Title: The Artisans
Publication date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Blurb Description: 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!
**GIVEAWAY**
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**MY REVIEW**
I'm a huge fan of the impossible. And strange, sexy, weirdly controlling, know it all guys. And mystery. So, The Artisans, on reading the synopsis, sounded like the perfect book for me!
And while it was a good book, I wished that it could have been more.
I loved the fact that Raven had a conscious, that she was an excellent artist, and that she cared so much for her family, even if the first was shadowed by excessive teenage drama. I loved that Gideon always mentioned that aloof, mysterious, charming attitude, with the I know it all, have it all air- all while slowly breaking the exterior and showing us his soft side. I loved Dane (Ravens best friend) and all the brotherly love, but it seemed like Maggie (her other best friend) was only put there because Julie Reece wanted to avoid a love triangle between Gideon, Dane and Raven and to start putting ideas into Ravens head about Gideon- and the I didn't like because best friends are supposed to be more than just that.
I thought the entire concept of the Artisans was strange as well- I mean seriously? Who does that? But then, I guess I figured it out long before it was actually explained, and a small part of me was hoping for more, and I didn't get it. And Desiree. She was the worst of the lot- you'll have to read to find out who she is- but still.
But I did love the overall themes of friendship and strange, forbidden love and random acts of sexy kindness! So, overall, a book I would recommend if just for the romance! 4 stars!
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