Erin Bartels

The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels is a dual timeline Christian fiction story. It is well written, easy to read and imagine. I just love the character of Viviana and enjoyed reading of her struggles, travels and different painting situations. I also enjoyed the interaction between Esther and her mother. I especially enjoyed the parts of her mother as she shows her independence.

This is a great story that follows a family of women artists. I appreciate as it unfolded how the reader gets a look into Viviana's past and the reason for her name changes. I enjoyed the mystery behind the signature on the paintings. I also enjoyed how hard Esther worked to keep the museum going and taking care of her mother. If there was one thing I would change, it would be to have more information at the end as to how the women were all connected.

This is a great story to read that I received a complimentary copy of. This is my honest review.… (mehr)

"Art is romance. It's seeing something and having such deep affection for it in that singular moment that you're compelled to capture it so you can revisit it again and again. So you can share it with other people. So you can make them see the worth in what you see." - Erin Bartels

I think those sentences sum up this novel pretty well! Esther has done everything in her power to keep their family name and art history known and alive through their museum but when she runs into an old art professor, he may just upend everything she has ever believed about her ancestry. I just loved the storylines in this novel. The historical was so fun to read about women painters and the current day Esther working to keep things up and running while taking care of her mother. I really enjoyed Esther's character as well as her mother and that dynamic of taking care of a parent. The past and current day stories flowed so well within each eachother. I was rooting for Viviana the whole time. The search to uncover the truth about the painting is also what brings about some truth and lessons about family and that sometimes the truth is hard to accept. Thank you to the Revell Blogger Program and to the author for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord… (mehr)

I'll admit that I pick up very few split-timeline novels these days. Why? Because I've found that, in my case, it's usually only one of the timelines that really has and holds my interest. Which means I'm only enjoying half or a third of a book.

Well. The stunning, slightly mysterious cover art of this historical/contemporary women's ChristFic novel hooked me. I decided to give the book a go, even with its two timelines.

And, my goodness. Both heroines' journeys in the book spoke to me. For real. The well-woven themes on truly being seen and also uniquely seeing, as a unique human being. And a crucial tie between artistic creation and hope. And the theme of hope to live in and live out one's authenticity. To also realize the value in the pursuit of a dream.

All of it spoke to me.
As a thinker.
As a writer.
As a woman.

Now, indeed, even though I was disappointed in a couple of the heroines' actions, my lifelong book-loving self did enjoy this as a quality work of fiction. Still, there are certain occasions when my connection with a story is on quite a different plane, beyond my usual levels of observation and commentary as a bibliophile. Certain occasions when a timely written work intersects profoundly with my time.

This was definitely one of those occasions.

Revell provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.… (mehr)

“The human body was meant for movement, as was the human life.” Two women connected through time by one amazing painting. The Lady with the Dark Hair was such a unique, well written, intriguing read! I loved the dual time period mystery with a hint of romance. I was swept away by the vivid, beautiful descriptions and the heartfelt stories.

Present day art history graduate Esther Markstrom runs her family museum dedicated to her mother’s ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. His most prized work, a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair comes into question when Esther’s former professor visits. As Esther discovers more about her ancestor’s past, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down.

In 1879, Vivianna Torrens is a Catalonian orphan on the run. She’s found a place as a servant in the home of a painter in Southern France from whom she learns much. When she’s asked to pose for a painting, she meets Francisco Vella, a merchant who sells art pigments. The instant attraction between them is palpable, but Vivianna is skeptical. When her past resurfaces, she’s forced to go on the run with him posing as his sister. Her travels will take her across the Mediterranean from Morocco to Gibraltar as she uses her new found skills to create captivating masterpieces.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved the gorgeous settings I could easily picture in my mind. I also enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of art and painting. Both Esther and Vivianna are compelling characters who are easy to connect with. Esther struggles to keep the family museum going while also trying to care for a mother suffering from mental illness. I appreciated her struggle as she tries to keep her mother alive while her mother strives to find her own voice and control over her life. Vivianna’s life was filled with pain and difficulty and bares both physical and mental scars from what she experienced from a young age. I loved how she found a new voice through painting.

The mysterious way these two women’s lives intersect was so fun to discover throughout the story. I found myself eagerly turning the pages and loved how each event that happened in the past was discovered in the present day. The ending was completely satisfying and paid tribute to all the women in the story. It’s a story I’ll be thinking about for a long while after reading and look forward to what this author writes next. I received an advanced complimentary copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4 1/2 stars!… (mehr)