Soli Hansen Mysteries
Heidi Eljarbo
Book Title: Brushstrokes from the Past
Series: Soli Hansen Mysteries
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publication Date: 20 September 2022
Publisher: self-published
Page Length: 260 pages
Genre: Historical fiction – dual timeline, a bit of mystery and sweet romance
Twitter Handles: @HeidiEljarbo @cathiedunn
Hashtags: #solihansenmysteries #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
Tour Schedule: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2022/07/blog-tour-brushstrokes-from-past-by.html
Blurb:
A Historical Art Mystery
WWII and the mid-seventeenth century are entwined in this fourth dual timeline novel about Nazi art theft, bravery, friendship, and romance.
April 1945 . Art historian Soli Hansen and her friend Heddy arrive at an excavation site only to find Soli’s old archeology professor deeply engrossed in an extraordinary find in a marsh. The remains of a man have lain undisturbed for three centuries, but there’s more to this discovery…
As Soli tries to understand who the baroque man was and discovers what he carried in a sealed wooden tube, problems arise. A leak reveals the finds to the notorious Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter, and soon, both Nazi elite and the Gestapo are after the treasure. When Heddy and the professor disappear along with the artwork, Soli and her resistance group must find them before it’s too late.
1641 . In Amsterdam, French musketeer Claude Beaulieu has had his portrait done by his close friend and artist Rembrandt van Rijn. When a band of thieves steal the precious painting, Claude and his wife Annarosa Ruber pick up their swords and a few belongings and go after the culprits.
Set in Norway during the tumultuous last days of the second world war, as well as the peak of the glorious baroque art period, these two stories are a must for readers who love historical fiction with adventure, suspense, and true love that conquers all.
Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Kathleen McGurl, Rhys Bowen, and Katherine Neville.
Brushstrokes from the Past
Excerpt #4
HER WORRIES FROM the day before undiminished, Soli walked about the shop, dusting frames on the wall and arranging the art history books on the table in the corner. She replaced a painting on the window display with a spring scene of mountains, a small cottage, and some cows. If Walter showed up, he’d probably find the nationalistic scenery perfect. She shuddered just thinking about him. Trying to please him was not her intent, but a rendition like that sold well during wartime.
Her thoughts returned to Heddy and the professor. Had they seen Walter coming? Had they gotten away, or had the lieutenant colonel taken them somewhere? And if the German officer had the painting now, would he take it back to Germany or give it as a gift to Minister President Quisling or Adolf Hitler?
As she was deep in thought, the notorious Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter entered the shop. As always, he had two of his men accompanying him.
Oh, yes, Walter was striking in his immaculate uniform decorated with ribbon bars and aiguillettes. He still carried a dagger on his hip. Had he ever used it, or was it for show? Walter removed his visor cap as he strutted across the floor toward Soli. He propped the cap under his arm. The mane of dark hair was grayer at the temples than the last time she’d seen him, making him look all the more distinguished. Any woman would find him attractive, and he seemed to know it. His reputation as a flirtatious but demanding, high-ranking officer was firmly established. Unfortunately, she’d experienced his wolfish behavior the year before.
With a sharp click of his heels, Walter came to a halt in front of her.
“Good day, Miss Hansen. Or I suppose I should call you Soli. After all, we have been out together before, haven’t we?”
How could she forget? The evening with him at a Nazi soirée at the Grand Hotel in Oslo had been far from comfortable. Fortunately, Soli had no problems understanding his distinct German dialect. After five years of having to work alongside their occupants and studying their language in school, she’d become quite confident conversing. She curtsied.
“Good day. Welcome back.”
She cringed as she said the words. Hopefully, he didn’t notice her disgust with his presence in her store…in her home. In no way was he welcome. Not ever.
“I heard the previous owner died. Mr. Holm, was it?”
“Yes, he passed away last year. I take care of the shop now.”
“You clever girl. I hope you have some male colleagues to lean on and speak to when you have questions. I’m sure you are overwhelmed by the responsibility.”
She played along, smiling, nodding, pretending to be a naïve, young woman who couldn’t think for herself. After his monologue about how difficult it must be to run a business as a single female, she eased in a question as he was drawing for breath.
“What can I help you with today? We have a beautiful painting on display in the window.”
He grinned. “Yes, I noticed. Absolutely splendid. Not the stupidity of some of your modern artists like Munch.” He strutted some more, stroking his finger along frames, and picking up a glass figurine on a pedestal, only to put it back in place. “I must say, my favorite pieces of art were painted by Flemish and Dutch masters centuries ago.”
He had such a smug look on his face. He has the Rembrandt. Soli was certain of it. It was hard to concentrate. And what about Heddy and the professor? Had he interrogated them and forced them to reveal their secrets? Did he know about the other paintings in the Ruber collection by now?
Before she could ask him which of the master painters he enjoyed the most, the bell above the door jingled again. A man entered and waved one of Walter’s men toward the door. They spoke low, then the man conveyed the message to Walter, speaking quietly into his ear.
Walter positioned his visor cap back on his head. “Well, Soli. I must run, but I’ll come back another time. I have a personal matter I’d like to discuss with you.”
He clicked his heels again then turned and left, his men following in his footsteps.
Soli sank into the soft chair in the corner. Why did he want to talk with her? Was he still interested in her as a woman? Did he need advice about art or perhaps want to talk about the Rembrandt she’d lost? Had her life been anywhere near normal she would have yelled no. No, she didn’t want to see him again. No, she didn’t want Walter or his men in her shop or anywhere near her…ever.
Soli rubbed her tightened fists in circles on her temples. Oh, what to do? She had absolutely no choice in the matter. If Walter knew where Heddy, the professor, and the musketeer painting were, Soli had to cooperate and spend more time with the lieutenant colonel.
Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don’t want to go near.
Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.
Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
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