Review of The Seamstress by Allison Pittman

About the Book ~

France, 1788
It is the best of times...

On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins -- Renee and Laurette -- have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Emile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renee now spend days tending Gagnon's sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace.

It is the worst of times...

Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon's table in the quiet village of Mouton Blanc bears witness to the rumbles of rebellion, where Marcel Moreau embodies its voice and heart.

It is the story that has never been told.

In one night, the best and worst of fate collide. A chance encounter with a fashionable woman will bring Renee's sewing skills to light and secure a place in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. An act of reckless passion will throw Laurette into the arms of the increasingly militant Marcel. And Gagnon, steadfast in his faith in God and country, can only watch as those he loves march straight into the heart of the revolution.

My Thoughts ~

The Seamstress by Allison Pittman is a tale of tragedy, love, and faith in the bleakness of the French Revolution.

In The Seamstress, the author not only captures broken, realistically-flawed characters but also the angst of the French Revolution. The amount of research the author must have done shown in the details of the story! Also, I greatly appreciated how the author told the story in a way that showed the revolution from each side, and through Renee, you see that the royal family may not have been the monsters the public believed them to be. This perspective will be especially powerful as it will probe readers to confront how false beliefs like this could be and are thriving in our everyday world!

Laurette's storyline held the most beautiful aspects of the spiritual storyline, showing the unmerited grace, forgiveness, and mercy of God in such a tender way, but Renee's stand of faith will resonate with readers long after the book is closed. However, I should note that if you're sensitive to gory details, then some aspects and tragedies of the story may be difficult for you. However, the author's lyrical writing style was a welcome distraction to the harsh realities of the French Revolution.

Three Stars ~ The Seamstress by Allison Pittman is sure to be an instant classic for fans of beautiful, thought-provoking tragedies. The Seamstress is a standalone inspired by a character (ahem, the seamstress) from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities and written in such a way that it captures the heart of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron

About the Book ~

Ellie Carver arrives at her grandmother’s bedside expecting to find her silently slipping away. Instead, the beloved woman begins speaking. Of a secret past and castle ruins forgotten by time. Of a hidden chapel that served as a rendezvous for the French Resistance in World War II. Of lost love and deep regret . . .

Each piece that unlocks the story seems to unlock part of Ellie too—where she came from and who she is becoming. But her grandmother is quickly disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer’s and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family’s history. Drawn by the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty—a castle so named for Charles Perrault’s beloved fairy tale—Ellie embarks on a journey to France’s Loire Valley in hopes that she can unearth its secrets before time silences them forever.

Bridging the past to the present in three 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 in the hearts of men, and of an enchanted castle that stood witness to it all, inspiring a legacy of faith through the generations.

For more information about Kristy Cambron and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Kristy Cambron has written a fairy tale that should go down in history! Who cares that this particular story is fiction? History books, you've been warned. *deadpan stare*

The Lost Castle weaves together a present day search into the past, all the drama of a girl-on-the-run World War Two story, and the angst of the French Revolution. The modern storyline built more off of the World War Two storyline, but you see beautiful hints of the French Revolution storyline peppered throughout them, too. The heroines are spunky and endearing. While I especially loved Quinn, each of the heroes are dashing and worthy of a good swoon in their own unique ways. The gorgeous romance takes your breath away, and you may find yourself tearing up before you've reach the end of the novel.

As a fan of all things vintage, I've thoroughly enjoyed Kristy Cambron's novels and her vintage writing flare! The Lost Castle was no exception! The end result of these equally enchanting stories will have you blotting your eyes with the soul-deep knowing that something powerful, beautiful, and strong can stand the test of time. That God was, is, and always will be the Master Builder of our walls. <3

Four Stars ~ The Lost Castle is breathtaking, bittersweet, and beautiful! The Lost Castle is a timeslip novel, and make note (grab some paper!) that you will want to devour the author's other vintage novels immediately! Check out my review for her pervious novel, The Illusionist's Apprentice, if you don't believe me. Amazing!

I received a copy of The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron published by Thomas Nelson from BookLook Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.