Paint the Wind, page 34
In a quiet moment, stolen after scores of guests chatted eagerly with the stars of the night in the receiving line, Valerie gathered Elise, Maya, Wanona, and four glasses of champagne. Together, the four women raised their glasses and toasted to the women artists of Vienna, who were no longer lost.
A MESSAGE FROM LINDA CARDILLO
Thank you for reading Paint the Wind! I hope you enjoyed it. As an author, I am always gratified to hear from readers and am deeply appreciative when you share your experience of the book—through a review on Amazon or Goodreads or simply by spreading the word to your friends.
If you’d like to learn more about my books, read excerpts from new work, and wander through my musings on the writing life, please visit my website and sign up for my newsletter at www.lindacardillo.com
If you have any questions or comments, or would like to invite me to your book club discussion, please write to me at linda@lindacardillo.com
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Every book is a journey, and I’ve been fortunate over the years to have a few fellow-travelers who accompany me. To my beta readers, Andrea Taupier, Brian Murphy, and Daisy Miller, thank you once again for your willingness to read my words and offer me your clear-eyed opinions of what resonates with you and what needs to change.
When the world became too much and I needed a quiet place to write, three wonderful friends opened their homes to me: Jean Barish at Twilight Park, Barbara Pearce on the Connecticut shore, and Andrea Taupier in Western Massachusetts. Thank you for rooms that offered both peace and inspiration.
I am especially grateful to Maria Kamoulakou, who led me through the history, culture, geography, and food of the Greek island Skiathos. I could not have written Part Two without your insight and generosity. Ευχαριστώ, φίλε μου!
Many thanks as well to Lydia Vagts, who took me into her conservation lab at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and shared with me her history, her training, and her process when working as an art conservator. Any errors in the depiction of Valerie’s work as an art conservator are entirely my own.
Thank you also to Wolfgang Platzer, who directed me to the indispensable works of Austrian writers of the time period, giving me a keen sense of Vienna and Maya’s generation. Vielen Dank!
In addition to the historical figures in the story, one fictional character is named for a real person. Wanona Dobbs won the privilege of being named as Valerie’s aunt and a member of the French Resistance in an auction supporting the Richard Salters Storrs Library.
My design, editing, and production team are incredible professionals. Thank you to Dar Albert, of Wicked Smart Designs, for her striking cover; to Erin Binney, whose sharp eyes and questioning mind found the flaws as she edited; and to Christine Richardson, who created an elegant interior of the book worthy of the Vienna art world.
And finally, to my husband, Stephan, my deepest gratitude for supporting me as I buried myself in this book. You are always there for me, my love and my champion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LINDA CARDILLO is an award-winning author of historical fiction and historical romance. She writes about the old country and the new, the tangle and embrace of family, and finding courage in the midst of loss.
She is also co-founder of Bellastoria Press, an independent publisher, and a teacher of creative writing.
In an earlier life Linda worked as an editor of college textbooks before earning an MBA at Harvard Business School at a time when women represented only 15% of the class. Armed with her Harvard degree, she managed the circulation of Inc. magazine during its successful start-up, founded a catering business and then built a career as the author of several works of nonfiction, from articles in The New York Times to books on marketing and corporate policy. Throughout her professional life and while raising her family, she nurtured her intention to write fiction. Her debut novel, Dancing on Sunday Afternoons, which launched Harlequin’s Everlasting Love series, was published in 2007.
Paint the Wind is her fifteenth book.
GLOSSARY
German Words and Expressions
Abendbrot – light evening meal
Abitur – graduation from high school
Acht Kunstlerinnen – a group of eight women artists
who formed an association to promote and exhibit
together
Brӧtchen – crusty roll, usually eaten at breakfast
Ferien – vacation, holidays
Frauenkunstverein – a women’s art association
Frohe Weihnachten –Merry Christmas
Gott sei Dank – Thank God
Hofratin – title given to councilors, diplomats (female
form)
Kaffee und Kuchen – coffee and cake
Kaiserschmarrn – sweet pancake torn into pieces
Kamillentee – Chamomile Tea
Kneipe – local bar
Mahlzeit – time to eat
Neue Wiener Tagblatt or Tagblatt–major Viennese
newspaper
Palatschinken – pancakes
Schatz, Schatzi – my treasure, my dearest
Spaetzle – egg noodles
Sylvester – New Year’s Eve
Weisswurst – veal sausage
Wiener Allgemeine Zeitung – major Viennese newspaper
Wiener Schnitzel – breaded cutlet
Wunderkind – child prodigy, genius
Greek Words and Expressions
Baklava – pastry of filo dough, walnuts, and honey
Efcharisto – Thank you
Efcharisto stan Theo – Thanks be to God
Engoni – Grandchild
Fasolada – bean soup
Hamalia – cookies made from almonds and orange
blossom water
Kalimera – Good morning
Kamara – traditional dance of Skiathos
Klidonas – Feast of St. John the Baptist; Summer Solstice
Metaxa – Greek spirit like brandy
Mitera – Mother
Omilito neró – “silent water” that is part of the Klidonas
ritual
Paparouna – poppy
Pappou – Grandfather
Pateras – Father
Retsina – wine flavored with pine
Theía – Aunt
Theíos – Uncle
Tiropita – casserole of cheese and eggs
YiaYia – Grandmother
Linda Cardillo, Paint the Wind
