Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Paris Portrait by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Paris Portrait
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery, Dual Timeline, Fiction
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that indicates a royal portrait went missing almost two hundred years ago. Is this true, or is there substance to the rumor?
Paris, France, 1973.
After an enjoyable but dusty road trip, Fabiola and her friends, Pippa and Cary, arrive in a small village on the outskirts of Paris to spend a few days with Fabiola’s brother Eivind and his family.
On their first evening there, Eivind shows Fabiola an ancient recipe book he bought at an auction. The book is filled with old writing, and he asks Fabiola to decipher the pages. After the others have gone to bed, she spends hours reading and is gripped by the last pages that have nothing to do with recipes for baked goods and stews. Certain the author was a famous portrait artist at the time of the French Revolution, Fabiola and her friends set out on a treacherous investigation, dodging murderers and thieves to learn the truth.
Versailles, France, 1789.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun— portraitist and close friend of the extravagant queen of France, Marie Antoinette—has already painted thirty portraits of the queen. Her contemporaries compare her to the old Dutch masters, calling her one of the greatest portrait painters of her time.
But outside on the streets, Paris is becoming more perilous with every day that passes. Madame Le Brun would be a fool to think the rumors of a revolution will pass, and aristocratic life will continue as before.
Amid the turmoil, she paints one final portrait of Marie Antoinette, knowing well her association with the queen could cause her to be arrested or executed. As chaos and riots in Paris turn to violence, Madame Le Brun flees with her young daughter, hoping her royal friend and the portrait will be safe.
My Review
The Paris Portrait has a duel timeline that tells a mystery that shifts between 1973 in France and 1789 in Versailles. Fabiola Bennett, an art historian, is enjoying a vacation in France with her friends, Pippa and Cary, while visiting her brother Eivind and his family. During her trip, Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that might point to a famous painting of Marie Antoinette created by the artist Madame Le Brun in 1789. This clue is hidden in an old recipe book Eivind bought for his wife, but the last pages reveal a journal from Madame Le Brun instead of recipes. The writing for both time periods is engaging, making the story captivating.
It was exciting to learn about art history and the real life of Madame Le Brun. I looked up her paintings, and they are truly stunning. I also enjoyed discovering more about the notorious Queen Marie Antoinette. Having read other books about her, getting insights from her friend Madame Le Brun was fascinating.
Even though I hadn’t read the earlier books in the series, I found this one enjoyable on its own. The Paris Portrait combines mystery, quick pacing, and a love for art and history beautifully. I appreciated the strong friendships Fabiola shares with her friends, but my favorite part was the surprising twist at the end. It was thrilling to piece together the mystery, and now I’m eager to read more books in this series.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
More Books in This Series
About the Author
Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.
Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon giftcard + a paperback of one Fabiola Bennett Mystery of your choice!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 19, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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