Cover Reveal & a Mother’s Day Tribute
/
So excited to share the updated edition of my novel WATER LILY DANCE is on sale now! Thank you, friends, for spreading the word about the re-release for this special book. Water Lily Dance is a novel of second chances, and I hope it gets its second chance to blossom. A heartfelt spring read the Historical Novel Society called “healing historical fiction.”
For links to buy and to read an excerpt visit my website at: www.michellemuriel.com
About the Book
An imaginative, stunning historical novel wrapped in a second-chance romance by the bestselling author of Essie’s Roses. Three brave women, centuries apart, risk everything for love in this healing, magical story of self-discovery, artistic freedom, and the friendships that pull us through the darkest times back into the light.
Chance is not a word to toss in the air. It’s a word to take in, a word to give yourself.
Missouri, 2014. Sophie Noel, an emerging artist and daughter of renowned artist Josephine de Lue, holds an extraordinary imagination, but a year after the unexpected deaths of her father and husband, she cannot imagine a way to "move on" from loss—or the buried childhood memory trying to resurface that may hold the key to her second chance at life? To cope with grief and the temptation to leave it all behind, Sophie escapes into a painted world of color and light, venting her anxiety to an old childhood friend—an imaginary one: French Impressionist artist, Claude Monet.
Paris, 1989. Celebrated French artist Josephine de Lue has always believed in the magic of Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny, France. So when her daughter’s estranged American father takes ten-year-old Sophie for a visit, Josephine never imagined this garden of light would cast a shadow that would follow Sophie into adulthood.
Paris, 1865. A daring shopgirl, Camille Doncieux, is captivated by the rebirth of Paris and the rebellious artists who wage war against tradition and the government’s censorship at the annual art exhibition at the Paris Salon. Behind the windows of her father's luxurious dress shop, Camille plots a rebellion of her own after meeting three bold artists determined to change her life forever: Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Frédéric Bazille.
From an eclectic town in Missouri to the stunning backdrop of 19th-century Paris at the height of the Impressionist art movement, Water Lily Dance is an inspiring tribute to the unrelenting creative spirit and the lengths we travel to lose and find ourselves across the generations. A moving portrait of loss, love, and second chances.
*Don’t forget to visit me on Facebook to watch & share the new book trailer and for the latest news about my new novel Westland (Essie’s Roses Book 2).*
Healing Historical Fiction
I was thrilled when the Historical Novels Review called Water Lily Dance, “healing historical fiction.” Water Lily Dance is a special novel for me. Not only is it a tribute to my late mom, who cast her dreams aside of becoming an artist to raise her children, it is a testament to the artistic freedom forged by a rebellious band of 19th-century artists known as the Impressionists. It is also a love letter between mothers and daughters.
I love writing and exploring the layers of mother-daughter relationships. In Essie’s Roses, we see the unrelenting love Miss Katie holds for Evie and Essie Mae, and Katie’s struggle to let “her girls” go. In Westland, Essie Mae, born of a slave, grapples with the unknowns regarding her family history, yet finds love, purpose, and acceptance in her “unlikely family” at Westland. And my favorite sage, Delly, plays a motherly role, doling out spiritual wisdom, life lessons, and tough love to all.
In Water Lily Dance, Sophie contends with unresolved pain, her mother’s secrets, and apologies she will never receive. Camille seeks answers regarding her distant mother and their strained relationship. In my years of historical research, I have found, no matter the century or societal norms of the time, the same wants, needs, and shortcomings layer our relationships. We all want acceptance and purpose. We all need love. We all fall short and spend years trying to make up for those shortcomings. And we all contend with forgiveness, forgiving others and ourselves.
A Mother’s Love
Water Lily Dance is different from my Essie’s Roses series by design. I stretched my imagination, observation, and voice when writing this dual-timeline novel. My mom never got the chance to read it, but I know she would have been tickled. And just like Sophie and her mom, we were going to paint together. But I don’t regret we never did, because my mom inspired me to paint with my imagination.
There are several scenes in Water Lily Dance inspired by my life and relationship with my mom, one moment in particular. The year before I lost my mom, I bought her a gift basket of artist’s paints and supplies and an extra set for me. Mom was going to teach me to paint.
“A mother’s love comes close to touching God, as I will ever know here on earth. ”
A few months after she passed, I went to my basement, saw Mom’s gift basket of art supplies, she never got the chance to use, and tore it open, staring at the blank cement foundation wall before me. Tears streaming my cheeks, I squeezed those expensive paints onto a palette and started smearing my wall in an Impressionistic mess, inspired to do my worst, painting Claude Monet’s Water Lilies.
But it wasn’t about painting perfectly. I had never painted like this ever! Though Mom was gone, she was still teaching me a lesson: God does indeed give beauty for ashes. And grief, in time, sometimes much time, will turn into joy if we allow it. I’m thankful for the many beautiful lessons my mom taught me.
Happy Mother’s Day!
With my new novel Westland out this year, another story that explores the beautiful and complex relationships between mothers and daughters, this Mother’s Day, I’m thinking of my mom more than ever with a huge smile and a grateful heart.
In Water Lily Dance, Sophie reads the card she planned on giving to her mom with that gift basket of art supplies, a card I wrote for my mom that read:
A mother’s love comes close to touching God, as I will ever know here on earth. Thank you for being my angel. Thank you for holding and taking care of my heart. We did our best, Mom, and it was more than enough. Thank you for being my hero.
In some ways, Water Lily Dance was my love letter to my mom. I hope the love in this story inspires you and heals your heart. If you’re missing your mom this Mother’s Day, remember the good and cherish those special memories.
To every mommy who inspires me and my stories:
