App Store

Google Play

Details page - Device banner - 894x1036

Step into an infinite world of stories

Listen and read

Clare Flynn

“Captivating… Had me hooked throughout. Brilliant.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In this heart-wrenching and utterly spellbinding story of love and artistic ambition, a young woman fights to be true to herself in a world where duty, money and class jeopardise her dreams.

England, 1908: Alice Dalton never intended to rebel against her aristocratic parents. But after her father’s failed attempt to arrange a marriage for her with Edmund Cutler, son of a wealthy stockbroker, she flees the family home humiliated – and determined to make a life for herself as an independent woman, however hard that might be.

When a chance opportunity leads to her taking a position as a stained-glass artist’s apprentice, Alice is stunned when she meets the man she’ll be working for: the hateful Edmund Cutler. It seems he too has turned his back on his family and has followed his passion for art, and at terrible cost.

But as they work together, mixing paints and composing their stained-glass window commissions side by side, she finds herself softening towards him, and can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them. With family conflict brewing and war on the horizon, soon Alice finds that loving Edmund proves the hardest fight, and greatest adventure, of her life.

A gripping historical novel for fans of Fiona Valpy, Rhys Bowen and Lucinda Riley.

The Artist’s Apprentice was previously published as The Colour of Glass.

Readers are utterly captivated by The Artist’s Apprentice:

“Wow – what a book! A joy to read.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I loved it from start to finish.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Held me enthralled from the first to the last page.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Absolutely loved this.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Absorbing, fascinating and beautifully written.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Loved it! Her best yet.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fantastic. What a great book. Incredible.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wonderful, touching, compelling…” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I dare you not to fall in love." JJ Marsh, Author of the Beatrice Stubbs series

Annette Chown

Storm Publishing

Hearts of Glass

The Artist's Apprentice: A totally captivating novel of love and art before WW1

A gripping and unputdownable story of love, sacrifice and torn family loyalties during the turmoil of WW1. 

July, 1914: In their sunlit Hampshire workshop, Alice Dalton mixes paints for the stained-glass artwork she and Edmund are working on, pausing only to joyfully cradle the soft swell of her stomach. But the looming war threatens her hard-won happiness. 

A knock at the door announces the arrival of Victor, her estranged brother, returning after six long years in America. But her elation at being reunited is short-lived as she realizes he still hasn’t forgiven her for her part in the heartbreak that sent him abroad. When Victor enlists, their tentative reconnection is shattered. Will Alice ever see her brother again?

While her brother risks his life at Gallipoli, Alice begins to notice the cracks appearing for Edmund, as he tries to protect the world they’ve made for themselves and the happy family life they long for. Every day he’s torn between duty to his country, his moral compass and the desperate need to protect Alice from his powerful father, who could destroy their lives in an instant. 

As the war gathers pace and threatens everything she holds dear, can Alice fight to hold onto love in a world torn apart by violence?

From the gilded world of high society London to the perilous battlefields of Gallipoli, The Artist’s Wife is an utterly gripping and richly evocative story of an Edwardian family torn apart by war, betrayal and heartbreak. Perfect for fans of The Venice Sketchbook and The Nightingale.

What readers say about Clare Flynn’s historical novels:

“Truly inspirational… kept me totally captivated from beginning to end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“EXCELLENT. I so enjoyed this novel, one of the best I’ve read this year. An emotional rollercoaster.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I couldn’t stop reading and devoured it in one go. 5 stars from me!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Absolutely loved it… My heart was in my mouth!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Beautifully written… Exciting, soulful and steeped in history.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A story of adventure, tragedy, love, betrayal, hope, redemption and new beginnings… Kept me engrossed right from the start, with plenty of twists and turns.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A fabulous read that will keep you captivated from the first page.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Enthralled… a story of love and loss, courage and compliance. Excellent and amazing.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Beautiful… a great read.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A love story that spans class and continents… One of those books that calls you back if put down for a moment.Enthralled from page one.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Move over Ms. Heyer, Ms. Cookson… there's a new kid on the block. Clare Flynn rocks.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Stunning. What a fantastic book! I really loved this story and was gripped from the first to the last page.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Artist's Wife: An utterly absorbing historical novel of love and torn family loyalties