, one ex-pat uses the skills she learned in French kitchens during the war to bring long-held secrets to light.

Paris, 1952 -- An ex-pat wife living in Paris signs up for a cookery class taught by an American chef with an indomitable wit and decidedly French airs--an instructor by name of Julia Child. Amongst classes of the L'Ecole des Trois Gourmandes, with pots and pans and prim Paris wives learning to sauté in the French way, Kat Fontaine learns much more than she bargained for.

Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, Kat soon finds a simple cookery class unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war and questions about the high-ranking society husband whose past is as murky as her own. But when the puzzle pieces start to come together--and her carefully crafted Paris world begins to fall apart--Kat must confront her own secrets against the mounting suspicions of the husband she thought she knew . . .

Rue, 1943 -- Deep in the heart of Nazi-controlled northern France, Manon Altier shifts between working for the enemy by day--as a French chef at the famous Château du Broutel, where names like Himmler, Rommel, and Goebbels frequent the guest list--and running with underground networks against the Vichy regime at night. Working undercover to filter information to agents within the burgeoning OSS, Manon digs deep into the glitz and glamour of a Nazi stronghold that has her teetering on the edge of being discovered at any turn. But when an intriguing stranger appears at the chateau claiming to work with the French Resistance, Manon must lean on her instincts to judge whether to run and hide or stand firm--even as a terrifying discovery tests her resolve to continue the fight.

From the heights of culinary cuisine in 1950s Paris society to the underbelly of a WWII spy network embedded deep within Nazi-controlled Vichy France--and the spy backstory of the world's most famous would-be French chef, Julia Child--The French Kitchen turns up the heat on the pasts of women whose worlds collide, and forces each to question what she thought she'd planned for a perfect future. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

To start with, I think the cover of this book is stunning! This story is mainly set during WWII and the lives of undercover spies. There are multiple time lines to follow in typical Cambron style. At first I wasn't sure I would ever be able to keep the many characters and timelines separate but a few chapters in and I realized how the author was tying things together so it made a lot more sense. I enjoyed all of the perspectives shown during heavy war time and also after the war which I thought was a unique perspective. What did these people who were so pivotal to the war effort do once it was over? Did they have regrets? Were they still trying to right wrongs? Could they trust anyone? 

So many things are touched upon between these pages that it makes for quite a captivating story. It was really interesting to read about the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and what they did to help the war effort. It truly is astounding. There is a romance that you really don't expect and it added a sweetness to the plot. Julia Child makes an appearance which made for a fun plot twist. While a little slow to start, this book had my full attention and was difficult to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction. This is one of Cambron's best! 

Five Stars. 

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

The British Booksellers Review

About the Book

 Inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings, The British Booksellers highlights the courage of those whose lives were forever changed by war—and the stories that bind us in the fight for what matters most.

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington . . . until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls.

When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane.

As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.

From deep in the trenches of the Great War to the storied English countryside and the devastating Coventry Blitz of WWII, The British Booksellers explores the unbreakable bonds that unite us through love, loss, and the enduring solace that can be found between the pages of a book. (Goodreads)

Pre-Order HERE

My Thoughts

What is not to love with this storyline? I was so excited to read this novel and I really enjoyed it despite some of the plot points being a bit unexpected. There is a lot of dual time line back and forth so you do really have to pay attention to what you are reading. The author did a great job at this though and I didn't feel too lost. The characters are so well written and developed. I just love Amos and his journey throughout this book and he is by far my favorite. There is somewhat of a romance thread but it won't be what you expect. I love the setting and the history. I didn't know anything about the bombings in this area and so I found that to be fascinating. This is a great read for history lovers and also has a lot of depth that you expect to find in a Cambron novel. I recommend! 

Four Stars. 

"I received this book from NetGalley for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Kristy Cambron Two Book Giveaway!

 I am a huge fan of Kristy Cambron. She writes fantastic fiction that is unique and takes you on adventures you least expect. I happen to have extra copies of two of her books and thought it would be fun to do a giveaway. Who doesn't love a book giveaway?! 

So I am going to give one person a paperback copy of The Ringmaster's Wife AND The Illusionist's Apprentice. 

Enter the giveaway below!

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Castle on the Rise Review

 About the Book

A storied castle. A band of rebels. And a nation chasing the centuries-old dream of freedom . . . What legacy will they leave behind?

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? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Kristy has such a unique writing style and her books hold a lot of depth. Like the previous novel, this story has a lot going on with three different story lines. I really enjoy multiple time line books but there are times when I think it can just be too much. I liked this overall story but honestly at times I thought there was too much going on between all of the characters and timelines. My favorite was the present day story and I thought those particular characters well developed. The setting of course is wonderful and I would love to visit such a place. I think it is fun that Kristy actually got to visit Ireland to research this book! I am eager to read the next novel, and if you wish to be swept up into an Irish adventure, you will enjoy this book. 

Four stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

The Lost Castle Release Day!

About the Book

Launching a brand-new series, Kristy Cambron explores the collision of past and present as she discovers the ruins of a French castle, long lost to history.

A thirteenth century castle, Chateau de Doux Reves, has been forgotten for generations, left to ruin in a storybook forest nestled deep in France's picturesque Loire Valley. It survived a sacking in the French Revolution, was brought back to life and fashioned into a storybook chateau in the Gilded Age, and was eventually felled and deserted after a disastrous fire in the 1930s.

As Ellie Carver sits by her grandmother's bedside, she hears stories of a castle . . . of lost love and a hidden chapel that played host to a secret fight in the World War II French resistance. But her grandmother is quickly slipping into the locked-down world of Alzheimer's, and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family's history.

Sparked by the discovery of a long forgotten family heirloom, Ellie embarks on a journey to French wine country to uncover the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty--the castle so named for Charles Perrault's beloved fairy tale--and unearth its secrets before they're finally silenced by time.

Set in three different time periods--the French Revolution, World War II, and present day--The Lost Castle is a story of loves won and lost, of battles waged, and an enchanted castle that inspired the epic fairy tales time left behind. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

Kristy Cambron writes in such a unique style that you get carried away into another world easily. This books takes you into three story lines that end up weaving together nicely. I was "at the edge of my seat" throughout most of this book. I so wanted to know what was going to happen as there is SO much going on. I LOVED the fox tie in, I love foxes and this added to the story. The setting is perfect and all of the characters were well written. I will say that since there are three story lines, you have to pay attention and I wish I could have gotten to know the characters a tad better. If you are looking for a French escape with some light romance this is the book for you!  The history is wonderful for us history lovers, and I am eager to see what Cambron has in store for us next!

Five stars!

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own."

The Illusionist's Apprentice Review-Simply Wonderful!

 

About the Book

Harry Houdni’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.

Boston, 1926. Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.

In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.

Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her.

Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Kristy Cambron is incredibly talented at finding stories and events in history that many don't know much about. She takes a time period and setting and runs with it, letting you explore a special world. This book is wonderful. Have you seen the cover?! Stunning. I so enjoyed Wren's character because she wasn't perfect. I loved how she grew within the pages and how I got to know her better. I loved the setting and the vaudeville life. I feel like I got to peek around the curtain and discover their secrets. I think Cambron did an excellent job in separating the difference between magic and illusions. Also, the twist at the end just might blow you away! 

Wonderful book, I highly recommend!!! 

Five stars!

"Thanks to the author and the publishing company for offering me a free copy. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own."

 

The Ringmaster's Wife Book Review

 About the Book

What is revealed when you draw back the curtain of the Greatest Show on Earth?

Rosamund Easling is no stranger to opulence. As the daughter of an earl, she’s grown up with every comfort money can buy. But when hard times befall the family’s Yorkshire estate in the aftermath of the Great War, Rosamund’s father sells her beloved horse, setting the stage for a series of events that would extend beyond even her wildest dreams.

Though expected to marry for a title instead of love, Rosamund feels called to a different life – one of adventure outside the confines of a ladies’ parlor. She abandons all she’s known and follows in pursuit as her horse is shipped to the new owner – an American entertainer by the name of John Ringling. Once introduced to the Ringling Brothers’ circus and knowing she has much to learn, Rosamund agrees to a bareback riding apprenticeship in the shadow of the Ringlings’ winter home—Ca’D’Zan. It is at that mansion, in what would become the last days of the enigmatic Mable Ringling’s life, that Rosamund finds a deeper sense of purpose in the life she’s been given, and the awakening of faith in her heart.

With a supporting cast of characters as mysterious and dazzling as the Ringlings’ big-top world, Rosamund’s journey takes her from the tradition of the English countryside to the last days of America’s Roaring ‘20s—a journey that forever changes what one life might have been. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Oh where to start on this one. I have loved Kristy Cambron's previous books so this book was highly anticipated. The setting is grand of course and I really like John and Mable's story. I just felt like the story was rushed and there is a ton of back and forth in all different years. I'll be honest I was getting frustrated with this, usually I like the different time lines but it was like two time lines for each person. I thought it was too much and it took away from the story. I don't feel like I got to know any of the characters because of all of the jumping around. I thought the history part was interesting and overall a good story. I just wish it had been a bit more organized. Just my thoughts. I still look forward to her novels and I'm sure many will adore this book. 

Four stars. 

"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28JxcaK

 

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin, was named Library Journal Reviews' "Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction)" for February 2015.

Cambron is an art/design manager at TheGROVEstory.com storytelling ministry. She holds a degree in art history from Indiana University and has nearly 15 years of experience in instructional design and communications for a Fortune-100 company. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

A Sparrow in Terezin Review

About the Book

Two women, one in the present day and one in 1942, each hope for a brighter future. But they'll both have to battle through their darkest days to reach it.

"Today. "With the grand opening of her new gallery and a fairytale wedding months away, Sera James appears to have a charmed life. But in an instant, the prospect of a devastating legal battle surrounding her fiance threatens to tear her dreams apart. Sera and William rush to marry and are thrust into a world of doubt and fear as they defend charges that could separate them for life.

"June 1942. "After surviving the Blitz bombings that left many Londoners with shattered lives, Kaja Makovsky prayed for the war to end so she could return home to Prague. But despite the horrors of war, the gifted journalist never expected to see a headline screaming the extermination of Jews in work camps. Half-Jewish with her family in danger, Kaja has no choice but to risk everything to get her family out of Prague. But with the clutches of evil all around, her escape plan crumbles into deportation, and Kaja finds herself in a new reality as the art teacher to the children of Terezin.

Bound by a story of hope and the survival of one little girl, both Sera and Kaja will fight to protect all they hold dear. (Goodreads)

My Review

I really am a fan of Kristy Cambron and this book didn't disappoint. While I did enjoy the first book more so this one was still great in it's own way. I enjoyed the historical storyline more but the story from the first continues so I recommend reading the books in order. Going back to life during the war is always thought provoking for me because I simply can't imagine. Seeing the things they saw I really liked how the author included the questions that went through Kaja's mind when in Terezin. I think the faith aspect and sticking close to God is a main theme and I thought it was really well written. While this book is historical it kept my interest which I think can be a challenge for authors. I liked how the book ended on both sides and I look forward to what Kristy writes next!

Five stars!

"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection in Kristy Cambron's new book, A Sparrow in Terezin. Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A set of poppy notecards
• A poppy pin
• A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
• A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
• Literary tea bags
• Tumbler
• A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy's blog.



{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

The Butterfly and the Violin Book Review

VIA

About the Book

And then came war . . .

"Today." Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world's elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

"Vienna, 1942." Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna's vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele's barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait--Adele--they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God's faithfulness never falters. (Goodreads)

My Review

 I loved this book. This is by far one of the best books I have read this year. There are many fiction books out there about World War II and so I really was expecting the same story. This book is completely different and so well researched! I had to google many of the facts because I so wanted them to be true and they were!

This book is split between present day and the 1940s which was written really well and added to the storyline. There is an underlying mystery that goes on throughout the book until the ending. Sera is in the present day and has been trying to find this painting she saw as a little girl in Paris. Each piece of art has a story and this one seems so special. Then the story falls back in time to the life of Adele, a famous violinist who ends up in the worst situation possible even after being so popular. This book takes you into life at Auschwitz and their orchestra. I had no idea there was such a thing but it's all true! The characters have so much depth I loved them all. I love how the book tied together in the end and kept me guessing. There is so much faith in God in the worst of times, it made me think about how blessed I am.

This is such a great book I could go on but I just think you should read it!

Some people have said that books like this can be boring with the history but this book will keep you turning the page.

I highly recommend five stars!

"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."

Welcome to the launch campaign for debut novelist Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin. Romantic Times had this to say: "Alternating points of view skillfully blend contemporary and historical fiction in this debut novel that is almost impossible to put down. Well-researched yet heartbreaking. . . ."

Kristy is celebrating the release of the first book in her series, A Hidden Masterpiece, with a fun Kindle Fire giveaway and meeting her readers during an August 7th Facebook author chat party.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 7th. Winner will be announced at The Butterfly and the Violin Author Chat Party. Kristy will be connecting with readers and answering questions, sharing some of the fascinating research behind the book, hosting a fun book chat, and giving away some GREAT prizes. She will also be giving an exclusive look at the next book in the series, A Sparrow in Terezin!

So grab your copy of The Butterfly and the Violin and join Kristy on the evening of August 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!