Paint and Nectar Paperback - 2021

From the rear cover

In 1929, a spark forms between Eliza, a talented watercolorist, and William, a charming young man with a secret that could ruin her career. Their families forbid their romance because of a long-standing feud over missing heirloom silver. Still, Eliza and William's passion grows despite the barriers, causing William to deeply regret the secret he's keeping . . . but setting things right will come at a cost.

In present-day Charleston, a mysterious benefactor gifts Lucy Legare an old house, along with all the secrets it holds--including enigmatic letters about an antique silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney, whom Lucy's been avoiding since their disastrous first date, is set on buying her house for his family's development company. As Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, its garden, and the silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history's sake but also for her own.

"Clark makes a moving debut . . . . Those who enjoy inspirational time-slip stories will want to check this out."--Publishers Weekly on The Dress Shop on King Street

"Clark continues to pen a love letter to Charleston, South Carolina, this time using art and gardening as modes of celebrating preservation and remembrance. Clark brings both literal and metaphorical meaning to her thematic explorations of the changing seasons and the presence of the past, of imitations and originals."--Booklist

"I enjoyed this not just because the story itself is so very well constructed, but because there are flashes of absolute joy in the phrasing of Ashley Clark's writing. . . .The elements of retaining history, and yet aligning it with progress, are well laid out, and I loved the themes of inheritance, hope and beauty." --Together Magazine

Media reviews

Citations

• Publishers Weekly, 09/28/2020, Page 0