Customer Reviews

September Canvas

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After having just finished this book, I reminded myself of some of her earlier works that held such promise. While the writing style is effective, the central characters just don't 'work'. There is no plausible reason why Fathye and Deanna accept their circumstances and can't figure out how to deal with them. And for Deanna to so easily forgive the outrage caused by one of the secondary characters is delusional in the real world. Gun could have delved deeper into that story thread, but it would have added another 50 pages to the book.

And something is going on at Bold Stroke Books. The line editing is becoming sloppy, with several transposed verbs and pronouns, not just in this work, but in several recently published books. That caused some distraction. Used to be there was NEVER an issue with the line editing from BSB, a great standard that other publishers couldn't match.

Overall, the book is okay...but Gun is better than okay.

I've read all of Brooke's previous books and I'm a big fan of her sci-fi in particular and have have never been disappointed. But I was disappointed in this one.
I found the characters two dimensional and the story, although romantic, was flat. I'm not sure why but this book and it's characters didn't do much for me.
But since I'm a fan of Brooke's books I look forward to her next one.

I never read this author before and did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were fun and well developed, and their story was not rushed as they realized that they fell in love.

I had it when characters fall in love 2 days after meeting!!! This was not one of those stories.

I have such fun reading this author's romances. This new novel touches on several serious issues. Career burnout, autism, defamation, small town ostracism, parental terrorism and family dysfunction on many layers.

Luckily for thirty-two year old Deanna and twenty-nine year old Faythe they find each other at the perfect moment in time and both recognize that their lives can become all they want them to be starting with each other.

I loved all the local flavour of the Vermont setting. And especially enjoyed getting an update on Carolyn Black from the author's earlier novel 'Course of Action'.

I read it in two nights. I didn't want to put this book down. Ms. Brookes takes her time in building the main characters so they are flesh and blood. Wonderful, nurturing Deanna is the victim of a vicious rumor. Faythe, for all her fame and good looks is an emotional orphan. Yes, they belong together. If you're a sucker for a great romance (like me) you'll enjoy this book.

I don't write many reviews, mostly because of my hectic life, but wanted to share my thoughts on this particular one. As the story begins, the mysterious woman next door and the vibrant colors of Vermont draw me in. Going through a similar "burnout" with my career as Faythe was experiencing, was another pull. Unfortunately about one-fourth of the way through, I found the story dragging and redundant. With the little time I have to read, I'd like to take a book along that is layered as well as developed, this one leaves me wanting more. I've yet to finish it and will probably do so today but I feel no anticipation nor do I find this is a "can't put it down" book either. After consideration, I would have to say that my lack of enthusiasm for this book stems from the way the writer fleshes out these characters, through dialogue, which should be great, but I found the dialogue to be lacking in depth. Several times I lost track of who was speaking as the voice and tone of the wording was shallow. Still, SEPTEMBER CANVAS is better than some and if you enjoy stories that unravel quickly with scenic flavor, lots of sweet endearments as well as antagonists with small town attitudes you might like this one. I would recommend BRANDED ANN if you are into a much more complex adventure, that one I really had trouble putting down.

As always, any books by this author are fantastic. I highly recommend her writings to anyone who enjoys a good book.

I originally read Gun Brooke's September Canvas back in July '09. I enjoyed it but didn't put it in my reread category. For some reason, this week I was compelled to reread this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the characters, and how each personality was used to bring out the good/bad in others. The timing and way the romance between the 2 couples was allowed to grow made for a sweet romance. Having lived through a lot of craziness, I could appreciate all the issues Gun touched on in this story. If you are looking for a sweet romance, and a storyline that tugs at your emotions, then I would recommend this book.

Faythe Hamilton, from the outside looking in, is very successful. But she's not happy. She doesn't have love in her life, she doesn't like being a morning talk show host. She wants more. Shocking everyone from her parents to her agent, Faythe decides to take a few months off to `find herself' and make some decisions about what she wants to do next. In reality, she wants to write. Her father freaks out, her mother is concerned, and her agent is worried about her paycheck. Faythe makes plans to stay at her aunt's cabin for her time alone and can't wait to get away.

Next door to her aunt's cabin is artist Deanna Moore. Deanna doesn't venture out much because she is ostracized by the townsfolk. She was unwittingly mixed up in a scandal associated with the mayor's daughter, Savannah. Savannah's mother, a woman with a lot of power, came at Deanna with both guns blaring.

When Faythe and Deanna meet, the artist is immediately distrustful of the reporter for obvious reasons. However, Faythe does her best to convince Deanna that she can be trusted. The two fall into a complicated friendship that has the potential to be much more. The only question is how much either of them is willing to concede to the other.

Bottom Line - If you've liked Gun Brooke's other books, you'll love this one. The characters are fun, the story is just complicated enough to keep the reader thinking, the setting is beautiful, and the supporting cast is a hoot.