The Portrait - Danielle Steel

A fantastic new novel from Danielle Steel, whose countless #1 New York Times bestselling novels have made her one of America's favorite storytellers. \nA gifted portrait artist and high-powered subject confront past wounds to embrace new love in this poignant novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel. \nDevon Darcy's reputation precedes her. As a highly sought-after portrait artist, she seems to have the ability to peer into the souls of her subjects and then capture them on canvas. The world doesn't know about the devastating losses she has endured, first as an orphan, then as a far-too-young widow. \n \nWhen entrepreneur Charles Mackenzie Taylor sees her at a New York gallery event, he is instantly haunted by her beauty and her talent. Having lost his mother at thirteen and still living in the cold shadow of his late banker father's disapproval, Charlie has given up on love. He's resigned himself to a loveless marriage to avoid the inconvenience of divorce. \n \nBut Devon awakens something in him across that crowded gallery, and she is in turn intrigued by Charlie. He approaches her to paint his portrait, and while her schedule is booked for many months before she can accommodate him, the electricity between them is palpable. \n \nWhen they encounter each other over the summer in the Hamptons, their connection deepens as they each release years of pent-up emotions and unfulfilled longing. But the ghosts of their pasts are not easily put to rest. Charlie wrestles with his fear of real intimacy for the first time in his life while Devon struggles with her fear of abandonment. And after an accident endangers Devon's career, they must decide together what their future holds. \n \nDanielle Steel's sensitive portrait of two successful people who have built walls around themselves is a wise chronicle of the rocky path to true courage and connection.\n