The Living Canvas (Master of Trickery)

Another fabulous addition to my collection I love you Pepper!

4.5 why does it have to be over stars?!!This is book two in the “Master of Trickery Duet” and, therefore, finalizes this duet. I can’t believe Olin and Gil’s story is over.I am in love with this couple. As well as Olive. Though I don’t feel this book was very dark throughout but the beginning had some big triggers. I am so happy for these characters. I love these souls. All four of them and once you read it you will know who I mean. I kept wondering about Justin. Anyone else feel the same way?I have read many Pepper Winters books and never once have I said that book was plain or sloppy. These books are original, mysterious, sexy, slightly dark and twisted . This author is a superb writer and the words tend to fly off the page. The first book was crazy and the beginning of this book was outright scary. I think it fell a little for me the second half it was a little predictable. I kept waiting for that Pepper Winters twist.This is a beautiful duet full of second chances, dark days, loss of hope, trust and triggers. This is a duet you will want to read!!

Wow, if you thought the Body Painter was good, Living Canvas will blow your mind it is so good, but make sure you have a supply of tissues. There were times I cried so hard I had to stop periodically because I couldn’t see the words anymore but don’t be deterred it is so worth reading on and when I could read I couldn’t read fast enough it was so captivating. It is a book full of opposites; It is dark and sweet at the same time; it is anger and laughter, it is love and hate it is despair and hope but most of all it is a fantastic and incredible story about true love and the pain of reaching a happy ever after.

Another AMAZING book by Pepper Winters!I have to admit I was concerned after reading the first book in this series. I had serious doubts that Pepper Winters could redeem Gil in the second book. I mean, COME ON! How do we get past THAT?But once again, Pepper Winters manages to do the unthinkable. Gil redeems himself in this book, though the journey to get there is definitely not an easy one. This book answers SO many of the questions that the first book left unanswered.

Creative and masterfully put together. This book concludes the story of Gilbert Clark and Olin Moss in a journey to test all strands of love, patience and faith. Hardships, loss, and pain are met with fight, strength, love and perseverance. Loved this story.

I wasn't sure about this story of Peppers but it was great, as all her books are. It keeps you sucked into the story and wanting more. Pepper has a way with words that won't let you down. Thanks, Pepper.

Book 2 was better than book 1. It didn't feel as drawn out. Every page, every scene, seemed relevant and important. Overall, I enjoyed how thrilling and sexy these 2 books were. The connection between Olin and Gilbert is electric and soul-deep and the story arc was extremely unique. I also adored the bond between Gil and his daughter and Olin and his daughter.

This duet was epic! The Living Canvas picks up right where The Body Painter left off. If you thought the cliffhanger was wild, just wait until you see what happens next! It’s hard to write a review for this without giving spoilers. Let me just say, you think you know but you have no idea. The shock factors and twists in this audiobook are intense. I couldn’t catch my breath and went through a thousand different feelings! I don’t know how Pepper Winter’s comes up with these intense, magical, and epic stories, but I hope she never stops. She writes the most unique, twisted, dark, beautiful, emotional, and all-consuming stories I have ever read/listened to.Will M. Watt and Felicity Foster are a dream team for this duet audiobook. They were perfectly cast for their roles. This is such an intense, traumatic, tragic, and passionate story. They embraced it and embodied their characters. The timing, pitch, pace, characterizations, and tone were exemplary. The duet narration made this listening experience so much more engrossing. This duet would not have been the same without them. They brought the story to life and enhanced the emotional experience. I highly recommend the audio version of The Living Canvas!

I received an ARC via Expresso Book ToursI don’t understand how Pepper has this insane ability to make my heart physically break. I cried--not as much as some of her other books--but I did. When I wasn’t crying for Olin and Gil, my chest was in pain solely from the words on the page. While The Body Painter was mystery and angst, this one was all heartbreak and angst. Secrets are out; it’s the outcomes of those secrets to deal with now.Unlike The Body Painter this book only takes place in the present, all besides one chapter in the beginning. All there is to be said of the past has been said and this book is how that past and that horrible teacher just continues to ruin Gil’s life and affect the present.The book picks up right where the first ended with Gil telling Olin he will be sacrificing her. The book immerses you into the sadness right away. It did take me for a bit of a surprise as I wasn’t expecting the blackmail thing to be resolved as quickly as it was, but I can see why and appreciate why the author didn’t just get stuck on that one plotline. It has much more of an impact to the characters than I first thought, and the rest of the book is about the outcome after that night.I do need to say how I do appreciate the author for going through with it and not giving Gil that happy ending right away. I can’t describe much here to avoid giving out spoilers, but if it was all cut and dry, it’d be unrealistic, considering the events. Plus, it only added to the sadness that much more, and later, when he does get his happy ending, even more angst is tacked on as Gil deals with what occurred during the time.Oh, Gil. I reflect on The Ribbon Duet as well as it’s companion, and I am trying to figure out who has caused me the most sadness: Ren, Jacob, or Gil. I’m not sure I have an answer to it and if Gil isn’t the winner here, then he’s a close second or third. Ever since that first scene in book 1, life has been throwing hell at him. Between Olin, the teacher, Olive, and the events of this book...my goodness, can someone have more bad luck than him? Even at the end, when things are going right, he thinks otherwise in regards to O, so you just feel for him here.I’ve said this briefly, but the story is fantastic. The plot is realistic; not an everyday thing, but something that is plausible. The romance and angst is there, causing half the heartbreak. Olin and Gil are a childhood romance that never fully came to be and they’re still trying to make it work. It’s a story of survival, at its core. Surviving the past, surviving the past’s effects on the present, and surviving to make it to the future. Survival in the book occurs in many forms: surviving life’s challenges, parenthood, relationships, and near-death. Olin survived Gil and Jeffrey, Olive survived absence and Jeffry, and Gil survived everything.I talked about Gil already, but in regards to the other characters, I have nothing negative to say. Justin turned out to be one of my favorites. He’s genuine and good and is a true friend. Nothing he does is for his own benefit. He doesn’t try to take Gil’s place in any way; just supplement it for the time being. As much as my heart broke for Gil mostly, it also broke for Olin. The poor girl just keeps losing him, and when she has him, given what he has done, can she cope with it all?It’s one that will keep my mind reeling for a long time. I’m really happy Pepper got this duet out into the world and now bring on Goddess Isles!