The Girl from Oto (The Miramonde Series Book 1)

Two women, separated by 500 years. Linked by a powerful mystery...
The secrets of the past are irresistible—and dangerous.
1500: Born during a time wracked by war and plague, Renaissance-era artist Mira grows up in a Pyrenees convent believing she is an orphan. When tragedy strikes, Mira learns the devastating truth about her own origins. But does she have the strength to face those who would destroy her?
2015: Centuries later, art scholar Zari unearths traces of a mysterious young woman named Mira in two 16th-century portraits. Obsessed, Zari tracks Mira through the great cities of Europe to the pilgrim's route of Camino de Santiago—and is stunned by what she finds. Will her discovery be enough to bring Mira's story to life?
A captivating story and an intriguing mystery, The Girl from Oto is an unforgettable novel of obsession, passion, and human resilience.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Ken Follett, and Anthony Doerr.

Author Interview:
Q: Why did you write The Girl from Oto?
A: During travels with my family through Europe in 2010-11, I was thrilled by museum visits but my two young daughters were not. I wished more of the art they saw was relevant to them. We wandered through great halls of medieval and Renaissance-era paintings, and I mourned the lack of female artists. Meanwhile, my girls stared at portraits of frozen-in-time people in their gilt frames and were unmoved. I wished we knew more about the stories behind those portraits.
Then I visited Oxford University and saw a 500-year-old painting of a mysterious woman, attributed to female portrait artist Caterina van Hemessen. I was floored. So there were women painters in those days! I began to dig into history, and the idea for The Girl from Oto was born. I would bring one of those mysterious old portraits to life, and I would create a place in history for its maker. Along the way I learned that women have always been artists. Their work was often attributed to men or kept anonymous, but it exists. And more and more of these women are being rescued from history's shadows.
Q: What is the significance of the Camino de Santiago in the story?
A: The action in Mira's story takes place in the Pyrenees mountains along the pilgrim's route of Camino de Santiago (also known as the Way of St. James or St. Jacques). From the middle ages onward, this also happened to be a major trade route between what is now Spain and the rest of Europe. The mountain communities evolved with the constant presence of traveling pilgrims, itinerant merchants and artisans, smugglers, refugees, and nomadic shepherds. This created a dramatic brew of tensions, culture clashes, religious differences, unlikely alliances, the spread of disease, and a constant flow of news. Add into the mix the looming presence of the mountains themselves, and it's a writer's dream come true!
Q: How many books are in the series?
A: The Miramonde Series is a trilogy. The Girl from Oto is Book 1, Mira's Way is Book 2, and A Place in the World is Book 3. There is also a prequel novella to the series, The Promise, and a collection of short stories called Gift of Gold.
Q: What kind of reader likes your writing?
A: Fans of Pillars of the Earth tend to like my story. People who love history, art, travel, romance, and mystery will enjoy The Girl from Oto.