Paint and Nectar

While this is considered a "time slip" book, I consider it a contemporary fiction with historical components. To me, time slip connotes characters slipping in and out of various time periods, where these characters stay in their own time periods, but are connected through history. That being said, this is one of those books that will stay with the reader long after the last page has been turned. Ashley Clark has included a genealogical element that brings the story to life.

Eliza is a watercolorist who is prominent during the Charleston Renaissance of the early nineteen hundreds. William is an art forger who hates what he does, but feels he has to continue to pay a debt. What is unforeseen is that William and Eliza fall in love, but because of a generations old feud between their families, they end up marrying other people to fulfill family obligations.

Lucy is an art historian and curator working at the museum in Charleston. Because she spots a forgery of one of Eliza's paintings, she is given the opportunity to set up an exhibit of Eliza's works at the museum. During this time, Lucy is given a house that is on the historic register and once actually belonged to Eliza.

Declan's father wants Lucy's house to find the silver that was hidden on the property during the War Between the States. The silver dates back to Paul Revere and could be worth millions. Declan is not as adamant about finding the silver, but must do as his father expects to keep his job. That they don't see eye to eye is almost a given, considering the atmosphere between them.

There are so many reasons to recommend this book:
unexpected love
following dreams
finding truth
finding faith
intertwining stories
settings that read like rich tapestries
characters who resonate with the reader
a bit of intrigue and mystery-solving
a family feud resolved
This is a five star book with two thumbs up and a priceless silver ring.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

PAINT AND NECTAR by ASHLEY CLARK is the second novel in the Heirloom Secrets series and the sequel to The dress Shop On King Street. Although it can stand alone I suggest you read the books in sequence. Some of the characters are those we meet in the first book and the stories are quite intertwined.
The story takes place in Charleston South Carolina and revolves largely around the house and garden at 86 Longitude Street, where a piece of heirloom silver was buried in the garden causing a feud between the Legare and Pinckney families.
In 1929 we come across the beautiful watercolour artist Eliza Ravenel and William Pinckney, who are from the two warring families, and in the present age we come across Lucy Legare and Declan Pinckney. Lucy is Eliza's great granddaughter, and is part of the Charleston Preservation Society, as was Eliza. There are irreconcilable differences between Lucy and Declan due to his father's development company wanting to buy her house, whose history she wants to preserve.
There is intrigue and betrayal, and we see the lengths to which people will stoop in order to obtain what they want. There are so many secrets and things are not as they seem. When William resorts to forgery to help his sister he brings danger to the woman he loves.
The author portrays the characters' emotions and struggles beautifully and their stories are bittersweet. Throughout the book we are reminded of the restorative power of beauty. Music and dancing also play a part. We see great attention to detail in the descriptions of the plants and birds in the garden, especially the bluebirds.
It is a story about second chances and following one's dreams, of unconditional love, forgiveness and mending that which is broken. The author brings the biblical stories of the gardens of Eden and Gethsemane into the mix in a most interesting way.
That is all that I am going to tell you as I do not want to spoil things for you. I highly recommend Paint and Nectar as a most enjoyable and inspirational read. I am looking forward to the next novel in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Ashley Clark's debut novel last year was amazing and she has shown that she has incredible talent with this book, her sophomore effort. A time slip novel, Paint and Nectar is a powerfully told tale of old family feuds, love lost and found, and hearts that are full of hope.

'She would get through this. She would find a way. She was a Legare, after all.'

Lucy Legare loves old things and preserving them. And when she locks horns with Declan Pinkney, who wants to tear down old things, she has found a formidable foe. But things aren't always what they seem. Even though the Legares and Pinkneys have hated each other for decades and decades. Sometimes old feuds do well to be forgotten. But will they both agree?

'She was as close to hating him as Jesus would permit.'

Clark has proven that her talent will stand in this story! I was captivated. I loved all these characters and enjoyed seeing characters from the last book. She pulls the reader in with her rich prose and depth of feeling for her characters. I felt every emotion and every heartbreak. Masterfully told, this is one for the keeper shelf, destined to be read yet again. Well done!

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book. I was not compensated and the opinion in this review is entirely my own.

I previously read The Dress Shop on King Street and liked it very much. Hard to believe it’s this author’s debut novel!

If possible I enjoyed this one even more! I’ve been to Charleston before but it’s been awhile. Nevertheless I could picture in my mind the houses and gardens there.

I liked the dual timeline in the book, and the love stories. Would recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction set in the South!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Five stars!

“There are times in life—sometimes, not always—when the water on paper drips with the color of just the perfect hue, until the effect is something so ethereal that the artist knows it must simply be experienced because she can never produce it again. And the color shifts over time, shifts still over sunlight, until the watercolors fade completely back into the paper itself, and all that’s left is the memory.” (Paint and Nectar)

Paint and Nectar is one of those novels that sticks with you, the story reverberating and stealing into your dreams. This is a split-time set in Charleston, South Carolina, beginning in 1929 with Eliza and William and in modern times with Lucy and Declan. The stories that follow weave together until the very last page. The prose is soft and elegant and decidedly Southern without becoming cliche. I could hear the characters’ accents and feel the humidity.
And I highlighted more quotes than I should include in one review. One’s like: “Still, she was struck every time she stepped outside by the many ways nature continued to bloom. That the bluebirds still nested, and the songbirds remembered how to sing. That the God who cared for the sparrows had fed them another day. This probably should not surprise her, and yet it often did. Faithfulness, provision, and beauty enduring. Maybe the world was stronger than it seemed.”

The characters are endearing and their tales at once haunting and full of redemption. William—infuriating and charming William—and Eliza were so real that I was almost sad to think of them as gone from this present world.

Clearly, I LOVED this story, highly recommend it, and can’t wait for the next one in the series!

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.”

#PaintandNectar #NetGalley

I loved this story so much! While the first book was excellent and well written, there was something about this one that just grabbed me from the start and kept me staying up late reading. I want to visit Charleston now! I love how the author wove fictional characters into the story and brought history to life. I also really loved the overall theme of restoration and the spiritual lessons in the story. This is a wonderful book to pick up!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest review.

A time slip novel, Paint and Nectar tells two tales of love and hope. Set in Charleston, the historic homes came a alive. I could picture them I. Their heyday all lined up.

It’s a story of second chances, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Various Bible stories are woven throughout and it helps it feel all the more authentic.

Paint and Nectar will be a book that stays with you after you put it down.

Paint and Nector is a nice follow to The Dress Shop on King Street. I enjoyed Eliza and William's story, but I had a difficult time at the beginning of the novel. Once I understood who the characters were and how they interconnected, I enjoyed the story. The setting in Charleston is beautiful. The references to the plants and bluebirds added brightness to the novel. I loved reading about the ladies who worked so hard to preserve the city and draw tourists in to help the city maintain a viable existence. If you enjoy art, the south, or historical fiction you may enjoy Paint and Nector. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Paint and Nectar is a sweet book that weaves together the story of three generations, their lives in Charleston crisscrossing into a sweet romance. We flip back and forth between Eliza and Will, whose love seems to be star crossed, and Lucy and Declan, who seem to be making similar mistakes that their family has been making throughout the last century. I enjoyed learning more about the Depression era history of Charleston and found Eliza’s story to be particularly special.

This was a magical, romantic, yet sometimes tragic history that passed through several generations. It included a family feud over long lost Paul Revere silver. It’s about art and life and how they intertwine. I completely loved it!!

I am a Midwest girl and in the last couple of years I have fallen in love with southern fiction. I attribute this to a handful of exceptional authors-one which is Ashley Clark. I loved her debut novel last year. This second novel has clinched her spot at the top of my TBR pile for future novels.

Ms. Clark's beautiful prose will immerse the reader in the Charleston setting in both the early 1900's and modern day in this split time novel. I love how both stories weaved together until the very end. This novel checked all the boxes for me. Great historical detail, characters I would love to meet again in future novels, a centuries-old family feud, missing treasure and romance. I like the fact that Ms. Clark can pen a sweet romance, but she also spins a story of family or should I say families whose individual stories entwine together in unexpected ways. The story reverberated with a faith thread of forgiveness and the hope that comes when one follows their dreams.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"The Dress Shop on King Street" (the first book in this series) is incredible, so my expectations for "Paint and Nectar" were set rather high. Blessedly, it lived up to--and even exceeded--them!

Clark seamlessly intertwines storylines between 1929 and present-day Charleston, even including subtle nods to "Dress Shop." While readers don't *have* to have read that one first, it certainly lends depth to this read; I personally got really excited at picking up those references! <insert Captain America's "I understood that reference" line from _The Avengers_).

I've never been to Charleston, but loved learning about it and its renaissance between WWI and WWII. It's apparently quite similar to Savannah, which I *have* been to, and I'd love to go and compare the two one day!

"Paint and Nectar" really challenged me spiritually, in a good way. Clark connected biblical gardens with a certain Charleston garden in this story, and wrote not a few particularly compelling lines in this release:
- "Maybe what you thought was a closed gate meant to punish you is actually God's way of protecting you from remaining in a place where you won't and can't receive His life." (eARC loc 4818)
- "What imitations have you accepted as originals in your own life?" (eARC loc. 4823)
- "If we don't tend our ground, something else will grow there. The choice is up to us."

Powerful stuff, eh? And that's just 3 of ... well, many highlights I made while reading "Paint and Nectar." Definitely looking forward to book 3 in the series; have no fear, no cliffhangers here (hey! I rhymed!), but I'm sure familiar characters from this read will appear in book 3 - just like Book 1 characters appeared here.

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Well this was an unexpected delight! I took a chance on a new author and I am so glad I did. This story - it was so beautiful. The lush descriptions and alluring settings of Charleston are expertly depicted in this timeless novel. Ashley Clark diffused the perfect amount of Southern charm on every page and in every character.

This time-slip revolves around a centuries-old feud surrounding heirloom silver. In both eras buds a Romeo and Juliet style romance. In the first, Eliza has fallen in love with a thief. Oh, she didn't know about his nefarious activities until long after the fact, but William's charm and musical talent has won this southern Belle over (I'm talking about Eliza, mind you. Although...) As secrets are unearthed, it seems these two may not be destined to live their happy-ever-after.

In the present day, Lucy has been mysteriously gifted a crumbling yet majestic Charleston house. One in high demand, it appears, as the man she thought perfect has plans to buy the house and destroy it for development. Lucy becomes more determined than ever to preserve this remnant of history, if not for her own sake.

I am awed by the incredible story Ashley wove together. Be prepared to be fully transported to Charleston, both in the past and future. I love the elegant prose that is soft in its charm yet so powerful in its message. I truly loved this story, and cannot wait to read whatever else Ashley will write.

I'll just leave you with one of the many beautiful quotes I've highlighted:

"A movement like that can be summed up in this - that redemption, like sunlight, always reaches through the gates, and that we, like flowers, bend toward what grows us. So that the imitations and likenesses we have accepted as originals are exposed as deception, and we are left with the hope of a truer inheritance, a truer promise: a second garden, where all the dead things come alive again and all that was forfeited is restored and al that is fractured becomes a mosaic of color."

A solid follow up to The Dress Shop on King Street. This story reads well as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the first story in the series. Readers are treated to Easter eggs through the entire novel and will appreciate the cameos more if The Dress Shop has already been read.

This dual time novel bounces between 1929 and present day, in Charleston South Carolina. Not far from King Street, is a house and garden that connects the infamous watercolorist Eliza Ravenel, and art major/curator Lucy Legare. In a series of interesting events, Lucy becomes the owner of Eliza’s home – the center of supposed hidden treasure dating back to the Civil War. A family feud from the past is still very much alive in the present, adding to the external conflict of Lucy’s recent crush on a young man she meets at a party.

Once again, Ashley Clark brings history alive and gives readers an experience they soon won’t forget. The narrative flows easily while pulling readers into Lucy and Eliza’s worlds, detailing paintings, forgeries, and treasure hunting with vivid descriptions.

This is a story about overcoming the past, finding your passion, forgiveness and ultimately, grabbing hold of second chances.

I received a copy from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark
This is a complicated sweet romance that switches between 1929 and present day. This book has some mystery and history, and it definitely held my interest all the way to the end. It had many twists and turns and I was happy with the ending. I can’t say that about everything I read.

I received this book in the kindle format from NetGalley.com and my opinions are my own freely given. They were not required. I gave this book 4 stars. #PaintandNectar #AshleyClark #NetGalley

Description from NetGalley:
In 1929, a spark forms between talented watercolorist Eliza and William, a charming young man who has been hired to forge her popular paintings. Her aunt makes it clear Eliza should stay away from him because of a feud between their families over missing heirloom silver. But the source of the rivalry was long ago, and as the two get to know each other, they fall in love. William regrets the job that desperation led him to take and their families' ongoing bitterness, but setting things right comes at a cost.

In present-day Charleston, Lucy Legare has just inherited an old house from a mysterious benefactor, along with all the secrets it holds, including an old silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney is determined to buy the house for his family's development company. But as Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, garden, and silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history's sake but also for her own.

Dual timelines brings Charleston, SC to life as two families seek the mystery of buried silver. I very much enjoyed the historical facts behind the two stories. The gardens were beautifully described as to make readers want to visit Charleston. The contempt that the two families held for each other was sad. I liked the way the author wove the stories into one for a satisfying conclusion.

Mere words simply cannot describe how I feel about this amazing story by new-to-me author, Ashley Clark. Speaking of words, Ms. Clark's lovely, poetic prose assailed my senses with the delicate fragrance of diverse flowers, the chirping of colorful bluebirds, the distinct smell of new paint on a canvas, and the sweet aroma of newfound love permeating the air.

Paint and Nectar is an intense time-slip novel connecting two young couples in a web of deceit, secrets, forbidden romance, and a mystery that divides two families. My emotions were all over the page (literally!) as my heart was shattered into tiny little pieces and put back together again. The beauty and bustle of past and present day Charleston, South Carolina, comes alive in this intriguing tale I highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are entirely my own & I received no monetary compensation.*

#BookReview: PAINT AND NECTAR by Ashley Clark

Wow! Miss Ashley did an amazing job. The cover is beautiful too! I love The Dress Shop on King Street but I think I love this more. The dual timeline, mystery and story are all good. I didn’t want to put it down. The past and present were interwoven seamlessly.

In 1929, I was drawn to Eliza and William’s love story. Family feud, forgery and unrequited love made it interesting. Watercolor painting, piano, camellias, bluebirds and silver spoon were all parts of the story. It was a delight to read about the Charleston Renaissance and the Rainbow Row. I want to visit Charleston soon.

Eliza will later on learn that inheritance means differently to each one of us. What matters most is the joy we see from the people we love.

In 2020, Lucy and Declan both felt a connection but their surnames drew them apart. But their paths crossed again when Lucy inherited a historic house. I enjoyed their banter and how they suppressed their feelings. I was very invested as Lucy discovered her genealogy and uncovered more secrets. It was thrilling and exciting. I oohed and aahed when I realized the connection of the characters from the previous book and this book. But this can still be read as a standalone.

Beth asked Lucy this question: “What imitations have you accepted as originals in your own life?” Like Lucy, it made me think too. That we need to enjoy the life we have and preserve it. I very much look forward to the next book in the Heirloom Secrets series. I highly recommend this! 5 stars

Thank you Bethany House for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

🖌Paint and Nectar🍯
🖌Ashley Clarke🍯

🖌🍯But maybe we all need something to keep us grounded, even in the beautiful moments.🍯🖌

Genre :Historical and contemporary romance
Release date : May 11, 2021


This is the second book in the Heirloom Secrets series by Ashley Clarke ( yeah I highlighted most of the book again and I regret nothing 🤭)

The book starts with Clara burying the family heirloom's silver spoon and so the journey begins. We see teo pairs of star crossed lovers from the start and the story is half agony half swoon worthy!

What I loved the best about this book is that it has a strong connection to the first book but both are standalones too that's the best part of it!!

Lucy and Declan as we see from the first book have a love at first sight moment but the problem is their families are against each other meaning their families blame each other for the buried silver spoon but oh it doesn't stop there because it's just history repeating itself! Since this feud has been going on for years before when Lucy and Declan's ancestors fell in love with each other.

Eliza is a lover of preserving things and does so with her art as a contribution to the Charleston Renaissance, William is good at art and music both of which are worthless to his father. He is sent on a mission to steal her art in a metaphorical sense and he does only he falls in love with the artist too and not just the art!

Declan and Lucy felt a spark like their ancestors but the blaming game is still on so their families would be totally against them having a relationship. But when Lucy inherits something huge the game is ON again and Declan's father will stop at nothing to get it!

Immerse yourself in the story of love, hate, hope, enemies to lovers troupe, revenge, emotional trauma and beautiful scenes. So to say I loved this book would be a serious and Understatement, I thoroughly enjoyed it what I loved about this book and the author is that they are unpredictable and you can't expect certain things to happen a certain way, totally surprising, every character, every plot, everything is beyond what we predict and you can't help but fall in love with the characters, the plot, description of seasons, every place and my god the flowers that she described! you just can't help but fall in love and I went to amazon to buy plants too and I don't even have a green thumb that's how convinced the author had me!


The character development is really really good, the plot is filled with unexpected twists and the end is totally worth it, inspirational quotes sprinkled all over the book and the lines are so well penned!! You can't help falling in love with the book! I would recommend reading the first book to see how deep this book is but it can also be read as a standalone so the choice is yours 💙

Paint and Nectar
by Ashley Clark
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian | General Fiction (Adult) | Romance
Pub Date 11 May 2021 | Archive Date 10 Jun 2021

What an enjoyable read! I loved the historical fiction aspect and the inspirational writing. I had read this author's first book, Dress Shop on King Street and I liked this one even more! I will recommend this book to our readers.
Thanks to Bethany House and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

5 star

I know it's still a little bit early in the year to be making such bold claims, but I'm still going to go ahead and state that I have a feeling Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark is going to end up being one of my very favorite reads of the year. This book had me glued to the story, inspired my faith, and challenged me to truly think about many different issues raised throughout it.

I've always been a fan of timeslip novels, and this is one of the very best I've ever personally read. As someone who has always been fascinated by Charleston, this book was everything I possibly could have ever wanted. In the year 1929, we follow a talented painter named Clara, and the young handsome man (William) who has caught her eye from a rival family. Their romance is tumultuous and doesn't go in the direction either are expecting, but their choices have consequences that affect the present day characters of Lucy and Declan. Lucy and Declan have got off on the wrong foot, and it continues that way when Lucy is mysteriously gifted a historic Charleston home that Declan's family's development company is looking to purchase. With so much history, tradition and familial mysteries and secrets tied up in both time periods, Paint and Nectar is truly a beautiful story and a story that has something for everyone.

I didn't have the pleasure of reading the first book in the series, but the very first thing I did after finishing this one was order that one from the library. I could barely bring myself to put down this beautiful and heartwarming romance that truly tugged at my heartstrings, and is unlike anything I've ever read before. Any reader who chooses to pick this one up is going to be in for an amazing treat, and I can't wait to read more books from this author in the future. I loved how she kept me guessing from start to finish, and I loved how she intertwines everything in ways that nobody could have possibly expected!

I highly recommend picking this one up as I can guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions 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!

Thanks to Bethany House for the free book.
Wow, Clark can weave stories together. Her books are dual timeline - one in present day and one sometime in the past. She takes the characters from both timelines in her first book and layers more stories into and with those timelines. This weaving was seamless, and I am so impressed with the attention to detail that went into this aspect of these books. It made the stories that much sweeter.
I loved the focus of restoration in this book and trust in this book. Both Lucy and Eliza had to trust God for the timing of their projects, and I enjoyed seeing this aspect of faith at work. My only complaint is that I wanted a bit more of Lucy and Declan at the end of the story. It moved at super speed for me, and I found the romance not working for me at the end. However, Eliza's ending was swoon worthy

Paint and nectar is the second book in Ashley Clark’s Heirloom series. I really enjoyed book one, The Dress Shop on King Street, so I was excited to start this one! While this is book 2 of the series, it easily reads as a stand-a-lone.

I really like Ms. Clark’s writing style and this story, in addition to being a time-slip, which I love, was full of southern charm. The theme of the feud between the families and the missing silver spoon was perfectly intertwined throughout.

While I really liked both stories, William and Eliza’s story was my favorite. It was equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking. I really loved their relationship and even though it was a rough road, I loved how their story ended.

As for Declan and Lucy’s story, Declan was a bit frustrating at times because I wanted him to stand up for himself and Lucy more, but it was understandable because of the situation he was in. I can’t say more because- spoilers!

I’m looking forward to the next story in this series! Ashley Clark is an author to watch!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are 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
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

This is the second book in this series. I absolutely loved the first one and this one did not disappoint. I don’t know how Ashley comes up with these plots and weaves these storylines together to create one beautiful story, but she does it. Then how she wove in her previous story in surprising ways was so good.

If you haven’t read the first book, have no fear, I think you could still read this and completely enjoy it. Just for those that have read the first book you will enjoy those places where the stories overlap.
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A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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 is a lovely follow-up to book one in the Heirloom Secrets series. A vibrant setting, endearing characters, and timeless themes make this story a pleasure to read. Flowing effortlessly between 1929 and the present day, this story connects to the characters of the first book, woven into the fabric of the tale that began a few years before the Civil War. I did enjoy book one just a bit more - honestly because I thought the romance was sweeter to me. Here it's more of an enemies to lovers thing, and that isn't really my favorite romance trope, but all of the components I liked about the first book are there in spades. Past and present Charleston are both lovely, and I particularly enjoyed the lush descriptions of the gardens. Do yourself a favor and look up images of Charleston's gardens and homes - it's truly a place I'm interested in visiting because of this novel.

It's also a book about art and heirlooms and a feud between families with repercussions in the present day. It's about how fleeting things can be, but how beautiful they make our lives while they're here. Just because something is fleeting doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful. Sometimes by being appreciated, the beauty becomes a part of us, and we pass on its echo to others. And sometimes beautiful things need to be protected, not because they're beautiful, but because of the memories and legacy they preserve.

Lucy Lagare knows this all too well, as the new owner of a historic Charleston home that needs some tender care. Lucy herself needs some tender care herself, and her own success becomes tied up in how well she can preserve her home. But Declan Pinckney is determined to have the property for his family's development, despite any personal qualms he may have. Personal convictions and family expectations collide as these two navigate new discoveries about the history between their two families.

I also just have to gush over these covers. Like the stories inside, they're evocative and fresh. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series, which releases in February of 2022. Fans of dual-time fiction will not want to miss these books!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; a positive review was not required, and these are my honest opinions.

In Ashley Clark's Paint and Nectar, the second installment in the inspirational romance series, this beautifully written novels spans two decades with two families, past and present. In the 1920s, a young watercolorist named Eliza Ravenel fell in love with William Pinckney, a naturally-talented pianist, when they first met. But like the Hatfields and the McCoys, their love was forbidden due to claims that his family stolen silver during the Civil War. Fast forward to the present day when Lucy Legare works at the art museum to preserve artwork like Eliza's watercolors and later inherits Eliza's home that someone mysteriously gifted it to her. From there, she learns about Eliza and William's love story through old journal entries and a cherished ring. A year ago, she went on a date with Declan Pinckney, while her mother played matchmaker to set her up with eligible men and never heard from him with him again, until he crossed paths with her.

Through a secret courtship, they exchanged letters and journal entries via the fence between the two properties and shared their hopes, thoughts, dreams, and fears together. William wasn't expected to fall in love with Eliza since she was sent to forge her artwork for his boss. It wasn't part of the plan. When he refused to do another job, he was roughed up his boss's henchmen. To protect Eliza from his deepest secret and bodily harm, he had to leave her brokenhearted. After he left, she married someone else and started a family. The same happened to William too. For Lucy and Declan, they started seeing each other and discovering more about their great-grandparents lives inside the house, but the same feud for the silver would keep them apart, even Lucy's inherited home from Eliza.

Years later, Eliza and William meet again, both widowed with a child of their own, and picked up where they left off to discover their happily ever after in their home and how it was handed down from generations. For Lucy and Declan, would they share the same chemistry and get together against all odds to continue the same passion their ancestors had? They had to take a leap of faith and an act of God to make it happen and be all right for their happy ending.

Such a startlingly beautiful look into history. I am loving this series! Ashley Clark is one to watch.

This is my first time reading a book by Ashley Clark. I’ll go ahead and tell you now that this won’t be the last time for me to pick up a book by the author.

I absolutely loved this book. To be honest, the one thing I was really sure about was the split time line telling of the story, where we switched from the 1930’s to present day. But with this book, it worked and I completely understood why it was done in this manner. She easily could have created two books out of this, but I’m glad she didn’t. I enjoyed the intertwining of dialogues, interplay and plot. Fascinating.