Art in Fiction – Fiction Aficionado

The Painted Castle (Kristy Cambron) – Review

A lost painting of Queen Victoria.

A library bricked off from the world.

And three women, separated by time, whose lives are irrevocably changed.

When art historian Keira Foley is hired to authenticate a painting at a centuries-old East Suffolk manor, she hopes this is just the thing to get her career and life back on track. But from the time she arrives at Parham Hill Estate and begins working alongside rumored art thief Emory Scott…

17 October 2019

The Art of Rivers (Janet Ferguson) – Review

Rivers Sullivan bears both visible and invisible scars—those on her shoulder from a bullet wound and those on her heart from the loss of her fiancé during the same brutal attack. Not even her background as an art therapist can help her regain her faith in humanity. Still, she scrapes together the courage to travel to St. Simons Island to see the beach cottage…

27 June 2019

Where the Fire Falls (Karen Barnett) – Review

~ About the Book ~ Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as “pervaded with divine light.” Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region’s wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty. After false accusations cost him everything,

11 June 2018

Over Maya Dead Body (Sandra Orchard) – Review

~ About the Book ~ FBI Special Agent Serena Jones arrives on Martha’s Vineyard with her family, ready for a little bit of R&R and a whole lot of reminiscing as they celebrate the engagement of an old family friend. But crime doesn’t take a vacation, and she’s soon entangled in an investigation of a suspicious death tied to an antiquities smuggling ring. When her investigation propels her into danger, Serena must stay the course and solve this case before anyone else dies. But just how is she supposed to do that when the two men in her life arrive

19 July 2017

First Line Friday – 30 June 2017 – Over Maya Dead Body (Sandra Orchard)

I am both nervous and excited about today’s first line selection for you. If you have been following the Serena Jones series, you’ll know that there are two male characters who have an interest in Serena, but so far, Serena’s been somewhat oblivious to the romantic undercurrents (or in denial!) This is D-day folks! This is where we find out who Serena’s heart will turn to. And I’m not sure which is worse: the suspense of not knowing, or the disappointment for the man who will be let down. Aaarrrgggghhh! More on that topic in days to come, but for

30 June 2017

Another Day, Another Dali (Sandra Orchard) – Review

Publisher’s Description: When a valuable Salvador Dali painting belonging to her grandmother’s friend is mysteriously replaced by a forgery, FBI Special Agent Serena Jones is called in to investigate. Serena hopes finding the thief will also mean finally measuring up to Nana’s expectations. But when the evidence points to members of the owner’s own household, it becomes increasingly clear that Serena won’t be winning any popularity contests. The Dali isn’t the only painting that’s fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the specter of a sophisticated theft ring–one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved

19 January 2017

A Portrait of Emily Price (Katherine Reay) – Review

Publisher’s Description: Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love. But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart. Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people

27 November 2016

The power of fiction, the beauty of words, and the God who made us to wield them for His glory.