Author:  Julie Klassen
Publisher:  Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sophie Dupont assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. In private, she paints the picturesque north Devon coast, popular with artists--including handsome Wesley Overtree, who seems more interested in Sophie than the landscape.

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother Wesley's responsibilities. Near the end of his leave, he is sent to find his brother and bring him home. Upon reaching Devonshire, however, Stephen is stunned to learn Wesley has sailed for Italy and left his host's daughter in serious trouble.

Stephen feels duty-bound to act, and strangely protective of the young lady, who somehow seems familiar. Wanting to make some recompense for his own past failings as well as his brother's, Stephen proposes to Miss Dupont. He does not offer love, but marriage "in name only" to save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he fears, she will at least be a respectable widow.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie finds herself torn between her first love and this brooding man she barely knows. Dare she wait for Wesley to return? Or should she elope with the captain and pray she doesn't come to regret it?

MY THOUGHTS

I finally had the opportunity to read The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen.  I've heard so much about this book, and have read several reviews a couple of months ago that I just HAD to read this book.  As a fellow Jane Austen fan, Julie Klassen's books have always captivated me.  I've only read two, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Maid at Fairbourne Hall. Both had me dive right into the story and not move until I finished the book.  So now, with The Painter's Daughter, it was no different. I started it in the evening, and just had to finish it, staying up until 2 in the morning!  I was not disappointed.

You know the phrase, "a picture can paint a thousand words?" Well, Julie Klassen painted thousands of vivid images that came to life with The Painter's Daughter.   Julie's masterfully descriptive words of Castle Rock just brings my mind straight there, with the wind blowing, looking over the cliff, seeing the beauty God created. The plot is just as interesting. With a romantic triangle of sorts, Sophie is torn between her first love with someone she finds a common interest in, and someone who protected her when she most needed. Who would you choose? A handsome, talented man of the world or an honest and scarred man of integrity? Captain Overtree. There is just something about him that tugs at your heart, and have held onto it until the end. He may be rough around the edges, with his scar on his face, but a man that held onto a miniature portrait of a woman he has never met, just speaks of a soft romantic heart. I also enjoy the other characters from crazy Lieutenant Keith, to melancholic Miss Blake, to sweet Kate, to the mysterious Miss Whitney and the supportive Colonel. I'd be happy to continue reading stories featuring all these characters again.

Julie Klassen reminds us of the writings of the Bronte sisters, specifically the story of Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. The period setting, and the romantic aspects of the countryside and the romance of the main characters have me always wishing for another reread of the old classics.  In addition, Julie added a spiritual element that appeals to me as a Christian, as well as those who wish to find more than a physical attraction between the characters. A story of mistakes past, unexpected love, redemption and grace, The Painter's Daughter painted quite a picture for us.

"Almighty God, direct our paths, he prayed.  Soften hearts.  After all, you are the King of redemption and restoration."  (Chapter 35, loc 7146)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's RITA Awards and ACFW's Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

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