The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog are pleased to be a part of the Blog Tour for Ruth Clampett's "The Masterpiece (Work of Art #3)".
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1FYAnWM
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/181p5Cu
Synopsis:
Has Max, the bad boy of the art world been tamed just as his girlfriend, Ava’s star begins to shine? Anything can happen in Los Angeles, a world where heroes become villains and the rogue saves the day.
An unexpected plane ticket leads our heroine to a meeting that will change her life.
What happens when what’s most precious to you slips out of your grasp? How fiercely will you fight for the one you love?
Join Max and Ava for the dramatic and passionate conclusion to the Work of Art trilogy.
Review: Jo Rushton
"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."- Michelangelo
This was one of those books that left me with a lovely warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. I couldn't help the long sigh that escaped me once I had reached the very end. Max and Ava's journey has not been an easy one so to finally get to the last page with a big cheesy grin on my face was such a relief!
With every touch and whisper, he shows me his love over and over.
In moments like this, we're in our own universe, stars shining
brightly no matter how dark and uncertain the night sky.
Both Max and Ava have had a huge amount of obstacles to contend with throughout this series and in this final part of the story, the drama continued. Don't expect this book to be all sunshine and happiness because it most definitely wasn't. There was no way that this passionate couple would achieve their happy ever after without a lot of hard work.
"We're terribly broken and I'm not sure how to repair the damage."
As Max and Ava battled through their many problems they were forced to learn a lot of lessons along the way. This beautiful couple remained determined that their relationship could survive anything. During some parts of the story, I did feel that Max and Ava had so much thrown at them that I began to doubt their ability to continue as a couple. The pair faced every challenge imaginable and there were times that I began to worry if Max and Ava would ever reach their fairy tale ending.
"If you push me away, it's going to ruin us."
Throughout this concluding part I realised time and time again how much Max and Ava have grown and how much stronger they have become, especially as I reached the last few chapters of the story. At the beginning of this series, I quickly learned that Max was a tortured soul and I think there will always be part of him that will struggle to deal with certain situations but in this book, he truly began to deal with his emotions. With Ava by his side, Max knew he had a reason to battle his demons. Max longed for a happy future with Ava and he knew what he had to do to achieve that future.
"Well, we may have been a soap opera, but now I'd like to think we are more like a fairy tale"
"Does that mean we'll have a happily ever after?"
"That's my plan. I hope so. I want to."
I'm not saying that Max found his journey an easy one. There were occasions in the book where I could see that Max was beginning to unravel and my heart broke for him during those scenes. In those moments it reminded me that Max still had a long way to go. Despite his many emotional problems, Max could be the most romantic guy on the planet. He made it so easy for anyone to fall in love with him and I could understand why Ava refused to give up on him. Max truly cherished Ava. He treated her so lovingly and showed what a romantic guy he could be with the right woman. Max made me swoon!
Ava has also made a lot of progress in this concluding story. I have so much admiration for the strength and courage she continuously displayed. Ava was adamant that she was going to be with Max forever and nothing was going to get in the way of their happy ending. Over the course of this story Ava had always struggled with Max's melt downs however in this book I really saw a difference in how she coped with Max and how she has learned the best way to deal with his emotional outbursts. Ava understood Max and showed so much patience with his many issues. I could finally see a bright future for the couple.
"I'm in love with you Max. Madly, rabidly,
ferociously in love with you, and no one messes with that."
I have always loved Max and Ava together but it was in this story that they truly began to shine as a couple. I firmly believe that Max and Ava were meant to be. They were soul mates in every sense of the word and I was rooting for the pair every step of the way. They deserved a happy future together and I kept everything crossed that they got one.
"For the first time in this messed up, exhilarating and emotionally
terrifying drama, I feel certain we'll make it through. There's no other choice."
Once again, Ruth has delivered another enjoyable addition to a brilliant series. I absolutely love Ruth's style of writing. She truly has a beautiful way with words. There was a part in the story where I found that the pace began to slow down a little but it soon picked up again and I found myself hooked. If you are a fan of this series I am certain that you will not be disappointed. I loved it and I was so happy that Ruth made the decision to write an epilogue because I adored it. For me, this finished the series perfectly and I couldn't have wished for a better ending for Max and Ava. If the epilogue does not leave you feeling all giddy with happiness then I will eat my hat! lol!!
"Together we are one, full of hope and love, brimming with the
sweetest promise for what our future holds."
"The Masterpiece" gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ from me!
excerpt:
I wonder if my silence and twirling mind spook Max, so I stroke his hand reassuringly. Because I’m beyond exhausted when we step in the house, he seems unsure of what to say or do. He decides to feed me, and he heats up the leftover pasta from his dinner and pours me a glass of Pinot Noir. We sit at the kitchen island, and he watches me eat as if each bite is his own. I lick my lips and watch him watch me, too exhausted to make much conversation. After dinner, I shower and crawl into bed, still damp and disoriented. He pulls me into his arms and rubs my back gently. I’m so in love and happy to be back home with him, and I tell him that in quiet mumbles. I have a vague memory of my knee hitched up against his erection, but sleep takes me hard.
The next morning dawns in a gray quiet light, and I lift my head and see a thick blanket of fog draped across the Malibu horizon. I settle back into the bed and watch Max as his chest rises and falls with each breath. I observe him for a long while and become overwhelmed with the desire to see more of him. I slide the sheet off, excruciatingly slowly, to reveal his incredible body. His thighs…God, I love his strong thighs and the way they’re slightly parted, leading my view to his beautiful ass. My insides curl with desire as I skim my hand down his back. I’m glad to be naked and warm, my arousal spreading through me. I want him so much that it takes everything not to shake him awake and seduce him.
I quietly lift myself up to my knees so I can study him from another angle. I gently push his waves of hair off his forehead. Inexplicably, tears fill my eyes and I still for a moment. I love this man, and when we’re joined together, all I know in life is the depth of my passion. I kiss his neck, his taste and the Max smell of musk, paint, and salt air arousing me further. He stirs out of the deepest sleep, and as I kiss his jaw, his eyes slowly open.
"I thought I was dreaming and didn’t want to wake up. What are you doing to me, Angel?" he says in his morning voice, as he rolls over to his back.
"Good morning, handsome. Sorry to wake you, but I woke up and you’re naked and all…"
"It’s okay," he says, smiling lazily as he reaches for me. "I take it you missed me."
"You have no idea," I say, as I straddle him, resting lightly on his thighs.
There’s something so intoxicating about how he makes me feel as he looks at me. His eyes are wide now and alert to my movements. He skims his fingers up my sides and then across my breasts, his thumbs circling my nipples.
"Max, I want you so much," I whisper, as I gently run my fingers up and down his length.
His face colors and his jaw flexes as he watches me touch him. He’s completely hard now, and my fingers tighten as I stroke him. His hands slide back to my hips and he pulls me closer so I can lift up and sink down on him. I love it when he’s all the way inside me. His eyes close and his head tips back before he lazily begins to rock his hips. We move slowly in the morning light with the sound and rhythm of our breath and the waves crashing just beyond.
I gaze at him as the intensity builds. His eyes are stormy as his body tenses.
“Max," I whisper.
He takes a sharp breath as he pulls me to him. "I’ve got you, Ava."
His words spark a fuse, and I tremble with exquisite pleasure as he watches me. Every hard thrust is the very definition of masculine energy as he brings me to climax and soon after joins me with a quiet roar. We both settle and try to catch our breath. I ease off of him and curl into his side.
"Round one," he says, as he nuzzles and kisses me.
"Yeah, wait until we have our coffee. I’m already imagining round two, but I’ll definitely need breakfast first." I settle back into the sheets and we lie quietly, listening to the waves break along the shore. My limbs are loose and happy and my head as clear as the early morning beach. Max’s eyes are deep in concentration.
"I can hear your wheels turning. What are you thinking about?" I trace circles lightly with my fingertips across his chest.
"Your birthday." He grins and pulls me closer.
"Oh, it’s next Saturday, isn’t it? Can we do something special?" I’m like a little girl, complete with party hat and balloon.
"It’s already planned."
I grin widely. "Really? What are we going to do?"
"I’m not telling. It’s a surprise. But when you come to spend the night Friday, bring your swimsuit and something nice to wear."
"Oh, I love birthday surprises!"
He kisses me on the forehead. "I’m glad, because this one’s special."
Author Bio:
Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director, Bob Clampett, has spent a lifetime surrounded by art and animation. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her careers have included graphic design, photography, VP of Design for WB Stores and teaching photography at UCLA. She now runs her own studio as the fine art publisher for Warner Bros. where she’s had the opportunity to know and work with many of the greatest artists in the world of animation and comics.
The Work of Art Trilogy is Ruth’s third publishing endeavor, following Animate Me and Mr. 365. She lives in Los Angeles and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who loves art and visiting museums as much as her mom.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RuthyWrites
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