It's a great pleasure to welcome debut author, Kristy Cambron, to Ink Dots today. Kristy's been fascinated with the WWII Era since hearing her grandfather's stories of his experiences as a B-17 co-pilot in the war. She writes WWII and Regency Era Christian fiction titles.
Kristy's a proud Hoosier, living 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.
The Butterfly And The Violin ~ A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz—and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan. Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl—a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.
In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover, the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul, who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together, Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.
A darling of the Austrian aristocracy, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.
As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: in the grim camps of Auschwitz and in the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.
"In her historical series debut, Cambron expertly weaves together multiple plotlines, time lines, and perspectives to produce a poignant tale of the power of love and faith in difficult circumstances. Those interested in stories of survival and the Holocaust, such as Eli Weisel’sNight, will want to read." —Library Journal, starred review
". . . debut novelist Cambron vividly recounts interwoven sagas of heartache and recovery through courage, love, art, and faith." —Publishers Weekly.
Kristy Says...
If I could explore anywhere in the world tomorrow, it would be... Two places: London and Paris - la ville de mon coeur! I confess that I’m one of those dreamers who writes about places she longs to go. And after years of studying art history, I just may be a little Paris obsessed… My friends and family know this; every Christmas and birthday that rolls around, I open vintage-inspired gifts with an Eiffel Tower theme. So of course, my first book just had to include Paris. And book two in The Hidden Masterpiece series? You guessed it. Readers will take a journey to London.
The best thing I did today is...Wake up in a loving home. My husband and I have three young sons and for the life of me, I can’t think of anything better than waking up to the sound of children’s laughter. It reminds me of what’s really important in this life. Despite the trying year we've had I still feel blessings through it. Joshua 1:9 talks about having strength and courage, for the Lord will be with us wherever we go. I feel His strength through the smiles of my children.
A secret pleasure of mine is... Classic films! Comedies, dramas, film noir, mysteries, even old westerns… I love films from the 1930s and 40s. I recently watched The Best Years of our Lives (1946) for the first time and - wow! I was so moved by the portrait of GIs coming home to a different life after fighting in WWII. These classic films are packed with history, emotion and some of the best stars to ever grace the screen.
I wish I could relive the day when...Years ago, my family visited an orchard in the rolling hills outside our hometown. It was shortly before I was married, so it felt like a last outing as our little family. My parents took my sister and I out to a local orchard and we had a glorious autumn day together – mums were in bloom, we picked apples, walked in the sunshine, ate good food…laughed and smiled. I have several photographs from that day and now that my Dad is gone, I cherish those memories. I revisit them in my heart daily. It was a good day.
When I was a child I dreamed I would... become a Disney animator! Isn’t that wild? My Mom used to take my sister and me to the library each week. Instead of going for the fiction section (as my sister was the real reader in the family), I went straight to the art section and sat in the aisles, falling in love with the Disney animation books. I remember being captured with the visual aspect of story at a very young age. And since I can only draw exceptionally poor stick figures, I don’t expect the Disney Company to track me down for a job. : ) I’ll keep on writing Christian fiction– happily.
I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but... I’ve worked in the city for nearly fifteen years, but I’m a true country girl at heart. (I’ll take a rocker on the front porch and glass of iced tea over a night on the town anytime.) We live in rural Indiana– quite literally. There is a horse farm behind our house and on occasion, I’ll even get stuck behind a tractor on my drive to work. When we take our boys for a drive out to visit my husband’s family in the country, my heart truly sings! Someday we’ll move further out there, where the stars glow in God’s great big night sky, and fireflies light up the fields as far as the eye can see. Like you, Kristy, I'm more of a country girl at heart. Thanks for visiting with us, this week. I'm SO excited to read The Butterfly And The Violin. :)
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If you'd like the chance to win a signed copy of The Butterfly And The Violin, please leave a message below. Tell us if your heart sings for the country or if it's the buzz of the city that draws you. I'll announce the winner on Friday.
Good luck and happy reading,
