Artfully Yours - by Joanna Lowell (Paperback)

About the Book

"Sparks fly between a lordly art critic and a lady forger in this enthralling Victorian historical romance. Nina Finch isn't suited for a life of crime. Raised by her art-forger brother, she can paint like Boticelli. But she'd so much rather be baking gooseberry tarts. She finally has the money she needs to open her own bakery. Unfortunately, her brother's carelessness lands her-and their forgeries-directly under the nose of London's most discerning art critic, Alan De'Ath. De'Ath knows the paintings are fake. He doesn't know that Nina had a hand in their creation. In fact, he offers her a job in his household. Accepting it is the most dangerous thing she has ever done.... Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss. He plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. There's only one problem: the closer he gets to the beguiling woman he hired, the less he trusts his perspective. Nina isn't what she seems. But despite their false start, she just might hold the real key to his heart. As Nina and Alan's attraction grows, divided loyalties threaten to pull them apart and shatter their worlds. They'll lose everything, or discover how powerful true love can be..."--

Book Synopsis

Sparks fly between a lordly art critic and a lady forger in this enthralling Victorian historical romance from the author of The Runaway Duchess.

Nina Finch isn't suited for a life of crime. Raised by her art-forger brother, she can paint like Botticelli. But she'd so much rather be baking gooseberry tarts. She finally has the money she needs to open her own bakery. Unfortunately, her brother's carelessness lands her--and their forgeries--directly under the nose of London's most discerning art critic, Alan De'Ath. De'Ath knows the paintings are fake. He doesn't know that Nina had a hand in their creation. In fact, he offers her a job in his household. Accepting it is the most dangerous thing she has ever done....

Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss. He plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. There's only one problem: the closer he gets to the beguiling woman he hired, the less he trusts his perspective. Nina isn't what she seems. But despite their false start, she just might hold the real key to his heart.

As Nina and Alan's attraction grows, divided loyalties threaten to pull them apart and shatter their worlds. They'll lose everything, or discover how powerful true love can be....

Review Quotes

"Lowell's playful period language creates a strong sense of place. This cute, quippy romp is sure to win romance fans."
--Publishers Weekly

"A delight...readers are rewarded with multidimensional characters and an unusual and engrossing love story."
--Booklist

Praise for The Runaway Duchess

"Compelling and exquisitely crafted, The Runaway Duchess is a beautiful romance that enchants from the very first page. Lowell's wit, sumptuous imagery, and vivid, endearing characters combine to make this a swooningly gorgeous read. Highly recommended."
--India Holton, Author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

"Lowell's finely wrought characters don't have it easy when it comes to navigating restrictive Victorian society, but even their most outrageous actions ring true. Readers will be swept away by this entrancing, intelligent romance."
--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Lowell's smart and sumptuous tale is sure to please fans of Victorian romance."
--Booklist

Praise for The Duke Undone

"I loved The Duke Undone and so will my readers!"
--Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author of My Last Duchess

"Lushly dark, riddled with secrets, and seductive....Lowell's writing oozes a sense of place. [The] sense of authenticity never falters, making this the most Victorian of romance novels."
--Entertainment Weekly

"A beautiful blend of seductive suspense and heart-tugging romance that I could not put down. Romance fans should make room for this author on their keeper shelves!"
--Lyssa Kay Adams, National bestselling author of Crazy, Stupid Bromance

"Joanna Lowell's skillful storytelling and dazzling characters create one of the most exciting new voices in historical romance today."
--Julia London, New York Times bestselling author of A Princess by Christmas

"A charming romance with an atypical heroine and a to-die-for (and hot!) hero in this unique tale of a duke and a struggling artist in Victorian London."
--Jennifer Ashley, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Mackenzie Bride

"I really loved this book--in fact, I couldn't put it down. It's a fabulous feast of a story that plunges you into the Victorian era with all its levels and complications -- into the art world and among aristocrats and slum-dwellers. There's tension, adventure, derring-do, a fight against corruption on several levels, a rich cast of characters and a hero and heroine to admire and cheer for. All in all, a rich and heartwarming historical romance. Highly recommended."
--Anne Gracie, National bestselling author of Marry in Scarlet

"Lowell conjures vivid characters in this intelligent Victorian romance... provides plenty of atmospheric intrigue, deepened by Lowell's willingness to engage with ideas of gender, class, and empire, and by the complexity of the characters."
--Publishers Weekly

"It's a lush, sensual and outstanding romance that makes the heart ache in the very best way."
--BookPage (Starred Review)

"Impeccably researched, Lowell's latest emphasizes justice. This love story tackles weighty issues but remains suspenseful and spellbinding."
--Library Journal (Starred Review)

"Lowell's prose is vivid and evocative, and issues such as class inequity, women's rights, and alcohol addiction complement the intense on-page evolution of the love story...those looking for a happy-ever-after for complex and passionate characters will be very satisfied here. A new voice in historical romance that will keep readers riveted."
--Kirkus

About the Author

Joanna Lowell lives among the fig trees in North Carolina, where she teaches in the English department at Wake Forest University. When she's not writing historical romance, she writes collections and novels as Joanna Ruocco. Those books include Dan, Another Governess / The Least Blacksmith, The Week, and Field Glass, coauthored with Joanna Howard.