Little does she know but 17 year old Maddie Bright is embarking on a life changing journey.  Maddie has just taken a job serving the handsome Edward, Prince of Wales on his tour across Australia.  She's quickly drawn into the glamour and luxury of it all.  She makes fast friends with Helen Burns and develops a deep respect for her boss Mr. Waters.  Of course, she finds the Prince charming and identifies with his kind spirit.  However, Maddie soon learns that she can't rely on first impressions and love isn't always quite so simple.

In 1997, the world changed when we learned of Princess Diana's death.  Journalist Victoria Byrd has been asked to cover her death while she's also been given an exclusive opportunity to interview the elusive author M.A. Bright, who apparently has written a sequel to her bestselling novel Autumn Leaves.  On top of that, Victoria is trying to balance her own life as the girlfriend of an international superstar actor.  Like Diana, Victoria finds herself the prey of paparazzi looking for that money shot.  

I truly enjoyed Lost Autumn, reading the majority of the book in one setting.  I did have some trouble following the three different timelines in the beginning, but once I got that sorted, I couldn't put the book down.  Lost Autumn felt original and unique.  It made me interested in the real story of Prince Edward and later his marriage to Wallis Simpson.  Of course, the section dealing with Princess Diana's death connected me with the novel, as I still vividly remember where I was when I heard the news and also watching her funeral.  I thought the author did an excellent job creating strong female characters that were relatable.  I look forward to going back and reading the author's earlier works In Falling Snow and Swimming Home.

I received this book courtesy of G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Publishing Group through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

I have so enjoyed reading the Lost Castle trilogy and The Painted Castle was a wonderful way to conclude the series.  

The Painted Castle tells the story of Keira Foley.  She has been working at her family's pub after returning from the States.  A mysterious stranger offers her a lucrative week-long job to survey a piece of art, and, Keira hopes, to put her life back in order.  What Keira finds when she arrives at the castle catches her off guard and she is immediately drawn into the mystery behind the painting.  

Equally compelling are the stories of Amelia and Elizabeth.  Amelia is trying to manage the castle during World War II, following the death of her husband.  The Allied Forces must lodge in the castle and that combined with the hundreds of children she is caring for at the castle turns things on end.  Amelia is dealing with the grief of losing her husband and trying to live through these grim times, but should she open her heart to love again.

Elizabeth is a talented artist living in Victorian England.  As a child, her father was murdered before her eyes and she has forever since been searching for his killer.  Elizabeth finds herself betrothed to a viscount, not entirely of her own choosing, and the more she finds out about him, the more concerned she becomes.  

It is very interesting to see how the separate plot lines come together, as well as concluding the stories of the Foley family.  I love how the books in this trilogy can be read independently or as part of a series.  I am glad to have discovered Kristy Cambron and look forward to reading more books written by her.  

I received this book courtesy of Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.