This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Michelle Rene is also known by two other pen names, Olivia Rivard and Abigail Henry. Michelle is the award-winning author of the Historical Fiction novel, I Once Knew Vincent. Altogether, she has written multiple novels, novellas, and short stories that span from literary to humor to fantasy.
When not writing, she is a professional artist and all around odd person. She lives with her husband, son, and an ungrateful cat in Dallas, Texas.
To learn more about her writing and where to buy other books, please visit her website.
http://www.michellereneauthor.com/
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
I Once Knew Vincent by Michelle Rene is the story of two people whose lives were less than perfect. The novel is about Vincent Van Gogh, the acclaimed painter, and a woman named Marie. The story follows them when they are expecting nothing stellar to happen. Marie is in a tough situation; she is dealing with her prostitute mother who is an alcoholic as well. Poverty is slowly taking over their lives and there is not much they can do to stop it.
Vincent wants a break from the tough world of art and to have a family of his own. When he is brought to Maria's house, he has no idea that he will find a friend in her. The three of them become a family and Maria becomes his critic, a secret critic whose criticism helps him understand his art. But Vincent's friendship teaches her invaluable lessons. These lessons reformed her whole life!
It would not be wrong to say that this novel inspired me. I really love it when writers are able to move me just with the way they write. When I find a novel that is written as beautifully as this one, I know immediately that it will be good and Rene did not disappoint me. This beautifully constructed and carefully crafted novel oozed with her love for writing. You can tell when the writer has enjoyed writing, and that made me enjoy it too. I really loved this novel!
