The Master Craftsman

 The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart is a historical fiction novel filled with treasure hunting, suspense and romance.  

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Faberge, was charged to protect on of the greatest secrets in Russian history, an unknown Faberge Egg that Peter Karl Faberge secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia 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 than she could have imagined.  

When I first cracked this book open I was instantly intrigued by the mystery of the hidden treasure, what it was, what was so secretive about it and of its importance.  I did enjoy the mystery and romance, but there was something lacking for me.  I had a very hard time staying engaged after the first couple of chapters.  The excitement soon fizzled out.  I've seen a lot of good reviews about this book though and I am fully aware that we all have different taste in books and this may be something you really love.  I personally would give it about three stars, but it may just be something you would give five!

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.