The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron | Re:View

Mysterious and filled with the rich history of the 1920s, The Illusionist's Apprentice will romance you and leave you longing for an era passed.

***

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book by Kristy Cambron. She's such a master at painting a vibrant picture with words, drawing you into the story and pulling on your heart strings at the same time.

I loved Wren Lockhart's character and her affiliation to Harry Houdini as well as her own eccentricity's. She's a strong character who will stand up for what she believes, but there's a softness to her as well. Something that, eventually, comes out and makes her feel whole in the reader's eyes. The true fruition of her character is a wondrous thing to behold through the story.

Slipping into the time-frame of this novel was a lot of fun for me. I enjoy the luxury and vibrancy of the 20's - a great decade to set this mystery in - and found myself thoroughly enjoying the delicate touches of information, description, and history. Kristy really has a beautiful way of drawing out emotion in her characters while painting a dynamic picture of what life could have been like during this time.

As for the mystery, I feel like it was well formed. There were a few elements that I felt were made to be a big deal (I won't reveal them here so as not to spoil) but ended up seeming to not matter as much in the end. That confused me a little, but it didn't distract from the overall idea of the story.

Also, as a larger focus of this book, Kristy deals with the ideas of illusion versus magic. I loved that she did this and had her characters learning as they went. It brings to mind another current book I'll be reading soon...but that's another review ;-)

I would definitely recommend this to those who like historical fiction, mystery, and anything to do with the 1920s and the idea of illusion versus magic. Kristy is a beautiful, lyrical writer who will stun you with her artfully painted words!

My Rating: 4*
Purchase: The Illusionist's Apprentice 


Book Description
(from Amazon)

Not all illusions happen on the stage.

Wren Lockhart, apprentice to master illusionist Harry Houdini, uses life on a vaudeville stage to escape the pain of her past. She continues her career of illusion after her mentor’s death, intent on burying her true identity.

But when a rival performer’s act goes tragically wrong, the newly formed FBI calls on Wren to speak the truth—and reveal her real name to the world. She transfers her skills for misdirection from the stage to the back halls of vaudeville, as she finds herself the unlikely partner in the FBI’s investigation. All the while Houdini’s words echo in her mind: Whatever occurs, the crowd must believe it’s what you meant to happen. She knows that if anyone digs too deep, secrets long kept hidden may find their way to the surface—and shatter her carefully controlled world.

Set during one of the richest, most vibrant eras in American history, this Jazz Age novel of illusion, suspense, and forgotten pasts is perfect for fans of The Magician’s Lie, challenging all to find the underpinnings of faith on their own life’s stage.

_______________
I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.  

Kristy Cambron | Author Chat

Grab your hot drinks friends, it's time for another author chat. And today's chat is additionally special because we're celebrating the book-birthday of The Illusionist's Apprentice TODAY! Woohoo! Make sure to congratulate Kristy in the comments below. Now to introduce this lovely lady to you all...

Kristy Cambron has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. She is the author of The Ringmaster’s Wife, named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10. Her novels have been named to Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books and RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. The Illusionist’s Apprentice (HarperCollins, 2017) is her fourth novel. Her first Bible study DVD and study guides, The Verse Mapping Series, will release in spring, 2018.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University and has 15 years of experience in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 Corporation. Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

Let's get real...

I provided Kristy with a set of questions for this chat but I love her take on it!
Kristy: I want this to be a speed-fire interview. 😁 I’ve selected my top questions from the list – and added a few myself. I’ve set the clock at 5:00 minutes, I’ll answer as many questions as I can in that time. Go!

What time of day do you write?
3pm is my magic hour

What’s one thing you would like to impart to your readers about your books and being an author?
Jesus Christ can redeem anything and anyone.

Any weird habits you have when writing or plotting?
Plotting doesn’t work for me. But I do edit all manuscripts by reading aloud– with a British accent. 😀

Favorite fandom?
Once Upon a Time

What’s one thing you must have/do in the morning?
COFFEE + JESUS (package deal)

Share one pet peeve you have.
Bullying and toxic talk

Coffee or tea?
Coconut Mocha lattes

Creamy or smooth peanut butter?
Smooth hazelnut butter

What is the strangest food combo that they actually enjoy?
Tomato basil soup with feta cheese

Favorite food?
Mediterranean or German cuisine

Least favorite food?
Sushi (Sorry y’all, but no way will I try that again.)

Favorite dessert?
Chocolate-covered strawberries

If you were stranded on an island what are three things you couldn’t live without?
My family, a coffee shop, and my Bible

What's one chore you hate doing?
Folding laundry!

Name one song/artist you're embarrassed you like.
I could never change the radio on a James Taylor song #notembarrassed

If you could live in a fantasy world, who’s would it be?
Neverland!

Connect with Kristy...
KristyCambron.com Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor |
Instagram: kristycambron |  Pinterest: KCambronAuthor
Purchase: The Illusionist's Apprentice

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.
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Kristy Cambron | Spread the Christmas Joy 2016

Christmas Yesteryears

You can’t listen to 1940s Billie Holiday tunes and not expect to start thinking completely nostalgic thoughts.

It’s what I’m doing today. Billie’s belting out the notes and I’m tucked away in a coffee shop corner, ear buds in place, lost in the mountain of memories that are Christmases past. (Not to sound all Charles Dickens’ ghost about it, but it’s true.)

I’m drawn back to the days when photos like this were taken. Circa 1984, Christmas felt simple. Like Billie’s voice– it's sweet around the edges, fragile in its beauty, and all these years later, still completely unforgettable.

In my mind’s eye, there’s a gentle snow drifting down outside that window. The tree is twinkling in the front room. I’m eating sugar cookies, listening to my dad play the guitar, and snuggling in that absolutely fabulous 1980s sweater as a fire crackles on the hearth.

That girl may not be a girl any more, but she remembers a few things about Christmas from yesteryear. The tiny brunette writer gal in the front is a bit taller now, and a whole lot blonder. (Ahem…) And she still watches It’s a Wonderful Life, quoting the famous line: “Every time a bell rings, and angel gets its wings” every Christmas Eve.

A mom now, she keenly remembers the magic of Christmas at that age. She remembers how incredible a real balsam pine smells. How she could never seem to fall sleep on Christmas Eve. How Christmas in her childhood was always, always about Jesus. She loved unwrapping the old Christmas ornaments– a few that used to hang on her grandparents’ trees in the 1940s and 50s– and still hang in her home today.

She’ll tell you she misses her Dad something fierce. She’ll tell you that the memories, the music, the classic movies and the 1980s sweaters have become so engraved on her heart that she couldn’t imagine a December without them. (Okay, she’s left the 1980s sweaters behind. Sorry. That was a must to get through the 90s.)

Billie's music and the twinkling tree in the coffee shop reminds me that yesteryear really isn't that far away. As long as we share the memories, they keep going. Keep blessing. Keep Christmas joy from being bottled in one heart. And that's what we're doing.

I’m delighted to be a part of a community of writers who are sharing their heart for Christmas – for nostalgia and the incredible gift of Jesus Christ to the world – and sharing it all month long. And we're kicking it off, right here!

#SpreadtheChristmasJOY16 kicks off today -- a CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY with 20+ authors, all sharing our Christmas memories in the month of December.

I hope you’ll stick with us to the end of the tour. I hope you'll grab your own mug of cozy, turn on the tree lights, and snuggle in to share the joy. After all, there’s more than enough sugar cookies and Billie Holiday songs to go around. And we’re making new memories here. Together. Because before we know it, today will be tomorrow's yesteryear.

With love & Christmas nostalgia,

_____________

Kristy Cambron has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. She is the author of The Ringmaster’s Wife, named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10. Her novels have been named to Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books and RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. The Illusionist’s Apprentice (HarperCollins, 2017) is her fourth novel.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University and has 15 years of experience in instructional design, corporate training, and communications for a Fortune-100 Corporation. Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

Connect with Kristy:
Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron
Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web: KristyCambron.com

*GIVEAWAY*

I will be offering a "Joy to the World" bookmark from my Etsy shop (see image here).

All giveaways run until January 2nd and winners will be announced shortly after. Use the image to the left to share on social media and don't forget the hashtag: #SpreadTheChristmasJoy16

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The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron | RE:View

A masterpiece of emotion and evocative storytelling, The Ringmaster's Wife's weaves together the fanciful notions and glamor of the circus amidst the rich tapestry of 1920s history. A superb story with vibrant characters, the sparkle of romance, and the power of courage.

***

I am lost to the thrills and magic of the circus. Please, don't send help. I want to stay here forever, trapped between the pages and avoiding the reality that I can't run off to the menagerie.

From the moment I opened this book I knew it was going to be special. I have long since been captivated by the circus and Kristy's fabulous writing drew to life every hope and dream within me. I saw the lights, smelled the molasses coated popcorn, and grew teary eyed at the stunning performances.

I loved the juxtaposition of characters from sweet and determined Lady Rosamund Easling and Irishman Colin Keary in all of his manly fastidious, to Mable and John Ringling and their unique relationship. It felt like a multitude of stories wrapped up into one that painted a beautiful picture of how the Lord orchestrates lives together in ways we would not suspect.

Being a lover of all things from the turn-of-the-century Jazz Age, I appreciated the thorough research Kristy put into this book.  I loved the addition of Walt Disney (though brief) and the history of Ca D'Zan. It's now on my travel list.

I urge you all to read this book if for no other reason than to lose yourself in the vibrant world of the circus and how two women's lives were radically affected by grace, hope, determination, and the power of courage. The history is organic to the story, the romance sweet and natural, and the plot will pull you through until the very end. A must read! Brava!

Rating: 5*
Purchase: The Ringmaster's Wife

Book Description
(from Amazon)

An ounce of courage.

A leap of faith.

Together, they propel two young women to chase a new life—one that’s reimagined from what they might have become.

In turn-of-the-century America, a young girl dreams of a world that stretches beyond the confi nes of a quiet life on the family farm. With little more than her wit and a cigar box of treasures, Mable steps away from all she knows, seeking the limitless marvels of the Chicago World’s Fair. There, a chance encounter triggers her destiny—a life with a famed showman by the name of John Ringling.

A quarter of a century later, Lady Rosamund Easling boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her arranged marriage. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties. The Jazz Age has arrived, and with it, the golden era of the American circus, whose queen is none other than the enigmatic Mable Ringling.

When Rosamund’s path crosses with Mable’s and the Ringlings’ glittering world, she makes the life-altering decision to leave behind a comfortable future of estates and propriety, choosing instead the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers’ circus.

A novel that is at once captivating, deeply poignant, and swirling with exquisite historical details of a bygone world, The Ringmaster’s Wife will escort readers into the center ring, with its bright lights, exotic animals, and a dazzling performance that can only be described as the Greatest Show on Earth!

_______________________

I received a free copy of this book but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron | New Novel News

The Ringmaster's Wife
by Kristy Cambron

Released: June 7, 2016
From: HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Thomas Nelson)
Purchase: The Ringmaster's Wife

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.

Get to know Kristy...

Whitney Neal Photography

Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
My favorite places are actually those I haven’t traveled to yet: England, France, and Ireland. I’ve loved Europe since I researched art history in college. It’s why I write stories with settings, characters and themes that exist in this history-steeped world. I know my author travels will take me there one day. Until they do, I conduct my research from afar, and adore the land that already owns a piece of my heart. (And don’t worry, reader friends… When I do get there, you’ll know. I plan to film all of my research adventures so I can take you along with me!)

What are you reading right now?
Now that I’ve turned in my latest manuscript (The Illusionist’s Apprentice, March 2017), I’m reading two absolutely fantastic historical novels: The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof, and Saffire by Sigmund Brouwer. Both novels are scheduled for release later this year. Though they are quite different, both are very well written and I’ve become immersed in these beautiful stories.

If you could live in a fantasy world, who’s would it be?
I think I’d want to have a mash-up of two completely different worlds – one with order, like in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and one more unexpected, like James Barrie’s Neverland depicted in Peter Pan. I’d love to see the wildness of a fairy tale world that meets the conventionality of Regency England. It would be incredible to see how the real and un-real collide! I think I’d prefer to be a writer (wearing Regency attire of course) sitting on the deck of a pirate ship, using a quill to record the magic of fairy dust and romance all around…

Kristy Cambron has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books of 2014 and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best of 2014 lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews Best of 2015 list, and received a nomination for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Book of 2015. Kristy's third historical novel, THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, was named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10 and will release from HarperCollins in June, 2016.

Kristy is a Speaker and Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

You can connect with Kristy at:
Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron
Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web: KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com 

 
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Kristy Cambron | Spread the Christmas Joy

Snow-Day

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”

—John Ruskin


It was raining. A steady, drenching rain that was just cold enough to be chilling, but not near the point of producing welcome snowflakes from the sky. My husband and I loaded up the waterproof jackets and golf umbrellas, and on we went as a family, trekking through our small town’s annual Christmas light display in the midst of the downpour.

You read that right: it was Christmas. And it was raining.

There’s something magical about snow on Christmas. Maybe something magical about snow on any day, really. (That is, as long as you don’t have to drive in it.) And that’s why rain on Christmas Eve last year made me think of the holiday memory that stands out now. Both before and after Christmas Day – for me, it’s snow.

I remember wishing for it. Dreaming of it as a kid, each Christmas Eve. Taking snapshots in my mind so I’d recall the wonder of it later. Finding snowflakes lovely and hushed and such a softly falling work of art. Even at a tender age, I could see the beauty in it.

I have nostalgic memories of snow– one frigid morning when I woke early to find our family was snowed in. There was a crackling fire on the hearth. My Dad played his guitar in the warmth of the den while my Mom made hot chocolate. And for the time-being, that little Midwest home became a paradise.

There are fun family memories too. One work and school day before Christmas, snow came down and forced cars on the interstate into completely stalled, bumper-to-bumper traffic. We still had to drive into town and found ourselves in the thick of it. No one moved. It was miserable. Until, my Dad stepped out of his car, right there on the off-ramp. My sister and I were in the car behind, puzzled at what he could be doing. Until a snowball landed smack-dab in the center of our windshield. We looked at each other, smiled, then darted out of the car. The three of us had a snowball fight right there in the traffic jam, and I will never forget it.

These memories were because of snow. The white stuff that closes schools, causes flight cancellations and headaches for holiday travelers everywhere. And I feel for all of us when we’re in one of those situations. But for the nostalgia, for the memories and the magic of it all, I still love snow.

The rainy Christmas Eve last year made me realize that sometimes, the gentle and the beautiful are made such because of their rarity. I can’t remember the last Christmas snowfall we’ve had. But I know I’ll remember the next one. I’ll cherish the moments, and ready my heart for the magic it brings.

I love John Ruskin’s quote. Snow is good weather, that’s for sure, and I plan to revel in it whenever it comes.

Happy New Year – and may joyful, snowy days abound in 2016!

With Joy,

Kristy is offering a signed copy of A Sparrow in Terezin to one reader who comments with an answer to the question on today’s post:

What’s your best snow memory? 

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best of 2014 lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews Best of 2015 list, and received a nomination for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Book of 2015. Kristy's third historical novel, THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, will release from HarperCollins Christian Publishing in June, 2016.

Kristy is a Speaker and Art/Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

You can connect with Kristy at:
Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron
Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web: KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com 

The Ringmaster's Wife 
(coming June 7, 2016)
Pre-Order now here

What is revealed when you pull 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 all the comforts money can buy. But when hard times befall the family’s Yorkshire estate in the aftermath of the Great War, the stage is set for a series of events that change her world 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. When her father sells her beloved horse, 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. Knowing she has much to learn, Rosamund agrees to a bareback riding apprenticeship in the shadow of the Ringlings’ home—the Ca’D’Zan. In what would become the last days of the enigmatic Mable Ringling’s life, Rosamund finds a deeper sense of purpose in her new life and begins to experience the awakening of faith.

With a mysterious and dazzling supporting cast of characters, Rosamund journeys far from the traditions of the English countryside to the last days of the Roaring Twenties—a journey that forever changes what her life might have been.

Kristy Cambron + GIVEAWAY | New Novel News

A Sparrow in Terezin
by Kristy Cambron

Published April 7, 2015
HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Thomas Nelson)  
Purchase:  A Sparrow in Terezin (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel)

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor's story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day—With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she's stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942—Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these 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.
Get to know Kristy...

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power? I’ve been asked the question before and my heart always seems to go to the same answer… I’m not partial to heights. (Flying – you’re out.) Not interest in laser vision or reading people’s minds. I already feel invisible enough when I put food on the table in a house full of boys, so that wouldn’t be my thing either. Christ has the ability to heal and He’s our one true Savior, so all of the combined super powers left He’s got covered. The only bit of awesomeness left would be to have Jane Austen’s super power of quick wit, C.S. Lewis’ in-depth way of understanding faith, Van Gogh’s eye for color, and Walt Disney’s superlative imagination. (That’s right. The Super Power of all super powers = Creative Genius!) :)

If you were stranded on an island what are three things you couldn’t live without?
This feels like a “wishing for more wishes” kind of thing. That’s what I would have wanted, but I love the question so I’ll play along. Here goes… My three chosen things:

1) Family. All of them. It’s my answer so the entire Cambron clan only counts for one unit, and I get to include them all. :) Let the beach campfires begin.

2) A library. We’d have several copies of the Bible. Christian fiction and YA novels would be in strong supply. We’d also have survival books to keep us informed in our new plight, and of course, we’d have to have cookbooks. (Raw fish is not a favorite. It’s acceptable that we could have fire on this island, so I need to know how to cook the fish. End of story.)

3) A rescue boat. Let’s be honest – not my favorite scenario to be stranded on an island without coffee. May I assume the rescue boat has a Keurig?

If you could live in a fantasy world, who’s would it be?
I’m writing a new book about the circus in 1920s America and it has my mind traveling back to the enchantment of childhood. There’s such wide-eyed wonder in the world of fantasy – whether it’s running away to join the circus, tumbling through the looking glass, or using a bit of fairy dust to soar over the rooftops of 19th century London. The fantasy of story is a world we can enter through books. If given the chance to live in one, I’d want to find a hybrid between classic fairy tales, Narnia, Never Land, Hogwarts, and Wonderland. In them, you find all the color and vibrancy of pretend worlds, but the hope and goodness of our humanity.

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut historical novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN (Thomas Nelson, 2014), was named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books of 2014, Family Fiction's Top Ten Novels of 2014, and received a nomination for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Novel of 2014 and a nomination for the 2015 INSPY Awards for Best Debut Novel. Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN (Thomas Nelson, April 2015), was named Library Journal Reviews' Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction, February 2015) and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews.

Kristy is an Art/Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. 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.

Connect with Kristy...
Facebook: Kristy Cambron
Twitter: @KCambronAuthor
Instagram: kristycambron
Pinterest: KCambronAuthor
Web: KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com 

::WINNER::

 We've got winners from last week's New Novel News! 

Congrats to:

Holly Hearts Art  

for winning Angelhood

And....

Constance 

for winning The Lady and the Mountain Doctor!

The Grove | New Novel News

I love talking about the writing community! Actually, I just like talking about community in general (like this post, and this one). But, one thing I've found is that readers and writers share a special bond. And it's not books.

Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. It's not about what writers are writing or readers are reading, it's a bond that goes beyond that...

It's story. 

The Grove is a place for those of us with a story. You have one. I have one. God even has one - and it includes all of our stories.

If you haven't heard about The Grove let me give you the straight up facts:

8 Women: 

Beth K. Vogt
Cara Putman
Courtney Walsh
Katherine Reay
Katie Ganshert
Kristy Cambron
Melissa Tagg
Sarah Ladd

The point: 

Welcome to The Grove, where story finds a home.

This is their tagline and I love it! Don't you?

The Grove is comprised of these eight women (all authors - and yes, you need to check them ALL out) who want to share their lives, not just their writing. Their focus is: Grow, Rest, and Prayer. I don't know about you, but I could use a lot more of each of those things!

I'll leave it to you to check out their awesome website and read through their encouraging posts. I mainly want to point this out as a resource. I've had the blessing of getting to know some of these women personally and--seriously--they are amazing! They have genuine hearts for the Lord and want nothing more than to inspire, encourage, and entertain with their writing.

I hope you get a few minutes to spend at The Grove. Say hi, join the community there, and be blessed by these women.

Go check it out:
The Grove website
The Grove Instagram
The Grove Twitter
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Kristy Cambron | Spread the Christmas Joy

The Best Christmas

Once upon a time, Christmas had a magic all its own.

They say that Christmas is for children. To a certain extent, I think that’s true. There’s nothing quite like the memory of minutes ticking away late on Christmas Eve and as a child, waiting anxiously to hear the sound of jingle bells on the roof while the snow falls outside the window. I remember fighting to stay awake. Straining to hear something – anything that would indicate presents were being pulled down the chimney. And almost without notice… you can’t recall when you fell asleep. And then, you wake! It’s morning and the festivities begin. The smell of coffee perfumes the air. My father’s deep voice reading Luke Chapter 2 turns into the sweetest, softest lullaby of a tradition for our family. The living room becomes a sea of brightly-colored wrapping paper, an enormous holiday breakfast spreads the table, and smiling faces of loved ones soon begin appearing with a knock at the front door. You might even snack on sugar cookies all day long. With all of that – with the smiles and the overabundance of joy – I can think of no better time of year.

So that’s why this Christmas took me completely by surprise. I never would have thought this one would be the one that’s the best ever. The one I know I’ll always remember. The December 25th that has gone deeper into my heart than the rest ever could… I always thought Christmas was for children and while that’s true –at thirty-five years old, I feel more like a child (His child) than ever.

Our budget is a little squeezed this year, so we cut back on some things we’d become used to. We’re feeling the loss of my Dad in 2013, now more than ever. Our family had a cancer scare of our own. A couple of surgeries. A major career change for me. A first-time book launch as an author. And of all years to reflect on, we’ve had more of the big ups-and-downs than I can ever remember in a single calendar year. That’s why this year owns it in the magic category.

It’s all about our eyes being opened.

Christmas isn’t about the jingle bells or wrapping paper. It’s never been about the shopping list or the red and green sugar cookies we eat at all times of the day. I have to confess that this year, in doing without so many things, I hadn’t realized all these years just when it was that I fell asleep. And then in 2014 – we wake! We’ve spent more time with our church family this year. More time with each other. We’ve held tighter, laughed easier, and loved deeper, especially with our fresh loss and the fear of what might have been had some medical tests turned out very differently. We’ll open less presents and eat fewer treats, but we’ve given and cared for others outside our home more than any other year in our marriage. And as if my Dad’s favorite Christmas Bible verses became the resounding lullaby for our lives anew, Luke Chapter 2 is more celebrated in our home than ever.

Who would have ever thought that less actually is more? That less control means more growth. That my pride needed a knocking down before my heart could understand a building up? That the uneven paths of life that stretch our faith muscles would have such value against the things we always thought defined Christmas in our hearts. That less of ourselves, over and over again, equals so much more of Him.

I’ll wrap a few gifts and bake a few cookies today. And as we lay our heads down on the pillow tonight, this magical Christmas Eve, I won’t have to wonder when I fell asleep. And I won’t be surprised when I wake up on the best Christmas ever.

In His Love,

_________________________

 Emilie here: I love this CD. It has been on repeat more than once this Christmas season so I thought I'd offer up a copy of it as a giveaway.

Leave a comment to enter for the chance to win We Have A Savior by Hillsong!

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with history since hearing her grandfather's stories of his experiences as a B-17 co-pilot in WWII. She writes vintage-inspired, historical Christian fiction titles, which placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations & 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and finaled in the 2013 Lauries. Her debut novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN (Thomas Nelson, 2014), is a nominee for the RT Reviewers' Choice Best Inspirational Novel of 2014, and was named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books of 2014 (for Genre Fiction). A SPARROW IN TEREZIN (Hidden Masterpiece #2) will release from Thomas Nelson in April, 2015.

Kristy 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.

Twitter: @kcambronauthor 

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A SPARROW IN TEREZIN (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel #2)
Coming out: April 7, 2015

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor's story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day—With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she's stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942—Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these 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.

** And here’s a teaser for a new Women’s ministry/story community that’s COMING in early 2015… Including feature storytellers: Katherine Reay, Beth Vogt, Sarah Ladd, Katie Ganshert, Cara Putman, Melissa Tagg, Courtney Walsh, and Kristy Cambron.

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