The Truth About Love by Stephanie Laurens

 The Truth About Love by Stephanie Laurens - 383 pages

Gerrard Debbington, Vane Cynster's brother-in-law, is one of London's most eligible gentlemen. Uninterested in marriage, his driving passion is to paint the fabled gardens of Lord Tregonning's Hellebore Hall -- an opportunity that is now at hand...if Gerrard agrees to create an honest portrait of Tregonning's daughter as well.

Gerrard chafes at wasting his talents on some simpering miss, only to discover that Jacqueline Tregonning stirs him as no other. Certainly, she is beautiful, but it is her passionate nature that strikes sparks with Gerrard's own, igniting desire and sweeping them into each other's arms, convincing Gerrard that he has found his ideal soul mate -- the lady he must have as his wife.

But something is horribly wrong at Hellebore Hall. Evil and lies are reaching out to ensnare Jacqueline -- and Gerrard will have to move Heaven and Earth to protect the remarkable woman who, for him, personifies the truth about love...

Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

 

Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier - 273 pages

Griet is a young girl living in the Netherlands when she is called across her town to live in Papist's Corner. She becomes the maid to one of the most famous Dutch painters of her time and, in turn, his muse for one of the most famous works of art in history. This piece of historical fiction by Tracy Chevalier served as inspiration for the movie of the same title and follows the journey of a young girl and the painting that she inhabits.

I have never read a Tracy Chevalier novel but have always wanted to - so I decided to try the most famous one. I was, for lack of a better word, disappointed. The book was tedious and slow and simply did not pique my interest, I suppose. I'll have to try a different Chevalier work sometime. 2/5 stars.

Art Workshops for Children by Herve Tullet

Art Workshops for Children by Herve Tullet, 67 pages

I want to be like Herve Tullet when I grow up!  I love his art style and his children's books!  I love that he wrote a book about how to create interactive, modern art!

The Art of Deception by Nora Roberts

The Art of Deception by Nora Roberts - 274 pages

Adam is looking for a missing painting but keeps getting distracted by fellow artist Kirby.

This is one of Nora Roberts early romances.  It is very dated in its viewpoints, yet was still interesting to read.

The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech

The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech - 151 pages

Marta and John discover a young boy on their porch one morning.  The boy seems to be about six years old.  He came with a note asking them to take care of him until he can be picked back up.  Marta and John quickly grow to love Jacob even though he doesn't talk.  He likes to paint, play music, and the farm animals.  But they always have the question in the back of their minds -- who is the boy?

This was a great book!  Although very quick to read it packed a huge emotional wallop.  I actually found myself crying a couple times throughout the story.  This is a wonderful story of how you create your own family and how sometimes those families must end even though nobody wants them to.