The Black Velvet Coat

Anne McFarland #1

by Jill G. Hall

Twenty-eight-year-old struggling San Francisco artist Anne McFarland is determined to get a one-woman show, even though no one, including herself, believes she can do it. But when she buys a coat at a thrift shop with a key in its pocket, strange, even magical, occurrences begin to unfold, and she is inspired to create her best work ever.

Fifty years earlier, it’s 1963, and the coat’s original owner, young heiress Sylvia Van Dam, is headed toward a disastrous marriage with a scoundrel. In a split-second reaction she does the unimaginable, which propels her on a trip of self-discovery to nature-filled Northern Arizona. When Anne and Sylvia’s lives intersect, they are both forced to face their fears―and, in the process, realize their true potential.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Time Travel, Literary Fiction, Womens Fiction

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

Jill G. Hall is author of On a Sundown Sea, a Novel of Madame Tingley and the Origins of Lomaland, and the award-winning “Anne McFarland Series.” The Black Velvet Coat, The Silver Shoes, and The Green Lace Corset. Hall’s poems and personal narratives have appeared in a variety of publications and on her blog Crealivity, the art of practicing a creative lifestyle. Her tenure as an educator spanned over twenty years, incorporating the arts along the way. She is an instructor and past board president at San Diego Writers, Ink. and holds a doctorate from Northern Arizona University. A native San Diegan, she resides in Point Loma.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit unusual all the way around. It's a story told through various objects found in a thrift shop and mysteriously interwoven into the lives of the two female characters, expanding across the generations until Anne, the artist, meets Sylvia, the now elderly original owner of the items that Anne had found in the thrift shop. I thought that how the story and the objects took the reader on a geographical as well as a historical journey while telling the story of each of the objects, was a very unique approach. At times it was predictable, but the plot remained interesting. Would I read book #2? Probably not...but it had nothing to do with the way the story was carried or out or how the author had written the events...it just wasn't the typical genre that I would have chosen if it had not fit a challenge. Anyone wanting an easy read with a bit of fluff will love making the journey with The Black Velvet Coat.

[Jenny Belk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the title of this book intrigued me. This is the author's debut novel. I knew there had to be an interesting story behind the coat.
Anne McFarland is a starving artist looking for her big break. She buys a black velvet coat at the thrift store. She finds an old key in the pocket and her creative mind goes into overdrive. Where did it come from and what does it open.
Enter Sylvia Van Dam-It's 1963 and although she is a woman of wealth and inheritance she nearly makes a fatal decision about her upcoming wedding. Suddenly she disappears from those who love her.
Fate will intervene as the story evolves and connects these two women. They both will learn valuable lessons about true love, searching for enlightenment and finding their true destiny.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a mediocre YA romance/mystery. Too many coincidences. Kept thinking it would get better. Skimmed to learn how it ended. No surprises.

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of this novel reminded me of watching some of the old movies from the 1960’s. I could ‘hear’ Sylvia speaking in a soft, cultured voice, and ‘see’ her as the sheltered daughter of wealthy parents, yet with a wild side chafing to see the world. Contemporary Anne is a starving artist searching for confidence and a big break for her career.

Told in dual storylines; the book is easy to read and keep the protagonist’s separate because the two women are so very different. A black velvet Dior coat with an old key in the pocket is what melds Sylvia’s past and Annie’s present together. I found the storyline absorbing, well-written, thought provoking, and a page-turner. A great escape to read anytime of year.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Books Sparks for the opportunity to read and review this book. This had many of the hallmarks I enjoy in a story, dual time periods and found objects. San Fran based struggling artist Anne is barely making ends meet. She has overdue rent, she's eating her "meals" at gallery showings, and feeling like a failure ready to move back to Michigan, when she see a vintage swing coat in the window of a thrift shop. Using some of the last cash she has, Anne purchases the coat only to find a pretty snowflake pin on the collar included in the purchase, plus a an old key that might have a tale to tell. Anne soon thinks she's found the story behind the coat, pin, and key. She seemingly channels the coats owner, Sylvia Van Dam and seeks clues to the mystery of what happened to Sylvia, the beautiful, young heiress. The story has a magical quality to it with Anne picking up the scent of the bygone era. I enjoyed how the author tied the past and present through Anne's art. The story comes full circle with no loose ends.

[Kara Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving this book 3 stars. While the title of this book, The Black Velvet Coat, sounded intriguing and mysterious, I found that it really did not live up to my expectations. The book's format is written as a dual storyline- opening with a scene in 1963 and then moving to the current day. In 1963 we meet Sylvia Van Dam, a young heiress and socialite who is struggling with her role in life and society. She feels that her next step is to get married, and she soon meets and becomes engaged to a dashing man by the name of Ricardo. Those who care for Sylvia try to warn her of this man and that he is not who he says he is. She of course refuses to listen. The story now flips to current day and Anne McFarland, a struggling artist in San Francisco purchases a black velvet coat at a thrift store. She soon discovers a link between the coat, a brooch that was on the coat at the time of purchase and her current art project research. I really found these so called links to be preposterous coincidences. The writing at times was barely engaging and though I finished the book, it was a real push for me to do so. Unfortunately, not a book I would recommend.

[Aura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this book from kindle firsts on Amazon. I am torn between wanting to mildly recommend this book and not recommending it. It was a light easy quick read but... most of the characters really bugged me. First of all, Sylvia Van Dam the young beautiful rich heiress falls for a terrible cliche, ugly stereotyped, Mexican criminal who drinks and lies. NO! Secondly, Anne a young talented artist trying to break into the art scene and actually make a living as an artist is so callous I just couldn't stand it. I mean who goes off to NY on vacation after selling one painting when she is about to get kicked out of her apartment. I felt very confused about this character Anne. She has a curator who wants to help her but she runs out. She can travel to NY but she cant go to Italy all expenses paid with a man she loves. In spite of these little things that bugged me, I would say that this was a commendable effort by this author and I enjoyed some parts of this book.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A black velvet vintage designer coat in a thrift shop with a diamond pin. Ya, that’s gonna happen. Anyway, I still liked most of the story. I’m not sure if you refer to the “happenings” in this story as psychic energy but I kinda liked that aspect of the story. Some of it was a bit “hokey”, but that’s ok. Audiobook. It does kind of bother me when a narrator does an accent incorrectly, hahaha.

[Teresa Kander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this one since the first time I read the synopsis for it, and I'm happy to say that it was well worth the wait.

Throughout the book, we are treated to alternating points of view....present day, we follow Anne, while in the 60s we meet Sylvia. We learn a great deal about these two women (who seem polar opposites at first but are much more alike than you might imagine) and watch them mature and gain confidence as they face the various challenges in their lives.

Both stories are very well told, and all of the main characters are well defined and realistic. I alternated between wanting to shake the two main characters and wanting to hug them. When their stories eventually join, it is wondrous....and that section of the book is my favorite by far.

Ms. Hall has written a most amazing debut novel, and I can't wait to see what she offers us next.

**I received a copy of this book from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

[Suclart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read this was, filled with romance and intrigue! Flashing back and forth from 1963 to the present, with a black velvet coat and rhinestone brooch as the connection. I felt such empathy for both of the young heroines and all of their struggles. It was satisfying to watch the growth in their maturity and confidence throughout the novel. As an artist, I could especially relate to Anne’s floundering with her career and her desire for success. The characters were unique and well developed, some very lovable and some we loved to hate. It was captivating to watch Sylvia’s mystery unfold to Anne, and the book’s conclusion was so satisfying. This would make a great film!

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Velvet Coat is a beautifully creative story filled with charming characters. I equally loved each of the dual storylines. It's amazing how much history- and heart - a vintage coat can hold, and what a story! I won this book in a giveaway from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Dick R. McCart · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book

These two women in this book are very immature. They're all over the place with bad decisions. I fought my way to 38 percent and gave up. The reviews were good?!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok. had some really good parts.. some not so much. probably not one I'll remember a year from now but also didn't feel like a waste of my time.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann McFarland is a struggling San Francisco artist who is refusing to allow herself to be so down on her luck that she will give in to move back home to Michigan. She needs inspiration to get ideas to start flowing. She has done pieces but often no art dealer with show her work. She is a nobody and has no credance anywhere at this point. But this is her passion, how could she give it all up?

While thrifting, she comes across a black velvet jacket, that she just cannot pass up. Granted she now may not afford groceries and will be short on her rent, once again, but it's almost calling to her. She cannot leave the store without it. She finds a key in the one pocket and odd things start to happen. She swears she can smell odd scents an on more than one occasion the key appears to have been warm and glowed. 

The coat also came with a snowflake pin, a bonus of sorts. This stimulates her creativity and she decides to research this jackets. It is a name brand jacket and where did it come from after all. She stumbles across some new articles of a women and man who went missing the night of their engagement party and it appears the woman is wearing this same jacket, and is that a snowflake pin as well? Can't be!

Ann has now gone down a rabbit hole of inspiration and wanting to know more. What happened to this couple? Who is the woman? How did this jacket end up in a thrift store decades later, and with a key in the pocket? 

Her creativity and inspiration are kicked into high gear, and Ann finds encouragement as she does everything she can to find out who this mystery woman is that is inspiring her work, and once appeared to have worn this very jacket. 

A very well written story, told through Ann as well as Sylvia Van Dam, the original owner of the jacket and how things turned out to be. I highly enjoyed this novel and had to run to my book shelf for the next one, The Silver Shoes. 

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this throughout a weekend while on a local getaway in a home away from home, and I think it fits the relaxing atmosphere, just sitting by nature and reading a nice book.

I really want to love this book, however, the characters as well as plots did not develop fully for me. There were various scenes in this story where my heart felt full of glee, and there were ones where I feel like Sylvia and Anne both made some silly decisions, or things happen to a point where I catch myself thinking, "How naive can you be?!" or "Why the heck would you do that?!" or "Are you serious right now?!" or "What just happened there?!"

In addition, this book is 350 pages, and I felt like there was so much going on in the first 3/4 of the book and towards the end it appears as though the author just hurriedly put all the pieces together and ended it to make it all work out, I wanted to have everything more cohesive and built to finish strong. I know this was probably meant to be enchanting, lighthearted, and inspiring, and at some points it does make you feel some of that magic, but not overall..

I like that there is positivity, love, courage, and growth in this story, all things that make it meaningful. The rest doesn't quite piece together in full circle for me to be entirely amazed, and some of the highlights of the story fell flat when I expectantly desired to explore more. "A" for effort, certainly, and I still enjoyed reading it!

Thank you to my friend Lucky and a client of ours for sharing this book! :)

[Addie BookCrazyBlogger · Rating 3 out of 5]

San Francisco artist Anne McFarland is struggling. It’s 2013 and she’s barely making enough money to cover her bills, let alone leave her enough time to paint or plan for an art show. One day, as she’s walking past a thrift shop, she sees a beautiful coat that calls out to her to buy it. Once she does, the first link in the chain of events, gets set into place. Inside the pocket of the coat, is a mysterious key, with a tag stating “Sea Cliff.” Determined to learn the story of the coat, Anne begins to research where it comes from, eventually coming across ex socialite Sylvia Van Dam. The novel goes into detail about Sylvia’s life in 1963, as an orphaned heiress about to make a disastrous marriage and how these two women’s lives eventually meet. Okay, the writing could be improved but honestly, I really liked this story. I saw a little part in both Anne and Sylvia that reminded me of me: insecure, shy and never feeling like I measured up to anyone. I thought the author did well in portraying domestic violence in the 60’s but I was a little shocked that racism never entered into the story. Ultimately this was a story about two women’s stories who come into their own.

[Lj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Black Velvet Coat was readable and interesting enough to finish, and I did enjoy certain elements of the story. The pacing kept me engaged, and I appreciated the dual timelines and overall structure. However, I felt the novel ultimately missed the mark on what could have been a truly great and memorable book.

The description gave the impression that the coat and key might hold a touch of magic or mystery—something symbolic or even slightly supernatural—which never quite materialized. While that didn’t ruin the story, it did feel like a letdown based on how the book was marketed.

More significantly, the novel skimmed the surface of deeper themes like coming of age, self-discovery, and the pursuit of dreams. These could have added so much emotional depth and resonance but were never fully developed.

Lastly, as someone from Michigan, I was disappointed—and frankly, offended—by the caricatured, “hick” portrayal of Anne’s family. It felt reductive and unnecessary, reinforcing tired stereotypes rather than adding nuance or realism.

In short, The Black Velvet Coat had potential, but it never quite rose to it.

[Sandra Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Black Velvet Coat is a most fashionable introduction to Jill G. Hall’s trio of novels centered around vintage clothing items. Purchasing a resale velvet Dior coat with a snowflake pin propels aspiring artist Anne McFarland to pursue a mystery linked to the former owner. In a dual 1963 timeline, we also follow orphaned heiress Sylvia Van Dam as she goes on the run after the romance with her hot-headed fiance’ explodes.

Readers are drawn through this intriguing novel by the connection of the plush coat and the mysterious brass key in its pocket. Anne’s artistry is sparked by the items, and we cheer their emotional journeys as both she and Sylvia grow, mature, and find their ways in the world.

Vintage fashion lovers can anticipate more cozy, creative adventures – and romance – awaiting Anne in Hall’s subsequent novels, The Silver Shoes, and The Green Lace Corset.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Jill G. Hall enchants her readers with two separate storylines — one from the 1960's, the other, present day. They intersect after a critical truth is learned — "Bright starts on a clear night, sharing what you have with the community, and time with the ones you love" — culminating in an incredibly satisfying outcome.

[Angie Barrile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Grabbed my interest from the very 1st page. Such an interesting weaving of 2 characters in 2 separate lifetimes.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up
I enjoyed the characters and the story. Good use of dual timelines.

[Linda Ulleseit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The black velvet coat with its snowflake pin would have been a must-buy in a vintage clothing store for me, too! And it has a key in the pocket... This dual timeline novel focused on two women living 50 years apart, with the coat connecting them. The tragic story of the coat's original owner is gradually uncovered by the contemporary artist, who is struggling with her own lack of success. Compelling story with great characters.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing premise. Two very different young women, separated by fifty years, are accidentally linked by a black velvet coat and the secrets it contains.

Anne McFarland is a struggling artist in San Francisco when she discovers the Dior black velvet coat in a thrift shop. Curious about the vintage coat’s past, Anne finds out it belonged to Sylvia Van Dam, a rich heiress in the early 1960s. In the velvet coat, Anne feels like she is someone else in another time and this inspires her to take a new direction in her work. Sylvia becomes Anne's muse. Anne is determined to make her mark in the art world and have a solo show in the classy Gallery Noir. This becomes vital when a former classmate, a mediocre artist, invites Anne to her own solo New York show. Anne makes the trip only to discover the truth is not what she had expected.

As the story opens, Sylvia Van Dam, orphaned heiress, is at Tiffanys buying a rhinestone snowflake pin that costs half of her monthly shopping allowance. Shy and naive, she is ready prey for Latin lover Ricardo who woos and wins her in no time at all. When Sylvia discovers Ricardo is not what he purports to be, this leads to violence, changing Sylvia’s life and her outlook, forever. Sylvia goes on a journey of self-discovery through the American Southwest, and after experiencing the magic of nature and native lore, matures into a strong, caring young woman who recognizes where her future lies.

The two stories are well-balanced and make an enthralling book that should appeal to both young and older women readers. The Black Velvet Coat also looks at such subthemes as the homeless, the hardships of making a living as an artist, the magical Southwest, the intricacies of New York City, living on the edge in San Francisco, the intrigues and unfairness of the art world, and importantly, a visit to the not so distant past.

A fulfilling read that leaves a sense of nostalgia for a time that many of us still recall.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Carlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find my original review at Carlene Inspired, http://carleneinspired.blogspot.com.

4.5 stars
Many thanks to Netgalley and She Writes Press for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Anne and Sylvia are opposites in several ways and similar in even more. I related to Anne in every way, from money struggles to not knowing how to become successful with her dream. Sylvia, however, is the girl I dreamed of becoming in every way. I enjoyed reading as Anne fumbled through doing what she wanted and doing what seemed to be the right path to pick herself back up. She was headstrong, determined, and jaded by her lack of luck in life. Sylvia's story was fun to read, it tugged at my heart and I wanted a full book based on her alone. I enjoyed reading about her growth, her advents as she found out who she was, and finding her way home. They're delightful characters, facing the struggles of love, loss, and life's greatest mysteries in two separate decades, yet connected in the simplest of ways. The writing is incredibly well done and if I didn't know it was Jill G. Hall's debut novel, I would have said it was written by a seasoned author. The story has a reach plot, filled with plenty of detail to find yourself in the 1960's and then turning the page to find yourself in today's San Francisco. I enjoyed the setting, loved the minor characters that brought each moment to life, and the connection between the two had me turning pages as fast as I could. I won't give anything away, but from trips to Tiffany's to the process of creating art based on a muse from the past, this book has something for everyone looking for a little magic.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you know an author as a person, (and she's a very wonderful, inspiring person at that) part of the delight in reading their novel can be seeing them in it. What I mean is that Jill's optimism comes through in many scenes - there are always struggles, but the world is generally a positive place if your heart is open to wonder. So does her great sense of style and artistic method. I really enjoyed this book, but I'm not sure my review of The Black Velvet Coat can be objective because I've watched Sylvia and Ricardo and Anne grow over the years and my objectivity is overshadowed with joy at meeting them on the page, and surprise at how the narrative all came together.

That said, the novel focuses on two characters, a naïve debutante in the 60s and a struggling artist in the 2000s, both living in San Francisco. The author's San Francisco is a magical place and very much a character, shading the action with fog or clarity. Anne, the artist, spends her rent money on a black velvet coat she sees in a vintage clothes store, which turns out to have belonged to a young heiress, Sylvia Van Dam. Anne begins to research this woman's mysterious disappearance and one of my favorite parts of the book is how their stories interweave, both through coincidence, and through the artistic creations Sylvia's story inspires Anne to make. Creative types will enjoy watching Anne's creative process, and identify with her wavering between pursuing her dream and settling for a conventional life. The alternating narratives and breezy pacing made what looks like a long book into an enjoyable page turner with many surprises. Lovely.

[Edee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weaving back and forth through time, The Black Velvet Coat tells the story of Anne McFarland, a struggling artist trying to make her own way in the San Francisco art scene, and a fifty years earlier, the story of Sylvia Van Dam, a young heiress, who finds her fiancée isn't exactly who she thinks he is. What ties the two ladies together is a beautiful black velvet coat, originally owned by Sylvia and recently purchased by Anne from a thrift shop.

The Black Velvet Coat definitely kept my interest as both characters were well developed and I wanted to see where their journeys would taken them. I felt the ending was a little rushed, but otherwise I truly enjoyed this book.

Vintage clothes certainly have stories to tell and The Black Velvet Coat was an intriguing book showcasing how certain paths converge in life. I look forward to reading more stories by Jill G. Hall.

I received this book from SheWritesPress through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Maureen Surak · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe I read the whole book. I skimmed so many pages to get to the ending which was as disappointing as the book. The character development was shallow, the favorite word was "giggle" and a young "starving artist" selling paintings at a farmers market to a solo show with patrons?
The plot was a good idea but it simply wasn't developed. I would not recommend this book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, interesting storyline.

Anne is an struggling artist, hoping for her big break.

Fifty years ago, Sylvia is an orphaned heiress. She is at a turning point in her life, she's met a charming, possibly dangerous man who she quickly falls in love with and plans to marry.

These two women are tied together by a coat. Anne buys the coat in a vintage shop and it used to belong to Sylvia.
The coat inspires Anne to look into Sylvia. It becomes a mystery, a mission, and the inspiration behind her newest art series.

Minor spoiler here, I really wanted the coat to be magic. If there had been a magical element of some sort here I would have considered it 4 stars if not higher.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced read. Alternating chapters between a struggling artist in present-day San Francisco and an heiress living in 1963, kept my interest long after bedtime. Both time periods were accurate and true to life even though we saw the glamorous side in 1963 and a more gritty side in the present day. Talk about gritty--the time when Anne goes to NYC to see her college friend's art opening is priceless. I was with both characters along the way. Unusual for me to devour most of a book in one day.

[Josephine Ensign · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing on with my reading of recent She Writes Press books, I found The Black Velvet Coat to be a rollicking fun read. I liked the two main female characters and how Hall wove their stories together. I could have done without the 'Magic Indian' and the (more minor but still irritating to me) 'Magic Homeless Person,' and the ending was a bit too convenient and sweet, but I did enjoy reading the book.