The Castle Keepers, Aimie K. Runyan
The Castle Keepers, Aimie K. Runyan
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The Castle Keepers
A Novel

Author: Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, Rachel McMillan

Narrator: Ann Marie Gideon

Unabridged: 11 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Harper Muse

Published: 05/02/2023


Synopsis

“A fascinating story of love’s ability to overcome family curses, scandals, and even war. Told in three parts, this multi-generational tale is wonderfully heartwarming!” —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in LondonLeedswick Castle has housed the Alnwick family in the English countryside for generations, despite a family curse determined to destroy their legacy and erase them from history.1870. After a disastrous dinner at the Astor mansion forces her to flee New York in disgrace, socialite Beatrice Holbrook knows her performance in London must be a triumph. When she catches the eye of Charles Alnwick, one of the town’s most enviably titled bachelors, she prepares to attempt a social coup and become the future Marchioness of Northridge. Then tragedy and scandal strike the Alnwick family, and Beatrice must assume the role of a lifetime: that of her true, brave self.1917. Artist Elena Hamilton arrives in Northumberland determined to transform a soldier’s wounds into something beautiful. Tobias Alnwick’s parents have commissioned a lifelike mask to help their son return to his former self after battle wounds partially destroyed his face. But Elena doesn’t see a man who needs fixing—she sees a man who needn’t hide. Yet secrets from their past threaten to chase away the peace they’ve found in each other and destroy the future they’re creating.1945. Alec Alnwick returns home from the war haunted but determined to leave death and destruction behind. With the help of Brigitta Mayr, the brilliant young psychoanalyst whose correspondence was a lifeline during his time on the Western Front, he reconstructs his family’s large estate into a rehabilitation center for similarly wounded soldiers. Alec’s efforts may be the only chance to redeem his family legacy—and break the curse on the Alnwick name—once and for all.Three beloved authors share stories of the Alnwick family through the generations, revealing how love and war can change a place—but only its people can unshackle it from the misdeeds of the past.Multiple historical timelines following generations of one familyStand-alone collection of connected stories

About Aimie K. Runyan

Internationally bestselling author Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate unsung heroines. She has written six historical novels (and counting!) and is delving into the exciting world of contemporary women's fiction. She has been a finalist for the Colorado Book Award three times, a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' 'Writer of the Year,' and a Historical Novel Society's Editors' Choice selection. Aimie is active as a speaker and educator in the writing community in Colorado and beyond. She lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her wonderful husband, two adorable (usually) children, two very sweet cats, and a pet dragon. Visit her online at aimiekrunyan.com; Instagram: @bookishaimie; Facebook: @aimiekrunyan; X: @aimiekrunyan

About J'nell Ciesielski

Bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski has a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories while weaving fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. She is a member of the Tall Poppy Writers and lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.  

About Rachel McMillan

Rachel McMillan is the author of The London Restoration, The Mozart Code, the Herringford and Watts mysteries, the Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries, and the Three Quarter Time series of contemporary Viennese romances. She is also the author of Dream, Plan, Go: A Travel Guide to Inspire Independent Adventure. Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her online at rachelmcmillan.net; Instagram: @rachkmc; Facebook: @rachkmc1; Twitter: @rachkmc; Pinterest: @rachkmc.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Karren on April 29, 2023

The Castle Keepers is made up of a trio of novellas written by historical fiction authors Aimie K. Runyan, J’nell Ciesielski and Rachel McMillan. It follows three generations of the Alnwick family, they own crumbling Leedswick castle and it’s near the English village of Birchwick in Northumberland. I......more

Goodreads review by Literary on May 09, 2023

Three favorite writers. Three timelines. Three gorgeous novellas linked by one British castle and a family cursed for generations, impacted by war and maybe, just maybe, the power of love to heal. 1870: Beatrice, an American Dollar Princess, marries Charles, a British Marquess with ailing Leedswick......more

Goodreads review by "Avonna on July 01, 2023

Check out all my reviews at: [URL not allowed] THE CASTLE KEEPERS by Aimie K. Runyan, J’nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan is an enchanting novella anthology of historical romances featuring three generations of Alnwick heirs and is set at the “cursed” Leedswick castle in rugged Nor......more

Goodreads review by Karlita on April 19, 2023

I received this audiobook as a gift from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not sure what to expect from this collection of three novellas set in a "cursed" Castle in England, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The stories are well-written, engaging, and full of......more

Goodreads review by Susan on May 02, 2023

Three of the best historical fiction authors combined their talents to create this compelling book. Each of the authors has written a novella in their own distinct voice to bring this multigenerational family saga to life. I was transported to an estate in the English countryside beginning in 1870,......more


Quotes

Three time periods. Three sets of characters. Three separate writers . . . The Castle Keepers weaves a unifying tale of love and war . . . The story features strong female characters in relationships beset by external conflict as well as intimate emotional struggles. It shifts smoothly across time, depicting the confining culture and class-consciousness women faced in the late 1800s, the lingering and uncomfortable attitudes toward women pursuing a profession in the early 1900s, and a growing appreciation of women as professional as well as personal partners in the 1940s. Historical Novel Society