Having enjoyed this author’s debut novel, I just couldn’t wait for this book! And man, how I loved it! I have to admit I’m a bit partial to stories that are set in the ‘Roaring 20s’ and this one was just so special. I loved how the author linked the two timelines, and I really got immersed in the richness of the Charleston setting. There was just so much to love about this book, and I’m super excited for the next book in this series. Highly recommended.

**I received a NetGalley copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Paint and Nectar weaves together the lives of a modern couple with one from the past. I enjoyed the many parallels between Declan and Lucy and William and Eliza, including the search for the heirloom silver claimed by each of their families and causing the rift between them.

Turning the pages was a little like peeling back layers on an onion, each one revealing another mystery or secret and slowly releasing the clues and the answers sought. And, occasionally, even bringing a tear or two to my eye at the predicament and pain of the characters.

Though it didn't consume many of the pages of the story, the faith message was strong and thought-provoking. Using the imagery of the garden Eliza and Lucy so loved and were in danger of exile from as a parallel to the garden Adam and Eve were barred from, the author brought the truth of our need for redemption and salvation home masterfully.

While reading The Dress Shop on King Street isn't a prerequisite, some of the characters from it appear here. Having their backstory could add to the richness of your reading experience as their stories blend with those featured here. I loved the chance to see Mille's parents and even Mille as a very young girl!

Readers who enjoy time split stories will want to be sure to continue the Heirloom Secrets series with Paint and Nectar.

Oh, goodness! Following three timelines (the prologue included) is a feat. Generally timeslip novels have two timelines. Readers miss out, I think, when there are two many main characters to follow. We don’t get the advantage of a deep dive into any one character’s life/story/emotions. We stay at a surface level, which was a sacrifice that didn’t help me engage with this story or care about these characters. Thankfully the author/publisher (at least in the ARC) included dates at the opening of new scenes. But I felt like I needed a chart on hand.

Perhaps if I’d read book one in this series, that would have helped me not feel so lost. (I have no idea how tied together they are.) Having given up trying to track everyone and every time frame, I broke my rule and read an online review about this book as I was formulating my own feedback. As a general practice, I avoid doing that because I like sharing my own opinions without being swayed. Here's what I found: another reviewer mentioned being confused by the characters and she said, in her opinion, the timeslip element didn’t quite work in this novel. Perhaps I wasn’t the only reader to feel that way. I also admit, this author is new to me, so I was unfamiliar with her voice. That fact doesn’t always keep me from connecting with a work, but perhaps that played a part here.

Though this book wasn’t for me, I wish the author and publisher all the best.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

I took my time reading through this one because I wanted to savor all the richness Ashley Clark offers. I knew it would be richly historical, poignantly emotional, and beautifully inspirational. I was not disappointed. Eliza and William, from the past, and Lucy and Declan, from the present, all weave a seamless timeslip. I love the mystery and how the complicated pieces fit perfectly together. There are characters from the Dress on King Street, so it is more satisfying, in my opinion, if you have read that one first.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

If only I could give this book 10 stars or more. This is my first read by this author . What a true joy it was to read this book. I've never read a book quite like this one before.
You know you have a great author whenever they are able to bring out the emotions in a reader like this book has done to me.
A time slip book taking place in 1929 and modern times mostly in Charleston and a bit in New Orleans .
The time periods mesh together effortlessly and more important beautifully.
I loved getting to know the characters Eliza and William.
This book brought out so many emotions in me including melancholy,awe and a deep sense of wanting to help the characters with their search.
I could vividly picture the story as it was unfolding , the amazing gardens ,the bluebirds,the mysterious search for the Paul Revere silver ,the emotions the characters are going through which become your emotions as you read this absolutely amazing book!
I swear I could almost hear a haunting melody as I read this!
Some surprise happenings in this book that I just can't recommend highly enough~!

Pub Date 11 May 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark is a beautiful exploration of the past and family secrets and love lost and found. It is the second book in the author's Heirloom Secrets and I enjoyed it immensely and now I just need to read the other books in the series. ❤️

There are two plotlines going hand in hand in the book, one set in the 1920s Charleston and the other in present day Charleston. In the past, there was an artist called Eliza whose heart seeked beauty in everything. She was from the Legare family and by the chances of fate she falls in love with William, from the Pinkney family. There has been years of family feud between the Legares and Pinkneys regarding the true ownership of a precious heirloom. Eliza and William's forbidden romance gets even strained when it turns out that William has been forging the paintings of Eliza. In the present day, Lucy Legare who has a true eye for the charming things of the past inherits a beautiful house from a mysterious family connection. Declan Pinkney on the other hand is on a mission to tear down Lucy's house for the development of his family's company. Even after years, the Legares and Pinkneys still hold their grudge against each other and it is upon Lucy and Declan whether they can forget previous differences by uncovering the truth and put an end to the ages of family conflict.

This novel is written so beautifully, appreciating invaluable pieces of history, art and nature. A beautiful cottage core vibe exists along with bits and pieces of Civil War history. Overall, an extremely heartwarming and book that'll transport you to it's locations leaving you wanting more.

I had received an e-ARC from netgalley and Bethany House fiction. All opinions are my own.

Historical romance is always right up my alley. The premise of the story stayed with me even after reading and left a mark.

My interest was first piqued by the striking book cover. It made me want to look inside. I loved how this author took readers for a stroll through beautiful Charleston, South Carolina in this time slip story as the authors’ passion for Charleston shines through and makes me want to visit this historical city. I was swept up in the enchanting moments with Eliza and William as their love story was sweet and at the same time tragic. William and Eliza’s parents had been fighting for decades about an expensive missing artifact, each claims the other knows it’s whereabouts but neither of them do.

I felt as if I were walking in the gardens with Eliza as she takes in all the surrounding beauty. I adored how Eliza captured that beauty when she painted. Furthermore, I could imagine what it looked like. It sounded lovely in contrast to the evil that lurked around her house waiting for the right moment to snatch the treasure burred in the ground. The family feud continued into the present-time, and it seemed as if the whole love triangle was being played out in much the same way in that timeline, except Lucy was not part of the blood relative’s fight. She worked at a museum and discovered William and Eliza’s love story. I liked how the author shared their love notes with readers. I adored Eliza and her passion for art and preservation in the city she loved. I also enjoyed being swept into the 1920s and how the author sprinkled wisdom nuggets throughout the story like this one, “Roots are fragile before they’re strong. It’s as true for plants as it is for life.” And this one, “If we don’t tend our ground, something else will grow there. The choice is up to us.”

I loved every minute I spent with these characters and in Charleston with them. This is a wonderful summer read and one that would work great for your next book club meeting.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

As is often the case with two storylines, I confess to finding myself more invested in one than the other--in this case, the historical timeline more than the contemporary. How can one resist a forger falling in love with the artist he's forging? I was actually quite surprised by how their story turned out, especially given the way facts revealed in the contemporary timeline made things appear for a while!

I did struggle to understand the exact connections between storylines. It's probably more my fault than the author's--I was pretty exhausted when I read the book (and fell asleep for a while about a third of the way in), and I suspect it strongly affected my comprehension. I also might have been more invested if I knew anything about Charleston or antique silver. But as an artist who loves botanicals, I most certainly appreciated Eliza's occupation and subject matter!

I enjoyed all the connections to The Dress Shop on King Street--while I don't think one would have to read that book first, there are a lot more connections than I anticipated between the two stories. It makes me wonder if book 3 will be so thoroughly intertwined as well! I recognized a bit of set-up for it, especially near the end.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Going into this book I didn't know how it could possibly live up to the high expectations I had built up for it after reading The Dress Shop on King Street, but that was before reading Paint and Nectar.

Paint and Nectar is a gorgeously written split-time novel that follows watercolorist Eliza, and William the man hired to forge her art as they grow close.

In the present day, Lucy is gifted her dream home on Charleston's historic Rainbow Row, while Declan is tasked with the mission of buying her home at all costs. As old family secrets are unearthed and an ancient rivalry is revealed, will they be able to let go of the past in order to embrace the future?

This book is nothing short of stunning, with beautiful flowing prose that blends past and present in this gently powerful and poignant story. A stunning sequel that melds entrancingly with the story of the previous novel, while still being a strong standalone. But I promise if you read The Dress Shop on King Street, there is major reader payoff!

Ms. Clark has crafted a cast of wonderful complex characters, it's not often that I find myself invested so equally in each of the characters that a book follows, but this time I was. It was absolutely wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the previous book woven so beautifully into the fabric of the story.

Overall, a captivating read that digs into Charleston's rich history, brought to life in vivid color through this story of love, loss, betrayal, and second chances.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Paint and Nectar is a historical novel set in Charleston and told in two time periods. In 1929, Eliza is a watercolor artist. William Pinkney is a struggling young man who is hired to forge her paintings. But they fall in love and this changes everything. In present day, Lucy Legare has inherited a historic carriage house that she is restoring as she works as an art historian with the local museum. She discovers a forged painting and is determined to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, she is also dealing with Declan Pinkney, who is determined to buy her carriage house because of silver rumored to be buried there.

I wanted to read Paint and Nectar because I absolutely loved the first book in this series, The Dress Shop on King Street. The characters in that book, Harper, Peter, and Millie, played an important role in this book as well. I loved getting to visit them again and learning more of their story!

This is a delightful novel. The author does such a lovely job at recapturing Charleston from many year ago and imparting the importance of antiques and historical preservation. The story told in two timelines works seamlessly; both Eliza and Lucy are vivid, well developed characters.

I look forward to the next book in this series, and recommend Paint and Nectar to other fans of historical fiction, especially for anyone interested in Charleston, art history, or historic preservation.

Although I will say this book has a little bit darker feel to me than the first book and I do love the historical highlights.
And a favorite quote
" I understand why you wished for Indigo Eliza." " It is the color of the Bluebirds. The color of the twighlight sky."
Then she goes on to explain to Eliza why it was so important to her.
The author has done a tremendous job in keeping the duo timeline in order without missing a beat and I love the mystery between these two timelines. It has made me want to keep going to see what happens at the end.
Both ladies intrigued me.
I loved how determined they were each to save something so precious to them. And in doing so have learned a valuable lesson in life.

And here's another:
"As much as we try, we can't make the bluebirds stay forever. Though that fact may grieve us, and we may be tempted to despair, we must always remember this power--- that in acceptingtge comings and goings of the beautiful in our lives, we can't change their temporality but we can be changed by them."

I think that what the author is saying that we can enjoy the beautiful in our lives while it is here. God put beauty on this Earth so that we can enjoy it and to not get depressed when it leaves and hopefully that it will point it towards God himself.
What a truly gifted writer. She's definitely one to watching for!
This is her second book.

Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Story Notes

Ashley Clark invites readers to the delightfully southern town of Charleston, SC to tell a story of love and sacrifice that spans over 160 years.

This was such a wonderful read. It wasn't full of action or tense situations that got your heart racing to see what happens. Rather, it was a story that strolled nicely along, inviting you into the lives of two families separated by greed and accusations of theft finding their way to forgiveness and love. The story begins in the 1860s with a woman named Clara Legare who hid the family silver in the ground right before the Union army invaded under Sherman. Fast forward to 1929 and Clara's granddaughter Eliza is attending a garden party held by her father at their home. There she meets the handsome and charming William who shows great interest in her watercolors as well as her. Soon discovering he is William Pinckney, she has reason to consider what a relationship might mean, given her family fully believes that the Pinckney's stole the family silver from their land during the Sherman invasion. But Eliza doesn't believe in such nonsense and strikes up a friendship with William. To keep their families from knowing about their friendship, Eliza and William begin leaving notes for each other, inside a bound journal hidden in the garden wall. What starts as friendship soon leads to love but William is hiding a secret that could tear them apart forever. Enter the current day story of Lucy Legare and Declan Pinckney. Lucy and Declan meet through mutual friends but have no idea of their family connections until the night of a robbery at his parents home. Lucy has no desire to spent time in the company of such a ruthless, business-focused family as the Pinckneys and makes a concerted effort to avoid Declan after her discovery. But when a historic Charleston home is left to her by a mysterious benefactor, Lucy and Declan will be brought together once again. The house she has inherited is in middle of the parcel of land his father's company is seeking to acquire and turn into a more modern area. But Lucy is determined to keep her new home and sets about restoring it to it's former glory, much to the consternation of the Pinckneys. Declan finds himself drawn to the beautiful Lucy and longs to get to know her better - in spite of her bad opinion of his family. As Lucy delves into the history of her home and learns more about it's previous owners, she will find far more than she ever dreamed - and it will be just the connection to her past that she's always wanted. But when tragedy happens and Lucy finds her ownership of the house challenged, she will have to decide what is most important to her, her desire to hold onto the past, or her chance at a future filled with love? Is this a fun set up for this story or what? I'm not going any further in my description because I refuse to tell all the wonderful things I read in this saga of stories. I loved the history that was included as well as the descriptions of the Charleston area. Clearly Ms. Clark did some major research to include the details she chose and to showcase the best of the 1920s-1930s Charleston. And then to bring in the modern day settings as well so the reader could compare was a great way to tie the stories together. I loved the ongoing "fight" over the silver and how the feud was finally solved. It worked out in the best way possible and everyone was given their due. The different chapters that dealt with the separate time periods flowed together beautifully and did not take away from either story. The descriptions of the paintings, the gardens and the houses was just enough to engage the reader but not so much as to drag on endlessly. And the love stories featured were so realistic and lovely that it was like you had actually been with Eliza and William and Lucy and Declan. I will most certainly be recommending this delightful story to others and hope that they will be as captivated by it as I was. Very well done, Ms. Clark, I'm looking forward to reading Alice and Clara's story soon.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Synopsis: This book had a split timeline with two romance arcs. First, in the early 20th century, Eliza and William fall in love despite a family feud over some long-buried silver. Circumstances tear them apart but throw them together again. Can they make it work?
Second, set in modern times, we have Lucy and Declan, victims of the same family feud finding themselves unable to avoid the attraction between them. At the same time, they must figure out how to reconcile the battle between the past and the present and determine if their love can survive it all.

I wish I had read the first book in this series (The Dress Shop on King Street) before I read this one. I think I would have had a better understanding of the writer's style and some context for the story. As it happened, I didn't get to do that, so I struggled getting started with this book. Finally, I was able to get going and I finished it fairly quickly, but it was a slow start for me.

4/5 stars

The historical aspect of this story is really nice. It touches on Southern history and a hope to retain the architecture of the area without glorifying a time when riches were built off the backs of slaves. There is a fun mystery that spawns many generations and two love stories that should please many readers.

Paint and Nectar is a book 2 in the Heirloom Secrets series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, I'd recommend reading the books in order!

Lucy is a recently graduated art historian who works part-time in a museum and she just inherited her dream house from a mysterious benefactor in the historical part of Charleston. Declan is working for his family's development company and is determined to buy Lucy's house so that they can continue with a huge project for that part of town. They both can't forget one perfect date they had before their families' bad history destroyed any chance for a second date. Now they find themselves on opposite sides of the battles for the preservation of historical property.

In 1929 Lucy and Declan's ancestors, talented watercolorist Eliza and William, a charming young man who has been hired to forge her popular paintings, fall in love but for William to set things right and overcome long-standing bitterness between their families will come with a cost.

This is a great reading choice if you like:

-historical fiction heavy on romance
-a lot of banter and fun moments between the main characters
-family feuds and secrets that haunt the family for generations
-dual timelines that are connected, with one story in the present-day and other in the past

I couldn’t put this book away, especially in the second half! The story took some time to get into, but it was worth it in the end. It was great to read about another art historian, as I was able to relate to Lucy's struggle to find a full-time job in an art institution and all the challenges that come with working in the art industry. I enjoyed discovering what happened in the past between Eliza and William. Their story was heartbreaking but it added so much to the present day plot. This is a feel-good read and a perfect summer reading choice - I haven't read the first book in the series, but I'll definitely do that this summer!

Oh my, where to even BEGIN with this book. It was amazing; simply marvelous! This is a book that I will be gushing about and telling people to read for eternity.

Last year I read Clark’s debut novel, The Dress Shop on King Street and it was wonderful. A beautiful, emotional novel that stuck with me for a long time afterward. But Paint and Nectar? It completely blew me away.

Ashley Clark has such a way with words. Her style just blooms with life and you can practically hear the characters speaking in their distinctive voices in your head as you read. Her passion for the city of Charleston is made abundantly clear in this book and will make you want to book a trip there ASAP. I totally want to see Rainbow Row and have even more appreciation for it now that I know the story behind it, which is highlighted in the book.

What truly makes this novel are the characters. Eliza! She has to be one of my favorite heroines of all-time! She was so fun and full of life and had such passion for art and preservation. She is most definitely the type of character I would want to befriend. Her grit and determination made her an admirable character. I also loved our contemporary heroine, Lucy. She shared many characteristics with her great-grandmother Eliza, yet was unique and stood out herself.

Of course I loved the setting. The 1920s is my favorite period in history and I loved reading Eliza and William’s story in that roaring decade. I was also enchanted by the descriptions of Eliza’s paintings of Charleston. So lovely!

Clearly, I loved Paint and Nectar. It is a novel that I would recommend to anyone, a book readers across the board will love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed Ashley Clark’s debut novel, The Dress Shop on King Street, and there is no sophomore slump to be found here - I thought Paint and Nectar was even better! In her beautifully poetic writing style, Clark weaves a story that spans decades and entwines the story of Declan and Lucy in the present with that of William and Eliza in the past. The intricate way she tied their storylines together, along with incorporating characters and storylines from the last book, was incredible. We met Lucy and Declan in the last book, and now they are given their time to shine. Lucy and Eliza are both spunky heroines in their own ways, and I found myself rooting for them both all the way through. Fans of Liz Johnson’s Georgia Coast Romance series won’t want to miss this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Dress Shop on King's Street is a book that lingers with me even now. What a treat to revisit Millie and Franklin's story with their brief appearances in Paint and Nectar. This second book in Ashley Clark's Heirloom Secrets series celebrates beauty and its power to uplift us and point us toward heaven. The series honors God as Creator and acknowledges the emotions we have as we, who are created in His image, create and spend time in His creation. Eliza's creative spirit takes the forms of watercolor artistry and gardening. Lucy, her descendant and also an artist, learns to discern between the beauty of a likeness and the beauty of the original, and to realize when she has allowed herself to settle for the likeness in her life

Clark's beautiful, well-crafted story is a tale of awakening. May you embrace this story and experience awakening in your own life. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Paint and Nectar from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

What am enchanting story. I loved revisiting Charleston and these lovely people...

I am such a huge fan of Ashley Clark and her Heirloom Secrets series. You will definitely want to read the other one first, although I do think this could be a stand-alone novel...but it all ties in so nicely, and brings so much clarity to this story.
Paint and Nectar is Lucy's story. I couldn’t help but love her! As a museum curator, she is focused on the preservation of any old, historical items. She is, however, more than a little attracted to Declan Pinckney. This is rather unfortunate because Declan is on the side of tearing down the old to make room for the new. Because of this, their relationship seems bound for disaster right from the beginning.
Lucy mysteriously inherits an old house, and has so much fun trying to figure out all the old secrets hidden there. One of the main mysteries is the old letter Lucy finds in her house. Written by Eliza. Who was Eliza? Lucy is determined to piece together her story, and get to know as much about her as she possibly can.

The second storyline takes us back to 1929 and gives us Eliza and William's story, Theirs is revealed to us slowly, bit by bit. Eliza is a watercolorist, and I loved reading the descriptions of seeing the lovely Charleston through her eyes. The gardens. The flowers, the lights, the charming homes. All of it sounds absolutely incredible, and it really made me want to go find paintings by this delightful artist…

Yes, you could say that I was very intrigued from the first chapter. All the sights and sounds of old city Charleston are brought to life in such beautifully vivid colors and textures, from the delicately described watercolor paintings , to the old house and it's beautiful garden...Ashley Clark has so much talent in bringing story to life.
This book is about so much more than what I’ve just described. There are deep heart issues. Belonging, heritage, racism, and more…this is one of those books that worms its way deep down into the recesses of your very soul and lingers for a long time.

I'm really counting on the fact that there absolutely needs to be AT LEAST one more book in this series, and I cannot wait for it!