The sinking of the Brig Minerva results in many deaths, while for others, the future is suddenly brighter. But it’s not always easy to leave the past behind… governess to two motherless children. But when their father is drowned aboard the Brig Minerva, Felicia must take them to their new guardian in the North of England, where her life is about to be turned upside down.
The Earl of Finlassan has turned his back on the world to pursue his art, and the prospective guardianship of two young girls horrifies him. He soon finds that it’s not his wards who unsettle his life, it’s their governess, who is irritatingly impertinent with a distractingly mischievous smile. Gradually he finds himself drawn out of seclusion by his new muse. But when danger strikes, they will have to uncover the past before they can look to the future.
This is a complete story with a HEA. Book 4 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom.
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The Painter, in my opinion, is the best in this series! Throughout the book there is this persistent tension that keeps you on the edge of yours seat; yet, there is no big falling out or abduction to culminate it. The tension lies within the story of this lonely, irascible Earl, and an uncertain, yet delightful, lady who practice and use art differently, but in the end the different strokes paint one lovely story.
Felicia Oakes is an art teacher at a girls’ school when she is offered a position as a governess for Margarita and Juliana Kearny. When their father dies at sea, Felicia accompanies them to Hawkewood where Finlassan will be their guardian, and where Felicia’s life changes forever. Felicia is a “natural” daughter, a bastard, who never knew her father or mother. The mystery in this story is how Felicia’s past is discovered. The book is awesome, well written, well plotted, with wonderful characters.
A heart rending story but with a happier ending.Two eccentric families with long held secrets. I will be reading more of this series.
Loved Felicia’s story and how all the characters came together for a very nice ending. Felicia, although a ward of someone not her parent, grows up with great confidence and gracefulness. The story is one that does not rush but provides many details and interesting twists that kept me hanging onto each word. Love the style of the writing and the period.
Mary Kingswood is one of my favorite authors. I really enjoyed this series!
A sweet clean read that made me want it to last longer.
After reading this wonderful book I definitely will continue reading the series.
Well written. A sailing vessel sinks on a voyage from Ireland to England. Those deaths change the lives of the people left behind. The Painter is one in the series “Silver Linings”. This is the second in the series that I have read and I would recommend The Widow also. I’d like to give it 4+
Seeing The Painter in my list spurred me to check out Mary Kingswood’s work, and I just can’t stop reading her books!! I feel lucky to have just discovered her, so there is a body of work out there to enjoy.
I love that her stories don’t rely on “the big lie”; there is always a deep deception somewhere in the plot, but the main protagonists face their lives square-on and find their way through. The dialogue is lovely, the characters are fascinating, and it’s sometimes difficult to see how the story can have a happy ending; the plots are complex without being convoluted.
Many thumbs up for Mary Kingswood.
This is a romantic story featuring two artists that fall in love. There is interesting insight on how an artist thinks and sees the world that surrounds them. The heroine is quite forthcoming regarding her unknown heritage. I honestly doubt she would be quite this outspoken for the time period but it was refreshing and fun to read her side of things.
Lots of detail and culture in the interesting characters. I enjoyed the story and the thread of finding out who everyone is.
Easy to read, unexpected ending. Kept you reading to find out who was the cause of the deaths of a family.
Great story about a young artist who goes to be a governess to two little girls and teach them art. She meets their guardian who also loves art. They are able to change each other’s lives. I love that there was a mystery involved, too.
Hard to follow all the characters. Difficult vocabulary with old English words.
I did like the art talk. Probably wouldn’t recommend it to my book group.
I liked the book. The story was interesting, and built at a pace that helped the reader start to put the pieces together, which was fun. The only thing I didn’t enjoy is at the end I had the feeling that the situation was so tragic that it just left me feeling sad.
The plot was so satisfying to me that I had to reread it immediately, watching for nuances of plot whose significance was not clear to me on the first reading. Some might find it a stretch with the string of events that bring this stew to a full simmer. The hero is Professor Higgins-ish with his brash words and obsessive traits and perhaps that was Mary Kingswood’s intent. I simply enjoyed the struggles of the artists, and I particularly loved the lesson in drawing clouds – quickly now! – with sheets of paper flying.
Well thought out characters and a plucky heroine make this an entertaining read with a few twists that keep you turning pages.
This story had some interesting parts and turns- loved all the discussions about painting. It was easy to read. I just won’t re-read it
Delightful new series by Mary Kingswood. Can’t wait for the next book.
Part of a really great series.