The real-life inspiration for How to Spot a Fake

~ rachellepaigecampbell

How To Spot A Fake is the story of my heart.

How to Spot tropes

Initially drafted as the second of a trilogy that never fit into my brand, I had been toying with ideas for how to adapt the book into a standalone for years. When I finally figured out how, I couldn’t stop writing. I love these characters and hope you will too!

I’ve talked about my art history background before (RIP Kindle Worlds) and my latest project highlights a lost work of art. Rediscovering a priceless work of art might seem like a far-fetched dream, but it does happen. If you love art history, check out Raiders of the Lost Art on Amazon Prime Video. I’ve watched this series a hundred times and was inspired by one story in particular.

In How To Spot A Fake, one of the Faberge Imperial eggs causes all sorts of problems for the hero and heroine. After the fall of the tzars, the Faberge Imperial eggs were scattered around the globe. These eggs, made specifically for the royalty of Russia, are especially valuable considering historians know how many eggs were made, for what purpose, and what they should look like.

The most recent egg to be rediscovered has an incredible story. It is featured in the show and you can read more at the article below.

http://www.cnn.com/style/article/faberge-third-imperial-egg/index.html

My story focuses on an egg that is still missing, the Alexander III Commemorative egg. Commissioned in 1909, the egg was last seen before the Russian Revolution. The egg is white enamel (with gold and platinum). The egg on the cover is red–this was a deliberate choice. The only image of the egg is a black and white illustration based on the written description, I wanted a more dramatic look. This is a work of fiction but I hope it is found (and I’m sure the real story of where it has been will be no less fantastic and romantic!)

Leave a comment