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| GIVEAWAY |
THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN
In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Faberge, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history -- an unknown Faberge Egg that Peter Karl Faberge secretly created to honour his divided allegiance to both the people of Russian and the Imperial tsar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family.
Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance -- and the consequences are greater that she could have imagined.
My Review:
A complex dual timeline story full of adventure and danger...and a chance to armchair travel!
So, we have treasure hunting in present day and political unrest in the historical era and a host of complicated characters -- both real and fictional to follow. Talk about mind boggling, especially in early 1900s Russia. I have very limited (think practically non-existent) knowledge of Russian history so I'll admit to finding that part of the story a bit overwhelming. Some of it read like a fictional biography and I did get bogged down a time or two. I found it helpful to get key recaps in present day as Ava becomes invested in a treasure hunt with her estranged father and begins her own research.
I'm usually pretty good about finding a balance between both eras when I'm reading a dual timeline novel but this time round I connected with the present day story more. Ava isn't always a likeable character, but she does grow over the course of the novel. At times she seems much younger than her mid-twenties age, especially when it comes to her relationship with her parents. She definitely has a chip on her shoulder over her father's desertion when she was a young child. His terminal illness provides the catalyst that brings them back together but it starts off as an uneasy truce and there's all kinds of emotional undercurrents.
Since her dad is so ill, it's Ava who sets out on his last hunt -- in search of an unknown Fabrege Egg. She's accompanied by a motley crew of specialists -- 'muscle', tech nerd, Russian translator and, of course, her mother.
Stuart weaves in and out of past and present as she draws the tension tighter and danger increases in both timer periods. And then we reach the end and I'm...wait, what??????? :-)
Please note: While published by Revell, a well known Christian Publisher, there is no faith content in this book. I found this really disappointing as I associate this publishing house with faith filled fiction so that is what I was expecting. It is a clean read...well that brings me to...
Second note: contains some mild cussing -- again, not what I expect from a Christian publisher
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Master Craftsman leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 28 2022. Offer open to International Readers.
There are several things that pull me towards "THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN". 1. I love the cover! 2. Love dual timeline stories. 3. Love the previous era as it is the at the same time my grandparents lived making it seem reachable and not just history. 4. Love that it has some of her family as immigrants. My grandfather brought my Dad's side of the family to the United States. 5. It sounds like a wonderful story. I'd very much love the opportunity to read this one.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the disclaimers so as to know what to expect going in. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I can't believe how many dual timeline stores are coming out now. They used to be so rare. Good luck, Kay!
DeleteKav, not entering the giveaway but was interested to read your fyi on the mild cussing and no faith content by Revell. That does seem to stray from what I've seen of their books -- which I'm sure is limited in the grand scheme of things :)
ReplyDeleteI actually just read a book by another Christian publisher and in this one the Lord's name is used in a casual way in several places - mainly in the character's thought lives - like "Lord, he ..." or "God, she was ..." or "Lord Almighty, she ..." These type of instances seemed very realistic and natural to those particular characters so I get that, but was still surprised to see a Christian publisher allowing the Lord's name to be used that way. I wonder if a new trend is starting? I hope not.
It's so disappointing. I'm used to Thomas Nelson publishing books without faith content but I thought Revell wouldn't go that route so I'm kinda stunned. I just wish these publishers would create an imprint either for their inspirational fiction or their 'cleanish' fiction so readers could easily identify what they are getting.
DeleteKav, a separate imprint is a great idea. I like to read clean general market books too, but it would be so helpful to know what we're actually getting. Here's hoping!
DeleteYes! and it's often hard to source out the clean general market reads if you're unfamiliar with an author. You would think publishers would want to make it easy for readers to find what they are looking for!
DeleteUnfortunately I've seen this more and more by Revell, which is a shame (lack of faith content). Thomas Nelson has gone that way for a while. It's sad when trusted Christian publishers shy away from things of God. I do understand if they want to attract a more secular audience, but it ruins it for me as a Christian.
ReplyDeleteAll that to say this, I was going to put my name in the pot because I don't mind a clean read every once in a while (I appreciate you including that in your review) but I won't abide cursing of any kind. There's plenty of other books out there with the faith thread and content I love to read. Thanks for your honest opinion & disclaimer on the books you feature on your blog.
Yes, they need to divide their books into clear imprints so we know what we're getting. This one doubly surprised me because I got it for review from a Canadian Christian marketing firm. They only offer 4 or 5 Christian fiction titles from the Baker Publishing Group every two months so it's a real treat to get them and I would have though they'd be vetted for content.
DeleteI get that the publishers have to find a way to survive in a tough industry and I don't begrudge them their choice to publish non faith based fiction -- I just wish they'd be clear about it.
Agreed about the cussing. I'm super conservative though. My mom thought stupid was a cuss word (being the youngest of 11 children, I can guess why lol) and she'd be livid if we ever called anyone stupid -- so much so that it never occurred to us to try out any real cuss words. And I come across them from time to time in a cozy mystery but if it gets to be too much I stop reading, But at least I go in knowing that might be the case. Okay, rant over. :-) Happy Reading, Trixi!
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DeleteFunny thing, I went on my laptop to comment (I usually use my Kindle) using Firefox (my normal browser) but it would not let me sign in to leave one. So, I open my Google Chrome, sign into my google account and am able to leave a comment. Maybe this might solve it for other people trying to leave a comment on the blog? I've never had an issue with my Kindle.
DeleteI agree with you that publishers....specifically Christian ones....SHOULD separate or label their imprints in categories (sweet & clean or Christian). That way people like me, who read only Christian (with the occasional clean book) can pick up a title put out by that particular publisher and know what they are getting. There are times I base my books solely on the publisher without knowing the author. It jars me to read a curse word (I'm talking like the H or D word...stuff like that) and lessens my enjoyment of the book.
I have read a rare cozy mystery that has mild language, but like you, I expect that so I'm not surprised. I can usually skim over those words...unless like you...I find them too often and then will not finish that book. Thankfully, I've not run into that problem often.
Good book discussion today! I'm sorry this one surprised you like that, so here's praying the next one put out by Baker Publishing will feed you heart & soul!
Oh, that's interesting about google chrome. I'll post that on Saturday and let the people I know are having problems commenting and see if that makes a difference. It's so frustrating.
DeleteI think the publishers are on a slippery slope because they're alienating the readers who specifically sought them out for Christian content but aren't offering enough 'edge' for the general market.
I'd love to win this book. The cover is so pretty, and I like the premise and dual timelines. I'm like you, in that I usually identify with one timeline more than the other.
ReplyDeleteI do feel bad that Christian publishing groups are jumping on the bandwagon and leaving faith behind. I enjoy a clean book, of course, but there are definitely expectations readers have when they purchase or read a book from a Christian publisher. I don't necessarily want "preachy," but I do want to see where the characters love God and rely on Him to help them through their trials. I read Christian fiction not only as an escape, but many times the way the author has the characters walk through their problems helps me see things more clearly in my own life and gives me a new perspective and hope.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book! Have a blessed day!
Karen Rhoades
krhoadesatroadrunnerdotcom
Yes!!! There are so many times a faith message in a fiction book has directly affected me in my own life. Those books are priceless. Good luck, Karen!
DeleteThank you for the opportunity to win this book. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet. Some great thoughts above about the Christian publishing industry. I used to work in the industry quite a few years ago and these are good thoughts to think about.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Tammie. It definitely has to be a tough industry to work in with all the changes. Hope we don't lose our Christian content altogether!
DeleteThank you for sharing. I enjoy dual time line but disappointed it has no Faith included. Makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteWe can twin about that too. :-( Good luck, Lucy!
DeleteIt sounds interesting to read about Russia years ago and the dual timeline is always fun. I always find it a plus if there is faith content but this will still be a good book!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
If you're looking for cleanish, this is the book for you. Lots of interesting historical facts. Good luck, rubynreba!
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