The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier

Ella moves to France with her husband and is looking forward to learning more about her family history.  Things do not go as planned and a dream leads her down a path she had not expected.  She 'meets' Isabelle, a relative from the 16th century, who had a less than idyllic life.  Chevalier had a nice balance and continuity going between past and present.  She was able to shock you and pull you in to wonder how things unfold.