Author, Julie Reece, has done it again. What an incredible journey she has taken me in her latest masterpiece, THE ARTISANS.
The writing is mature, intoxicating, the storyline haunting, and let’s not forget the unforgettable characters. After reading Ms. Reece’s previous novel, CRUX, I didn’t think her writing could get any better. I was wrong. THE ARTISANS blew me away.
What did I love the most? So hard to say. I adored Raven. Her story is not an easy one. She’s seen her share of bad times. I felt so bad for her. I was so emotionally attached. I wanted her to find her piece of happiness so much I wanted to jump in the book and give it to her. It turns out I didn’t have to, which is a good thing, but still, I would have if I could have. I mean, if any book character deserved a happy ending, it’s Rae.
About Gideon Maddox , well, that boy had to grow on me, but he was/is the perfect, sexy counterpart for Raven.
Then there was Mags and Dane, true friends to the end. They have so got Raven’s back.
The setting in the book is eerie and creepy, ghastly spooky and dark. There’s romance, mystery, suspense. There are just so many wonderful elements about this story that it would take pages to write them all. I think the best thing I can say is BUY THIS BOOK!! 🙂 You will be completely blown away by this fairytale retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is definitely one of my fave reads. And even though I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, I am soo buying a paperback version of this right now, today. That’s how much I love this book.
Ms. Reece, if you’re reading this, I love you!! Keep on writing novels like this and you’re going to bump the popular authors off the charts. I’m hooked on your writing. You’re one of my favorites for sure.
Five stars for this one, folks.
Link to the Tour Schedule:
(Please do not post the actual tour list as it may change throughout the tour)
Link to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21944665-the-artisans
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | kobo | TBD
Giveaway Information: Winner will be drawn June 19, 2015
Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of The Artisans by Julie Reece (INT)
Direct Link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c08c9e8e346/?
ABOUT THE ARTISANS:
Title: The Artisans
Publication date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Julie Reece
They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.
To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.
Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad’s drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.
But Raven’s stepdad’s drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she’s ever known out of jail, or worse.
Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries’ clothing line, signing over her creative rights.
Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can’t imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.
But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?
ABOUT JULIE REECE:
Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.
I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.
Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.
Then I thought I’d write one down…
Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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