Saturday, February 10, 2018

Staff Picks: The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers (Adult Fiction)

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

A successful L.A. 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 wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but 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, the jagged pieces of both of 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.

There is so much in this novel, that I don’t know where to begin to describe it. It's a wonderful character-driven adventure. In the authors’ note to readers she says, “…I wanted to explore two individuals and how traumatic childhood experiences impact their adult thinking and behavior. Can they have a normal life?”…With Christ, all things are possible, but what if faith is lacking?”

This is a powerful topic with rich characterization where the reader is allowed to walk in the character's shoes as they struggle in their spiritual journey, they feel the traumatic pain from childhood and the joys of being set free. This is a masterpiece on so many levels. I’ll be reading this novel again and highly recommend it for your next book club pick. The author includes fifteen discussion questions.

Nora St. Laurent
Collection Support Aide

51 comments:

Southern-fried Fiction said...

I'm enjoyed reading your review, Nora. It's a different take not eh book from what I saw, and makes it more interesting.

Unknown said...

I read this too & enjoyed it. Rivers does an excellent job accurately explaining painting & the Los Angeles Valley while showing how two broken people have to forgive themselves to have a better relationship with God. Recommended.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Hi, Conny; I did enjoy the whole artistic side of this novel as well. How an artist creates and how they think. I thought it was fascinating as that it was intertwined in how these two broken children navigated adult life and their beliefs.

scaro said...

Enjoy reading books using a view to artistic side. Thanks for
the interesting review.
Carol Smith
penelope223@yahoo.com

reviewsbyjanice said...

enjoy your review

Unknown said...

Sounds great! You write such informative reviews. Thank you

Unknown said...

The book sounds really Good! Will definitely read it. Thanks for the reviee!

Mary Marie Allen said...

Intriguing. I'll suggest it for purchase to my library.

MJSH said...

Thanks for the review. Sounds like an intriguing novel.

JBarr5 said...

Great review. I had marked this 'to read' even prior to this email. Not sure what it was that drew my attention but a lot of different things and to mix them all together-explosive epic read for sure!

Dali Castillo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dali Castillo said...

Great review! I'll be putting the book on my reading list.

David Kitz said...

Francine Rivers is a great author. It's great to see this review of one of her books.

Cheryl Hart said...

Great review!

Littluns said...

Nora, your review goes beyond just a review to the very essence of a personal experience. I would have normally stopped reading at graffiti artist; destroying public property, but became intrigued as you gave it the attention it deserved.

Caryl Kane said...

Exceptional review! I'm excited to read THE MASTERPIECE!

Dawn Kinzer said...

Thanks so much for the review, Nora! I've loved many books by this author, so I've been curious about this one.

Babbling Becky L said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the heads up via the review!

Mama Cat said...

Great review, Nora! Thank you for sharing it! This sounds like a book I'd like to read. (Jeanie D)

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

You will definitely like this one as Roman creates paintings as well as spray painting designs on the sides of buildings!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

That would be a great idea as this book is a powerful adventure you won't want to miss.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

This author's name is what first caught my eye and then the lovely cover. I've enjoyed so many of this authors books. There is an interview with the artist that designed the cover in the back of the book. The author and artist are pictured together beside the painting. I'm glad they included that.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I agree with you David!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Be sure to put it on your TBR list!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Francine Rivers delves deep into childhood Traumas and how that affects a child in their adult life in reference to decision making. It's quite fascinating. I also like the artsy side of this novel. The reader gets a peek into the artist and the selling part of the business. I found it interesting too!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I think it's worth your time Dawn. Especially if you've loved other books by this author. Some parts were rough to read when the author walks the reader hand and hand through both of these characters traumatic pasts but it's not graphic but memorable. The author always the reader to experience the trauma and gain an understanding seeing things through their young eyes. Powerful!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I highly recomend it!

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Great review, Nora.(The kind every author loves.) :)

Cheri S. said...

I wanted to read it before but now i want to read it even more. It's just moved to the top of my "to be read" pile. Thanks for the awesome review. Definitely looks like a book that i will love.

Christian Fiction and More said...

Francine Rivers never fails to take us deeper. Thanks for sharing this great review.

Lorraine Hossington said...

I love the sound of this novel. Thanks for your review. It's definitely one I'm going to be reading.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

You'll be glad you moved it up the list. Just saying!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I agree Claudia!

Pam Hillman said...

Claudia said it best: Francine never fails to take us deeper. Yep. Thanks for the review, Nora. The Masterpiece sounds fascinating!

Robin Patchen said...

It's on my to-read list now. Thanks for the great review.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

It is Pam! Make sure it's on your TBR pile! Grin!

Unknown said...

What a lovely review. I want to rush out and get a copy.

Cynthia L Simmons

Mama Hen said...

Nice review.

Nora said...

LOL! You'll be glad you did! Grin!

DeAnna Julie Dodson said...

Lovely review. Rivers is such an amazing writer, I can't wait to read this one. :)

Rose McCauley said...

I love all of Francine Rivers books, Nora, so glad to see this review of her latest! Can't wait to read it!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

This book is rich in character. You're going to love it!

Lucy Reynolds said...

On my wish list. Thank you for the nice review. Enjoyed it.

Cheryl Wyatt said...

Wonderful feature and review.

Beauty said...

Great review. I'm looking forward to read this one from Francine.

Unknown said...

It reads like a good book, although I rarely read romance novels, this could be a good one

Gina Griffin Johnson said...

Inspiring review.

Lisa Lickel said...

Thanks for sharing.

Amy said...

I read this too! I really enjoyed the story, characters, art, and more! Thanks for sharing your point of view.

Sharon said...

Francine River's books immediately catch my attention. Thanks for reviewing, Nora. It's on my TBR list. Looking forward to reading it!

vicjbr said...

Sounds good