Shattered Dreams: Portraits in Blue - Book Two (2) (Portraits of Blue)

Book Two of the Portraits in Blue Series, Shattered Dreams continues talented young artist, Jack Tomlinson's story. With his eyes now opened to experiences outside those of his conservative upbringing, Jack realises that a life dedicated to painting offers opportunities he cannot ignore. Boldly, deferring the unappealing career that awaits him in Australia, Jack accompanies Sofia and Andres to their home in Malaga, Spain. Whilst Jack finds joy in days spent painting alongside Andres, his relationship with Sofia is marred by cultural differences and misunderstandings. Although they find happiness together, tragedy and economic circumstances beset them, and Jack encourages Sofia to leave the home she loves. Returning to Australia, they become captivated by the magnetic personality of Melbourne's inspiring, albeit unconventional, tonalist artist, Justus Jorgensen. They join Justus' group of passionate supporters who are committed to creating Montsalvat, an alternative style artist's retreat set amid Australian bushland. Although Jack's dreams seem to be full-filled by the bohemian lifestyle Montsalvat offers, the emerging darkness of Justus' personality becomes overwhelming. As Jack and Sofia are forced to reconsider their future, tragedy strikes, and Jack discovers that happiness can be very fragile. Searching for Sofia is the third book in the Portraits in Blue Series, which traverses bohemian art worlds, including the Bloomsburys' Sussex, Hemmingway's Paris, Picasso's Malaga and the Eltham of the Montsalvat artists, in an epic tale of passion and heartbreak, family and art. Other books include: The Sun Rose in Paris: Book One - Portraits in Blue Series Searching for Sofia: Book Three - Portraits in Blue Series Sofia's Story: Book Four - Portraits in Blue Series Launching onto the train to join Sofia and Andres as they travel to southern Spain, Jack has no thought for the responsibilities that await him on the other side of the world. All he knows is that he isn't ready to leave the woman who'd captured his heart in Paris. For Jack, life is perfect on the twins' farm in Malaga, with its sweeping views of the Mediterranean; sharing the enduring charm of a Spanish lifestyle with Sofia and spending his days painting with Andres. Even so, misunderstandings and complications arise, and Jack has doubts about his future. Personal tragedy and a decline in economic circumstances force Jack and Sofia to leave Spain and they travel across the world to Australia, seeking financial security and family connections. Before long, the heady lure of Melbourne's art world beckons and, falling under the spell of the charismatic but dominating Justus Jorgensen, Jack and Sofia embrace his dream to build an artists' colony, ultimately living at Montsalvat - a place whose buildings are modelled on seventeenth century Europe and where residents live cooperatively, freed from the constraints of social conventions. The arrival of their long-awaited baby, Scotty, fulfils their dreams and Jack has never felt happier. While the bohemian lifestyle of Montsalvat proves stimulating, Jack and Sofia are increasingly disturbed by the darker side of Jorgensen's personality. They make plans for a fresh start, in a home of their own. Tragically, their excitement turns to heartbreak as a shocking accident befalls the colony, threatening to rob Jack of all that he loves, testing his very sanity