Book Jacket

 

rank 731
word count 13227
date submitted 30.03.2010
date updated 06.11.2010
genres: Fiction, Romance, Crime
classification: universal
incomplete

The Art of Provenance

Dana Lorelle

An undiscovered van Gogh portrait in her inherited Iowa farmhouse? Cate doesn’t believe it. But someone does. And that someone wants the painting.

 

Cate James tells stories. It’s her job; she ghostwrites the autobiographies of celebrities. The irony is that she has no story of her own to tell.

She doesn’t know much about her past. She doesn’t know why her fingerprints would match the records of a child reported kidnapped and never found, or why a stranger would bequeath her a farm in Iowa’s most backwards town. And she sure doesn’t know why there would be an undiscovered Vincent van Gogh portrait hanging on the parlor wall.

But a man with a gun knows the answers, and he would rather shoot than tell.

 
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tags

charleston, dr. gachet, inheritance, iowa, lawyers, orphan train, portraits, probate, sherrill's mound, vincent van gogh

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67 comments

 

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Caroline Hartman wrote 783 days ago

Windy, I started reading this because I liked your pitch and then I just kept reading and reading. The Art of Provenance is beauriful. The storyline eeks potential and promises all kinds of twists and turns--I love the leopard-print underwear. Sherrill's Mound is definitely not ready for you. Your voice, your characterizations, your humor, all the subtle little quirks. I love it and I'm so jealous I want your talent. Best of luck with this. I will back simply because I love it.
Caroline aka KC Hart
Summer Rose

Steve Jensen wrote 783 days ago

This, I'm reliably informed, is a draft version, yet goodness knows how it could be improved. The Art of Provenance is that rare thing on Authonomy - an instantly recognisable showcase of *professional* writing. The book has all the natural elegance, wry humour, harmony and discord of real life, and that's aside from a greatly intriguing storyline. The story itself is very interesting, superbly crafted too, but that for me is very nearly an afterthought; it's the wonderful prose which captivates me entirely; the author is a true literary stylist. Such beauty will surely be reflected in the book's deserved success...

Thrush wrote 86 days ago

Delicious!

Strayer wrote 535 days ago

The six chapters went by too fast. I would have liked to read the entire book. Well done.

Valerie T wrote 548 days ago

A terrific first chapter! It is well written with an extremely interesting and likeable heroine. The opening paragraphs are original and entertaining. I really like the title as well. I look forward to reading more. Backed!

Lynne Jones wrote 572 days ago

Like other reviewers have said - a very professional piece of work.

Widget wrote 572 days ago

An wonderfully intriguing plot and beautifully written story. Your book is on my watchlist to read. All the best with it, Katherine - The Quizzical Wizards of Id

Pia wrote 599 days ago

Dana -

The Art of Provenance - Why is this wonderful work sitting idle here? A treat to come upon a genuine writer. I'm forever learning, and it gives me great pleasure to read in your story ... Engorged blue veins rise from her papery skin and heavy diamond rings swirl on her thin fingers. 'I baked cookies,' she says, openly pleased with the lucid functioning of her aged memory. 'Snickernoodles.' She claps her hand at this triumph of mind over time ... Please come back and put up more chapters.

Backed, Pia (Course of Mirrors)

memphisgirl wrote 648 days ago

Perfect. Love the title, the pitch (couldn't wait to read), and pulled the story around me close like a favorite quilt. Settling down to read this tonight. Want this between covers where I can touch it and return to it again and again. Must buy a comfy chair so I can luxuriate in the experience.

Memphisgirl
Ashes By Now

bluewriter wrote 669 days ago

Pitch was good. Writing starts off strong and enticing and just keeps going. Saw no readily seen errors. Backed.
Jenny

Paul T. wrote 728 days ago

Quarter to one in the morning, and I've only stopped reading because there's no more posted!

Great book. Characters, story, dialogue, etc. etc. - all there, all brilliantly well done! What more can I say - apart, of course, from 'backed'!

Richardmilton wrote 748 days ago

Dana, This is a superb treat! Your writing is simply brilliant. The introduction with the bonkers Mrs Hoover is wonderfully engaging. I love your literary sleight of hand as you cleverly introduce us to the most mundance facts in the most natural and engaging way. I have never before read a writer make the giving of their character's address so enjoyable.

Above all I love the originality of your premise and the ay you handle and develop it - I am dying to read further chapters. And am I right in thinking that you have actually created the "Van Gogh" portrait on the cover for the book? I suppose only an expert can tell :-)

If this book doesn't reach the Editor's desk I will pluck, stuff, casserole and eat my hat.

KInd regards
Richard MIlton

Anna Pescardot wrote 756 days ago

I love your chatty style. Your characters are funny and well described and the premise is great. I think this has so much potential to do well and I look forward to reading some more if you upload any.
I am happy to shelve it.

Best Wishes

Anna
Always the Bridesmaid

Ron Mitchell wrote 760 days ago

This is well-written and a good beginning. I wish you the best as you continue in your writing and editing. I would appreciate you reading and commenting of December Gold. You have a very interesting plot.

Linda Lou wrote 768 days ago

Hullo Dana. I just completed the 6th chapter and was looking for more. Your writing technique has a great flow which carries the reader from chapter to chapter. Your story line encompasses many different charecters which, in the end, all fit well within each chapter. very good. Already shelved and backed. Please do not forget mine if you haven't already taken a look. Thanks for that.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

cesc wrote 769 days ago

not my sort of thing but well written

A. Zoomer wrote 770 days ago

Hi,
Nicely crafted story. I have backed it.
Please take a look at my book, Going Out in Style. I'd be interested in what you think.
Thx,
a zoomer

A Knight wrote 771 days ago

The pitch of this sucked me in, and the talented writing structure and compelling premise kept me here. You've done some stunning work here: all the facets of writing come together perfectly to give us a wonderfully entertaining story that lingers with us long after we've walked away from the screen.

Backed.
Abi xxx
"Everyone knows the rule: Stay inside the Wall, but Tisha believes rules are made to be broken." - Relic

lionel25 wrote 775 days ago

Dana, your first chapter is a smooth, entertaining read. Good job. Nothing to nitpick in that section.

Happy to back your work.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Famlavan wrote 775 days ago


The Art of Provenance

You have a masterful touch at creating characters with unique voices. Your writing style is perfect for this book. Clever storyline, very well structured right amount of humour. Dam-it I bet your rich and good looking too!!!

klouholmes wrote 776 days ago

Hi Windy, Amusing and well-written. The ghostwriter’s placement at the Iowa farmhouse gives a compact view of it before she’s shot for the Van Gogh. I did wonder that she wouldn’t research or protect such a treasure! But as no one knew of it in the environs, I suppose she felt safe. Stories about art or jewelry theft fascinate me and this seems to begin with a scheme concerning Cate. Intriguing! Easily shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Emma Philips wrote 776 days ago

I love this opening; intense and exciting! I love the way your dialogues flow: so realistic. And the fact that you chose to write this story in first person and present tense, makes it even more effective. Reading it, I could easily identify with your MC: "I", and the pace it really good and actions very intense. Good job.

Emma Philips
The Dark Intruder

abimbola wrote 777 days ago

one word: Awesome.
I am not just saying this. I loved it.
Backed with giddy amazement
Abi,
The small Print

Ransom Heart wrote 777 days ago

Recently visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, looked at his letters. He was careful to portray rural scenes in dark, ominous colors -- simple folk with big noses backlit by candlelight. He would have liked your depictions of local color in Iowa. Backed yesterday. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

RedNikki wrote 778 days ago

BRILLIANTLY ENTERTAINING, please post some more soon! Backed with pleasure.

david brett wrote 778 days ago

The opening 1/7th of what promises to be a very good book - professionally terse, funny, stylish and good on local colour! But not surprising; this is the author of Lucas...... I just wish there was more of it. DB ALL THESE ARE MEMORIES OF MY VOYAGE.

Lara wrote 778 days ago

Good [itch, realistic dialogue, and -s o important - psychologically accurate. Wish you luck, backed. Hope you write more.
Rosalind
Good for Him

Lara wrote 778 days ago

Dipped as far as Ch 6 Good pitch, realistic action and dialogue and,s o importantly, psychologicaly accurate

Backed
Rosalind
Good for Him

M. A. McRae. wrote 778 days ago

Well written and a thoroughly intriguing storyline. Well done. Marj.

Melcom wrote 778 days ago

I had heard great things about your novel and after reading the first three chapters I can see what everyone is raving about. STUNNING writing, it has to be some of the best I've read on here. Your premise is highly intriguing that forces the reader to want to snuggle up with your book in front of a roaring fire.

I can't praise this book highly enough and I wish you every success with it, I think you are wasting your time on here though and you should be reaching out to the agents and publishers now.

Happily shelved for its obvious forthcoming success.

Melxx

mvw888 wrote 778 days ago

This is very well written. I am always looking for humorous pieces on Authonomy, to break up the fantasy and crime (!), and this fills the bill. On top of that, it's expertly written, a real treat. Love your characters, love Cate's voice, her irritation at having her dress cut up after being shot. When Deputy Billy Reuster enters and introduces himself, I immediately get a feel for their relationship and feel as though I am witnessing small town goings-ons. That scene is hysterical, ending with him asking her out again. So funny. You have a premise that promises to be entertaining, you have instantly memorable characters and a strong voice. Your pitch is great too. Love this, and happy to support it.

chuckylivesinme wrote 778 days ago

This is a beautiful story. The story is well written, the dialogue real. I would buy this !
Backed 100%
Clair
Left Behind

jfcincy wrote 779 days ago

You made a dragged out conversation with an addled old woman interesting. And then, the book got better. I really like your writing style. It's smooth, professional and the touch of sass keeps it interesting. And of course, the plot is intriguing.

Julie Farkas
Morning Call

G. M. Atwater wrote 779 days ago

THE ART OF PROVENANCE: Hi there! I just wanted to say that I think this is one of the most polished, enjoyable, engaging, amusing, well-written books on Authonomy. Your gift for characters is brilliant, your depictions are clever and often hilarious, and being a small-town/rural person myself, I can totally visualize the good if quirky citizens of Sherill's Mound. Even more, you some how very subtly keep me in constant, pleasant awareness of Ohio's broad skies, bright sun and rolling fields - even though I've never ben thre.

This is witty and clever and wonderful, and I would buy this book in a heartbeat. Backed with the greatest of pleasure, and I do wish you well.
Cheers ~

G. M. Atwater
Nobody's Knight

Olivia J wrote 779 days ago

It appears I am a fan of your writing. I did not view your profile until after I decided to back this story, and it turns out I have your other novel still on my shelf. As my profile states, I do not try to offer critique that I don't feel comfortable, or qualified, to give. But I feel I should mention that your writing has impressed me twice now, having found both novels in very random title browsing. I wish you luck with both stories.

SusieGulick wrote 780 days ago

Dear Windy, I love romance & fiction. Your story is a good read because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing/commenting on your book to help it advance. Could you please return the favor by taking a moment to back/comment on my TWO books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & the unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories." Thanks, Susie :)

carlashmore wrote 781 days ago

This is such a high concept pitch and your writing is so very strong. Your voice comes through loud and clear and your characters are well drawn and fascinating. I would happily sit on the patio with a glass of red and read this.
Happily backed
Carl
The Time Hunters

Micheal O'Durcain wrote 782 days ago

This is brilliant. superbly written. flows. small town interest. characters. comic. sardonic.
i picked this at random when i read the pitch. no wonder. Cant lose . Are you going to upload more?
Backing.
MichealO'durcain
Murder on the menu.

Strauss wrote 782 days ago

You pitch definitely caught my attention, and from that point it was impossible not to enjoy your writing. I think this has potential. Best of luck. Straussy

brinskie1 wrote 782 days ago

Provenance is so well writtten, I almost didn't notice there was no explanation as to how the painting came to be or how it came to the attention of the thief; maybe I'm missing something. Very well done and shelved
G
Einstein's Road Trip
[Was it necessary to get permission to use the graphic image on your cover?]

bonalibro wrote 782 days ago

I would agree with everything that has been said so far about the writing, the characters, the humor.

However, I ask myself how likely it is that someone would go to the house to steal a van Gogh, and leave without it. I also wonder how likely it is that someone who was shot in the arm would be found sometime later, by a nosy mailman, unconscious in a pool of blood. You say it's an Iowa farmhouse. How close could the nearest neighbor be? Who might have heard the shot? Why the need for panic? Why would the thief not return for the painting whilst she was in hospital? How would he have known about the painting anyway? What was it doing there in the first place?

It's a wonderful story but, it does raise "willing suspension of disbelief" concerns that you might want to address early on.

KW wrote 782 days ago

I love the line, "she concludes her tale of political intrigue and cookie-baking before she joins Mr. Hoover in the Great Beyond." The life of a ghostwriter is an intriguing start for this fascinating book: "I have no story of my own to tell." You know, heifers getting their heads stuck in fences can be stimulating as is your book. When I get a little time, I want to come back and read more. Backed with pleasure.

historyweaver wrote 783 days ago

This novel an appealing voice and an eye for detail with its lovely choice of words. Or is it eye for detail with tongue in cheek? Small town life. The feuding sisters looking for church converts. Laundry on the line. A great richness. Underneath all the tone, though, there is a feeling of danger and Theo gives me the chills in his demands that the painting is his. Then in the last chapter, you throw out a detail that the protag has been moving around a lot, though, I would put it to her job. But it is curious and makes you wonder what is really going on.

Just a couple of things The opening is very funny, but the protag comes across a bit disrespectful. Ghostwriting may be a hard way to make a living, but it's also close to what I do in museum work --the interviewing part, that is -- and even though she's having a moment with the ex-hippy's memory loss, I would show a little more compassion. Makes me wonder about her family and relationships to older folk. It comes up again when she goes to Iowa to see the farmhouse.

It's well written story and I can see this published. All the best. It's backed.

Beval wrote 783 days ago

An excellent mystery with a fabulous start. I was very amused by the lemon bars and Woodstock.
The whole thing really takes off when Cate is shot and Theo the lawyer turns up. I'm hooked, I need to know why she was left the house, if the painting is right and how the hell it got to Iowa.
Backed

Cyndi Tefft wrote 783 days ago

Windy,

I have to say that I have absolutely loved your book. I read the first 4 chapters and they were fabulous. A couple of things popped to mind as I read: didn't the shooter take off with the painting and if so, why is it there when Theo comes? Two different paintings? I missed the distinction. Also, Theo says he found her from the newspaper article regarding the Van Gogh, but then later says he's tracked her from place to place, so it makes me think he is tracking her, not the painting (or he knew somehow beforehand that she had it). Anyway, just those two points of confusion- otherwise, you have a funny, lovely read here and I think Cate and I would be best friends in real life! :)

Cyndi
Between

Caroline Hartman wrote 783 days ago

Windy, I started reading this because I liked your pitch and then I just kept reading and reading. The Art of Provenance is beauriful. The storyline eeks potential and promises all kinds of twists and turns--I love the leopard-print underwear. Sherrill's Mound is definitely not ready for you. Your voice, your characterizations, your humor, all the subtle little quirks. I love it and I'm so jealous I want your talent. Best of luck with this. I will back simply because I love it.
Caroline aka KC Hart
Summer Rose

Steve Jensen wrote 783 days ago

This, I'm reliably informed, is a draft version, yet goodness knows how it could be improved. The Art of Provenance is that rare thing on Authonomy - an instantly recognisable showcase of *professional* writing. The book has all the natural elegance, wry humour, harmony and discord of real life, and that's aside from a greatly intriguing storyline. The story itself is very interesting, superbly crafted too, but that for me is very nearly an afterthought; it's the wonderful prose which captivates me entirely; the author is a true literary stylist. Such beauty will surely be reflected in the book's deserved success...

yasmin esack wrote 784 days ago

Dear Wendy
I love your book. This is the stuff that wins readers and publishers. Your interview is stunning and so engrosses the reader taking him/her to 1969. Let add that your portrayal of mrs Hoover is smashing and so is the setting.

Very well done
backed

pinkcoffee wrote 784 days ago

I wish you the very best of luck

gillyflower wrote 784 days ago

Your pitch grabbed my attention at once, and when I started to read I saw that your writing matches up to it. Cate is a likable, amusing central character, with a voice which is full of laid back humour, even treating the shooting as something to joke about, as she tells us how she was rescued. The plot is full of interest, and you hook us in to find out why the farmhouse was left to Cate, and why Cate can't remember anything about herself. You write in an easy to read, fast moving style; and your descriptive passages are excellent, bringing your settings well to life. Your characters are lively, individual and colourful. I've enjoyed reading this book very much. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

Barry Wenlock wrote 784 days ago

Hi Windy,
There is some fine writing here and you certainly know how to turn a lovely phrase.
I liked Cate and laughed aloud a couple of times.
I'm very happy to back this. Well done.
Best wishes, Barry
Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys

Niobrara Kardnova wrote 784 days ago

Windy,
Art of Provenance has everything I like in a book--real, colorful characters; a setting I can see; a clever, mysterious plot line and humor sprinkled throughout. Cate has the perfect job and perfect predicament to keep me reading. Can't suggest any improvements, really (although I am going to message you about geography as I live in La Crosse). Your pitches were right on target as were the chpaters I read. Happy to back this and hope it gets published.
Niobrara Kardnova (The Trouble with Wives)

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