Love, war, and art.

STOLEN BEAUTY moves from 1900 to 1938 as we follow the lives of Adele and Maria.

In 1900, Adele's story was about her life and how she became fascinated with the painter Gustav Klimt and that era of art.

In 1938, the story is told of Maria, Adele's niece, newly married and taken from her home? and taken from her husband? at the beginning of WWII when Hitler invaded ?Austria.

STOLEN BEAUTY was interesting?, but since I am not an art aficionado, I was a bit confused. Despite my lack of knowledge in the art area, though, I did learn a lot about Gustav Klimt.

The WWII sections were heartbreaking as usual.

I do have to say I enjoyed the story of Maria more than Adele, but most likely because I don't know too much about art. Maria also seemed to be a warmer character than Adele.

It took me halfway through the book to warm up to the characters, and even though it wasn't a favorite, I enjoyed the book.

Ms. Lico Albanese did a marvelous job of researching, and she has wonderful, descriptive writing.

ENJOY if you read STOLEN BEAUTY. 4/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.

The story of these 2 strong women born in Austria a generation apart was not only fascinating, but inspirational. The struggles that they each faced as they strove to make a difference in the world and honor their commitments were well-presented and believable even as the author admittedly needed to take creative license in writing the story of the art and family connection that bound these two women together. This true story is a bright light for justice against the horror of World War II as well as the prejudice and unfairness that exist today.

Albanese detailed prose transports you between the 1900 Vienna art world where everything is beautiful, dazzling and forty years later when Maria (Adele's niece) and her family are forced from their Austrian home by the Nazis.

One of the best and will researched historical fiction reads I've read in a long time this family story of love, survival and sacrifice will have transfixed from the first chapter.