Awakened by opportunity and romance in the the heady world of 1930s Paris, can a young artist's life ever be the same again?
Praised all his life for his extraordinary artistic talent Jack is rarely seen without his sketchpad. However, in his world, art is considered a hobby - men are expected to support their families with jobs that offered solid prospects for advancement. Future responsibilities are far from Jack's thoughts when he departs Australian shores for a six-month holiday visiting relatives in London.
On the ocean crossing, Jack is quickly spotted by fellow artist Margaret, who enthusiastically appoints herself his mentor. Through her, Jack is led into a bohemian world where lives are dictated by passions rather than social conventions, and he is persuaded to enrol in Paris' esteemed AcadΓ©mie Julian.
Arriving in Paris, Jack meets AndrΓ©s, an earnest young Spaniard, and his twin sister, Sofia, whose dark eyes and sweet smile captivate Jack's heart. Together, the trio experience Paris at the height of its golden age, and Jack has never felt so happy.
Fortuitously, Jack's talent is recognised by the renowned art patron, Gertrude Stein, whilst an opportune encounter with Picasso elicits unsettling advice. While Jack experiences the richness and freedom of life of an artist accompanied by both the wonder and turmoil of perfect love, he knows that he cannot ignore the responsibilities that await him at home, conceding the life he is leading is but a temporary aberration.
Unexpectedly, tragedy threatens and Jack wrestles with an agonizing decision: should he follow the well-laid plans for his future in Australia or pursue a path set to disappoint his family and which offers only uncertainty?
Will Jack defy the expectations of a lifetime to follow his passion?
The Sun Rose in Paris is the first book in the Portraits in Blue Series. It begins a journey which traverses bohemian art worlds, including the Bloomsburys' Sussex, Hemmingway's Paris, Picasso's Malaga and the Eltham of the Montsalvat artists, in an epic tale of passion and heartbreak, family and art.
Other books include:
Shattered Dreams: Book Two - Portraits in Blue Series
Searching for Sofia: Book Three - Portraits in Blue Series
Sofia's Story: Book Four - Portraits in Blue Series (due December, 2021)