Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Harlequin MIRA
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction
The mesmerizing and untold story of Eva Gouel, the unforgettable woman who stole the heart of the greatest artist of our time
When Eva Gouel moves to Paris from the countryside, she is full of ambition and dreams of stardom. Though young and inexperienced, she manages to find work as a costumer at the famous Moulin Rouge, and it is here that she first catches the attention of Pablo Picasso, a rising star in the art world.
A brilliant but eccentric artist, Picasso sets his sights on Eva, and Eva can’t help but be drawn into his web. But what starts as a torrid affair soon evolves into what will become the first great love of Picasso’s life.
With sparkling insight and passion, Madame Picasso introduces us to a dazzling heroine, taking us from the salon of Gertrude Stein to the glamorous Moulin Rouge and inside the studio and heart of one of the most enigmatic and iconic artists of the twentieth century.
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Praise for Madame Picasso
“Early twentieth century Paris and Picasso’s lost love come to enchanted, vivid life in Madame Picasso. With a deft eye for detail and deep understanding for her protagonists, Anne Girard captures the earnest young woman who enthralled the famous artist and became his unsung muse.” – C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of THE QUEEN’S VOW
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About the Author
Anne Girard was born with writing in her blood. The daughter of a hard-driving Chicago newsman, she has always had the same passion for storytelling that fueled his lifelong career. She hand-wrote her first novel (admittedly, not a very good one) at the age of fourteen, and never stopped imagining characters and their stories. Writing only ever took a backseat to her love of reading.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature from UCLA and a Master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, a chance meeting with the acclaimed author, Irving Stone, sharply focused her ambition onto telling great stories from history with detailed research. “Live where your characters lived, see the things they saw,” he said, “only then can you truly bring them to life for your readers.” Anne took that advice to heart. After Stone’s encouragement twenty years ago, she sold her first novel. When she is not traveling the world researching her stories, Anne and her family make their home in Southern California. When she is not traveling or writing, she is reading fiction.
Anne also writes historical fiction under the name Diane Haeger. For more information, visit www.dianehaeger.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
My Thoughts
Pablo Picasso was one of most influential painters of his era. He is not only known for his works of art. He was a painter, sculptor and poet but was also known for the many women he has loved. He is a tortured soul who isn't able to settle down with one woman. and carries around a lot of guilt and sadness over the death of his sister Conchita. He is well known for the co founding of the Cubist movement in painting. He is one of three artists who played a big part in the developments in painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics.
Eva Gouel is a young woman who left home to find her dreams in Paris. With only sewing as the skill that she posses, she gets a job at the Moulin Rouge repairing costumes for performers using the name Marcelle Humbert. She finds the stage an exciting place to work and quickly befriends several people, one of which is Pablo Picasso. At the time of this story he is in a long time relationship with Fernande Olivier, an artist/model. Theirs was a tumultuous affair and Fernande hoped to become Madame Picasso, she actually called herself that even though they were never married. After Picasso falls for Eva he calls it quits with Fernande. Eva is Picasso's muse and paints many pictures with a notation on the painting of Ma Jolie, I Love Eva. This novel is mostly the story of the relationship of Eva and Picasso.
I found this novel to be very informative, my knowledge of art in general and Picasso in particular being almost nil. Reading about the Moulin Rouge, Paris and other parts of France was interesting indeed. I also learned abit about the crowd that Picasso, Fernande and Eva belonged to, although I did know about Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas. They were both Americans who settled in Paris and were both well known in their own right as writers, activists and life partners. It was very in vogue during this particular era to be seen at one of Gertrudes parties.
This is a romantic historical novel set in the dawn of the Belle Epogue, a time of new scientific discoveries, less rigid rules and more love of life and the arts. A bittersweet tale of a powerful love that not many people get in their lifetime. I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
My Thoughts
Pablo Picasso was one of most influential painters of his era. He is not only known for his works of art. He was a painter, sculptor and poet but was also known for the many women he has loved. He is a tortured soul who isn't able to settle down with one woman. and carries around a lot of guilt and sadness over the death of his sister Conchita. He is well known for the co founding of the Cubist movement in painting. He is one of three artists who played a big part in the developments in painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics.
Eva Gouel is a young woman who left home to find her dreams in Paris. With only sewing as the skill that she posses, she gets a job at the Moulin Rouge repairing costumes for performers using the name Marcelle Humbert. She finds the stage an exciting place to work and quickly befriends several people, one of which is Pablo Picasso. At the time of this story he is in a long time relationship with Fernande Olivier, an artist/model. Theirs was a tumultuous affair and Fernande hoped to become Madame Picasso, she actually called herself that even though they were never married. After Picasso falls for Eva he calls it quits with Fernande. Eva is Picasso's muse and paints many pictures with a notation on the painting of Ma Jolie, I Love Eva. This novel is mostly the story of the relationship of Eva and Picasso.
I found this novel to be very informative, my knowledge of art in general and Picasso in particular being almost nil. Reading about the Moulin Rouge, Paris and other parts of France was interesting indeed. I also learned abit about the crowd that Picasso, Fernande and Eva belonged to, although I did know about Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas. They were both Americans who settled in Paris and were both well known in their own right as writers, activists and life partners. It was very in vogue during this particular era to be seen at one of Gertrudes parties.
This is a romantic historical novel set in the dawn of the Belle Epogue, a time of new scientific discoveries, less rigid rules and more love of life and the arts. A bittersweet tale of a powerful love that not many people get in their lifetime. I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
Madame Picasso Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, August 26
Review at Historical Fiction Notebook
Interview & Giveaway at Flashlight Commentary
Review at Historical Fiction Notebook
Interview & Giveaway at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, August 27
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Interview & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Notebook
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Interview & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Notebook
Wednesday, September 3
Review at Gobs and Gobs of Books
Spotlight & Giveaway at Susan Heim on Writing
Review at Gobs and Gobs of Books
Spotlight & Giveaway at Susan Heim on Writing
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