I enjoy reading Ingrid’s blog at http://ingridmichaelsromance.blogspot.co.uk, and so was keen to read some of her writing. I picked Giovanna’s Dilemma for my first read because the romantic cover drew me in, and I was intrigued by the blurb:

When JP takes Karen out to celebrate their four-month dating anniversary, he wines and dines her at Jean Q’s, London’s best restaurant. After a wonderful meal, he has another surprise for her: his prepared lecture at the National Gallery, where he presents Karen with a unique and entertaining interpretation of the love story between feisty Giovanna Cenami and Pieter Baes, Jan van Eyck’s young assistant at the time van Eyck painted the famous Arnolfini Betrothal Portrait.

This is a charming, well-crafted novella. Split between a modern-day story and one set in yesteryear Bruges, I loved the contrast between the two worlds, and how the writing is adapted to be true to each era. The relationships are intriguing, and the central dilemma in the story is poignant and powerful.

Being a keen art lover, what I most enjoyed in the story was its exploration of the Jan van Eyck oil painting The Arnolfini Portrait. What a wonderful combination of a love story and an art history lesson! After reading the book I was compelled to look up the painting on the internet and examine it closely for evidence laid down in Giovanna’s Dilemma, and was amazed at what I found.

I highly recommend the novella for readers who love romance – particularly historical – and have an interest in art.

Giovanna’s Dilemma is available via Ingrid’s website at http://ingridmichaelsromance.blogspot.co.uk.