Kate and Portrait of Marguerite featured in the
Washington Athletic Club (WAC) Magazine
"Kate Lloyd may have degrees in art and art
history, but she uses words, not paint, to show us her Portrait of Marguerite. Kate’s first novel introduces us to a painter who needs to
recapture her creativity after her son leaves for college – in finding
it, she also finds love and a spiritual connection.
“'I have received many emails from people saying
Marguerite’s story inspired them in their own creative lives,” says
Kate, who also gardens, studies Italian and walks the beach on Camano
Island. “They were touched by her struggles as a single woman and
enjoyed traveling with her throughout Seattle.'”
Review from the Christian Fiction Review
"A Portrait of Marguerite is warm and
realistic. Each of the characters are unique and different. You'll
celebrate with some and you'll be discouraged by the choices of others,
just like real people. ...It is surprisingly enjoyable. Recommended."
UPC Times Article
University Presbyterian
Church Times interviews Kate about
creativity and her novel A Portrait of
Marguerite.
Novel Reader: Book Reviews for the
Discerning Reader
"When single mom Marguerite Carr's son leaves for college, she feels
as though her whole life has lost its focus. When a friend drags
Marguerite to a drawing class—her first since college—she discovers
her long-lost passion for painting, finds unexpected love, and most
of all learns that God's unfailing love and tender forgiveness
covers all—even our deepest, darkest secrets.
"A Portrait of Marguerite is
one of the best debut novels I've read. Although I found Marguerite's epiphany moment to be tied up into too neat a little
package, it didn't spoil the story for me, and she avoided the
temptation to give all the sub-plots a tidy ending. One in
particular was left wide open. Life is like that and I found this
reality a refreshing change.
"I thoroughly enjoyed this
debut novel from Lloyd and read it in only two sittings. Bravo,
Kate. I'm looking forward to reading more from you. Novel Reviews
gives A Portrait of Marguerite a high recommendation."
"Marguerite is a fabulous lead
character who learns to believe in the Lord, herself, and her love for
Henry as even the darkest secrets are nothings when willingly revealed
in the light. Readers will enjoy this wonderful inspirational romance
that feels so real even when everything comes together too perfectly to
be plausible as Kate Lloyd's talent shines."
"I'm
hooked. Will Marguerite keep painting? What will happen to the broken
relationships around her and to the new love in her life?
"When I close the book, Marguerite's life is so real I feel I'd like to
meet her for coffee, maybe somewhere around Green Lake. We'd talk about
our lives, forgiveness, and the paintings we're working on. Kudos to
Kate Lloyd!"
- Inger Logenlin
Northwest Christian Author News Letter
Published by the Northwest Christian Writer's Association
A Portrait of Marguerite
reviewed in Aspiring Retail
"Marguerite (Margo) Carr is at a pivotal time in her life. Her son is
headed to college, her realtor job is at a standstill, and her
ex-husband shows up out of nowhere. What else could happen?
"Margo had given up her dreams of becoming a successful artist long ago.
Now she finds herself in a drawing class in which the instructor turns
out to be a close friend to her ex-husband.
"Margo's life soon explodes into a succession of events that will change
her life. She cynically professes that she gave up on God a long time
ago. But has God given up on her?
"A Portrait of Marguerite reminds us that even when we think
God has forgotten us, we're ever on His mind.
Recommend this engaging
well-written novel as a leisurely weekend read."
-- Connie Maier, for AspiringRetail Magazine, October 2006
When single mom Marguerite Carr’s son
leaves for college, she feels as though her life has lost its purpose.
When a friend drags Marguerite to a drawing class-her first since college-she
rediscovers her long-lost passion for painting, finds unexpected love, and
begins a relationship with God.
A Portrait of Marguerite
is a real-life contemporary novel that isn’t afraid to lift the corner of
the rug to expose secrets and regret, while also offering hope of
spiritual, personal, and creative growth. Readers will identify with
Marguerite’s internal struggles, which are relevant to almost all women
today.
SOME OF
THE FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Fiction that challenges readers
to re-awaken their creativity.
Speaks
candidly to women finding themselves, their friends, or loved-ones,
struggling with divorce and single-parenthood.
Readers will be inspired to get creative
as Marguerite rediscovers her forgotten artistic passion.
Reviews
"A warm and winning debut for novelist Kate
Lloyd."
"Even when we think we have made mistakes in the
portrait of our lives, God's hand is always guiding ours. This is the
message of A Portrait of Marguerite you can take to heart."
“Kate Lloyd has a heart for the broken-hearted. A
Portrait of Marguerite has the reader longing for the heroine to find the
joy and happiness that only God can provide.”
-
Louise Gouge,
Threads of grace woven through time...
“Praises for first novelist Kate Lloyd. A Portrait
of Marguerite captures the heart and the struggles of the heroine with
expert craftsmanship.”
-
DiAnn Mills,
Leather and Lace
