The Castle Keepers

"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 London Leedswick 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 family Stand-alone collection of connected stories Includes discussion questions for book clubs Leedswick 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 towns most enviably-titled bachelors, she prepares to attempt a social coup and become the future Marchioness of Northridge. When tragedy and scandal strike the Alnwick family, 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 soldiers wounds into something beautiful. Tobias Alnwicks parents have commissioned a lifelike mask to help their son return to his former self after battle wounds partially destroyed his face. But Elena doesnt see a man who needs fixingshe sees a man who neednt hide. Yet secrets from their past threaten to chase away the peace theyve found in each other and destroy the future theyre 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 familys large estate into a rehabilitation center for similarly wounded soldiers. Now Alecs efforts may be the only chance to redeem his family legacyand break the curse on the Alnwick nameonce and for all. "From three beloved authors comes a collection of stories that examines questions of healing, legacy, and love against the rich backdrop of a historical castle--and its adjoining poison garden"-- Provided by publisher