Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron


Welcome to my stop for this beautifully written book The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. I have to say that I just love this cover and I think it fits the book so well! Scroll on down for my review and the giveaway, but first about the book...

The Butterfly and the Violin (Hidden Masterpiece, #1)The Butterfly and the Violin
(Hidden Masterpiece #1)
by Kristy Cambron
Christian Historical/Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Paperback329 Pages
July 8th 2014 by Thomas Nelson

Summary

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.
   


My Review

The Butterfly and the Violin was a poignant and beautiful story about two women, one in the present and one in the past. It was a story of deep loss, sacrifice, and horror from the Holocaust, but also one of beauty, friendship, and hope. It was a story of trust, love, and forgiveness. A story that deeply moved me and reminded me that light can always exist in the dark, when we let it.

Adele's story was so moving. I can't number the times my throat tightened with un-shed tears for the atrocities of the camps and for the way Adele struggled on, trusting in her God. There were so many beautiful moments. My favorite was probably when she was on stage for the last time and met the eyes of a friend. Sera's story was also full of sweet moments. I loved how William could almost look straight to her heart. They both had lost something of themselves and were trying to fill a void. Both had to come to terms with where they stood in their faith and where God wanted them to be.

It amazes me how strong individuals can be under such difficult circumstances and how they continue to trust in God. Stories like this are so awe inspiring. I loved how things came together in the end. I loved how the painting played such an important role in connecting these characters. Sera learned so much from Adele's story as she researched the painting whereas Adele changed during her experience in the camps and as she lived out her life. 

I thought this snippet from the book summed up the story for me quite well:
     And she felt the beauty in the music now, drank it in with tears streaming down her face. Never had she been so naked in worship before her Creator, allowing the adoration to bleed out her very fingertips onto the strings, playing her heart's cry for every single lost soul, for the loss of innocence every generation to come would possess as a result of what happened at the killing fields of Auschwitz...
       Do You see, Abba? Do You see? It's not all evil, is it? There is beauty here too...
(p. 281-282) 
The Butterfly and the Violin was a deeply touching story, one I am better for having read. It is a story I will not forget. I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy reading Christian Fiction.

Content: There are sections set in a concentration camp that are horrific, but these were handled very well and not overly descriptive. I would consider this clean.

Source: I would like to thank Litfuse and Thomas Nelson (the publisher) for my free copy, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

Kristy CambronKristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather's stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.


Launch Campaign Giveaway

Welcome to the launch campaign for debut novelist Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin. Romantic Times had this to say: "Alternating points of view skillfully blend contemporary and historical fiction in this debut novel that is almost impossible to put down. Well-researched yet heartbreaking. . . ."

Kristy is celebrating the release of the first book in her series, A Hidden Masterpiece, with a fun Kindle Fire giveaway and meeting her readers during an August 7th Facebook author chat party.


butterflyviolin-400-click

 One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 7th. Winner will be announced at The Butterfly and the Violin Author Chat Party. Kristy will be connecting with readers and answering questions, sharing some of the fascinating research behind the book, hosting a fun book chat, and giving away some GREAT prizes. She will also be giving an exclusive look at the next book in the series, A Sparrow in Terezin!

So grab your copy of The Butterfly and the Violin and join Kristy on the evening of August 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

17 comments

  1. I love this cover :D

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  2. The cover is beautiful! I know this is one I am going to love! I hope I can! What a beautiful review!

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  3. I rather like it myself. I'm not exactly sure what everything is, but it still looks cool and very fantasy.

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  4. It definitely has a strong inspirational element, but the historical part during WWII was just so beautiful.

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  5. It was such a touching and beautiful story. Definitely fits the cover. :) I hope you do love when you get a chance to read it!

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  6. It is really a gorgeous cover and would definitely buy!!!

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  7. Whoa! This one is intense - that "pop" of purple adds a nice contrast to the dark tones.

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  8. I love the cover on this fantasy Tressa and have adding the book to my list to watch.

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  9. Oh my gosh this sounds like a such a powerful book. Anything to do with WWII always tugs at my heart. I'm very grateful to be living today and not then. Thank you for your review. I am adding this to my TBR list!!

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  10. This cover is pretty awesome, no fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. It is. I still really love it! :)

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  12. Oh, me too! I fight crying through these types of books all the time. Lol! I hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it!

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  13. And those eyes, which fits the title so well...

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  14. Me too. I'm hoping it will be good. It's so hard to tell sometimes, but it's an awesome cover!

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  15. WOW that cover is awesome! It completely caught my attention, and screamed that I had to read the synopsis. Then, the synopsis screamed that I had to read the book already!!

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  16. I know! Isn't it cool?!!

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