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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece, May 10, 2005
A. J. Garrotto writes a beutiful story of two broken people trying to get by in life in the wonderful city of San Francisco. He has an excellent way of painting beautiful images onto the readers mind, by his elaborate, and poetic words. Garrotto brings his characters to life. Most people who have been to San Francisco will be able to see clear images of the city through his writing. Those who yet to have the opportunity to travel to such a wonderful city, are given a mental tour around the city, for the story revolves around the restoration of classic victorian homes
Libby has everything she could possibly want in life:love, a wonderfful carreer, and being financially stable. Her life suddenly falls apart when her fiancé drains her bank account and leaves without explanation. Libby is left to decide what she is going to do with the dirty hand of cards she is dealt.
Painter, a homeless man, reluctantly helps Libby, whom he knows through the soup kitchen Libby volunteers at, restore a victorian home so it will be ready in time for the Painted Ladies Contest. It is contest for the best restored victorian home that takes place on Valentines day.
During the restoration of the victorian home, Painter and Libby learn one another's secrets and true identity.
I'll Paint a Sun is creative, beautiful, and will leave the reader with a warm feeling. A.J. Garrotto is an excellent author, who doesn't recieve the recognition he deserves. I'll paint a Sun is entertaining, and great novel to read.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Paint another picture, April 14, 2006
This story with "Painter" and Libby started off quite well. The writing was flowing and made you want to read further.
He is a black homeless man ( troubled renowned painter who is missing in action). She is a white and recently jilted (left in financial problems by her former fiance) and runs a restoration business, restoring old houses to their former glory. She ends up hiring him to help her paint such a house. This is suppose to help get back on her feet financially, as well as restore some of her pride by winning a local restoration competition
I had some major problem with the plot. She asked him to move into her aparment, where he has to go through her bedroom to get to the bathroom. Say what?? Some recently homeless stranger she does not know, living in such close proximity. Say what?? She finds out he was a drug addict and promiscuous and she sleeps with him without protection and then hopes she does not get AIDS. Say what?? I fail to see how this book can be classified as romance. So Libby came off as someone who has some questionable judgement.
Painter comes off as a selfish individual. After they have spent time fixing the house ( which was entered in some competion). He paints a personal message on the house, declaring his love for her, but with no regard as to how this will affect others ( 1:not his property, 2:because this gets the house disqualified from the competition which they worked so for 3: as an artist he himself would not like anyone to at their personal touch to his work, so why do it to others?? )
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Love Conquers All, April 17, 2005
An attraction that eventually leads to love can be revealed in a most unsuspecting way. Is it true that love is in the eye of the beholder and love can conquer all? I'LL PAINT A SUN by A.J. Garrotto integrates the above myths into a story that transcends all boundaries when two people become attracted to each other.
Libby O'Neill, part owner of Liberty Restorations, comes home to find her partner and husband-to-be has run off with all the money that belongs to their business. She faces possible bankruptcy until another business opportunity offers Libby a way out of her financial dilemma. She anxiously accepts the contract to renovate the exterior of a beautiful Victorian home owned by a charismatic individual.
While working with her best friend in the church soup kitchen, she shares her good news, and also reveals that she needs a helper. Her friend suggests that she ask one of the homeless people to give them an opportunity to work and help them make a change in their lives. She recommends a man who frequents the kitchen daily wearing a painter's cap and goes by the name of Painter. Libby is very hesitant at first, but makes the move to ask if he would be interested in working.
Painter, who chose to become homeless and wander the streets to punish himself, reluctantly accepts Libby's offer of work. He holds tight the secret of his true identity and former career along with several burdens he carries on his shoulders. As Libby and Painter begin working together, a mutual attraction develops. Although Painter has much to hide from Libby, will their intimate feelings with each other be enough for him to be truthful with her? Is Libby using Painter as a rebound because of her failed relationship with her ex-fiancé?
The beginning of the book started out good and kept my full attention as I continued reading page after page. However, what started out as a great storyline gradually became a little weak in substance because some of the scenarios in regards to her business partner/ex-fiancé and the owner of the home she was renovating left you hanging. There was no follow through and it really threw the storyline off leaving me wondering, is that it? What did stand out is how the author went into descriptive detail of architecture designs of exquisite old homes that really gave the reader a nice visual concept what the character Libby was doing.
I'LL PAINT A SUN by A.J. Garrotto, has great potential plus a good storyline, however, it fell short of giving you a wholesome romantic story.
Reviewed by Kalaani
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
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