Your Journey to The Golden City begins here…FORTUNE…SACRIFICE…PASSION….and SECRETSA tale of mystery, social morality and second chances during America’s Gilded Age, The Art of Love will take you on an unforgettable journey from the last frontier of the Yukon Territory to the new Sodom and Gomorrah of its time – the boomtown of San Francisco.After digging a fortune from the frozen fields of … Francisco.
After digging a fortune from the frozen fields of the Klondike, August Wolff heads south to the “Golden City,” hoping to put the unsolved disappearance of his wife and daughter behind him. The turn of the twentieth century brings him even more success, but the distractions of a hedonistic mecca can’t fill the gaping hole in his life.
Amelia Starling is a wildly talented artist caught in the straightjacket of Old New York society. Making a heart-breaking decision, she moves to San Francisco to further her career, all the while living with the pain of a sacrifice no woman should ever have to make.
Brought together by the city’s flourishing art scene, Gus and Lia forge a rare connection. But the past, shrouded in mystery, prevents the two of them from moving forward as one. Unwilling to face society’s scorn, Lia leaves the city and vows to begin again in Europe.
The Golden City offers everything a man could wish for except the answers Gus is desperate to find. But find them he must, or he and Lia have no chance at all.
The Art of Love has earned the following awards:
A Notable Indie Book of 2014
Silver Ippy Award
New Apple Medalist
Editor’s Choice – Idaho Book Awards
The Art of Love is Book One in A.B. Michaels’ historical fiction series “The Golden City.” Other titles in the series include The Depth of Beauty, The Promise, The Price of Compassion and Josephine’s Daughter.
The story continues into present day with Michaels’ contemporary series “Sinner’s Grove Suspense,” featuring descendants of characters from “The Golden City.” Books include Sinner’s Grove, The Lair, and The Jade Hunters.
All of A.B. Michaels’ novels are stand-alone reads.
For more information, please visit abmichaels.com.
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From the icy fields of the Yukon to the rich abodes of New York to the growing beauty of San Francisco and the redwood forests, A.B. Michaels captures the history and aliveness of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in her heroes Lia and Gus. I shivered through Gus’s gold mining attempts in the Yukon and wondered how any man or woman could exist there. Then my heart bristled in outrage at Lia’s unfortunate turn of events among the wealthy patronage of New York. And through it all I wondered how do these characters connect? But they do, and beautifully.
The Art of Love brings together such different locations and characters and personalities and melds them like the melting pot of civilization that they were and continue to be. Michaels’ deft hand shares the cultural high points of San Francisco in the early 1900s through art and food and construction and shipping. You taste Lia’s fervent desire to establish herself as an artist, Gus’s need for love and family despite his rise to wealth, and the minor characters of Sandy and Will are far from cardboard and show depth and compassion and great loyalty.
The satisfying ending came about much too soon. I wished the book could have gone on longer.
This story takes place in the Klondike Gold Mine Camp on the Yukon River where Gus strikes it rich. The story continues in San Francisco where Gus meets Lia a very gifted artist, and takes you on an exciting journey. You will thoroughly enjoy all the struggles Gus and Lia go through to find happiness. Emjoyable read.
A beautiful story…well written… made me cry at one point…
Rich historical setting takes you to New York city, Alaska and San Francisco following two strong individuals with an equally strong supporting cast. A joy
Both Gus and Lia have unhappy histories in marriage, and neither has any desire to trust anyone again. To be spared the pain they both have set goals and have vowed not to be persuaded against the life they want for themselves. By chance of fate they meet and these two strong minded people finally admit they’re in love. But there are still bumps in the road that test that love. For some happiness doesn’t come easy. I enjoyed this story very much.
Liked the characters and historical settings. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
Hard times. Difficult life decisions. And then love. But troubles aren’t yet over. A great story of grit, tenacity, heartache, and love. This is a winner, A.B. Michaels!
There are so many wonderful stories in this Novel. You can’t stop reading it to find out what happens. Must read!!!
So much wrapped up in one story. What a harsh life in the Yukon while following your dream of finding gold and having more money you ever dreamed possible. It broke my heart when Gus lost contact with his wife and daughter, searching for years and not finding them. Equally tragic was Amelia’s separation from her son and the difficult choices she felt she must make for the betterment of others. It is a beautiful romance, perfect love that seemed doomed. Lots of history in this novel which always draws me in. Social morality most often not accepted by many, growth of our cities, times of great change and the artistic talents emerging in this age of change bring much to enjoy in this novel.
Historically informative with a romantic thread that kept the interest. Everyone seemed to do well in their life.
Gus Wolff strikes pay dirt, but not before his wife and daughter leave behind the hardships of the Yukon gold rush. Gus is a natural entrepreneur who multiplies his initial fortune, but his missing family leaves a huge gap. Finding love with a talented artist, he cannot commit until resolves his family’s disappearance. He must find them when Pinkerton detectives cannot. An excellent story, well told.
Wonderful book – really enjoyed reading it and visiting the mine, mine town, way of life back then and San Francisco.
Enjoyable reading
Fortitude, sorrow, hard work, obstecales and love. All in one read.
Great romance. Love scenes were love scenes without getting pornographic, which I appreciated.
Loved the characters and the story line.
Totally enjoyed this book!
I enjoyed it.
Alaska gold seekers life very informative; enjoyed 1900 San Francisco descriptions; author presents history of 1900 in this love story.
I appreciate the insight it gave me into this time period – the life of gold-diggers, and how families easily got separated. While a ‘love story’, it was done in very good taste – leaving the relations to your imagination, as I believe it should be in a tasteful novel. Loved the read!
Lovely story