Sometimes books cross my path where the covers are so beautiful I truly wish I had time to fit in reading the contents, but sadly there are only 24 hours in a day. One such book belongs to Jane Anderson and it’s my very great pleasure to participate in the blog tour by staying in with Jane to discuss it! My thanks to lovely Kelly Lacey of Love Books Tours for inviting me to take part.

Let’s find out more:

Staying in with Jane Anderson

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Jane and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me. 

Thanks for having me Linda.

Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I’ve brought my debut novel The Girl Who Fled the Picture which was published just over a month ago.

Congratulations on your debut.

What can we expect from The Girl Who Fled the Picture?

My debut novel is set in the 18^th century and follows Issy’s journey in search of freedom to live and love as she chooses, an almost impossible ambition for a woman in that era.

I imagine it was. 

What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

Something sour, something sweet and something beautiful. I’ve brought negronis to drink, because they’re my favourite cocktail and to eat, something equally decadent, a type of luxury Turkish baklava called Şöbiyet, which is made with cream, as well as the usual sweet ingredients. I tried it first when I visited Istanbul on a research trip.

I’ve also brought my copy of the National Gallery of Scotland catalogue for the 2015 exhibition of Jean-Étienne Liotard’s paintings, because I want to show you the painting that inspired the novel. His depiction of fabric is astounding and a painting of a particularly enigmatic girl set me thinking. Women are largely overlooked in history books and I love to weave women’s stories around factual events.

I think that’s why we call it HIStory Jane!

Liotard was a real painter and the story of how Bonnie Prince Charlie came to Scotland, arriving with only seven men but daring to challenge Hanoverian rule, is fascinating.

I love the sound of The Girl Who Fled the Picture Jane. Thank you so much for staying in with me to chat about it. You get us a negroni and I’ll give Linda’s Book Bag readers a few more details:

The Girl Who Fled the Picture

A girl who won’t conform. A journey across 18th Century Europe. A dangerous pursuit of forbidden love.

1742, Constantinople. Fifteen-year-old Isabella dons Turkish dress to pose for her portrait. The touch of the artist’s apprentice freeing her from corsets and draping her in sensuous silk unleashes a passion that changes her life forever.

Fleeing to Rome to avoid an arranged marriage, Isabella rebuilds her life creating beautiful silver jewellery but love for the apprentice takes her on another journey. She arrives in Scotland just in time for the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion. In the midst of the dangerous intrigue of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s court, will the forbidden nature of her secret love see her lose everything?

The Girl Who Fled the Picture is available for purchase here.

About Jane Anderson

Jane Anderson is an Edinburgh based writer of historical fiction. Born in Fife, Jane originally studied English Literature at Edinburgh University. She spent most of her working life living in countries as far-flung as Vietnam, Azerbaijan and most recently, Egypt. She has travelled extensively, including frequent visits from Cairo to both Istanbul and Rome, immersing herself in their ancient cultures and histories. Retelling history from the point of view of women is where the fun begins.

For more information, visit Jane’s website, find her on Facebook and Instagram or follow her on Twitter/X @JaneSAnderson15.

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