About the Book

Book: After Our Castle

Author: Kellyn Roth

Genre: Historical Women’s Fiction

Release date: October, 2022

A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.

If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.

Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves to be more than a little difficult.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century. 

Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory and a writing coach. When not building her author career, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.

 

More from Kellyn

After Our Castle was a book I didn’t think I would ever write. Oh, I considered writing a short story or two about the early years of Ivy and Jordy’s marriage, yes, but it wasn’t until last year that I decided that I would write a full-length novel.

Why did I hesitate? I’m writing a family saga, after all, and I plan on covering every stage of my characters’ lives in the 10+ books I’m planning (this being book 6). Well, I didn’t think there was anything to be discussed about Ivy and Jordy’s early married days, as there was with my other book couple, Alice and Peter. Nothing interesting, I thought, happens until 1890, eight years into their union. So why write about anything before then?

Then I realized just how much backstory I was packing into that book. And I realized that, for my writing style, there are so many little things that can add up into a book. And that became the story that is After Our Castle.

The novel wasn’t an easy one to write. It required a lot of subtlety and doesn’t precisely have the most perfect ending. But I knew, if I wanted to set up book 8, I would have to write the novel this way.

So here we go. Another book I wasn’t sure about–but that careful writing and even more careful editing, along with a lot of prayer, have turned into a story I’m actually rather proud of.

I hope you enjoy After Our Castle!

MY REVIEW

This is a book that may not be for everyone. There are subjects such as mental illness and sex before marriage  in the story that could trigger some people. I can appreciate how the author wrote this not to condemn people but to show how God can restore even those who think they are not worthy. 

Ivy is newly married and all seems good until the subject of babies come up. Her husband is not in agreement with having a child which has Ivy upset. I could tell she thought being a mother was part of being married, but sometimes God has a reason that a child doesn’t happen. She does have this almost clingy personality to her husband which bothered me. Slowly Ivy is guided to Godly women who help her in her struggles. 

Jordy is dedicated to his wife and work. He is so busy at times he doesn’t come home til late. This is probably not a good thing to do when you are newlyweds. Perhaps something is keeping Jordy from being more attentive with his wife? I liked Jordy but I sensed he was holding back something that he needs to share with Ivy.  

Violet is losing control and slowly others start to see her not quite so stable. As we read her thoughts we hear how she is jealous of Ivy and Jordy’s marriage. They have been friends for awhile but that closeness Violet once felt with Jordy is slipping away. It starts to cause Violet to lose herself mentally and others start to notice it as well. 

I like how the author gives us an insight into Ivy and Jordy’s marriage. Ivy struggles with finding things to keep her busy, while Jordy buries himself in work. Maybe God is giving  them this time to come together as a couple and grow closer to each other. Communication is the key to their relationship and they need to take this time to share their dreams and concerns with each other. With a suggestion from her sister to pray  with her husband, Ivy sees the need to finally share her desire and pray about it with her husband. 

It was hard to read the end as Violet and Ivy have a falling out. Violet tries to tell Ivy what she feels but Ivy continues to deny what may be the truth. I loved how Ivy  told her she was forgiven and that God was there to help her. In her mind Violet doesn’t think anyone understands what she is going thru but there is hope for her. We are left wondering what happens to Violet and I hope the author will give us a story that follows Violet on her journey. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 18

lakesidelivingsite, October 19

Losing the Busyness, October 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 20

Texas Book-aholic, October 21

Inklings and notions, October 22

For Him and My Family, October 22

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 24

deb’s Book Review, October 25

Cover Lover Book Review, October 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 26

Connie’s History Classroom, October 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 28

Holly’s Book Corner, October 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 29

Splashes of Joy, October 30

Pause for Tales, October 31

Spoken from the Heart, October 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kellyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2200c/after-our-castle-celebration-tour-giveaway