Monday, May 28, 2018

The Masterpiece

GIVEAWAY
RIVERS, FRANCINE
THE MASTERPIECE

A successful Los Angeles artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want  money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman's past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn't know how her boss secretly with those demons by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious bu unidentified graffiti artist - an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.

Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it's as if the jagged pieces of both their pasts slowly begin to fit together...until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship - and both their lives -- forever.

My Review:

This book consumed me. It took over my life and my thoughts and even my dreams for the three days I lived within its pages. My heart was wrung out and stomped on and then pieced back together one glorious bit at a time. What an outstanding testimony of grace! Yes, it's really that simple...and that complicated.

Rivers celebrates God's ardent pursuit of His children. No matter what. No matter where. No matter how many times we mess up. He. Is. There. Constant and loving. Always forgiving. I mean, I knew that...but I don't think I really knew it this completely until I lived life with Roman and Grace. What a witness for redemption and an encouragement to Christian readers. Because we're not perfect. Gasp! We mess up royally. Multiple times. Even when we know better. But Jesus is waiting anyway. This is something Grace knows and Roman has yet to learn at the beginning to their story.

And what a story! Complex and challenging! Roman is horrid when we first meet him, but the author is very clever about slowly revealing a backstory that explains so much and made me open my heart up to him a little more with every page turn. And Grace, struggling to make a new life after her old one crashed and burned.These two have heartbreaking childhood histories that have shaped them as adults. And oh how they clash! So many charged scenes when one unwittingly triggers the other. And heartfelt discussions -- some of the best being when Grace witnesses to Roman and he's not having any of it. But she plants the seed and in spite of himself it flourishes. There are two love stories here -- one between a man and a woman and another between a man and God.

Honestly, I'm breathless at the depth and breadth of their story. Beautifully written and backed with live-out-loud secondary characters that made this an even more delightful read. And the details -- so many exquisite pieces all deftly woven into this masterpiece! The luxurious length -- 458 pages -- is an added blessing....though I honestly couldn't get enough of Roman and Grace! My first Francine Rivers...what on earth have I been waiting for?!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR AN EBOOK VERSION ONLY

If you would like a chance to win AN ECOPY of The Masterpiece, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title of the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 3 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!


40 comments:

  1. Yes, yes, yes to everything you said!
    This is classic Francine Rivers!
    Now go read Redeeming Love and
    The Mark of the Lion biblical series and
    I guarantee your life will never be the same!
    I love how a well written Christian book
    can open our eyes
    to the majesty and power of who God is!

    I'm glad you've finished your boot camp
    and I hope you learned some new and helpful skills to aid you on your journey, praying for your continued progress Kav!

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    1. My library has those titles, Tracey! And more. I love my library!

      And I'm glad boot camp is over too -- especially since we're getting wretched hot, humid temps this week and the hour long bus ride to rehab and back was grueling enough on a mild day. lol I'm such a wuss. Heading to the library now to pick up books...yay...and also some recommended DVDs so I can start my own routine at home 'cause it's all up to me now. Eeeep!

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  2. wow thank you for your review. I would so love to read this book. I love her books. and yes you are right, she does a fabulous job of pulling us in and keeping us to the end. I find that after reading one of her books, I am slightly different in a good way. what a lovely cover.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    1. " find that after reading one of her books, I am slightly different in a good way" -- oh, love what you say here...and what a compliment to the author! Good luck, Lori.

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  3. This book consumed me, too, Kav! Everyone should read it!

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  4. I have been wanting this one SO bad. Thanks, Kav!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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    1. Ohhh -- you have to read it, Amy! Good luck!

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  5. Thanks for your wonderful review! Can’t wait to read this one.

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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  6. I have been reading a lot if comments about this book. I would love to read it. Thanks, Kav. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  7. I'm reading this right now, and do not want to put it down! It's been a while since I've enjoyed one of her books, so I'm trying to savor it.

    (Don't enter me!)

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    1. Isn't it fantabulous?! Savor away -- it will be over way too soon!

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  8. I read this book a couple of months ago. Quite simply, The Masterpiece is a masterpiece. Francine Rivers' books get better and better.

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    1. It's amazing -- from the front cover all the way to the end!

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  9. Nice. cheetahthecat1986@gmail.com

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  10. I’ve heard such great things about this book! Thanks for the affirming review and giveaway.
    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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  11. Eee!! So excited for this book! I LOVE Francine Rivers and have fallen more deeply in love with her writing with every one of her books that I've read! (In fact, I just picked up a copy of "Bridge To Haven" earlier today!)

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    1. p.s. Don't enter me in this drawing. I never read ebooks, unless the novel is unavailable in print. (Plus I'm going to a HUGE book sale next weekend and I'm hoping to find a copy of this while I'm there 😉)

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    2. I can't believe this is my first Francine Rivers novel! But it certainly won't be my last.

      I don't read ebooks either, Elly. I read a hardcover copy from the library. Paperback edition isn't out yet.

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  12. Because it's such a big book, I want to have an audio version alongside my print/digital so that I can listen when I'm not able to sit and read. I've actually put the audiobook on hold at my library, but I caught it late so there's multiple holds. It will be awhile. ;-)
    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I haven't listened to a whole lot of audio books. I get impatient and want to race ahead. I can only take enforced savoring for so long. lol

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    2. Bwahaha! Often times, if I'm loving a book, I switch to strictly reading and then devour. Never to return to the audio. Although, there have been few times an audio is simply AMAZING and I can't help but to listen as well.

      I usually have a book that I'm reading and then a different book that I'm listening to for when I'm exercising or doing chores.

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  13. Wow! What a review! I love when an author totally draws you into a story where you feel like you are living right within the pages as the story unfolds! Thanks for the chance to win this ebook! ~ Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. That's exactly what this book is like. I love living the lives of other people! Good luck, agboss.

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  14. This book sounds so good, Kav! I have it on my wish list. It would be great to win a copy!

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  15. I felt the same way when I finished this book! It consumed me night and day, and even for days afterwards. I read a one star review on Goodreads and almost cried. I think she missed the whole premise of the book. :'(

    Don't enter me in the giveaway as I have a beloved hardback copy. Whomever wins will be blessed!!!

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    1. It's an exceptional story and a great introduction to this author's work for me. I've read some of those one star reviews as well. But there a hundreds of 4 and 5 star reviews and I take solace in them.

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  16. Francine River is a literary GIANT.
    Her work transports you into a different world and I always feel encouraged and challenged whilst reading. Not your average novels!

    Would love the opportunity to own this one, as I don't have a copy yet!!

    LittlemisslydiaATgmailDOTcom

    Thanks!

    -Lydia

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    1. Yes!!! I experienced all that with this book for sure! Good luck, Lydia.

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  17. Ach. Francine Rivers.

    Count me in, please!

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's an amazing story, Janka. Right up your alley, I think. Good luck!

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  18. I haven't read anything by Francine in many years, sounds like this one would be good to check out!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yes, I could place to start up again. Good luck, Patty.

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  19. Sounds amazing!!

    ladepooh AT hotmail dot com

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