The Dutch Orphan by Ellen Keith

From the author of The Dutch Wife comes a riveting novel set during World War II about a woman who offers shelter to a Jewish baby, and her sister, who must choose between family loyalty and her own safety.

Amsterdam, 1942. When the Nazis invade Amsterdam, singer Johanna Vos watches in horror as the vibrant music scene she loves is all but erased, her Jewish friends forbidden from performing with her onstage. Alongside her friend Jakob, Johanna creates the Artists’ Resistance, an underground network allowing Jews to perform at houses hosted by their allies. When Johanna hears of a Jewish orphan headed for deportation, she does not think twice. She takes the baby in as her own, hiding the truth from even her own sister, Liesbeth.

Meanwhile, Liesbeth finds herself in a dilemma, as she knows of her sister’s staunch support for the Resistance, but her husband supports the Nazis. When a charming member of the Dutch Fascist Party sets his eyes on her, her predicament only deepens. As secrets continue to grow between the sisters, severing their once-unbreakable bond, they are both forced to make choices that will alter their lives forever.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023 by Park Row

4/5 stars

This was one of my highly anticipated books of 2023. As someone who has read many WW2 books I was drawn to this particlar book because of the location, blurb and that cover.

The story follows two sisters who are newly married and dealing with the war in vastly different ways. One sister joins the resistance, while the other is married to a Nazi sympathizer. This story explores how the war affected those living in the Netherlands, a location that is not often explored in WW2 fiction.

The Dutch Orphan is a story of family, endurance and heartache. Since it spans throughout the whole years of  the war there is also reconciliation. It is a well written story that was authentic and showed what the dutch endured and also their strength and determination, loyalty and courage.

Released just yesterday it’s a book I recommend not just for lovers of HF.

My thanks to Park Row Books (via NetGalley) for a digital arc in exchange for honest review.

The Lioness of Leiden by Robert Loewen

How do you fight the Nazis right under their noses? With cunning and courage.

When the Germans invade the Netherlands, Leiden University student Hetty’s boyfriend goes missing. But she has little time to grieve when she volunteers as a courier for the Dutch resistance, joined by her roommate, the beautiful Mimi, and seventeen-year-old Maria, the daughter of a slain resistance fighter. At great personal risk, the three women carry documents, secret messages, and cash to protect Jews, downed pilots, and others hiding from the Nazis.

During five years of war, Hetty is challenged by a gauntlet of spies and betrayal. She heroically fights back as she and her friends accept increasingly dangerous assignments. All the while, Hetty worries about her family. She tries to forbid her younger brother from volunteering for combat in the resistance and argues with her father about becoming too cozy with the Nazis.

As the Gestapo closes in, can Hetty and her family and friends make it through the war, free to live and love again?

Inspired by true events, Robert Loewen’s debut novel pays tribute to the heroism of his mother-in-law, who served as a courier in the Dutch resistance during World War II.

Kindle, 276 pages

Expected publication April 4, 2023

by Greenleaf Book Group

4/5 stars

I was attracted to this book because of the location, The Hague in the Netherlands, is where my parents grew up and lived during the war.

The author does not hold back as he describes some of the atrocities the Dutch endured as the Nazis endeavoured to take over. However, this book shows they did not take this invasion lightly and fought back. 

There is a lot of people to keep track of, especially at the beginning, even though I had wished I had kept notes it didn't take long to become absorbed. The Lioness of Leiden is a well researched, raw story centring around Hetty as she worked with the resistance.  She endured terrible losses, heartache, and danger. There are a number of different POVs which gave a vivid picture.   The only thing I found lacking was a timeline to indict the progression of time.

The author notes at the end made this book all the more compelling with a final chapter that was emotional and a fitting end.  Given this book is loosely based on the author's mother-in-law made the story all the more interesting and sad for the things her family lived through.

My thanks to Greenleaf Book Group (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin

Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?

Lena’s daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.

Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined.

The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.

Paperback, 420 pages

Published June 8, 2021

 by Tyndale House Publishers

4/5 stars

This book has been patiently waiting on my TBR pile since June 2021 when it was first released. Not only am I drawn to Lynn Austin as an author but this book drew me in with the blurb about three women during World War II in the Netherlands. As much as I love reading historical fiction I love reading historical fiction that relates to my families heritage and this one fit the bill perfectly. It takes place during a time that my parents lived through and rarely talked about so for me this was a glimpse into what they went through during the war.  I know it wasn’t pretty and this book showcased that only the residences of the country but for Jews escaping Germany finding themselves again hiding persecution from the Nazis.

Told from three different points of view gives a broad view of the story. There is Ans, a young woman who craves adventure and moves to the city just before the war breaks out. She gets more than she bargained for. There is Miriam, a young Jewish violinist who escaped Germany for the safety of Holland only to be caught in the grips of the Nazis yet again. Then there is Lena, wife, mother to Ans who lives in the country with her husband and other children, she relies on her faith to get her through this terrible time.

Chasing Shadows is not just a story of survival but it is a story of faith, trust and sacrifice. It is well written, heartbreaking as is most World War II stories are but it also showcases a country that comes together to fight for their rights and freedom. 

Definitely a book and author I recommend.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.

 

Review: Waves of Mercy (Waves of Mercy #1) by Lynn Austin

Geesje de Jonge crossed the ocean at age seventeen with her parents and a small group of immigrants from the Netherlands to settle in the Michigan wilderness. Fifty years later, in 1897, she's asked to write a memoir of her early experiences as the town celebrates its anniversary. Reluctant at first, she soon uncovers memories and emotions hidden all these years, including the story of her one true love.

 At the nearby Hotel Ottawa Resort on the shore of Lake Michigan, twenty-three-year-old Anna Nicholson is trying to ease the pain of a broken engagement to a wealthy Chicago banker. But her time of introspection is disturbed after a violent storm aboard a steamship stirs up memories of a childhood nightmare. As more memories and dreams surface, Anna begins to question who she is and whether she wants to return to her wealthy life in Chicago. When she befriends a young seminary student who is working at the hotel for the summer, she finds herself asking him all the questions that have been troubling her.

 Neither Geesje nor Anna, who are different in every possible way, can foresee the life-altering surprises awaiting them before the summer ends.

Paperback, 384 pages

 Published October 4th, 2016

 by Bethany House

*****

This is my second Lynn Austin book (Where We Belong was my first - click to see my review).  I was drawn to Waves of Mercy because of the location - my family hales from the Netherlands so any piece of HF I can get my hands on I grab. 

Told from 2 different points of view - one being 23-year-old Anna in 1897 and from Geesje who goes back to 1847 and relays her experiences traveling and being one of the first families to settle in Holland, Michigan. It's evident the author knows the area which came through in her writing.

With many layers, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book.  I found the historical aspects enlightening, easy to not just visualize but feel the emotional struggles that occurred.  Not heavy on the romance side was a nice change but love, marriage, and family do play a big role here. The internal struggles both Anna and Geesje deal with was authentic, heartbreaking at times.  As the story unfolded I connected with these ladies, they were on a journey with faith and searching for answers playing center stage.  This is Christian HF and that played predominately.

Lynn Austin is fast becoming a favorite of mine for her interesting plots, locations off the beaten path and character development.  I highly recommend Waves of Mercy and hope to read its sequel, Legacy of Mercy over the summer.

This book is part of my '2019 reading off my shelf challenge'.

Spotlight & Giveaway: A Light of Her Own by Carrie Callaghan

A Light of Her Own by Carrie Callaghan

Publication Date: November 13, 2018

Amberjack Publishing

Hardcover; 320 Pages

Genre: Fiction/Historical/Biographical

In Holland 1633, a woman’s ambition has no place. Judith is a painter, dodging the law and whispers of murder to become the first woman admitted to the prestigious Haarlem artist’s guild. Maria is a Catholic in a country where the faith is banned, hoping to absolve her sins by recovering a lost saint’s relic. Both women’s destinies will be shaped by their ambitions, running counter to the city’s most powerful men, whose own plans spell disaster. A vivid portrait of a remarkable artist, A Light of Her Own is a richly-woven story of grit against the backdrop of Rembrandt and an uncompromising religion.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Carrie Callaghan is a writer living in Maryland with her spouse, two young children, and two ridiculous cats. Her short fiction has appeared in Weave Magazine, The MacGuffin, Silk Road, Floodwall, and elsewhere. Carrie is also an editor and contributor with the Washington Independent Review of Books. She has a Master’s of Arts in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 For more information, please visit Carrie Callaghan's website and blog.

 You can also connect with her on Facebook,  Twitter and Goodreads.

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 2 signed hardcovers of A Light of Her Own! To enter, please see the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on December 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only.  – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

 Light of Her Own

BookBlast/Giveaway: After Paris by Renny deGroot

 From Shortlisted Author of the 2015 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, Renny deGroot comes a new Historical Fiction.

 Liesbeth Zwart forges her identity with courage and aptitude while nursing in France during WW1. As Liesbeth Bos, she feels that identity melting away; the skills she needed as a nurse in Paris are of little use to her as a wife and mother in post-war Netherlands. As she grapples to adjust to her new reality, she is confronted with a shocking discovery that sends her fleeing with her young daughter to start a new life in Canada.

The New World forces Liesbeth to reassess her own life and beliefs, but will it be enough to save her fractured family?

Publication Date: July 8, 2016

 Paperback & eBook; 364 Pages 

 Genre: Historical Fiction

      

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Renny deGroot is a first generation Canadian of Dutch parents.

She is a published poet, song lyricist and novelist. Her debut novel, Family Business, was shortlisted in the Literary Fiction category, for the 2015 Emerging Writer Prize. She studied English Literature at Trent University. Her strong Dutch roots continue to influence her while the love of her Canadian homeland with its beauty and freedom, flavors all that she does. 

Renny lives in rural Ontario, Canada with her Great Pyrenees and Chocolate Lab.

For more information, please visit Renny deGroot's website.

You can also find her on Facebook.

 

click on banner for more stops on this tour

Giveaway

To enter the After Paris Blog Tour Giveaway please enter via the Gleam form below.

- 3 winners will receive a copy of Family Business by Renny deGroot (2015 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Shortlist)

- 3 winners will receive a copy of the CD Macushla by renown Irish Tenor, Jimmy Carton (features songs from the era in which After Paris takes place)

Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on September 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

  After Paris

The Queen's Exile by Barbara Kyle

1572. Europe is in turmoil. In the Netherlands the streets are red with the blood of those who dare to oppose the brutal Spanish occupation. A vengeful faction of exiled English Catholics is plotting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and install her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. But amid the unrest, one resourceful young woman has made a lucrative enterprise ...

Scottish-born Fenella Doorn rules like a queen over a privateer's haven on the Isle of Sark. Her success at salvaging crippled vessels affords her gold and security, and it is on one of these ships that she meets wealthy Baron—and privateer—Adam Thornleigh. Secretly drawn to him, Fenella can’t refuse when Adam enlists her to join him in war-torn Brussels to help find his traitorous wife, Frances—and the children she’s taken from him.

But Fenella’s own bold actions have put a price on her head. Now Adam and Fenella’s lives are in peril as they race across Europe in an attempt to rescue his young ones, defend the crown, and restore the peace that few can remember. 

Paperback, 352 pages

Published May 27th 2014 by Kensington 

ARC - netgalley

***** 

I am always on the lookout for historical settings that involve by heritage.  The Queen's Exile fit that bill nicely, though I did not realize until I started reading.  This is the 6th installment in Barbara Kyle's Thornleigh Series.  I didn't read the synopsis when this book became available, I've really enjoyed this series and knew I would continue with it.

Robert Thornleigh just wants his children back, his wife fled England years ago with them after a failed attempt on the Queen's life.  Times were very treacherous as the Spanish were a brutal bunch.  I knew nothing of what took place in the Netherlands at the hand of Spanish, the name Alba meant nothing to me.  This was a terrifying and brutal time for the Dutch.  The author wrote vivid scenes that left no doubt how barbaric Alba and his forces were.

Again Barbara Kyle had me captivated right from the beginning.  Here writing style makes it easy to get lost.  Her knowledge of the time period is evident.  I truly respect the amount of research that has gone into this series.  Though the last few books revolve around Queen Elizabeth's reigh in England the story line reaches to various locations and real historical figures.  These locations are unique and revolve around real historical events, which  is what I love about this series.  There is variety and not the same Thornleighs in each book.

I love strong women in history, independent, ahead of their times.  Which is what Fenella was, though fictional, I really liked her, she had passion, drive, caring and honored her commitments.  With Robert one couldn't help feel sympathy for him and feel his passion and desperation to find his children. 

As with all her books you can read as stand alone, but I highly recommend starting at the beginning with The Queen' Lady (you won't be disappointed).  On May 26th the 7th installment (I hope it isn't the last), The Traitor's Daughter will be released, I am reading it right now so be lookout my review.

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

In a time of unprecedented darkness and fear, Cornelia must decide if saving a stranger’s life is worth risking her own.

In the twilight of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, the Germans have taken everything Cornelia had to give, even what was most precious to her. Now Gerrit Laninga—a man who puts God and country above all else—arrives at her house, needing help. She is terrified for herself and terrified for her family, but most of all, terrified of the pain she might feel again if she allows herself to love Gerrit. Her hope is to be free from her paralyzing fear.

Gerrit is a known and hunted Dutch Resistance member. When he comes to Cornelia’s home for shelter, he’s drawn to her strength and kindness. When he asks her to contact the local Resistance on his behalf, she refuses. Gerrit is determined to find a way to continue his underground work without putting Cornelia or her family in harm’s way.

When things start to unravel and Gerrit’s life depends on her actions, she must summon her courage and learn to depend on the perfect love that drives out all fear. But will her new love be snatched away before it has a chance to bloom?

Paperback, 326 pages

Published August 2013 by Thomas Nelson 

***1/2

I never used to read that much about World War II, especially after reading books like The Book Thief, Between Shades of Grey and The Invisible Bridge.  Plus knowing the atrocities committed by the Nazi I just needed to stay away for a bit.

What I am finding these days is a wide array of books showing the war from the other side.  Those courageous enough to fight back in any way they can.  Snow on the Tulips is a look at the Netherlands during the final days of this conflict.  Some sat and waited for the war to end, surviving on ration cards, minding their own business. For others there is the underground, the Resistance.  Some get involved on purpose and for others its thrown in their face. 

It's almost the end of the war, but Cornelia and Gerrit do not know this.  This book shows a vivid portrait of life in the Netherlands, the emotions when a loved one is no longer there.  Hiding those you love from the Germans and knowing who you can trust and who you can't.  This is the authors debut and I think that she is off to a good start.  There were times I felt it dragged a little, but the author shows that she knows her subject matter and wrote an interesting and believable story.

It's Christian fiction which I think added the story,  it's wartime and sometimes all you have left is your faith. 

  

“Courage is not a feeling. Courage is an action.”

Another reason I was drawn to this book is simply the fact that my parents lived in the Netherlands during this war as a young married couple.  My dad was a German POW for 2 years as well.  My parents never talked about the war and this book was a glimpse for me of what life might have been like for them. 

P.S. - it's the cover gorgeous?!

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam-a city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religion-a masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of Emma Donoghue, Sarah Waters, and Sarah Dunant.

"There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed…"

On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office-leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.

But Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist-an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways . . .

Johannes' gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand-and fear-the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation . . . or the architect of their destruction?

Enchanting, beautiful, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.
 

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published August 26th 2014 by Ecco

"But the problem is...those with no horizons want to pull yours down."

There are so many things that drew me to this book.

Locations, location, location - Amsterdam, it's off the beaten path.  Though I am Canadian, my parents and siblings were all raised there and I am always on the lookout for anything HF that I can get my hands on.  The author created scenes that I could visualize, reminders of a trip I once did and made me all the more anxious to go back again.  Add the fact that my mothers maiden name is also Brandt, well it was a given that this book was for me.

It's no secret that I love debuts and this one comes fully loaded!  Outselling JK Rowling is enough to raise ones expectation level!  It's based on a real cabinet and the author has really written a unique story that just drew this reader right in.  It was intriguing, with a wide array of different individuals, each character so different from the other, in their roles and personalities.

Taking place in 1686, Amsterdam was not just a wealthy city but a deeply religious one as well.  Nella is only 18 years old when she arrives in the Brandt household as a young bride, so many ideas and images of what her life would be like, only to meet with Johannes (again) who really does not share those ideas himself.  In fact he doesn't share a lot of things.  He is mysterious and aloft, which adds to the gothic feel.  His sister Marin, who welcomes Nella to the household in an unwelcoming manner and does not hide her feelings. 

When Johannes gift arrives things change and a new Nella emerges. The story takes off once the cabinet starts taking on a life of its own, Nella is no longer shy or reserved, but rather daring and inquisitive.   The writer has a pose that I like, rich details emerge about this time period and lifestyles in a way that kept this reader reading.
 

There are two different covers out there, I really like the UK one and that is what I purchased. I think there is just something kind of mystic and enchanting with this one.

"Freedom is a glorious thing.  Free yourself, Marin.    The bars on your cage are of your own making"

Review & Giveaway: East India by Colin Falconer (Book Tour)

In any other circumstance but shipwreck, rape and murder, a man like Michiel van Texel would never have met a fine lady such as Cornelia Noorstrandt.

He was just a soldier, a sergeant in the Dutch East India company’s army, on his way from Amsterdam to the Indies to fight the Mataram. Such a woman was far above the likes of him.

But both their destinies intertwine far away from Holland, on some god-forsaken islands near the Great Southland. When their great ship, the Utrecht, founders far from home, surviving the Houtman Rocks is the least of their worries.

As they battle to survive and the bravest and the best reveal themselves for what they are, Cornelia’s only hope is a mercenary in a torn coat who shows her that a man is more than just manners and money.

He makes her one promise: ‘Even if God forsakes you, I will find you.’
But can he keep it?

Described by one critic as ‘Jack and Rose in the seventeenth century’, East India will keep you wondering until the final page.

Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Cool Gus Publishing
Formats: eBook, Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

 ****

East India by

All you wanted, sometimes, was someone to believe in.

 Colin Falconer is fast becoming a favorite of mine.  Isabella: Braveheart was what introduced me to Colin Falconer.

The first chapter is enough to grab ones attention, as it takes place in present day, then jumps back to 1629 where the story unfolds.  I have never heard of the shipwreck of the Utrecht which took place off the coast of Australia.  But as soon as I was finished reading I googled what I could to learn more.

Here is a story of total depravity and inhumanity that I could not turn away from.  Rich in detail that had me totally engrossed in this story.  The author has a definite talent for writing scenes that were authentic but not over the top.  I got the picture loud and clear about this wreck.

I will not go into details about the chain of events that lead to this disaster.  But I was say that this is a story of greed, jealousy, lust, murder and total lack of compassion for others (amongst other things too).  There is l a light that does shine with Michiel van Ttexel and his feelings for Cornelia Noorstrandt.  How to find the strength  to carry on when so much is going on around you. 

Written with feeling, compassion and well researched this book will appeal to lovers of nautical books, historical fiction and those that just want a really good book to read.

Still, he had learned in battle that you never knew when things would turn; you think it's all over for you, then something turns up to save your skin.  You had to keep going, that was the mark of a man's strength.

Buy the Book

Amazon
Barnes & Noble (Nook)
Google Play
iTunes
Kobo

 Born in London, Colin first trialed as a professional football player in England, and was eventually brought to Australia. He went to Sydney and worked in TV and radio and freelanced for many of Australia’s leading newspapers and magazines. He has published over twenty novels and his work has so far been translated into 23 languages.
He travels regularly to research his novels and his quest for authenticity has led him to run with the bulls in Pamplona, pursue tornadoes across Oklahoma and black witches across Mexico, go cage shark diving in South Africa and get tear gassed in a riot in La Paz.
He currently lives in Barcelona.
For more information please visit Colin Falconer’s website. You can also find him on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

East India Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 28
Review at History & Women
Tuesday, July 29
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Wednesday, July 30
Review at Just One More Chapter
Tuesday, August 5
Review at Book Nerd
Thursday, August 7
Review at Bibliotica
Monday, August 11
Review at A Library of My Own
Friday, August 15
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Monday, August 18
Review at The Book Binder’s Daughter
Thursday, August 21
Review at Beth’s Book Reviews
Monday, August 25
Review at Casual Readers
Saturday, August 30
Review at Book by Book
Wednesday, September 3
Review at Unshelfish

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday: The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill  at  Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.   

   This week I am waiting for:

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: Aug 26 2014 by Picador

 On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office-leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.

But Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist-an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways . . .

Johannes' gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand-and fear-the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation . . . or the architect of their destruction?

Enchanting, beautiful, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.

What are you waiting for?

The Anatomy Lesson by Nina Siegal

Set on a single day in the Dutch Golden Age, this engrossing historical novel brilliantly imagines the complex story behind one of Rembrandt's most famous paintings

Commissioned by the Amsterdam surgeon's guild, "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" was the first major work by Rembrandt to be proclaimed a masterpiece. The novel opens on the morning of the medical dissection, and, as they prepare for that evening's big event, it follows several characters: a one-handed coat thief called Aris the Kid, who is awaiting his turn at the gallows; Flora, the woman pregnant with his child who hopes to save him from the noose; Jan Fetchet, a curio collector who also moonlights as an acquirer of medical cadavers; René Descartes, who attended the dissection in the course of his quest to understand where the human soul resides; and the 26-year old young master himself, who feels a shade uneasy about his assignment. Then there's Pia, an art restorer who is examining the painting in contemporary times. As the story builds to its dramatic and inevitable conclusion, the events that transpire throughout the day sway Rembrandt to change his initial composition in a fundamental way. Bringing to life the vivid world of Amsterdam in 1632, The Anatomy Lesson offers a rich slice of history and a textured story by a masterful young writer.

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published March 11th 2014 by Nan A. Talese 
****

I wanted to read this book because of the location, Amsterdam - my family background.

Told from multiple pov's, I think 7 of them, you would think this would be rather confusing, but it wasn't at all.  There is the thief himself, Aris the Kid - how did he end up being one handed and at the gallows?  His pregnant lover Flora who will do whatever she can to save him.  Of course there is Rembrandt himself and more (don't want to give too much away here).  Plus there is the current time-period art historian who is examining the painting 'The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholaes Tulp.

I really enjoyed this book, a look into how the painting (could have) come into existences.  The attention to details were very clear and precise making it easy to visualize location and living conditions during that time period.


It isn't a long book, only 288 pages but an engaging debut by Nina Siegal that will appeal to art and historical fiction readers.

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richly imagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of Vermeer's most celebrated paintings. 

History and fiction merge seamlessly in this luminous novel about artistic vision and sensual awakening. Girl with a Pearl Earring tells the story of sixteen-year-old Griet, whose life is transformed by her brief encounter with genius...even as she herself is immortalized in canvas and oil.

Paperback, 233 pages

Published 2001 by Plume (first published 1999)

This isn't a big book, just 233 pages long and another audio (from Audible) version for me.

I was totally captivated by this book.  The reader did a wonderful job and brought Griet's story to life. Told in first person it was like sitting down with Griet and her telling me her story.

Even though I was born in Canada, my roots are from the Netherlands.  I've been to Delft and have some lovely pieces in my home.  So reading about it in this book just brought back memories and stories from long ago.

Watching Griet grow up in the Vermeer household, I could feel her pain in leaving her family behind.  The struggles in the Vermeer household were vivid and I couldn't help but feel her heart ache in some of the struggles that she went through.  The details in the life of not just the artist but a serving girl and the affect both had on Vermeer's family was very interesting. 

“He saw things in a way that others did not, 

so that a city I had lived in all my life seemed a different place,

 so that a woman became beautiful with the light on her face.”

This is my second book by Tracy Chevalier, The Last Runaway, was my first.  Definitely an author that I will be reading more of.

This book will appeal to lovers of historical fiction involving art and a little of Dutch history.