A debut novel…historical fiction, the first in the series — “A Hidden Masterpiece Novel.” A fine novel woven on today’s Manhattan, New York, warp threads, interwoven with Austrian Nazi WWII weft threads. It is lovely with each chapter’s focus back and forth from one era to the other, tying each strand together as the weaving is being formed in words.
The story centers around a painting that Sera James, a Manhattan art dealer, saw when she was a girl. It was a portrait of a young violinist with beautiful blue eyes. Tied into the Manhattan, New York, chapters is William Hanover, the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul who has a connection to this painting.
Adele Von Bron is the daughter of a high-ranking member of the Third Reich who is a talented violinist in Austria, extremely well-loved by the Austrian aristocracy. She is invited to play with the Vienna Philharmonic where she meets Vladimir, the son of a merchant who also plays in the orchestra. He is below the status that Adele’s parents desire for her, yet they spend time together as often as they are able. As Hitler’s destructive progress engulfs Austria, Adele and Vladimir begin smuggling Jews from Austria, risking lives, leading to horrific changes for both.
Sera is thorough and diligent as she unravels the intricacies of Adele’s life and the background of the painting which is at the very center of this story.
Ms. Cambron interlaces these two stories beautifully. Love, faith, courage, music, and art dance together, and alongside, some of the history of 1938 when Adolf Hitler advances on Austria is intertwined. I enjoy historical fiction, and it seems that history of the Holocaust has taken up residence in some of my reading of late. This is one novel, a debut novel yet, that I am so thankful I did not miss.
Awards:
* Named to Best in Christian Fiction, 2014 – Library Journal Reviews
* Nominee, Inspirational Novel of 2014 — RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Awards
*Nominee, Best Debut Novel – 2015 INSPY Awards
Author
Kristy Cambron “fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller.”
“Kristy is a Speaker and Art/Design Manager at The GROVE, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons….” She can be found @ http://kristycambron.com/
“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.”
“The last and most important thing? Everyone has a story– you can read Our Story here. In ours, we’ve found one truth: Jesus Christ is faithful. I’d love to tell you about Him sometime. <><” (from her websites)
Book Information
ISBN-13: 9781401690595
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Publication date: 07/15/2014
Series: The Hidden Masterpiece Series, #1
Pages:336
Product dimensions:5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)
linking up with: Teach Mentor Texts, Unleashing Readers, The Book Date, Literacy Musing Mondays, What to Read Wednesday, A Little R & R Wednesdays, Kid Lit Blog Hop, Booknificent Thursdays, Literary Friday, Semicolon Saturday, Reading List/Cozy Reading Spot, Book Review Blog Hop
This book sounds amazing. I love historical fiction. The cover and the title are enough to pull me right in.
Thanks for sharing.
ENJOY the rest of this week, and Happy New Year!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog
LikeLike
The cover artwork is beautiful and the story is a good one too.
LikeLike
I can definitely tell.
Thanks.
LikeLike
I enjoy historical fiction and this seems a perfect one….I will check it out.
Thank you.
LikeLike
I like the sound of this, seems a lot of writers are now exploring Germany during WW11. Putting it in to my wish list.
LikeLike
The cover is gorgeous and I normally love historical fiction. Thanks for recommending. Stopping by from Literary Musings Monday.
LikeLike
This sounds like a truly special book, thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I love reading historical fiction, especially the world wars. I’ve added this to my wishlist & am sharing it with others! Thank you for a great review.
LikeLike
This is sounds like a very interesting historical fiction, thank you for sharing it with #TheCozyReadingSpot
LikeLike
I’ve had this book on my shelf for a long while yet. It sounds so beautiful every time I read about it, then when I think about starting it, I feel like I’m just not up for another WW2 book. Someday soon, I know I will love it! I’m so glad you shared this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
Tina
LikeLike
Yes, I know that after reading a few or even one can take an emotional toll…especially when reading a bio or autobio along with some historical fiction ones.
And then, Tina, there is a sequel to this one as well! Just what you want to hear. I have not read it as I need a break…it is “A Sparrow in Terezin.”
LikeLike