About Marta Molnar

Marta Molnar is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Secret Life of Sunflowers, inspired by Johanna Bonger, the woman who preserved Vincent van Gogh’s legacy; Girl Braiding Her Hair, about groundbreaking artist Suzanne Valadon; and Raising the Titanic, inspired by Titanic survivor and suffragette Helen Churchill Candee.

Marta writes uplifting, dual-timeline historical fiction about remarkable women forgotten by history. Her novels blend meticulously researched history with compelling contemporary stories—and are written to leave readers with an “I can do anything!” feeling.

Marta is also the author of more than sixty novels of suspense, romance and epic fantasy under the pen name Dana Marton. Writing as Dana, she received the RITA Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence and was a quarterfinalist for the BookLife Prize.

Learn more about Marta Explore the Light & Life novels

Interviews & Features

• IngramSpark: “Highlighting the Women History Forgot with Bestselling Author Marta Molnar”
  https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/highlighting-the-women-history-forgot-with-bestselling-author-marta-molnar
• Bookfinity: “Bestselling Author Marta Molnar on Highlighting the Women History Forgot”
  https://bookfinity.com/explore/bestselling-author-marta-molnar-on-highlighting-the-women-history-forgot
• Latrobe Bulletin: “Seton Hill Grad Writes Book About Van Gogh’s Sister-in-Law”
  https://www.latrobebulletinnews.com/news/local/seton-hill-grad-writes-book-about-van-gogh-s-sister-in-law/article_87775d5b-33d9-5967-a1c0-3d0ec42150be.html
• Publishers Weekly:
  https://www.publishersweekly.com/ASINB0B5G1KKCZ
• Book Review— Instagram video https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUL14iQklaU/

"Molnar offers a delightful story about an American woman’s possible connection to the family of Vincent Van Gogh... This is a delight." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY about The Secret Life of Sunflowers

"In this novel, two strong-willed women strive to build artistic, independent lives in different centuries... Fans of Maggie Shipstead’s novel Great Circle will find much to love in Emsley’s and Johanna’s braided storylines, with romance, knowledgeable references to art history, and evocative descriptions of Amsterdam, New York, and Paris. Molnar’s witty dialogue advances the plot briskly; in one fun exchange, Johanna’s brother mocks Monet’s move to Giverny, France, and claims that the artist’s decision to paint waterlilies “will be the end of him in the profession.”... An engrossing, impeccably researched tale connecting passionate, creative women across time." KIRKUS REVIEW of The Secret Life of Sunflowers

"A pair of resilient heroes memorably explores creativity across the ages in this vibrant tale... Fans of Maggie Shipstead’s Great Circle (2021) will find much to enjoy in this meticulously researched novel’s braided narratives. Suzanne’s storyline is particularly enthralling, with its glamorous locations and references to historical figures and events..." KIRKUS REVIEW of Girl Braiding Her Hair

"This story offers an intriguing story that unexpectedly surrounds a family member of Vincent van Gogh and the legacy of the artist's life and work... The prose is clean, clear, and effective... The author offers a delightful, original, and empowering story at its core." THE BOOKLIFE PRIZE about The Secret Life of Sunflowers

"The two timelines are woven skillfully together, and the ending is satisfyingly triumphant for both the main characters... The “rediscovery” of a real historical figure, coupled with what would be a remarkable real-life enterprise (The Museum of Unseen Art), makes for an entertaining and uplifting story of empowerment and determination... A delightfully original and empowering novel." THE BOOKLIFE PRIZE about Girl Braiding Her Hair

"Molnar fashions a clever plot with an enticing premise: the chance to exhume the lost victims of the Titanic and learn their forgotten stories. The storyline delivers numerous twists and surprising events... Molnar's narrative is fast-paced and gripping from the start, with concise, engaging prose... Molnar excels at forging characters who readers will remember long after the last page." THE BOOKLIFE PRIZE about Raising the Titanic

Marta Molnar's books are recommended to readers of historical women's fiction authors such as: Stephanie Dray, Allison Pataki, Marie Benedict, Fiona Davis, Madeline Martin, Shana Abe, and Mark Sullivan.