Delicate Brushstrokes

The Master's Protégé Trilogy #2

by Eleanor Chance

When the love of home and family collide with desire for fame and fortune, Celeste Gabriele finds herself thrust into a life she's ill-prepared to handle.
Fans of The Other Boleyn Girl, Wolf Hall, and Girl with A Pearl Earring will find much to love in this heartwarming second installment of the Master's Protégé Trilogy by award-winning author Eleanor Chance.

Just as Celeste has achieved all she's ever dreamed of with marriage to a handsome Duke, three beautiful children, and a budding art career, her life begins to unravel. When her troubles escalate to the breaking point, and she sees no end in sight, Celeste is tempted to turn her back on all she holds dear to make her own way in the world. Will she have the strength to resist the lure of the siren song and brave the churning waters to find her way home?

Genres: Historical, Romance, Historical Fiction

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2022

About the author

Eleanor Chance's debut novel, Arms of Grace is a finalist in consideration for production by Wind Dancer Films, is a silver medalist in the Readers' Favorite Awards, and is a recipient of the B.R.A.G. Medallion.

As an avid reader, Eleanor cherishes books that influence her writing and her life. She hopes to create the same experience for readers and thrives on crafting tales of everyday heroes.

Eleanor has traveled the world and lived in five different countries. She currently resides in the Williamsburg, Virginia area with her husband and is the proud mother of four grown sons and Nana to one amazing grand-darling.

Reviews

[Melanie McGrade Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading Delicate Brushstrokes, I felt like I was reading a script from a Netflix series I would watch. I was reminded of The Crown, though this family wasn’t as royal like they are. At first I felt like the I were reading about an episode from a season that already started, I did not read the first book so maybe that’s why it felt that way. But then everything fell into place and I was intrigued by the characters and their lives and enjoyed reading about them. Though women were meant to stay at home to take care of their families, it was exhilarating to see Celeste striving to become successful in her career as an artist, despite being a woman. It was so frustrating and irritating to hear the reaction many people had about women wanting to pursue a career, but her husband’s reactions and actions were the worst. Yet I couldn’t relate to Celeste as a mother, she was proud that she spends two hours a day with her children (are you kidding me? I would be devastated if that is the only time I got with my children!) and she easily left them for an extended period of time to go on tour, though they were so young. I love that she was standing up for herself, her dreams, and her career, yet I feel like there should have been more of a balance, especially while the children were so young. Reading about how their lives were back in that time period was really interesting to me and I appreciated the history and descriptive settings. The writing demonstrated talent and was consistent to the time period. I don’t usually read this genre but I am glad I did read this book, I enjoyed it.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Italian Renaissance Love Story (The Master's Protégé Trilogy Book 2) and my first read by this author. Beautifully written epic tale of the Gabriele and Vicente families set in the late 1400’s, mainly in Florence, Venice, Milan and Rome. Reads well as a stand-alone as the first chapter tell you some of the background, in fact I didn’t realise it was book 2 until I finished it.

Briefly, Celeste Gabriele has married Luciano Vicente, a Florentine duke and artist and they live in Florence with their three children. Celeste is a gifted artist but this is frowned upon at this time. Luciano has been a maestro, training budding artists but he has come up against the guild and is now forbidden from selling his paintings. When Celeste decides, against her husband and family’s wishes to go on tour with her Patron, she cannot begin to imagine the temptations and the anguish she will have to face.

Full of great characters this was a compelling read, medium paced with a number of enthralling side stories about other members of the two families. A good, clean read and a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicate Brushstrokes: An Italian Renaissance Love Story: The Master’s Protégé Trilogy, Book 2 is by Eleanor Chance. This story takes place in Florence, Venice, and Rome between 1485-1487. This book catches your attention and keeps you pulled into the book.
After a year’s mourning his wife’s death, Celeste and Luciano married and moved to Florence where he took over his father’s business. Aunt Portia took this year to teach her niece how to act as a Duchess. Luciano had a studio outfitted in their home just for her to paint. They wanted to present her for membership in the Guild; but knew they would most likely not accept her. Luciano wanted to wait for the perfect time. However, they wanted to sell her paintings so presented them under an apprentice’s name. They had to be very careful because this deception could ruin both their reputations. At least, only three people knew about their deception, or did someone else know?
This is an excellent second book. Can hardly wait for Book 3.

[Susan Weintrob · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Shades of Brilliance, I couldn't wait to read its sequel, Delicate Brushstrokes. I had written to Eleanor Chance after reading Shades of Brilliance to ask her permission to review her book on my website. I did so and was thrilled that she sent me the sequel. Delicate Brushstrokes takes up where the first novel leavs off. Set in Renaissance Italy, I was drawn in as much by the fascinating characters, including historical people, famous artists and the complicated families and political ties that held together Italian society that was not to be unified politically for another century. The world of art is seemlessly woven with the ups and downs of love, family entanglements and the social expectations of the times. Of course the best part is the excellent writing of Eleanor Chance, which draws me in within the first few sentences. Well researched, well written and fascinating subjects, I'm looking forward to the third novel in the series!

[Jane Firebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Delicate Brushstrokes, is every bit as wonderful as the first book in the series, Shades of Brilliance. There is so much detail of the time period in Italy and of the lives of both the aristocracy and of the ordinary people, including the lowest, poorest class.
Celeste's struggle, as a woman, to be recognized as the master artist she has become feels very real and unfortunately still all too familiar, though we've come a long way since then.
I was engrossed in this series from the beginning of the first book, and am now waiting impatiently for the next book in the series. Happily, it was not a cliffhanger ending, rather, the story is just so good that I don't want it to end.

[Chrisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book I was looking forward to the second, it did not disappoint. The book maintains the feel of 1400s Italy at a time which was difficult for prestigious woman who wanted to be more than a wife and mother. It gives just a snippet of what life was like but does it well. Following Celeste's journey takes you to another time where you can, just for a moment, forget the current world beyond the pages of the book.

[Bonny Rambarran]

In a time when women were considered less than . . . .
She is an artist!!! Her husband discovered her (before he was her husband) but because he sponsored her - a woman - he lost his standing, This is an amazing book that shows how women were often treated -- and how she overcame her problems!!!! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

[Susan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking Towards Book 3 This Summer

That is the best title I could write to encourage others to read Eleanor Chance Protégé Trilogy. Clean, real, honest, mystery, kind of read. Well developed characters that evolve, historically believable settings, to name the framework. True ❤ love, loyal bonds for H and h...

[Victoria Wienke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Celeste proceeds honing her painting skills, interruptions from being seen as only a woman and not accepted as a true painter and also family obligations and interferences provide interesting twists and turns. As in all our lives, these ups and downs take their toll but with help from friends she has made, Celeste is finally seeing a light to follow.

[Michelle Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

Absolutely loved this book. I actually think I liked it better than the first one. A strong love endures many obstacles. A determined women were her sights high to achieve greatness. women can have a successful career and a family too.

[Susanna Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good sequel to the first in the series. Looking forward to read the final book to round up the story.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so well researched and engaging that I just wanted to continue reading as I escaped into medieval Italy. I really did feel like I was in a Netflix movie the descriptions were so good.

I am definitely going to be on the look out for more books by this author.

I was given an advance copy by the author but this review is entirely my own.

[Sara Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great historical fiction read! While it is the second in this particular series, I did not feel as if I was jumping into the middle of a story having not read the first book. The characters were all very well developed, and while there were many of them, the main ones were easy to keep straight. I particularly enjoyed the strong female characters, especially Celeste, and cannot wait to read more about the outcome of this book in book three.

I received an ARC from the publisher, but this review is all my own.