Paint

by H.M. Mann

The tin-roofed farmhouse off County Road 43 doesn’t whisper. It talks. It even fusses occasionally. At times, it contains a cacophony of Southern voices, at times a symphony. It is rarely quiet because it is a home ... and, it is haunted. Most of the houses and homes, farms and fields, and barns and businesses of Snow, Virginia (population 362), are haunted, but only one man can see and hear house painter Jacob Beauford. The foggy day Jacob tries to match paint to old photographs and a faulty memory in Widow Sparks’ sitting room, his entire world changes because Jacob becomes part of a world he didn’t know existed--the world of the shades. And they are more than happy to talk to and appear for him, scaring the bejeesus of Jacob Beauford, house painter for the dead. PAINT is a multicultural ghost story where the walls not only have ears--they have eyes, hands, lips, and bodies.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Horror

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

H.M. Mann is the pseudonym of multicultural romantic comedy novelist J. J. Murray, who writes multicultural poetry, short stories, plays, and novels with a Southern U. S. flavor. His influences include the works of Ernest Gaines, Margaret Walker, Alice Walker, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and the music of Muddy Waters, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder. Readers can connect with J.J. Murray/H. M. Mann by e-mailing A3JMurray@msn.com or AuthorHMMann@hotmail.com or through Facebook.

Reviews

[Gabriel Soll · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh? Pulp fiction. This was entertaining enough, and had plenty of promise...but it also was pretty corny, predictable at times, and thin. I'll give the author plenty of credit...he wrote, published, and publicized this enough that I found it and read it. And it was a kind of fun premise (depressed man is able to communicate with the dead who are able to travel/appear on paint who then help said man to rebuild a broken life) but it got itself a little lost along the way. There is a lot of forgive...and that's part of the lower rating. Rebuilding broken things and people happens remarkably quickly. Complicated processes and even personalities get boiled down into condensed tv-version soups. There are plot off-shoots that sort of advance the book, but are also frolics that could have been avoided. In any case...with a decent amount of salt, and just reading for the sake of the story, this was an enjoyable quick read. Perhaps a bit of October-y pablum if you need to read a ghost story but don't really want to be spooked?

[Michele F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paint

I didn't know what to expect from a book titled Paint but I know that I like this author who tells stories with humor, heart, courage, and faith. His hero's are usually quirky and likable. The underdog gets the girl.

This story added ghosts, a whole community of ghosts that startle the hero, inspire the hero, and help the hero "get the girl." Not all the ghosts are benevolent. The hero, Jake, and the heroine Melanie were childhood friends. She breaks up with him suddenly moves away marries and comes back needing support. Jake is there to help her feel safe, rebuild a friendship, find love and deal with a community of ghosts.

As usual J.J. Murray is a goo storyteller.

[Karlicorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting mix of love story with ghostly interference. When I thought it was over I realized I still had 25% or so left to read. Obviously I really didn't know where the story was going to go then. But at least it didn't feel like a tacked on ending just to add more pages. There was a bit of a twist though which added to the story.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this after reading his Sisters of Grace for free, and was amazed to enjoy this book as much as that. The characters (living and shades) were compelling and engaging and their interactions frequently hilarious. I recommend this with no reservations.

[MARINDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story.

This is my first time reading a paranormal book. It was a totally unexpected wonderful read. It was funny, heartwarming and real. I could actually picture the story as I read this book. Great job by the author....

[Yodamom]

I tried I just could not get into the story. I dropped it at 6 %. It was just too laid back and slow paced for me.

[Sara Huard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute. Loved the concept.

[Yana Imreorova · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice and funny