Media Kit

Book Title: Brushstrokes from the Past

Series: Soli Hansen Mysteries

Genre: Historical fiction – dual timeline, a bit of mystery and sweet romance

Twitter Handles: @HeidiEljarbo @cathiedunn

Hashtags:  #solihansenmysteries #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2022/07/blog-tour-brushstrokes-from-past-by.html

Brushstrokes from the Past

Soli Hansen Mysteries

Heidi Eljarbo

Blurb:

A Historical Art Mystery

WWII and the mid-seventeenth century are entwined in this fourth dual timeline novel about Nazi art theft, bravery, friendship, and romance.

April 1945. Art historian Soli Hansen and her friend Heddy arrive at an excavation site only to find Soli’s old archeology professor deeply engrossed in an extraordinary find in a marsh. The remains of a man have lain undisturbed for three centuries, but there’s more to this discovery…

As Soli tries to understand who the baroque man was and discovers what he carried in a sealed wooden tube, problems arise. A leak reveals the finds to the notorious Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter, and soon, both Nazi elite and the Gestapo are after the treasure.

When Heddy and the professor disappear along with the artwork, Soli and her resistance group must find them before it’s too late.

1641. In Amsterdam, French musketeer Claude Beaulieu has had his portrait done by his close friend and artist Rembrandt van Rijn. When a band of thieves steal the precious painting, Claude and his wife Annarosa Ruber pick up their swords and a few belongings and go after the culprits.

Set in Norway during the tumultuous last days of the second world war, as well as the peak of the glorious baroque art period, these two stories are a must for readers who love historical fiction with adventure, suspense, and true love that conquers all.

Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Kathleen McGurl, Rhys Bowen, and Katherine Neville.

The Fascination with dual timeline novels

by Heidi Eljarbo

I enjoy reading dual timelines that seamlessly move between two eras and the dual narratives are linked together. When cleverly done, both timelines function on their own, and every scene moves the plot forward. Each riveting story is complete with a great setting, strong characters, a compelling plot, and a satisfying ending. But somehow, these two tales belong together, and the excitement of how they connect makes the journey twice as enjoyable. When both time periods are filled with obstacles, conflict, courage, loyalty, and love, I know I’ll be hooked to the pages.

For such a novel to function, both timelines need an interesting storyline and a compelling drive that makes you want to know what happens in both eras. The transition between times should be distinct and the chapters woven together in a natural progression.

A dual timeline is different from a chronological story that starts and ends with the same protagonists and one main plot. It’s also more than a novel with flashbacks. Even though a backstory may cover things in the past that lead to where the protagonist is today, this is not a dual timeline.

Also, stories where someone travels through time with the use of a hypothetical device is not considered a dual timeline, nor is the timeslip aspect where the characters magically or supernaturally travel backward or forward in time.

Dual timeline novels usually link a contemporary story and another historical tale. In Brushstrokes from the Past, I’ve chosen two historical eras that are three hundred years apart. I’ve connected three aspects I love—the bravery of the resistance during WWII, the seventeenth century, and art. I have a true passion for art history and have so much fun researching details about master artists, painting techniques, colors, and compositions. The goal becomes to weave in truly interesting history without having it read like a textbook or making it obvious to the reader.

As an avid reader of historical fiction novels, I expect no less. For two entwined stories to function together as a book, we need a common theme, element, or happening.

The main shared item in Brushstrokes from the Past, is a portrait painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in the seventeenth century as well as an ancient, preserved ledger kept by one of Rembrandt’s models. When an art historian during WWII comes across these two things, anything can happen.

Brushstrokes from the Past is a historical art mystery and the fourth installment in the Soli Hansen Mysteries. Each novel can be read as a standalone, but they are more enjoyable when read in order as both of the stories progress.

I hope you’ll enjoy the journey.

Buy Links:

Available on #KindleUnlimited

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/47g8Ej

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09ZBBRH84/

Amazon US: https://www.amzn.com/B09ZBBRH84/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09ZBBRH84/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09ZBBRH84/

Author Bio:

Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don’t want to go near.

Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.

Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.heidieljarbo.com/newsletter

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16984270.Heidi_Eljarbo